A Musical Journey Beyond Words

Music has been my steadfast companion through some of life's most challenging and exhilarating moments. Imagine rallying to the sound of a shared melody during military field days, where music transcends barriers and unites us in a language all its own. In this episode of Leo's Liberation, I share how music has helped me express those unspoken emotions and foster an incredible sense of camaraderie. From historical battlegrounds to personal battles with identity, music has been a silent force that communicates where words fail. This universal language breaks down socio-economic and cultural walls, reminding us of the bonds we share.

Ever felt the electrifying beat of EDM coursing through your veins? I reflect on my journey through the vibrant world of electronic dance music, where every beat can heighten emotions naturally or with a little help. Playing instruments has been a liberating experience, enriching my understanding and appreciation of sound. So, here's a challenge for you: explore a new music genre or revisit an old movie soundtrack this weekend. Let music infuse your everyday moments with joy, whether you're cooking, working, or exercising. Let's keep music at the heart of our weekend adventures and connect on social media to share our musical discoveries.

https://leosliberation.buzzsprout.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563379214115&sk=about

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:05

Welcome to Leo's Liberation. It's Friday and it came around so quickly. Holiday weekends always seem to throw things off just a bit, but this really hasn't been a bad week Actually very productive, considering how short it was, in a sense, and how quickly it went by but definitely have been enjoying the things that have been getting done and accomplished this week at home and at work, and pretty much the mood has been pretty mellow. So you know we're going to get right into it today, though, and I hope that your drive to or from work is peaceful so far. And you know, don't pay any mind to that person that wants to gradually speed up as you continue to try and pass them. So you know you can change lanes. Just let it go. Don't don't give them the satisfaction of your frustration.

Speaker 1 0:49

So today we're going to be talking about something that is near and dear to my heart. I've been in love with this since I could hear, speak and move music. Um, you know I want to take this friday to discuss music, and you know the why's and the how it affects us as people. Now, I don't know too many people that don't like music. If you hate music, we're most likely not friends, nor will we ever be just kidding, actually? Um, but you can learn something from everyone, including the killjoys who hate music. Um, but I highly doubt that that's possible because music is pretty much innately, um, you know, thing that we have within us. That basically you know, we, I think when you're here you got to shake your hips a little bit, tap your feet or, you know, snap your fingers, whatever the case may be. So basically, you know when did music start? And you know, I'd like to think, that our apish ancestors utilized music as a way to bond, communicate emotion within the tribe, alleviate stress maybe. But you know, this kind of started, I guess, the complexity of our species. Right, you know, music just kind of adds a little bit more depth to who we are versus, just, you know, hunting animals and eating berries and seeds.

Speaker 1 1:56

So music throughout time has always communicated so much it's marched armies into war. You know that beat, that sound, that horn, whatever it was that was being used, would strike fear into the opponent or would summon formations and make those formations move in a very unified manner, which also strikes fear into your opponent in most cases. It is honestly the one thing that makes us one as a species and there's really no socioeconomic, racial or intellectual divide when it comes to music. I will say that is probably the one true constant. I don't care how pretentious you may be or how you know you may say one type of music or one genre is dumber than the other because it just has no intellectual value. Yeah, not for you to say your music is no better than someone else's. It's just what they vibe with, it's what they like and it's what gets them through the day, through the year or through life. So everybody's music speaks a message to them somehow and in most cases, most music speaking the same message. But it's speaking to us in the same way and it's kind of, uh, you know, um, evoking the same kind of feelings that, um, we would have as far as emotionally, so, um, but you know it's vibrations kind of make the soul dance a little bit. You know it makes us smile and you know it makes us like burn with rage sometimes, you know. But in my reading there was a 2024 survey where you know they kind of the consensus basically from the numbers.

Speaker 1 3:17

Music is mostly used to express the unspoken and soothe the mind and soul, which I totally agree with because it does all that you know, and then some. But you know music can also tap into the nostalgic. You know, when the day is dark it usually is that speck of light that gives you hope. It bonds us when we're apart and it kind of comforts us when we're alone. You know, it's one of those things we kind of turn to. So I remember my days in the barracks, you know, during an event that would be called field day. For any veterans listening to this, you probably most likely know what field day is, depending on what branch you were. But field day is basically a clean your room and clean the building kind of event on a Thursday night in most cases, and it was more like a party versus a chore and there was music played from every room. And this is where I was kind of beginning to be introduced to different genres of music Now, on Friday nights, and an exchange of music was used as a way to kind of better understand each other.

