I had to do a deep dive in my Spotify playlists for this assignment. I am excited to share the songs I found in the random playlists I had saved from when I was developing my music taste.
The first song I'm adding to the playlist is Malice Mizer's "Baroque". They are a V-Kei rock band that's based in Japan, and they are most definitely not traditional music artists. In Asia. V-Kei is used to classify Japanese artists who dress extravagantly as a part of their image/aesthetic. Their concerts looked like theater sets, they utilized silent theater in their shows, and they dressed in gothic historic clothing. This song samples Beethoven's "Fur Elise", and some of their songs include a pipe organ as a drone. This video includes photos of their performances and the band members in their attire. I just recently discovered Malice Mizer, so I hope that if someone knows more about them then they could recommend me some songs since their albums are a bit difficult to find.
Malice Mizer - Baroque
For my next song, I figured it'd be easier to find traditional music. As I was looking, I found one that I recognized almost immediately. This song is called Son de La Negra, and it's jokingly referred to as "Mexico's second national anthem." Mariachi Bands are a very traditional thing in Mexico, so I figured I'd use the most commonly played Mariachi song in this assignment. I do hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Son De La Negra
This is my third selection and personal favorite of the ones that I wanted to share with you. It is more of a modern song compared to Traditional Mexican music, but it is a very beloved song that many people around North America hold near and dear to their hearts. Amor Eterno is a song that was written by singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel in 1990, but it was later recorded by Rocio Durcal in 1994. This song is about struggling with loss, and it's said the song was written for Rocio Durcal since she had lost a child in an accident in Acapulco, Mexico.
Rocio Durcal - Amor Eterno
The last song I decided to go with is a traditional Chinese opera performance of a song called "Thirteen Masters in Tongzhi and Guangxu times". In traditional Chinese opera, it's common to share a story through the music and gestures as they do in Indian Music. The reason behind the opera singers attire is to foreshadow the fate of the characters they play in these stories they sing about. I loved watching these opera singers sing about silly things like bragging about wealth and minor misfortunes.
Thirteen Masters in Tongzhi and Guangxu times
Going through these playlists, I realized that my taste has evolved so much through the years and how I don't stop disliking music no matter how many times I listen to it. Throughout this class, I've learned about the different music in cultures and what makes each one so unique. I'm so glad to have expanded my music tastes early so I could enjoy the content shared in class with a more educated perspective. Thank you for reading my blog and enjoying this music with me.
Bonus: this is a funny Chinese opera performance about a man who steals watermelons. I recommend watching the full way through for the silly story line.
The thing about rituals is that I can't remember them till I go through them again. That's why the majority of these "rituals" take place during the winter season. I don't really call these activities rituals; I see them as more of a tradition.
To start, Christmas is a big thing in my family. Though we do not host any large parties or have family come over, Christmas in my family is an opportunity to be openly nostalgic. My parents would share stories of their Christmases when they were younger; to be frank, they did not sound super fun. I believe this is why they would go out of their way to ensure each Christmas was memorable and full of happy moments.
When I was younger, my dad was very adamant about attending our church's Christmas service. The mass was held in the evening of Christmas eve, and after there would always be music blasting and warm food served. Occasionally, there would be some traditional dancers dancing to some random music I didn't know the lyrics to. However, there was always one song I could count on being played: "El Burrito Sabanero." Whether it was at these gatherings or even some strangers blasting radio, I would always hear "El Burrito Sabanero" somewhere in someway at Christmas time. The song is about the journey to see Jesus after he is born in Bethlehem. I always was and still am very happy to hear this song play at Christmas time.
Another thing I look forward to at Christmas time is my dad wanting to watch the movie "Home Alone." With the movie comes the Home Alone soundtrack with that catchy little tune they always play at the beginning and end of the movie. My dad loves that movie, so even if I don't feel like watching it with him, I can always hear it clearly no matter what room I'm in. The movie isn't my favorite, but I do enjoy seeing my dad happy.
The last ritual I could remember that doesn't take place in winter is high school graduations. At most high schools in America, the graduating class walks out to the song of Pomp and Circumstance. Funny thing is that most people don't even know the name; it's commonly just called "that one graduation song". At my high school, the graduating class walked out to the song which was being played by the underclassmen. I remember my friend who was the marching band's drum major tell everyone to walk slowly to mess with the students who had to play.
Originally, I intended to interview my grandmother, but I soon realized this wouldn't have worked because she has no idea how to use any technology, let alone face time. I had a feeling this would be the case, so I already planned to interview my dad. He is from Mexico and has shown me so many genres and types of music my whole life, always encouraging me to try any instrument I was able to fiddle around with. Ifixed all broken English, but all words typed are what he said word for word.
To clarify, I am interviewing my father for this blog.
Q: What are your top 3 genres of music?
