Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Drown in Music


I don't about you guys, but when I listen to music, I tend to drown in it.
And it's not just when I listen via headphones. If I enjoy music, the world is pretty much dead to me.
A part of this is my Attention deficit disorder - the music take control of my senses and the brain does not leave much space for any extra sensory perception.
But I see it as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. The ability to enjoy music at this level is a gift more than anything else.
However, it comes in waves. For instance, it's been months since I actually listened to music, as I opted to read more.
Now I've returned to music listening and it's like I never left. My taste in music is pretty standard. Lots of 80s music, some classic rock, Israeli pop and Indie.
Truth be told, I do my best to listen to music without using headphones or earphones so as not to lose contact with the outside world. I would love to be able to multi-task while listening to music, but it just doesn't work that well for me. 
I also wanted to mention the substantial difference between listening to a CD at home (or in the car, or on a portable player) and at a live performance.
For me the difference is so tangible, that I completely understand the groupies that follow bands to each and every one of their concerts, because the experience is physical. The vibrations of the volume, the music that surrounds you in a way that no home sound system will ever replicate, and the crowd around you that is an integral part of the experience.
Aside from that, the digital reality of available music on the internet pressures the artists (mostly in Israel but also in other countries) to go back to pounding the ground and find their real livelihood in live concerts.
I see it as a great thing. The ability to make money again and again and again for one performance recorded five, ten or twenty years ago is anything but natural. Not to mention that most of the revenue goes to the pockets of the in-betweens (the record labels mainly) and not the creators.
That's it for now. Responses are welcome as always.