Over the last year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of working here at Jukely doing everything from interviewing musicians, to writing about music news, to listening to bands from around the world and writing blurbs about them for the app. I’d like to share a few of the insights that I’ve learned and hopefully, they’ll resonate with you as much as they did me.
There is music for everyone
I know there are some people who don’t like any sounds, but after listening to thousands of hours of music over the last few months, I’ve learned that there’s just too much music to not find something that resonates with you. Some like to rock (and we salute you), some like cool jazz, some like industrial noise, others like minimal house. But no matter who you are, there’s music out there for you. If you haven’t found it yet, keep searching.
Music has no race
You can look at this in a lot of ways, but the best part about audio is that anyone can make it and the sound you make is all your own. Music is one of those magical things that transcends visual representation and connects directly with the listener’s brain. There are people who will associate genres/sounds/etc. with people. But with audio, it’s easy not to.
Sound evolves and devolves in every generation
Did you know that there’s a thriving disco scene going on right now? Classic rock is trying to make a comeback. Classical music is being played somewhere in your state today. No matter what the sound is, it will come back, go away, evolve, and devolve. Music has the special ability to flex and flux throughout the years and what’s cool may change. But if you wait long enough, it’ll show itself again.
Music brings people together
Just a few days ago, I was at a sold-out show and took a look around the room. Old people, young people, children, accents from around the world, and I realized just how much music brings people together. In a lot of ways, you don’t have the ability to decide what kind of music you like. It just strikes the right chord for you, and you’re stuck loving a band forever (or until they release something horrible). But isn’t that incredible in and of itself? A few people get together and make noise and you just so happen to like the noise?
There’s too much music to hear it all
This is the worst part about music and possibly the best. There’s just so much music out there. You will never be able to listen to it all. You will never be able to listen to every recording that’s ever been recorded of your favorite band. And there’s probably music being made somewhere in the world that would make you weep, it’s so good, but unfortunately, you’ll never hear it. I wish there was less music available to me and I’m angry that I can’t listen to more.
You can respect a genre, even if you don’t enjoy it
How many times have you heard, “I love all music, except…” and then they went on to name each of the genres that they don’t like? After writing thousands of blurbs about bands of every genre, I listen to it all and respect each for what it is. That doesn’t mean I’m searching out many of the genres available, but give them all a chance. They’ve all got something unique inside.
Music is good for you
I’ve written a ton of pieces on this gem of a fact: music is good for you. If it’s reducing stress or helping you sleep or even bringing your relationship closer together, music has a way of healing what’s broken. If that’s not reason enough to love it, I don’t know what is.
