Music and the senses

Did you ever notice that when you smell something familiar, it can bring back a memory or flashback of something that has happened in your past? The sense of smell is the strongest out of all the sense and can instigate people to recall memories that occured even years prior. This what happened to me today, except the smell helped me to remember a certain song that I was listening to some time ago.

I was walking through Bloomingdales today and an older lady, probably in her mid 50s, walked past me. The smell of her perfume swarmed around me and I knew that that smell was seemingly familiar. After thinking about it for a series of minutes, I was finally able to recall why the smell was so familiar to me.

The image of being in the Beacon Theater in New York City instantly came into my head, once I was able to pinpoint what the smell reminded me of. The perfume that that woman was wearing was the same perfume as a woman I had met in NYC while at an Allman Brothers concert in the city. I was at the concert with a friend of mine, and we were by far the youngest people in the venue. The woman in front of us had taken special notice of myself and my friend (probably since we were a generation younger than everybody else) and had seemed so ecstatic that people in a generation younger than herself were still able to enjoy and appreciate her the music of her own generation. We had a profound musical conversation and found a majority of similarities between ourselves. It was clear that I had made an impact on her life, and she did on mine as well.

The senses really are an incredible thing and even have a link the the world of music. It's interesting how one smell can help me to recall such a specific image that occurred in my history. It makes me wonder if the perfume that I wear can perhaps have an effect on someone else, as the woman in the store did with me today.

College; a place to find out who you are

So I have just arrived from my first semester of college. WHAT?!

How did this happen? Why does time go by so fast when you're having a good time? Why can't the good times last longer and the bad times be shorter?

These are all things I was thinking about while on the train on my way back to Long Island, a four hour drive from Skidmore. First semester of school exceeded my expectations, and I learned a lot in my classes and a lot about myself. I've surrounded myself with friends that I know will last for a long time and I'm slowly starting to learn more and more about myself and my own interests.

The first thing I did once I got home was see my best friend (who's name is also Lauren), whom I have been friends with for the last 11 years. We met in first grade and became best friends in 3rd grade, and have remained best friends since. One of the first things she told me about was the new friends that she made at school. A few of her best friends happen to be huge phish fans (like me!) and are all going to the 3 shows in new york city on new years eve weekend. WOAH. This is so cool that my best friend is finally meeting people like me and who can share my enjoyment in attending these sorts of concerts. They convinced her to go, so now I am convinced I am going to have the best new years eve weekend of my life, with my favorite band and my best friend.

Who knew that college could transform people into liking different things, music, and ideas? My friend had never been into the same music as me before school, but now we are both going to the same concert. I'm convinced that college brings out the best in people, and helps people to find their way through learning and experience.


I wonder what new things next semester is going to bring!

Chinese culture and the mind

I've always found Chinese music and culture to be intriguing. The people of china believe that music can make every day life better, something that I believe as well. The Chinese make music and important part of school so that children grow up understanding the meaning and value of music. Meditation is also a large part of Chinese music, since it goes along with the whole theme of relaxation, understanding, and living a healthy lifestyle. Traditional chinese music consists of strings, woodwinds, and percussion. Here's a little clip of some traditional sounding chinese music.
Chinese Music

Music is something of the soul, that can be seen differently for every individual. It  can provide people with experiences, relaxation, or even a place to hold their faith. Meditation is a huge part of chinese culture, due to the writings of Confucius. Chinese music is very peaceful and I can say from personal experience, that is relieves stress and relaxes the mind and soul. Whenever I'm having a stressful day, I usually like to do some form of meditation which can only be done while listening to relaxing and simplistic music. Stress is strictly a psychological thing but I have learned that there are plenty of ways that it can be reduced, and the majority of the ways that it works for me is through the beauty of music.

Il Divo

So I recently came across this new band called "Il Divo" who I think are pretty awesome. They are not necessarily a band of a different culture, but rather are four men from totally different heritages that came together and formed a band. One of from Sweden, and the others are from America, Spain, and France. They were all famous opera singers in their home places and they came together to create a terrific harmonizing band that performs in Spain and the United States. Though I don't speak spanish, I love listening to all of their songs (though I can't understand what they mean haha). The song "Regrasa a mi" is such a beautiful song, with all of the harmonies and beautiful ethereal tones.

