A few days ago I watched an interview with Jonsi (pronounced Yoncee) from the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. In it, the interviewer suggests his band is the ‘strangest band in the world’, to which he replies ‘Really?’, I like strange’.

I do too.

If you are a Sigur Ros fan, you will understand. This band does not follow trends. They are unique. They are not a taste for everyone, they are a band I personally took about a year or two to ‘get’ before I became a fan. Now I think they are incredibly talented. But I can appreciate that they are not for everyone, let alone accessible. .

But I’m a bit obstinate about these things. I hate following trends, I deliberately try to go away from what everyone else thinks is cool (unless it really IS cool),and I admire those that are willing to do something that may not be accepted by others.

I love lots of kinds of music, and I have an ear for some things that I realise others may not ‘get’. What I think is special about this band, is that they have found their own sound. You don’t get a sound like this from trying to be like othersd. You get a sound like this because you’re open to failure, to trying things out, to finding out who you are.

So I embrace ‘being strange’.

Being strange in my book amounts to ‘not conforming’ - to being willing to break away from convention, and to finding out who you are. Fitting in is for the playground.

It’s all about being authentic. It’s all about being vulnerable. It’s all about being willing to give something a go that others may not ‘get’.

It is to be applauded.

That’s why I like ‘being strange’. Strange is fine in my book.