Influences (some might be a shocker)

Since it's 3 in the morning I must apologize for my lack of words but will entertain you with videos of entertainment. Next to the video or under it I will say why it's of influence.

  

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - The reason why I'm mentioning this band is because as young kids my brother (drummer) and I (bassist) actually learned rhythms and taught ourselves how to play to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. We'd play together every New Years Eve as a celebration with the family.

Glenn Miller - Does this really need an explanation? I didn't think so.

Type O Negative - A band I grew up listening to thanks to my father and the only band I can listen to on repeat without getting annoyed. Unique, awesome, and wonderfully composed songs full of emotion. Not to mention an awesome band to see live! I'm glad I had the chance to see them before the passing of Peter Steele.

Vivaldi & Beethoven - Again... do you really have to ask why these musical geniuses are influential?

The Doors - Morrison's writing is definitely influential.

Helping the small music community

As one of my previous blog posts mentioned, the music community in my old high school has a high range of disrespect which leads to bullying by people who aren't music/art students. So tomorrow I'm having a meeting with the band and choir groups to see what I can do to help this dwindling music community. When I attended school I was in both groups. I see the fear in the students eyes as they perform because people don't show the appropriate appreciation to these students. A lot of time and hard work goes into the concerts and it's not right to have the students feel like dirt not only by their peers but the administration as well.

Tomorrow's meeting will be 3:00 - 4:30 and will keep you guys posted!

Thanks!

-H

On another note: Since I've created my own personal blog account on tumblr, I will be updating this blog often as I can. I want to keep both blogs updated, so be prepared to hear more from me!

Apology for no blogging

I must apologize for my lack of blog postings. I've been rather busy helping a few band students get the respect they deserve at my old high school. It got to the point where the bullying reached a severe high causing a loss of one of the students. Now I don't understand why this is such a big issue. Why can't people just get along?

So I was in a march to save music and arts and an anti-bullying march.

Band Fundraiser Idea - Is it a good one?

I am part of the Band Boosters Club at my old high school. I usually look outside the box when it comes to fundraising. I'm going to run my ideas by you followers and you tell me if they are good or not. The local college thought they were but I would like to hear the opinions of others. Thank you for your opinion.

1. Have the band make CDs/digital music - The main problem with our band and chorus is that the students don't get to show off their talent. I was thinking since I have the know how to put out music, why doesn't the band? I've also seen other schools around our parts using this as a successful fundraiser. 
2. Youtube - have commercials for events such as battle of the bands, and performances.
3. Advertise - Advertise concerts at local businesses.
4. Concerts - Make the concerts worth it (because right now they are pathetic), and fun for the audience.

Please feel free to share thoughts!

