One Year Later

Posting this a day late, because adulting is difficult.

It has been one year since I’ve graduated college. One year full of ups and downs as I tackle on the music industry, continue to grow as a person, and simply live.

It’s weird to think that it’s been a year since I’ve walked across that stage and entered the “real world.” In the past 365 days I’ve gotten a job in the industry, worked 5 music festivals, and more recently have started taking on larger projects at my job. Being so driven and passionate for this industry takes a lot out of me. I hardly go out and when I do, I even surprise myself I have the energy for it.

Like most people my age starting these “entry level” jobs, you are overworked and underpaid. For me, I know I have to keep pushing. I’ve always described my version of success not by a title, but by a feeling. Working in music, I want to be able to walk out into the crowd at a venue, the crowd of a music festival and have peopled excited for live music. Those moments of happiness when people see their favorite band perform, discover a new band, and even interacting with one is what I want to bring to people.

The moments I’ve had going to shows, talking about music, and talking to my favorite artists are so special to me that it feels natural to want to bring that to others. In December, I got to briefly talk to an artist who I look up to. He asked me what my dream was in all of this. I explained to him how I want to influence the way live music is presented to people. He appreciated me working towards myself to make this happen. It’s those little things so keep this wild dream of mine alive.

I will admit there have been numerous times where I’ve doubted myself and my place in all of this. It gets really tough trying to prove yourself to people and impressing them with what you can do. Sometimes it feels like I’m so close to moving onto the next thing but every opposing force stops it. However, I will say I’m so glad to have a close supportive group of people who truly keep me going when it gets rough.

It can be difficult to put in perspective how much I’ve accomplished this year. Parts of it feel like a dream. I just came back from spending 3 weeks in the desert (Indio, CA specifically) working Coachella & Stagecoach. I used to joke about how I would help “run things” at Coachella a couple years ago and looking back at the past couple weeks is just wild to me.

As times are in an interesting place now in my work and personal life, I’m trying to be as optimistic as possible for what’s to come.

I actually have no idea where I’ll be this time next year, but a part of me is really okay with that. In the immediate future..let’s hope within the next couple weeks I’ll start posting regularly again on here and get to work on time.