Hero of War

So, I’ll admit it, I’m addicted. I don’t know why but the song “Hero of War” on Rise Against‘s newest album, Appeal to Reason, is amazing. The first time I listened to it I wasn’t really sure what to think but now, I can’t get it out of my head and I love it. The lyrics are amazing and seem to really hit home so I thought that I would include them below: (click here to listen to the song)

He said, “Son,
Have you see the world?
Well, what would you say
If I said that you could?
Just carry this gun and you’ll even get paid.”
I said, “That sounds pretty good.”

Black leather boots
Spit-shined so bright
They cut off my hair but it looked alright
We marched and we sang
We all became friends
As we learned how to fight

A hero of war
Yeah that’s what I’ll be
And when I come home
They’ll be damn proud of me
I’ll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because it’s flag that I love
And a flag that I trust

I kicked in the door
I yelled my commands
The children, they cried
But I got my man
We took him away
A bag over his face
From his family and his friends

They took off his clothes
They pissed in his hands
I told them to stop
But then I joined in
We beat him with guns
And batons not just once
But again and again

A hero of war
Yeah that’s what I’ll be
And when I come home
They’ll be damn proud of me
I’ll carry this flag
To the grave if I must
Because it’s flag that I love
And a flag that I trust

She walked through bullets and haze
I asked her to stop
I begged her to stay
But she pressed on
So I lifted my gun
And I fired away

The shells jumped through the smoke
And into the sand
That the blood now had soaked
She collapsed with a flag in her hand
A flag white as snow

A hero of war
Is that what the see
Just medals and scars
So damn proud of me
And I brought home that flag
Now it gathers dust
But it’s a flag that I love
It’s the only flag I trust

He said, “Son, have you seen the world? Well what would you say, if I said that you could?”

I highly suggest you listen to the song and let your mind think about the events, how you would react and how it makes you feel. I think it is good to look back and reflect on these types of things becaue sometimes, you can learn something you never knew about yourself, you might surprise yourself pleasantly or you might even scare yourself. Either way, its good to push your boundaries because one day someone else will and you won’t know how to react. Put yourself in this soldier’s shoes…would you join in?????

What does it mean to you??

Are you ever in a store and all of a sudden a certain song comes on and a specific person or group of people come to mind? It’s weird how something as simple as a melody and some words are connected to our everyday lives and influence us much beyond the initial and most obvious need for music, dancing. If you are anything like me, music is almost what your life is based on as it is always playing in the background and helping to create memories. Memories such as:

Money Honey by State of Shock- my “marriage” to Sam from work and us being in Extreme Pita and it coming on

I’ll Be by Edwin McCain- Brie and good times in volleyball

Get Low by Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins- my highschool volleyball team

Low by Flo Rida- Josh, my valedictorian from highschool

Glamorous by Fergie- my entire graduating class

Dirty Girl by Terri Clark- Ali and our random times

And those are just to name a few. Music plays such an integral part of our lives, whether you are active in the local  music scene in your area, only go to big name shows that come around, have a song playing either on an electronic device or in your head all the time, or you just listen to the radio to keep from absolute boredom while driving to and from where you need to go. Music is amazing, there are sooo many different genres that everyone can find their niche and thrive in it. Music is there whenever you need it too, if you are sad and need comforting, there is a song for that. It’s 2 minutes till game time and you need something to help pump you up? There is a song for that. Just relaxing at home and are “vegging out” for the day, you have peaceful, melodic genres for that.

Music is one of the most important things that humans have in common, if you ask me. You can tell a lot about a person by what they listen to and yet, at the same time, you can be completely surprised at the same time. You know that quiet, shy girl who sits in your class? How would your opinions of her change if you found out she is out moshing on the local scene every weekend? How about that guy everyone is afraid of? You know, big, intimidating, covered in tatoos and looks like he would be at home in a biker gang. What if he listened to mainly acoustic? These aren’t examples that I know of personally but, given the nature of music, I guarantee that it has happened, and its happened more than once.

Not only is music used today to help us express ourselves and to remember events, it is used in all sorts of other ways. From religious ceremonies to national anthems to advertisement jingles, music is everywhere you go. I find it funny when people say that they don’t really listen to music, they just don’t know that the song is going on inside their heads and in their subconcious. The music is ALWAYS there.

So here is to the musicians that make our lives meaningful, relatable and pleasant. Who help us remember those special occasions such as the first dance, first kiss, and graduation. Whose tunes we hum, get stuck in our heads, and can never quite remember all the words. Thank you for making our lives just a little bit better!

