Don’t worry, this won’t be a 1200 words convincing you to listen to Phish. My jam may not be your jam, and that’s fine. Let’s get that out of the way, so we can just move and celebrate embrace how spiritual, fulfilling, and satisfying music can be. Being at a show is where I feel like I am the most myself, 100% authentic Drew Mikita, for better and worse. *Amazing Photo Credit above Adjomi Photography.

Please listen along with me as I wrote and you read (Grammatically tough sentence there, sorry English Department). Some of these songs have guided me through my most difficult times and mean more than words can explain. 

While the origins of music have some debate, it is likely that since people have been verbally communicating, there has been music. Possibly even sooner, as creating sound with nature is absolutely music. Estimates that music has been around for roughly 60,000 years are possible (Black, 2013). Regardless of the origins, for those of who allow it, music can influence our mind, body, and soul. 

For me, music reaches into my soul, the part of me so guarded, protected, and damaged. Music gives me a place to reflect, rejoice, breakdown, and just be me, building my soul back up. Music accompanies me on journeys through my moment, day, and lifetime. Providing me with so much, and all created by people who don’t, and likely won’t ever know me, or the impact he/she/they had my existence and happiness.  THANK YOU MUSICIANS FOR GIVING ME SO MUCH!

Music has a way to unite people. A crowd at a show is a living breathing thing. Seriously. For we hippies, this living breathing-entity of something far greater than collective sum of the parts, creates a spirit family. Us. The Artists. The Music. And Moments. 

However music is experienced it has a way to speak to us, if willing to listen. Lyrics can provide a groundwork for self-exploration, a safe place to explore this often convoluted, beautiful, ugly-crying body we call home. Words and sounds offering us thoughts, guidance,  acceptance, and freedom. A feeling of connection through message, experience,  understanding, and empathy. 

Listening to music and hearing music are very different. Listening is processing a sound (for this example). Whereas hearing is understanding, feeling, and connecting. Far more than just the a biological process of receiving sound. Some people will struggle to hear the sound of some music, and that is fine. Find the voices, sounds, and feelings that you hear, and jam out. Whatever speaks to you. 

Quotes on Music

Music has many scientifically researched and known holistic health benefits. From the obvious mood enhancement experienced when “Dancing your Self Clean,” while soul singing along with your favorite artist. 

“There is strong scientific evidence supporting the use of music therapy for mood enhancement and anxiety/stress relief, according to Natural Standard research.” (Catherine Ulbricht, 2013)

Benefits of music include (Cherry, 2018): 

• Improved cognitive performance
• Reduction in stress
• Help with weight control
• Boosts in memory
• Pain management
• Improved sleep
• Increased motivation
• Mood enhancement
• Physical endurance
• Reduce the signs of mental illness (including depression and anxiety)

“Music-based activities can represent a valid and without side effects intervention for reducing psychological and behavioral disturbances related to neurological disorders and also for promoting the functional recovery. Specifically, the most significant results of the music interventions on the psychological side can be identified in the aspects more closely related to mood, especially in the reduction of the depressive and anxiety’s component, and in the improvement of the emotional expression, communication and interpersonal skills, self esteem and quality of life” (Raglio, Attardo, Gontero, Rollino, Groppo, Granieri, 2015)

“The ancient Greeks put one god, Apollo, in charge of both medicine and music. Today’s doctors tell us that music can enhance the function of neural networks, slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, reduce levels of stress hormones and inflammatory cytokines, and provide some relief to patients undergoing surgery, as well as heart attack and stroke victims. But these biological explanations and clinical observations may not do full justice to the effect music has on man and his world. Fortunately, poets and philosophers can fill in the gaps.” (Harvard Medical School, 2011)

“Researchers from McGill University in Montreal said it was the first time that the chemical – called dopamine – had been tested in response to music. 
Dopamine increases in response to other stimuli such as food and money. 
It is known to produce a feel-good state in response to certain tangible stimulants – from eating sweets to taking cocaine. Dopamine is also associated with less tangible stimuli – such as being in love.”
(McGilchrist, 2011)

Related Concepts and Ideas

• Dancing
• Artistic Expression
• Human Connection
• Poetry
• Expression
• Physical Activity

While music may not seem like something that you need coaching on, there are some people who do need advice on how to enjoy music in a deeper, more fulfilling capacity. Here is some advice on how to maximize your musical experience. 

Tips for Finding your Jam!

