Troye

To start us off I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite artists, Troye Sivan.

I've been a fan of Troye's far before he began his music career. I've known Troye the YouTuber for several years. Troye is a South African born, Australian native who has captured the hearts of over 3.9 million viewers on his wildly successful YouTube channel.

A little over a year ago Troye made the announcement that he was releasing his very first EP entitled TRXYE. This took me by surprise, but made me so happy that he decided to pursue something he was passionate about. When the first single off the EP was released I instantly became obsessed. It moved me in a way I can't begin to describe and the music video was stunning. It had me feeling all sorts of things and made me reflect about my life.

Take a look:


Awesome, huh? You can tell that so much raw emotion and heart went into it. Troye revealed that he wrote "Happy Little Pill" about a dear friend in high school who was struggling through depression and how he became addicted to antidepressants because they made him numb and masked the pain.
Like another great band, Boys Like Girls, said, "We're all just looking for something to take away the pain." Whatever that may be. Whatever it is you're going through. There's something in all of us that we're trying to overcome, trying to escape, trying to manage. And with that comes our own way of dealing.

Powerful stuff right there.

Fast forward another year and...
On August 15th Troye released his highly anticipated second EP entitled WILD. I was skeptical about this one because I knew how much the first one had changed me and I didn't want to be let down. But come on. It's Troye we're talking about. HE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It's incredible.

He has already jumped to the top of the charts around the world and mainstream artists are recognizing and appreciating him (ex. Taylor Swift) and I think that's pretty amazing!

So here's to Troye - the Australian boy who's captured my heart with his words.

For your listening pleasure, here's a playlist of Troye's EP's:

A Letter To My Readers

Hi, I may not know you, but...

In case no one has told you they love you today, I wanted to say that I do. 

I think you are brave and powerful and beautifully unique. And I know that sometimes you forget that. That the pressures you face and demons you may fight may tell you otherwise. That sometimes getting out of bed each day feels like the biggest task in the world and maybe doing your laundry is the most significant accomplishment you have all week.

But despite your fears, your insecurities, and doubts, I know you are so much more than what you think you are. You are amazing. You are strong. You are everything this world needs.

Mental illness is something so many people fight daily. Most struggle silently and battle things you can't even imagine. And I can tell you that depression is a very real disease with very real demons.

Please be kind. Please tell others you love them. The simple phrase "Are you okay?" could save someones life. You don't have to pretend you understand. Just be there. 

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

There is help. There is hope. You are so very loved. 

9.10.15 // World Suicide Prevention Day

Welcome

Hi friends! Welcome to Lyrics and Life Changers, something I hope will shine a light on the beauty of music, words, and stories that have changed us all.

So you may be asking, why lyrics and life changers? Let me do my best to explain. When I first got this assignment for my mass communication class I spent a solid week racking my brain for something to write about. I had no ideas. I mean, there's plenty to write about but nothing I felt passionate about.

Music was a reoccurring thought as I shuffled through topics in my mind, but it felt so bland. Like who doesn't love music? How can I make this special to me? But the more I thought, the more my passion came through.

Without sounding like the most cliche person in the world, music has been the most important part of my life for as long as I can remember. Music, and more importantly lyrics, have been so pertinent in my search for something greater than myself.

Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "Life without music would be a mistake," and I can't begin to tell you how true this is for me. With everything in me I believe without music my life would be nothing more than a never ending struggle.

There's nothing I love more than rolling down the windows, blasting some old school T-Swift, and going for a long night drive.

But it's more than that.

It's the feeling you get when your favorite song comes on the radio and chills take over your body.

It's the comfort you feel when you've had a rough day and the moment you put your headphones in, your favorite band is there to make your day a little brighter.

It's knowing that the lyrics you so deeply connect with was written by someone who has gone through things you're going through.

Beautiful lyricists have changed saved my life and I'm forever grateful for the impact music has had on me. I hope I can introduce you to new artists, reintroduce you to some classics, and all around heighten your appreciation for the words we all know and love.