A: "Rock and roll top, and another music I really find fascinating is classical music because it represents where it all begins. There would be no rock and roll or fools with their baggy pants hanging off them without classical music. One I like from my culture is Mariachi. It's not just some cultural music. When someone plays polka, you don't hear anyone go, "I wonder what state they're from." It's very self-explanatory and fun to watch people play in mariachi bands. As soon as the band starts playing, the crowd gets loud, everyone's smiling and happy no matter where they're from. I feel it is one of the only genres that is capable of this. It's almost like a musical high. I get goosebumps when I hear them play. You see them in theme parks, concerts, anywhere. It's unmistakable happiness. It's beautiful.
Q:What's your favorite music to dance to?
A: For you guys (me and my sister) when you were small, I'd put on La Rancherita and put on Cumbia. It reminded me of music that my mom played on the radio. I'm not a big dancer, but I join in with any music really. I was young once. I remember in middle school what they call "tardeadas" (Tar-deh-ah-das). For only dancing, it was fun. Growing up after drinking age, you'd go to the club and dance to whatever was popular. You know ace to face? "I saw the sun. I opened up my eyes and saw the sun." I think they're from Australia. Also, rock and roll. Not just that rebellious type of performers and singers, but the sound of the guitar crying when the performance can make an instrument cry, it's a different feeling that I don't feel with anything else. Who needs drugs or cares about problems when you hear a guitar cry?
Q: Is there any kind of music you don't like?
A: That I can't stand? Lemme think..I know there has to be some. I love all music from all countries really. (I showed him Yuno Miles and he still couldn't think of any.)
Q: What do you think of the music I listen to?
A: I think you could amplify your repertoire, but I also believe it comes with age. I also believe its by stages. Because of the creativity music requires, no matter what music you listen to, I know it can put you on the right track. No pun intended.
BQ: What about Tyler, The Creator or Gorillaz?
A: I think Tyler the creator is a very unique individual who combines urban poetry with personal experience and anecdotes. His repertoire is consistent in the audience that he can sell it to. He's a commercial artist; I don't hold it against him. It's not like I'd sell tacos to people with no teeth. I'd sell smoothies though. Tyler writes his songs for specific people. It's not like he locks himself up and makes music for nobody to listen to. He'd be a very sad individual. I'm not his audience. I'm so far away from it, but from what you've told me, that's what I gathered.
A: The Gorillaz can be anybodies band. You can read about it, listen to it, watch them. When you listen to their story, they'll leave you with something new. They'll leave you wanting to learn more and why. I haven't listened to the Gorillaz till you reminded me. It was 20 years between the first time I heard them and when you reminded me of them. I felt like I was scammed because there's four characters but there's only 2 producers. And both are dudes and they made me feel like they had a female lead guitarist. That's really bad. How could they do that. It works but how? You told me the story behind Gorillaz, and we ate it like crackheads trying to get a fix.
Q: You've attended a lot of concerts. Which ones were the most memorable?
A:One of the most memorable ones was watching Carlos Santana in the Bilo Center. I had floor tickets, but they weren't front row. There was this guy pulling the Mexican flag from out of his pocket, but instead of the eagle and snake, it was the Virgin Mary in the middle. I asked what he was doing; apparently, security made him put the flag away. I said, "like hell they will." I took one side, he took the other, and we rushed to the front. People moved aside and security tried to stop us, but we pushed him in his face and moved forward. Carlos Santana saw us and knelled to play in front of the flag. It was so beautiful because he did the sign of the cross on the flag. (My dad cried while retelling this.)
List of the bigger bands he has seen: Papa Roach, Korn (twice), Pearl Jam, Def Leppard, ACDC , Marilyn Manson, Kid Rock, Ozzy Osbourne (Crazy Train), Disturbed, Metallica, Three Doors Down or Nickelback played with Metallica, Mötley Crüe.
Q: What is a popular artist or genre of music you heard a lot when you were growing up?
A: Hmm, depends. Before going on my own way as a teen, I heard El Tri a lot. Up until today, it still brings lots of memories. Those fools have been playing for like 50 years.
Q: Did you play any instruments? Did you ever make any music?
A: I used to play recorder because of the school. I tried to learn to play guitar but I couldn't afford one. See I lived in a place where if you didn't have money, you couldn't play sports, attend music class, anything like that. I told you guys (me and my sister) that you needed to learn an instrument. It was mostly for selfish reasons because I couldn't.
Q: Is there an instrument you wish you could play?
A: The guitar. I wish I could really play the guitar.
Q: How does music in Mexico differ from that in the states?
A: Basically, the folklore music is written and created in the country of origin. All new genres and trends are created in the US then transferred to all corners of the world. For example, Rock or the Beatles, they didn't reach outside of their country till it made it to the US. It's like a bridge for music in the world. Without the US market reaching outwards. we wouldn't hear about the blues for example. If you asked Carlos Santana, he'd say Africa. Without Africa, there would be no Latin music that we know now. Cultures are so interconnected through music it's crazy. There is no recognizable line where who owns what or who started this. There is no record that shows which country owns what. That's not how it works.
(Basically, the music in Mexico is mostly based off of music in the states rather than vice versa.)
Q: You have a large CD collection. Which one is your most prized possession?
