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.
Pagan’s Nikki Brumen – Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Fever To Tell
Dearest Fever To Tell,
I was about 16 when I fell in love with you.
I first became aware of your existence when I saw Yeah Yeah Yeahs play a popular Australian music festival. I had never seen them before and I immediately fell in love with their sound. They mentioned their new debut album and that’s when I first heard your name — at that moment my heart skipped a beat and I knew we needed to be together.
The next day, I raced out to my local CD store to buy a copy of you. Growing up in a relatively small beach town; I didn’t know whether I would be able to find you or not, but there you were, waiting for me on the shelf. It is still the best $19.99 I have ever spent.
When I took you home I listened to you on repeat. You were more perfect than I could have ever imagined. I had never heard anything like you. Every song was so catchy and well written, that even hearing them once, they were imprinted into my brain.
Your sound was so raw and punk, but there was something so incredibly unique about it. Brian Chase’s flawless drum work was impressive and Nick Zinner’s insanely original, signature guitars were mind-blowing — but it was Karen O that changed my life.
As soon as I heard her moaning and shouting I was in awe. I could relate to her in a way that no other musician had made me feel before. Her lyrics were wild and her vocal choices so brave, I suddenly felt the urge to do what she was doing. She had inspired me and I wanted to tell my story.
Fever To Tell, you are the reason why I now play music. Without you, I would have never realised that music needs no boundaries and I would have never had the courage to front a band. You have helped shape me as an artist and find my voice.
I am forever grateful.
Love always and forever,
Nikki xxx
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Pagan will embark on their first-ever national headline tour this August. Their debut album ‘Black Wash’ is out today — watch the video for ‘Silver’ below.
Pagan ‘Black Wash’ 2018 Nationwide Tour
Saturday, 11th August
Crown & Anchor, Adelaide (With Stabbitha & the Knifey Wifeys, No Oaths)
Tickets: Moshtix
Saturday, 18th August
Crowbar, Brisbane (With Crave Death, Blind Girls and Masochist)
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 24th August
The Tote, Melbourne (With Diploid, Removalist and Protection)
Tickets: Oztix
Saturday, 25th August
Brisbane Hotel, Hobart (With Cardinels and Break Through)
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 31st August
The Lansdowne, Sydney (With Lo! and Mental Cavity)
Tickets: Oztix
