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. 

Unpretty

"You can buy your hair if it won't grow
You can fix your nose if he says so

You can buy all the make up that M.A.C. can make

But if you can't look inside you
Find out who am I too
Be in the position to make me feel so
Damn unpretty
I'll make you feel unpretty too"

Unpretty - TLC

Last year, during the four months when I more or less ran away from New Zealand, I spent some time with my aunt and uncle in Queensland. It was a strange meeting of sorts - we had been distant for many years as a result of busy schedules and a large body of water between us. We reconnected a few years ago and I thought I would pop in during my travels around Australia. Well, a 'pop in' quickly turned into slumming it on their air mattress for three weeks and doing nothing useful while I killed time before flying onto my next destination. While I was there I did manage to learn a few things - how to cook some stuff, how to look after chickens, how people in Queensland go about their business and how many triple chocolate biscuits I can eat before I start to feel sick. 

On a more serious note, my aunt - who is the biggest free spirit I have ever met - took me through joyful learning experiences, because that's what she is good at doing. We talked about how to bring joy into your life and how to get rid of pesky things like worry and stress. There was one thing she said and it has stuck with me since: to help her bring more joy she treats her mind like another person. At first I thought that was quite a strange concept, but then I thought some more and realised what she was getting at.

It's about respecting your mind, and therefore, yourself. When you think bad thoughts about yourself and about your life, you are allowing negativity in. As TLC say, you could look in the mirror and think that you are damn unpretty. But here's the kicker: you would never look at your friend and say "damn you're unpretty". We spend so much time pouring compliments onto other people that we forget about ourselves or worse, we don't think we deserve the same kindness.

So be a bit nicer to yourself. Treat yourself how you would treat other people. Don't call yourself unpretty. Kick your nasty habits that don't do you any good. It's like our good friends TLC say - you can change your outside all you want but you still need to look inside you and find your inner prettiness.

Haven't Met You Yet

"I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And baby your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

Somehow I know that it’ll all turn out
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And promise you kid I'll give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet"

Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble 

A few days ago I was in the car with my friend, on our way to the Coromandel for the weekend, when we started talking about the perfect partners for our each of our friends. We had fun coming up with different qualities a partner must have and what they could bring to our group of friends. And then my friend turned to me and said "and what about you?" 

Oh, how this got me thinking. We live in a world where meeting someone and dating is literally at your finger tips - or, more accurately, a right swipe away. I've given Tinder a go but never went on any dates because, well, I got over the app pretty quickly. The last use my Tinder account got was when my friends got ahold of it and went on a swipe right spree, resulting in a lot of matches and zero conversations on my behalf. I'm sorry, boys of Tauranga, that was my gay friend who was deciding for me. 

My mother says I'm picky, my mates from school say I get bored easily and my bestie said I deserve someone special. They're all correct on some levels. I have a short list of qualities I want in a man but they're nothing extreme - I'm not going to demand he speaks eight languages and cooks me Italian food every night. Of course I want to be entertained in lots of different ways but I'm also sure I could get accustomed to the routine, everyday life of relationships. And hell yeah, I deserve someone special. 

Eventually, I turned back to my friend and said something like "I'm quite certain that one day I will meet the perfect man and that will be it. Until then I won't bother stressing out about it." 

And this is true. Sure, I've met a lot of guys over the years and I haven't yet found one worth keeping around, but this doesn't get me down. I don't sit at home waiting for Prince Charming to turn up on my doorstep.  I get out and about; I go out with friends, I travel to new cities and I go on living my single life. 

And I will keep doing this until I have my Michael Buble moment and meet the perfect man. Maybe he'll be a complete stranger. Maybe he'll be someone I've known for a long time but suddenly see in a new light. Maybe I'll find him in my hometown or maybe we will meet in a foreign land. Maybe he'll be Corey Anderson. Whoever he is, he'll come, and I'll give it all I've got.