Welcome to the Masquerade

"We've got the fire, who's got the matches 
Take a look around at the sea of masks 
and come one come all, welcome to the grand ball 
Where the strong run for cover and the weak stand tall 

I'm not one to scatter ashes 
But there's some things that melt the plastic 
Try and dig down deeper if you can 

I'm not afraid 
I'm not ashamed 
I'm not to blame 
Welcome to the masquerade" 

Welcome to the Masquerade - Thousand Foot Krutch 

Tonight, after emptying two bottles of beer, I wanted a slightly different drink. Usually I progress from beer to vodka with little hesitation, but tonight, alas, my alcohol shelf was void of vodka. In fact, it currently holds a bottle of tequila, a 3 litre goon sack of cheap red wine (left by a guest and something I will one day turn into sangria), and two of those pre-mixed shots you buy when you want to have a really good, and a really bad, night. So, tequila it was, I guess. A long time ago a friend told me about this great drink someone had mixed for her: tequila and lemonade. It was a different but nice, she'd said. And I thought tonight was the best night to try that. I started with ice and a shot of tequila and topped up the glass with soda water. I tried it and shuddered. A wedge of lemon would fix that. But still, no good. Then I added some cucumber to try make it refreshing. Still bitter. Try some L&P suggested the flatmate. This improved it slightly. What about salt, suggested this same, trying to helpful flatmate. It changed the flavour no doubt, but at the of the day, my drink still tasted like tequila. 

It's the masquerade; the big, false idea of a masquerade working. 

Because sometimes there is nowhere to hide. 

I saw Thousand Foot Krutch play at Kings Arms late last year. I bought tickets for me and my bestie after humming and humphing for months about whether to go; the opening act was The Latest Fallout and I am a fangirl of their work and their lead singer. Eventually, in need of a good time, I bought tickets and went along to one of the sweetest gigs Kings Arms have ever offered. It was pumping. It was a bunch of fans laying it all on the line for this sweet rock band. Since then I've been a fan, both of their style and of their song lyrics, and especially of Welcome to the Masquerade. 

I like songs that remind you that sometimes everything is not okay. 

That sometimes you're supposed to be scared, supposed to be ashamed, supposed to make a mistake and be the one to blame. 

And sometimes you hide your feelings, shut your eyes and gulp down your disgusting tequila concoction, because it's the best you've got, and the best you can do. 

Or at least until you can get to the bottle shop to get something better. 

It's Not Right For You

"She said, "Is this the life you've been dreaming of
Spending half the day away from the things you love?
It's not too late to do something new."

She said, "It's hard enough trying to live your life.
But not following your dreams made you dead inside.
If you don't love what you do."

It's not right, it's not right for you
If you even have to think about it
It's not right, it's not right for you
If you really have to think about it
You got one life to love what you do"

It's Not Right For You - The Script

This year I am boycotting New Years Resolutions. I've always had a thing against them, and last year when I came up with three, I broke two of them on January 1st when I was notoriously hungover. But the third, to worry a lot less, stuck with me throughout this year. That resolution didn't come from a desire to change, but rather it was something I'd learned in 2014 (you can read the whole story here). A year later I'm here musing about that one thing I've learned this year that I can take into 2016, and it wasn't hard to come up with. 

This year has been a year of trial and error. I tried to move to Perth, and soon realised Australia was not the place for me. As a lovely Grandmother in my hostel in Adelaide later told me "at least you gave it a go". Soon after I came home, I tried to work a job in a new industry. But I never fully understood it, and realised for my professional and personal sanity, I had to move on. And as for my love life, well, sometimes the best things still aren't the right thing for you. In summary, 2015 was the year I learned to walk away from the things that weren't making me happy or healthy. It's this thought I will take into the New Year.  

I have no solid plans for 2016. Apart from a plane to catch back from my New Year's trip, being due back at work shortly after and my desire to see every cricket game this summer, 2016 is wide open for me. It's exciting, and it's endearing. I hope it will be full of love and laughter, of creative writing and good music, and just a little challenge to keep me on my toes and learning wonderful things about myself. 

