September 21, 2024
Beach Shoppe, Figure Eight (solo), and HTML

“Nobody comes to shows on Long Island unless [redacted] is playing. It’s just impossible,” a former friend said to me.

From 2016-2020, I booked shows at my college radio station and at local venues. I stopped during the pandemic, but decided I wanted to un-retire after coming across misogyny at DIY shows on Long Island, and subsequently deciding I wanted to do something about it.

As I booked this show, I became overcome with self-doubt. I thought that starting to book shows again would be empowering, but I felt increasingly discouraged, and even sabotaged by the words and actions of male peers. With the help of my family and friends, I was able to get out of my self-doubt spiral. Once I made the flyer, a lot of the muscle memory kicked in. I talked to my Guitar Center rep who helped me figure out my gear situation. I spoke to my friend Emily who kindly hooked us up with a D'Addario sponsorship and cables. I asked a lot of businesses to hang flyers; most agreed. I made a lot of friends along the way and got closer to the ones I already knew.

Two more people who I owe a lot to are Justin from Beach Shoppe & Ryan from Figure Eight. They are incredible musicians and were they were kind enough to take a chance on me by playing my first show back.