Relient K What's Your Therapy Contest

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Comment by Justin T. on December 13, 2009 at 11:54pm

Music has power.

In an instant, it can bring a smile or tears. It gives me instant memory recall of once forgotten events. A song will come on and long forgotten memories from that time will instantly come flooding back. It brings people together under a common theme. Two friends can reminisce while listening to a song from past times.

Music is an emotion intensifier. I have to choose what I listen to carefully. In times of depression, I can choose to drown in it and listen to music that will feed that emotion. Or choose to fight that spirit by listening to music that will lift me up.

In times of extreme sadness I am able to find meaning and hope in words written down and recorded by artists that have been in similar circumstances, and I know I am understood.
It can be a source of inspiration and bring complete joy in times of worship.
I can draw strength from it. Nothing can give me more strength than when I hear a song that I need to hear at just the right moment.

It's always there and is a good friend. It can quiet my thoughts when I'm alone, it’s the background noise when hanging out with friends, it sets the rhythm at work, and helps me put in that extra bit of effort while working out.

Music is the cure for life in this world. When the noise of life becomes too loud, I can tune it out. When my current problems become too great and I need to escape, I can turn up the volume and become numb to it all. When I need to remember a better time in my life, or when I need to remember the sad ones, I can. If I need a smile or laugh or more strength, it's there.

Music is my therapy.

About the collage:
The background is a collection of over 170 CDs of my favorite musicians * and a few other select images (church's and a radio station). In all, this is a compilation of close to 200 different images.
The border was achieved using an old medium film format border. I gave the overall collage a grunge look by burning in some areas and by adding a layer of scratches. All images were combined using Photoshop in a multitude of layers.

Intent:
With music sounding in the headphones, the girl looks off into the distance at the cross.
The silhouetted and translucent image of the cross is graced with the image of Jesus with his crown of thorns. The silhouetted cross is to symbolize that Jesus is in the music and that's what gives it such power.

*The most frequently featured artists are:
Relient K, Deas Vail, U2, and The Beatles

Comment by Genesis BArrera on December 13, 2009 at 11:08pm

For as long as I can remember, Music and I Love Lucy have been a huge part of my life. I can remember my mother waking me up in the morning back on the very first day of school with 91.7 KVTT. I lived for those moments in the car with my mom, both of us singing at the top of our lungs. A few years back, my parents moved us away from my hometown. One of the first friends I had once I got here, died a horrible death. A few weeks later, my dog died. At school I became a loner that looked but never experienced. I dug myself into a hole and I wouldn't let anyone help me out, I liked it there for some reason. I immersed myself in books, “I Love Lucy” and Music. After a long week at school, I would willingly wake up at 7 a.m Saturday morning for “I Love Lucy” reruns. Just hearing their theme music woke me up and refreshed me. Bit by bit, with God’s help and all these theriputicy things, I climbed out from my hole, dusted myself off and buried my sorrows. Now, I still run to these things for therapy when I’ve had an especially appalling day, or whenever things are going great and I just want to celebrate. My friends look at me like I’m crazy whenever I crank up my Frank Sinatra, well, it’s better than Lady Gaga, so, so what? (no offense). :)

Comment by Carly Saida on December 13, 2009 at 7:57pm

As I take a look at the past year, I think about how much has changed and how I got through it all. This past year has probably been the most difficult period I’ve experienced in my life as I’ve gone through my parents’ divorce, my dad’s abandonment, my mom’s engagement, and my own heartbreak and depression. In all honestly, I don’t think I would have made it through without the constant assistance of music. Music lets me to escape into the lyrics and realize that there will always be two good things in life: God and music. I’ve been to an abundance of concerts over the past year, nineteen to be exact. From rock to worship, head banging to cell phone-waving, this music has been my therapeutic release, and very appropriately, my twentieth and final concert for this year is in 5 days: the Winter Wonder Slam concert with Relient K. Relient K, above all, has been the band to get me through hard times. From the depressing or thoughtful times to the goofy, fun times, Relient K has a song for every one of my moods. But mostly, their music reminds me everyone goes through struggles and people really only have to remember this fact and find their own therapy. The band members’ own involvement and emotion in the music helps me to know that someone, whether I know them personally or not, can relate to me. Even when “God’s the only one who’s left here listening” I know that He’s enough, and no matter who abandons me or whatever unwanted situations come into my life, I will keep my sanity with God and my music. With this year coming to an end, I’m finally coming to terms with “this life always transitioning,” releasing my “death grip” on it, and moving on with my life.