Speaker 1 4:13

Especially when you're in your 20s and you're trying to figure yourself out, music actually helps you identify yourself in most cases. But that was our way of actually talking without talking, because you know you get a bunch of bros together. Nobody's really going to talk about their feelings. Everybody's going to sit there and, hey, dude, listen to this song. And that's basically you pretty much probably expressing to your friends hey, this is who I really am. So you know, the only rule was basically, if it's not your room, you don't control the music. Now, I think that applies everywhere. If it's not your house, it's not your car, don't you touch the radio, don't you change the music, you ask permission before you do these things.

Speaker 1 4:45

But the brotherhood that came from that sharing of music, food and drink basically is barbaric as that may sound, but basically there's a brotherhood that came from sharing these three things and, uh, it was pretty much irreplaceable, as a lot of people who've been in the military, been in those situations, know now, before apple, spotify and basically the world that we have now, where everything's just accessible by the click of a button, you would have to borrow those cds to listen to and actually still have cds. But you have to borrow those cds to listen to if you want to a copy of it, or some people would actually tactically acquire your CDs. I will probably say maybe there was once where I actually did it, not in the barracks but somewhere else, but that story is for another show at another time and probably not appropriate for this show at the moment. But you know, no matter. The point is times before that, then and now.

Speaker 1 5:32

There's always been that one constant that I've noticed in life, and music is like food it brings us together. I don't care how much you hate each other, how many differences you notice about one another. Music, yet again like food, is one of those things where people can actually gather around and kind of just enjoy the moment. You know they find their own space and their own peace in that moment. So the uh. Granted, there are different uh, you know genres, obviously, with music. So obviously, all of us listen to different types of music, some of us listen to everything, but there, you know, there are different genres that can affect us a bit differently, but this is definitely kind of like an each to his own kind of scenario. So, um, I listened to just about most of music, most kinds of music, if not all kinds of music, and as I grow older, I noticed that you know, kind of have more of an eclectic hodgepodge mix of a playlist that's expanding more and more, and I listen to whatever matches my mood, and nowadays music usually reflects happiness and peace in my life, which I'm super happy about. But you know I will give it to AI on on this one, because it's pretty good at kind of like introducing you to new things that you probably never would click on on your own. So I definitely take advantage of that. But you know I'm hoping to keep this kind of thing going.

Speaker 1 6:45

Right now, the days when I used to drink often and heavily, the mood range was, you know, wide and unpredictable, but the songs definitely had a more powerful pull and a little bit more influence and pretty much kind of steer the ship. So if I was listening to something mellow, yeah, happiest person ever. If you kind of tune the music to something more metal versus mellow, then you know, obviously the mood changes and a different person kind of appears, not to say that I'm a violent drinker or anything, but you know, obviously the energy follows the tune. Say that I'm a violent drinker or anything, but obviously the energy follows the tune. So looking at the genres and their effects was brief but interesting. So not trying to get too scientific, guys, we try to keep this light and fun. So basically we're going to just kind of go down a quick list of them.

Speaker 1 7:28

Now, jazz apparently has healing powers, which I guess I need to listen to more jazz. But it has healing power and it obviously de-stresses you, which I could definitely see. That Pop music obviously boosts energy and you know happiness and evokes happiness. But it also kind of creates that bond or identity specifically with your younger crowds. I think in most cases, because you know popular music, that's just kind of what it is. So that's where you kind of find where you fit in.

Speaker 1 7:53

Classical music helps with memory and deters crime. So two things here I can see. I can see you why you would play it while, while you're studying or trying to focus, because it really it's kind of soothing. It has no words, nothing for you to really like kind of have to pay attention to, it's just the music's kind of driving things. But then, as far as crime goes, I do recall when I was a police officer working on the ocean front, they would play classical music at the end of the night in the summertime to get the boardwalks to clear and to calm the crowd. So that way people will be less likely to fight because obviously if you're playing hip-hop, rap, uh, rock or metal or something like that, people most likely are going to follow the tune of the music, like I just told you. So you know, sometimes it works. But in every crowd you have that one or six people that want to kind of be knuckleheads and, you know, test the waters.

