Musical Autobiography

       Being raised in Spartanburg S.C., I did not have a great deal of exposure to diverse musical genres or influences. In fact most of the what I was exposed to came from my older brother and the music that I heard him listening to. I have a tape of myself at age 5 singing "Paradise City" by Guns and Roses, and a 3^rd grade paper that said my favorite band was Cypress Hill, if that tells you anything.  It wasn't until I met my friend Neha Doshi that I was able to hear a different cultures’ music. Her parents immigrated to America from India, and the whole family practiced Hinduism. I was absolutely fascinated with everything that had anything to do with their religion and culture. I constantly asked questions and begged to stay the night at her house as often as possible. Not only did I love the music they would play, but also I loved watching videos of women dancing. Unfortunately I moved before I completely familiarize myself with music, but to this day I still have to listen to Indian music every now and then. In fact, a current song that I listen to way too much is Kutty Pisassu staring Baby Keerthika.  This video is pretty amazing too. 

    The first time I went to Mexico in 2004, I was incredibly impressed with the mariachi band I heard playing on the street in Reynosa. I had heard that type of music before in Mexican restaurants in America, but like the food, you have to be in Mexico to have the real thing. My friend and I also became obsessed with a random cd that the kids in the orphanage listened to day and night. It was a mix of pop and rap American songs that had been mixed together with a rather loud and interesting beat. It wasn't strictly authentic Mexican music, but because it was played where I was staying so much, I reminisce when I hear it and think of Mexico.

   A couple months ago I traveled to Guyana, South America. The population there is highly influenced by Indian and Jamaican cultures. The guide that was with us listened to mostly Jamaican music, so I was able to hear a lot of what was popular there and I was even able to bring some home with me.  Lady Saw was whom I heard first, and after listening to her song, “I’ve got you Man”, I had to hear more Jamaican musicians. This kind of music is not something I would typically listen to, but because of the culture of that area, it speaks with a completely different voice than if it were an American musician singing the same thing.