Ashleigh Haddock // Co-Head of Social Media
Growing up, my parents would always play ABBA. I still love their music today. I’d say they influenced my love for music from the very start, because I enjoy listening to “oldies” such as Fleetwood Mac and Queen. However, when I was in 8th grade, I fell in love with One Direction. Admittedly, I’d say this boy band started my craze for music. I was all in for them. I had all the albums and merch you could buy – I even had a fan account. Sadly, they went separate ways, and so I too moved on to expand my music horizons, but I will always sing along at the top of my lungs to their lyrics. Soon after, I discovered The 1975 and Bad Suns. I still love these bands dearly, and they’ve caused me to dive into the alternative music world. It may sound just a little embarrassing, but I guess you could say because of One Direction, I’ve stumbled upon my now favorite bands. Those bands are COIN, Tame Impala, The Neighbourhood, and Hippo Campus. I could go on and on. Now here I am, writing for a music blog. Pretty crazy, right?
Victoria Taglione // Co-Head of Social Media
The app, 8tracks, really changed my life. A little dramatic, but if I didn’t download that music playlist sharing app back in 7th grade, who knows where I would be – hopefully not listening to rap or country music. That app really introduced me to those indie basic songs like “Naive” by The Kooks and “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend. These types of songs OWNED my 7th and 8th grade years, until I heard “Girls” by The 1975 in one of the 8tracks playlist. The second I heard that song, I remember I immediately looked up “the 1975 interviews” on YouTube and quickly became obsessed with that band. Here I am a few years later, and I honestly feel the same way listening to the 1975 now as I felt when I first heard “Girls.”
Madison Mize // Co-Head of Social Media
When I was in the 9th grade, one of my teachers told me about this band called The Black Keys and I was intrigued. I watched the music video for their song “Tighten Up” and fell in love with their sound and how silly the music video was. That summer I discovered 8tracks and started listening to other bands like Passion Pit, Phoenix, The Rubens, and The Neighbourhood. I definitely think that the summer that I began listening to all of those bands changed my life. To this day, I’m incredibly thankful that I discovered The Black Keys because they are one of my all time favorite bands. Anything Dan Auerbach, guitarist for The Black Keys, touches turns to gold – in my opinion, at least.
Caleigh Wells // Head of Interviews
I definitely grew up listening to a wide variety of artists, from the dad bands my father listened to, such as Sting, David Gray, and Train, to my own findings, such as One Direction. However, the artist that brought me into the alternative/indie music scene must have been– like many others– The 1975. There is a reason this band is so big within the alternative scene, especially with young girls just getting into this type of music. With pop rock melodies and lyrics that go beyond the current tracks on radio stations, it is easy to fall in love with their music. The 1975 was my gateway into indie and alternative music. Although they are sometimes seen now as a cliche in this music world, I still love them as much as the day I heard “Girls” for the first time.
Ky Kasselman // Co-Production Manager
I grew up loving music and participating in choir and musical theatre since the age of 4. However, when I was in the 5th grade, I heard One Republic for the first time. I fell in love with their music and hopped on the Pandora train, constantly listening to One Republic radio station and falling in love with bands that were associated with them. When they released Waking Up at the end of 2009, I fell in love with every track. That album became the soundtrack to my memories of 2010, which was a huge year for me in general as I was starting high school & traveled to South Africa. I continued to discover new music, asking all of my friends what they loved, and discovered elements of songs that I loved. I am a sucker for harmonies, which pulled me hugely into the genre of a cappella. That was my first experience with an online music community as I became friends with people through that genre of music: a cappella singers, producers, arrangers, and fans. Every day since then, I have discovered new music and gone through phases and genres of every sort. But one thing has always remained true: music is not exclusive. Music is a language that destroys all barriers and encompasses all cultures. I love being able to express my emotions whether it be singing an angelic choral piece, belting a musical theatre tune, headbanging to pop punk, sipping lattes to coffeehouse acoustic, or popping off to indie pop. I have One Republic to thank for all of that, and I am finally seeing them live for the first time this year.
