I stood at the edge of the stage, with the hot July sun beating down on me. The crowd swelled as the temperature rose and my credentials, hanging from a silver cord around my neck, felt slick under my fingers. I pulled the “TEAM” document from my pocket and checked it once more; in the 200 pages, I could see entries for every piece of gear needed for lighting, audio and stage setup. In the days leading up to the Festival, I’d studied how many trucks each act needed per set, learned how every artist meets with a visual designer to select their own screen displays, and how stages are carefully matched with the crowds anticipated for each performer. One miscalculation could easily lead to a variety of problems. I looked up again at the fans streaming toward us, thinking that finally, I’d arrived.
From the time I was small, I longed for music to be my world. My father has been surrounded by music ever since he was a little boy. His father worked in the entertainment business, producing Broadway shows, and his mother was a Broadway performer. My dad worked his way up, at first unloading trucks and sweeping the stage floor; he now heads a company that specializes in lighting design and overall production for concerts and a variety of other live events.
As a young girl, my passion for music far exceeded my access to it. Additionally, my taste and knowledge of music evolved somewhat independently, though definitely rooted in the time I spent as a passenger in my parents’ cars. Since my mom pretty much drove me everywhere, my favorite songs were pop titles: SexyBack by Justin Timberlake, Hey Ya! by OutKast, and every track on Songs About Jane by Maroon 5. My dad, on the other hand, usually played Frank Sinatra and Phantom of the Opera; from time to time, he let me play the Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West.
Eager to earn a place backstage, I grew determined to prove myself to my father, to show him I could hold my own. To that end, I started researching musicians myself, at first watching music videos or artist interviews. I focused mostly on Hip Hop and each artist’s background, style, influences and attitudes. I now can’t separate myself from that information; I need to know performers’ personal histories - basically where they’re coming from so I can think about their lyrics when I listen to songs and gain a more informed understanding, which for me, leads to a deeper appreciation.
In retrospect, my love for music is undeniably mine. I still believe in the magic I first saw in the medium; it’s what keeps calling me back. But, the part of music that will forever capture my attention is that it’s a place of discovering. There are so many types of genres, and a multitude of new and unique artists fighting to break in. I have within me an insatiable desire to understand artists’ messages, how they seek to express themselves, and the way each song fits into the larger body of their work. I developed that thirst for comprehension on my own and am now working hard to contribute that passion to the entertainment industry.