Back when I was a fashion reporter for Bustle (way, way back when, like, circa 2015), my editor asked me if I wanted to write an article on festival fashion. Looking back now, I realize that when she said “festival” she definitely meant Coachella.
Instead, I pitched an article on What to Wear to Warped Tour.
One of my favorite things about my husband is his passion for a music genre I probably never would have been introduced to, if not for his influence: Post-hardcore. The genre is a mix of punk, rock, and screamo. It’s nothing like what you’ll hear on Top 40 and, in my and many other’s opinion, vastly underrated.
It did take me a few songs and bands to embrace the music category. Some songs had too much screaming for my taste; sometimes I couldn’t understand what the screamer was saying and felt like I was just being yelled at for three minutes straight.
But then he played Silverstein for me.
Sleeping With Sirens followed, as did Pierce the Veil and A Skylit Drive, Chiodos, Jamie’s Elsewhere, Memphis Mayfire, and Emarosa. I listened to albums upon albums, read lyric after lyric, and sat with the music. It was beautiful. It was passionate.
It was art.
Mark once told me that, some feelings can’t be expressed in any other way but a scream and that has stuck with me ten years later. As a writer, as someone who loves words and wordplay, these musicians weren’t just writing what they thought other people wanted to hear. They were putting pieces of their souls on paper first and music second.
Photo Courtesy of Julia Guerra (@juliee_girl)
Over the years, I’ve found that when I need help getting inspired, or when I feel inspired but need the motivation to sit down and write, the right music can get me there. Well, I’m officially drafting my second book, and guess what’s on replay at the moment? Post-hardcore.
Seeing as how I’m on a music kick right now, and clearly missing Warped Tour, I thought, what better time to do a music-focused Q&A?
I’m willing to bet you’ll know some of my answers (I like a variety of music) but hope that, if you don’t, you’ll give them a listen. I’d also love for you to answer these questions in the comments, too, so that I and other subscribers might discover some new favorites!
A song you like with a color in the title.
Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish (I looked it up to make sure Ocean was a color name.)
A song you like with a number in the title.
A song you like with a country in the title.
A song that reminds you of summertime.
Your favorite Christmas song.
A song that needs to be played loud.
A song that makes you want to dance.
A song you like about alcohol.
A song that makes you happy.
A song that makes you sad.
A song attached to a memory.
A song that you never get tired of.
A song from your preteens.
One of your favorite 80s songs.
One of your favorite 90s songs.
One of your favorite early 2000s songs.
Give It To Me by Timbaland ft Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado
One of your favorite songs by a boy band.
One of your favorite songs by a girl group.
A song you’d sing for karaoke.
A song by a band you wish was still together.
A song by a band people love to hate, but you just love.
Ah man yes, Warped Tour! Saw Eminem perform right when his first album was coming out! Plus all the great pop punk bands!
I have to think about this! But I will answer later!