Speaker 1 8:38

So rap and hip-hop, at least um, stuff that I grew up to, that I grew up with, inspired and spoke against oppression and inequality and it kind of provided a sense of empowerment and validation of your struggles in a sense, especially around the 80s and 90s. That's when it kind of really took off because a lot of people were just feeling oppressed and not equal to the rest of society. So I kind of get that. But rock and metal to me this provides a way to focus energy, especially that explosive, unstable energy that you may have sometimes where you just get that itch where you have to move. But it's great for weightlifting. So country music, which I've grown fairly fond of over the years as of recent, I like the new and old stuff and you know I know so many old stuff sounds like you know I shot my dog and I got to drink myself to death, kind of stuff. But a lot of country is actually. It actually has a sense of pride in overcoming the odds. So you kind of have to love that.

Speaker 1 9:35

And now the EDM. So electronic dance music or, you know, music with a repetitive beat usually has no words. That can do a lot of things. Usually it's an energizing thing, but if you know, most people tend to you know some type and kind of enjoy this type of music with substances. I'm not condoning it, but, you know, live your life and, let's be honest, people do this stuff. So nevertheless, the music can intensify the feeling of the mind. But maybe it's the substances, I don't know. But you know, I've listened to it a couple of times and some of it's actually good, I think great cardio music. But I don't really think, you know, substance-wise, it's something that I would indulge in as far as music or substance.

Speaker 1 10:20

So now, this doesn't even cover musical instruments, folks, it's, you know, which I have an on and off relationship with. But to play your own music or, you know, learn to play music or learn to play a song, is one of the most liberating feelings ever. I think the connection is also different and enhances listening, since you're learning to listen for beats, notes, chords, the timing, the instruments being used. I say, give it a try. It will change the experience a little bit for you, while still allowing you to enjoy the music, but, like when you can actually pick these things out, there's just something else about it. It's like a whole new level and I believe it actually brings you closer and opens the door for you to enjoy, you know, the music a little bit more without the party enhancers, if that's what you use. So I kind of understand now why some you know someone may just relax and listen to jazz or classical music with their eyes closed, because you're truly feeling this, you're actually listening to it and the things I wish I actually knew when I was younger.

Speaker 1 11:13

So you know, my love for music will never pass. It is one of the, it is the one thing that keeps me grounded, it motivates me, it inspires, it expresses and it literally invigorates pretty much every fiber of my being in a sense. So I'm one of those people and you know I have a song or playlist for just about every occasion or every mood. I can probably pretty much have a soundtrack to my life and I hope everybody does have one. I hope it's a good one. So you know the challenge this week or this weekend for you guys is basically explore a genre of music you've never listened to before, or one you believe you'll never have interest in. You might actually find yourself to be very surprised. Um, and you know, truly listen to it. Don't just play it just to play it, but actually find something that you've never listened to before and actually play it. And if that's not your flow this weekend, find that movie with that soundtrack. And you know I'm always a sucker for an epic fight scene soundtrack Definitely gets the emotions going during those scenes, but the soundtracks can make the movie, make or break a movie in most cases. So yeah, ensure that whatever you do this weekend, make music a part of it.

Speaker 1 12:20

Whistle while you work, which I actually do quite a do a lot of that at work, sometimes annoyingly to people, but I do that a lot when I'm at work. So whistle while you work, you know. Dance while you cook. Just don't, you know, spill the grease. Or, you know, burn yourself. You know, take it with you. Crush that workout when you go to the gym. Make sure you have a good playlist going with you. And hell, I even say, know, turn that aisle onto your personal bar room, dance floor. And yes, I said bar room, not ballroom, let's be honest, that's where the real dancing happens, right? But you know, just don't leave a mess in the aisle. So I don't want you over here like throwing spaghetti because you're so into the song. You're throwing spaghetti sauce all over the place, but you know, have fun with it.

Speaker 1 12:58

So here I am, guys, I'm going to go ahead and sign off on another episode of Leo's Liberation. Take care of yourself and each other. And obviously you can find me on social media at leosliberationbuzzsproutcom. Leo Liberated on Facebook. Leo underscore Liberated on XN. Leo's underscore Liberation on Instagram. Please follow me on whatever platform you're listening to this podcast on and give me a like, rating or leave comments to grow on, because, as always, I'm trying to grow and evolve. So talk with you guys on Monday. Have a safe and happy weekend, stay warm. Peace out.