Emo Music Profile

Well, let’s see: how do you even begin a blog like this? First of all, let me just say that as a musician there is nothing more frustrating than seeing people get into one song and then say they are a fan of a band, musician, or songwriter! So, let me begin with an example: I remember first hearing of a small-time, British band (who at the time was relatively unknown in the U.S.) while I was in Britain in the late 90’s called Coldplay. They were just coming on the scene, and my British friends were likening them to bands such as Radiohead (which at the time I thought was sacrilege). So, I began listening to some of Coldplay’s music, and was really drawn in by the sincerity and honesty of Chris Martin’s lyrics. Now, fast forward about 7 or 8 years and 3 major albums later, and you have a massive following here in the U.S. But stop for a second – what constitutes a fan? – is it someone who has been to 8 concerts and counting, or maybe it’s someone who knows all of the lyrics to The Scientist? Just let me say, though – that if you never listened to songs like Trouble or Don’t Panic off of Coldplay’s first album Parachutes, or if you haven’t taken the time to consider the dynamic lyrics or surreal melodies of songs like Green Eyes or A Warning Sign from their second album A Rush of Blood to the Head then don’t say you’re a fan.

So, let’s talk about a current explosion of sorts: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. Great song… awesome song in fact, but don’t add it to your MySpace profile or rev it up while it’s playing on some lame, sorry excuse for a radio station like Star 94 (For those of you here in Atlanta) while proclaiming (and I can hear it in some high-pitched, whiney, teen girl’s voice): I just love Snow Patrol! That’s crap…that’s exactly what it is… you’re no more of a fan of Snow Patrol than I am of Whitney Houston (and I’m no fan at all). Just because I know two lines of lyrics from some mid-90’s, Houston song doesn’t make me a fan.

I remember 4 or 5 years ago when I first heard the song Olive Grove Facing the Sea off of Snow Patrol’s album When It’s All Over We Still Have to Clear Up, I was moved beyond words… the passion, the emotion, and the meaning that exuded from Gary Lightbody’s vocals and lyrics was amazing. From that point forward I was sold, and I delved into every Snow Patrol song I could get my hands on… and almost dissected them so that I could grab those lyrics and understand the meaning and emotion behind their songs. So, I guess what I’m saying is: if you’ve never taken the time to listen to and soak up the meaning behind songs like On/Off, How To Be Dead, or If I’d Found the Right Words to Say then you don’t understand where Snow Patrol is coming from with a song like Chasing Cars. So, what would I call you? A fair-weather fan maybe… or perhaps not really much of a fan at all…