Behind Every Band, There’s A Woman
A little over a year ago, I was in Arkansas for a writing workshop hosted by Pamela Des Barres. I spent two days writing alongside her and a handful of other women. The time that I spent in that space revealed to me just how deeply I enjoy writing and how important spaces like this are. Because of our shared passion for music, we turned a hotel room in Little Rock into a sacred space for womanhood and community, making heartfelt connections and writing our hearts out. If I wasn’t a fangirl, introduced to Pamela Des Barres by other fangirls, the significance of those two days would not have existed for me.
My appreciation for music has been a part of me for as long as I can remember, and my desire to remain close to it has ushered in countless opportunities and connections. I reached out to some of the wonderful women I’ve encountered through this shared love, inviting them to share how being a fangirl has impacted their lives.
Hannah Valdez, whom I met through our beloved band, Quarters of Change, replied, “I have met my best friends through my favorite bands. Going to shows is a beauty because everyone there has something in common, so when I go to all of these shows, meeting mutuals on socials and getting to experience something we both love, it’s so beautiful. Being a fan girl has brought me my career, my bridesmaids, and amazing memories I’ll cherish forever! I don’t know what I would do if I wasn't going to a new concert every month and meeting all of these people and growing this community, especially in Texas. It’s amazing, and I can’t imagine my life any other way!”
Hannah is just one of many amazing individuals I’ve encountered through Quarters of Change. I often think about how much my love for this band has enriched my social life, and I will always be thankful for the friends they’ve unknowingly brought into my world.
Sadie Burns, who I also met through QOC, responded: “I think being a fangirl in music has brought me so many friendships in real life and online as well. I’m so grateful for the communities and spaces that exist within an art platform such as music as it allows people, in my experiences, women, to come together and bond over something. And simply, I think that’s beautiful.”
Leah Guerra, a longtime mutual thanks to our shared admiration for Wallows, also shared her thoughts: “Simply being a fan of a band has opened so many doors and led me to so many realizations about what I want to do with my life, all while immersing me in a community of people who all share my same passions. I’ve traveled, met friends I know will last a lifetime, and gotten to do it all while jamming out to my favorite band in the world.
Traveling for shows also opened my eyes to what I wanted to do in my career, and I switched my major to one that would allow me flexibility to pursue these dreams or at least work towards a life that lets me do it on the side. I now do work for a nonprofit Record Label aimed at helping artists without the same opportunities as others get a jumpstart in their craft, and I have worked at music festivals while making some of my favorite memories to date.
It’s hard to explain how much being a fangirl has actually changed my life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. Shoutout Wallows.”
The beauty of being a fangirl is visible in creative spaces nationwide: Pleaser Magazine, Studio Eterna, Almost Famous Zine– each founded and run by fangirls and fellow music lovers. Pleaser Magazine even devoted an entire issue to celebrating the power that being a fangirl holds.
Ultimately, the music industry would struggle to flourish without the support of fangirls. It saddens me to witness such a wonderful movement face stigma. My life would be entirely different and far less fulfilling if not for my love of music and my ability to connect with others through it.