SERIES 1
Love it or hate it, music can have an incredible influence on our lives. Every one of us could name a poignant song that has the power to stop you in your tracks, make you drop whatever you’re doing and listen. It can make you smile, it can make you cry – it can make you angry. But what does music mean to you? We asked a group of people who feel particularly passionate about music – including Sam Lewis, a guitarist who’s just finished touring with KT Tunstall…
“It gave me an amazing feeling the first time that we got invited to play in another country. It was incredible to think that there are people in a city that you’ve never been to – and who speak a different language to you – know YOUR music. That really made me smile...
“I had one of the most powerful experiences of my life the other day. I was in New York at the end of the tour with KT Tunstall, and we’d just finished playing our final show. At about four o’clock in the morning I was back in my hotel room, which had an amazing view of the city, and I was listening to my iPod on random play. Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run' came on and the passion in that song – especially with it being so American and me being in that city – I started crying! They weren’t sad tears; it’s just that the song resonated so strongly right then and there. I just wanted to freeze the moment.”
“I was promoting the recent show that Public Enemy performed at London’s Brixton Academy, and went to the hotel to pick up Flava Flav. He was loading his bags into the back of the car, when he suddenly unzipped one of them – which was full of clocks. He’s always worn a clock round his neck as a prop – or at least I thought it was just a prop. But it turns out that he travels everywhere with a suitcase full of them. It’s brilliant! He’s such a hilarious guy! Eccentrics in Hip Hop are rare but essential. It doesn't all have to be about bravado.”
“While working at Maida Vale I was involved with some unforgettable sessions with Coldplay – before they were famous – Sting and Jools Holland. But the biggest emotional high I get from music is when I play piano in my (occasional) band, just for fun. When we all get into a solid groove and I feel free to improvise, it’s like I could play almost anything and it would sound good (to me at least!). I find myself totally concentrating on the music, its feel and rhythm, its ebb and flow, and nothing else. That is the best feeling I get from music; being in the middle of it and creating it, as I feel it.
“One of the best moments of my life was watching Coldplay at Glastonbury in 2005. There were people stretching back behind us as far as the eye could see, and somehow I’d managed to work my way to the front. I was surrounded by my best friends and they were playing Fix You – my favourite track. It sent shivers down my spine."
Proud
Mike Lindsay, Producer and co-founder of folk/electronica band, Tunng“It gave me an amazing feeling the first time that we got invited to play in another country. It was incredible to think that there are people in a city that you’ve never been to – and who speak a different language to you – know YOUR music. That really made me smile...
Overwhelmed
Sam Lewis, Lead Guitarist with KT Tunstall“I had one of the most powerful experiences of my life the other day. I was in New York at the end of the tour with KT Tunstall, and we’d just finished playing our final show. At about four o’clock in the morning I was back in my hotel room, which had an amazing view of the city, and I was listening to my iPod on random play. Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run' came on and the passion in that song – especially with it being so American and me being in that city – I started crying! They weren’t sad tears; it’s just that the song resonated so strongly right then and there. I just wanted to freeze the moment.”
Amused
Sam Reid, director of music production company, Hear No Evil“I was promoting the recent show that Public Enemy performed at London’s Brixton Academy, and went to the hotel to pick up Flava Flav. He was loading his bags into the back of the car, when he suddenly unzipped one of them – which was full of clocks. He’s always worn a clock round his neck as a prop – or at least I thought it was just a prop. But it turns out that he travels everywhere with a suitcase full of them. It’s brilliant! He’s such a hilarious guy! Eccentrics in Hip Hop are rare but essential. It doesn't all have to be about bravado.”
Free
Bob Appleby, Former BBC Studio Manager“While working at Maida Vale I was involved with some unforgettable sessions with Coldplay – before they were famous – Sting and Jools Holland. But the biggest emotional high I get from music is when I play piano in my (occasional) band, just for fun. When we all get into a solid groove and I feel free to improvise, it’s like I could play almost anything and it would sound good (to me at least!). I find myself totally concentrating on the music, its feel and rhythm, its ebb and flow, and nothing else. That is the best feeling I get from music; being in the middle of it and creating it, as I feel it.
Euphoric
Sam Carrington, Coldplay fan“One of the best moments of my life was watching Coldplay at Glastonbury in 2005. There were people stretching back behind us as far as the eye could see, and somehow I’d managed to work my way to the front. I was surrounded by my best friends and they were playing Fix You – my favourite track. It sent shivers down my spine."
