My battle with acne has slowly built into a war, and one that I never thought would lead to a blog post ranting about it. I've never openly discussed my struggles with anyone outside my friend group, but the past four years have been a roller coaster unlike anything else I've dealt with. I swear I'm not turning into a beauty blogger, but I wanted to take a minute to talk about a real problem that almost everyone faces. Hopefully my story of struggle can instill some faith in others like me who think they're at the end of the line in the fight for better skin.
Season 1: Done | Looking back at Red Rocks
I've spent September and October working at Red Rocks Amphitheater, selling merchandise for all of the artists that have come through to play the venue from August through the end of the season, which was October 4th. I've worked twenty-six shows (if I counted right), spent countless hours on the sacred, music-filled grounds in Morrison, spent a few nights shooting pool until 2a.m., and I've learned more about merchandising than I can put into words.
Jimmy Eat World - FUTURES 10yr Anniversary Tour
This is probably the only band I've ever properly "fan-girled" over, so when they finally announced an anniversary tour for my favorite album of theirs, Futures, it felt like the best day of my life. October 7, 2014, that tour hit Denver, and I experienced something I’ve never felt before - the feeling of a decade-long dream coming to fruition, and being able to share that with a band who I fully credit as the reason I have a career that I so truly love.
Who?
Alright blog, it's about time that you and I really start to kick things off. It'd be smart if i made sure anyone on here actually knows what all this is about, and so here, for you, is what they taught me all those years ago in kindergarten: the who, what, where, when, and why detailing everything and anything you'll want to know for this summer.
Today's topic: WHO? Who am I, and who's the band i'll be traveling with?
I'll keep this pretty straightforward, plain and simple. I'm Maddie. I turn 20 years old on June 11th, I have two younger brothers, and come from a tiny, adorable, wonderful suburb just west of the glorious Denver, Colorado. I am currently studying Music & Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado at Denver, meaning i spend the academic months of the year writing papers on Radiohead, and doing math to find out how much money a band will make if they sell out Red Rocks. I absolutely love the school i go to, and feel like I have really learned a ton in the two years I have spent on campus. Wether it's working with fellow classmates, or being taught by a diverse and well-versed teaching staff, I don't think I could have picked a better program to learn and study in.
I spend most of my free time away from school at concerts, hanging with friends, or enjoying the outdoors. I spend a good chunk of that time working with Denver-based bands Bop Skizzum, Air Dubai, and the Flobots. This past year I started work writing for Denver-based music blog Ultra5280 as well, and have loved growing more into my role in the Denver music scene by having an outlet to voice my passion for great local music. You can find more about me in the "About" section of the website, but that's the basics!
Now, about this crazy little band I'm working for... I Fight Dragons
The craziest bunch of nerds you'll ever meet, I fight Dragons is a 5-piece rock outfit based out of Chicago, IL who likes to do things just a bit differently. Using NES controllers, old GameBoy's, and amazing lyrics, this group's music sounds straight out of a 90's video game. If you're looking for something new, uplifting, fun, or just different, they are the band for you. Touring this year as a part of the Vans Warped Tour, this rocking nerd band will be hitting a city near you soon... are you ready to have your mind go "KABOOM!"??