Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Grew up with MTV when the TV channel still the real Music Television, I knew most of the latest songs albeit living in a small remote town. Almost all of my girls back in my hometown started their love of music from some boybands. My 4th-6th grade was filled with me fangirling those boybands such as Backstreet Boys, The Moffatts and Nsync (no, I’m not a Westlife and Boyzone fans, sorry!). At 7th grade, I started listening to those pop/alternative/rock band such as The Cranberries, Linkin Park, Coldplay, and Maroon 5. Not to mention my Dad’s love of music influenced me as well. I love Jazz music because of him, I listened to Genesis and one of my fav rock band of all time is Deep Purple as he kept listening to their songs (until now. He even still remember how every guitar sounds or every drum beats in each of the song). I listened to music anytime, anywhere since I was a kid. While studying, working, driving car or in the MRT, reading books, painting, writing or even taking bath (Yes, I even have a Bluetooth speaker in my bathroom now). But, is music just a back sound for me? Or is it something more?

Because of the music, I cried in Coldplay and Backstreet Boys concert. Listening to the music I grew up with, live right in front of me, just gave me chills. Coldplay concert felt like a state of the art, a spiritual event. It’s too much that I didn’t realize there were tears in my eyes. I actually expected that I would cry during BSB concert. I mean, I like them since their first album until now! But I thought I’d cry when they sang “I want it that way”, no idea why I cried on “As long as you love me” instead. I guess I just couldn’t believe I saw them standing there, singing that legendary song, only meters apart from me.

Jazz music always has a special place in my heart. The first time I listened to it, because of my dad, I couldn’t understand any good thing in it. Thanks to my Dad consistency, Jazz music is always here every time I need to relax or get inspired. In fact, we kinda have this family tradition : Java Jazz. Almost every year my parents attend that biggest Jazz festival in Indonesia. I joined them some times. We made a list on which jazz artist we’d like to watch. Some times my mom and I just sit on the floor at the back row while enjoying the music, while my dad busy on taking pictures and listening to the music from the front row. I was kinda hoping I made my Dad proud when I got into the volunteer team of Java Jazz 2010. Just because.

Music is more like a soundtrack in my life. Every track in my life has its own music. When I was winning, when I was so stressed with all of those deadlines and traffic jams, and just like everyone else, when I was brokenhearted. It gives me more power, encouragement, bravery, or just simply a smile over all of those memories. Music is always there when I have to face my sadness, or helps me to be inspired and gets me more concentrating on something. It always accompanies me through thick and thin.