Gabi Yost // Founder
Growing up in a musically oriented home, music was always around. Either playing it, listening to it, or reading it; It was always there. The band that truly sparked my love for music was honestly Journey. As a young kid, my father would always play them in the car and around the house. When I was about 9, I sang their song ‘Lights’ at a Cruise Karaoke time. Just everything about that band sparked my love for older music and alternative music. Without music, I honestly wouldn’t be who I am today. Music is that one thing that knows no bounds. it can bring together people who wouldn’t have anything in common otherwise.
Peyton Rhodes // Head Editor and Writer
My love of music began with my dad. His favorite bands were Foster the People, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, and U2, and their CDs were the soundtrack to my early childhood. Back then, I always begged him to turn off his “old people music.” As I grew older, however, I began to fall in love with those bands, and others, for myself. His taste for 80s “dad rock” and alternative rock heavily affected my own personal taste in music, leading me to love 80s influence bands like Tame Impala, the Drums, and the Walters. This kind of music is the staple of my personal library today, thanks to my dad’s refusal to turn off his music .
Jiselle Santos // Co-Production Manager
My love for music really came from the influence of my family. 80s music icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bonnie Tyler, and Journey were favorites of my parents. However while growing up, my siblings were much older than me, so they tended to listen to 90s pop, rock, R&B and rap, which also heavily tailored my taste in music now. The combination of my influences from 80s pop music and 90s rock led me to fall in love with the band, Walk The Moon. Their sound was the perfect combination of 80s synth pop meets late 90s and early 2000s alternative music. I remember when I heard their song “Anna Sun” in a TV show during my freshmen year of high school. I felt the urgency to find the name of that song as if I found a lost treasure. I listened to that song, discovered their self-titled album, and fell in love with the band from that point on. Their music opened doors for me to discover more bands within the indie rock and alternative genre. Many of the lyrics from their songs related to parts of my life that I have always found it difficult to describe to others. Not only did their music led me to love other bands, but it led me to a community of people on the internet who share my love and passion for music just as much as me. They brought me some of the closest friendships that I cherish still to this day. I have been able to see Walk The Moon many times over the years, and I have cherished every single moment of it. I’ve loved this band for about 5 years now and still continue to do so. I cannot thank them enough for their music. They truly are the reason why I love and still continue to be passionate about music to this day.
Ashleigh Haddock // Co-Head of Social Media
Growing up, my parents would always play ABBA. I still love their music today. I’d say they influenced my love for music from the very start, because I enjoy listening to “oldies” such as Fleetwood Mac and Queen. However, when I was in 8th grade, I fell in love with One Direction. Admittedly, I’d say this boy band started my craze for music. I was all in for them. I had all the albums and merch you could buy – I even had a fan account. Sadly, they went separate ways, and so I too moved on to expand my music horizons, but I will always sing along at the top of my lungs to their lyrics. Soon after, I discovered The 1975 and Bad Suns. I still love these bands dearly, and they’ve caused me to dive into the alternative music world. It may sound just a little embarrassing, but I guess you could say because of One Direction, I’ve stumbled upon my now favorite bands. Those bands are COIN, Tame Impala, The Neighbourhood, and Hippo Campus. I could go on and on. Now here I am, writing for a music blog. Pretty crazy, right?
Victoria Taglione // Co-Head of Social Media
The app, 8tracks, really changed my life. A little dramatic, but if I didn’t download that music playlist sharing app back in 7th grade, who knows where I would be – hopefully not listening to rap or country music. That app really introduced me to those indie basic songs like “Naive” by The Kooks and “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend. These types of songs OWNED my 7th and 8th grade years, until I heard “Girls” by The 1975 in one of the 8tracks playlist. The second I heard that song, I remember I immediately looked up “the 1975 interviews” on YouTube and quickly became obsessed with that band. Here I am a few years later, and I honestly feel the same way listening to the 1975 now as I felt when I first heard “Girls.”
Madison Mize // Co-Head of Social Media
When I was in the 9th grade, one of my teachers told me about this band called The Black Keys and I was intrigued. I watched the music video for their song “Tighten Up” and fell in love with their sound and how silly the music video was. That summer I discovered 8tracks and started listening to other bands like Passion Pit, Phoenix, The Rubens, and The Neighbourhood. I definitely think that the summer that I began listening to all of those bands changed my life. To this day, I’m incredibly thankful that I discovered The Black Keys because they are one of my all time favorite bands. Anything Dan Auerbach, guitarist for The Black Keys, touches turns to gold – in my opinion, at least.
