Tag: playlists

WE GOTTA TALK…

HELLO MY FRIENDS. It’s been so long…but actually. I think this may be my longest streak of not blogging here. Usually, I’m apologizing after a month of silence, but not today. I’m not apologizing! I’m going to tell you instead where I’ve been. I haven’t strayed too far from the blogging scene, don’t worry. Also, we’re going to dive into some music related things, like usual. However, today, I want to keep it real with you. 2020 IS REALLY HOEING ME LET ME TELL YOU WHY.

As I sit here with my Chai Latte (iced of course), I can’t help but think about the person I was before this pandemic. Even the person I was at the beginning of it all. I was enjoying my isolation bubble, and blogging about new music. Don’t get me wrong I STILL LOVE NEW MUSIC. The isolation bubble? Not so much anymore. Working from home is starting to take a toll on me. Even if I have a full day at the office not talking to anyone, I vibe off other people. Now all I can vibe off is my robot vacuum. He’s a real hoot. However, I’M STILL BLOGGING. If you haven’t seen me on here, you can check me out on Absolute Merch. I’ll link it down below don’t worry. I’ve been causing a ruckus over there. Just me running the media show, and I love it. Some days. 

So, why am I reflecting to you? I’m sure a lot of you are not the same person you were in May. That’s when I last checked in. For me, I’ve seen a serious decline in my mental health. It’s time to get real about it. If you know me, you know that music festivals and concerts aren’t just a quirky aesthetic I like to participate in. It’s my livelihood. There was a point when I had $30 in my bank account, an almost maxed out credit card, and I was still making my way to a festival. The concept of time and money doesn’t matter to me in that world, and I’m not going to lie, I miss it a lot. I know I’m not special. The people I work with, and the artists we represent, miss it just as much if not more. However, for me, it’s hard to find my way without it. Some of you like to go on nature escapes, read books, travel alone, etc. That’s your break from reality. Festivals and concerts are mine. Now I’ll admit, there are things that have happened in the last couple of years, that I have greatly suppressed. I AM THE PROCRASTINATION QUEEN LET ME TELL YA. So, now that I have copious amounts of time, all that dark shit is coming back. It’s not fun, and trust me, I am trying to work on it. We all know, mental health is a struggle. Right now, more than ever, it’s probably a bigger deal than miss Rona. We just don’t hear about it on CNN. 

It’s hard. Let me just say that. Some weeks are amazing, I feel on top of the world and no amount of hate comments on Twitter can get to me. Other days, it greatly affects my personal work performance. I mean who really wants to spend all day excited writing about new music, just to have a customer shit on your post because they’re impatient? NOT ME. PROBABLY NOT YOU EITHER. So, it’s exhausting. However, I ain’t a bitch. I’m not going to quit just because some old man hates me for the day. Not worth it. With the help of some friends, this week I realized there is a lot to look forward to. While the news is making it seem like this pandemic is forever, it’s not. Will things get back to normal? Probably not, but this is our new normal, so we need to adapt. Festivals and concerts WILL come back. Whether it seems like it or not. That’s a HUGE thing to look forward to. Especially working in the industry I am in, the moment those festival gates open is going to be euphoric. 

In brighter news, this pandemic has really brought out a lot of new music. The artists are hurting in their souls, and it’s creating some beautiful sounds. I will say, I have definitely tapped into some of my old bops, it’s amazing. If you are new here, you won’t know that I make an annual birthday playlist for myself. I’m my own muse, c’mon now. I keep it for the whole year, occasionally adding songs. However, I make it to encapsulate what I want my next year on Earth to sound like. For my 25th, I put together all my old Summer bops into one playlist. I mean, hot girl Summer 2020 is pretty much cancelled. So, why not pretend we are in the past. Enjoying late nights, bike rides, and bar hopping. It should remind you of that Summer feeling we all are chasing. It’s universal and nobody really knows what the feeling really is. However, going after it is the most memorable part. 

So, if you ever think of me on a random day, and wonder why I am not present, check on my work page. I will always be there, schemin. I actually am now so comfortable over there that I am calling men wieners and explaining hot girl Summer to my audience. I’m not sure if they love it or hate it yet, but we’re getting somewhere. 

As always, remember mental health is so important. Please take care of yourself and take as many breaks as you need. The world needs you here and needs all of you! Don’t worry, I’ll be back very soon to talk about the new bops that have come out. Also, just because we can’t leave the house, doesn’t mean hot girl Summer is cancelled. WE’RE GUNA TALK ABOUT THAT TOO LADIES AND WIENERS.

‘Til next timeeeeeeeeeeee

Find me on my work page here:

https://absolutemerch.com/blogs/news

My 25 Cent Crisis Playlist here:

BUMBLE BRAT

You guys…the time has come. 

