Academics and I have had a very interesting relationship. I started out as a musician, clueless, pursuing an arts degree.
How these two components have come together in the past few years still puzzles me.
I was that kid in school that used funny notes in Western Popular Music. Nobody understood why I sang things funny, so, then I turned my attention to music from my cultural background. I started performing in South-Asian conservative communities (largely due to the request of my parents) during my upbringing, only to find that they thought I sang funny too. I never quite fit in. It was not my accent, nor was it my understanding of the material – I just sang like a hybrid cross-cultural popular musician.
Entering university, I was able to put a discourse to my development – and today, I am pursuing a Masters in Contemporary Music Research, specialising in Critical Enquiry and Creative Practice.
The purpose of this blog is for me to practice my academic articulation of ideas, and, put me in the rhythm of reading essays/articles, whilst interjecting my personal commentary.
If you feel like you may have any questions regarding my personal research, or, if you have any questions regarding music (general, broad or specific), then do not hesitate to approach me and I will try my best to address your area of concern.
Regards,
Mehreen Javed.
Mehreen Javed 