Real Talk: Again...

Well then... here we are! Another piece of inspired writing by yours truly - jacked up on music.

Yeah, one of those tiresome, pretentious pieces!

Just close this if you don't want to read another strongly worded 'how to live better' articles like this, this, this, and this. If not, I hope you find something worthwhile.

Kids In Glass Houses stand as an inspiration to me.

Don't you just love revisiting music that you haven't listened to for a long time. Two days ago I discovered that one of my favourite bands, Kids in Glass Houses, are soon to disband. I am fully aware that many people have a strong dislike for this artist in particular, but, for me, they stand as a firm inspiration. Let me tell you why!

In my opinion, Kids in Glass Houses produce honest music which has a lot of character. The music is not extravagantly composed - there are no face-melting solos for example. The majority of their music is non-offensive upbeat stuff. If truth be told, I have found the vocals to be an acquired taste, but the way in which Aled Phillips pours his heart and soul into every word such as Annie May, more than compensates for this. Their stuff has heart, and you can feel it, wholeheartedly.

The reason why I find this music so inspirational is that in my eyes their success if based on their talent in songwriting, not sex appeal and not having perfect vocals or by saturating their music with anything in particular. There is a certain brilliance to be found in imperfection, a raw passion; the real stuff. As mentioned countless times before, I see myself as a songwriter; it's what I love doing. However, I do not possess a voice touched by an angel. It is more of a voice likened to a hippopotamus' squashed bollock. But I can live with this, because the music I create brings me happiness and one day I hope to share this happiness and the sentiments with others in a similar way as the likes of Kids in Glass Houses have. Don't get me wrong, I know that success is unlikely, I am merely stating that I hope to make music that people will reflect upon and be inspired. If one person is inspired, then the mission is complete.

As well as being a musical inspiration to me, I draw strength from Aled's lyrics. For instance:

'Stop wishing for the sunshine; start living in the rain.' - Sunshine.

This is a lyric to live by. I know that, generally, I intend to. Stop wishing for the sunshine; start living in the rain! What inspirational words! I interpret these words as telling people to stop waiting for opportunity to come by chance and take the hard route to success; just dig deep and make it for yourself. 

I take these words to heart. I know that I am not a person with extreme talent, but I do find that I improve, as a person, through creativity. I will never rise to the top and become the next Freddie Mercury, but nobody can tell me what my passion is and what I want to do with it.

Every success was once a goal.

As Kids in Glass Houses would say, The Best is Yet to Come...but only if you are willing to make sacrifices for it to do so!

Real Talk: Grab that Chalice

'Wealth is not pocket deep.' - Me, just now.

I was shaken over the Summer by a friend who professed a revelation in character that he had discovered within himself.  Amidst a year-long period of deep thought and contemplation he came to realise something new about his character: that money meant a lot to him.

Making money was his prerogative in life.  He went on to explain to me how this was the result in certain behaviour choices which led into our physical and mental distancing as friends.  Over a year ago, I regarded him as a close life friend and could see us being brother fo' life.  Alas, the elements of drama fell into place as expectation fell short of reality.  Alas squared, the idea of making money was not following an exciting career path with prospects, yet simply to work a job that I left due to the lack of prospect and/or personal satisfaction/challenge.

In general, one must respect the decision another makes in life, as it is theirs to make and theirs to live.  From this, I decided to step away from this friend.  Change is good, after all.  That part of my life has dwindled and flickered into a frame - forever a memory.

This example moves me onto my point: Ambition.  Such a misunderstood word.  'Ambition' (contemporarily) seems to mean 'dreaming' and 'being an individual with an outlandish opinion' seems to mean 'I found an interesting post on the Internet, so I staple it to my virtual forehead and say I agree or disagree'.  And that's it.  That's all we got now!  That's all we know as a way of defining ourselves in the majority of cases.

When people step further afield, making a risk to try and do something different, the same response befalls them:

'You're brave!'

'I wish I could do that!'

'I respect you for it.'

And you will find the people that make these comments sitting in the same bar every Friday with the same crowd talking about the same things.  Complacency is good for some.  There is a key to adequacy.  It's just some people have adjusted views of the World around them.  Unusual priorities.  It's no secret that materialism is at an all time high, and, although we moan about the lack of money, we still pay more attention to our phones than we do the evolving world around us.

A very nice cake, eh? An Annie Grace Bakery original!

Local businesses need to have faith in themselves as entrepreneurs and individuals with talent and strength.  They need to market, fight and elevate themselves to a level where they can be seen amongst much more powerful tycoons.

One of these is the Annie Grace Bakery.  OK, so this is not going to fully grab the interests of readers from outside of the West Midlands/Staffordshire area in England but it's the idea that should grab attentions.  Constantly striving to improve themselves with intricate designs and beautiful cakes, they are a great local business that DESERVES recognition for their craft.  Unfortunately, it is like swimming against the tide in most situations.

Most advertising falls on deaf ears, despite social networks - in essence - being  prolific tools.  They are just saturated with gibberish and statuses about something unimportant.  Similar to a scrapbook blog.  It's a real shame that one thing that should make it a lot easier, can't be utilised to its full potential.


Stand Tall is another example of a company that should be reviled.  It's another strain of DIY clothing company.  They are popping up left, right and centre these days.  I cannot say that this one is any different from the others as of yet, however, its founder is one of my best friends - so I must say that it is.

In all honesty, it is different.  The company is based in China and alongside selling their clothing range they are attempting to set up mirroring initiatives.  Alongside band endorsements and competitions, Stand Tall Clothing are going to set up the 'Stand Tall Foundation', which is aimed at creating, funding and developing arts projects within their area in China.  I am guessing in foresight, if this hits the ground running the initiative will spread further afield and we will have a new Bob Geldof without such leathery features


Over the Summer, I tried to set up my own business to build arts-awareness in my local area to no avail.  I could pin the blame on a lack of funding, or the lack of interest by the local art-loving community, but that contradicts my belief that anything is achievable by the willing individual.  The human spirit is far stronger than we think, yet is dulled by sullen routine and petty comforts.  Don't just want more, be more.  I can't bear to see talent wasted and youthful dreams stuck behind a counter, earning enough to enjoy their weekends and to cover their contract on their widget-filled phones.

Step up, people.  Grab that chalice.  You know deep inside you want something more, and - by 'something more' - I don't mean a car or bigger breasts, I mean something more for the soul.

Ask yourself one question... Is there more I can give?  If so, then do something about it.