• Find your jam by hearing a variety of music. Whatever it is that makes you feel alive, touches your soul, invigorates your passion, brings you to tears, joy, whatever emotions you feel. Find the music that speaks the language of your soul and get after it.
• Don’ be a hater. It is ok to not like certain types of music, but don’t judge someone else’s jams. Respect their art and voice, and just allow it to be something awesome for others. 
• Read song lyrics. Understand the poetry behind the sound. What is he or she trying to convey to you? Find lyrics that really connect with you, spiritually. Those lyrics will always be there for you…
• Use music to help navigate difficult times. When I have been struggling, at my worst, down and out, music has bailed me out. Certain lyrics, rhymes, sounds, they all seem to help minimize my hurt and allow me to move forward. When I went to NYC for the Baker’s Dozen, A Phish thing. I was at a difficult point, being abused and hurt, so lost. My anxiety was palpable. I kept some lyrics in my pocket and read them to avoid looming meltdowns. The song is called, Everything’s Right:

Time to get out, I’ve paid my dues. I need to shout there’s no time to lose
No more tequila, the well is dry. The pavements warm, my brain is fried
It’s time to get out, I’ve paid my dues, My shoes have holes, my socks are bare. The mirror’s secret is I’m losing my hair. I’m in prison without a crime. Sentence stretches on undefined. It’s time to get out, I’ve paid my dues. I’ve paid my dues . Well, everything’s right. So just hold tight… ~Phish

Tips for Seeing Live Music

• Do it. You will regret not going and seeing an artist (I missed Tom Petty Red Rocks last year, and now he is gone, regret). People won’t be around forever, so get out and enjoy them. 
• Find your Phamily. For us Phish Phreaks, we all have a Phamily. The people we go to shows with, we share a special bond and connection. We laugh, dance, cry, embrace, and it is amazing. Find your crew (NO DEBBIE DOWNERS!!!!) Keep it positive. 
• Be present. Really engage in the entire experience of a song. Hear as much as you can. Connect and incorporate. 
• “Surrender to flow.” Let go. Give in to the experience fully and embrace and enjoy the moments. 
• Raging tip! Take the 360 view: Stop every now and again, take a full 360 degree view of what is going on at the entire venue. Take a mental snap shot to keep in your back pocket for a rough moment. I have some perfect moments stored up from shows. 
• Use your senses in as many ways as possible. See the sounds, feel lights, hear the energy, engage in the experience as deeply as possible. 
• Know what you are putting in your body. Not here to judge your substance use, but rather encourage you to be aware of what you are taking in, and where it is coming from. The Lot Acid might seem like a good idea in the moment, but maybe there is a better decision out there? Have fun, and be safe, above all else. 
• Dance your face off. Dance is scientifically proven to improve happiness by releasing dopamine and serotonin. It is also a form of therapy, “Dance’s expressive aspects help people process feelings they may have trouble dealing with in conscious” (Svoboda, 2007).
• Be goofy and silly. Just have fun!!!! Shows are a place to let go, have fun, whatever that may look like to you. 
• HYDRATE TO CELEBRATE! Staying hydrated while dancing, singing, indulging in whatever, matters, big time.

At one of my most despondent moments years ago, suicide was at the forefront of my mind. One exceedingly dark time, I didn’t think I would survive. I was on a hike contemplating the end of my existence and in tears. Death seemed inevitable.

A Phish lyric in one my all-time favorite jams, “Harry Hood,” was playing. In true Phish fashion, the lyrics repeated about 20 times. The lyrics may not seem like much to you, but, on that day, they were lifesaving: “You can feel good about Hood!”

Explaining what or who “Hood” is requires far more words than anyone wishes to read from a babbling hippie. If I could feel good about Hood, I could feel good about something, and that was a start. Hood saved me. Catastrophic to you? Well, frankly, I don’t care. I still feel good about Hood, and you can too. 

References and Resources

• Cherry, K (2018). 10 Surprising Psychological Benefits of Music. Very Well. 
• Harvard Medical School. (2011). Music and Health. Harvard Medical Journal. 
• McGilchrist, C. (2011). Music releases mood-enhancing chemical in the brain. BBC Health News. 
• Raglio, R., Attardo, C., Gontero, G.,  Rollino, S., Groppo, E., Granieri, E. (2015) Effects of music and music therapy on mood in neurological patients. World Psychology Journal. 
• Svoboda, E. (2007). Dance Therapy: Spin Control When the body swings, the mind is swayed. Therapy on the dance floor. Psychology Today. 
• Ulbricht, C. (2013). Music Therapy for Health and Wellness. Psychology Today.