It's Worth It

“But if we keep holding on
I know we’ll get back to the surface
‘Cause it’s worth it
If we keep holding on
I know that nobody’s perfect
But we’ll work it out”

It’s Worth It – Jackie Thomas

What a ride the first series of The X Factor New Zealand was. I mused on a few blogs prior to the series about what could possibly happen, and the series was much better and slightly worse than I predicted. I could muse through many things about the show and break down each act, each song performance and each one of Daniel Bedingfield’s outfits, but that would take quite a few words. So instead I will pick up on one of the moments of the series which stood out to me.

Jackie Thomas, a 22 year old girl from Greymouth, eventually won the series. And good on her. Personally she wasn’t my favourite but I enjoyed her singing and stage performances. But her voice which nearly didn’t make it to the live shows after she was eliminated in the second round, despite Mel Blatt claiming she could win the show after singing Skinny Love for her audition. But Daniel Bedingfield and the public believed in her and she was invited back to judge’s retreats. Bedingfield then put her through to live shows where she went on to receive top votes in seven of the ten live shows and ultimately win the competition. Where will her career go from The X Factor? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see what she comes out with.

There is a lesson we can all take from her journey on The X Factor and it’s one of second chances. When things go wrong in our lives we don’t often get a second chance to put things right. But Jackie did and she grabbed it. She didn’t cruise through like other acts but rather showed New Zealand she deserved to win. And we were nice enough to not only give her the second chance but forgive and forget she messed up.

We aren’t always given second chances in life. Whether it be a relationship, a job interview or a chance to take an adventure, you may have one chance to do it right. I won’t need to go into detail of what it feels like to miss these opportunities because I’m sure as you read this you are thinking about those times you could have used a second chance – and how it felt not to get it. But what is worse than not receiving a second chance is receiving one and failing to go as far as you possibly can with it; you’ll let down yourself and you’ll let down those who believed in you enough to give you another go. Giving out second chances does not come easily. It’s a risk and people don’t like to take risks. It involves trust and forgiveness which do not come naturally to everyone.

You cannot ask for a second chance and you cannot expect one; you messed up and it’s your fault. But if you are so lucky as to get one then don’t take it for granted. Take inspiration from a girl from Greymouth who won our very first series of The X Factor and proved you can win from a second chance. 

What a Buzz

“I'm staring across the table at the nicest eyes I've seen.
I said they were brown but she insisted they were green.
So I called over the waiter and he told me he agreed.
Tonight I drink wine with the girl that likes me.
(What a buzz)

Tell me all about you.
(What a buzz)
Where I'd be without you.
(What a buzz)
Tell me all about you.
What a beautiful buzz with the girl I might love.”

What a Buzz – Olly Murs

For the past year and a half I have blogged about how music can inspire you to change the world, encourage make the most of your life and remind you how precious moments are. Music can evoke both positive and negative emotion out of as you react to the message in the lyrics and tone of the song. It wasn’t until I recently heard this song from Olly Murs’ third album that I remembered one of the simplest things music can make you do: it can make you smile.

What a Buzz is an absolutely gorgeous song which gives me the warm fuzzies. Olly Murs sings about being on a nervous first date with a beautiful girl and the ‘buzz’ it gives him. It is so sweet it makes me smile as I imagine him being in this situation. I’m not usually one to get soppy and emotional over a date (especially someone else’s) but the description in this song is awkwardly charming: the nervous hands, the disagreeable waiter and the way someone is slowly falling in love and creating such a buzz for them. It’s as cute as kittens and it should make you smile.

As you know one generally smiles when they are happy and amused, and showing respect to others and conveying compassion. It is a symbol widely recognised across cultures and countries with a generally similar meaning. Smiling lights up our eyes – known as the window to the soul – which makes us seem more attractive. Smiling and laughing is even scientifically proven to boost your immune system and energy levels. A smile is infectious and it helps bind together relationships and intimacy. In short: smiling is good for you!