A: Los Lobos One Time, One Night Live Concert Vol. 1&2 CDs. It was a very historic event for those in Greenville. There was a lot of old people there. The last time Los Lobos played in SC was in '73. One of the main reasons they wouldn't come back was because of racism. Based on the Carlos Santana concert, I hid my flag in my pocket. I had front row tickets too. I wasn't doing anything bad. In the middle of the concert, I decided to pull out the flag, walk to the front stage, and place it on the floor stage. i laid it to where it was facing the audience. The lead singer and creator of the band Cesar Rojas walked over and saw what I laid down. He swung his guitar to the side, picked up the flag, and spoke into the mic "this flag does not deserve to be on the floor." He took it and laid it on one of their speakers facing the crowd. Everyone went crazy. Except for the haters maybe but I don't care. At the end of the show, they had a line to get CDs and take photos. I got in line, got those CDs signed, and got the flag signed and returned to me.
Carlos Santana - Maria Maria
Los Lobos - La Bamba
Bonus: He heard Yuno Miles and showed me this clip. Watch it if you'd like.
As I've mentioned before, I began playing the violin when I was in 6th grade. I couldn't recognize it then but the more I think about it, the clearer it is to me. When I first joined the orchestra, we were given the option between violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The class was small so having enough instruments wasn't the problem: the problem was that almost every girl wanted to play violin, and almost every boy wanted to play bass. The teacher was a bit stressed since most students were committed to their instrument, but the orchestra could not be composed of only violins and double basses. The teacher encouraged some to rethink their decision, but only a few students switched to playing lower string instruments. I didn't realize it then, but I do now: I realized that girls commonly play high string instruments (violin, viola) and boys commonly play low string instruments (cello, double bass). However, this trend did not continue into high school. I met more male violinists and violists, and I met lots of female cellists and bass players. In fact, my younger sister played the double bass for a few years. It's nice to see this change. Gender should not dictate or influence what instrument you play.
Besides my personal experience in orchestra, I've recognized something in the music I listen to. I see its pretty common for women to be dressed or posed seductively. This is not to say that all album covers with women or girls in them will have them dressed or posed seductively; I am stating that it is more common to see women in album covers dressed or posed seductively compared to men. To prove this point, I linked 2 songs that include the album covers in the thumbnail. The first is Kali Uchis' "Killer" and the second is Miki Matsubara's "Stay with me." Regarding albums with men in them, they are typically posed and dressed how they please. I have not yet seen an album cover where a man is dressed or posed seductively. No, I do not wish to see an album cover with a man dressed or posed seductively. I will say that a majority of albums with men in them have an intimidating look. To see what I'm talking about, I also included a link to Kendrick Lamar's "DNA." Like the previous two videos, this video includes the album's cover. I included the link as well since I hope you'll give them a listen; these are really great songs by some even greater artists.
Hello! My name is Gisselle Marines. I grew up in Greer my whole life, so I'm only 30 minutes away from home. I'm a violinist with about 7 years of amateur experience. I started playing in 6th grade with the middle school orchestra, and I have continued to play. Right now, I'm in the Converse Symphony Orchestra. My parents aren't musicians, but my dad did know how to play guitar in his youth. He's the one responsible for my unique music taste. I was always encouraged to explore my talents, so I did take piano lessons for a short time when I was young. I enjoy learning new instruments, so I tried to learn how to play piano with little success. Even so, I really enjoy music and its many genres and instruments.
I actually have a CD Player in my dorm, so I get to play all my favorite songs without worrying about ads.
Music I like now: Harmony by Elton John
Like I mentioned earlier, I have a CD Player. In my CD collection, I
have Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Album. I love Elton John and
the music he makes. This song is just so pretty and it is probably my favorite song in the whole album. I do recommend listening to other songs by Elton John if you enjoy listening to this one.
Music with meaning: On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
Another thing about me is that I'm a huge Gorillaz fan. I was such a big fan that I named one of my cats after this song from the Plastic Beach Album. His name was Melancholy, but we called him Mel for short. Mel was truly a one-of-a-kind cat and I loved him dearly. He loved playing outside, hunting rodents and bugs, getting pets and scratches, and fighting other cats. Unfortunately, he passed away Thanksgiving day of 2023 because somebody struck him with a car, leaving him for dead in the street. All he was doing was hunting mice. I struggled so much with grieving that I couldn't listen to this song without sobbing just thinking about him. I actually hate Thanksgiving now because of this too. Please let this be your sign to drive safely and watch for animals that may be crossing the road.
Music I just don't like: End of Beginning by Djo
I first heard this song on TikTok and so many people were raving about it saying it was really great. I tried listening to this song seriously, but it just feels very repetitive and a little bland for my taste. That's not to say that this song sucks. I just didn't connect with it like other people were and that's fine by me.
Music just cause: There is a Time by The Dillards
I always watched old shows with my mom and dad like The Andy Griffith Show. There's always something silly going on in the small town of Mayberry, NC, so I always enjoyed spending my leisure time watching that show. I remember one episode had this song in it, and it is truly beautiful. This song doesn't hold much meaning for me, but it is a song I really like simply because it feels nostalgic.
