Mr. Nees

Mr. Rick Nees is a Kennedy teacher for the math department. For Nees, when he teaches he usually tries to incorporate many means of music into his teaching style. He is also the adviser for guitar club, and partakes in other ways such as ONE Night director, and even Open Mic. So, Nees and I took some at sat down and talked about music, which is a usual thing for us, and I asked him some deeper questions.

Why do you love music?  

I don’t love ALL  music, but I think the music I do love has rhythm and melody that bring out feelings that don’t seem to get released any other way.  I don’t know words that would accurately describe the emotions … and that’s that.

What does music mean to you?  

It’s a communication method for me; both with and without words. 

What has music done for you?  

Since music became a dominant part of my life and personality, which started in the last half of my senior year in high school, my entire view of living made and abrupt shift from nothingness to limitless.  I began taking a much warmer and deeper look and all things going on around me that I had never paid attention to before.

How do you feel on today's society and how music is used? 

 Music is used for such a wide spectrum of reasons … it’s limitless.  It is used to make money, straight up, to make political points, express feelings about self and feelings toward others, to tell stories of the past, present, future … It can be used for therapy, to give certain feelings to visuals (like in movies and such).

What would you do if you could to change things you don't like about music?  

I wish the commercial aspect could be removed so more of our population could be exposed to the “art” of music.  With legal tender making all the decisions about what type of music the masses will be exposed to, it seems to have manifested short attention span and a shallow demand of quality.

What is your favorite music? Why?  

I have an electric type of music admiration.  I love to listen to music that makes it feasible to hear all the various parts and how they fit together and accompanied by lyrics that make me see things differently or confirm a view I already have.

Mr. Nees has a lot of the same views on music that I try to point out and have come across in my blogs, and I sincerely hope that having the same views (or close) will help to make the message matter.

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Hold On Till May Analysis

This is the analysis of Hold On Till May by Pierce the Veil. It is a conversation between a guy and a girl on why she should stay alive and how he is telling her that she is okay, he tries to show he is there for her. What I say might not mean to you what it does to me, but this is just my gathering. If you agree, then you do. If you disagree, then you don't. Either way this song is amazing so if you don't like what I say, or even if you do, give this song a little listen. It is truly beautiful.

(She sits up high,
Surrounded by the sun.
One million branches and
she loves every one.)
It is like she is in a room full of people and she cares about them all. As you look into the words she isn't actually surrounded by the sun. The sun can be a number of different things but mainly it is an analogy for the world. 

(Mom and Dad,
Did you search for me,
I've been up here so long,
I'm going crazy.)

Surrounded by all the people in the world, her own parents did not even care to notice her. She is feeling crazy for waiting on the reliance that does not seem like it will ever come.

(And as the sun went down,

We ended up on the ground.

I heard the train shake the windows
You screamed over the sound.)

As the world fell apart, we came down to the ground to see the damage. The disaster was like an metaphor of the craziness that came from it, and she couldn't take it.

(And as we own this night,
I put your body to the test with mine.)
I will help you, all the energy I have help you with. We will make this better and get through this.

(This love was out of control,
3-2-1 where did it go?)

What happened to the world, we were all okay now its gone.

(Now don't be crazy, yes now,
Of course you can stay here
been in a touring band for going on ten years)
He tells that of course he will help her get back up. That it will an amazing distraction for her. He wants to help her so bad.

("Big deal," She said, " i guess you're official"
I only said it 'cause I know what it's like to feel

BURNED OUT)
Going to back when she was mentioning her mom and dad and saying she is going crazy she tries to defend herself saying she didn't mean it. She tries to cover up what she was trying to say. She does not want him to realize what she truly means yet. She says he is official because now even though she is resisting him she realizes that he means something to her, she knows what he is trying to do, she tries to hide it and write him off like she does not see it however.

(It gets you down,
We've all been there sometimes
But tonight I'll make you feel beautiful once again.)
He tells her that everyone goes through the crap that she is going through, he tells her that he can help. 

(And as the sun went down,
We ended up on the ground.
I heard the train shake the windows
You screamed over the sound.
And as we own this night,
I put your body to the test with mine.
This love was out of control,
3-2-1 where did it go?)

(If I were you, I'd put that away
See, you're just wasted
And thinking about the past again
Darling, you'll be okay.)
He is telling her that she is alright. He tells her that she just needs to wake up and realize the important things she is not noticing right in front of her.

(She said,
"If you were me, you'd do the same
'cause I can't take anymore
I'll draw the shades and close the door
Everything's not alright and I would rather....")

