Five years. I’ve been a writer here at Rock NYC for five years, my five most formative years of my life. Stepping from preteen to nearly a legal adult, with this site in my pocket all along the way. It’s been quite a journey, and I am ridiculously thankful to everyone who reads us and writes for us, or even gives what I write a glance.
I’ve had the opportunity to be the only photographer approved to shoot Black Veil Brides during their Connecticut stop, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with Four Year Strong and watch hockey with them on their tour bus. I’ve seen bands I never imagined I’d ever see live, and talked with musicians I considered idols, not equals. I’ve been approached by labels and bands, requested for interviews and reviews, and I’m just a freakin’ kid. Obviously there’s some draw to kids my age, because we’re the target demographic of a lot of bands, but I am consistently flattered whenever there’s a band that wants to sit down and talk to me. I’m not exactly sure what I did to get so lucky, but I couldn’t have done everything I have without Rock NYC.
Because of my journalism experience here, I’ve been inspired to pursue a career in it, attending University in the fall as a freshman, to study communications. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I had no idea what I even wanted to do as a job until I realized how much I enjoyed writing about music and arts and what goes on in the entertainment industry. I have received helpful direction and careful hints from my editor Iman Lababedi, that have shown me that my field of study lies within spewing out my opinions, because to be honest, I can’t imagine anything else I’d be good at.
Not many 17 year olds can say they’ve chilled with bands like Bayside or Mayday Parade or Fate’s Warning like peers, or been able to take photographs that bands have used for themselves and their promotions. However, I can, and that’s pretty damn cool.
Here’s to five more years. And maybe who knows, this’ll evolve into something even bigger.