One of my favourite quotes “don’t frown: you never know when someone is falling in love with your smile”. While it unfortunately isn’t likely to be Olly Murs it could be someone special, someone who influences your life. Or it could be no one you will ever know but in that moment have smiling have bought a little bit of joy to their life. This week, as I sign off this blog, I encourage you to do a few simple things. Firstly, smile. Secondly, smile a little bit wider. And thirdly, in moments of joy and pleasure and cuteness, never be afraid to smile. 

Here's a picture of Olly Murs smiling. He's so cute.

It's Not Me It's You

“You tried to make me small
Make me fall and it's all your fault
With the pain you put me through
And now I know that it's not me it's you

Always has been you
All the lies and stupid things you say and do
It's you”

It’s Not Me It’s You – Skillet

You know that old excuse “it’s not you, it’s me”? It’s the phrase we tend to use to shy away from confrontation and try to protect the feelings of others. It puts the blame back on ourselves and our own issues we claim to have. But sometimes the bottom line is: It. Is. You.

This song by Skillet is a great relief to hear as it says what most of us are afraid of voicing: it accuses the other person in the relationship of forcing someone to blame themselves and causing a series of harsh emotions.  This is such an easy thing to do and it is such a shame how much we second guess ourselves. As much as external conflict is hard to face, inner conflict can be much more damaging – especially when it is put on to us by someone else. There is a powerful moment in this song in which they realise the other person is putting them through so much pain and hurt, but when they go away they are free. I love how this song throws the hate back in the other person’s face. That’s what it is: hatred. Not a hate of the other person per say, but a hatred of being treated inferior and being bullied.

I sometimes wonder whether I could ever say to someone they are the problem in real life. I am lucky enough not to have someone or something I would describe as poisonous interfering with me, but if I did I wonder if I could face them. And could you?  It’s one thing planning the confrontation in your head and another to actually say it without backing down out of fear of facing the problem and potentially a creating a much worse scenario of denial and accusation, until you see the very worse side of a human being. Because I really do believe making someone feel utterly inadequate is a horrible thing to do.

My feelings of not being able to stand up to someone causing such issues in my life (again, thankful I do not have these and I empathise with anyone who does) makes me so grateful for bands like Skillet who say what everyday people are thinking but are powerless to voice. This song is powerful and gritty and tells such an awful story, but like with most of Skillet’s songs there is hope and a hidden light. And so, when anyone asks who my favourite bands are I always mention Skillet as I feel they are the voice which represents us all and our issues and speaks up for those of us who can’t. 

Shut Up and Kiss Me

“Cause I don't wanna waste tonight
Let's turn out all the lights now
Make out on your bedroom floor
No I don't wanna say good bye
Wishing for the spot light
Missing on your bedroom floor

So shut up and kiss me
No need to tease me
You don't need to say no more
Shut up and kiss me
I know you're gonna miss me
Kissing on your bedroom floor”

Shut Up and Kiss Me – Reece Mastin

This week Reece Mastin made a guest appearance on The X Factor New Zealand stage and sung one of his recent hits Rockstar. Those watching the show, judging by comments all over social media, were either in favour of or completely against this youngster’s performance. I’ve followed this guy from his first audition on the third season The X Factor Australia through to his win, blogged about him and been to his concerts. I sincerely believe in his place in the music industry and I’m using this opportunity to convince those who weren’t convinced by his performance why we need a Reece Mastin.

First point of success in the music industry: Reece has got the voice to succeed. His voice is a bit gravely, a bit British and a bit cute. It’s non-threatening but it still delivers the powerful notes his rock songs beg for. When you bring all these aspects together you get an album with some ballads, some slow songs, some pop and some rock. And, more importantly, I can assure you from my personal experience Reece Mastin brings this voice to his live shows. This is the sound of music industry success.

Reece has the looks and the personality of a music industry star – because you can’t just rely on a good voice. He’d an eighteen year old, rather attractive male which girls go wild for. But he’s also a bit bad ass with his tats and piercings and leather jackets. He somehow manages to be humble and have an ego through the roof at the same time. He loves and adores his fans as they are the ones who got him somewhere in the first place. But he’s cheeky and sexual and has some bad boy swag which makes him attractive. He’s got his public appearance personality perfected to that of a star.

