Recently, I read somewhere that if you find a piece of art, a song, or a passage in a book that you feel understands you and deeply moves you, it isn’t you connecting to the creator of that thing. It’s you connecting to something within yourself. When I read this, it really spoke to me. It made me realize what aspects of myself I connect to certain things; what emotions I attach to a song or book. I don’t believe that art is made without intention. It isn’t mindlessly created. It is the product of the creator pouring out their thoughts and feelings into something, potentially invoking the thoughts and feelings of the listener, or viewer. For this article, I’m mainly going to focus on music, and the impact it has made on me:
In middle school, I discovered an alternative-indie music group called Bon Iver. I can’t remember how I came across them, but I’m so glad I did. Throughout those growing years, they became my go-to music group when I was feeling happy, sad, angry, or literally any emotion a human could feel. I connected to their songs so deeply and was overcome with emotions and a sense of nostalgia for every song I heard. Shortly after discovering them, I began recognizing their music in movies and shows, which made me appreciate whatever movie or show I was watching even more, because it showed whoever they had choosing songs for the soundtrack had amazing taste. I kept telling myself and my friends that if Bon Iver ever came to town, I swore I would go. On October 8th, 2019, I kept my promise to myself. I had the opportunity to see them live, and it was an indescribable experience. I was completely enveloped in the music and lights. I cried when I heard certain songs. Overall, my experience was amazing and immersive. I even bought an overpriced shirt because I wanted to remember the night for as long as I could. It seems like an understatement when I say how much this group has impacted me.
I know I’m not the only one that has felt like this about music, or art in general. There are so many ways that art can connect to something within us. When we find this thing, it seems as though it’s inseparable from us, and no matter how many times we listen to it, read it, or look at it, it speaks to us in a way that never gets old.
I’ll leave you with some of my favorite songs by Bon Iver. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do:
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“Re: Stacks”
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“Michicant”
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“Minnesota, WI”
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“Holocene”
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“For Emma”
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“715 – CREEKS”
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“Blood Bank”
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“Hey, Ma”
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“Marion”
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“Heavenly Father”