Being gone for another summer and checking out everyone's updates and pictures on facebook has me reflecting on all the good times I've enjoyed seeing music. Live music is one of the biggest reasons I've traveled to half the places, and met 3/4 of people I know. During high school I hit that point of looking to get out of my small hometown. One of the obvious obstacles is how, and to where? I started seeing a few live shows on my own and with friends near the end of high school. I had listened to a few jambands but never seen any. Then a few friends from my home town introduced me to a band called moe. It was one of the last jambands I was familiar with but would end up being one of the first I saw live, and a pivotal part of my life.
A festival called moe.down happening only an hour and change away was my ticket to something different. I had done a few smaller fests but this was my first big music festival. I went to have a good time with friends, hear some music, and blow off some steam. In the end I got far more than I bargained for. moe. and the jamband scene roped me in. I started going to more and more shows. When nobody I knew wanted to go, I started traveling alone to see music on the regular. I was alone in new environments trying to meet new people and hear killer music along the way. In the moment I was thinking about talking to people to feel less awkward or lonely. I had no idea that this band and music in general would help to foster lifelong friendships across the whole country. Smelly car rides riding too close to empty, wandering the lot to buy or sell extra tickets, the food, the sounds the people, the vendors, the lot music.
Growing up I had a lot of issues with anxiety and talking to people. Sometimes I felt isolated even in groups. I came from a small town of 400 year round residents which probably didn't help. I would have never though after that first moe.down I'd be traveling 3, 10, 20+ hours to see music with these amazing, crazy people I met along the way.
The bond we forged in those pivotal year has remained unbreakable. We may not see each other for months, maybe even years, but we catch up right where we left off as if nothing has changed. Those shows are more than just music, it's a family reunion in a sense. It sounds cheesy, and maybe it is, but when 10 or so year rolls around and you're still best friends with some of these people, it's pretty fucking amazing.
Traveling around seeing music can be a wild shitshow to an extent. Barely legal cars, floor space in cheap hotels, bartering for tickets. A wild way to grow up but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The music I've experienced and amazing friends I've met along the way have meant everything to me. People who would never hesitate to give you a beer, a ride, help you get into a show. This life is a wild ride and I'm proud to have shared it with so many of you awesome fuckers. Cheers, to the music and all of you beautiful people who forever ruined any standard career oriented life path for me
The friends who stayed up all night in hotels, festivals, around campfires, in living rooms, playing music, telling stories, and just living life to the fullest. You guys are the best. So thank you, and thank you music!!!
A festival called moe.down happening only an hour and change away was my ticket to something different. I had done a few smaller fests but this was my first big music festival. I went to have a good time with friends, hear some music, and blow off some steam. In the end I got far more than I bargained for. moe. and the jamband scene roped me in. I started going to more and more shows. When nobody I knew wanted to go, I started traveling alone to see music on the regular. I was alone in new environments trying to meet new people and hear killer music along the way. In the moment I was thinking about talking to people to feel less awkward or lonely. I had no idea that this band and music in general would help to foster lifelong friendships across the whole country. Smelly car rides riding too close to empty, wandering the lot to buy or sell extra tickets, the food, the sounds the people, the vendors, the lot music.
Growing up I had a lot of issues with anxiety and talking to people. Sometimes I felt isolated even in groups. I came from a small town of 400 year round residents which probably didn't help. I would have never though after that first moe.down I'd be traveling 3, 10, 20+ hours to see music with these amazing, crazy people I met along the way.
The bond we forged in those pivotal year has remained unbreakable. We may not see each other for months, maybe even years, but we catch up right where we left off as if nothing has changed. Those shows are more than just music, it's a family reunion in a sense. It sounds cheesy, and maybe it is, but when 10 or so year rolls around and you're still best friends with some of these people, it's pretty fucking amazing.
Traveling around seeing music can be a wild shitshow to an extent. Barely legal cars, floor space in cheap hotels, bartering for tickets. A wild way to grow up but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The music I've experienced and amazing friends I've met along the way have meant everything to me. People who would never hesitate to give you a beer, a ride, help you get into a show. This life is a wild ride and I'm proud to have shared it with so many of you awesome fuckers. Cheers, to the music and all of you beautiful people who forever ruined any standard career oriented life path for me
The friends who stayed up all night in hotels, festivals, around campfires, in living rooms, playing music, telling stories, and just living life to the fullest. You guys are the best. So thank you, and thank you music!!!