And finally, Reece Mastin has The X Factor. If he didn’t he wouldn’t have won his series of the show. Because the “x factor” is not having the most beautiful voice and getting the perfect pitch and tone every single time. It’s that special something about a person which gives them star quality of which no one can quite define. It’s that thing which makes girls scream for you and guys wish they were you. But most of all, it’s that thing which makes people notice you and keep coming back for more.

The harsh truth of succeeding in the music industry is this: you have to fit within a certain boundary of uniqueness. No one else can be Reece Mastin, but Reece Mastin will succeed immensely at being Reece Mastin. And this is why we need him. 

For anyone doubting Reece Mastin's singing, here's his version of Aerosmith's Dream On from The X Factor Australia (when he was 16). 

Mean

“Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?”

Mean – Taylor Swift

When I was a little girl I was told to say please and thank you, to respect my elders, and most importantly, to be nice to other people. And you know what? It wasn’t that hard. It really wasn’t hard to listen to teachers and sport coaches, and be nice to fellow school mates. And if you want to see me say please and thank you come with me to Subway “roast beef sub please. On roast garlic please. All the veges except capsicum please. Thank you!” I’m not saying I’m a perfectly good person because it’s easy to slip up, but these polite mannerisms have become a routine in my life.

But I’ve noticed a lot of spitefulness sneak into people’s lives. It’s easy to make an offhand comment which accidentally comes out nasty – and it’s just as easy to make a quick apology for it. But what is disturbingly easier is to make a comment on one of many social media sites without a care in the world. Yes, it’s easy to hide behind an ironic twitter handle and type away those spiteful comments to people you hardly know. I don’t understand these people. How can you get pleasure out of typing in a stupid catty comment, calling someone an immature name and probably sniggering about it by yourself?

Taylor Swift wrote a song about people who are mean to others and it’s a slap right back in their face – not by being mean in return, but by being the bigger person. She does it by saying these mean people are going to be nothing more than mean. These people who push you down and think they are so much than you, especially the ones who hide behind the computer screen. And think about it in your lives – you wouldn’t hesitate to refer to someone as mean in a conversation, because that’s what they are: mean. And a liar. And pathetic. And a lonely life. And mean.

We live in a wonderful world which brings beauty and joy and love for many people. But there are so many terrible things, from natural disasters to poverty to life destroying moments which can, and in some point in our lives probably will, affect us beyond what is imaginable. The world is wonderful, but it is also horrible, and it is a place which should never have time for pettiness and immaturity and mean people. Those who have better things to do than be mean will do so, and carry on in their lives and probably achieve much greater things and might even change this world, and all you will ever be is mean. 

Poi E

“Poi E whaka-tata mai
Poi E kaua he rerekē
Poi E kia piri mai ki au
Poi E-E awhi mai ra
Poi E tāpeka tia mai
Poi E o taua aroha
Poi E pai here tia ra

POI... TAKU POI E!”

Poi E – Patea Maori Club

Throughout May a lot of different thoughts about New Zealand Music Month come into my head and most of them are singular thoughts about a small thing and do not create enough substance for a full length blog. I thought I’d make my last blog for NZMM 2013 one about lots of different points and tie up some loose thought ends.  I haven’t blogged about much beyond popular music, as I love the place it has in society and I find less mainstream music a bit of challenge to write about. But New Zealand is lucky to have a diverse local music culture with all different genres of music, and one of the key parts of NZMM is celebrating all type of Kiwi music.

When I started thinking about posts for New Zealand Music Month I had a suggestion tweet from a children’s music performing group to check out their work. For me it was one of the first realisations of what New Zealand Music Month really means and while their music in no way related to me – the lack of children on my behalf was the problem – I loved that they too were out celebrating our music month. Children’s music is a key part of child development and learning and I love the idea there is a Kiwi band out there dedicated to the wonderful world of children’s tunes. If you’ve got some young bubs, I recommend you check out FleaBITE’s tracks.

