(NU) - Music therapy has
gone mainstream. Patients listen
to music while going through
therapy, stressed-out office workers
play music to relax and yogis
use music find meditation.
Studies suggest that music affects
the body. Fast tempos improve
concentration. Slower
beats promote relaxation. Music
can lower blood pressure and
ease muscle tension. Many people
report that listening to music
boosts their mood and creates a
more positive state of mind.
Mozart helps ease tension in
infants – studies show that children
can begin recognizing classical
compositions while still in
the womb. Listening to music
stimulates brain activity, perhaps
leading to greater intellectual
prowess later in life.
Musicians haven’t failed to
notice music’s powerful effects.
Bands have long communicated
socio-political messages in their
lyrics. Now, many entertainers
use music to promote physical
and mental health.
Take Roman Alexander and
The Robbery, a foursome based
in Orange County, Calif. The
band’s lead singer, Roman
Alexander, turned to music after
an arteriovenous malformation
(AVM), a congenital condition,
forced him into brain surgery. Unable
to walk, Alexander relearned
to play the guitar as part of his recovery.
Alexander used music to heal
himself. Now, his band is working
to promote healthy optimism
in its songwriting. “Music is a
way to hit the listener – it’s the
perfect outlet,” says Alexander.
“Changing the world begins with
the man in mirror.”
Roman Alexander and The
Robbery’s focus on music as a
healing medium recently led
them to use lyrics written by
Alexandra Irving, age 9, upon the
death of her beloved grandfather.
“There’s nothing more candid
than a child’s song,” says
Alexander. “It’s raw, it’s what
needed to be said.” In setting Irving’s
lyrics to a rock-influenced
lullaby, Roman Alexander and the
Robbery hope to use her words to
help comfort and heal all those
dealing with the loss of a loved
one. The band hopes to reach
20,000 to 60,000 fans at the OC
Music Fest (www.ocmusicfest09.
com) in May 2009.
LiTaL, a female artist with a
unique pop-dance-funk sound,
sings about a “journey back” to
self-discovery. World Anthem
Band’s “Reggae dub-rocking
Soul” writes strong songs with
conscientious lyrics. Silbia Han,
a 17-year-old singer and songwriter,
performs with an emotional
complexity beyond her
years, while Bray heals you, body
and soul.
For more information about
the OC Music Fest, where you
can see artists promoting health
through their music first-hand,
visit www.ocmusicfest09.com.