Vulnerability is an artist's superpower, and who's more vulnerable than a 13-year-old kid? Plus, a new Melted Form demo and plenty of new music recommendations.
Middle school was a bizarre and transformative time for me. Many of my experiences in those 3 years, especially the last one, have had a lasting effect on my personality and how I respond to the world. From traumatic events, to awkward encounters, and moments that I cherish, it was a time of change. I started 6th grade as an awkward Canadian kid who just moved onto an island in Florida. It could not have been more of a contrast. Coming from a tiny private school with 24 students, to a bustling public school with over 1000 students, I did not know anything at all about conforming socially. After reading this, it's all coming back, I'll have to think on your questions today...
Thanks for sharing, Dray. That sounds like a mountain of external change all at once, which I’m sure only piled atop your internal changes at that age. But definitely agree, it is one of those formative points in your life that leads to the core sort of adult you become in the long term.
Thanks for this reflection on such a transformative time in our lives. As always, well written and thoughtful. It prompted me to think back to this period of my life and the crucial role music played in helping me navigate through it. As you said, it’s hard to remember too many specific details but there’s a general ‘vibe’ about that time. Awkward and isolating but also the friendships, often bonding by sharing the excitement of listening to the latest music. For me it was the early 70s, so lots of great bands and artists that inspired me to become a musician.
Thanks for reading, and I agree, there were certainly some bonds forged over good tunes of the time. Even more special when it was connections made over older music we had discovered on our own, whether through parents or grandparents, other older relatives, and then found our friends of the same age had found their way to it too.
I enjoyed this a lot.
Middle school was a bizarre and transformative time for me. Many of my experiences in those 3 years, especially the last one, have had a lasting effect on my personality and how I respond to the world. From traumatic events, to awkward encounters, and moments that I cherish, it was a time of change. I started 6th grade as an awkward Canadian kid who just moved onto an island in Florida. It could not have been more of a contrast. Coming from a tiny private school with 24 students, to a bustling public school with over 1000 students, I did not know anything at all about conforming socially. After reading this, it's all coming back, I'll have to think on your questions today...
Anyway, thank you for sharing
Thanks for sharing, Dray. That sounds like a mountain of external change all at once, which I’m sure only piled atop your internal changes at that age. But definitely agree, it is one of those formative points in your life that leads to the core sort of adult you become in the long term.
Thanks for this reflection on such a transformative time in our lives. As always, well written and thoughtful. It prompted me to think back to this period of my life and the crucial role music played in helping me navigate through it. As you said, it’s hard to remember too many specific details but there’s a general ‘vibe’ about that time. Awkward and isolating but also the friendships, often bonding by sharing the excitement of listening to the latest music. For me it was the early 70s, so lots of great bands and artists that inspired me to become a musician.
Thanks for reading, and I agree, there were certainly some bonds forged over good tunes of the time. Even more special when it was connections made over older music we had discovered on our own, whether through parents or grandparents, other older relatives, and then found our friends of the same age had found their way to it too.