Listen Up Eastern Canada!!!

To all fans of Ariel Mura in Eastern Canada, you will soon get your chance to see her live in your area! Ariel has been selected to perform in the Indie Week in Toronto, ON from October 9-11. To anyone who has listened to her Myspace page or heard her music in other places, this is a show you will not want to miss. Even if you haven’t heard her before, go, check it out, I promise you will be surprised and amazed with this group’s talent and passion for music.

Ariel is currently on tour in Western Canada and United States, check out the list of all their shows here to see if you are lucky enough to have them playing near you! If you don’t see your area on the list be sure to contact them and let them know you want them to come to your area!!!!!

The Hectic Summer Life

So I have found that I have had a hard time maintaining a regular posting rate this summer. I blame it entirely on the fact that I am almost always working and have time for not much else but eating and sleeping. Okay, maybe that’s not true but that’s what I’m blaming it on regardless. Haha! I guess as an update, recently I went to Vans Warped Tour in Saskatoon which was an amazing show. Keep watching here for some info on the bands that I saw for the first time and loved, I hope to find time soon to share the musical love. I also went to one of Ariel Mura‘s shows last night, another amazing performance, I must admit she never ceases to amaze me with her voice, no matter how many times I have seen her play. Her openers were also very good (like usual), I must say check out Mark Daniel, Chemical Horizon and Nick Faye as they are all amazing artists. It just amazes me that such a small city like Regina, and even the province of Saskatchewan, has such amazing talent hiding in every little nook and corner! So yeah, definitely check them out.

As an update on a previous post, prom night in black and white was given the opportunity to play at the Vans Warped tour and get some new exposure there, just thought I would give them a little congrats of sorts on that one. Plus I like random thoughts.

Anyways, I should probably go and…have a nap I think, I was up at 4am to go to work…I plan to make more regular posts as school is coming my life will slowly get more organized (or so I hope!).

prom night in black and white

I came across a band from Saskatoon who have a really great sound and are very talented. prom night in black and white have a very distinct and unique sound that has really caught my attention…you can add them to my list of favorite local artists!!!!

Uneven Flight

On Saturday was the release party for Ariel Mura‘s CD titled Uneven Flight! It was an amazing show and the turnout was awesome. So since that time I have had time to listen to the entire CD a few times and my conclusion, its AMAZING! It is by far my favourite CD right now! Be sure to check out Ariel’s site to listen to a few of the songs and, if you like it and want a copy of the CD, it should be available on CDbaby.com soon or you can email them at arielmurabookings@hotmail.com to arrange to get a copy.

Also, the two other bands that were playing were awesome, I highly suggest that you check them out, especially if you are a fan of acoustic music! They are Acoustic Love and Mack Hubic (MySpace or YouTube).

Taste of Chaos

Last night I attended the Taste of Chaos tour in Regina even though I had my history final this morning at 9am. Haha! I was a little upset to find out that only Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold would be playing but regardless, it was a great show! The bands were interactive with the crowd and Avenged even pulled a fan on stage to sing a song! Oh and just so that everyone that was also there last night knows, I would also vote for them as mayor, that would be a pretty sweet city! Haha!

Well I just thought I would give you that update but now back to studying for finals, only two left!!!!

Acoustic Love

This is a band with a very different sound, and I love it! I have never heard anything quite like the acoustic that this duo from Saskatchewan plays but I’m sure that anyone that enjoys music will appreciate their unique sound. Click on the picture and enjoy!

Frosty

I came across someone known as Frosty on Myspace today who has some sweet tracks on his page. There are no words to the songs but, they are definitely awesome to listen to just as the music! Check it out and let me know what you think!

P.S. There are no pictures up on the page yet but I will post one when there are!

Summary of an Amazing Night of Music

Last night was the Against Me concert, and it was an amazing one that was a large part of a very busy night for me! The night started out by meeting my friends for supper before the concert and then we went and watched Things Change, the first opening band of the night. They were awesome and sounded really good, I was really quite impressed with them. After their set, my friend Kaitlyn and I ran, actually we sprinted, to my car to drive to the university to play in our volleyball game as it was a playoff game and neither of us wanted to miss it. We played the game and, although we played really well, we lost. Well after that we changed (obviously, spandex is not really concert attire!) and sprinted back to my car so that we would be back in time to watch Against Me, and we made it! So we missed Geronimo but we all have to make our sacrifices sometimes! Haha! The show was amazing and probably the best show I have been to and I definitely recommend going to see them as they are awesome live!