When you read music journalism have you ever considered how the writer in question has listened to the music? This might seem like an odd question, but did you know that there are over 20 different ways of doing so? If you enjoy a certain writer's style it may be because you both listen to music in the same sort of way.
For example if you’re a programmatic listener you will catch yourself finding non-musical references in the music, creating images or visualising certain scenes. However if you’re an innovation listener you will attempt to pick out sounds or constructs within the music you haven’t heard before – the novelty aspect will appeal. Or maybe you’re an emotional listener, wanting the music to create a sense of feeling within you – a lump in the throat or a smile. Often we listen in more than way, but we all almost certainly have dominant styles. If you want to see all these styles and identify what ones you most often click this link.
Why do we mention this? The answer is because of The Bird by Kathryn Joseph. It’s an incredibly absorbing tune, created from Kathryn’s eerie wavering vocal and haunting desolate piano keys. If anything it sounds a little creepy, as if it's crawled from the crypt. It gets under the skin; but in a good way.
The Bird stopped us in our tracks the moment we first heard it. There were goosebumps. According to the list of listening styles, this was ecstatic listening, the music creating a physiological response – a frisson. We’d take a guess we probably aren’t the only ones who have had this sensation. Certainly Joseph has already been noticed by some other music blogs such as Scottish Fiction, Just Music I Like and Gold Flake Paint and now somewhat belatedly we’re adding our name to that list.
Kathryn Joseph’s album Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled is out now. You can buy it by clicking here.
Kathryn Joseph - The Bird
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