For most people, music is one of the most important things in life. It can inspire you, fill you with joy or even make you cry. But different music affects us all in different ways. Each week, I interview one of our writers or editors about the impact music has had on their life. This week, I talk to Kettle writer Laura Brown about her life in music.
Describe your taste in music in three words.
Eclectic, ever changing.
What’s your musical genre of choice?
Indie-folk-rock.
Your favourite band or artist?
Choosing one is so difficult! I’ll go for Ben Howard.
Your favourite song of all time?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7Ptai9I6eo]‘A&E’ – Goldfrapp.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Probably S Club 7 or something similar.
First gig you went to?
It was either Busted or Atomic Kitten. The early 2000’s were great.
What was the last song you listened to?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzaNPIkp964]‘Queen of Starting Over’ – Beverly Knight.
Which musicians do you admire? Do you have any musical role models?
I don’t think there’s any in particular that I would count as role models, but I really admire anyone who works the hardest they can to be the best they can, and takes chances and risks both musically and career wise. So many people are out there just for fame and money, but those who start at grassroots level and want to make music because they love it and want to inspire or emote people stand out to me.
What’s your opinion on music videos?
Echoing what Alex said last week, there is a lot of sexism and misogyny in music videos and that isn’t okay at all. It was something I looked into extensively in my dissertation in my final year. Some music videos can really add to the song and can have much more of an impact because of the creativity and artistry that goes into them.
In your opinion, what’s the most annoying song of all time?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85mRPqvMbE]Anything Crazy Frog related. Purely for the fact you hear it once and it gets stuck in your head. Nightmare!
Who do you think is the most overrated band/artist out there?
Even after searching Google for some inspiration I still couldn’t think of anyone for this. Even if I’m not a massive fan of someone I guess they have some credibility in their own right.
Where do you find new music?
Twitter, new artist features, my friends.
Do you play any instruments?
The recorder when I was about 7, like every British school kid.
Adele rapping Nicki has improved this week greatly.
— Laura Brown (@ljbrown26) January 15, 2016
Rock or pop?
Rock.
Classical or heavy metal?
Heavy Metal.
What song will always cheer you up?
Most things by The Spice Girls. I’m a 90s girl, they were my childhood.
What song always makes you cry?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsPq9mzFNGY]Maybe not always, but ‘Let It Go’ by James Bay is pretty emotional.
What’s your musical guilty pleasure?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cw1ng75KP0]‘Alone’ by Heart. 80s power ballads at their finest.
What does music mean to you?
It’s a comfort. There is always a song for every moment and even though it might be difficult sometimes to find the right one, when you do it makes everything seem right; be it a loud rock song or a quiet acoustic one there is always something there.
What do you love most about music?
Its ability to emote feelings and memories in a second. You can hear just a small section of a song and be taken back to a certain moment or feeling in your life and experience it all over again. I think that’s very powerful.
Spent a lot of 3rd year researching & writing about Bowie. What a visionary & a game changer.
— Laura Brown (@ljbrown26) January 11, 2016
If you could sit down for a chat with any musician (dead or alive) – who would it be?
Timely, but Bowie. I am intrigued by all he did in altering the gender and sexuality norms that existed along with his creativity and ability to constant reinvention of himself. I think it’d be fascinating.
Tell us your best musical memory.
For the fact that it was a turning point in my life, career and musically, it’d probably be my first time at 2000 Trees Festival, watching Frank Turner side of stage. I remember feeling a mixture of luck and things just slotting into place for me.
How has music impacted your life? Let us know in the comments below!
