The fade-in of the song makes my heartbeat in anticipation. An indescribable feeling of power, like a story, is about to unfold in front of me through the beaming synths, haunting guitar, echoing and captivating vocals, and steam engine-like drums moving like a driving force. The song Black Out Days is like none other through the way it makes me feel. Every time I play the music, it rings through the entirety of my being and puts me in a new world outside my own. I feel like anything is possible and that all of who I am aligns. I have always been a dreamer. One whose mind drifts past the line of what's possible and not and takes risks despite the doubts. In life, you can get so caught up in reality no matter how confident you are with your identity and dreams. This song pulls me out of that headspace as I feel empowered. Like all the people around me who question my life and the self-sabotage I put on myself disappears. I am the leader of a new revolution to save the souls withered and lost in the world. All of the intricate and vulnerable sounds of the song cling together to create one source of power, which resonates with me because individually, each piece is weak. The piano is melancholy, and the synths are frail in melody, almost mimicking a cry for help if you listen close. The same goes for the electric guitar that ascends and descends to show frustration and the vocals filled with fury and anguish. All the sadness and frustration build together to create an exuberant intensity, especially with the help of the booming cog-like drums, which shows me that even though strife, I can be a vessel of power.

Music makes me feel alive; there's no other way to put it. The deep bass booms in my ears, soak through my being, and leave my imagination craving more. I'm addicted to these beautiful melodies that effortlessly tell their stories with such vulnerability and power. I can't remember a time when music wasn't in my life. As much as I love creating music, performing is always fighting for the top spot. There is a weird indescribable feeling that happens when stepping on stage. I feel like an open wound that empowers the audience to heal theirs through song. That's the thing about music; every step of its creation allows me to feel something different; writing songs carry me along as I put the pieces of my unexplainable emotions together, producing opens up a whole new world of expression through being able to use sounds and synths that show my true identity as an artist. Performance is otherworldly in its ability to bare the souls of the artists and listeners. Music is vital to society as it reaches bounds that regular communication cannot. It can take the forms of being private and intimate while also being loud and bringing others together. As humans, we go through all kinds of emotions daily, and a lot of times, we can't find anyone who understands what we are going through, but when the right music finds you, it's like having a best friend sitting in your eardrums whispering, everything is going to be alright. Unfortunately, we live in a difficult time, where the only interaction with another person could be on a screen for months at a time. But with today's catalog of music, we can find peace, strength, or celebration with a click of a button. Music can help the individual, but it can also start revolutions. It can help bring people together and make a stand against wrongs. It can also soothe the pain of many in one sitting. Music is what molds our society into what we are today. It's our form of communicating with one another without talking, like a glance across the room to the person you love, or head nod to a friend, or a tight embrace after losing a loved one. It's a form of communication that is direct and clear. It's a voice that a kingdom or superpower cannot deny. It's the voice of the people, and it's one that I couldn't imagine living without. Music not only uplifts society but is foundational and has been around for more than 35,000 years, molding us, caring for us, bringing us together. If there were no music in the world, scenes in movies wouldn't be as impactful; countries wouldn't have national anthems, no dance, theater, or any artistic expression because all art flows through one another. Music is the muscle that transcends beyond what we can explain because we all have something going on in our lives and music helps to uplift through those shortcomings. Music and the message that it sends out into our souls are timeless, a library of sounds that guides our souls and inner thoughts. I think about how lucky I am every day that I contribute to the growth of society and help nurture our future, and I hope that one day I can help at least one person feel strong, wanted, appreciated, and not alone through my music.

The Alchemist, written by Paulo Coelho, is a spiritual journey of passion and certitude. It follows an Andalusian shepherd boy, Santiago, on a grueling quest for his personal destiny. The lessons of embracing the present, breaking past fears, and holding onto dreams are what Santiago learns on his mission to achieve his legend and has helped me on my journey as well. While producing a song, I have often found myself tempted to skip over the tedious steps required to complete a song the way I envisioned it. Ultimately, when falling into my temptation, I miss out on opportunities to grow. Reading this book illustrated many examples and lessons, concluding that what you gain from your hard work turns you into the alchemist/master of your dreams. As Santiago goes through his life, he is urged to notice the beauty all around him through falling in love, helping a crystal merchant expand his shop, paying attention to the language of the world and the needs of his sheep. Through these brutal inquisitions, Santiago grew with his simple but challenging life lessons that further strengthened his track and found that his life destiny was there by his side all along. I now understand that each step is just as important as the final, and the present moment makes for the cherished memories of the complete story. At this point in my journey, I am so grateful that the Alchemist has helped me find the right footing to begin my quest towards my personal legend, and I look forward to discovering more truths as my life unfolds.