summer – Surfing the Soundwaves

Orange Crush Baby

Has anyone ever noticed how Orange Crush Soda is always just associated with Summer? I don’t think anyone is reaching for it in the cold Winter months. However, is anyone reaching for it in general? I’ve recently discovered that I am surrounded by people who hate orange flavored things. From Starburst, energy drinks, even to sodas. I feel like an oddball out, but in the best way.

I’ve always loved orange flavors and colors. If you’re feeling bold, peruse my Facebook. I had a pair of neon pants that would perfectly go with the theme of today’s post. Fortunately, those pants saw the light of a dumpster, many moons ago. However, I won’t say I don’t think about them from time to time.

Has anyone noticed how oranges are somehow always associated with groovy vibes? Or is it just me? I feel like the 80’s just loved orange more than we do. Any groovy song, whether it’s Pop or R&B always seems to have an orange background, more often than not. I also feel like they just drank way more soda back then, am I wrong about that too? Like what time period were the Fanta girls from? Someone let me know, I’ll wait. Here I am, just trying to draw any connections to my fave era. Let me live.

That was past me, but present me still loves a little orange moment from time to time. My favorite energy drink right now is, Celsius. Apparently the “healthy” version of Redbull, with enough caffeine to put pep in my step at 5:30am. Or, at 9am, you know how quarantine hours work. My favorite flavor? Orange. You just CAN’T do orange flavoring wrong. Does it taste like Cuties? Not really. However, not far off. I mean, c’mon, have y’all tried grape flavors?? WHAT IS THAT? Anyways, we are veering off topic.

When thinking of my love for orange flavored Celsius, I think of songs that put me in an uplifting Summer mood. Isn’t that what we all need right now? Before some of you knew me as the girl who’s head is so far up Dillon Francis’ ass, I was as Indie pop as it came. So much so, that I really didn’t have the mental capacity to enjoy any other types of music. I really went through a phase of only liking underground sounds. However, that’s okay! Now, I’ve morphed into my final form. I can listen to anything, such a threat I know. While I still love to rave in the night hours, the daytime is when I like to center myself. I find it hard to have total peace of mind, while hearing insane WOMP WOMP in the background. So, I busted out my old record player, and reconnected with some older sounds. Suddenly, I was feeling lighter, and more creative. Crazy how that works right?

That’s where I created this playlist. I have a feeling it has a little something for everyone. While I say that all the time, this time I mean it. Want to do some yoga? Listen to this playlist? Sitting on your floor writing a blog post? Listen to this playlist. Just generally trying to feel some good vibes? THIS PLAYLIST.

I know a lot of people will never understand this part of my creative process, but I love to go on daily drives. For some reason, it’s when I can really disconnect. With the windows down, COVID-19 filling my car, and the music blasting, I can think. Which is terrifying for all of you. I found out I have so much to say! The song that makes me feel most creative on this playlist is, “I Follow Rivers – The Magician Remix by Lykke Li.” She’s such a classic, good vibes soul. I know what you’re thinking, A REMIX? Don’t worry, it is mellow. However, if you want to zen out even more, you can listen to the original. Just as good. This also wouldn’t be a TRUE Orange Crush playlist, without a couple tracks off of Frank Ocean’s, “Channel Orange.” This album I think pulled me out of my quarantine depression. I hope it does the same for you.

So, what’s my point? Well, I know most of the world is truly going through IT right now. So, in the midst of the madness, it’s important to find the little things that make you happy. As well as the small things that make you feel centered. It’s all we have control over right now! I also know a lot of us are always trying to become the best versions of ourselves. This awkward time is the perfect chance to do that! It’s totally okay to go back to a version of yourself, you might have left behind. Sometimes, if you mix the old with the new, you create something amazing. For me, I created this playlist. Seems small to you, but to me, it really turned my lockdown around. So, I encourage you to dig into something that once brought you joy, and mix it with your current activities. You may be surprised at the outcome!

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.