The English Mademoiselle Diaries: music

Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Music is such a healing entity, it can change your mood in seconds.

WARNING: RAMBLING POST

The other week I went to see Florence and the Machine with J, and it was the best gig I have ever been to, better than Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons and everything else I have seen. Even though the LG Arena is massive the gig felt so intimate, the songs ran through your body with such energy and passion. I came out with such energy, with such belief in what I am and who I want to be as I grow. The whole band were just incredible from Florence to the drums, they lit up the stage and everyone's minds. You felt every emotion connected to the lyrics as they washed over the room, you could feel other peoples reactions next to you without looking. It was such a soul healing experience for me, allowing me to completely relax into the situation something I don't do nearly often enough.

Just thinking back on the experience makes me crave more like it, where I put away all my worries, social media, and concerns with appearance and just live. I feel like I need more experiences where I just feel everything deeply, with raw emotions, reactions and thoughts.

XO, Miriam

So as many of you know I love Taylor Swift and the 1989 World Tour was the third time I have seen her in concert, and as always she was incredible. I mean when is Taylor not incredible but there is something about the way she performs that makes you feel like you are in a smaller space than you are and there are on a few hundred people rather than the 65'000 that were there on Saturday the 27th of June. I only had one incredibly minor disappointment and that is she played every song from 1989 DLX except Wonderland which unsurprisingly is my favourite song on the album. But is certainly didn't ruin the concert for me not even close. I got to see so many people perform that day, Vance Joy, John Newman and Ellie Goulding as warm up acts, followed by Kendall, Gigi, Serena, Martha, Karlie and Cara who joined her on stage while she was speaking about friendship.

For me at least music is healing it can make me go from worried and anxious about everything and anything to calm and the happiest person on the earth. So I would definitely spend my money on seeing my favourite artists perform live that anything else even traveling. Because I know that the feeling of a concert big or small is the best feeling in the world for me and I don't think I am going to give it up anytime soon.

XO, Miriam

About a week ago at 1am my friend texted me to ask if I wanted to go Reading the next day to see King Charles. Naturally I said yes, so after uni I dropped off my stuff and got on a train, well missed a train then got on the next one... It would appear that my early morning decisions are the best ones. The gig was incredibly intimate and one of my ears was a little deaf the next day (standing at the front problems). It almost tops Imagine Dragons as my favourite gig of all time, almost I cannot get enough of those guys. Charles came across very calm onstage if not a little tipsy by the end, but it all just added to the atmosphere. If you ever get the chance to see this guy live do, he is a wonderful performer and gerneral human being, as are the band.

XO, Miriam

I have made no secret of my love for Taylor Swift, but when I saw this 'tag' floating around about her album 1989, how could I resist? So here are my answers to each question that relates to each of the songs on the standard version of the album.

1. Welcome to New York // If you could live in any city, which would it be and why?
Paris. Duh. As Audrey Hepburn said: "Paris is always a good idea" she was not wrong.

2. Blank Space // What is something that everyone thinks is true about you but is actually false?
That I am socially naive. I know exactly what I am doing, and exactly what you are saying about me darling. I have heard everything you are saying before. Or in less sassy terms just because I don't say much doesn't mean I don't understand what is going on socially.

3. Style // What is one item in your closet that makes you feel unstoppable?
Do I have to choose? I narrowed it down to three items is that okay? Ripped skinny jeans, low-top black converse and a black roll/turtle neck. (I am so indie I know...)

4. Out of the Woods // What is one thing that you're afraid of?
Failing and public speaking. The later of which can lead to the former at uni and it is a huge cause of stress. Eh.

5. All You Had To Do Was Stay // Who is someone you wish was still in your life?
Yeah, but you cannot make people stay where they are not happy.

6. Shake It Off // What is something you have had to shake off?
Pizza hangovers, the regular awkward situations I get into, not being able to travel as much this year, and being a student I shake off most things because I do not have the time to care right now.

7. I Wish You Would // What is something you'd like to happen right now?
So many things. I would like to be in a different country right now, but don't I always with my endless wanderlust.

8. Bad Blood // Have you ever had someone stab you in the back?
One too many times, yes.

9. Wildest Dreams // What would you like to be remembered for?
Being that tall blonde skinny girl in the back of every class who really live in wonderland? Seriously though being a kind of good person and friend.

10. How You Get The Girl // What is your favourite pick-up line?
"Oh Hello"

11. This Love // What is something you got back that you never thought you would?One of my best friends I thought I lost over the summer.

12. I Know Places // Where is one place you always feel safe?
With a book, I could be anywhere in the world but I will always be safe with the characters in my head.

13. Clean // What is an important lesson you have learned in life, and how did you learn it?
Always stand back when they think you are down for good. oh and always consider "What would Blair Waldorf do?" because Gossip Girl is the best.

XO, Miriam

P.S. My favourite songs are Blank Space, Wildest Dreams, Out of the Woods and Wonderland (on the deluxe version) Mwah. xo

I find that on those rainy days spent indoors with a duvet, hot chocolate, and a good book, there is always certain songs/artists that I gravitate to. Songs to block out the sound of rain on the window panes, and songs to just sit and listen to, and ones that remind you of days spent exploring new places.

So here are my Top 7 Songs (7 is my lucky number) for rainy days:

Number 1:

Orelia Has Orchestra - Suggestions

Number 2:

Lianne La Havas - Au Cinema

Number 3:

Lorde - Buzzcut Season

Number 4:

Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah

Number 5:

Coldplay - The Scientist

Number 6:

You Me At Six - Loverboy

Number 7:

Trent Dabbs - Counting Sleep

XO, Miriam

So earlier on this year I had a good old rummage through my parents music collection both records and CD's and found Dark Side of the Moon, Rumours and other such gems. I have also made good use of their record player listening to my Vampire Weekend record, and many of theirs.

I was only really sparked to write this post when the new year arrived with a glow of energy and renewed hope, and my mum rediscovered her scrap books full of gig tickets and festival bands. She saw The Who, U2 and Tracy Chapman to name but a few! Not only that she attended Glastonbury festival 3 times, and has told me green fields are the best place to be if you have a hangover/headache or if you are a hippy..

This collection isn't all of the people she saw, it is missing Pink Floyd and The Who...

Having been to the Proms I was shocked to see that it only cost £4.50 for her too she them, and The Jam cost here £3.75, that's crazy!

I also just found this gorgeous cover of Dreams originally by Fleetwood Mac. This version is by Gabrielle Aplin and Bastille and I can't get enough of it. Hence the title of the post:

xoxo Miriam

P.S. What great covers have you heard?