Three days after my 18th birthday, I got my first tattoo. I already had a fleshed out Pinterest board full of tacky quotes and zillenial-esque ideas (that I would never touch with a ten-foot pole nowadays), but there was one idea that stuck with me ever since I was thirteen years old. I was going to get it no matter what, despite my mom’s protests and the raised eyebrows from my friends. And that was a rectangle. Since that day, I made it my mission to dedicate my right arm to the music and artists I love. I’m not finished yet, I’m just getting started. 

THE 1975 

The 1975 have soundtracked my youth from the moment that I discovered their music. I was first shown “Girls” off of their self-titled debut album in elementary school in my fresh pre-teens. I fell in love with their sound, and of course the band’s look at the time. I devoted myself to them right then and there. The 1975’s self-titled album carries such a special place in my heart, as it honest to god got me through some of the toughest events that I have had to go through, and the band as a whole still does that. Although they have strayed away from the classic box in their last three albums, the symbol is still so widely recognized as theirs. I find myself sometimes sitting and staring at the little thing and reminiscing about listening to that album for the first time. I will never forget being gifted the vinyl for Christmas, and it literally lived on my pink floral suitcase Crosley (RIP, I went through three of those damn things). The tattoo felt so much more justified after The 1975 released their single “Give Yourself A Try” off of their third album. They called out the box tattoo, with the lyric “She was the kid who had the box tattooed on her arm”, and I took that as a sign. I had to get it, and so I did. Boom. And yes, if I bend my arm, it does turn into a square. Thanks Mom for pointing that one out. Two tattoos in one I guess. 

Heart Out – The 1975 

My second tattoo was, yes, another one dedicated to my favourite band. After getting to know their self-titled album better, and memorizing it front to back, “Heart Out” became an instant favourite. The track includes a juicy driving beat with the bass, dingy teenage lyrics, all wrapped up with one of John Waugh’s signature saxophone solos. In my opinion, it is the epitome of debut 1975 in one song. I’ve gotten the privilege of seeing “Heart Out” live three times out of the five I’ve seen them, and without fail, I cried. Every. Single. Time. Originally I was going to get the tattoo on my underboob, but my fear of pain (Ironic, right?) stopped me. So naturally, I moved it to my back. Oh, and it was done by a poke artist. I felt every little pop that needle made. Anyways. Listen to “Heart Out”. Shake some ass.

Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You – The 1975 

“I know it’s me who’s supposed to love you/And when I’m home you know I got you/Is there somebody who can watch you.” 

This one makes me emotional, get ready to get a bit personal. Another tattoo dedicated to their self-titled album, my little door is an homage to arguably one of the saddest songs on the album. “Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You” is beautifully written about lead singer Matty Healy’s younger brother, Louis. I personally grew up as the youngest out of three. Both of them are eight, and seven years older than me. I grew up incredibly independent, being my own friend at times, and secluding myself to my room with my toys. I created worlds for my dolls, and listened to music on my silver IPod Nano. This track is completely stripped back, and just features Matty’s vocals and a piano. It really doesn’t need more than that. I would stand by my record player, and move the needle back on this closing track over and over again, because I felt heard. Although I grew up mostly with my siblings out of the house, it always felt like a treat to have them home. Life and different paths have gotten away of those relationships as we have gotten older, but I guess that’s just the way that it is. I don’t see this tattoo much because it’s on the back of my arm, but I know it’s there, and that’s enough. I know I’ll get more tattoos dedicated to my favourite band. 

God bless The 1975. La poésie est dans la rue.

HARRY STYLES 

From The Dining Table – Harry Styles 

“Comfortable silence is so overrated” + A fine line. 

As a die hard One Direction fan growing up, I of course followed Harry into his solo career. His debut self-titled album (I guess I have a thing for self-titled albums??) had me in a complete chokehold, and still does. I really do think it is his best album he has put out. “From The Dining Table” is such an iconic closing track, and adds such a unique touch to a classic breakup song. It includes a beautifully twangy acoustic guitar, and Harry’s haunting vocals accompanied to crazy impressive harmonies. I have always been known to be someone who falls hard, and loves hard. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and even if that can be seen as a flaw, I think it is one of my best qualities. This track feels like a final farewell, and that’s why I fell in love with it. Not only have I had to say goodbye to many people in my life, but I also see it as saying goodbye to certain phases of life. After the release of his second album “Fine Line”, I had to include that to the Styles section of my arm. The title track makes me want to die, and I think that says it all.

PHOEBE BRIDGERS 

Punisher – Phoebe Bridgers 

“Hide in plain sight” 

As much as I love my rectangle, this one is my baby. In my eyes, Phoebe Bridgers will go down as a musical genius of our generation. Her music is expertly crafted, and filled with heart and so so much pain. She emulated every emotion perfectly, and somehow can put things into words I thought could never be described. Phoebe is easily my second favourite artist of all time, I respect her so much as not only a musician, but also a person. Her second album, “Punisher”, can do absolutely no wrong. It has zero skips, argue with a wall if you think otherwise, sorry. The title track of this album is based on Phoebe’s love of Elliot Smith. She calls fans, and herself in a sense, “Trust Funds, and Punishers”. Which, yes, that is what we are. Whenever the song comes on, I find that I put myself in Phoebe’s shoes. That I also yearn for the chance to run into her at her favourite bar. The lyric I chose hints back to my childhood, and keeping to myself, which I still do. I like to sit and observe, and take everything in. The sword is just dope. I love Phoebe Bridgers. I love Phoebe Bridgers. I love Phoebe Bridgers.

BOYGENIUS 

Salt In The Wound – boygenius 

“But you take and you take/Like silks up my sleeve/Tied corner to corner, never ending/Trick after trick, I make the magic/And you unrelentingly ask for the secret” 

Another personal one. boygenius, one of the greatest collaborative bands of our generation. That’s right, I’ll say it. Made up of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, the three of them have paved their own path with their music. “Salt In The Wound” has always spoken to me as someone who has gone through many different paths of life at just 22 years old. The track features a lulling piano, and a gritty leading guitar and insanely powerful vocals from all three artists. The crescendo at the end feels like such a release, and so does this tattoo. I’ve been hurt by people that I have given my heart to. I have tip-toed and sat back to avoid being hurt, but it comes with life, and I have grown from that. I no longer let people walk all over me. To quote Twilight, I guess this one is a battle scar. I’m strong, and I now guard my silks. They’re pretty. 

These tattoos are only six out of over ten, but they all mean so much to me for so many different reasons. I like to think they mark different phases of life, and give a narration to who I am as a person. By working on a sleeve of music tattoos, I am in every essence staying true to myself. I love and feel music like it is a part of me, and in my opinion, there’s no better way in showing that. I keep music on my skin, in my bloodstream, in my heartstrings, on my fingers, in my brain, in my eyes, in my mouth, on my tongue, on the page. 

-em