A BLOG ABOUT MUSIC, TRAVEL, AND MUSIC TRAVEL
Hey, I’m Rae. A 31 year old from Toronto with a cat sidekick named Buddy, a coffee addiction, and a closet of many shades of black. I like my music mostly metal, loud, and live as often as I can get it. I’m a newbie traveller with some serious wanderlust and music travel (travelling for or planned around a music event) is my favourite pastime. This is my blog.
I was born into a family that was non-musical and uninterested in travel. I discovered these things on my own, a bit late perhaps, but awesomely. My first trip out of Ontario was in 2010 to the Festival D’ete in Quebec where I saw Rammstein, followed by my first trip out of Canada soon after when I went to Chicago – to see Rammstein. (If you’ve seen Rammstein live, you get it). The following few years had some adventures (Heavy Montreal, Metallica’s Orion festival in Detroit), but nothing more than a weekend trip. I got a taste of travel but my friends and boyfriend at the time didn’t care much for it, and silly me didn’t think I could travel alone. HA!
My way of thinking changed in 2016, when I made the decision to go to New York by myself to see Sikth.
That quick two and a half day trip (and brutal 24 hour roundtrip bus ride) was life changing. I learned I had the confidence to travel alone, that I was able to do so with a small budget, and that I could have a fantastic time doing so.
A few months after my journey to the big Apple, I got on a plane for the first time and headed to jolly ol’ England. I spent several weeks roaming around different cities and towns soaking it all in and thinking “why the fuck didn’t I do this sooner?!” I managed to stay in the UK for three weeks, and even jet over to Dublin for a few days, for a lot less money than I thought was needed. After that amazing trip the wanderlust was strong and I tried to travel somewhat often. Big trips and small, solo or with friends, and always with live music involved in one way or another.
And though I was late to the travel game, I’ve done some pretty cool things.
I joined my now friends Sikth on their tour opening for Trivium, hauling gear and drinking beers from Paris to Antwerp. Helped sell merch for Iron Maiden last minute in Buffalo and Chicago. Decided to give tour managing a try in the western US with Volur. And amazingly ended up trekking around Europe for a month slinging merch for the band Ghost.
And I was just getting started. Most of those happened in 2019, when I really tried to spend more time with my two passions, travel and music.
Eventually live music and travel will come back.
And of course I’m fucking ready to hit the road running. To be a part of as many concerts and festivals in as many different places that I can. To finally get back to what I do best. Rock’n’roam.
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