Interview: Dean Risko (Los Angeles, USA)
Posted: February 23, 2016 Filed under: Interview | Tags: Dean Risko, Eminem, Lauryn Hill, Saltwater, Temple St Comments Off on Interview: Dean Risko (Los Angeles, USA)
I got a message from an old school buddy about a rapper he was representing in LA. I am always interested in new music so I did a quick search and FIRST headline was: Dean Risko Says He Wants To Be A “White Male Version” Of Lauryn Hill
I rarely hear an MC who also can sing without auto tune, do you have a preference between rapping and being a vocalist?
I started rapping and singing around the same time 11 years ago but I took rap more seriously until a few years ago. I like doing both live but I do prefer writing melodies to writing raps.
Where did the title Temple St. come from, what meaning does it have to you?
This project was originally supposed to be a full-length record and I mentioned Temple St in one of the songs that never made the cut. It’s the street in Echo Park that I used to live on. “Temple St.” is literally a window into the 5 turbulent years I spent there trying to survive and adjust to LA.
I saw that you were performing in South Africa in 2012, what did it feel like going back to your birth place and what impressions did you get?
Going back home was one of the best experiences of my life so far. I got to see family I hadn’t seen in like 10 years and reconnected with my roots. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a vibrant and diverse music scene and a somewhat of a renaissance happening in the city of Johannesburg.
You are constantly working on shows, videos and have a great energy when dancing – where do you get this drive to perform?
I’ve been a performer my whole life in one-way or another. It started with school plays, then it evolved into a passion for dance that became a professional career for a number of years but I always had a deeper love for music and eventually it became my focus. I started writing songs and performing music at age 15 and by about age 20 that’s all I wanted to do.
After looking at your Instagram account, I see how important your family is. What legacy do you want to leave for them?
I’ve always admired my father for chasing his dreams even when he was faced with adversity and letdowns. In some way I feel responsible to carry on his legacy. He moved us here when I was 10 with the hope of living the American Dream and after 10 years of trail and error it didn’t work out. My parents are back home in Joburg now and I’m in LA carrying the torch. I want to show my daughter that it is possible to succeed even if the path you choose has the most resistance. I want to inspire her with the same spirit I saw in my Dad.
What up coming events, projects do you have coming up?
Well aside from Temple St. and the SALTWATER collaboration project we just dropped I’m working on my first official full length and putting together a west coast tour. I’ve also got a few videos on the way from SALTWATER and the Temple St EP.
Pick up Dean Risko’s new album, Temple St., available from iTunes and Spotify
Follow Dean Risko on Soundcloud, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & YouTube.
Snapchat: Riskythebizniss
Let me know in the comments what you have been blasting in your car speakers this week!
CHAT WITH ME ON:
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Two:Tone presents The World of Drum and Bass March 24, 2016
Posted: February 15, 2016 Filed under: Event, Free Downloads | Tags: Bassline Smith, Crissy Criss, Deep Ellum, DJ SS, drum & bass, Drumsound, Grooverider, music monday, Two:Tone Comments Off on Two:Tone presents The World of Drum and Bass March 24, 2016
Two:Tone has just released the full line up for the Deep Ellum Dallas, TX tour date for The World of Drum and Bass!
Venue: Wits End 2724 Elm St, Dallas, Texas 75226
Time: Thursday, March 24 from 9 PM – 2 AM
Cover: Yes, ticket info TBR and cash at the door
Yes it is a Thursday night and, of course, I will not be able to do anything the next morning. I have every intention of not working on anything until noon the following Friday. This is total drum and bass fan’s dream! Here are some free downloads and recommended listening to prepare you for March 24, 2016.
THE GOD FATHER of DRUM & BASS…..
