Blog Post // 2021-03-24

Time For An Update!

I think it is time for an update. It feels like things have been busy!

This is actually the time of year that I started my journey delving deeper into music, two years ago! I am thankful for all the music it has led me to. The journey continues! Thanks for joining me, whether you are new or have known me for the full two years!

My former channel began right after I had surgery complications leaving me with nerve injury, limitations, and illness. So, these few years have been a process of me trying to learn how to live disabled in this way.  Recently, I started to find things I can do, instead of focusing on what I have lost.

As you may know, I love spending time in the forest. I love snowshoeing in the winter. I have been on trails on property that has been passed down to me. But I have only been staying to trails that are better kept. Some of the trails that are further away have been grown in and left unidentifiable. But, I decided this year that I was going to start raising them back from the dead. Every step I have been taking has been a little nerve-racking, and hard work, but I just try to remember the things my father taught me in the bush, and be smart about what I do (he is no longer with me; he passed away).  I can't describe how it feels to be back in the area I spent so much time in as a child, and taking this on by myself. I had a goal to climb a mountain my dad and I climbed so often in the past. It is over 300 feet tall, and the snow was up to my waist with snowshoes on. A week ago, I did it! The sky opened up and the weather changed, melting and then freezing the snow. I was able to walk on top of the snow, which took an hour off of my trip up the mountain. Unheard of for this time of year. All of this is just to say that I am pushing myself. I am not letting fear make me miss out. The fear comes back, but I don't let it control me.

This is also the time of year when I would have been seeing Swallow the Sun's re-booked show, along with Infected Rain, but obviously, safety doesn't allow this yet. So, like many of you, I will dream of going to see live music. 

You may have noticed I am now starting to interview bands. This has been an exciting new thing! I just feel like many people miss being able to go to concerts. I feel like bands are suffering right now. I thought it would be nice to shine some light on some of the bands out there, and what they are up to. Send some love their way. Like I have said before, I really find other people more interesting than just hearing about me, and so far, the bands have been amazing, and I am honored that they are willing to share with me!

I will continue to blog and do reviews. There is just so much music I have been checking out that I need to share. I am only a tiny percent through all of the music on my lists at any given time. It keeps me excited, and looking forward to taking a deeper look!

One big thing I went into the year hungry for, was fast-paced music, and I have been on the hunt for something specific. There are some bands catching my attention in the death metal scene. I guess you could say I am digging the technical death metal for it's pace and grove. I am also finding myself in very atmospheric, relaxing, and slower-paced places. I actually started having baths (don't worry, I do shower - lol), and during these times I am relaxing and soaking in some music. I will likely post more about the specific music I am using to relax. But this is a big deal for me because I always felt guilty taking time for myself, and I am letting go of that, sometimes.

The standouts on my Playlist 3.0 currently are Agalloch and Harakiri for the Sky, obviously. Then Black Crown Initiate - Death Comes in Reverse, Capra - Paper Tongues, Greg Puciato - Absence as a Presence, Aetherian - Primordial Woods, and Pupil Slicer - Wounds Upon My Skin. And I am trying not to change things up very often, but I am adding Archspire - Involuntary Doppelganger to my playlist, where it should be, because in reality, I am listening to it (horror lyrics and all). It has been one of the fuels behind wanting to hear more tech death.

I am excited about many albums that are coming out this year. Despite the challenges, it seems many bands have been working on new material. I feel like if I try to list them I will just miss a bunch, but I will surely be putting out song and album reviews for many of them as the year progresses.

There should be a new feature within the next month or two to allow you to share your verdict on songs/albums that I am checking out. I hope you will participate. I know my opinion isn't the only one out there.

I hope sharing some of my struggles with you encourages you to keep going in whatever challenges you are facing! 

Keep enjoying music, my friends! Thoughts with you! Stay safe!