My grandmother will still tell you to this day that she's responsible for my "music career" (as she calls it). It all started on the long drives to and from Vermont growing up. I would beg her to play the Little Drummer Boy and giggle as she banged along on her dash and wheel to the beat. Flash forward to fourth grade — my first year of middle school. Word spread quickly that this was the year we could sign up to play an instrument. We gathered in the auditorium and watched a demonstration of each. There it stood. A singular snare drum. This was the last choice anyone expected me to make. I'd always been a quiet and rather shy kid, so I think my parents were equally excited and confused when I came home telling them I wanted to sign up for the drums.

I was one of five kids in the fourth-grade class to be chosen to play the drums. Something about reading the music and following the beats worked effortlessly in my brain. I grew up in a household that always had music playing, so I think something about it felt like home. I have vivid memories of jumping around on my parent's bed listening to anything from classic Irish tunes to 90's grunge jams.

And then I discovered concerts. My dad brought me to my first-ever concert in 7th grade: U2. I grew up listening to their albums on repeat because it was all my dad ever had playing in his work van. Mesmerized by the production of it all, I was hooked. According to the running list on my phone, I've been to 38 concerts and 5 Boston Calling festivals since then. U2, Twenty One Pilots, Matt Maeson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Noah Kahan, NF, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise are just a few of my favorites.
 

While I no longer play, concerts and music overall hold a special place in my heart. They began as a way for my dad and I to spend time together doing something we both love. It's transformed into a time to share with the special people in my life seeing artists we know and love. Don't worry though, my dad has still been spotted at Boston Calling with me as recently as last year. If you ever need a music recommendation, I'm happy to share my latest Spotify find or tell you about my upcoming list of shows!