Happy New Year, you wonderful people. I'll see you on the other side after a little New Year's escape to one of New Zealand's beautiful towns. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's

"You'll say, we've got nothin' in common
No common ground to start fromAnd we're falling apartYou'll say, the world has come between usOur lives have come between usStill I know you just don't care

And I said what about Breakfast at Tiffany's?She said I think I remember the filmAnd as I recall I think, we both kind o' liked itAnd I said well that's the one thing we've got"

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something 

It is possible that in a little while I while look back and think, hmm after a few months off writing in your blog, you do a come back with Breakfast at Tiffany's? But you have to admit that this is a tune (unless you're a specific creative writer who was not having a bar of this song last time we played it at work). I've been jamming along to this at least once a day for the past few months and I wanted to bring it up so you can all have a listen and remember that twenty years ago this was a massive one hit wonder. 

I've been off the blogging record for a couple reasons - I went without internet for a month while moving, I've been working on other secret writing projects, and this year's music hasn't left me inspired at all, hence why we're going with a song from 1996. I mean yeah, there's been a few sweet songs pumping on the radio, but it's feeling a bit tired. There's been some notable comebacks: Gwen Stefani's new track is brilliant and I'm only starting to realise she's a genius. Adele and the Biebs have new tunes which are nice but not knocking off my socks, Imagine Dragons released a killer album which I heard most of at an amazing concert earlier this year, and I could happily not hear another T-Swift song for a while. 

Hopefully next year there will be some cracker songs released and I'll be able to churn out the blogs a bit more. Or else I'll dig through the one hit wonder charts and find some more gems like Breakfast at Tiffany's to muse about. My Sharona? How Bizzare? Poi E? (That is my favourite one hit wonder, for the record). 

In the meantime, take some life advice from a song that actually got to number one on the UK charts one week in 1996. Remember and cherish the small things. When it all seems lost, hold onto the hope of that stupid thing you've got in common. Sometimes, these make you the happiest. And above all else, worship songs about a film with Audrey Hepburn. 

Ami N Rele

"I miss my dad

I miss my mum

I miss my brothers

I miss my everything

Ami N Rele" 

Ami N Rele - Kunle 

When I first started this blog I set out with a goal of discovering music and sharing their vibes with you. I must admit though I’ve lacked greatly in exploring global music. I’ve loved talking about New Zealand music because of my love of this country, but venturing further afield into other cultures – and I mean cultures outside of the western world – hasn’t taken my interest before now. And let’s be honest, the most cultural I got on this blog was the time I bragged that Poi E was New Zealand’s greatest one hit wonder.

I was recommended to check out a Nigerian singer / songwriter who spent some time in Ghana before moving to his current base in Toronto, Canada, and I was excited at the chance to hear what Kunle sounded like. This would be the perfect chance to explore some more cultural music. I read on his Sound Cloud account that he mixes a few different cultures into his music; he sings in multiple languages and mixes instruments from different lands into one song.  This guy can make music – a great voice, a lot of talent and heaps of positivity. And as I listened to his songs and three things became very apparent.

Firstly, I need to get to Africa, because this music makes my travelling feet get itchy.

Secondly, I need to learn some more languages because I have little idea what Kunle is saying and there are some good feels in his music. 

And thirdly, that Kunle's philosophy that music has no boundaries is one hundred percent correct.  

No matter where you are from music, whether you keep it traditional, venture into the Western World of music, or mix up a couple of different sounds, you shouldn’t put a boundary on music.  You could be like Kunle who makes music to speak to multiple cultures, or more like me who is on a mission to hear music from all areas of the world.

If you’re keen on getting into something a bit different, here’s a few links to Kunle’s work. I recommend him – although he’s still starting out I think he’s going to be an interesting musician to follow.

https://soundcloud.com/kunle-3 

https://www.sonicbids.com/band/kunle-chris/ 

When Love Hurts

"Help, I can't tell if we're ending

Until we break down, say it now, we're through
All you do

When love hurts, baby
Yeah, that's how you know it's real
When love hurts, yeah that's how it
Yeah that's how you know
When love hurts, baby
Yeah, that's how you know it's real
When love hurts, yeah that's how it
Yeah that's how you know it's real"

When Love Hurts - JoJo


This week's theme is comebacks. I blogged on Sunday about the return of Michael Murphy to the music scene, and now I want to draw your attention to a second major music comeback in the last couple of weeks. This girl was on top before Ariana Grande, before Lorde, even before Taylor Swift.

Everyone, JoJo is back.

Oh yes, you remember JoJo. That fourteen year old who topped the charts in 2004 with the smash hit Leave (Get Out). This was the teenage angst song which girls sung their hearts out to, because how could that guy be so stupid to leave his number on his phone. JoJo followed up with a second smash hit Too Little Too Late in 2006, where she brought them feels about another silly boy breaking her heart. Add in her acting chops in Aquamarine and R.V. and we've got a girl who ruled the mid 2000's.

