Sometimes I think it’s important to move outside your comfort zone. Take a chance. Be spontaneous. Do something that you normally wouldn’t do.

Last night I did just this. I bought a ticket to go see an artist I’d never heard before. I didn’t know any of his music, didn’t know anything about his background or the kind of fans he attracted. But it was exciting, because it was unfamiliar.

So yesterday I received a message from a friend informing me she was going to see a singer-songerwriter named Devendra Banhart at Prince bandroom in St Kilda. I’d just been for a 6 km run when I got the message and was on a natural high. I didn’t have anything planned for the evening and thought to myself, `you know what? This could be fun. What do I have to lose?’ I raced home and bought a ticket.

Later that evening I meandered along to Prince bandroom to see Devendra Banhart. I met up with a couple of mates beforehand, had a few red wines and proceeded to mingle amongst the crowd (admittedly, I pretended I was a fan of Devendra by discussing the equipment I could spot on stage. That way I didn’t feel too out of place amongst his loyal fans).

It only took a song or two from Mr. Banhart and his band before I became a fan. Going into the gig without any preconceptions allowed me to decide then and there whether or not he was worth the $60 I had forked out earlier. And as Devendra cradled his Les Paul guitar and sung sweet 60s inspired pop tunes, I realised I had spent my money well. It was not the kind of music I would generally listen to at home but it was fresh and engaging to me. His crowd banter was light-hearted and the mix was crystal clear. The set swayed between mellow folk ballads and psychodelic rock numbers. It was as though a hazy veil was cast over the audience and everyone was under his spell, swaying silently in unison.

Today my advice is simple: check out Devendra Banhart, you might like his music. And be sure to try new things once in a while, because you’ll never grow as an individual if you stick to the same familiar terrain.