If he was her she thinks he would understand she would rather be dead then unloved and alone, yet she still does not understand she is not alone and he is there for her.

(And as the sun went down,
We ended up on the ground.
I heard the train shake the windows
You screamed over the sound.
And as we own this night,
I put your body to the test with mine.
This love was out of control,
Tell me, where did it go?)

9/30

Gold Roses

Once again here is another "song" of mine. It is not good nor is it special, I am just having a terrible day and trying to think of what to post about. I know I am not a professional musician or anything thing. I also know I am not really good at this but hey, in music there are not right or wrong answers or feelings.

Alone on a downhill spiral,
There is no turning back because there is no one else
I do not know what to do
I cannot breathe or see anything through
I am dying faster than normal

How do I live or fix myself
What do I do with no help
Every hidden minute there is a tear
Wish I had someone here
Just one person who cares

Faking, the daily image
It is not an easy thing to do
All alone trying to find a way to salvage
The Broken and the Burnt
 Dust of the the shadows
No place for me

How do I live or fix myself
What do I do with no help
Every hidden minute there is a tear
Wish I had someone here
Just one person who cares

I have not a damn clue 

Barely breathing

Yet still alive

Wanting to give up so badly 

But fighting to try

How do I know its working

How is there a chance

I do not know if I am done here

Have not found IT yet

How do I live or fix myself
What do I do with no help
Every hidden minute there is a tear
Wish I had someone here
Just one person who cares

Maybe one day.

Not Always What They Seem

For many o' time, from city to continent, people have always judged books by their covers. Yesterday while I was at work, on some down time, I overheard the music that one of my bosses was listening to at it just so happened to be "Love Me" by Lil Wayne. Which shocked me, if you look at this girl she looks like one of those boyband Taylor Swift fake pop music kind of girl. No. She is not.

She listens to rap music and can rap very well actually. She listens to Skrillex. SHE LISTENS TO SKRILLEX!!! That is a huge deal to me because only the coolest of the cool knows who Skrillex is. And when I asked her about it, she said "Yeah? Who doesn't?"

Long story short she is my new favorite person.

Anyway, people have judged other people forever. Everything I mentioned about Kelsi I have gotten the same thing, so I understand. In another blog you can see what I mean. When people ask the question "What kind of music do you listen to?" I always answer everything because its true. I will not say I dont like one thing. You can always find something.

Maybe if people listened to each others music before talking or becoming friends people would get a long better. For example, if someone listens to very depressing music but acts happy, if another person going through something similar hears, the people will have an unspoken connection and can help said person.

Music is the number two unity of entertainment next to literature. Do not waste it. Music does not just define a nation or generation, it defines a purpose. Music is another term for knowledge. You learn so much about people from what they listen to or how they listen to the music. Whether they listen to the beat or the lyrics or even if they think music is just noise. You can ALWAYS learn something and you can ALWAYS connect with the person.
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MY Top 6 + Mood

I have been asked to go into a little detail into what I like music wise. Well I below I did, barely though. I seperated songs by basic catagories of the "normal" feelings. These are not even close to all of my moods and songs but it is a start and maybe I will break it down further into genres. It is a very definite possibility. But for now these are my basics.

Happy
1 Ace Hood - Bugatti
2 Skrillex - Make It Bum Den
3 MGMT - Electric Feel
4 Nickleback - Edge of a Revolution
5 Never Shout Never - First Dance
6 The Cinema - Kill It

Depressed
1 Mayday Parade - Terrible Things
2 Frank Ocean - Thinking About You
3 Twenty-One Pilots - Truce
4 The Cranberries - Zombie
5 Ly Lykke - Possibility
6 Sia - My Love

Bad Ass
1 Falling In Reverse - The Westerner
2 Woe, Is Me - Last Friday Night
3 Lil Wayne - Rich As Fuck
4 Tyler The Creator - Yonkers
5 Iggy Azalea - Black Widow
6 Lil Wayne - Love Me

Thoughtful
1 Pierce The Veil - Hold On Till May
2 Of Mice & Men - Little Talks
3 Almost Lover
4 The Killers - White Demon Love Song
5 Band Of Horses - The Funeral
6 Asking Alexandria - A Prophecy

Inspirational
1 All Me - Drake
2 When You Can't Sleep At Night - Of Mice & Men
3 Warrior - Kesha
4 Swimming Pools - Kendrick Lamar
5 Work Hard, Play Hard - Wiz Khalifa
6 Machine Gun Kelly - Raise The Flag

Those are just a few. I hope you take a moment and when you need a song listen to one of these and hopefully it helps you like it does me. If you need anymore suggestions, I will totally be able to hook you up with anything that can help you. Music is my voice.

