There’s something about music that influences our emotions. Music is everywhere. We’re all drawn to it, it livens up parties, it’s been used to set scenes in theatre, and used as a backdrop to stories forever. We understand that music can move us. Those of us who have watched an orchestra perform understand the full force and beauty of music. Yet beyond music’s ability to influence our emotions, I feel that stories, words, and ideas are the things that really change us inside. Ideas wriggle their way into our heads and affect us tremendously. When the right music finds its way alongside the right story or message, the results can be huge.

It’s not surprising that music has been involved in catalytic changes throughout generations. The stories we read and the music we listen to absolutely do transform us. I’m not saying “Be careful what you listen to, or read, or watch.” Not at all. I’m saying that sometimes the right song or right story or right message can reach us when we’ve hit a wall or a fork in the road or we’ve fallen and we’re not sure if it’s worth getting up and we need something to re-energise or inspire us. That’s why music about love and hope can be so powerful. More often than not, at pivotal points in our life, a story about love, hope, and forgiveness is what we need most.

I’m not sure my values have been changed by my creative life. I’m definitely more aware that music can heal and music can help us through difficult times. I’ve had a few messages from people telling me how my music has helped them through tough times. That’s something I never intended or thought about with my first album, and it’s been incredible to hear how something I’ve done has affected and helped other people so much. I was only trying to write music that was interesting and that meant something to me. I’m not someone who’s trying to change the world through music. But this has made me aware of the positive impact music can have in people’s lives.