@dumdum.fest 2024 in the books. What can I even say about Saturday? I’m still sore and exhausted, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
@taleenkali asked me if I wanted to be a part of the fest this year and be on the team running the creative side of things. Of course I jumped at the chance, and got to collaborate with her, @backwardzrakker , @scarlettmirandaa and @king.bunnie . We got to work closely with all the bands and other amazing humans that have to work together to put a DIY fest like this on, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience.
The festival went so well, and my heart was so full as I got to see so many beautiful faces as I ran around like crazy documenting everything. Every band NAILED it and put on such killer sets. Every vendor was so lovely and sweet. @theechola was super cool to work with and made sure things were running smoothly and we were safe. I can’t thank everyone enough for all the work they put in, and everyone who came out. Y’all made it the best goth get down ever.
Taleen: I know you were adamant from the beginning about not making any of this about you, but you deserve so much praise. You give so much of yourself to your art and to your community, and it paid of ten fold. Collaborating with you was a dream, and I was so proud to even be a little part of bringing this to life. I hope you know how much we love you. Bat sis forever ✨🦇🖤
Candace, Scarlett, and Bre: Yall know how much I love yall. I’m so glad I got to work and hang with you so much the past few months. Y’all are the best friends and collaborators I could ever hope for.
Thanks again all you dummies. See you next year! Many more photos and individual band posts to come, but here’s just a sneak peek.
Longer sentimental post about @dumdum.fest 2024 to come later, but I made a blog style video about yesterday. Spend the day with me as a full time photog! Have any questions? Should I make more of these?
🧷DUM DUM FEST THIS SATURDAY! 🧷
If you’ve seen our cute hotline promos lately, here’s a little sneak peek behind the scenes of the day we made them…
Be sure to buy your tickets early and join us for the main event! This Saturday, June 22nd at the one and only Echo in beautiful Echo Park.
Let’s get dum! 🧷
#festival#indierecordlabel#darkwave#postpunk#shoegaze#indie#fest#summerconcerts#lamusicscene
Double post and dirty mirror, but I looked hot this weekend and needed to make it everyone else’s problem. 🖤🖕🏻🤍 I got asked if I was “one of them rockabillies” while wearing this by a man on the train. 🤷🏻♀️
@dollydagger_xo last weekend at @thewhiskyagogo 😈✨🖤
This was such a special early show in that legendary building on the Sunset Strip.
Not only did they tear it up on stage, but I was so excited to catch up with Dolly after her trip to Australia and @mxdz after his trip to Japan. I was also anxious to hear the killer new single ‘Tower’ live.
I love my friends and hearing about their adventures and seeing the fruits of their labor. And hearing a metal cover of ‘What Is Love’ was just the most fun cherry on top. 🖤🗡️
My first event after my moving sabbatical was the ever lovely @chard0gay . The best possible way to start pride if you ask me.
I missed live drag so damn much. I feel like this night filled a hole in my heart I forgot I had.
@censoredtitz is such an important human in my life. I’ve always admired their art, and now that they’ve moved up to Seattle, seeing them perform is even more special than it already was. I miss @queeraspunk more than words could possibly express, so seeing Baby , @skirtcocaine , and @codismith in the same room was like getting a glimpse into a past life in the best possible way. These humans have shaped so much of who I am in such a short time probably without even realizing it, and I’m so grateful.
I also wanted to shout out the Chardogay team. They’ve created such a beautiful space for expression while making it abundantly clear why we’re there. Queer art and the spaces it occupies are sacred, and while it may be fun, we have a job to do.
I also love how @skynsuit takes the time to acknowledge all the beautiful faces in the room and how they contribute to their community. Too often we don’t give people their flowers until it’s too late. We don’t need to wait until some retrospective 30 years from now to give someone icon status. We need to build each other up now.
Happy pride, babes. Use this month to revel in queer joy and resistance. We need both now more than ever 🖤🌈
20 years of Three Cheers. TWENTY. YEARS.
I often say that one night when I was 13 years old changed my life forever. After everyone else in the house was asleep, I decided to stay up late and watch Steven’s Untitled Rock Show for the first time. That hour-ish blew my mind wide open. I saw the video for Paramore’s ‘Pressure’, FOBs ‘Dance Dance’, the premiere of The Academy Is ‘Slow Down’, and the video for ‘Im Not Okay’.
Gerard instantly captivated me. I had never seen anyone look like that. I had never heard anyone sound like that. I watched with my mouth wide open and decided I wanted to be just like him right then and there. At the time I wasn’t allowed to wear all black outfits, black nail polish, or eyeliner. All of that would have to come later.
In fact, I wasn’t even allowed to buy the album. My mom saw the Tipper Sticker and the song title ‘You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison’, and said absolutely not. As sad as I was to leave it in that aisle in Best Buy, I did what any self respecting 13 year old would do and bought it on iTunes (sorry mom, love you).
I wrote down every lyric, watched every performance on tv, clipped every magazine feature, and had a designated spot for their posters on my wall. Just like all of my other favorites. They were a lifeline for me. I got bullied for listening to them, but it didn’t matter. They taught me it was okay to be the weird theater kid who felt like they didn’t understand the world. They taught me to channel that discomfort and anger into creation.
The first picture and the ticket are from the first time I saw them in 2008. It was my first big rock concert that I NEEDED tickets for. I was excited every day for months. Once the day hit, I’m surprised I didn’t pass out as soon as they hit the stage. I head banged until my neck was sore and screamed until I had no voice. It remains one of the best shows of my life.
Thank you for everything. Thank you for letting that weird, angry, awkward teenage girl know she wasn’t alone. Thank you for the friendships I’ve made because of your music. Thank you for your beautiful art. Here’s to another 20 years of screaming your music with fellow lost souls.
