Exploring Alternative Music: Emo - My Darkness, by Brandon Turner
MY DARKNESS, by Brandon Turner
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I've traveled through life knowing nothing about Emo. Well, I was thinking it had something to do with Sesame Street. I was wrong.
Here goes a third-grade understanding of this musical genre, gleaned from surfing the internet and listening to the music on GarageBand . Apparently one of the problems with trying to characterize a musical style is that, almost by nature, music is ever evolving. I know such to be true simply by my rudimentary connections with Country, Gospel, Contemporary Christian, and even the stubborn RockaBilly that remains popular in my rapidly changing part of the country.
So, how do you recognize Emo when you hear it? Apparently it is a rather primitive and emotive form of music. The name itself is obviously a truncating of the word "emotion". It emerges from the characteristic angst of youth. I would think all of us can understand. Those times of seeking emotional and social understanding are very tough. For most it involves lots of inner pain and negative emotions. Cathartic for the developing young person is the explosive and furious outburst of expression. Take all of the aforementioned, wrap it up in a song, and I think you have Emo.
I surmise that a two-hour concert of this stuff might encourage an already unstable person to do harmful things to self and others. Or at least to pursue relief with some mind-numbing substance. But, such is likely not so. Like with violent video games, and some dark trends of social custom , most are pretty good at compartmentalizing such matters and thus will not be driven to destructive acts. Most. And, perhaps Emo is therapeutic; better to let-it-all-out at a concert or while listening with headphones, than with a more destructive kind of outburst.
So let's check out some Emo at GarageBand . From what I have read, purists of this genre believe their raw brand of music has been diluted and compromised by many for the sake of popularity and profit. I'm familiar with such human tendency- it is called greed. And, indeed, as I have listened to several of the songs, many of them do seem to stray from the angst that is supposed to be at the heart.
Thus, I have moved down the chart to select My Darkness, by Brandon Turner , as the example of Emo that I would like to pass along. Brandon is a 15-year-old from DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He would like to practice with his band, but none of the members have a driver's license. His song is ranked #46 of 47 in the active rank category, and #1651 of 1658 all-time. He was awarded Stupidest Song for two strait weeks in August. And I will have to admit that it appears the presentation of his talent is still a work in progress. Your guess is as good as mine, the words of this song. But he sure gives the guitar a workout, and sometimes the semblance of music comes through. And I am surmising that Brandon really does not care what some guy like myself, three times his age, thinks about his music. It is a release for him.
Maybe Brandon is a child prodigy, a young genius, or a millionaire in the making. I'm thinking he is a puzzle to his parents, conflicted within himself, and spends lots of time alone in his room listening to loud music and banging on his guitar. He is what Emo is all about.
Keep going, Brandon!
10.08.07 (9:49 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
10.08.07 (9:04 pm)
I thank you for this little bit of enlightenment as I had NO IDEA what emo music consisted of ~ now I know that without a doubt, I could not listen to it very long to give it a fair vote ~ just give me Alabama, Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, Patsy Cline, Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, (am I aging myself - yes, guess so) etc. etc. etc. ~ oh well, no much for my opinion.
Thanks for your enlightenment ~ seriously!
As always, you give me something to think about!
((hugs)) to Skylar for me, okay?
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
10.09.07 (6:37 am)
for my generation, emo was Janis Ian. LOL. Nothing new under the sun. ever.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.09.07 (8:42 am)
Reply to: auntconi
You definitely have aged yourself with this comment! I do find interesting, as I have begun to study the different genres of popular music, how they are far more than escapism. There is social commentary, and sometimes even brilliance, in popular music.
Skylar is well. I'm watching her today from 10:30 - 2:00. We always have lots of fun.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.09.07 (8:45 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
I guess it has been around for a while, just under a different name. I suspect, and it is simply an idea since I do not know, that you were a bit more socially connected and "with it" than myself as a teen and young adult. I took Music Appreciation in College, but otherwise know so very little about popular music. I'll even have to look-up Janice Ian to know who that would be. And I will.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
10.09.07 (11:13 am)
Quality insights you make here while not being too quick to judge.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
10.09.07 (3:52 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
ahhh. you will remember. she wrote the oh so very controversial song "Seventeen" about a young girl in love with a black kid. EVERYONE talked about it. but her finest song perhaps...was the one which had the line in it...
your lover brings you white flowers, you lie twined in the sand
my lover brings me black roses.....
posted by:
(
reply)
post date:
10.11.07 (10:00 pm)
I applaud your 'branching out' PD :)
posted by:
Lisa (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (11:52 am)
I LOVE that you are exploring different kinds of music. Can I say again that I wish we had a pastor like you around?
posted by:
Mom (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (2:21 pm)
Pastor, I just read your story about your daughter last year telling you she was pregnant and here I sit in the same chair. My 17 y/o daughter is expecting and I wanted to tell you what an inspiration your story is to me..two days after I found out. Thank you and may God bless you and your family.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (3:44 pm)
Reply to: Mom
What a kind word of affirmation. Thank you.
I'm sorry you are going through this experience. Right now, I am sure you are struggling, and perhaps even numb. I'm not an expert with this matter. What I think will work for you:
*Keep on loving your daughter, in action, no matter what
*Make peace with her, and work together as a team for what is good
*Hold your head up high; stay away from negative people and negative thoughts
*Trust God's people. Genuine Christians will be a great source of strength for you.
*Trust God. Dare to be vulnerable, to be humble with Him.
*Most probably, there will come the time when this child will be the delight of your life
God bless. Please, keep me posted.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (3:46 pm)
Reply to: Lisa
You are so nice! As for your pastor, you've probably already got a guy/lady much like me- too old to appreciate or understand much of today's culture.
I'm glad, and honored, that you are still reading my stuff! Thanks.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (6:16 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
I kind of liked Janis Ian till I dated a girl who seemed to have decided she was the second coming... Goodness gracious, I got sick of all angst. I mean how can a red-blooded American male stay sufficiently hot and bothered listening to a woman that incredibly sad on the stereo all night long? Oh I mangaged, but it wasn't easy. I kept thinking, "Well for God's sake woman, (Janis) if you're going to off yourself, would you please just do it so I don't have to listen to you threaten it for hours upon hours every night?"
Now I've started liking her again... Go figure...
posted by:
Brandon Turner (
reply)
post date:
10.14.07 (8:21 pm)
I like what you said about my music, no not the best quality, i admit, i have better stuff, but you were dead on on almost everything, especially the fact that emo music is dying because of the asphyxiating greed of today's stars, i wish the best to you and your family, Brandon.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
10.15.07 (5:50 am)
Reply to: surrogate
she was a bit much. course, when i liked her i was going through my angst phase, and well, you'll have that. still, she was THE female Dylan.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
10.15.07 (5:57 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
Maybe so. No question the gal can write.
You went through an angst phase? You? YOU?
Say it ain't so.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
10.15.07 (7:54 am)
Reply to: surrogate
me? angst? looking around......
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.16.07 (6:58 pm)
Reply to: Brandon Turner
I am very honored that you would visit my blog. And, your kind words in response to my meddling comments are quite generous. I wish you the best with your music. When I was a teen, I was not much into any kind of self-expression or interaction with the world around. You're miles ahead of me at that point of life. Keep it up!
