THUNDER BAY -- Taylor Swift was recently named as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.
According to the headline in the Time article, Swift is the “poet laureate of pop culture.”
TBNewsWatch asked two local people who have insight into the music business what they thought about her selection: Shy-Anne Hovorka and Chris Bernst.
Shy-Anne Hovorka
I would like to start with admitting I’m not a “Swiftie” by any means. I don’t dislike her music, voice or art, it’s just not what I listen to. I’m more into avant-garde, alternative, adult alternative music. That being said, I myself am very excited for Taylor Swift gaining Time’s Person of the Year 2023.
Music is something that transcends everything: time, space, emotions; It’s everywhere we go: shopping malls, background music in pretty much any show, ads, holidays all have music; Music is tied close to culture and identity, and by listening to music, you can learn a bit about a culture; Music can calm or rage emotions depending on the song, and circumstance.
Music has become part of the core of humanity, so it is exciting for me for an icon such as Taylor Swift should gain such a title. Considering her genius songwriting abilities, she can create a song that speaks to millions through a gentle and intelligent crafting of her words, melody and music. I thought it interesting that one line in a song created a Friendship Bracelet fad, and that her songs and performances have had a direct positive economic impact.
It’s not just her music and performance though.
Although, again, I’m not a follower, she appears to be genuine in her life in general. I don’t think much into what drama or headlines say, as I know most of this stuff must be taken with a grain of salt, and often unwarranted and just false.
I am no Taylor Swift, but as a musician that once had some clout, I know I’ve had some pretty interesting “facts” spoken about me that many flew with that had no merit at all. It is hurtful, and not easy to fight or disprove.
In these types of appointments such as Person of the Year, I’m glad that they are looking at the whole person, and clearly, an entity such as Time would understand the complexity of rumours and facts, versus impact and genuine works of art and integrity.
As for others not gaining this title of Person of the Year? I tell my son all the time, being good at something, having impact, making a difference, or being “smart” can mean many things. It certainly is a feat to invent human impacting items, having a positive impact on war, the environment (which I’m very keen on), politics, and so on, but I think it is equally amazing to emotionally move entire nations with a melody, with words so carefully crafted that almost anyone could relate. Her music has the ability to pull people out of the depths of despair as her music is relatable. Music can save people in various way.
Let’s talk about music as a craft too. Writing music, songs and playing musical instruments requires so many parts of the brain to work together at once. The ultimate multi-tasking “task”. First to know how to play an instrument well takes years of practice and learning, being able to craft a song, singing while playing, and now do all this with high heels on for 3 hours while also doing an aerobic dance routine night after night? Incredible and unbelievable endurance.
On a side note? I’m glad that not only is Time’s Person of the Year 2023 a musician, but also nice to see that it is a female musician. Looking back through Time’s selections over the last few decades, it’s nice to see female representation growing in the later decades, as well as someone from the arts.
Think of a world without the arts? Any of the arts? Not a world I would enjoy as much.
Hovorka is no stranger to Thunder Bay audiences.
She is an award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian and performer, whose first three albums have sold over 15,000 + copies worldwide.
Hovorka brings her heartfelt music to a night of song and storytelling with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra on January 26 at the Italian Cultural Centre. More info about the concert, called Can’t Change the World, is available at that link.
Chris Bernst
Taylor Swift, getting the nod as Time's Person of the Year, totally deserves it for a year packed with mind-blowing accomplishments.
Going from regular rich to billionaire status? Epic.
The Eras tour pulling in over $1 billion. Remarkable. What about the Eras movie - the top grossing concert film in history? Pure magic. 'Cruel Summer' reclaiming the charts after four years? Timeless genius. Huge congrats to Taylor – she's not just owning the game; she's rewriting the whole music story.
Bernst is the owner of the Vinyl Frontier, where you can buy, sell and trade music memorabilia, books, dvds, cassettes, and, as the name implies, he also offers new and used records. More information about Vinyl Frontier is available on his Facebook page.
