There is nothing to fear, except fear itself.

We all know how it feels. The tight knot you get in the very pit of your stomach, the butterflies which insist on fluttering aimlessly against your ribcage trying to escape. A mouth that suddenly becomes drier than the desert and of course that little voice in your head, which insists on raising the alarm bells at full volume.

If you hadn’t guessed it by now, I am referring to our two friends – one called nervousness, the other worry... fear. Every once in a while they like to raise their ugly heads, abandon their secret hiding place and spend just a little time making you feel as uncomfortable about the future as possible. Their favourite situation is often one which you are dreading the most. Something which you can’t help but feel slightly scared or even deeply terrified about. They concoct the worst scenarios between them and you become forced to visualise that the worst will undoubtedly happen.

Or will it?

There have been so many times when nervousness and worry have knocked upon my door. Usually it’s when I’m faced with a life changing decision or I am about to do something important. The pressure of performing well in job interviews, presentations and exams, or the kind of situation in life when your brain just sees fit to shout loudly from the rooftop… PANIC! Before instructing you that running for the hills as fast as you can, really is a good idea. My mind often decides to choose the ‘tangle her thoughts in the worst scenarios’ category – I ruminate over the situation I am dreading and imagine the worst that could happen. At least from a positive point of view, you could say I’m prepared. If the worst happens, I will have already imagined how I will choose handle it.

Right now, my big fear or should that be the situation I feel most nervous about is starting work experience tomorrow. For the next month or so, I shall be working in a private and senior office for a government minister and his team in London. It is, so I've been told one of those 'opportunities of a lifetime'. Naturally I am excited and also intrigued about what it's going to be like, yet at the same time I can't help but feel just a tiny bit nervous and worried. Am I going to feel like a complete fish out of water? Will I like it? and are people going to like me? So far my mind has decided that the worst scenario before I even arrive at the office tomorrow is that I'm going to get horribly lost or miss my train. Hopefully neither will happen.

I suppose when you take the time to think about it, the system in the short term doesn’t seem that bad. The reason we worry and get nervous and… fear is because our body is preparing us for what is to come. It gives us a little kick start of adrenaline to make sure you perform at your best. And if a poisonous snake or spider should decide to attack you, it could ultimately save your life. – After all, your brain having chosen to set off the alarm bells would most definitely make sure you were running for the hills.

It is said that you should 'face your fears head on'. Let them rear their ugly heads, taunt you with the worst scenarios imaginable and then look them straight in the eye, live through that fear and take no prisoners. Rather than letting fear devour you, try devouring it first. Your head may have chosen the worst scenario but that doesn’t mean it has to become your reality.

Music question time...

Music means the absolute world to me, I can't describe just how much it has and continues to change my life. For as long as I can remember music has enthralled me, from the early days when I used to raid my parents CD collection, playing anything I could get my hands on and stealing my Mum's CD player in the process. To dancing round the living room aged 7 to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls just wanna have fun". Nowadays, music is still the constant narrator in the background of my life, it is the one thing that is there for me through absolutely everything and I couldn't be without it. As I once said: " I feel safe hiding within the realms of music. Melody heals the soul and words heal a fragile and heavy heart. There are no disappointments or expectations. We are one, we are at peace."

So a couple of months ago, when a friend sent me one of those music question and answer quizzes. I jumped at the chance to answer some questions about my 5 favourite artists and thought I would share my answers here.

Pick your 5 favourite current artists, before reading the questions below:
1. Paloma Faith
2. Baby Sol
3. Seye Adelekan
4. Missy Higgins
5. Kate Bush

1. What was the first song you ever heard by 1?

Stone Cold Sober

2. What is your favourite song of 5's?

I definitely have more than one, so it's hard to be specific. At the moment I quite like 'Deeper Understanding', I think that is something we all need more of.

3. What kind of impact has 1 left on your life?
If I am truly honest a huge impact which is hard for me to put into words. Her music speaks to me; it's guided me through some really happy times, as well as some really dark ones. It's always been there at the back of everything, no matter how I'm feeling. And as cliché as it sounds, I think discovering it saved my life. Through running the two fan pages, I've met some truly incredible people who I really care about, had some wonderful experiences and even been lucky enough to meet Paloma herself. It's a big part of my life, which I couldn't be without. I'm grateful for it, and for everything which has happened because of finding her and her music. It really means a lot to me.