Let’s call it what it is. Music is my therapy.

Comment by Victoria Byerley on December 13, 2009 at 6:29pm

As the great Maya Angelou once said, "Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." The way music can shape one day from terrible to the best day ever is just amazing to me. Bad day? Oh! I'll just pop in some Cobra and start dancing around my room. Silence drives me nuts. I can't drive anywhere without plugging in my iPod first. Listening to music is like sipping on hot chocolate on a cold winter's day or eating chicken noodle soup when you're sniffly and sick. It makes the whole world better for just those few minutes. And don't even get me started on concerts. It can make a whole month turn around for the better. The high you get from going to see your favorite band play can't match up to any drug.

Music is my therapy.

Comment by Sydney Char on December 13, 2009 at 6:25pm

We’re walking towards each other down the street. We glance at each other and hastily continue our separate ways, a first impression engrained in each of our minds. You saw my backpack, my expression; you didn’t see my humor, my preferences. I saw your shoes, your briefcase; I didn’t see your family, your pain.

So really, you didn’t see me, and I didn’t see you.

We all want to be understood. Unfortunately, this is difficult in a world where we tend to close ourselves off in our own little bubbles. So what are we supposed to do? How can we help someone help us if we can’t get through?

I’ve always struggled to explain who I am, even to my closest friends. It’s not a matter of complexity, but of finding the right words. And most of the time, I don’t even make sense to myself. I listen to music to calm me down, and the words reassure me that it’ll be alright. I spend some time alone with the lyrics, just to think and to get my thoughts straight.

When I slow things down, I hear God all around me. He helps me open my eyes and take a step back. It’s okay, He says. Somehow, I understand myself better, and I feel better, too. The music helps me gather my thoughts, and I can rest assured that “this will all work out in the end.” (The One I’m Waiting For- Relient K)

You might be saying, “Okay, sure, music helps you focus. So what?” But music does much more than that. It doesn’t just help me connect with myself, give me that fuzzy feeling of self-understanding, and point me in the right direction.

Music shows me that God has blessed me with knowing these songs so I can connect with others. When I meet new people, I ask them what type of music they like to listen to, and from there we can bond and understand each other through the rhyme and rhythm. It’s how I understand who people are, and it’s how people understand who I am. God put music in my life to heal me and to help me see that others, the artists as well as other music lovers, can understand what I’m trying to say through the lyrics.

In my collage, when you take a step back, you can see a picture of Relient K, my favorite artist and what people know me for loving. In some aspects, Relient K represents who I am. When you look closer, you can see pictures of other bands and albums that have shaped who I am today. It’s not all about one line, one song, or one band: it’s about using all I have to spread the light in the world. Sometimes the same images repeat, because music never fades from my life; the song, artist, or words will always have a place within me. The picture is always changing, though, as I listen to more music and find more lyrics that relate to me. This is my therapy: the melody throughout me and between those around me. But this isn’t just MY therapy. It’s to be shared with everybody.

You start to hum the tune to one of my favorite songs, and I start to hum along. We look at each other and smile as we get to the best line in the song. I can see from the look in your eyes that it’s your favorite line, too. We face each other. You see me; I see you.

“Good song, huh?”

