I suppose if this blog is about what I learn and what I experience then you should know a little bit about me. I have never been good autobiographical anythings. So, this will be more of a collection of random things that inspire me, in no particular order at all.

For me, as well as thousands of other people, music is necessary in my life. I don't particularly mind what kind either. If it speaks to you, if it makes you cry or sing or day dream then it's good music. I have been largely inspired by a few artists in particular.

Music became vital to me when I was fifteen.

Riding shotgun with my Dad and my sisters in the back of the car, mountain bikes strapped to the back and Blink 182 blasting out of the speakers.

Cruising along the road with my Mum and sisters, heading for Currumbin, Pete Murray and the Foo Fighters making waking up at six am to surf all the better.

Listening to Linkin Park in my room while I studied.

Belting out Taylor Swift, Toby Keith and the Spice Girls on Roadtrips.

Discovering Rise Against.

It was the strangest collection of bands and musicians that spoke to me. Two particular groups I owe much to; Rise Against and the Dixie Chicks. When I was younger it was the music that I loved, it was the ability to drift in and out of moods. Further on I realised that the lyrics spoke to me in ways I couldn't quite grasp but that intrigued me and provoked me. Now, I know that, along with all of those elements, the ability for these groups to do what they love and still make a difference, politically and socially, is what makes me love them again and again.

I listen to songs I can't dance to, and sing songs I don't like to listen to. Why? I have absolutely no idea. It's just how I work.

To further establish how little genre matters to me I'll paint you a picture of sorts.
I listen to music that makes me look at my life through different eyes. I don't want to be comfortable. I want to question authority and power, the economy and status of class through music. I also want to look at my life in hindsight every now and then. Music helps me do that.

Write To Me One Day,

Nikki Keating.