Here's a link to a video of the song Regrasa A Mi.

Regresa a mi - Il Divo

An african adventure

While I was surfing the internet today, I came across a cool african website that featured a lot of information about the african culture as well as links to african music. Me, being the music freak that I am, of course visited the links leading to african music, which I actually found to be really awesome. Here's the first link that I went to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96SxKk0zeek

I thought this was really cool because it involved multiple elements of music. It started off with a more relaxed brass sector and then evolves into an upbeat tune with drums and African singing. The complexity of the piece is pretty interesting since it goes from one type of genre to another. I really like the african voices because it adds a lot of diversity into the song itself, ultimately making the song more interesting.

Listening to music of different cultures is so cool for me since I am very into traveling and learning about new interesting things. Listening to this kind of stuff makes me feel like I'm in an African safari, which is something I have always wanted to do. Its amazing what music can do to a person; deceive them into thinking that they are in a different place than they actually are, and the creative things that it stimulates the brain to do. Every type of music makes me think of something different, whether it be a color, a painting, or an experience. But listening to culturally diverse music makes me able to think that I am on some sort of trip to a different country or place, which is something that I love to do.

A desire for more

I've recently  had an epiphany and realized that I need to expand my knowledge of music. I tend to find things that I like and then forget about everything else that's out there, by just sticking to the things I know I like. But I recent desire to widen my musical range has overcome me. Although the jam and rock scene will always be my favorite, I do think it's important to be well rounded and knowledge about music of different genres.

 So, I've decided that I want to explore music that is created in different cultures. While listening to a pandora mix on my computer the other day, a song that entailed spanish guitar came on and I all of a sudden found a new interest of mine. Here's a link to one of the songs that I have been listening to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3KLPTHg9Nc&playnext=1&list=PL4C834FC6DF576ECB&index=28

The passion that the guitarist portrays is simply breath-taking and the complexity of the piece as a whole is something that I find to be very impressive. I'll most likely be listening to spanish guitar for a while, while still exploring other types of music.

Ethereal tones, the center of my world

I'm currently listening to one of my favorite Phish songs, Character Zero, and it makes me think about life and where I currently am in life today. It is by far one of my favorite songs by the band and it always is a way to lift up my mood and make my day a little brighter, especially when I'm not having that great of a day. Music has given me something to lean back on and to count on, and one thing about it that is different than anything else is that it will never go away. It will be there through anything, to get people through hard times or just provide them with moments of pleasure. It can also give people something to look forward to, such as myself. I can't stop thinking about seeing them in NYC on New Year's Eve, with all of my friends and family. It's going to be a New Year's Eve to remember, once again.

Funny enough, Phish actually is one of the reasons why I got into Skidmore College. In my art class junior year, I had been working on an art project that was based off of the Phish song "Divided Sky", and had created a work of art based off of what I saw and felt in my head. I decided to write about this experience of turning one form of art (music) into another (art piece). Whenever I heard colors, I would draw them onto my art piece. When I heard a C major chord, I would draw specific colors that it made me think of, in the order that I heard them. My art piece ended up being put into an art show in my school and was looked upon highly by the art and music teachers. The experience that I had with two art forms of which I have so much passion and energy for is just unexplainable.

Essentially, music is the core of everything, living and un-living. It depends on how a person looks at the world and incorporates their music in their life. It affects my past, present, and future and will continue to for the rest of my life.

A relatable Atmosphere

One of the main reasons why I chose to go to Skidmore College was because of the atmosphere in and surrounding the college, particularly the amazing town of Saratoga Springs. I remember I fell in love with the school and town the first time I visited, and those feelings only grew stronger as time passed. I couldn't figure out exactly what I liked about the atmosphere as a whole, but from residing here for the past few months, I have been able to figure it out more and more. For one thing, a few mornings ago I was walking through my dorm hallway and heard the song "Fire in the Mountain" (A Grateful Dead Song) blasting in the common room. Most school's would not have old music such as Grateful Dead playing in the public common room, and would also most likely not have multiple people standing around to watch it. Being that old rock is becoming less and less popular as time goes on, finding people that can appreciate the same musical talent as my self is something I find very satisfying. Phish and Grateful Dead fans are a very unique breed of people, and it is nice to be able to relate to other people about my own musical interests.