Comment by Crystal Kim on December 13, 2009 at 5:12pm

To me, music is something that takes me away from the way I usually perceive the world. It can highlight a certain emotion, create a bond, acknowledge something subtle, express love or pain. In this collage, I chose some of my favorite musicians - ones who make music like no other.
One group, g.o.d. is my favorite of all time. I've loved them since I was around seven years old, they are still very dear to me. Relient K's music is also really unique, as it ranges from the very silly and cute to bittersweet and meaningful. Daphne Loves Derby has a very original sound and lyrics that generally express the act of dealing with struggles well. I focused on these three groups, but Switchfoot and David Crowder Band are also in the mix.
When I listen to g.o.d., I'm brought back to older times, and I'm reminded that things will be fine. The vocals, beats, instruments, and lyrics are so beautiful and real. Even now, I find it hard to express how deeply their music touches my heart. [as corny as it sounds ;P]
Most of the Daphne Loves Derby songs are serious and/or sad. However, they're very thought-provoking - like a soul searching for meaning/truth or love.
Relient K drew me in when I heard "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" back in middle school as I was going through a lot of drama with friends. From that song, I looked into more and have almost all the albums. "When I Go Down" and "I Am Understood" have recently become more meaningful to me, as I've been going through things that lead me to connect with the meaning of those songs. The amazing amount of emotion in "Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet," "Devastation and Reform," "Sahara," and many others blows my mind. When "Forget and Not Slow Down" came out, I was going through some post-breakup drama, and I listened to that album just about every time I had the chance.
The songs from these musicians are my therapy. I hope to someday make music like them while constantly improving myself.

Comment by Justin Sy on December 13, 2009 at 1:39am

Music defines me. And you. And everyone. Many people can't live without it. If I didn't have a music player, I'm not sure what would happen. I need it to function. I need it to feel alive. thisismusic.jpg

Comment by Taylor Fugate on December 13, 2009 at 1:19am

A few years ago my family had to move. At that point in time, I thought it was the worst thing that could ever happen. I was incredibly upset about leaving everything and everyone I loved and coming to some stupid place I'd never even heard of. I was sad that I'd probably never see the friends I'd had since preschool again. I was mad that I had to waste my last spring break with those friends to spend three days in the new city...and I was really irritated that I couldn't change anything about the situation.
When we actually moved, my dad gave me an iPod. I wasn't really excited at first, because I really didn't care about music that much. But I hooked it up to the computer anyway, and went on iTunes to find some stuff I might like.
That's when I discovered Relient K.
I downloaded Be My Escape for no reason other than it was catchy. After listening to it three times, I was in love. The music was amazing; the lyrics were inspiring, and best of all it brought me out of my depression. I immediately downloaded more of Relient K's music, and discovered that I could pretty much relate to every single song. Their music helped me get through the change. It helped me see that moving forward may be really hard, but it’s good.
Ever since then, I’ve used Relient K’s music as therapy. I listen to it when I’m feeling really happy, when I feel really sad, and when I really feel like ripping somebody’s head off. They have a song for every emotion, a lyric for every feeling, and that is why they are my therapy.

Comment by anna spotts on December 12, 2009 at 10:32pm

Therapy: any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension

Relient K is my therapy. Everything about them excites me and cures even the worst of days. All the pictures are ones i took at concerts i went to. I'm obsessed with them. I also play guitar and love playing their songs. I can't say that i've been a fan from the beginning...but i'm totally making up for it. I love you guys. You are my therapy. I can relate to every song you've written. Especially the ones on Forget and Not Slow Down and MMHMM due to the fact I'm experiencing a heart break. Thanks for always writing things that can inspire and "relieve tension." Hope to win the guitar so it can be some therapy too :)

Comment by Naomi on December 12, 2009 at 8:51pm

Music is a very powerful thing and it is a wonderful way to express an emotion that can't be expressed in other ways. It is a very great emotional release when you write how you feel and could turn even the worst circumstances into something wonderful and something you could be proud of. Identifying with music is also very important because when I identify with something I know that other people have gone through the same things i've gone through and if they can get through it so can I.

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