(301)

The Feeling

I was just told "I liked the song you wrote on your blog the other day." So I figured it deserved a post. A post about the accomplishment brings in music. The sense of pride I got from that one compliment.
With music comes a sense of release, such as an emotional connection, not just with yourself for writing it but also with the people for reading the words or "lyrics" that mean so much to you.
A song is a physical exertion. But what it takes out of you isn't always bad.
When I wrote that song I was crying and hurt. I have been trying fix things in my life and recreate fire by memories. To be honest...That is how I write almost all of my lyrics. I think pain = inspiration.
Now. I am NOT saying go mess up your life and put yourself in pain to write some lyrics, I am just saying that you should try to find what inspires you to be better or have passion.


Mainly, for future references, music defines people. Lyrics define people. So in return if you think a feeling with push you, go for it. There is really no wrong answer when it comes to music.

(207)

CJH

I've never done this before...ever. I am going to release a song I've written. So enjoy!

Walking around all by myself
Never been this lonely
Tell me where do I go
What do I do
I may be independent but you cant spell that without the word "need"
I'm just looking for answers
But baby you're where everything leads

Its a cold world
But when I see you its like the light came on
Its the difference from morning to night when you are in my life

Its been a crazy experience
But isn't that living
On the edge next to me that's where you belong
I come to you and its like there was never a break because you are my ball of engery
I can feel when you say my name
You alluminate me baby

The world gets warmer when I see you
The light comes on
Its the difference between morning and night
When you stay in my life

Through everything you were the only one
I'd give my heart
Mind
Body
And soul
Just so you know

Everything can be fixed
Just stay and give me the chance
Then man I love is what you see in the mirror
You turned the light on and it'll stay until you return
I'll turn it off when I hear the music
Because I know you'll be mine

Its the difference from morning and night
When you stay in my life.

Power (Classical and Rock)

Music
1.Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. 2. A sound perceived as pleasingly harmonious 3. The written or printed signs representing vocal or instrumental sound. The score or scores of a musical composition or compositions.

That is the definition of “Music” but is that the true definition? Is that truly what “Music” means? What is the message? What does it mean? How are people affected? What is the power of music?

“Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here!” 
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

To start with let's think about genre's when you look at music depending on the genre you can usually start from there.

Classical music -serious or conventional music following long-established principles rather than a folk, jazz, or popular tradition. That is the stereo typical definition to most people, but is that really what it is? When I am in a certain indescribable mood, it is the only music I can listen to that justifies my thoughts. How? I don't know but it does. Classical music has the power unlike other music to know what you need and help you think. Even though it may sound stupid, next time you need to think turn on some classical music. Feel what I mean.

Rock- a form of popular music that evolved from rock and roll and pop music during the mid- and late 1960s. Harsher and often self-consciously more serious than its predecessors, it was initially characterized by musical experimentation and drug-related or anti-Establishment lyrics. Do you think that is a very accurate definition? No it isn’t. Not just looking at the new age music itself, look at the history. Look at everything the power of Rock Music has done, how many people is has brought together. (Side Note: If you have not seen Rock Of Ages I definitely recommend it. You will really grasp what I am saying). Rock music isn’t a sin, I hope you know that. When I tell you to listen to rock music, do it. It’ll be very beneficial.

The Rant

I have been having trouble trying to come up with a topic to write about pertaining to music, when in all reality it was hitting me like a bus. Music is a controversial subject on its own good or bad. I realized though a perfect topic to blog about would be the message.

Let me give an example, I was looking at different types of music, one thing that spoke out to is while I was looking was that I came to rock music, and everything it talked about was how rock and roll and different types of rock are associated with sin, sex, drugs, acholol, and objectifying women.

In some cases that is true, but if you take a step back and look at all the music that is mainly what a lot of it is, no matter what the genre is. Examples? Okay.

1. "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight" By Cole Swindell (Country)
This song talks about how he hopes the girl he loves gets lonely so see we call him for some late night drunk sex.  

2. "Bang Bang" By Jessie J (Pop)

This is a song that talks about how people are going to "Bang bang into the room (I know you want it)

Bang bang all over you (I'll let you have it) Wait a minute let me take you there (ah) Wait a minute 'til ya (ah)" Ha! Real appropriate.

3. "Booty Work" By T-Pain (Rap)

Mama you look so professional I'm followin' you sweating you I can't believe I'm doing what I'm doing, what is wrong with my head, go ahead Cause baby I like how you're working it, I'm watching you, you're twerking it I'm trying get you out of this club and get you off in my bed. This is about this guy watching a girls ass the whole time then wanting to get it on with her. 

