3 minute read
quarantine music videos quarantunes
from Issue 17
In a characteristic twist, life has become more unpredictable and messy than expected. Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, we are mourning the loss of Black lives, fighting against police brutality, and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, while also attempting to find some sense of security for ourselves. We are donating, protesting, and contacting our representatives while discussing racial inequality from our bedrooms. We are taking the time to not only educate others, but to re-educate ourselves as we navigate new routines.
But, when do we take a break?
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Yes, it is vital to allocate any time, resources, and privilege we have to fight for major societal change, but it is also necessary to ensure that our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing are intact. You cannot effectively participate in a revolution if your battery is low. So, how do you recharge?
As shown by an array of blog posts (such as this one from the New York Times), the masses have taken to the kitchen and to craft stores in order to occupy their downtime. And, while seven-layer cakes and home improvement projects are great on the surface, they do not count in the department of processing and recovering from the barrage of information we are subject to daily.
I find the best way to release the thoughts swirling in my skull is to write. It can be difficult to verbalize the way you are feeling right now, and writing is an outlet that allows you to collect and dispense your emotions. Now, you don’t need to write the next “great American novel,” but keeping a daily journal is a start. Take a moment to free write—whether it’s ‘word vomit,’ a poem, or better yet, a song. Those of you who have never tried your hand at songwriting may have audibly scoffed at the idea, but hear me out.
Songwriting is for everyone. It is not some superpower unlocked by those who plan to be on the top 100 lists. Do you remember how, as a child, you would make up songs off the top of your head? Maybe By Reegan Saunders you simply sang about how excited you were about wearing the color green. Additionally, can you recall the 50 states and capitals song that was engrained in your elementary school memories? You were writing and memorizing songs, then, and you can now.
Writing music is not about having extensive knowledge of music theory, but instead, learning to connect your thoughts. I recommend sitting down for 15 minutes and scribbling down a massive web of anything that comes to mind. From there, you can sort through the chaos and have some fun. (If it’s any consolation a draft of a song I wrote contained the lyrics “the moon doesn’t have any arms”).
When it comes time to figure out the tune, you can sing along to an instrumental track of your favorite song, or maybe watch a video and teach yourself to play a few chords on a guitar! And do not stress out when everything cannot find a way to fit perfectly at first. The purpose of this exercise is to cleanse yourself, not make you more frustrated. Instead of focusing on the parameters of a finished product, empty out the cluttered container your brain has become.
When all else fails, remember my personal mantra: life is unpredictable and messy. Your music should follow the rollercoaster of your personal narrative. Listeners do not need another commercial artist telling them, “we are all in this together,” so, what are you afraid of? At the end of the day, if your song does not end up where you want it to be, you will at least have the satisfaction of a clearer mind and a good laugh. And, maybe, you will have a few words you are willing to share with the world. x
If you are looking for a place of inspiration I would recommend checking out these songs that were written about current events:
