Someone told me that everyone should have a favorite band, and that you should know everything about them, so I considered this.

I had never really had a favorite band before…unless you counted New Kids on the Block when I was in grade school. I listen to a variety of music, but I had never felt so strongly about a band that I wanted to make them mine.

My parents don’t play instruments and I had never learned one to any discernible proficiency, so we didn’t have it in the house when I grew up. I listened to my father’s rock records: Elton John, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, etc. When I got older, I listened to what my dates listened to. Thanks to them, I have a strong preference for alternative music, and thanks to my dad, I like British rockers.

That’s not to say that I have my own preferences. I discovered my love for Lindsey Stirling all by myself. But as my husband tells me, if I find a song I like, I am perfectly happy listening to it over and over again for days (I’ll admit, that could be linked to my special brand of crazy). I also don’t have music going on all the time. I don’t listen to it when I read [I’m not listening to it right now], and I generally like quiet more than blasting the beat.

I rarely go to concerts, but not because I don’t like music. I hate crowds and I don’t like noise to the point where I can’t hear the lyrics – both large and small venues often have this problem. For me, a song is a story, so the lyrics are just as important as the melody.

The areas where music has the strongest influence in my life are when I run – mostly to help me ignore the pain and fatigue in my body. I sometimes listen to music when I write; It helps me access emotions and creativity. I’ll also listen to music to distract myself when I drive (apparently to my and other drivers’ detriment).

I hadn’t considered it before, but music says a lot about us as human beings.

I thought that the advice I was given was legit. Music is a large part of our culture, so I figured I better make a band mine, if only to help people understand a part of me.

I had an obsession with Muse for a while. I’ve been to two of their concerts (braving the crowds and everything), and they are an alternative band with a message that I could get behind, so it seemed like a good fit. I researched everything I could about them. Now I know that Chris has a gazillion kids and Matt’s feet stink up to high heaven. Cool.

I may still act confused if someone asks me who my favorite band is, but if I’m allowed to think on it, I’ll probably say Muse.