4. What are your favourite lyrics of 4's?
"I need your tears, but mostly now I need your ears. I gotta tell you, I need you to know, you were my ruin when you took hold. You made me believe the lies you told but you won’t get away with the pride you stole." - Dusty Road, Missy Higgins.
 
5. How many times have you seen 1 live?
7 times

6. What is your favourite song by 2?
'Tick- Tock', she sings it so beautifully and the lyrics mean a lot to me.

7. Is there any song by 5 that makes you sad?
Without a doubt it has to be 'This Woman's Work' from the Sensual World album. I find the whole song - both lyrics and melody sad. But it really speaks to me. It fits how I've felt in the past, and I still listen to it when I feel at my lowest.

8. What is your favourite song by 1?
Aarrrgh this is the worst question you could ask me. I love most..  if not all of Paloma's songs. 'New York' holds a lot of different memories. And also seems to the be the song that most people seem to associate me with haha! Having said that, I also love how beautiful 'Do you want the truth or something beautiful?' is. The lyrics, the melody everything... it's visually inspiring, that song haunts my dreams.

9. When did you first discover 2?
I first discovered Baby through Paloma Faith, as she does BV's for her. I remember finding her solo stuff on MySpace about a month before I attended my very first Paloma gig. I wrote to tell her how much I loved it and she was so grateful I'd taken the time to listen. The rest as they say is history... She is a truly wonderful person and her music is incredible!!! - although she calls me bias for saying so. It's been wonderful to follow her journey so far and to see her grow and develop as an artist. Oh and while we're here please check out the below links for her newest videos:

'No No'  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo_hbrxfDZ4
'She Cries' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSSZESIJ-Q

10. How did you discover 3?
Again through Paloma Faith, Seye was her guitarist before he got signed himself! He's an amazing person, a wonderful artist and an awesome guitar player. I can't wait until his debut album is released - all I can say is watch this space... and that I'm very proud. Check out these amazing videos of his while we're here please:

'2 Hours'  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBuGCq3novY
'Mexicana Bounce'  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2HbzNFlTsI

11. What is your favourite song by 4?
Where I Stood.

12. Is there a song by 3 that makes you sad?
Not yet, but I'm sure there will be when his album is released!

13. If you could say anything to any of the artists you listed what would it be?
To 1, 2 and 3: I absolutely adore you, all of you. You and your music means the world to me, I would be totally lost without the three of you in my life. You're like my right arm and I feel lucky to have you. I just want to say thank you for everything - the times you've been there for me and tried to cheer me up, for supporting me even when I didn't believe in myself, for making me smile and showing that you care. All the times we've met and everything that has happened (the BEST memories). For making the effort to say hello even though you're busy, for letting me share all of your musical journeys - I am so proud of you xx. But mostly, for being exactly who you are. Thank you for being in my life, and for being the beautiful safety net which is always there to catch me, even when you don't realise it. I love you xxx

To 4: I love your music, you're an amazing artist and please please pleaseeeeeee do a tour in the UK!

To 5: You have no idea who I am, or that I even exist. But I've loved your music for a long time, I still remember the moment I first discovered 'Wuthering Heights' as a child. I became obsessed with it and used to listen to it while dancing round my living room pretending to be the ghost of Cathy. When I later discovered your albums, I was captivated by how different your voice sounded to other artists, how you weren't afraid to experiment or think outside the box. You weren't bothered about being labelled as 'weird', you stayed true to yourself and let the music speak - which it does... volumes in fact. You and your music taught me that it was OK to be an individual and to be different. Thank you for being so inspiring, both musically and lyrically. I think you are wonderful. 

Songs mentioned in this post:
'Stone Cold Sober' - Paloma Faith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4reFIP1s6w&ob=av2e
'Deeper Understanding' - Kate Bush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5UsjqXXcZ4
'Dusty Road' - Missy Higgins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE4VpFNgR7I
'This Woman's Work' - Kate Bush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHqPCA_lzQ
'New York' - Paloma Faith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZF7CDBj1U0&ob=av2e
'Do you want the truth or something beautiful?' - Paloma Faith:
'Tick-Tock' - Baby Sol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0HJ4C1oXWo
'Where I Stood' - Missy Higgins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9QNRvXH1HI

Other links:
www.palomafaith.com
www.missbabysol.com
www.seyemusic.com

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