This same thing happened while I was walking in downtown Saratoga. We were walking past an outdoor bar and the song "Farmhouse" (one of my favorite Phish songs) was playing. Another thing that you would not find in Suffolk County Long Island! It is a great feeling to see that not only can I relate to people in my school, but also to people in my town.

I also recently found out that the guitarist of Phish, Trey Anastasio, has a house in Saratoga and the band played a show at Skidmore College in the 1990s. The fact that my favorite band actually played at my school means a lot to me and I can't think of anywhere else I would want to be at this point in my life.

A Weekend to Remember

I have to say, the weekend of October 22nd is definitely one that I will remember for quite a long time. As mentioned in my most recent blog, I had gone up to Boston to visit my brother, and attend two Phish concerts, one in Rhode Island and the other in Amherst. Both concerts exceeded my expectations and brought the experience of going to concert to a whole new dimension. Once I arrived in Boston, my brother and I drove to Rhode Island, got ready for the show, and were off to groove out for the rest of the night. Phish played a number of my favorite songs in the first set, like NICU, Fluffhead, and Roses are Free, which was a great start to the show. Knowing the songs that the band plays while at a show is an integral part of the experience, since it sparks so much excitement when hearing the first few seconds of the song.

Not only did Phish play some of my favorite songs, we also managed to get amazing seats in the audience. Being up close is another excellent feature of a concert, especially when it is generally admission. We were no more than 15 rows away from the first row, which made the experience that much more exciting.

The next show was equally good, if not better than the first show. This time, Phish played some songs that were more obscure than the others, and made the show unique and interesting. For one thing, the drummer of the band got up in the middle of the first set, and started creating music with vacuum. It seems like such a strange thing, but it is not unheard of at a Phish show. The pitch of the vacuum fluctuates when he covers certain parts of it, and it made the crowd go absolutely wild. They then played a song in the second set called "You Enjoy Myself", where the guitarist, Trey, and bassist, Mike, jumped on trampolines while still playing the music. This was such a cool experience for the audience to not only hear good music, but visually see the band members having a blast and doing things that are not so common in the musical world.

I will soon be going to 3 Phish concerts in Madison Square Garden, one of the nights being New Years Eve. It is going to be another amazing three nights..I absolutely can't wait!

The Older, The Wiser..

After a recent phone conversation with my brother (who is also a Phish/Dead head, like myself), I have made the decision to go up to Boston for two days to see two Phish concerts. There is a concert in Rhode Island on Friday, October 22nd, and then a concert in Amherst MA on Saturday October 23rd. My brother, who resides at Boston College, will be accompanying me for this two day bonanza and will be able to enjoy the concerts just as much as I do, being that he is the one to have gotten me into this sort of music in the first place. If it weren't for my brother, I would not have had nearly as many fantastic experiences musically and my entire thought process would be completely different from the way it is now. The evolutionary transition of music that I have undergone within the past four years is almost overwhelming, considering I switched from one genre of music to a genre that is the complete opposite of what I was used to. And the genre would be the jamband scene.

It all started with my very first Allman Brother Concert that I attended while in my Sophomore year of High School. My brother had gone to many concerts before, but I had previously never had any interest in the bands he liked whatsoever. He would always come back from a show and brag about how amazing it was, and I just could not understand what could be so good about standing up for hours and watching people show off their talent. My thoughts changed after my first Allman Brothers concert. It was at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan, and was filled with people who were of a different generation than my brother and myself. I was a little intimidated at first, but those feelings of intimidation were quickly surpassed once the music started and I saw the crowd go wild. Seeing all the different colors and people dancing, along with the band members being so passionate about what they were doing had given me a sensation unlike any sensation I have ever had before. Everything was so live and real, and I felt feelings of euphoria throughout my entire time.

