To anyone that
really knows me, music, bands, going to concerts has been my way of life since
the age of 15. Through that time I’ve accumulated quite a collection of band
merch. If I was to compare my first t-shirt I got 6/7 years ago to a recent one
there would be quite a big difference. Back then it was a t-shirt with a photo
of the band and their name across the front. Nowadays its more about the
minimal designs and keeping it simple.
Band’s merchandise
has taken a massive step in the right direction in terms of design. It’s become
far more appealing and not just something you wear in bed (guilty) instead
something that is wearable and stylish and can be incorporated into your everyday
wardrobe. From hoodies to raglan tops to caps, even backpacks there is no limit.
After all bands want you to buy their merch if the design is attractive it’s
going to sell.
Speaking of new
merch I got some new garments for Christmas!! Pictured is the latest pieces
from my favourite band Lower than Atlantis, I’m completely obsessed with the
simple branding and style of these new pieces. The majority of my merch is
black so I was drawn to the white hoodie and thought the contrast with the
black details was something a little different. The raglan top is something
special, with handwritten lyrics from one of their songs printed across the
front it adds a personal touch and makes a really cool design. The three words
down the sleeves of the hoodie, well… I loved the most and hold personal
meaning to me and the band, interested? please read on…
Safe in sound.
Three words that came into my life around this time last year. It is the name
given to one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite bands, Lower than Atlantis.
It didn’t mean much to me at the time until the reasoning behind naming the
album came to light by frontman Mike Duce.
It was on the run up to the release of the album that came out February
last year that Mike did a live Q&A on Instagram which I happened to tune
into. One of the questions he answered was something along the lines of, ‘Why
was the album named safe in sound’?
What he said really
resonated with me. It all made perfect sense. He explained that he wanted this
album to be something that his fans can turn to when they need an escape,
something they can turn on and just block out the rest of the world. It was immediately in that moment that those
three words basically summed up my entire existence and relationship I’ve had
with music. For me it’s always been an escape, it’s a bit like medicine I can’t
go a day without listening to music, whether it be on my commute to work or in
my bedroom. Music has always been there for me and being ‘safe in sound’ is
exactly how I feel.
To help explain
the meaning a bit better Mike gave a little speech on their last tour which I attended
and it went along the lines of…
“You know when you
got some bullshit going on in your life, in general and I mean being a teenage
is hard and being an adult is even harder cause who the fuck knows how to be an
adult, no one! but you can put your headphones on or play music through your speakers
and for that 3 and half minutes that song is on or that like 40 minutes that
album is playing you kinda block out the rest of the world its really
comforting n’it and eh that’s what being safe in sound is I guess.”
And there you
have it. A little insight into what is a big part of who I am, my thoughts and
feelings about music and my favourite band. Maybe one day I can make those 3
words a permanent reminder on my skin;)
Love Tash x
Hoodie and raglan top / Lower than atlantis march store
Jeans / Stradivarius
Boots / Dr Martens
