I guess I shouldn’t love someone who isn’t even happy for my accomplishments. I don’t know if you’re directing why you said at me or not, but I know it’s what you think or at least thought once.
My friends don’t seem to care what I’m doing right now. They rather settle with the idea that I’ve been sucked into the edm scene. But guess what, edm or whatever it is can mean anything to anyone. I see it as something that has brought me close to some of my friends just like the hardcore local music scene has. And just like that, I see it as another opportunity to explore art, music, places, people, and myself.
I don’t take anything simply by its surface and stay satisfied, I explore internally and externally. With hardcore music I’ve attacked that beast from every angle. Instruments, photography, graphic design, and even some tour management lol. And something that outsiders think is so grim and whiney, I see as liberating. Within my mind, I can turn screaming shouting emo whatever into something that gives me the strength to go over the mountain AND move it.
It’s been a while since I’ve taken photos for a hardcore show though and I’d love to get back. But three years ago I saw that things were coming to a dead end and I was starting to get emotional attached to people instead of my passion. At this time in my life I wasn’t only seperating from what felt like my “scene”, but also my family. I was starting to make my own choices and friends regardless of their approval. I was lost again and didn’t feel any drve toward any of my talents or passions. Rekindling a friendship with my best friend since middle school opened my heart to new things and new people. If it wasn’t for her absolutely pure heart, I wouldn’t have opened up to what was in store for me.
So here I am several Thursdays later since the first Ignition at Firestone on Feb 2nd 2013. Nothing still beat the few months after that, ooo esp Ultra (getting too excited). It’s been a year since my life was life was literally electrified to start pumping again. This time I had the chance to embrace this culture with my own two eyes and not anyone else’s. And then 6 months after I was ready to start exploring all areas like I did with the hardcore scene. I would say I’m still experiencing everything as a “user” and not a producer. But I see it slowly transitioning this year.
In the past year I have had the opportunity to photograph multiple local talents as well as national acts like Pretty Lights, Le Castle Vania, Destructo, Dillion Francis; some festivals as well such as Lights Out Fest at my college arena where Lil Jon was playing. That day told me I was ready to move on to bigger things and more festivals, so that’s what I’m going to aim for. As well as more venues around Orlando, it’s time to start networking. It’s crazy to think that from the first ignition, I collected many new friends numbers and facebooks. Now at the anniversary Foundation Project event, I was collected numbers facebooks and business cards of some professionals. A couple tshirt companies I’ve known about, a photographer that shot edc and festivals across the coast, found out someone I met before is the light/sound tech for Dancing Zombies, and so much more that I can’t remember right now lol. I know I’m going to keep growing through this, look the next day I already had my first photography gig on pay roll at the Mad Hatter.
So I’ll stop writing now because I wanna play Fire Emblem more than anything right now. But I just wanted to write a little about how I’ve been doing, in case anyone has been left out. Edm has brought my passions back to life in a way I NEVER expected before. Sooooooo can some of you guys come back to my life too plox?

09
February

3

#Edm

#Edmorlando

#Ignition anniversary

#personal

#photography

#foundation project