How not to copy your influencer

Its simple. Like this:

Michael Jackson

Influences: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Brown, etc.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson( ‘copying’ does not apply here but other aspects of influencing does)

Influences: Carl Sagan, Isaac Newton, etc.

Iron Maiden

Influences: Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Yes, Led Zeppelin, etc.

Robin Williams

Influences: Richard Pryor, Jonathan Winters, etc.

Skrillex

Influences: Marilyn Manson, I don’t really care

Graham Linehan (Creator of The It Crowd)

Influences: Don’t really know. Just slipped in.

Antonio Vivaldi

Influences: I’m pretty sure he had influencers. You got my point.

What all of these people have in common is that they took specific ideas from their influencers, moulded it into their own, mixed it with their own fresh ideas and then built upon it. In other words, they picked up where their influencers left off. I think, if you are creative enough, all this will happen subconsciously. They did not try to ‘imitate’ their influencers. They did not purposefully alter their content to avoid similarities with their influencers. They did not actively try to borrow ideas and manipulate them so that people won’t notice it. The ideas for which these people are known for, were birthed within them. They only needed influencers to fuel their inner passion.

I hate it when we lose great artists. I really do. It’s because we don’t know what amazing things they would have done. A creative mind doesn’t just stop manufacturing ideas. It’s the body that fails. Not the mind. I’m a 90s kid. The type of music that I like is dying out slowly. I don’t have anything against modern day music. I enjoy it. But there’s this deep nostalgia. I can’t let it go. That’s why I love it when new, awesome artists have the balls to pickup from where great artists left off.

Greta Van Fleet

Influences: Led Zeppelin

Airbourne, Jettblack, The Treatment

Influences: AC/DC (in my opinion)

 

 

Songs

This post is about my musical interests. I actually do not know why I am writing this. I personally hate reading blogs about musical interests. So if you don’t  like this sort of thing, don’t waste your time reading. Kids, this is what happens when you move to a new place and don’t make friends!

Why don’t you try hitting the play button while reading this?

The following are just my opinions. Everyone is entitled to an opinion after all. I respect everyone’s  music preferences. I used to wonder how people could listen to death metal and hip hop. I always thought that people who liked such genres, just did it to look cool or make a statement. Eventually, I realised that they like what they like, the same way I like rock. They are passionate about their music just like I am about mine. That is why I don’t judge people based on whether they listen to Justin Bieber or Eric Martin. On the other hand, people who do bother me are the ones who ‘like’ bands based on their popularity. I also don’t understand people who ‘like’ bands just to fit in. It’s ok to like any genre of music or any artist. I believe that the type of music you like actually says something about you. It’s like one of the things that make up your identity. I don’t get people who keep their musical interests a secret . I am sure that they have their reasons but I think it is just sad. Here are a few of my interests.

Artist: Dream Theater
Album: Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory

A lot of things that I think about have been brilliantly portrayed in the eleventh track (Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On). I personally do not give a damn about the lyrics in a song. I like songs for their tune. But this song! I have to say that the lyrics are just superb.
I wish to give special attention to the transition from track 1(Scene One: Regression) to track 2(Scene Two: I. Overture 1928). It is the greatest transition I have heard till date. The first track is a mere two minutes while the second is more than three. A lot is going on in the first track. There is a soothing voice, there is singing, there is soft acoustic guitar with brilliant vocals. Then there is a dramatic change as the song transitions into the second track. Just genius work. I cannot however tolerate rest of the track! I googled the album just now to write about it. After reading the synopsis of the album, I feel like this is the most depressing album ever. The story is just too damn sad and so full of bull shit! Don’t get me wrong. I ‘DO NOT’ like this album as a whole. Just a few tracks!

Artist: Rainbow
Album: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow
Now this is an album that I just adore. Each and every song of the album is worth mentioning. Ronnie James Dio could write amazing songs. He could express feelings which is what songs are meant to do. “Music is what feelings sound like” said a strange colleague to me once. Now this is an album that I like as a whole. My favourite songs are Black Sheep of the Family and Self Portrait.

Artist: Queensrÿche
Album: Operation: Mindcrime
I stumbled upon this album thanks to Apple music’s suggestions. I still think Spotify’s suggestions are better though. Pure brilliance is the phrase to describe this album. I have not listened to rock of this style. It was way ahead of its time. The guitar solos are well thought out and stand out on their own. Best of all, the album tells a brilliant story. It explains the horrors of mind manipulation. Its like a movie but you would want to hear it rather than see it.

Artist: Blind Guardian
Album: Beyond the Red Mirror
Song: Distant Memories (Bonus Track)
I like this kind of music. Operatic, orchestral, and stunning vocals. Listening to these on good speakers is like meditation to me. I live in a shared apartment now(fancy name: company guest house!). So although it is peaceful, I cannot pump up the volume for now.

Now, off to watch The Revenant!