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Following Through With A Dream

posted 21st January 2010    Written by: Marisa    CATEGORY: All Posts, Marisa, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

Do you remember that time in your early pre-teens where you were told to make a decision of either participating in Orchestra or Band? I remember it well. I was torn between wanting to be in the field while frantically banging on drums while my parents wanted to hear me play the violin indoors with symphonies and classical themes.

The Parental influence won in the end.

And during those painful/awkward years as a pre-teen and teen, I ended playing the violin for almost 6 years. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would at that age, but still… That nagging push I had inside of me told me I was meant to play the drums. And I’ve finally listened to it, almost 14 years later.

I thought it appropriate to write about music for this entry as the time passes with these last couple of QLC entries. I have a lot of things coming up that I’m involved with locally and even nationally so I feel the need to purge with words.

I never thought I would be this heavily involved within a scene and it’s not necessarily negative or bad persay, it’s just sometimes it gets overwhelming.

There’s a female drumming event this week put on by a NYC magazine and I was lucky enough to be involved with partaking in the planning and benefit; it’s a great direction for this city since I personally don’t think enough attention is paid to female musicians. I’m still taking weekly lessons, still on the pursuit of a drum kit and still wanting to make music. In fact, during my lunch breaks, I’ve been writing beats (simple beats, yes) but nonetheless, it’s music.

Who what have thunk it? Me, Marisa, writing some music and pairing it with my friend Anna’s music.

I’m determined to make it ALL work. There’s something frightening and yet exciting about following the path you want. I made that promise to myself last April, and as I’m quickly coming upon that anniversary-I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.

Not only has life been busy with drumming, but being involved with an indie music label has been a wonderous and ridiculous experience in itself. I was able to finally see some of the fruits of my labor when one of the Bay area signed groups was featured in Filter Magazine as the first “Undiscovered” discovered band of 2010 for Filter.

And, (I’m trying to contain the exclamation marks), but KEXP has contacted us  about some exciting things that I can’t yet confirm, but it’s exciting!!!!!!

So what’s the lesson here as I wind down with all of my thoughts?

I’ve learned in the past nine months that once you find your niche, your passion or your interest, don’t let it go. Don’t ever let it go; you can let it wean a bit, maybe put it on the back burner if need be, but don’t let it go.

You never know what’s around the corner. This may be really corny of me to say (it’s totally true BTW) but with positivity, determination and heart, you can make it work.

photo credit : dennis_vu

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