Caleigh Wells // Head of Interviews
I definitely grew up listening to a wide variety of artists, from the dad bands my father listened to, such as Sting, David Gray, and Train, to my own findings, such as One Direction. However, the artist that brought me into the alternative/indie music scene must have been– like many others– The 1975. There is a reason this band is so big within the alternative scene, especially with young girls just getting into this type of music. With pop rock melodies and lyrics that go beyond the current tracks on radio stations, it is easy to fall in love with their music. The 1975 was my gateway into indie and alternative music. Although they are sometimes seen now as a cliche in this music world, I still love them as much as the day I heard “Girls” for the first time.
Ky Kasselman // Co-Production Manager
I grew up loving music and participating in choir and musical theatre since the age of 4. However, when I was in the 5th grade, I heard One Republic for the first time. I fell in love with their music and hopped on the Pandora train, constantly listening to One Republic radio station and falling in love with bands that were associated with them. When they released Waking Up at the end of 2009, I fell in love with every track. That album became the soundtrack to my memories of 2010, which was a huge year for me in general as I was starting high school & traveled to South Africa. I continued to discover new music, asking all of my friends what they loved, and discovered elements of songs that I loved. I am a sucker for harmonies, which pulled me hugely into the genre of a cappella. That was my first experience with an online music community as I became friends with people through that genre of music: a cappella singers, producers, arrangers, and fans. Every day since then, I have discovered new music and gone through phases and genres of every sort. But one thing has always remained true: music is not exclusive. Music is a language that destroys all barriers and encompasses all cultures. I love being able to express my emotions whether it be singing an angelic choral piece, belting a musical theatre tune, headbanging to pop punk, sipping lattes to coffeehouse acoustic, or popping off to indie pop. I have One Republic to thank for all of that, and I am finally seeing them live for the first time this year.
Gabi Yost // Founder
Growing up in a musically oriented home, music was always around. Either playing it, listening to it, or reading it; It was always there. The band that truly sparked my love for music was honestly Journey. As a young kid, my father would always play them in the car and around the house. When I was about 9, I sang their song ‘Lights’ at a Cruise Karaoke time. Just everything about that band sparked my love for older music and alternative music. Without music, I honestly wouldn’t be who I am today. Music is that one thing that knows no bounds. it can bring together people who wouldn’t have anything in common otherwise.
Peyton Rhodes // Head Editor and Writer
My love of music began with my dad. His favorite bands were Foster the People, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, and U2, and their CDs were the soundtrack to my early childhood. Back then, I always begged him to turn off his “old people music.” As I grew older, however, I began to fall in love with those bands, and others, for myself. His taste for 80s “dad rock” and alternative rock heavily affected my own personal taste in music, leading me to love 80s influence bands like Tame Impala, the Drums, and the Walters. This kind of music is the staple of my personal library today, thanks to my dad’s refusal to turn off his music .
Jiselle Santos // Co-Production Manager
My love for music really came from the influence of my family. 80s music icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bonnie Tyler, and Journey were favorites of my parents. However while growing up, my siblings were much older than me, so they tended to listen to 90s pop, rock, R&B and rap, which also heavily tailored my taste in music now. The combination of my influences from 80s pop music and 90s rock led me to fall in love with the band, Walk The Moon. Their sound was the perfect combination of 80s synth pop meets late 90s and early 2000s alternative music. I remember when I heard their song “Anna Sun” in a TV show during my freshmen year of high school. I felt the urgency to find the name of that song as if I found a lost treasure. I listened to that song, discovered their self-titled album, and fell in love with the band from that point on. Their music opened doors for me to discover more bands within the indie rock and alternative genre. Many of the lyrics from their songs related to parts of my life that I have always found it difficult to describe to others. Not only did their music led me to love other bands, but it led me to a community of people on the internet who share my love and passion for music just as much as me. They brought me some of the closest friendships that I cherish still to this day. I have been able to see Walk The Moon many times over the years, and I have cherished every single moment of it. I’ve loved this band for about 5 years now and still continue to do so. I cannot thank them enough for their music. They truly are the reason why I love and still continue to be passionate about music to this day.
