Wednesday 29 February 2012

Challenge of Music! Blog hop - 29th Feb 2012: ALTER BRIDGE "I KNOW IT HURTS"

I found this challenge on the blog Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere and a huge thank you to Erin for organising it! The task was to select a song which means something to you and explain its importance and use the song to inspire the creation of an accessory of your choice.

I selected 'I Know it Hurts' by Alter Bridge. This song resonates with me for a number of reasons and was the first song that came to mind when I read about the challenge.
I first heard Myles Kennedy sing in Melbourne. He was performing with Slash at the music festival Soundwave. I've always been a sucker for a guy that can sing, and I was mesmerised by Myles' voice. The moment I remember most clear was as he began to sing 'Sweet Child O' Mine'. That song was played at my friend's funeral in 2008 (he apparently had 16 versions of it on his laptop so it seemed appropriate!) and so it holds a special place in my heart. At that moment I was actually walking away from the stage to see another act, but I stopped in my tracks as the intro played. I simply stood still and watched them perform the entire song.
Back in the UK I found out that Myles is the lead singer of Alter Bridge and bought their album ABIII without hesitation. I was even fortunate to see them perform in November 2012 and they are incredible live.
The lyrics to this track state "We all fall sometimes, you're not the first, But I know it hurts, I know it hurts" and whenever I listen to it I find some solace in the idea that despite any knockbacks, no matter how painful, it's important to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on.
For years I've told people my motto is 'Life goes on' - my best friend even has it tattooed on her wrist as I've said it to her so many times when times got tough. No matter how dark the tunnel, there will be an end to it, "You must carry on...There's still tomorrow, hold on, hold on..."




This track, and even this band are relatively new in my life. But they remind me of several things. Firstly, of how fantastic the festival in Melbourne was - one of my favourite travel memories. Secondly, that life has its ups and downs - and that's ok. 
And finally, how music has the power to take you out of your self, it can transport you to another realm where all that matters is the melody. I'm sure in years to come this track will still remind me of the here and now - and that I can look back fondly on that.

As my arts and craft supplies are minimal at the moment, I decided to keep my accessory simple -based on the form of an embroidery friendship bracelet. I added in mini black beads to symbolise the struggles we encounter and chose the colour black to resemble the darkness we sometimes find ourselves in, red for the struggle and white for the hope of a better future.

  





In some ways it was quite difficult to select a single song, but I try to go with my gut instincts and this is it. I hope you enjoy it!

 
The others participating in the blog hop are listed below, so check out the other song choices and maybe find some new tunes to add to your music library!

Erin Prais-Hintz

32 comments:

  1. I love your perspective! I find without the "downs" in life that how would we grow as individuals? What would we have to be grateful for when everything was perfect in our lives? I welcome and embrace challenges, I know personal growth is to follow.

    Excellent post, thank you for sharing this song with us, when I'm back in Canada... it's going to be a while, I'm going to have to google this and listen. I won't open anything here that requires data, it's too bloody expensive to buy data in Australia. I realize just how blessed we are in Canada, cheap, unlimited internet!

    Cheers.

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    1. I absolutely agree - it would be hard to appreciate the good things in life if the difficulties never happened.

      I hope all is going well in Aus! I understand your pain with regard to the internet connection over there - it's SO expensive!

      Hope you enjoy the track when you hear it later on :)

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  2. I can not wait to see the picture and I know it is so personal for you with your description. I will now have to keep this song in my "special songs" list! Thank you!

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    1. Glad to hear you like the track :)
      I finally got round to uploading a pic (spot the technophobe!!)

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  3. Oh, what a cool band! Sounds like something my sister would really like, so I'm going to let her know about them...

    Love hearing about your experience, and how the music and singer affected you.

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  4. I have never heard of Alter Bridge before, so thanks for "introducing" me. I look forward to seeing your design in the future.

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    1. They are (relatively) new to me too and now I listen to them all the time!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. One of my favorite parts of this hop is being introduced to new music. Alter Bridge is not one that I have heard of but I am going to have to investigate them now as you are right. He has a great voice.