Once we returned from the concert, I could easily understand how and why my brother had attended over 27 concerts within one year. The feelings that they bring and the happiness it provides for people is just surreal, and can only be appreciated by a unique breed of people. I enjoy being a part of something that was formed in a different generation, and not conforming to the music of the current era, which in my opinion is silly and not made with talent. The Allman Brothers concert was a rite of passage for me, and I feel lucky to have had an influence in my life like my brother, because it led me to many great experiences in my life.

News For The Dead Heads...

Formed in 1997, Dark Star Orchestra is a United States Tribute band that covers live shows previously done by the legendary band, the Grateful Dead. It's members include Jeff Mattson, Rob Eaton, Kevin Rosen, and Lisa Mackey, as well as other members that have been previously performing with them. The band performs specific shows that the Grateful Dead played and and exact setlists, which is pretty interesting since the cover can be compared to the original. DSO is great for any Grateful Dead fan, and the shows may bring some sort of nostalgia to fans that have already attended Dead shows.

DSO has just confirmed plans to ring in 2011 with a New Year's run at The Klein in Bridgeport, CT. Tickets go on sale on September 29th and VIP tickets will also be sold. The band also just announced the release of an original Grateful Dead song called "Run Mary"and can now be heard streaming online.

I'm super exited for the upcoming tour and the release of the new song. I've seen DSO twice before and had a blast...it's the closest I can get to a real Grateful Dead concert, with the exception of Further and The Dead. I'd encourage anyone who is a fan of the Dead to attend the upcoming tour!

A Feeling of Nostalgia

I recently was walking in town, and went past the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which is the place where I had some of the very best times of my life.  As I walked along the park, it brought back a striking feeling of nostalgia for the memories that I had there this past summer. Phish had played there for two nights, as well as the the Dave Mathews Band, which I also saw in mid July. All three shows were some of the best concerts of my life, and helped make my summer one that I will never forget.

I first went to the Dave Mathews Concert in mid July, and didn't really know what to expect, being that it was my first Dave show. I had heard many good things about it, but wasn't sure if it was going to be similar to the concerts that I'm used to, or a totally new experience. It ended up being the latter. The music was amazing, but it was the crowd that made it such a spectacular show. I was surrounded by my very close friends, and we ended up making a bunch of new friends there that I still keep in touch with today. Dancing and singing all night with people that I care about is really what made the experience worth while.

A month later, my brother and I were back at the Performing Arts Center to see the two Phish shows. It was a similar experience to the Dave Mathews show, since it was all about dancing, singing and being with people you love. But since Phish is my ultimate favorite band, it made it that much more special to me since I knew every lyric to every song and was with a larger group of my friends. I also got to talk to the bassist of the band, Mike Gordon, after the show, which was simply surreal for me. I realized that going to concerts is a passion of mine, and I will remember the good times it provided me every time I walk past the venue.

Calling All Phish Phans

The alternative rock band Phish, with Trey Anastasio on guitar, Mike Gordon on bass, John Fishman on drums, and Paige McConnell on keyboard, has recently announced a fall tour for the year 2010. Having just finished a Summer tour, fans are excited to see the band flourish for another few months while they play in various venues across the country. The band will be starting their tour in Broomfield, CO, and will finish it off with a three night show in Atlantic City, NJ. We can assume that the tour will be a mastering success, being that eleven out of the fourteen shows are already sold out, and tickets were sold out within seconds of being available. It is not surprising though, considering the phenomenal experience the band provides for its audience; any phan can vouch for that.

The summer tour was one like no other, with each show better than the next. I followed the band for four straight days, starting out in Hartford, CT and ending up in Saratoga Springs, NY.  I can easily say that it was the best four days of my life. Each show provided me with a new, incredible experience, with the most talented music from our day. Trey tore it up from beginning to end, driving the crowd crazy with each arpeggio and chord change. Paige, Mike, and John follow Trey's lead when it comes to improv, and they all succeed in creating a symphony of musical euphoria.

Not only was the music impeccable, but the crowd is also what makes the scene. At a phish show, you will not find one single person in the crowd just standing around. Every person knows each word to every song, and not one person is standing still.  So if you like to have a good time and listen to awesome music, be sure to hit up the upcoming fall tour. You will not regret it!