Before the sun gets to rise

Preface to this blog post, for those who may not know the history: 

In 2006, I attended an event that introduced me to a band called Eleventyseven. They played your typical fun, dancy, uplifting punk-rock music. I fell in love and got super into their street team and eventually won a contest. The grand prize was free tickets to the next show and the opportunity to hang out with them backstage and eat dinner with them. It would definitely be an understatement to say that I was a superfan—I knew every song, every video…need I go on? After getting to hang out with them that first time I went to as many shows after that as possible. I would go a lot earlier than the show actually started and hang out late after it was over. Through that I got to know the guys really well and I actually worked with another girl leading their street team and working directly with their then-manager.

[Me, circa December 2006. Note my homemade eleventyseven t-shirt…oh man, I was such a fangirl]

Though I feel that God was definitely the one who planted the seed of music and the entertainment industry into my heart, Eleventyseven was the vehicle that led me to Belmont and to Nashville. My first internship when I got here was at their then-new management company, True Artist Management. Suddenly I was actually, legitimately working for them—updating their twitter and working on booking shows and developing a [new] street team. 

I actually haven’t seen the boys in concert or hung out with them since October of 2008 (which is utter blasphemy). I saw them BRIEFLY when they came into the office while I interned at True Artist but otherwise it has been a complete disconnect. I thought it might be awkward seeing them again after two/three years (and it may have been a little bit to some extent) but after some time together we meshed and everything became natural and it was the coolest thing to have this special shared history with them. Me and just a few other girls are quite literally their oldest and most loyal “fans”. At this point we’re all at this really interesting but awesome level of friendship that I’ve never experienced anywhere else. 

End of Preface

…

We arrived at Ichthus around 1:15pm. As soon as we got in and settled I started to look around for Eleventyseven’s merch table, which I could not find for the life of me. As I was wandering aimlessly searching for a map or some direction, I heard someone announce from one of the stages, “—And Eleventyseven coming up in just a bit, stick around!” Perfect. So I walk over and stand around for a bit before spotting SHELBY! I’ve known her from the Eleventygirls since 2007 and it was the first time that we actually met irl. The strangest, but coolest thing was that it felt like we were already friends. Although we had only just met in-person, we were comfortable enough with each other that it was like we had known each other for years (which we technically have!). 

I ended up going down into the photo pit with Shelby with the pretense of actually taking photos, although we mostly just rocked out. Their show was incredible, as usual. At age 16 and at age 20, I still think they put on the best live show. 

Shelby, me, and some other guys hung out with them until they had to leave to drive down to Nashville (!). We were gonna try to go to Denny’s together, but it just wasn’t convenient, so that was unfortunate. 

After they left I said goodbye to Shelby and went to catch Fireflight’s set. It was incredible. There’s nothing like losing yourself in a crowd of people and just letting the beat pulse through your body. Limbs were flying everywhere, heads were rocking, fists were pumping. It was one of the best “rock” shows I’ve probably seen. Although it helps that I knew all of the songs and that Fireflight’s music is just great in general. As I was leaving, I heard a magical sound coming from one of the stages. I had to satisfy my curiosity, so I went back to see who it was. Turns out, it was Twenty One Pilots. Jon and Davey were raving about them earlier in the day and I had no idea it was them until I asked someone. They were fantastic! The crowd was going crazy and the music sounded really strange and unique but lovely all the same. Check them out.

Today Eleventyseven played a private show for a church camp at Lipscomb, which is literally a mile down the road from where I live. We hung out. They played. They rocked. And it was all over too quickly. Seeing them more just made me realize how much I’ve missed them over the past two years. And watching videos now just swells my heart with pride, nostalgia, and warmth. I love seeing them grow and persevere through everything that’s happened. 

I will forever and wholeheartedly stand behind whatever they do. They love making music and that’s what they’re here to do. I support them 100%. :)

Later this week I’m seeing Relient K with Ryne and potentially Jon and Davey if they can get tickets…And supposedly they all want to go do karaoke tomorrow night but my friend is also turning 21 so WE SHALL SEE.

So at the beginning of the week I was reminded of the existence of Ichthus Festival in Wilmore, KY. It is an annual Christian music festival that is held in mid June from Wednesday to Sunday. Portia’s friend Jonny was headed up to a festival to run a photobooth right after all his stuff got stolen at Bonnaroo. He needed a computer, so I let him borrow my old one for the weekend. I asked what festival he was going to and when he said, “Ichthus” I was blasted back to 2006 when all I wanted was to be able to go to Ichthus and hang out with bands and meet other fans I had known on the internet. However, from the ages 13-18 I was always at Blue Ridge Leaders School in North Carolina during the week of Ichthus. This year was the first year that I was actually staying in Nashville and had the free time and ability to travel to Ichthus—so I went! Plus, the drive was only 3.5 hours, so not bad at all.

The only bands I really cared about seeing were Eleventyseven and Fireflight, but a big reason/incentive to even go was to surprise Jonny, one of Portia’s best friends. It worked out because she was able to hang out with him while I went to see the bands I wanted to see. The amazing thing was that a different friend had already gone to Ichthus earlier in the week and had a wristband that he gave us, plus Jonny was able to get us backstage wristbands. We were able to go into the “artist” areas and we had access to meal tickets. The best part? Our whole trip, apart from gas, was completely free.

I must mention…Our plan was to drive back that night and just get back to Nashville around 1 or 2am. I don’t know how or why he thought we deserved such kindness or special treatment, but Jonny bought us a hotel room for the night. I’ve never known anyone to do something that nice/selfless. Our being in Wilmore was completely thrust upon Jonny without any notice whatsoever. So if you see this Jonny (which I’m kind of doubting you will, but one never knows) THANK YOU, SERIOUSLY. Overall, the trip was just a huge success, despite that it was planned super last minute. [Notice that I said “trip” and not “Ichthus”…but that is another blog post entirely]

I think I’ll put up some pictures and talk about the rest of the night in another post so that this one doesn’t get too long! :)