I'd like to think my taste in music is eclectic. My music journey started by being influenced from a young age to my father and mothers music which ranged from The Eagles, Meatloaf, Elton John, Queen (my father) to The Beatles, Elvis and other 60s band (my mother). I remember fondly exploring through their CD's and LPs and taking a chance on the music within going off the artwork. It was exciting. I remember fondly trying to guess what the music sounded like after looking at the sometimes random and provocative album artwork. As soon as one album as done, the craving for more took hold and I'd hurry back to see what else the metaphorical sweet shop of music held in store. I quickly became a fan of the bands which I had discovered, predominantly, Queen and The Beatles and still am to this day.
As I grew my yearning for more music knowledge/experiences grew with me and I looked to my elder brother and sister, taking on board what they were listening to. My brother who was nearly 20yrs my senior grew up loving punk, two tone and prog rock music. A vastly different sound to that I had listened to from my parents. My brothers rock bands of choice, that I took interest in, were the greats from the 70s Pink Floyd, Madness and The Sex Pistols. I was haunted for years the memory of watching Pink Floyd's movie, The Wall, with him one night as an impressionable 10 year old. A memory I will never forget. My sister, ten years older, was more into the pop music of the 80s with artists such has Madonna, Kyle Minogue, Paul Young, Phil Collins making the rotation in her EP collection. We used to go on road trips around the area just listening to the charts on the radio singing our hearts out.
As I grew into my teens that need for discovering new music stayed with me and I ventured off on my own into the world of music, at first looking for music that sounded similar to that already experienced, needing that comfort blanket and familiarity. Bands such as Oasis, Blur, The Verve, Kula Shaker and Stone Roses who all seemed exciting and fresh but with call-backs to the sound of The Beatles, Queen and even The Eagles. I was excited with every trip to Woolworths to see what singles I could buy or albums if I liked the band enough.
As I grew I went through what I call the teen cocoon phase, shutting myself off in my room with only gaming and music for entertainment. This is where my music journey flourished. I'd fully concentrate on the music without distractions and take note of who songs were built in songs but also as a whole album, sometimes telling a story from start to finish. I was making leaps across genres and soundscapes. During an exceptionally hard time around the millennium I used this escapism hard when coping and got lost in the music which had brought me so much comfort and good memories in the past.
During my 20s, 30s to present I've continued to collect fresh and exciting new music to add to my collection - firstly CDs, then in playlists such as Winamp and then Spotify. The Journey continues. I also found a love of hosting gigs for local bands in the area by being a music promoter giving them a chance to shine but also introducing me to homegrown music influenced by the music I loved already and sometimes something completely different. Watching as the bands evolve into more proficient bands and artists has been great to see. We've garnered praise in the local community for being fair and for being there to promote them. Something I'm proud of
The journey is ongoing. A journey I never want to end.
