Back in high school I used to help put together back yard punk shows. Somehow the hardcore, metal, and emo kids got along for one night (mostly... I’m still wondering where my guitar pedals disappeared to).

I remember being so surprised that enough people showed up to fill the small area we’d cleared. This was the Florida country. We had to get out a few machetes.

Now getting more than 50 post-pubescent nightmares to show up was cool. But all of the moving pieces that got the word out was what I really geeked out over.

Designing flyers. Scoring extra printer time in the computer lab. Learning which teachers were cool with me spreading the word. Sourcing enough speakers from each band to cobble together a loose definition of a PA system. And scrounging together enough leftover plywood from Hurricane Charley to keep our amps from sinking into the swampy lawn.

We could have kept doing what every other band was and been happy with one or two friends coming see our practice. There were so many bands. Some of us had been together since our freshman year. But until that first backyard show not a single classmate had heard of any of us.

I learned a lot about how to boost a signal.

Thinking back on how much I enjoyed the process of promotion I’m no longer surprised I ended up wearing so many hats. Podcaster, graphic designer, videographer, consultant, chihuahua dad, and freelance content creator. When folks ask what I do and I have to answer quickly I just say I’m a serial creative.