humanity
Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of music professionals, amateurs, inspiring students, celebrities, lifestyle influencers, and general feel good human stories in the music sphere.
Memphis' Pride and Joy: Brennan Villines
I was in the middle of working on a blog I had been researching for over a week, and something happened which made me abandon it immediately and change course. Scrolling through social media two days ago, I ran across a post from one of my former Young Avenue Sound neighbors. If you have read any of my previous work, you know well the fondness I have for this place and its inhabitants. I am the self-proclaimed “studio mom” as I am a few years older, and already hold the maternal role for four other humans (five if you count my dad who will get into more trouble than the kids). I moved in years ago, following the death of my husband, and while most of them have known each other for many years, I was a newcomer. They welcomed me like an old friend. Needless to say, it is like a home to me.
By Virtuosity's NewVMusic 8 years ago in Beat
'My Sub-Genre's Better Than Yours'
This statement is a classic example of an attitude that is formally called genre elitism. Plenty of us are guilty of it in one way or another. Ever heard a rock or metal fan say that pop's no good? That's genre elitism. I've been known to say that too (though less now than I used to), but without it, I may have never found rock music after all. But what I want to talk about is a more harmful form of genre elitism, one that infects the heart of the rock and metal community, and that's when, ironically, we turn against our own genre. It's when the metalheads wrinkle their noses at the pop punk kids, or the emo kids, when the music that aims to unite us divides us. And, frankly, it sucks.
By E.W Hemmings8 years ago in Beat
We Should Be More Open to Unknown Musicians
We are now in an era where anybody can make music and with the internet, it has become easier to make a living from doing what you love. There are really talented people going into a rut and quitting their passion because they are not seeing signs that they can possibly make a living from it. Of course, we should learn how to market ourselves or hire someone to help, but, the listeners can help a great deal too.
By DaSean Best8 years ago in Beat
Musical Notes
Growing up, I heard plenty of music everywhere I went: stores, relatives house, school, movies and most obvious my house. I was into a lot of musical genres so I pretty much heard a bunch of songs about drugs, heartbreak, exes, sex, etc. But something I haven't really noticed while hearing these songs was the story behind every chorus, bridge, and even notes. Many people know the feeling the singer was expressing, the reason they wrote the song but they don't know the power the lyrics hold, the effect a small tune can have on a person.
By Cynthia Perez8 years ago in Beat
Why Country Music Evolving Is a Good Thing. Top Story - April 2018.
I was raised on country music. As my taste and openness to other genres has blossomed in the advent of my adult life, the genre has remained a favorite of mine. I like the story-telling, the emotional through-line, the authenticity.
By Shamus Gerrity8 years ago in Beat
The Language of Music
Music has been around longer than we could even imagine. Ever since humans were created that was when music was as well, because it’s something that we all need in our lives and what brings people together. Music can help bring together people who have totally different lives, people who think completely different from one another, and can help them become friends or learn about other people. When we listen to music sometimes we don’t feel like other people will understand why we listen to certain types or certain artists, but when you go to a concert you feel a sense of community. Like all these people that are at that concert are going through or who feel the way you do, and you feel happy and safe and like you’re with family even though you’ve never even met.
By Brianna DiPrima8 years ago in Beat
The Underappreciated Women of Rock
The band Heart is undoubtedly one of the greatest bands to come out of the classic rock era. Songs like "Barracuda" and "Crazy On You" put them on the map. The band formed in an era that female rock musicians were not taken seriously and were downright thwarted in comparison to their male counterparts. Notable female rock musicians from their era of the late 70s – early 80s were people like Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, and so many others that made their mark on the genre. The common theme with all of them seems to be that they have, at one point, been discredited on the sole purpose of gender. The Wilson sisters of Heart have been particularly treated in a disgusting way just for the simple fact that they were women succeeding at being rock stars. In fact, the inspiration to write "Barracuda" came from the anger towards a false publicity stunt that claimed that the Wilson sisters were in an incestuous relationship, and geared its anger toward the music industry sexism that tried to put them down.
By Practical Stunts8 years ago in Beat
The Future of Music
I have come to realize through my life that passions once thought to be in the past can come back with an unpredictable force. Music will always be a massive part of my life, and the life of my family. I gave up dreams, knowing that it was best for my family, but giving something up doesn't always mean forever.
By Christopher Jardine8 years ago in Beat
