Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire embraces the crowd during their performance at Riot Fest. Photo by: Emmelyn Brandt
By Emmelyn Brandt
High school students are diverse in their characteristics and personalities, and vary just like their choices of music. Students offer insight into what genres they prefer and how music influences them.
The different genres of music students at the high school prefer goes on and on. Freshman Connor Matthews, junior Kristina Bannow and senior Morgan Thomas are a few people that are more partial to country music over anything else. Juniors Taylor Fulton, Danica Lueth and Dakota Nussel prefer more metal-core and pop punk genres of music. Some of their favorite bands include Sleeping With Sirens, The Color Morale and Black Veil Brides. Other students like genres that offer good vibes. Junior Chase Evans favors bands such as 311, Passafire and Rebelution. Not every student listens to music that is common in the American culture. Sophomore Nadia Baca finds interest in Chinese, Japanese and Korean music. Her favorite song is “Those Bygone Years” by Hu Xia. She describes the song as being about a boy that misses being with the girl he loves and he wants to go back to when they were together. There are also students that opt for music that was before their time. Junior Matt Feece enjoys bands like ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Queen.
Yellowcard rocks the stage getting all the fans involved at Riot Fest. Photo by: Emmelyn Brandt
Students believe the music they listen to affects them each in a different way. Senior Elizabeth Young said, “I don’t think the music you listen should be a basis on how people view you. Stereotypes are made and are usually false but I don’t believe I’m stereotyped by the music I choose to listen to.” She leans more towards the aspect that the music she listens to does not change how people view her. Senior Kyle Emenaker also feels his music choice has no impact. Junior Stephanie Anders offers a strong stance on how people see her. She said, “Most people when they hear that I like Christian rap they think it is bad, but it’s not. When rappers rap, they rap about what is most important to them. Most times they rap about: money, drugs, girls and fame. My music is not like that, it has a different purpose, and the meaning can be life changing if taken to heart. If you want to know what I am talking about, listen to the lyrics and find out for yourself why I like it so much.” The lyrics can hold more meaning to some rather than just the sounds that are being created. Fulton also explains how his choice in metalcore causes more people see him as “emo,” but the music has so much meaning to him.
Music can be viewed to play an important part in society. Freshman Lauren Wiegand said, “It’s a distraction from reality, and can be really calming, fun or even exciting.” There has been a common agreement that music is used as an escape. Not only is it an escape, but it can even more than that. Fulton said, “Music is super important. The bands I listen to have saved many kids lives, stopped them from self harm, or gotten them through a tough time.” Music offers support where it may be lacking. Lyrics speak to society, reminding that hard times will pass and provide a sense of hope. Freshman Alejandra Diaz also agrees that music can save lives. Some also believe society would be lost without music. Sophomore Kazia Goncher talks about how her friends and herself would go crazy without it. Music holds a place as something society can relate to.