Music and Me

             

Hello!! My name is Hayle Spake! I'm currently a freshmen here at converse majoring in music and elementary education! I grew up in the small town of Chesnee, South Carolina which is only 30 minutes away from Converse. Living in a small town, everyone knows everyone and the kids basically grew up together because none of us went any where. So you can say coming to Converse was quite a culture shock. When Im not at school or creating music, you can find me reading, exploring, working, sunsets, or spending time with family and friends. Oh and I can't forget about my dog Charlie, I love spending time with him. Another thing I enjoy is music (duh). My music journey began in elementary school, where I was placed in choir for 4th and 5th grade, but personally singing was not my cup of tea. When I began middle school, I was able to start concert band and began my journey on the flute. I can give al the credit to my middle band teacher for how far I have come, I truly wouldn't be where I am without her and her guidance. Because of her I have been playing the flute for about 7 years now!! Now, my love of does not stop there. Having 2 parents with very diverse tastes in music helped me develop a pretty wide taste in it myself. I listen to everything really, my playlist is never dedicated to one artist or a type of music and personally I don't have a favorite artist at the moment, but I do love country and rock the most. 

A piece that is my current go to:

Although he's not in the best light right now with the media, Im really enjoying Zach Bryan. He was introduced to me during the summer on a get away trip with some friends. We were going up to Tennessee for a couple a days, and like most teenagers we made a playlist where we could add songs to the "que." I started looking more into him purely because it wasn't like the pop country we have now-a-days. I enjoy most of his music, specifically tourniquet by him. Tourniquet became one of my favorite songs because of its words. Specifically one line, "take care of the blood that runs through you." This line to me means that we should not only take care of our family but ourselves. Coming from somewhere where family was a big thing, that line stood out to me. But it also showed me sometimes we get carried away with taking care of others, so we forget to take care of ourselves. 

A piece that has deep meaning:

A piece that means a lot to me would be "loved me that way" by Lauren Duski. This piece came out a year before my grandfather passed way. When he did pass, that's when I found this song. When I listen to this song it reminds me of him and the life he lived. My grandfather was my best friend and would do anything for me and brothers. He never failed to makes us laugh wether that be picking on my dad or getting on my grandmother nerves. He showed me how strong someone could be, not to just with physical strength but with mental strength. He taught me his morals and values of his life, some of which I have adapted to my own and hope to teach my kids someday. I remember times where we would sit at the dinging table and he tell me stories from his child hood, I would just looked at him in aw. He created a life for himself and his family despite everything he had been through. Like the lyrics said, "I only hope to be a half of a whole you both were," speaks volume when I look at the life my grandfather created, his morals, beliefs and his faith. 

A piece that I can't connect too:

One song that is hard for me to connect with is "land down under" by Men At Work. This is a song that my dad has on constant replay. It is also a song I have had a weird relationship with. I love the flute that is played and the beat is very nice, but I dislike everything else. Why? It's simply because I'm a lyric person. I enjoy music that I can make connection to or relate to and it's extremely hard to do that with this one. With this piece I don't really find much meaning behind the lyrics or even the story it may portray. To me this song is like a book where the author might have to much to drink as the chapter went on and everything just got crazier and crazier. Although these things, this song can give you a good laugh. 

Also, if you watch the video, you might catch one of the guys dragging a stuffed animal through the dessert with the string being tied to their waist. Why? I have no idea. 

Bonus round:

Soooo, one of the biggest ways that me and my dad bond is through music. When I was growing he would through crazy silly songs into the mix to throw me off. The duck song was one of them. Many of you might have already heard this song, so save your self and you don't have to listen. But for the ones that haven't, please give it a listen. 

P.S Have fun singing it for the next couple hours, it will be stuck in your head.

Pretty sunset and Charlie!! :)