Granted yes, rock music has that too. However it was very obvious that ALL genres have songs like these it is NOT just the "Rock and Roll" community. Yes, I know the sayings about rock music, but people need to realize it is NOT just that genre.

Twenty-One Pilots

Have you ever heard of Twenty-One Pilots? No? Well you're crazy, and about to.

Twenty-One Pilots is a two man music group who started together 5 years ago. The duo consist of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun from Columbus, Ohio that were two college friends, both with extreme musical talent. In 2011, they released their first album Regional At Best, then they became noticed by a record label named Fueled By Ramen, who they later signed on to a contract with them. When 2013 hit, they released their newest album Vessel featuring such songs as "Trees" or "Run and Go" and went on tour with this album. There tour took them to such places as the MTV Movie Awards in 2014. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjZ9Dx-bnmQ) Which is also the reason I fell in love with them.

Twenty-One Pilot's music is not your average pop on the radio, it isn't about objectifying women or doing drugs. It is just music. No need to complicate things. They don't really have a genre but if you had to classify them as something it would maybe be Indie Techo. One song in particular (Actually the one linked above from the MTV Movie Awards) it was a song that saved my life. The performance when I seen it on the award show was the most inspiring performance of my life. Read the lyrics.

They are so powerful, especially the underlined part below. When I heard him say that it clicked. Joseph's introspective rhymes keep people thinking and on their toes. His main point of his songs are to make people realize and clearly understand how important life and music are and that they are the same thing.

I ponder of something great
My lungs will fill and then deflate
They fill with fire
Exhale desire
I know it's dire
My time today

I have these thoughts
So often I ought
To replace that slot
With what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole
My car radio
And now I just sit in silence

Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It's on my sleeve
My skin will scream
Reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
I hate this car that I'm driving
There's no hiding for me
I'm forced to deal with what I feel
There is no distraction to mask what is real
I could pull the steering wheel

I have these thoughts
So often I ought
To replace that slot
With what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole
My car radio
And now I just sit in silence

I ponder of something terrifying
'Cause this time there's no sound to hide behind
I find over the course of our human existence
One thing consists of consistence
And it's that we're all battling fear
Oh dear, I don't know if we know why we're here
Oh my, 
Too deep
Please stop thinking
I liked it better when my car had sound

There are things we can do
But from the things that work there are only two
And from the two that we choose to do
Peace will win
And fear will lose
There's faith and there's sleep
We need to pick one please because
Faith is to be awake
And to be awake is for us to think
And for us to think is to be alive
And I will try with every rhyme
To come across like I am dying
To let you know you need to try to think

I have these thoughts
So often I ought
To replace that slot
With what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole
My car radio
And now I just sit in silence

I ponder of something great
My lungs will fill and then deflate
They fill with fire
Exhale desire
I know it's dire

CBGB

Ramones, Television, Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Talking Heads and so many more. We all know these legendary bands. We all know of their success. However do you ever really stop and wonder, "Well how did they get their start?" It all started in a little pub called CBGB.

CBGB stands for Country, Bluegrass, and Blues. In 1973 on 315 Bowery interluding Bleecker Street in Easy Village, Hilly Kristal opened this club with the intention to only play those three types of music. Kristal was one of those men with the intention of settling a calm and collected bar with a few shows performing smooth music and an easy going environment.

Well that didn't happen. Once Kristal opened the joint he had issues trying to find music groups to perform fitting his specifications. The groups who came through were young punk kids who Hilly was not impressed with. Yet he gave them a chance. He was in debt and had no other choices. So he let these small town punk bands perform.

After getting the word out the club became increasing popular. Just about everyone with a guitar, drums, a base, and a vocalist played in Hilly's place. Once the club got going the bands playing because more popular and then started to become regulars at his place. As the regulars were more demanded, scouts came and other talent agents would come and view the bands of Kristal's bar, wanting to take them over. Hilly actually managed some of his regulars.

For example, there was a band that became called the Dead Boys that Hilly managed. It was a group of three semi-talented immature young guys into doing drugs and promoting self hurt and anguish during their sets. Anyway Kristal went through an sent the boys on tour. During their tour the boys were driving their tour truck and were drinking, fighting, hurting themselves then ended up crashing the truck and losing all the money Hilly gave them. But that is a story for another time!

Hilly Kristal was a devoted and determined man. Even when someone like the Dead Boys lost his money, he still would not give up his club. It was the most important thing in his life. Without this club there wouldn't have been any of the bands I named earlier. The CBGB club persevered their careers. Can you imagine the world without Blondie or the Ramones? I can't!