April 22nd, 2008. It was a proud day. After two lawsuits, a lot of self doubt, countless benders, and a silly idea, I was able to take Loudvine.com live. At first glance, I had it all figured out, you know, since I thought I actually knew what I was doing. But little by little, a funny thing happened, the site took me to a different place, introduced me to new peeps, and introduced me to a phenomenal new world of music, one I thought I already knew about...Read More

...And the whole time, this world of music welcomed me to its glorious sounds with open arms. Little by little, the transformation began. From a silly site to having a blog, newsletter and other stuff. It evolved from hate email and people calling me names to bands thanking us for what I was doing. Then interviews requests started to come in from 'industry' types and chicks really started to dig the fact I was building something truly my own. Yet the ultimate perk was the music I have been able to participate in. When you believe in something, to the very core, you stick with it and keep bangin' no matter what obstacles are in your way. With that I learned a new respect for the bands that I have gotten to know.

You see the world is changing, trends and fads are replaced by naysayers and "writers" who don't actually have real life experience but bash you for your creativity. And it might seem silly, but whether you are designing a new clothing line, making organic tampons, building a website, or making music, people will hate. FUCK THEM. But ultimately, there is a respect factor for those of us willing to put ourselves out there and create something we believe in. Craigslist did it. CNN did it. Howard Hughes did it. Barack did it. The list could continue, but you get the idea. Little by little, you just need to do it. And believe in yourself.

The last twelve months have thought me something so fundamental to the cause of being a better person. Live every day as if tomorrow is not promised. Set it to a new daily soundtrack that can bump anything from O'Death to Chad van Gaalen. Enjoy being (re)introduced to everything from The Buzzcocks to Aretha Franklin.  Dig for bands like Tijuana Panthers and look for those bands that have two songs on Myspace and 14 friends and pass them along to your friends. It will make a difference since the world needs MORE good music. But let the music simmer and bring you in.  Let it take you from a wine tipsy night at the Hollywood Bowl to a smoke filled bar on the east side of LA, just knowing you are actively participating in something that truly is a gift in this city of ours. This is your own life so set it to amazing live music that you can hear on a nightly basis. I have and am a better person for it.

This site which is now finally growing and doing what it was intended to do- help people, not just the hipsters- find shows every night of the week is starting to breath on its own. Yep, of course improvements will need to be made. And sure, when you're one dude, things fall through the gaps. But really, it comes down to this. The music that I have personally been introduced to and shared with you all in the last twelve months has reinvigorated me to the point of a shaman running down a mountain naked in a peyote induced trance announcing he has seen something magical. And I get to live it on a nightly basis because of all the bands that are helping me make my vision a possibility. One year down and we continue this madness with a sincere punk rock fuck yeah to all of you that are down with what I am trying to do. Pass it along.