What happens to the human brain when it listens to music? In this special Edinburgh International Science Festival discussion hosted by Helen Arney, and featured panellists; Professor Trevor Cox, Dr Katie Overy, Will Pickvance, Philip Ball, & Peregrine Andrews, we learn how music affects our brains. Music phycologist, Dr Katie Overy began by discussing her research using MRI scans to study the brain, whilst a musician is playing. She has determined that brain activity is significantly higher wh

The first year of being in a band can be one of the most exhilarating experiences. Having the utter joy of finding the chemistry of the group, forming the sound of the band, recording the first tracks and EP, and playing the first gigs are unbeatable feelings. There is a momentum that follows bands, and it seems unstoppable at the time, writing, recording and securing regular venue appearances begin to feel easy. But what happens when the momentum slows?

Social media sites have become the pinnacle of communication in modern times. As a result, it is no longer a platform for general or personal communication; it is also an essential platform for corporate communication and marketing. It is commonplace now for high profile executives and big name stars to have social media profiles to promote their brands and image. However, there are those that have yet to realise the potential for social media marketing, or are plainly abusing it. When musicians...

It is a natural human impulse to try and assign some kind of images to anything we hear but cannot immediately see. This is especially true when listening to music. Some song lyrics can be presented as an audio story and it is only natural for the brain to try and fill in the visual portion by itself. The notes used in the music and the just the sound of a singer’s voice can conjure up images as well. Pop singers that sing about themes of love and sexuality are expected to look the part and be a...