Australian Artists

There are many Australian musicians who rose to fame within the Australian music scene.

Artists such as ACDC and more recently Five Seconds of Summer (5SOS) have also climbed the charts in the international music market.

Watch 5SOS performing at the VMA's here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRcDx39Yfck

Each artist has their own style as Australian music encompasses virtually all genres of music, from the country styles of Keith Urban to the unforgettable, albeit unusual, rock style of Midnight Oil (pictured above) led by now politician Peter Garrett. 

There are also many internationally born artists that are considered Australian music icons and these artists include John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes. And with songs like Your the Voice (Farnham) and Working Class Man (Barnes) it is no wonder why these artists are so popular in the Australian charts.

The Australian music industry, while not as prominent as the American or influx of overseas DJ's, has a lot to offer. So next time you chooses to listen to any of these artists as well as the many more Australian artists, you can be sure that you are contributing to the Australian music industry, helping it to survive and thrive in a very difficult industry.

Can music be a vehicle for social change?

Can music be a vehicle for social change?

Music can be a powerful conduit for raw emotion when words just do not seem to be enough. The melodies of a guitar, the beating of a drum, the gentle hum of a violin and vocal harmonies, all possess the power to sweep us with emotion. However, combine music with great lyrics, and suddenly there emerges a vessel, with the unique ability to move souls to a river of emotion and social change.

Music can be a powerful vehicle steering towards social change which can be most significantly exemplified in the 1960s counterculture movement which shook the world. Music and the lyrics within them, became more politically charged and played a substantial role in the anti-establishment and anti-Vietnam movement.

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon used their lyrical prowess to drive social change. Who can forget Lennon preaching to the world to ‘give peace a chance,´ or Marvin Gaye’s plead that ‘war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate’.  The famous Woodstock festival of 1969 demonstrates the very power of music to bring people together in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and unity, whilst raising social awareness.

Apart from the Vietnam War, a number of contemporary musicians continue to awaken souls to the prevalent issues plaguing the world. Remarkable musicians include Midnight Oil, Michael Jackson, Queen, R.E.M.

Music not only as the power to convey emotion and unite others, but it is a powerful tool to provoke and challenge societal norms.     

Electric Guitars

Electric guitars have been around since the early 20th century and are one of the most common and popular instruments used to create music.

The electric guitar became so popular due to its use by many extremely popular artists throughout the 20th century. Artists such as The Beatles, Elvis, and Michael Jackson all used electric guitars in many of their greatest hits and as such it is no wonder that this instrument has become as popular as it is

There are many guitarists who fight for the title of the greatest electric guitarist and depending who you talk to the answer is different.

Time magazines top 10:

http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1916544,00.html

The Top 10's greatest:

http://www.thetoptens.com/greatest-electric-guitarists/

Who is your favourite?

Click below to watch the performance of SLASH a man featured on both these lists (and virtually any list you will find about this topic)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWNRBufHBT8

Why are some people attracted to heavier music?

Heavier and more aggressive forms of music have been around since the late 1960's, and heavy metal itself has seen the genesis of many different subgenres, from metalcore (a mixture of hardcore and metal) to Viking metal . I have even heard of a technical death metal band which jokingly self labels their genre 'Aliencore' due to the extra terrestrial themes they explore within their music.

Regardless of how many dismayed older folk and worried parents there are who dislike 'the screamo' or, 'the satan music,' one thing is for sure. Heavier music is here to stay, and many different bands under the umbrella of heavy metal have an established following. But why are people attracted to heavier music?

Personally, I like a few forms of metal for the raw emotion that can be found behind it. That's exactly what music should be about in the first place, regardless of subjective tastes. Music should make you feel something, and that can be anything from anger or passion, to sadness.

A lot of bands that I have spent my time listening to write about real experiences from an honest or genuine perspective, and I feel as though a lot more of that is needed for people to make lasting connections to music, even if others may not understand the appeal of some techniques that may be used within forms of heavy metal.

What do you like about music?

-Ben

Music in Afghanistan

The famous Afghan singers are Dawood Sarkhosh, Safdar Tawakuli, Farhad Darya, Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawwaali Group, Sakhizada, Ustad Rahim Khushnawaz, Mahwash, Setara Hussainzada, Laili, etc. Afghanistan's popular musics are classical music and folk music.

Owing to the long period of war in Afghanistan, many singers/artists began to live in overseas. When Taliban began to rule Afghanistan in 1996, they banned singing and shut TV and Radio Stations which a giant setback for the music. Nonetheless, many big singer stars have returned to Afghanistan and sing in the concerts after the overthrow of Taliban government in Afghanistan.

Moreover, Afghan music consists of Persian, Indian and Central Asian elements yet it has its own unique identity which is nonidentical to the three cultural. TV Channels like Tolo promote music by initiating Afghan Star like Australian Idol. The singers actively participate in this program and this show also has huge number of viewers.

Furthermore, the famous instruments are Dumbura, Rubab, Tabla and Dutar. Music is sung in different regional and ethnic languages like Hazaragi, Dari, Uzbeki and Pashtu yet Dari is the most famous language in which the music is sung in Afghanistan. You may watch one song of Farhad Darya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pMA48PGeeM

References:

http://www.worldmusic.net/store/item/rgnet1237/ viewed on 8/10/2014.

Pakistani Pop Music

Pakistani Music


Nazia Hassan Pakistani Music

Pakistani music has 5000 years of history. It evolved with the passage of time. This photo belongs to Nazia Hassan. She was among the first pop singers in Pakistan. She started her career 1980 when she was at the age of 15 only. She was God gifted singer. She was not only a fabulous singer but she was very beautiful too. She had fans not only in Pakistan but in India as well. She has passed away from cancer. Aap Jaisa Koi is one her most famous songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9daw-Ed3gPE

She sang the aforementioned song for an Indian film Qurbani. This song became very famous in the sub-continent and in United Kingdom as well. Indian singers namely: Alisha Chinai, Shveyta and Lucky Ali followed Nazia Hassan's pop music style. Thenceforward, pop music began to flourish in India. If you want to further study about Pakistani Music, you may visit the following links:

http://www.pakium.com/2010/08/19/the-history-of-pakistani-pop-music and

http://www.travel-culture.com/pakistan/music/

Music Makes You Feel Good!

There are many people out there who turn to music whenever they feel a little depressed. So why do so many people choose to listen to music when they are in such a state?

The answer is the brain.

When listening to soothing music the brain produces serotonin, a chemical that can create happiness and well being, and dopamine, a chemical produced by the brain considered to be a 'feel good' chemical.As such it is no wonder that people listen to music whenever they feel that they need a little (or a large) pick me up.

Listening to different types of music can also have other effects. Music can motivate you, it can help you to lower stress, and it can even change your perception of the world around you.So next time you feel depressed, stressed, or have any other type of negative feelings that leaves you 'down-in-the-dumps' listen to music. It may be just what is needed to bring you out of the 'dumps'.

For further understanding of the benefits of music read
http://examinedexistence.com/how-music-changes-your-mood/