I’ve been told to write about this hobby of mine for many moons, I just figured I HAD to make it music related. Which brings us here. While I will never in a million years make a playlist dedicated to my time on this app, I have many that reflect the poor choices that have been made. Where to begin?

It all started in 2016. If anyone gasps, please leave. It’s hard out here, okay?? The app is fresh, and so am I (ew). At the time, nobody really knew about it, or was willing to accept it. Tinder was running the show, for who knows what reason. So, we abandoned Bumble too. Flash forward to post-college life. I am back in Orange County, and I know nobody. For some deranged reason, I think it’s time to find friends on this app. WHY? I have no idea. While I won’t get too touchy on the people I met in this particular time period, what I will say is that a fantastic playlist came out of this. With all the trial and error that ensued, rightfully so, I made my form of a coping mechanism. At the time, it was titled, “The Purge.” Since then, it has transformed into something all of you know and love, but I won’t spoil that just yet. 

Now, the years kind of all blend together at this point. However, I believe Bumble was still in it’s beginning stages when this happened. “The Purge” and I became VERY close after this one incident. My parents are going to be trembling at this one, but I lived so it’s fine, right? I met this guy, who seemed to be the whole package. Nowadays, I know that the whole package doesn’t exist on Bumble, and that should have been a red flag. While I was having a night on the town, he told me, I should come hang out after. Again, questionable, we know better now ladies. So, I start heading over there. Don’t worry, I was designated driver this night. Apparently, my timing was not good enough for this specimen, since he had been harassing me for over an hour. I show up to said location, to an empty lot. Mom? Dad? Are you still reading or did you die? In this empty parking lot, I text him questioning where the eff he is. I get a paragraph back. Basically calling me every terrible name in the book, and proceeding to tell me he is watching my car, with a loaded gun, from a different location. I CANNOT MAKE THIS SHIT UP. I will also add that this man happened to be a Marine, go America amirite. Without responding, I put my Jetta in reverse as fast as I could, and hauled ass out of there. BLASTING what is at the time, “The Purge.” My life is lovely, right?

With that man blocked, reported, and out of the way; I took a well deserved dating break. Maybe I was meant to be single forever. Absolutely did not last long. Something about this app is addicting, social media is crazy. I redownload the app, and make a new account. While nobody in particular catches my attention, I decide that maybe it’s time to pay attention to the guys in my real life, who seem like decent human beings. SWEETIE, NOT A CHANCE. I am not the type to name names, but you know who you are and you know what you did. LMAO. Don’t @ me. HOWEVER, these real life men gave “The Purge,” the glow up she deserved. Anyone a fan of my playlist, “BBE”? I know there’s some of you. While titling this playlist after a horror movie, to signify cutting off people was great, it was time for a change. Now, “BBE” is about embracing your inner baddie, man or no man. Unfortunately, it just took a few frogs to realize that. 

At this point, I am just taking it as a sign, I am forever in debt to this damn app. She made me the woman I am today, I gotta be grateful. So, it’s 2019. Guess where we are? Oh, did you guess VEGAS? You know me so well. It’s Life is Beautiful time baby! What some would now say is my favorite festival of all time, don’t come for me Coachella, you’re still my baby. I am feeling refreshed, after listening to Gryffin for the whole 4 hour drive. I am seeing the strip, and you know I’m tearing up. It was a long year of grieving for me. If you know, you know. I was ready to finish the back half of the year strong. So, it’s Day 1, and I already met a guy at the festival. Being the actual loser I am, I cannot tell if we’re vibing or it’s just the festival candy speaking. So, I don’t say shit. Classic. Fast forward, the day after it all ends. I am, of course, depressed on my friend’s couch. Humbling. So, what do I do to make myself feel better? You know it, I started swiping. Who do I see? Festival bae?? Can’t be. We match, and in the split second I am screaming in the groupchat, I feel my serotonin creeping in. Hey girlie. While nothing exciting happens, and he doesn’t try to kill me, to this day we still hype each other up on IG. What more could you ask for honestly.

That brings me to today, many playlists have been made, and “BBE” is still thriving. However, I find myself reaching for more mellow tunes, when dealing with Bumble boys. Maybe it’s to hold on to the little sanity I still have left. It’s quarantine, and we’re all lonely. So, the apps are POPPIN. Getting the notifications on my watch is overwhelming, humble brag. However, even in quarantine, none of us can get it right. I am grouping myself in with the men. Clearly at this point, it must be my choices. While nobody has been particularly disturbing, there was one that seemed to be nicer than the rest. Even that couldn’t last though, because the universe had other plans. I KNOW, SO VAGUE. I can’t give you guys EVERYTHING. I will say, the Bumble frustrations in quarantine are leading me on many more heart rate fueled walks. To which, I am blasting my new favorite playlist, “HOEVID-19.” I try to update as often as I can, to keep things interesting. It seems to be what I am constantly reaching for, when I am either ignoring someone, or just need to power walk away from my feelies. Don’t act like you haven’t been there too. 