:::::::::::::::::::::::: GROOVERIDER ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
( Prototype Records / Ministry Of Sound / BBC Radio 1 :: UK)
Hear more:
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DJ SS ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(Formation Records :: UK) B2B
::::::::::: DRUMSOUND & BASSLINE SMITH ::::::::::
( Technique Recordings :: UK )
*FREE DOWNLOAD*
More listening:
::::::::::::::::::::::::: CRISSY CRISS:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
( BBC Radio1extra : Dead Exit : Zooo Records – UK )
*FREE DOWNLOAD*
More music:
Who are you excited about hearing on March 24, 2015 at Wit’s End?
Unable to make it to the Dallas date? Here is the entire tour schedule:
CHAT WITH ME ON:
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
5 Non-traditional Ways To Show Love
Posted: February 11, 2016 Filed under: Lifestyle | Tags: Valentine's Day Comments Off on 5 Non-traditional Ways To Show Love
I’ve been reading great ideas for dates, meals, make up, outfits, gifts for Valentine’s Day when I suddenly realized – my entire life is showing bae I care! Of course there are things I do that he takes for granite so here are the top 5 things I do to show I love him.
These are some great idea you can apply to your relationship as well!
- If he wants a quick kiss, I lick his face like a hyper puppy.
- If I break his windshield out with my platform shoe I always make sure to pay to replace it.
- When I see him walking to the door I make sure to grab it open and scream: I LOVE YOU!
- I let him approve of any social media posts I make with him.
- I let him have full control of the music in the car.
Of course I could wear something amazing, have flawless make up or buy him something but I already do all that on a daily basis. This list are things I do for him that he sometimes forgets that I do.
What are ways you show your love that are non-traditional?
Snapchat: Geotag Game – California, USA
Posted: February 9, 2016 Filed under: Snapchat, Social Media, Travel | Tags: geofilter, snapchat, travel 2 Comments »
Snapchat is my favorite day to day social media platform because I can talk about what I am doing that day & it will completely unscripted and silly. I have done snapchat stories before to play out a situation that happened to be funny. I have followers and follow people from all over the world. It is always fun to send new users a picture that I am in Arlington working or going to class in Fort Worth or dancing the night away in Dallas (which is my current semester life). The snap I used above is from this fall with my brother at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, a fun day of me showing my followers about a park series the city does. Of course I posted an awesome pictures of that concert on Instagram but snaps are more fun to see into the action.
Last week I decided to play the Geotag Game. It is easier when you have more people play. I sent about 20 people a snap to send me a geotag pic of where there were at. The winner of this round was Spencer making this geotag game the California edition! Yay, he sent me so many that after 24 hours I told him I didn’t need anymore since it would have taken forever to upload.
Congratulations to Spencer for winning this round & sending me over 50 snaps! Follow him on snapchat, speezo44, because he has a positive attitude and has fun days were he takes his followers into beautiful nature trips.
What are Snapchat Geotags
These are overlays that are created by artists then submitted to Snapchat. To use a geotag on your snapchat snap just slide your finger to the left till one shows up, unfortunately if you use a geotag filter you can not use another filter, such a fast forward or slow down.
Make sure to be able to have your location on to use the geotag filter. Notice I also have my settings to turn on Travel Mode so I don’t have snaps loaded automatically.
Check out the geofilter snaps I got!
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- San Jose: speezo44
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- San Jose
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- Milpitas
I play games on snapchat from time to time so to join in for the next round add me on snapchat: AllyFiesta
Which geofilter is your favorite? You can submit your own geotag to snapchat, send me a snap if yours is used by snapchat!
February Goals 2016
Posted: February 1, 2016 Filed under: Goals, Hula Hoop, Instagram, Journal | Tags: #FMSPhotoraphy, #PlanWithMeChallenge, #RockYourHandwriting, bullet journal, hula hoop, infinite circles, Virtual Assistant, writing 2 Comments »Excellent month in January on the goals, but one of the most emotionally draining!
Review of my goals for last month:
Journal twice a day: HALFWAY I missed about 2 days but every day I had much on my mind so I poured out every night. I had a heavy heart when I went to bed and it felt so good to release onto paper. I also have become obsessed with the Bullet Journal community that I was also making quote inspired spreads. Two days of not journaling – not bad. Journaling helped me not only stick with my goals but to adjust them so I could fit them in.
