AMERICAN CANDY TOUR || 4.14.15.
11:53:00 PM
I'm heavily influenced by those who work hard for what they want and have the drive to do anything they can to achieve it. I also love when people are good at what they do, and love it enough to take the chance and pursue it as a career.
I went to see The Maine play at a local movie theatre/cinema and it was such a weird thing, but of course in the best way. Imagine a high school 'battle of the bands' type of scene in the movies where all the kids in the crowd are letting loose in the pit on a school night and the parents are chilling in the back eating popcorn waiting on their son or daughter. I enjoyed the whole vibe of it all, it felt exactly how a good scene in a movie is supposed to be.
The set was the most lively and light spirited I've seen from them in awhile. It was refreshing to see a whole new era unfolding right in front of my eyes. This was it. This was American Candy. Sonically, listening to the bass line on all the tracks and hearing it live gave the show the sense of groove it needed. The drums took her home; in consistent and forthright nature. The guitars rang in the intro to 'Miles Away' and in the moment, John was the most confident I've ever seen him on stage.
We made jokes at the back of the theatre and laughed about the things that happened back in Tempe; of course we danced and danced until our legs could not allow. For the record, besides being an aspiring prima ballerina, I cannot dance for anything, but I do it anyways. (I am basically the short lil Asian Taylor Swift of dancing, if you want to put it that way.) I strolled up and down the aisles with my arms in the air, belting and grooving about in front of a few hundred strangers.
Aside from my dancing, 'Into Your Arms' started to play and a young couple in the middle of the pit began to slow dance. The spotlight and bodies turned while all eyes were on them. Back onto the high school theme, it was like a prom king/queen dance in the middle of a crowded school auditorium or even gym hall. I can't even imagine how perfect they must have felt in that moment.
Something a little more interesting was that I had a few people actually come up to me during the set and say they recognized me from Instagram, and one mentioned my blog. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. The power of social media in this age is so strong, and I have to admit, can be quite progressive. I also got to see a friend for the first time since we met a couple years back during the 8123 Tour, even if it was only for a short while.
After the show, we headed out for some pizza. Always a concert tradition. In the car, I rested my head against the window, kind of just reflecting on everything, eyes closed and all. I heard a couple knocks on the glass and was surprised (actually startled) when I saw this girl, evidently suuuuper drunk and slurring her words, trying to communicate something. I rolled down my window a little bit and she said some hilarious things to me. It was awesome. I love the happy, wandering drunks who can only speak in light. The last thing I remember her saying was "You guys are too cute."
The end of the night was cool, it was nearing the early AM in the freezing cold. Imagine seeing a small group of people on the pavement at 1 something in the morning; not to mention, dressed in all black from very head to toe. I wouldn't blame onlookers who assumed a cult. We weren't hard to miss. Sniffling and huddled on the sidewalk laughing and laughing, hugging while still shivering, it couldn't have been any better. I can't wait for the next.
It keeps me motivated to know that these five individuals are able to do what they want and what they love within their own creative freedom. They go about without having a "major label" to confine them within a tight space with little to no growing room to move in the artistic direction they are at now. To see success from true organic growth isn't too common anymore and seeing independent artists taking the wheel for themselves is something I wish would happen more often. To drop a major record label and go independent is a big decision to make - losing all the big name sponsors and financial funding, the promotion and the easy access to popularity and fame. The road is already paved ahead, but in the most restrictive manner. "Fame" through the superficial is never the way to go.
Find what you love to do and pursue it until it happens for you.
Here are some of my favourite pictures I took from the night (please don't take any without crediting! :-) )
PICK UP AMERICAN CANDY IN STORES LISTED HERE OR ON ITUNES. If you need some feel good, groovy tunes, you might want to have a little listen.
LONG LIVE + SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT BANDS.
LONG LIVE + SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT BANDS.
x lj
2 comments
I just found your blog and I love it so much. Btw you and your friend are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! She's actually my mother. Hah, she'd appreciate that. x lj
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