Unfortunately, JoJo then got locked in a legal battle over her recording contract and disappeared off the music scene for a while. I was gutted for her, because I would have loved to hear her music as she grew out of her teenage years and into a young adult. I imagine she would have captured growing up perfectly in her own angsty way. But never fear, because JoJo is free from her recording contract and back with some sweet tunes.

She released a "tringle" which seems to be an EP of three singles. And if there is one person you can trust to make great music, it is JoJo. She uploaded her description of her three songs onto Spotify and what stood out to me was her comments about how being away from music nearly broke her. But she goes on to say how she knew it was something worth fighting for because she was incredibly passionate about it. I'd encourage you to jump onto Spotify and listen to her words and thoughts about recording this "tringle".

But let's be honest, three songs aren't enough to satisfy me. These Wikipedia rumours better be true in saying this is a preview of a third studio album, because JoJo has got ten years of music to give us. And I can't wait.

Not Afraid To Die

“I’ll be the loaded gun

The only one that I will ever need

And when my time is done

The battle’s won

Will you remember me?

We’ll write it cross the sky

Won’t look back and say goodbye

This is a battle cry

I’m not afraid to die”

Not Afraid To Die – Written By Wolves

Bear with me here because I am about to say something I’ve said many times before. But this time I think I’m right - more right than I’ve ever been before.

People, the next big thing in New Zealand rock music has been found.

It started with my bestie Zee suggesting we go to a gig at the Kings Arms last week. It was a free gig and as Zee was trying Austere August and the Kings Arms is my favourite venue for gigs it was perfect for us. I hadn’t placed much expectation on the gig as it was one of the first for Written By Wolves. And the lead singer was Michael Murphy. Yes, that Michael Murphy. Michael Murphy of the hit TV show NZ Idol. Michael Murphy who performs covers at Christmas in the Park every year. And now, Michael Murphy trying to bring himself back by forming and fronting Written By Wolves.

Well, forget your preconceptions about this man because Written By Wolves aren’t trying to make it, they’re going to make it. Never before have I seen a band that captivated me within seconds. I couldn’t tell it was their first major gig because this was a slick performance, from vocals to guitars to mixing to the all important on stage banter between songs. Written By Wolves are backed by many years experience in the music industry; Michael Murphy has been on the scene for more than ten years and the other three got starts in bands such as Shotgun Alley, False Start and Hurricane Kids. They know how to play, how to entertain, and how to write songs that will propel their name.

Watch this space. Written By Wolves will be the reinvention story of the year. These guys have taken everything they know about music, they’ve grown up from their past music industry selves and they are ready to deliver some killer tracks. I’ll see you at the next gig.

I Can Change

"And if you're looking for change

I'll be what you're looking for

Even if it's not who I am

I can change
I can change for you

I can bend
I can break
I can shift
I can shake
Place the trail through the drive of rain
Girl I can change for you"

I Can Change - Brandon Flowers

Let me first acknowledge the fact this song has an amazing sound. It's cool, it's edgy, it's the guy from The Killers telling us how hip he is. I first heard Brandon Flowers singing I Can Change live on The Graham Norton Show and I thought it was well on its way to being the hit of the European summer. But oh how these lyrics about changing for this girl really grind my gears. 

Sometimes new relationships can cure our flaws. I've heard of laziness, drinking problems and smoking habits disappearing and being replaced with exercise and nourishing hobbies with the help of new partners. And if this is what Brandon Flowers meant by he can change, then sure, go for it. Let your new bae guide you to a healthier place. 

Fundamentally changing who you are for someone else, however, is what I have a problem with. I watched someone I know go through five boyfriends and she went from an army chick to an emo to a bogan motorbike riding lass to a tea obsessed hipster to, currently, a vegan. Each boyfriend she adopted a new personality and I think she's never found out who she really is. 

I couldn't imagine changing who I am for a man. I have my passions, my hobbies and my favourites, and these make up who I am. And if I was to start morphing into someone else, would that man still love me? After all, he's the one who fell for the crazy, chocolate loving, cricket obsessed, musically minded, wannabe traveller, dinosaur hunting girl. Imagine if he wanted me to give up this blog - madness!

So let this song - this fantastically sounding but lyrically frustrating song - be a tune to take with a grain of salt. Because you - you are quite great, and you shouldn't have to change that for anyone.