The Nerdy Girlie's Music Monday #12: A Filthy Road Trip

{Heads up this is gonna be a looong one, so settle in! #MusicIsLove}

One night when I was still living in San Diego, I was listening to High Voltage’s radio show. A few songs were played that I enjoyed and took note of, but then something magical happened.

A pounding drum filled my speakers. For a second my heart stopped, and just as suddenly it began to beat again in time with the rhythm. The song was "Destroy You" and the band was The Filthy Souls. Within just a few beats of a drum, I was hooked.

The magic continued when I was able to see them perform live for the first time in October 2014, my very first official LA resident show. Since then I’ve done all that I can to tell anyone and everyone about these phenomenal guys, and I have been lucky enough to have their guitarist as my guitar teacher.

You might have noticed that a post went up last Monday about A Silent Film and The Filthy Souls that had nothing on it. Well, that is because I thought after spending the entire weekend on the road with The Filthy Souls I would be able to come back and write a post about it for Monday...WRONG! A week later and I’ve still not had a chance to breathe or recover from an eye opening weekend with my band.

Thursday morning the guys met and I loaded up our two very small cars with all of their gear, all of our luggage, and us. It took some serious Tetris skills but eventually everything and everyone ended up finding a place and we were ready to take on the horrendously boring drive to Phoenix so they could open up for A Silent Film on Saturday.

Through the wind, the rain, and endless stretches of nothingness, we finally arrived in paradise. We actually had a bit of time to enjoy it since the guys were not scheduled to perform until Saturday. Insert leisurely breakfast at one of my favorite places, Snooze, emergency trip to Guitar Center for a tambourine, and a quick game of mini golf {I got 2nd place} before lounging by the pool. 

Gathering photos for this post was actually difficult for the first time ever. I was having so much fun that I didn’t want to use my phone or take photos. I’ve discovered that lately, I’m more happy to be in the moment and with people, unobstructed by technology.

When the time came to introduce my two favorite bands to each other, it was a completely surreal moment. Lead singers Robert {of A Silent Film} and Dave {of The Filthy Souls} are total polar opposites, but in the best way possible. I couldn't love either of them more for who they are and what and who their music has brought to my life.

Like I said before, this was the first time I had seen the full band play together since October and they did not disappoint. All of the craziness that happened up until they hit the stage was gone in an instant. These four have such an infectious chemistry. You can tell how much they love each other and enjoy playing together. It was so fun to witness and to capture for the first time. This is why I love them so much and want others to love them as well. Their music is pretty amazing too! I couldn't help but dance the entire time I was shooting.

Dave Green

The lead singer, the pretty one and the one whose music captured my heart. Ever since moving to LA I’ve secretly found everyone here to be super cool and hard to talk to. I’m pretty good at faking it. Dave is one of those cool kids. He has the confidence I wish that I had. His talent is such that he can sound check for five minutes or not at all and still lead the band in a jaw-dropping set.

Danny Wagstaff

Danny is my guitar teacher. He is definitely the quietest one of the bunch, but you would never know that the minute that he steps on stage and shreds the guitar. I am so happy to be taking lessons from such a talented and kind musician. And even more happy to have him be one of my very first friends I made upon moving to LA!

Topher Daniel

Since Topher is the youngest and around the same age as my brothers, I felt like I was hanging with one of my brothers. He is super sweet and we totally bonded over our love of emo music and McDonald’s. He rode in the back seat to and from Phoenix making me feel super old while he slept and listened to his iPod. LOL

Daniel Curcio

I had never had a chance to talk to Dan before this trip. Dan was another one of those cool kids. But what I soon realized is that he is a complete sweetheart and was great at making me feel included. I think all the black and leather threw me off. ;) As soon as he stepped off stage he gave me a big hug and thanked me for the photos. 

How can I love two completely different bands with all my heart? What it really comes down to is, I’ve realized, is the people. The music captured my heart, but the people who create it it, hold it. I’ve grown so much in the past couple months and I feel like I am at this point in my life where I need A Silent Film’s passionate love and The Filthy Souls' well…filthy love. 

It’s not too much to ask for both, am I right? I finally feel that I can say and realize that and truly mean it and won’t settle for less, no matter how long it takes. Thank you, The Filthy Souls, for inspiring me to live the life I love.