While I would love to disclose every single wild encounter I have, those special ones are reserved for my close friends who have to deal with me. Whether I am screaming about “hating” men, or screaming about them and running back to them, THE STORIES ARE ENDLESS.

2020 New Beginnings

Happy New Year! I thought I would start my first post in 2020 with a little life update. Maybe even take you on a little journey in my personal UFO if that’s okay with you? Throw in a little spicy storytime. Who knows.

So, what is this all about? YOUR GIRL GOT A NEW JOB. I have kept everyone in the dark about this situation, except for my close friends, up until very recently. I just wanted to marinate in the moment, okay?? I didn’t want to wake up and have it all be fake. If you are attentive, I briefly mentioned in my post about Life Is Beautiful, I quit my job to be there. Aren’t I so fun and dramatic? In all reality, I quit my job, and THEN went to have my own celebration at the festival. However, I never really touched base on anything after that. You want to know why? Finding a job was hard as hell that’s why. 

Let me backtrack quickly for a second. Upon graduating college, I thought with my thin paper degree, I was set. However, I was brought back to reality, shortly after that thought crossed my mind. For some, finding a job in their career path was actually simple. They had their minds made up in college, and stuck with it. While I always truly knew where my heart was heading, I constantly teetered on if it was “doable.” This is why in college, I didn’t think to look for internships or simple music jobs. I was ignoring my heart and my gut. So, that just meant I was going to have to bust my ass from that moment forward. Which is exactly what I have been doing for the last 2 years. I took a small break after graduation and was ready to grind. I took a small part-time job at a bar in Orange County, which I still hold very near and dear to my heart. While it was only a marketing and promotions position, I figured this title would look great for an entry level music job. I got settled in the job, and continued to look elsewhere. My heart could not rest. I loved the bar and I loved the family that it provided me, but I still felt restless. Coming home from music festivals I was sad, almost like I was longing for more. I MEAN I WAS. I just didn’t know what. 

Now, we’re approaching Fall 2019. Life Is Beautiful is around the corner, and my heart is starting to become unhappy. It is becoming increasingly obvious to the people around me. I am no longer where I need to be. While at one point, this job was the first step in the right direction, now it was time to put another foot forward. So, I quit. Didn’t even give my parents more than a 2 weeks notice, like my boss. I set my last day to be right before the music festival, so I could have one last chance to dance. Not forever, c’mon. Just ya know, before I cried every night applying to jobs. If you know me, you know that’s exactly what my sensitive ass did. 

I mean, it wasn’t all bad. I did spend countless nights crying in frustration. Wouldn’t you?? If your initial thought was “no,” maybe sit at your computer for 8 hours a day, emailing the void. Now occasionally those emails did produce a response. However, the majority of the response was negative. This is what differentiates 2019 me from 2017 me. In 2017, I would see the rejection, get mad, and quit. This time, I saw the rejection and used it as a fire to spark my next move. Don’t get me wrong though, I still cried…A LOT. All the tears eventually paid off. In early December, I got an interview that would set the tone for my new decade. Upon leaving the interview, I went to visit my best friend at work. I remember telling her I HAD TO HAVE THAT JOB. I have never left an interview feeling like the perfect fit, until that moment. Like everyone should do when looking for a new job, follow up. Seriously. Be annoying. I emailed the company, and almost immediately got a response. It was good news, and he wanted to call me that Friday to finalize everything. This is where things come full circle for me.

Friday rolls around, and I am going on a girls trip to San Diego, for my friend’s birthday. We arrive a little early, so I can take my call in one of the rooms before the festivities begin. I got the job. At the time it still didn’t feel real, still doesn’t. However, this is where it all comes looping around. I quit my job a few months back, and had my last moment of stress-free bliss at one of my favorite music festivals. In San Diego, I started my NEW stress-free bliss dancing at Gryffin! See what I mean, full circle. What’s meant to be will be. 

All this had me reminiscing on what my life has been like in the past two years. All the music festival moments, random vegas concerts, and spontaneous trips to go see my favorite artists. At the time, those were all the moments that inspired me the most. They still probably will in this new chapter of my life. All the “too drunk” moments at Coachella, blisters on my ankles, and post festival comedowns. Those were the memories that kept me working hard, and dreaming bigger. 

Now, this definitely isn’t the end. With this new job, you’ll get to see me thrive even more. AND I AM GETTING PAID FOR IT??? Imagine that, getting paid to do something you love. I think I’ve heard some sayings about that in the past. What I can say for sure, is you can expect to still hear me scream singing all my favorite songs, except more frequently. This blog will still be thriving, once I find time and content. There are definitely more interviews coming up, so keep an eye out for that. Also, more music festivals, so possibly more disasters?? You know it’s bound to happen with me. Maybe this time someone will actually steal my Iphone 6, so I have no excuse to not get my upgrade. So, until the next musical journey we meet on, I’ll be back soon!!

