Saturday, March 5, 2011

I was not in the "scene".

A lot of people are talking about how they feel they've outgrown "the scene"and what is happening right now. I actually think kind of the opposite right now for some reason but I think it's because my story isn't the typical one!

I remember the first show I went to as clear as day. It wasn't years ago, I wasn't sixteen and I wasn't dressed in neon. It was Augustana and Vega4 and I was terribly dissapointed in the former band. I was almost ready to give up on my all time favorite band and it was the first show I had ever seen them play. I gave them another chance and saw them a year later and fully regained my love for them. Three years later I got the opportunity to interview Dan the lead singer himself.
Besides Augustana, my first "scene" show actually wasn't till I was 20 and currently I'm just 22. It was the last Fall Out Boy headlining tour with Metro Station and three bands I had never heard of (honestly). I was so late on the "alternative scene" which is why it's so surprising that I've decided to go the route I've gone and gotten to the place I've gotten. When All Time Low walked past the line I stood in, I didn't recognize any of their faces and had no idea who they were yet girls were sobbing over them. They had played the AP Tour, had headlining tours and still..no idea. Same story for Hey Monday I had no clue who they were and even Cobra Starship.

The only "alternative bands" I had listened to up to this point were alternative but on the radio like Plain White T's and Fall Out Boy and maybe a little bit of Parachute (p.s. I was a huge fan of these guys). Now almost a year and half later, I've gotten to a point so quickly where I ran into Plain White T's at a party I had no idea they were attending and melted every time I caught eyes with Tom Higgenson the lead singer. I literally had to pinch myself. I was able to talk to Andy Hurley the drummer of Fall Out Boy which was my huge turning point and I also was able to sit down for an hilarious in person interview with the full band in Parachute.

Going back to what I said before, I had always listened to Fall Out Boy and that night is what made me decide that I wanted to do something in my music industry and not necessarily writing about it especially to the point where I've gotten tonight. As I sang every word and danced through the set, I couldn't believe that it was the first time I had seen a band that pretty much defined me play. As I left the venue to try and meet people I ran into a friend who worked as a security guard at the venue and saw what I felt was insane at the time a huge bunch of girls pretty much clinging to the fence. As I stood and talked to Nick, the crowd began to clear out and run to people I didn't even know like the kids in All Time Low and Cobra even. The guards made a fake announcement that Fall Out Boy had already left so tons of kids left the venue and that's when he told me to hold back and I was able to talk to Andy for about thirty minutes in a full on conversation about the music industry. It immediately spiked my interest and ever since, I've been on this kick!

I started by email interviewing local bands in Montreal and posting them on Mix and Mark which was actually my blog and where I posted interviews up until October of that year. I did my first in person interviews EVER at Warped 2009 and I was blown away. I was that nerdy kid freaking out about multiple colored dyed hair and hearing everyone talking about some band named BrokeNCYDE. I ran into some people who worked for CJLO (our university's radio station) on the metro and they laughed as I got excited about getting text messages about setting up last minute interviews. I talked to people in bands who I had no idea about what they did. I had so many random interviews that I would ask ridiculous questions too. I couldn't recognize my interview subjects (shout out to Nick Miller of A Skylit Drive!), had no idea how famous Underoath was, stood under a rain soaked tent for eight hours, saw The Maine get treated like rockstars with out knowing who they were but I kept smiling through the day and made it through.

Instantly, I was bitten by the bug. Two months later I covered The Rescues and then broke into the "modern day scene" with Breathe Carolina, Cash Cash and Queen's Club. Just two months later, those boys were my next interviews along with Mat Devine of Kill Hannah. At the time, I thought it was so rad to meet the people behind the music . I met A Skylit Drive again and instantly fell in love with what I do. Since then, I've grown so much and have met so many amazing people. I've made mistakes. I've met the founder of AP in Mike Shea. I've fallen in love with and gotten to know the beautifully talented kids in bands in Boston. I've had my heart broken and broken hearts. I've interviewing sky rocketing kids like The Maine and Never Shout Never three times. I've met legends I didn't know about like Ace Enders and had heart stopping interviews with Simple Plan and Hellogoodbye.I've interviewed the kids who held the number one single in the country (Getting slizzered like a G6!)To think I've been in the dark about the scene and alternative music in general up until less then two years ago is so shocking to me. I think that's why I'm still in love with this scene. I've met and gotten to know the actual people behind the music and feel like it is something we need to hold on to till no tomorrow. Don't give up on it and just find some fresh music in it. Personal recommendations include? A man with an incredible heart and love for his music in Andy Six in Black Veil Brides, the amazing kids in Go Radio and the beloved Ace Enders. Fall back in love with your scene! If you need a tour guide back to it, just give me a shout!

...and see Good Charlotte on their tour. Pick up the new Yellowcard and Simple Plan records. Believe in your favorites...

As well, buy those records. Get to know how that band really is. I recently covered the CMJ festival for example in New York City and had a full sit down with Ryan the drummer where for twenty seven minutes instead of talking about Bigger Lights stuff, we broke down the scene. 27 year old boys playing with kids that are 19 which is why they've taken themselves off the radar for a while and are making a new record.