IDA: Rock, R&B, Soul

RR: Why do you listen to music?

IDA: Because I relax very well listening to music, and 'cause it gives me and my group ideas of music/songs, we could compose/write.

RR: How does music affect you? (Your actions, thoughts, ideas, image, etc.)

IDA: If I'm in a bad mood, I listen to silent songs, and if I'm in the "party mood", I want music and songs with a stronger beat. To perform music is one of my ways of expressing myself.

RR: Quote a line or two of music that affected you in some way and tell why and how.

IDA: There are many songs, which have meant a lot to me. Right now, I find it too difficult to choose one from another. Maybe I'll be able to decide about it another day, and will then tell you.

RR: Name a performer or group that influenced you, and tell how.

IDA: The Danish group "Strawberry Slaughterhouse". Especially one of their songs: "Alternative Correctness" has meant a lot for me a my group. It was one of the songs, which we "adopted", when we were out playing - and people liked it very much. So we became quite popular ;-)

RR: Describe an event or experience in your life that you think showed the relationship of music and people. (Example: a concert, dance, on the road) Try to be as specific as you can.

IDA: Once upon a time - back in January this year - my group "Bonansa" was participating in a Youth Rock Festival. We stood on the stage and played "Alternative Correctness" and the audience were stage-diving.

RR: What role does music play in your life?

IDA: I use most of my sparetime on music: listening to music, and playing and exercising with the band.

RR: What would you look for in a web site about rock music?

IDA: I would like to read stuff, which is probably not, what everyone is looking for: for example about the solidarity and collaboration between the members of a band. That is in my opinion one of the most important things in a band.

I would also like the web site to include sound samples with the band.

RR: What type of interactivity would be both fun and profitable--to make you spend time on that site?

IDA: Chats between the visitors on the web site. Computer tools, where you can make experiments with composing music and sounds and exchange experiences, interact and collaborate with others about it.

RR: Have you found any internet sites that fit that description? And if so, could you give us the urls for them?

IDA: No, and to be honest, I haven't really been looking for them.

RR: Do you think that rock is especially expressive of the "times"--of youth--possibly of issues or rebellion against the status quo?

IDA: Yes, for example songs against the problem, that some youth committing suicide - and against "big men", who're not listening to anyone, but themselves.

RR: Are there songs, events, groups in your own experience that illustrate this?

IDA: Again, I think about the Danish group "Strawberry Slaughterhouse". They have done a couple of strong songs about these topics.

RR: What is your name?

IDA: Ida Berg Meyer

RR: What country are you from?

IDA: Denmark

RR: How old are you?

IDA: 15 years