Afro MonkAfro Monk’s Adventures! California & Boston!
June 23rd by John-Michael 
Tags: Afro Monk Boston, CocoRosie, Decibel Festival, Glitch Loft, Glitch.fm, Lightning in a Bottle, Seattle
I unfortunately haven’t made any post in quite some time. I wanted to write a piece about my recent travels in the past month. I’ve recently gone to California and Massachusetts for music. I can’t tell you enough how important it is to travel. Many of you just know me as someone who blogs on here and plays music. Truth is I’m quite co-dependent person and too in touch with my emotions at times. My trip to California was a huge risk for me. I was going entirely on my own to Lightning in a Bottle. I had never been camping nor on a trip completely solo. Fortunately for me I’ve done quite a bit of networking online and was able to meet up with tons of amazing people. Traveling is important because it forces you to meet new people, live in unfamiliar environments, and show you thing you’ve might never have seen in your life. The world is too large not to be explored.
I came back from California a new man and with a mission, travel more! The best way I thought to myself to travel was to play shows in different cities. I already had planned a trip to Boston to go see CocoRosie live. Lost in Bass is a crew located in Boston which throws large events. They actually have a show on Glitch.fm as well so I’ve communicated a bit with them in the chat room. They welcomed me in to play a gig with them with open arms along with a friend I met over WMC, JSB. Boston completely opened my eyes even more to how close knit the electronic music scene is. Everyone I met in Boston would go out of the way for me, welcome me, and treated me as I was one of them living in Boston. The venue that I played at was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been too. There was something in every corner that blew me away. Ultimately it is a giant loft where there any many residents that have their own space but all share it as common ground. I can’t tell you how many talented people I met up there. CocoRosie blew my mind and gave such a heartfelt one to one concert for everyone there.
Once I arrived to the venue to play it had already had a few people hanging out playing music. The event was a private party to help raise some money for a project they are all working on, Lowres. I was a bit worried the party wouldn’t do well because there was no major promotion. There was a FB invite but it was private and very exclusive. There must have been 100 confirmed only and a fourth of people actually show up based on the confirmed number I’ve concluded in Miami. I was completely disproved tons of people were in and out of the venue. The most touching part of it all was how unified everyone was. There were kids who were all into the dubstep, uk funky, psy trance, drum and bass, and glitch. There were no clicks it was just everyone having a good time. I was introduced to so many people and wish I could remember them all, especially all the women. I can’t deny that every girl I met had the best personality and were totally great to talk too which I don’t often feel here. (Totally regret not getting this one girls number who spoke Spanish to me, LOL)
All in all this post is to show a small glimpse into our scene, the electronic dance music community. California you met my every expectation and met tons of amazing people. I have been to Boston tons of times to visit friends but this time I went on my own and met up with people I knew from online and it was night and day. Boston the underground community you have in the Glitch Loft is truly one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. I was blessed to get to travel to these two locations and party with some of the most hospitable people in this community. I’m doing my best to link up with people from all over the US to go play and get to experience something new. I have no problem flying myself out to play and spend a week-end in a city I’ve never been. Right now I’m scheduled to play Las Vegas NV, Buffalo NY, and Asheville NC. I’m almost planning on going to Seattle for Decibel Festival. Majority of the people I hung out with in California at Lightning in a Bottle were from Seattle. I can’t wait to meet up with these lovely people again.
Point of the entry, TRAVEL! Open your eyes to what the world has to offer. There are so many people out there who are into this music as well and sometimes you’ve got to explore to find them even if it means hopping on a plane.
Much love to all the people who do it for the music and not a check.
If you organize events, know promoters, or have friends who are involved link up with me.
I’m looking to jump on any chance to go play out and meet some new people.
Contact me:
Much Love,
JM aka Afro Monk
Category: Miami Glitch, Music, News |
2 Comments »