Along with children’s music I think a genre we forget about a lot is our indigenous music. Music is so important to a culture; it is a way of handing down stories through generations, especially as cultures within New Zealand become more integrated and dissolve into the cultural melting pot. Poi E remains one of New Zealand’s biggest hits and incorporates traditional Maori language, and dance and dress in the video clip. New Zealand Music Month helps the Maori music scene by encouraging people to view Kapa Haka performances and Maori music groups.

Speaking of Poi E I must make mention to those bands who came out with a hit … then disappeared. Poi E is known as New Zealand’s top one hit wonder according to an old C4 countdown, but special mentions to two other huge Kiwi one hit wonders: How Bizarre by OMC (which achieved large international success) and Ben Lummis for They Can’t Take That Away.

Speaking of reality TV contestants, I want to say ka pai to The X Factor NZ, who amongst their obvious advertising strategy, did a Kiwi anthem special during New Zealand Music Month to showcase our talent, from Brooke Fraser to Lorde to Six60 to that beautiful reminder of Goldenhorse and the classic Dave Dobbyn and Exponents. I think we left Mel Blatt impressed with Kiwi music scene.

To the rest of the others New Zealand Music month who deserve a mention – the DJs, the upcoming singer songwriters, the school choirs and University music showcases, the acoustic sets and that hard core death metal band who doesn’t quite make it onto a rock music radio station, I hope New Zealand Music Month has been a whole lot of fun and you’ve had your opportunity to showcase your talent. We’ll see you in a year, NZMM. 

Poi E

FleaBITE

How Bizarre 

Ben Lummis 

Bullet For Your Gun

“I am not a bullet for your gun
I cannot erase the things you’ve done
I am not the drug you need
Can’t stop the cuts that bleed
I am not Jesus for your cross
Can’t give back what you have lost
Can’t make your problems disappear
I am not the answer, the answer to your prayer”

Bullet For Your Gun – Black River Drive

I blog a lot about New Zealand being a small country with a relatively small music industry and how bands gather a small but dedicated following from our beautiful country when they first start out. While this kind of music industry might not make a band from Auckland or Christchurch or Feilding the number hit on the US Billboard charts, it does mean those of us who attend shows get up close and personal with the band – so close you can touch –at gigs and on interact more on social media sites. For example, Taylor Swift may be one of the biggest act in music right now, but you would never see her having a beer with her band mates after a gig and replying to every single comment left on a Facebook page. The biggest muscians in the world use their Facebook page for nothing more than publicity of themselves, whereas our local Kiwi bands are great at keeping in contact with their fans.

I first discovered Black River Drive when they opened for Seether last year, then heard them again when they opened for Luger Boa a few weeks later. I thought they were cool, I bought their music and I “liked” them on Facebook; you could say I became a fan. I wasn’t a crazy stalker find everything out about the band kind of fan, but rather a fan of their music and their style, much like, I would assume, a lot of their Facebook followers. I love the way Black River Drive use their Facebook page for more than just publicising their music to encourage people to buy it. I have spent a lot of time reading through posts where BRD have asked their fans about where their music should head next, what covers they should do, even how they should raise money to produce a new album without having to sign up to a major record label. They answer all questions and comments, thank their fans for their interaction and, knowing people are probably having a bad day, post videos of roosters. It makes me want to like them more than I already do; I want to go to their shows and I want to listen to their music.

I’m deliberately writing this musing over Facebook posts during New Zealand Music Month as I feel connectivity is a large part of what makes NZMM, and I think local bands are fantastic at connecting with their fans via social media. We are encouraged to go to shows and discover new talent, and while this is a great thing, it takes time and money and effort on the listener’s behalf. We give them money, they give us music, we give them our effort getting to the show and they give us their effort playing a fantastic live set, and we give them our time to know them, and they give us their time by responding to their fans.