~H

Music & Arts looked down upon in my old high school

              There's something about high school that I couldn't completely understand. Why exactly was it so bad being a Music Kid? And why do the music and art kids feel like they need full acceptance from everyone? Not only do I see it in high school, but I notice it in everyday life too. I've never saw a problem with being a music kid. I stuck to my own because music is my passion. I didn't care if the captain of the basketball team thought I was a nerd. Maybe I am? Big deal so what. I love my music. I love the music history. I love it because it's part of me. Being ashamed of my love for music and art is like being ashamed of myself. 
             I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. It's full of gossip, rumors, and idiotic fights. In high school, there was a big divide between the music/art kids and the sports players. You can still see that big divide today. In my school, the sports coaches don't communicate well with the band and choir teacher. They expect the kids that are interested in both to forget the music because the sports practice is mandatory. People don't understand the music is a skill. It takes discipline and time to learn. You can't just take that away from the people that are interested in it. There is a lack of respect that is hard to ignore, even the administration and teachers look down upon us artistic kids. 
            It broke my heart when I guest played as the bassist for the studio band at my old school and the concert had to be rushed. What type of crap is that? At games people will stay there for hours but they won't sit back and appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into learning a musical piece? The choir and band numbers have dropped severely since I've graduated. I remember being there and seeing the hurt on my choir teachers face when a student dropped. Since that person was a close friend of mine I asked them why they quit and their reply was because I'm tired of being bullied and disrespected. How could a school district allow this to go on? And most of all... how can the administration and teacher faculty play a part in this? I respect those people that chose to play sports as well, although it's not my thing, but I would never try to diminish their self confidence. 
          From my personal experiences, I've received verbal abuse for picking up a bass guitar, I've had to take detentions for a sports kid because they had a game that night, and most of all I had to stick up for my rights. I am a human being no matter what my interests are. I would think that a high school would want to encourage the students no matter their interest of studies. For example, in my school we received music history in 8th grade, then it was optional when you entered high school ( my old school is Pre-K through 12 in one school), I took music history and music theory in high school, the classes were pathetic! The high school music history was a repeat of the 8th grade music history course, no effort to expand the horizons of young musicians. The music theory class was a joke because it rushed it so fast no one could grasp the concept. There are only three music classes available (Band and Chorus are considered Electives): Music History Grade 8, Music Appreciation, and Music Theory. 
        As for the concert subject, the band and choir had to up the tempo of the songs and squeeze everything together so that it only lasted an hour. When I was in high school, they were elegant lovely concerts. Everyone enjoyed music and between the band and choruses there were solo acts as everyone was getting set up. The principal would come out and joke with the audience, everyone had a smile on their face and had a wonderful time. There is no reason to get rid of such programs in a small school or make those programs feel less worth. It's completely sad that there has to be booster clubs for the band and chorus because they loose so much funding. It's also sad that we have to memorize all the music because  we can't afford sheet music. 
      I would really like to see respect being equal in those hallways. My friends that are still high school and I frequently visit often tell me that things have gotten worse within those walls. In my head I just want to grab people and shake them saying WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! But, since I'm not one to cause a scene, I told my friends that if they want to get respect they shouldn't run from what they love. They should hold their head up high and be proud to be a music and art student. They are starting to take my advice, but sadly the administration is seeing it as a bad thing. I never backed down though. Even when the principal threatened me with detention or suspension. Because then he'd be punishing me for who I am.


I am a proud music student and musician. 

                                          Above is me at a young age messing around on the guitar.

                              

                                          Attempting to write my first song (According to home video its about              "skelskins" and "Ghooosts")




My name is Heidi and I'm not ashamed for being a music kid. And neither should you!




~ H

Moi Dix Mois

I apologize for not posting in a long while...or anything worth your while. I've been away for a family issue that came up suddenly. Tonight I will take the time out to talk about one of my guilty pleasure bands. I'm not really big on the J-Rock genre because in all honest, the singing gets on my nerves. But there is one band that I can listen to non-stop because of their great musical talent. And that band would be as the title says, Moi Dix Mois. This band can be placed under the Symphonic/Gothic/Industrial Metal genres.

Here is a taste of what they are like:

Moi Dix Mois was formed in 2002 by Mana who was in the band Malice Mizer. Moi Dix Mois is his solo project. I find there music to be neat and something other than the norm to listen too. 

Must apologize again for the short post. Due to family issues I don't have enough time to be on right now.

~ H

A Year Ago We said Farewell...

A year ago today we said farewell to a very talented and truly unique musician; Peter Steele. I grew up listening to the band, (And remember singing Black No 1 in my car seat), and I also had the pleasure of seeing the band 10.24.09 down in Clifton Park, Ny. That concert was very special to my family and myself. I never really knew how much Type O Negative's music touched me until I received a phone call from my boyfriend that Steele had passed away. I told my dad and he was in complete shock. It was also a big "wow" factor when all TON fans seemed to unite after the passing and so many tribute blogs and video emerged all over the web. He will definitely be remembered as one of the greats and be dear to the hearts of many fans. Tears are shed during certain songs (I've even seen my father shed a few),  I've even seen local shows give a moment of silence for him before each show. Thank you for your music. You have touched the hearts of many...Many miss you...


                                                           ~ May You Rest in Peace ~