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 some serious misogyny at DIY shows on Long Island and deciding I wanted to do something about it. 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.

As I booked this show, I became overcome with self-doubt. With the help of my family and friends, I was able to get out of a panic paralysis. 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 some things. I spoke to my friend, Emily at D’Addario, who hooked me up with free cables. I awkwardly asked a lot of businesses to hang flyers; most agreed. I bought a drink at a coffeeshop from a flustered, yet flirtatious guy who said he would come to the show (he didn’t). I made a lot of friends along the way and got closer to the ones I already knew.

I also owe a lot to Ryan, Justin, and Travis. In the last two years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Justin from Beach Shoppe & Ryan from Figure Eight — they are both incredible musicians and were they were kind enough to take a chance on me by playing my first show. Equally grateful to Travis from the incredible, Queens-based HTML, for trusting me, coming out to the island, and opening up the show.