One thing that has always been easy for me to talk about is music. I am a firm believer that it is a universal language, and that you do not have to have words to understand what the musician or composer is trying to say. (For example, I personally believe the Game of Thrones theme song is a gorgeous piece of music, regardless of the story behind it.) But music has not only impacted how I feel the world around me, it impacted who I want to spend the rest of my life with. If you did not know the story of me and my significant other, and asked us how we met, we will both simultaneously say “I met her/him through a band shirt.” Which sounds remarkably stupid. Trust me, I know. But that single Sleeping with Sirens band shirt started the first conversation we ever had, and continues to be an interesting talking point for those who meet us. River is my best friend, my support system, and my biggest influence, currently. In this transition from high school to college, River and I chose to go to the same school, (I even changed my school of choice to go to school with him, and for other reasons, after hours and hours of deliberation.) which some would say would be the Kiss of Death for our relationship. But I have to say, it is the best decision I ever made. My days consist of classes in the mornings, and then laughter, homework, and watching Netflix together until we can barely keep our eyes open. I digress. Music. River is a music guru, if you ask me. When we first met, he was a little punk kid who was getting his footing at a new school and I was dabbling in the post hardcore scene. And when I say dabbling, I mean I knew one song from maybe 5 bands at the time of our acquaintance. When we first started talking, he would bring up bands and songs that I had never heard of, which I often looked up on the spot so I could keep the conversation going. Eventually I grew to find myself singing/aggressively humming entire albums while riding the bus to school including but not limited to Bring Me the Horizon’s album, Sempiternal, and Mayday Parade’s A Lesson In Romantics. (Both of which I still recommend.) He opened my eyes to genres like progressive metal, folk-metal, and even the famous pop punk. What all of this useless information leads me to the assertion that you should always find common ground with someone and grow from them. River had a very limited knowledge of 90’s music until I opened his eyes to Boyz II Men and other game-changing artists. We grew together and learned about each other through the music we recommended and listened to. And I believe it made us stronger. We got out of our comfort zones with our music, and I recommend you do the same. Google genres and listen to some of the bands that are listed. Grow in your understanding of yourself. It is a wonderful experience. Wanna talk? Click the links to my social media or
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AuthorGabrielle Willingham is a young Arkansan woman who sees the importance of simultaneous cynicism and optimism. Gabrielle is currently working on a MA in Communication with a focus in gender studies and political science. Archives
January 2021
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