 

Hot Girl Summer Recap

Well, here we are. Hot Girl Summer has officially ended. While we leave our sexy energy at the beach, it’s time to gear up for Thotumn. Now, before you ask, yes I DID get all these terms from the internet. Sue me. 

When moving into a new season, it’s good to reflect and carry on some of the summer energy. Seasonal depression is a very real thing. With school starting and work slowing down, things can get a little sad. Let’s not even get started on the universal feeling we all get when the sun starts to go down earlier. I AM NOT READY. However, I am ready to continue on blasting music from every speaker I can possibly get my hands on. So, let’s talk about our summer. How was yours? When I think about mine, the lines are pretty blurred on where I believe my season to have started. Apparently, to me, my summer began with Coachella. For those of you who are sheltered, this festival happened in the Spring. My internal timeline is extremely confused. 

Really though, I would say my summer REALLY started at my friend’s dirty 30 birthday party. It was BASICALLY Coachella, considering we spent a few days in Palm Springs. While we were there one afternoon, I got my hands on the big speaker we had outside. Everyone was relaxing by the pool, enjoying a nice little beverage. I decided to play my music, and set up a little queue of what I have been listening to recently. Little did I know, this was going to be the highlight of my summer. Now, my friends know how much I pride myself on my music taste. So, I feel like they like to tread lightly when it comes to complimenting my playlists, or telling me how much they like a song being played. I don’t blame them, I think about every music compliment for days, and my ego is extremely large the entire time. You would think I am walking around acting like the world’s most renowned DJ. However, in my head, that is exactly what is going on. 

This brings me to my epitome of summer, TEA. So, while at the pool, a couple of my friends were digging the tunes I was throwing out. Asking me what playlist it’s on, where I found these songs, etc. When I said I was just playing from my liked songs, they were frantic. The lost look in their eyes inspired me to create what became the best playlist of the freaking summer. I get home and my friend is on his hands and knees, BEGGING for me to make him a playlist. It was almost pathetic. You know who you are, and I am definitely kidding, I love you. Can I just say though, finding out you have similar music taste with someone can really strengthen a bond. Making this playlist and texting every time I put a new song up, was almost euphoric. Anyways, let’s get to the bottom line. This playlist is my new favorite baby. I will be completely honest though, creating it was a little nerve wracking. While I knew the main people listening already liked the songs, I was worried they wouldn’t like the new ones I was about to add. These are the little things that keep me up at night people. Ridiculous, I know. 

When I first created TEA, my initial friend it was made for didn’t have Spotify. If you know me, or even if you have just been catching up on my posts, you KNOW I am a ride or die for that app. No matter how many ads I get for a 30-day free Apple Music trial, I am a hater. However, this is going to paint a picture of how good this playlist is. My friend really went and downloaded Spotify, just to listen. While he still dabbles in his Apple Music, TEA became the star of the show. Once we started talking about it, EVERYONE wanted in on it. My friends followed the playlist, and I started promoting it. Why not toot your own horn? So, while summer is ending, here we are still blasting TEA. 

Now, I can’t say that TEA is the only summer playlist I have. I mean, it was Hot Girl Summer right? Our next star is the one and only, HGS. Reading the previous sentence, I hope you can gather what that stands for. Now, while there may be a couple overlapping songs on this one, this is the party playlist. TEA consisted of chilling by the pool vibes, as well as happy dance vibes. HGS is all about feeling your best and wanting the world to know it. I want to say it is the perfect pre-game playlist before going out, but we already have one for that. This playlist is for those days you just aren’t sure. Do you feel like a hot girl, or are you just faking it? Once this playlist comes on, you’ll figure it out. I know that explanation seems extremely vague, whereas the previous had a whole backstory. Don’t worry, there is a reason I will be linking both playlists below. 

With Hot Girl Summer ending, I realized that these playlists probably will not. HGS will change the name and TEA will stay the same. While both of these playlists represent Summer 2019 for me, I feel like they represent a lot more than that as well. Not to be TOO corny, but TEA reminds me of carefree times with better people. I’ll always be having a hot summer, so HGS doesn’t have the same heart-warming effect on me. Now that fall is right around the corner, we can reflect on our amazing summers, but also gear up for which songs we are taking with us in transition. I’m thinking, let’s all beat this end of summer sadness with some bops right? 

As ALWAYS, I am linking these playlists down below. Feel free to click them, or just listen on your Apple music, I won’t judge. Also, get ready for some super steamy content soon, I will be heading to another music festival. STAY CALM, WE ALL KNOW THE DRILL.