My Music and Me!
Hi Everyone, I'm Ashley Patterson, and I am a music student at Converse! I have always loved music. When I was a young girl, I used to dance around my house with a Walkman and my favorite Oak Ridge Boys cassette tape! I started taking piano lessons on and off through middle school, and it wasn't until my first semester of college that I decided I wanted to pursue a music career. I had my first technical piano lesson halfway through my freshman year, and now here we are!
Along with a love for classical piano music and all things pop, funk, and rock and roll, I also play guitar and sing my own songs. I have lived in Spartanburg my whole life, and as much as I love this town, I look forward to eventually living somewhere else one day. I love to travel and see new places. You can always count on me to be your "yes" woman!
An example of something that I am super into right now:
A song I have been absolutely loving right now is Latum Alterum (Ya Ya Ya) by the Steam Powered Giraffe. The group writes really fun, funky alternative cabaret rock. When the group performs together, they dress as weathered steampunk droids.
The group's song Latum Alterum is a fun-loving song with lots of guitar, ukulele, and rich harmonies. A friend of mine recently sent the song to me, and I haven't been able to stop playing it since! The chorus of the song feels light and airy to me and makes me really excited for the summer time. The main hook of the song scratches my brain just right, so it will probably stay on repeat!
An example of some music that is really important to me:
A song that has meant a lot to me over the years is All Because of You by Stephen Day. Stephen Day is one of my all-time favorite artists, so it's pretty difficult to pick out just one of his songs for this post. I have been listening to Stephen's music for about 6 years now. This song, "All Because of You," has been one of my favorites from the beginning. Though the song feels like it is about one person, somehow I have managed to take the song with me through the years and always find a way to make it relate to my life or the people in my life.
This song feels so sweet and so nostalgic to me. This one also reminds me of summer, mostly because the music feels in a way very warm and comforting, but also because I have many memories listening to it!
At the end of last year, I went to see Stephen Day in concert! I got to meet him and ask him about his career and his journey as a musician, and I also got to ask him for advice as a young artist just getting started. He said, "I would just put music out. I would not wait for the perfect moment or wait until the song is perfect. Just put it out there!" As a result, my very first single will be coming out this year!
An example of something I do not really connect with:
The song I have chosen for something I don't really connect with is Dance Monkey by Tones and I.
This song was VERY popular when it first came out, and most likely still is. I would not be the right person to ask because I avoid listening to it. I think the song is a little repetitive, which I don't objectively view as a bad thing, but something about the presentation of Dance Monkey just does not click with me.
Hi Ashley! I really loved reading through your blog! I have to say I had never heard your first two picks but now that I have heard them I definitely have some new music to be listening to. Also I just had to comment on yours because I almost put Dance Monkey as my song I don't connect with. It is one of those songs that just played over and over and would get so stuck in my head. So I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteWow Ashley, you're so talented. I had no idea you didn't come into college intially pursuing music, look how far. you have come. You have such a unique taste in music and I adore seeing it. I liked the first song, but the second song resonated with me a lot more. For Dance Monkey, I'll let you in on something... I used to be obsessed with all of Tones and I's music when it first came out. I think I really liked the fun beats, so easy to dance to. However, as I've expanded my listening, I'm come to concur with your opinion of it's repetiviness.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and you put me on some good songs, the first two are very groovey..although I share your frustration with dance monkey, always hated that song. You’d make a great marimba player with your keyboard skills!
ReplyDeleteAshley! I am so excited for your first single! I can’t wait! The first video freaked me out, but the song was good! The second song was so thoughtful and I could see how it could have a lot of meaning. Also, I totally relate to the dislike for Dance Monkey. It just isn’t that good.
ReplyDeleteAshleyyy! I too cannot stand Dance Monkey! Why do the worst songs get the most popular? Also, thank you for introducing me to All Because of You. I love nostalgic songs. I love anything that will choke me up to be honest.
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