And...I’m Back 💭
Ya’ll i’m so Tired! I mean really exhausted. From planning Esmaf ‘23, producing music, taking on clients, and trying to grow a fan base, to just trying to find time in my day to love on my fiancé, and not talk about work; it feels like there is not enough time in the day.
However, I have a story to tell, and I’m hoping you will stick around and read it. It’s the whole reason I’m here speaking to you now. To me, dreams are like fireflies. Clear and bright in the safety of the dark, and before you can show or share them with anyone else, they disappear. Sometimes to reappear in places that seem beyond the horizon, or are shadowed by things that obstruct others’ view. But in my experience, if you just keep going, it always works out in the end.
The Story of the Empire State Music & Arts Festival
In the summer of 2012, my heart led me to the Empire State, a place of dreams and possibilities. With only $600 to my name and a bag of aspirations, I arrived with no place to call home, no job awaiting me. The allure of the city's bright lights was irresistible, and I was captivated by their magnetic pull. It's hard to describe how the city's vibrant energy draws you in until you're surrounded by those flashing lights and instantly ensnared. As an artist searching for belonging, I felt a connection to these streets, a connection as deep as any romance.
A sensation of promise lingered in the air as I laid eyes on the city's sprawling panorama. The sky was painted in delicate hues of colors that mirrored the complexity of my emotions. With every breath, I inhaled a hint of opium-like possibility, intoxicated by the notion that everything I'd ever yearned for might be just around the corner.
Months before I arrived, during the summer of 2012, I was grinding away on my 2nd project, pouring my heart and soul into its low-fi, passion-filled melodies. A dear friend tirelessly worked with me in crafting this masterpiece, and though my skills needed refinement, the imperfect perfection of the album reflected my journey. Yet, as the release date neared, a devastating blow hit - my producer vanished with all the files, leaving me with nothing. I was left with no choice but to start over, battling financial constraints and obstacles at every turn.
Amidst the chaos, I secured a job at Paragon Sports in Union Square, striving to make ends meet while pursuing my artistic dream. The turning point came when I stumbled upon 1st-floor Studios, an in-home studio for diverse artists of various genres, owned and operated by two recent Florida University graduates, Erik & Paul. Their studio's welcoming atmosphere inspired me, and it sparked the idea of creating a platform for artists to showcase their talents.
In a world of shady promoters, our frustration brewed, and we decided to produce an event that would serve artists' interests genuinely. Thus, The Empire State Music Fest was born. In less than a year, we transformed from a modest four-hour showcase in 2014, into a twelve-hour extravaganza, with two stages, vendors, and the best artists in the city; all under one roof. Those days were everything. I had found my place, a role in nurturing artists and their dreams.
(Empire State Music Fest, 2014, Santos Party House)
As time passed, the magic of the events business began to fade for Erik and Paul, leaving me to endeavor on this path solo. My partners in crime had grown restless with event organizing, and I didn’t blame them. In the beginning, the time and the preparation are never-ending, and there is no assurance that the returns will pour in. And, as we learned, just because we worked with integrity, that didn’t mean other people didn’t sieve the moment, and try to take advantage. A point that would often time push Erik over the edge…( when I tell you he was a hot head when it came to the business, he was. Way more Dame Dash than Jay-Z for sure. We love him for it though. He only wanted to protect us.) Needless to say, their departure left a void. The sense of belonging I'd cherished was gone, and I felt unanchored, my identity intertwined with the showcases that had breathed life into me, now seemly suffocated me.
In 2016, I chose to take a step back, unable to bear the weight of financial burden and planning alone. The void left by the absence of the festival was palpable, and voices clamored for its return. Fueled by determination, I revived ESMF in 2017, orchestrating it single-handedly despite the toll it took on my health. ( I literally went to the emergency room 6 times for exhaustion and panic attacks…definitely not okay) The festival evolved, flourished, and began gaining momentum.
Then, a devastating call shattered my world. Erik had passed away unexpectedly, leaving his family and friends in shock and grief. It didn’t make any sense. I had just seen him and made plans literally weeks prior to getting the news. I mean the very person who shared my vision, who believed in me from the beginning, was just, gone. I dedicated the festival to Erik, during the 2019 festival run. I called Paul onto the stage, and standing there, with tears and gratitude, Paul and I looked out at a sold-out crowd and witnessed what our shared dream had become; putting into perspective how many corners I had to look around to actually stumble upon what I didn’t know I yearned for. Connection.
Through the years, Empire has continued to grow, a testament to perseverance and passion. From humble beginnings, it transformed into a platform hosting over 30 events annually, connecting artists from across the globe, and laying the groundwork for people to discover the best, brightest, and future stars of the music industry. It's more than a platform; it's a place where I've shed the cloak of imposter syndrome and found my voice. With each day, the dream Paul, Erik, and I had continues flourishing, and I invite you to be part of it, to witness the event that transformed my life.
So, let's meet in October, in the heart of this city that's witnessed our journey, and celebrate the magic that is The Empire State Music & Arts Fest.
Make Your Way To This Year's Festival?
ESMAF boasts one of its most robust and diverse programming schedules this year. Fueled by top-of-the-line artists from all over, we are putting together a festival that is unmatched in genre diversity & show-stopping talent! Come take this journey with us in October. You don’t want to miss it!
Indie Podcast Anyone?
One of the mantras I live by is, “Your process is your own”. While that’s true, I also think there’s a lot of value and community to be gained from hearing about others’ processes, and that’s in part why I created The Process, a podcast where we explore the moments and experiences that shape creatives, and on that helps answer the question: “How are dope artists made?”
Listen to my first five episodes with indie artists Precious Gorgeous, ReeCee Raps, Mandella Eskia, Natalie Carr, and Arie; as we dissect their journeys to become the artists and people they have become.
Listen to The Indie Glow-Up Playlist
Discover the best, the brightest, and the future of the music industry with ESMAF’s Indie Glow-Up Playlist: a monthly playlist that highlights 15+ phenomenal artists on the glow-up from all walks of music!
This month’s playlist includes artists like Festival headliners Ben Reilly, Convict Julie, Sectiontoo, Wass, Shayna Blass, & more!
Concerts in Random Places
Have you checked out our new digital concert series Concerts in Random Places, yet?
Concerts in Random Places allows viewers the opportunity to witness amazing artists from all over the world performing their favorite songs in small businesses and local establishments of NYC!
You can now watch and listen to R&B songstress Emelia Vero and 2022 festival headliner Juice perform live.
Top 3 Glow-Up Tips Of The Month
Are you boosting ads on Facebook (I mean Meta…but I’m old school…lol) or Instagram? How do you know the people that you are targeting are people who will appreciate what you have to offer? Well if you’re not using Google Analytics, you probably don’t. Google Analytics lets you know who is viewing your website,
so you can focus on them, and understand your primary sources for traffic!
Check out Indepreneur, A library of priceless music marketing strategies
that they say actually create listeners, fans, and customers. Now I will say some of the programs are a little pricey if you’re on a budget, but their Instagram is constantly updated with great information you could use on your daily Artis hustle! Check them out, and let us know how it works out!Looking for great rates on music rehearsal spaces? Check out Pirate Studios. A community of 24-hour spaces that spans over 700 locations worldwide housing recording studios, rehearsal spaces, and more! Save 20% on your rental when you book morning sessions!