“I took over a year off and cut y'all some slack, so tell a friend to tell a friend. She’s baccckkkkk.”
Hey. Let's start with my apologies for my absence. I just know you all missed me sooooo bad (I missed u guys if that means literally anything). Let's start with an explanation of wtf is up with Mia going MIA. Ironic (not).
I’m currently finishing up my Senior year in undergrad and lowk this past semester has been hell???? It doesn’t help that I didn’t even get summer off because I did an internship (it was the worst experience of my life. I cried a lot. Not fun) AND took an online class. So I’ve had no time for a break for over a year. Yes even now, I’m taking a winter class! This is a warning for anyone who wants to transfer Universities. Don’t. I’ve been playing catch up for the one and a half years that I’ve been here to graduate on time this Spring. I’ve done it if anyone’s wondering. I will be graduating on time, but also may have driven myself insane while trying to do it????? That’s the short of it. So much fun. I’m also applying to jobs now for post-graduation because I do NOT have the money for grad school. Also, I have student loans to pay off. So. You know. Maybe.
Me during finals week @1 am with my grown out roots, study guide, and a dream
Anyway, this curation of posts titled “Let’s Talk About It” is going to bring you guys along this journey with me and what I’ve experienced this last year. I can’t believe that it’s been a year since I’ve been here. I’m honestly really proud of the growth that I’ve established here with you all and within the concert community in general.
Also, a one-year celebration post is loading. I’m gonna make a cake. Cake ideas in the comments would be great. I’m thinking cake with my favorite bands on it or smth idk.
This post will be a reflection on what I’ve learned by immersing myself more in the music industry than ever before.
Quarters of Change
A year before I began this blog I was a casual music listener, I never had time to go to shows because I was a collegiate swimmer. If you don’t know anything about swimming just know this; you practice every day except Sundays with 2-and-a-half-hour practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-and-a-half-hour practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and of course morning practice from 6 am until 8 am. On top of that, I chose to go to the gym every other day before school at 5 am. Ran myself into the ground. And keep in mind you have to attend every practice otherwise the coach rips into you. It took a lot of self-discipline. Also, don’t forget swim meets ramping up at the end of the season all day Friday until Sunday nights. There’s even more but I won’t go into that because I can honestly write an entire thesis on what I’ve done for 12+ years.
Luke and Max of Sun Room
Ultimately and abruptly to almost everyone, I quit after my first semester Freshman year at University #1. There were more things on top of what I’ve had to do to get to that point that broke the camel's back but it’s lowk controversial so let’s NOT talk about it.
Being home for two years to commute to a two-year school gave me opportunities to work and figure out what I liked. That led me to the addiction of live music. Working three jobs for two years made me rack up a lot of money and I put it towards my hobbies more than ANYTHING.
Letting myself experience things I haven’t been able to for 12 years let me see that I wanted to go into this industry as really anything to work with musicians.
The main experience that made me have the passion to begin this blog was my trip to New Orleans to see my favorite band Wallows for the first time. That show changed the course of my life.
THE Wallows NOLA Show
I got to see firsthand how the band has helped so many fans come together as one, make friendships that last forever, and change people for the better. Not even being dramatic. Most of the girls that I met at that show I’m still in contact with them today. Meeting up to see the band again and to even establish friendships outside of music. This intrigued me and I realized that I wanted to be able to make this happen for so many others and be a part of curating this experience.
Two months later I began to create my blog. I owe so much to Wallows. The little things like that allow you to experience the highs AND lows of the music industry. It’s all fan run. And it's so interesting to see it be like that.
Dylan of Wallows
Because of that experience, I was able to go to so many shows at the end of 2022 and all of 2023. I’ve been able to have a voice like nothing ever before and have been able to connect with bands I love through my writing (shout out to Sun Room, I see y'all reading my posts. Thx for the support <3).
A big part of doing this that has put me on the current track of hopefully becoming a tour manager for a band in the future has been the opportunity to travel to Boston and NYC for shows. Seeing how different fans are from city to city is interesting because the band reciprocates whatever energy the fans give off and being able to see that just from cities that are a couple of hours away has piqued my interest.
Del Water Gap
But, there are always downsides to this. My biggest problem has been funding. Prices of traveling, food, and the show itself have been hard. Especially with my $12.50 an-hour on-campus job (thanks RI for your very bad minimum wage). I’ve done it but it’s been a struggle. Additionally, getting a job within the industry has been hard too. Especially because I don’t have as much experience as others. I’ve talked with a couple of tour managers and managers in general for artists and their experience is staked. Working with radio stations and artist promotions since high school is not rare. I knew that I would have to put in the work but I suggest if you want to get into this industry, start as soon as you can. But, don’t let this veer you away. It’s rewarding in itself to see how you can grow and improve within such little time. It takes work and dedication but I know it’ll be worth it in the end. This fact has led me to broaden my horizons first to hopefully get me more experience within what I want to do with things like promotion and travel so I have been applying to sports industry jobs as well. I know they’re so different, but when you look at it, they can go together. Also, I’ve had a passion for sports too so I can’t hurt to broaden my horizons while still slowly but surely going towards my end goal.
Bobby of Inhaler
The upsides that I’ve been able to experience far outweigh the downsides. I’ve been able to work with big companies and bands that I love to attend shows and even interview about upcoming music. I have more small artist spotlights to post (apologies to the artists that I haven’t been able to post, I promise I haven’t forgotten about you) and I hope that after those are done I’ll be able to interview more artists.
Izzy Potter opening for Arcy Drive
All of these obstacles and rewards that I’ve gotten from starting this blog have been a great learning experience and have given me lots of hope for 2024 and what may be brought my way.
Some Highlights:
Trust in the universe..follow your dream..