The Misfits

"Marilyn Monroe is the reason why we make music"

Every woman knows the tale of Marilyn Monroe. She was an icon; a cultural phenomenon. She was the epitome of beauty and defined true femininity. But she was also broken; marred by a sadly short lifetime of brutal fame and fortune. 

We all have our own influencial experiences and they play such a significant part in the construction of who we are. Look at Marshall Mathers - he's taken a lifetime of personal experience and turned it into an incredibly successful career as Eminem. How?  Because it's pure; it's raw; it's true - and people love the truth, no matter how brutal or painful, because they can relate. Those experiences made him into the person he is today and showed the world that these things do happen; that they happened to him and that he found the strength to overcome them.

Thus, it is the way in which we control the influence of these experiences that marks the rise or fall of the great. 

I recently spent an afternoon with Ashley Little and Kathryn Macdonald and was intrigued to discover the reason why they create music: Marilyn Monroe. 

It got me thinking about influences. Why are people so heavily influenced by things? What draws them in? I suppose it all goes back to Pierre Bourdieu and his habitus. We all contribute to an incredibly judgemental society today and it's important to recognise that. Bourdieu believes that the habitus is more or less what we are: we can't help what we like or dislike, how we feel or how we react to things as they're all embedded within our persons due to our upbringings and surroundings, dictating our corresponding social classes. One thing that must be noted however is the ability of the habitus to evolve - society is constantly changing hence our habitus, and therefore views and opinions and thoughts and feelings, will evolve over time. It's all very intricate and delicate and heavily relies upon balance. 

Anyway, the ability to relate is important to the societal habitus - it's what separates and combines us. So, when Ashley and Kathryn disclosed the origin of their inspiration, I was amazed. Who knows exactly which aspects of Marilyn Monroe and her life inspired them to write - who cares?! The point is they could relate to this incredible and iconic woman on a highly spiritual level and bring something so beautiful and pure out of it.

Inspiration is key so no matter where it comes from, always make sure you keep it close to your heart.

Love EllieMac x