Student of the School of Rock

In my early teens, at the back of a Spanish lesson In School, a friend offered to me one half of her ear phone. “Hello, I love you” by The Doors was playing and I instantly fell in love back.

After the Doors came Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Black sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne AND Ronnie James Dio and Queen. It didn’t take long for me to be completely rocking in the Free World. Rock and Roll was not just music for 14 year old Me but how I began to live my life. My first weekend job, which was at an alternative clothing store paid for my roady life style. Money was saved and spent on tickets to see Motley Crue and W.A.S.P perform on the big stage, I purchased Jimi Hendrix t-shirts, lace up Doc Martin boots and started collecting records.

Friends and I would gather in garages and big halls to watch a band of teenage boys rehearse for their upcoming gigs at a local social club. Every band needs loyal groupies. My first Love, a long haired lover from Liverpool and I travelled in our late teens to London to see Iron Maiden along with 10,000 other fans. We longed to be the new Tommy and Pammy, oblivious to the real horrors of their Love.

All these years later and I still have the ticket stubs reminding me of those youthful manic times. To my Mothers horror, dying my hair a multitude of colours became frequent. Alongside this; I pierced my nose and lips. I am without the rings now and unfortunately, the holes still show. My Pink Floyd and Lynyrd Skynyrd tattoos are happily with me for life. At 18 I got my first tattoo, musical lyrics across my neck. I will never forget the tattoo artist exclaiming that “ Tattoos are hard and smoking is cool” Whilst dragging the sharp needle across my innocent skin. Luckily, I fell out of the latter.

Music in Film was another big influence for me; with Quentin Tarantino suppling my daily soundtrack and singing along to “The Warriors” theme song was a common habit of mine. On my 21st Birthday I got my picture taken in front of the famous Wonder Wheel ride located on Coney Island beach, just outside New York City. I was finally in the gang. My teenage self was still alive and kicking (I believe she still is, although 8 years have passed)

I am an old Soul In all aspects of my life. Fashion was right there too and I would switch from girls like Penny Lane in Cameron Crowes masterpiece film “Almost Famous” to Blondies lead singer Debbie Harry. Bohemian on Monday, Punk by the Tuesday. Along with Christine McVee and Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac, These Women paved the way for my own self-expression. Talented, creative and passionate: The women of rock influenced more than just my ears.

Like most young girls at this age, I was entering a very turbulent and confusing period of life. With the pressure of responsibility loaming and past trauma conditioning the ego it is tough finding the confidence to be you. To be who you truly want to be, not the version of you that your parents approve of or the type of person you know the kids at school will like. To be a version that was created from your own Heart. To be uniquely you in teenage years is a blessing. Navigating the World around you changes so much in these adolescent years and I believe Music is a beautiful guide. You can listen to a song or hear lyrics that were written just for you. You feel seen, it is like Artist has a peep hole into your soul and through the music you see your life.

Prior to my teen years my Family suffered a tragic blow when my brother past away when he was a teenager. 20 years has passed since his death and I still own his Dr. Dre and Wu Tan Clang cassette tapes. It wasn’t until my mid 20s Rap became and a huge part of my life and these tapes offered a wholesome (and original) Blueprint for me.

Upon his death I became mentally unwell and was removed from school and home tutored. I spent two years not making friends or socialising. I had no classroom interaction and I could not enjoy after school clubs. I felt completely alone. However, All things must pass and after much love and care from my family and sessions with therapists I returned to a brand new school. So when my new friend offered up half of her music pleasures to me, it was more than a friendly gesture. I was entering a new world and I was not alone any more.

The years following that day have been extremely joyful for me. As I have grown, my music catalogue has too. Different experiences in my life have shaped me and each has a genre of music to accompany it. I was introduced to Spanish Jazz from waitressing in a Cuban cocktail bar when travelling around New Zealand. I escape often into Classical music from watching Ballet performances with friends and lovers at Christmas time. From dance classes to karaoke with friends and relaxing alone in my room, music is with me always. I am never alone.

The most exciting thing to me about music, is that it is endless. The love we receive from music is limitless. Vibrations from a beat to a human heart is electricity. Unexplainable emotions; yet all we know is the music always makes sense. Music is any form is one of Life’s most precious gifts and I am thankful for it daily. Even hearing a bird sing, can brighten my day.