Allure of the Unknown | 23/7/19

I haven't done a real wordy post for quite a while, but this one is definitely gonna be one of those. In fact, the idea that's been gliding round my head, slowly making its rounds of the different thought processes, is how the unknown functions in our lives. We all know that the first time you ever hear a song is utterly different to any time you hear it thereafter. The way the brain interprets a new sound is important; it's learning rather than recalling or returning to the same place. It can only happen once, and can certainly be very special. Of course, as the cliche goes, the unknown is also scary. I try to push myself to listen to new music at least once every day, but it's unbelievable how easy it is to return to what you know. There's levels to it; first of all, it's easier on your mind, it doesn't have to work as hard to enjoy the song, you kind of just go into autopilot, but it also can provide a kind of comfort when you're stressed, worried, lonely. All these feelings can be softened by the comforting chords of your go-to music or soothing vocals of a familiar voice. What I've been finding interesting, is considering what the many benefits are of pushing past this and seeking to hear the unknown.

When a rollercoaster suddenly shifts into gear and you know you're in it for the whole ride, as the adrenaline pumps through your body, you're filled with the tantalising excitement of not knowing what's about to happen, but not being able to look back. It might seem like a strange analogy to use for music, but if you gear up for it correctly, I think the same feelings of being forced out of your comfort zone can apply. I went to a rave this weekend somewhere in North East London, something I've not done in this capacity before, and so I got to experience a lot of 'new' all at once. The location was dropped on the night, and when we arrived we were guided in the dark past a gate, along a canal, through a wood and over a bridge, until finally we see some fairy lights in the distance, and the party begins to take shape. Aesthetically I was really enjoying it, because there was such a collision of worlds going on. Huge electricity pylons stood all around us, warehouses were off in the distance, and yet around the crowd itself were trees and undergrowth sloping down into the darkness. Once we actually arrive, it becomes clear that it's in full swing, packed, and, to be honest, popping off. It blew my mind, because we couldn't hear anything for the majority of the journey, and even when we were close by it still seemed so quiet until we were right up in it. The seclusion gives this dichotomy of isolation and community in the most wonderful way, and it was so unknown. 

The journey didn't even feel like a trek even thought it was twice as long as I would go for a night out, it was part of the adventure. It set the tone for all aspects of the night, and that included the music. I reckon I heard maybe one song I knew the entire night, and as you can imagine it was absolutely refreshing. Being in a new atmosphere surrounded by tracks that are nameless to you, it was revitalising in a way completely distinct to how music I knew could affect me. The best part is, it didn't stop there. The reception was pretty terrible, no surprises there, so I couldn't Shazam any of the songs. I didn't know who the DJs were, and I had no way of finding out, so the night threw me into an uncharted abyss on all sides. I essentially had no choice but to just accept it, and all I had to guide me, to analyse and pay attention to, was the music itself and the environment it was being played in. Having come so far, I certainly wasn't going anywhere, and everything had been set up perfectly for me to live in the moment. 

I was so able to absorb it as an individual experience and that is what is so great about the unknown. As soon as you have something you know, you subconsciously cling to it. If you're at a festival and an act you know is playing, naturally you prioritise that because it's the safe option, and there's nothing wrong with that. If you have no choice but to delve into alien territory, the results can be really special. And now, I'm glad I didn't know who the sets were being played by in a way, that I wasn't able to connect any dots, because the secrecy and intimacy provides an incredible individuality to my memory of that night. Getting home by the way, not so fun, can't express to you how little I could be bothered to return to civilisation, but it was nice to see other groups of people with the same looks on their face. The whole experience was so sick and really made me think about how unique and authentic the actual rave scene in the 90s must have been. If this had had such an effect on me now, it must have been ten times that back then.

In stark contrast, I also had a conversation with a few of my friends, one of whom works for a music streaming service, about the editorial work of these companies, or for radio and so on. They select what songs go on playlists, are highlighted or picked out, and essentially what the majority of people will hear as their new 'unknown'. At first, it seems crazy to think that a handful of people have so much influence on what we discover, and it becomes easy to see it as another negative effect of our reliance on new technology, but it's easy to forget how much more accessible music is now, and how easy it is to put your stuff out there. Anyone can do it, and as a result we have access to an unimaginable amount of content. The majority don't have the capacity or time to seek out new music and don't even know where to begin. That's what the music industry is, and there's certainly issues with it, but it's part of what allows music to be worldwide and universal.

That being said, what it made me realise is that the ultimate, authentic approach does come in taking your personal research as far as you can. It's time consuming, and it pushes you to experiment with sounds you think you won't like or just going in blind. You have to think outside of the box, and actively strive to find what's different, look in different places, sometimes even pushing yourself socially. The more you put in, though, the more you learn about yourself, and the more you'll develop your own, pure and unique taste. As I've mentioned before, what you share with your friends and family is intrinsically linked with the emotions and connections you make through sound. To venture alone on top of this, you will get so much more out of music if you seek to find your own 'unknown'.

So thanks for coming to my Ted talk, got real conceptual there, but hopefully some of you know what I mean. It is 90,000 damn degrees currently so I'm gonna go and enjoy it while it lasts. Listen to something new, bye xxx