the black, the grey, the between

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jjbrine:

 bethryanmusic said:  

You make me pleasantly uncomfortable.

 bethryanmusic,

I really appreciate that   <3

…and it will support you!

http://soundcloud.com/jjbrine

Frequent Comments to a Purple ‘ead

These are questions I am asked frequently because of the colour of my hair. Yes, it is a little rantish and I’m sure others with dyed hair have had such reactions to them or maybe even weirder or more tedious questions. Just so it’s known, I don’t think having mad hair colour makes you any better or worse than anyone else. In fact, it’s a pretty mundane change in comparison to the many wonderful ways you can modify yourself, which is kind of why I think it’s pretty mad that people get so hung up on it!

How did you get your hair that colour?

I dyed it.

Seriously. How else am I supposed to answer that question?

You know, I dyed my hair once

Shocking. This doesn’t form a connection between us.

I’ve always wanted to dye my hair a crazy colour!

No, you haven’t. If you actually wanted to, you’d do it. What’s stopping you – work? Family? Social norms? If you actually wanted to, you’d dye your hair whatever damn colour you please & feel a bit better about yourself all while proving those you were worried about wrong. This is the 21^st Century. If someone thinks less of you because of what colour your hair is, prove them wrong.

But, more likely, you just want me to think you’re edgy…

I used to be a goth, too

That’s nice. I’m not one, but most I know are lovely. However, when posed with these kinds of phrases, it always makes me think the person who has said this to me either still wishes they were a goth or is still one and in denial. You can tell which is which by the way they say it; desperately or condescendingly.

People should realise that they are completely fine, whether feeling the comfort or a label or not - I’ve been very confused with labels and identity myself and have found myself definitely as one thing and then not anything in particular. But this does prove another misconception that all people with purple hair are goths. A little close minded, surely?

OI OI OI OI OI PURPLE PURPLE PURPLE!

This is not an insult. I have a purple head. I accept this. Hell, I even made it purple through choice. Your observation skills are mind-blowing. However, I don’t think it’s shocking to realise I will be walking on and not taking any notice of you.

No, it’s blue. Are you mad, it’s soooo purple. Nah, blue – are you ever going back to purple?

That’s fine, just fight amongst yourselves. By the way, I mix blue and purple together to make a nicer colour and sometimes I prefer a different level of either colour. Sometimes I only have a certain amount of one left, but I like that I won’t know exactly what colour it turns out. Oh… you haven’t heard a word I’ve said? Still arguing? Sorry what – a twirl? Sure, ok, I’ll just stand here in silence whilst you stare and try and figure me out. Awkward.

What is your natural hair colour? / How often do you dye it? / Have you dyed your hair again? / Do you dye your hair yourself? / How long have you had your hair that colour / Do you dye your eyebrows?

These are the only questions I am asked that are completely understandable and decent.

• Mushy, mousey, mucky blonde. Really non-descript colour. I think this vagueness was the reason I dyed my hair a mad, block colour to begin with. To be able to say it was ‘something’
• Unfortunately, DIY dye for these kinds of colour really don’t seem to last. If I wanted it to be bright constantly, I’d have to dye it every week (I wash my hair every other day), but I’ve been known to let it wash out for a month or two as I like the different shades it goes through. When it’s nearly washed out to white, my husband affectionately calls it ‘ghost hair’.
• Nope, just worn it differently or washed it. But, as above, it washes out a little with every wash, so it will change often. I also love have violet baths when I do.
• Yis, which is probably destroying it, but I like the control and cost. I am no expert on hair or dying, but practise definitely makes you tons better.
• I’ve had bright purple hair for 6/7 years. Before that, I attempted red, but it wasn’t for me. Sometimes it is blue, but that really seems to come off on EVERYTHING.
• No, a fellow purple head advised me against it as he had dyed his beard and it failed, but here is a great guide to coloured eyebrows from the ever awesome Zoetica -  http://www.biorequiem.com/blush-response/blush-response-003-the-prophesied-eyebrow-tutorial/

Dying your hair is nothing at all, really. People do it every day all different colours. I do not think myself better for doing this in an unnatural colour. I am also not any less of a hard worker or more of a bitch. I have been judged massively for it by all different kinds of people (most of whom are old enough and ugly enough to know better), but this doesn’t compare to the people who find inspiration and support to do something new with their look or the kids who think I’m some funny alien or witch. I love that part. Why not just look a little cartoon-ish while I can? Anyways, I’m just in training for my ultimate OAP purple rinse.

(Source: bethryanmusic)

Stick a label on me, I’m done

I want to perform live more. A small dream and you could help me live it. I have performed in a variety of different towns, countries and festivals but want more. For anyone who has seen me, pretty please could you answer me these questions three:

1. What genre would you classify our music? We seem to have acoustic guitars, singer song-writer, odd effects and cheeky electronic beats and synths. They work together, they are friends, but what would you call their mix? Would you call them that to their face?

2. If we were on a bill for the evening, who else would you like to see on there? Though I have enjoyed going to complete variety gigs, it can be a little alienating to here so many different styles if you’re not in the mood, so let me know any bands you love that you think we might complement each other’s sound. We have ties with some bands in the pipeline that will really work, but you can never have enough musical allies!

3. Would you like fries with that? No, no… of course you wouldn’t. Fries are so last week. How silly of me.

For those who haven’t seen us, there are snippets online for your aural curiosity. These reside here in full track stylee:

http://youtu.be/7LlsU42CFbk

and fan-made bits and bobs here:

http://youtu.be/QjzlhCFyPYE

(Source: myspace.com)

Ever the glutton for punishment

2am and I’ve just taken a caffiene pill and put on a party track. I’m not done having fun yet!

My Fridays go like this: husband and his band (http://talanas.org/) practise and write in East London from 6pm right the way through to, normally, 8am. I, however, spend my evenings with friends, my sketchbook or with my guitar. Tonight was the latter. And it was productive. PLINKY PLONKY GUITAR FTW OR GTFO!

Also, expect to hear me on the upcoming Voices release because I’m proper metal, innit. (http://www.facebook.com/voiceslondon). I may burst with excitement!

As ever, you can find me here: http://www.myspace.com/bethryanmusic or http://www.youtube.com/user/quartieball/videos

(Source: bethryanmusic)