Music of my Life | Taralei Griffin

Category: Music of my Life (page 1 of 3)

Feel Your Beat

August 1, 2016 / Taralei / Comments Off

People channel their emotions many different ways. For me, writing is the best, but it’s not the only way. I am not always able to wrangle my emotions enough to sit down and focus my energy on writing. That is where music comes in – especially EDM.

Whether I’m happy or sad, empowered or confused, grief-stricken or content, EDM can help me express that. We are taught to hold our emotions within, that some emotions need to be quiet – but all emotions are loud. They all affect the way the beat of your heart feels in your chest, they consume your mind and body, causing a need for a way to release them. Whether you dance to the beat, or simply listen and let the beat focus you, EDM connects what you are thinking and feeling, and allows you to let it out. After you let it out, you can enjoy the song again and again just for the joy of dancing. Continue reading

Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard

April 25, 2016 / Taralei / Comments Off

Sunday, April 10th, 2016:
It’s the final day of the Democracy Spring march that began in Philadelphia 9 days ago. We’re going to be arriving in D.C. later that afternoon. At our morning rendezvous, one of my fellow marchers hands me his car keys.

“I want to march today, can you drive support?”

“I’d love to! Which car?”

“The Denali over there.” I glance to where he’s pointing, then do a double take and look at him like he’s crazy.

“That big truck?! I’ve never driven anything larger than a small SUV.”

“You’ll be fine. I trust you.” He pats me on the back and walks off, leaving me nervously holding the key to someone else’s very nice truck.

Okay, Tara. You can do this. You’ll be able to take it nice and slow since you’re driving along with the marchers.

I hoist myself up into the truck, see an auxiliary cable, and instantly pull out my iPod. I put it on a dance playlist, adjust the seat and mirrors, buckle up, roll down the windows, and put the truck in drive. I very slowly pull out of the parking lot, panicking slightly when I bump a curve, but then I’m on the road. Everything is intact, and this gigantic truck is actually easy for me to maneuver. Who knew?

Prince’s 1999 starts playing, and I turn it up as I drive past the marchers, waving and cheering them on.
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Remedy

March 21, 2016 / Taralei / Comments Off

One of the most common (and odd) ways I have discovered favorite new musicians is through my obsession with Joss Whedon‘s work. I have an entire playlist in my iTunes library dedicated to music from Dollhouse. One of my favorite songs on that playlist is Remedy by Little Boots.

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Double The Danger

August 10, 2015 / Taralei / Comments Off

I was planning on creating a Music of my Life post about the song “Dangerous” by David Guetta featuring vocals by Sam Martin. I went to YouTube to watch the video for inspiration and, as the video began to play, one of those little ads that I normally ignore scrolled across the screen. “Experience the first Double Screen music video…”

Intrigued, I clicked on the link… and had my mind blown.

Oh, the wonders of having an iPhone!

Singing Goodbye to 2014

December 31, 2014 / Taralei / Comments Off

Honestly, I’m feeling really down on this final day of 2014. Things have been rough.

That’s why I’m making a list of songs that will help me sing and dance my way into 2015 with my head held high… and sharing it with anyone who may want some good, inspirational music to end 2014, and carry you through 2015.
I’ve created a Grooveshark playlist of 15 songs, which is at the bottom of this post.