I first heard Dom’s beautiful voice when my son played MARS over and over on our kitchen speaker when it first came out. I would be working from home and started to look forward to the song being played. I had no idea what the lyrics were about initially, I just loved the raw, emotional quality of his voice. I asked my son who this music artist was and then started to listen to other Yungblud songs.
I found I liked every song I heard and as the lyrics were played over and over I kept hearing so much profound insight and authentic expression I was blown away. Parents and Hope for the Underrated Youth stood out. Even though I’m a parent myself (51 when I write these words) the words of these songs resonated with me. There’s an underrated young person in all of us. Each generation dismisses its youth and misses out on the benefit of the openness and curiosity younger people can contribute.
Then I heard Polygraph Eyes, and that was the moment I became a fan. I recognised how kind Dom is, and how passionate he is to make positive necessary changes and support those who are vulnerable.
I’m an Ishaya monk (maybe his only fan who is a monk?!), which is a non religious tradition. We are the rebels and misfits who came to realise there is more to life than we were currently experiencing and were willing to go for it. Everything Dom stands for is in alignment with the Ishayas – Unity, authenticity, kindness, acceptance, love and compassion.
Dom has enabled me to understand my son more, from songs like Fleabag, and to connect with him through our love for his music and what he represents. We first saw him live up in London when he invited fans to be part of the ‘Don’t feel like feeling sad today’ music video. Again I got to see how kind Dom is when he helped a fan who got injured in the crowd.
We then met him at his first book signing meet and greet event at the London record store. My son was shown in the video made of that event taking a series of selfies with Dom. It was a wonderful day and I made a new friend with the lady standing behind us in the queue. Dom was so friendly and excited to chat with everyone, what a kind soul he truly is.
We went to watch Yungblud at Wembley with old school friends of mine and their kids. My son is now dating their daughter after connecting over their love for Yungblud’s music.
We went to the first BludFest in August and enjoyed every minute despite the heat and long queues.
We got to meet Dom again at the next book signing at Waterstones in London. We chatted with other Yungblud fans in the queue and I got to see the lovely lady again who we met at the previous book signing event. Dom always creates space for people to connect and make new friends. I see him as a unifier not as a divisive person. The world is divided, not him, and the haters haven’t taken the time to understand who he really is.
What has helped me most, alongside connecting with my son, has been the song Hated. For obvious and sad reasons, this song has resonated so deeply with me and been better than any therapy I’ve ever received. I’ve sung the lyrics out loud, crying as I sing so many times, and it has helped to shift some of the shame and pain of my childhood trauma.
Dom is a lighthouse for all the people who have felt alone and misunderstood.
BHC for me is an extension of Dom, as he says, Yungblud is all of us unifying through love and acceptance of each other. It’s up to us to make his vision for the world become manifested through projects and collaborations.
I think (hope) the BHC will evolve into a more proactive group of individuals who start and collaborate on many different projects to unite and promote kindness, love, unity and acceptance in the world. I’m excited to see what can be done, for each other, and for the world at large.
I have a YouTube channel with a series of video shorts on a variety of topics to help with the negative thinking patterns and emotional overwhelm, plus some guided meditations to calm the mind and connect with peace. Here’s the link to listen: Meera Ishaya’s Youtube Channel
– Meera Ishaya
(aka Sally Page)