Many of us can link a certain album to pivotal moments in our lives. Whether it’s the first record you bought with your own money, the chord you first learnt to play on guitar, the song that soundtracked your first kiss, the album that got you those awkward and painful pubescent years or the one that set off light bulbs in your brain and inspired you to take a big leap of faith into the unknown – music is often the catalyst for change in our lives and can even help shape who we become.
In this series, Music Feeds asks artists to reflect on their relationship with music and share with us stories about the effect music has had on their lives.
Here are their love letters to records that forever changed their lives.
Rob Muinos: Aldous Harding – ‘Party’
Hey Party,
I have to say I felt left out when you came to town. I’d heard all these stories of you hanging out with my mates and how great you were and all that. I never met you, not for a long while anyway. Were you avoiding me? Had we met before and was I rude to you? Maybe I didn’t listen to what you had to say. Sometimes it’s hard to make a new friend. It feels like the older you get the harder it is. I judge quickly sometimes and that’s shit. Sorry if I did that to you.
We met on a warm morning.
I had the day to myself. I had the day to feel sorry for myself. You see, I had stayed up late the night before and these feelings are often unavoidable. I don’t want to get all romantic about it but when we finally met I knew it was the right time. The sun was shining through the window, I was in my most comfortable tracksuit pants and the beans on toast I made for breakfast were a particularly good batch.
I sat down beside you and tried to understand what was being said, like an idiot. You spoke very softly to begin with and I’m embarrassed to say it now but I thought about walking away from you. Something kept me there. I was intrigued by you and that’s something I don’t often feel anymore. I’m sorry this isn’t a love at first sight kinda story, but you know.
You start to tell me your second story. And I’m confused, you sounded like someone else. When I heard the first “hey” in ‘Imagining My Man’ I knew you weren’t fucking around and I have been yours ever since. There was something about that “hey” that was very bold. It’s the boldness I would get to know with the rest of you that I would fall in love with. Every sound you make is so strong and has such a purpose. I know it’s stupid to say these things but I think you might be perfect.
Much like teenage love, I want to be with you every day. It seems like the things I first disliked have now become my favourite. I love how you’re shy at first. I love all of your different personalities. I love how you say weird shit like “stones smell good when you cuddle them”. I think that’s what you said anyway.
I don’t know anything about your folks but I reckon they did good with you. Must have let you be free. Whoever it was, they’re ok by me.
Anyway, I don’t want to bang on all day and scare you off. I know we just met and these fast intense relationships usually turn bad but I just wanted to say thanks for everything and I hope we can still stand each other years from now.
Probably see you tomorrow,
Robert.
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