High Standards. Have Them.
I think I threatened to talk about music. I can’t even start, crippled by the critical. Who isn’t?
What if you don’t care about music?
That’s your first mistake. You need the education the most, do your best to read on, for your own sake. I promise you some saucy sex and a bit of violence, if that helps.
With music, my only rule is that it must move me. It sounds quite simple, and it is; if it doesn’t affect me, none of the rest matters. But after you have wrung all that you can from me, I’ll want more; I’ll need something to feed on, something to learn, to love, perhaps to hate. What are you saying, how, and why?
I give you a few examples, at each end of the spectrum. Reach for heaven and find the masters, Radiohead, Sigur Ros, KAUAN, Olafur Arnalds, Ludovico Einaudi, Yann Tiersen, yes, the devil has his favourites. Look down at what you have escaped, the sick, lovely lustre of something like beyonce. Don’t touch it, it will stain.
In between there is a world of music that the ancients could never imagine. Where are the classics, you ask? In virtuosity untouchable, in heart strangely lacking, in soul, it very much depends on what you’re listening to. Classical music needs to be experienced live, and then it will absolutely slay you.
Sex and violence, are you ready for some?
Read my book, “A God in Chains,” where you’ll learn about the torrid sex between the love of my life Aela, and a certain lead singer of a legendary band of musicians, under my own roof. (Radiohead, in flagrant disregard of the guest/host relationship.) For violence, imagine what I would do to him if I didn’t love his voice so much. I suggest a few rounds of video games for the visuals, really, they can’t be beat. Better than the real thing, almost.
I recommend some time spent listening, good headphones only. Sell your anything, just get them. Radiohead, start with “Burn the Witch,” and really listen, if it doesn’t terrify you, you’re not hearing it; then “Scatterbrain,” because I love it. Move on to Sigur Ros, and “Festival,” live, for a different kind of brilliant; brave “Ovedure,” if you like things dark. Understand the scope of KAUAN with Lapsenmuisto and V, find hope with Yann Tiersen’s “I’m Gonna Live Anyhow”, finish with Olafur Arnalds’, “Ljósiò” and hold it in your hands.
Reflect on what it means that such a heaven is made by mere mortals. Gods know I do. Push repeat.