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    1. I agree - I've now got a list of new artists to investigate. It's been fun seeing what everyone has chosen and been inspired by. Hope you enjoy their other tunes too!

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  6. Who doesn't love the classic friendship bracelet? And I like an arm full, piled up... will you post a pix?

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    1. Hehe! Me too - I collected so many whilst travelling - one for each place I stayed pretty much... I ended up having to take early ones off to make space! I still have one from Darwin, Australia, and it's managed not to get too tatty yet!
      It just seemed right to make a friendship bracelet as this song reminds me of my friend. But I have been so inspired by the other bloggers that I want to start making jewellery!

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  7. I am lovin' listening to "new" artist. This blog hop is fun. Please do post a pic for us. I second what Jenny said...friendship bracelets are classic and fun.

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    1. The hop was a great way to discover new artists - I have a whole list to check out now!
      I finally managed to put up a pic :)

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  8. Love the powerful instrumental feel! Nothing like a friendship bracelet to make you feel more connected. Thanks for sharing this artist with me :)

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    1. Glad you like it :) I can't stop listening to their album at the moment!

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  9. Thanks for sharing your story! I've not heard of this band before, but you're right, he has a great voice! I'm sure this is a band that my son would have loved; when I heard the intro I immediately thought of him (the the phrase you chose from the song speaks to me). I'd love to hear him sing Sweet Child O' Mine, my husband and I did love Guns 'n Roses back in the day!

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    1. Glad you like the track. I can understand how it connects - lyrics can be so powerful. From what I read on your blog I can imagine your son loving the vivacity of Alter Bridge!

      I found a video on YouTube of Myles singing Sweet Child O' Mine - it takes me straight back to that field in Melbourne! I hope you (and your husband!) like it:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw1xdfy-kDg

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  10. Thank you for sharing your song choice I have never heard this band before, but it is not surprising since I don't listen to this kind of music any more since my Son moved out. I will have to see if he know this band and if not tell him to check them out. I enjoyed reading about your take on life and this song. I look forward to seeing your friendship bracelet.
    Therese

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    1. I hope your son likes them!
      Thanks for stopping by - I finally uploaded a pic (gradually overcoming my inability to use computers!)

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  11. What a powerhouse of a voice that Myles has! It is a strong song, with an incredible depth of feeling. It think that sometimes people think that hard rock is all screaming and no substance. This band and this singer have substance! I look forward to seeing the finished friendship bracelet! I like that it will remind you of this moment in time when you wear it. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us!
    Enjoy the day. Erin

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    1. He is amazing!
      I know what you mean - when I tell people I like rock/metal music they seem to assume it's all screaming and ear-splitting, but what I really love is artists like this.

      I finally uploaded a pic.
      Thank you so much for organising this hop - it has been really inspiring. As a non-jeweller I have found it so interesting to see what everyone has created. I have every intention of dabbling in jewellery-making now!
      I look forward to the next challenge!

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  12. What a wonderful story and song Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to see the finished bracelet.

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    1. Thanks for hopping over!
      I finally uploaded a photo a few days ago.

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  13. Love this song! My husband was at the library the other day and last night placed an Alter Bridge CD on my desk (One Day Remains) saying, "the guitarist in this band used to play for Creed ... thought you might like them." Um, YEAAAAH! How fun to have that confirmed by your awesome post.

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    1. That is a coincidence!
      The bassist and drummer were also members of Creed - and I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Creed are working on a new album this year!
      Glad you like Alter Bridge too :)

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  14. I really like what you have created so far, it's simplicity is actually quite powerful. The idea of a friendship bracelet is really wonderful too. I enjoyed reading about how the song inspired you.

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    1. Thank you :)
      I wanted to be a bit more daring but have no experience whatsoever in jewellery-making! But it was fun to think of adapting a friendship bracelet with some beads (I can't deny it took a few attempts of adding the beads into the main part of the bracelet before realising that wouldn't work!)

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  15. Very cool intrepretation!

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