For as long as I can remember, car rides with my dad were always filled with music. His music taste varied from 70’s rock, Billy Joel, U2, Queen, and early alternative rock music. Listening to what I like to call “old” music was always fun for me because I got to see my dad light up as the music became nostalgic. However, we started to listen to the early 2000s, present-day alternative rock, and indie folksy vibes. I never would have thought that alt-rock music would play such a pivotal role in my life. My dad and I always try to go to as many alternative rock concerts or festivals as we can, just the two of us. Our time spent together created memories as the music made me feel so alive. 

Alternative rock is so appealing to me because of the raw abrasiveness of the tone and lyrics. The lyrics feel real and untainted by what “society” expects. Some of my favorite bands include 21 Pilots, Fall Out Boy, Lumineers, Panic at the Disco, Young the Giant, Judah & the Lion, AJR, and Bastille, to name a few. Even though the majority of the music is fast, loud, and grungy, I love that they still produce slow songs. Their message is still genuine and raw as they expose the true meaning through their words. The melody is captivating because there’s a mix of tranquil and active while the beat is so strong you can’t help but either clap or stamp along. 21 Pilots’ songs “The Judge”, “Goner”, “Trees”, and “House of Gold”, are all good examples as well as “Suit and Jacket” by Judah and the Lion, the Banners “Someone to You”, and lastly “Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)” by Fall Out Boy. Not only are these songs not their typical route, but each of them has significant meaning to my life.

 

In the summer of 2019, going into my sophomore year of college, I had a marketing internship with I.M.P and The 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. As part of the 9:30 Club’s marketing department, my responsibilities expanded my understanding of marketing by working directly with the patrons at the various venues and through an online presence via e-blasts, genre targeting, and blogging while working in the office. I worked at The 9:30 Club, The Anthem, and Merriweather Post Pavilion.

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Everyone I meet is a little taken back by my music preference and, I relish in proving their view of me wrong.