Track meals’ nutrition: DONE! I keep a food log in my journal – some days I would move it to SparkPeople’s mobile food tracker. I would like to find a better tracker. I used to use FitBit but I gave my tracker to my mom. Today she told me she lost it. (“THANKS MAMI!”) Let me know if you are using a tracker that you like on your smartphone. I know their are a bajillion. Most of my friends like FitnessPal. It is always nice to have friends to keep me accountable.
Post 3 times a week: NOPE. I experienced personal grief for a cultural icon halfway through the month – then complete shock as my best friend’s son passed away. I cried for about two days and it was the first week of school. I had mentioned earlier that I have tried to batch post on the weekends but there was much to do with a memorial. It was hard for me to write just for the blog, but I decided to fall back on making writing for 30 minutes a day to be a goal then pull that writing on the blog.
30/30 hula hoop challenge: DONE! I made hula hooping a part of my daily affirmations in the morning instead of listening to music. I did not post a single video/image to my instagram. I like my account to look polished as possible so I created a 2nd account for challenges but I am already managing 3 different instagram accounts. I decided to set a day aside for each of my accounts so I can plan. There is not a tool that posts directly to instagram AND posts hashtags so this is sticky for me. Either way, I hooped 30 minutes a day.
January Yoga Challenge: Nope. Completely dropped the ball on this.
Now I do have goals for February!
1. Write 30 minutes a day: I learned how to use DeskPM. I will be pulling from blog ideas I have free written and use those as prompts. I am also using prompts from Blogher. I currently have pending posts that require polishing.
2. #BeFit workouts: These are quick 10 minute work outs that I am joining in with #SweatPink. So far they have been intense so I make sure to warm up by jogging or marching in place, then do a 10 minute cool down and stretching. I will be posting a review of these work outs and several other products later on this month. There will be a giveaway so WATCH THIS SPACE!
3. #RockYourHandWriting, #PlanWithMeChallenge, #FMSPhotography: These are Instagram challenge that I am excited about. I enjoy writing creatively. The reason I have kept a journal since I was 9 years old is because my mom said my handwriting looked like “spiders dancing” so she gave me a pink plastic cover journal so I could practice. Lettering is my favorite hobby now. I even pulled out my watercolors so I can start to use them for quotes. Not to mention I spent 3 hours with my planner getting ready for February. Then I wanted to a popular photo challenge. I am lumping these together because they fall under a similar group but are different. I find it even more challenging to create an image that all of the challenges could be in.
4. Infinite Circles Challenge: I am doing this in the Infinite Circles Community Facebook page. I rarely EVER post videos of myself hula hooping so this one is for Facebook. I made a fun spread. I hope I win a polypro hoop from Raye of Rainn!
#ICChallenge spread in my bullet journal
5. Virtual Assistant Website: I bought a domain so I can start working on other virtual assistant projects. I have several clients currently but not enough work to save for some goals I have this summer. I have several mentors who have motivated me to creative a website so I can showcase what I can do. Exciting, that will be completed by the end of the month. I have over a decade of executive level administrative support with a focus on accounting. Virtual assistant freelance work is perfect for me since I’m always on the go but never far from WiFi.
Did you accomplished your goals from January? Have you ever used the Bullet Journal method before? What are your plans for February?
Bike riding: Thanks for nothing teacher!
Posted: January 27, 2016 Filed under: Active Life, Journal, Positivity | Tags: bicycle, bike, bike riding 2 Comments »
I learned how to ride a bicycle in a single day.
I was five years old living in New Mexico. I would see the neighborhood ride their bikes around and heard them come back talking about what they saw on the other streets. It sounded so exciting to be able to go to the nearby elementary school playground on weekends with no parents around! Only issue was I had no idea how to ride a bike.
“Mommy, you give me a bike for Christmas?” I asked my mom. I kept asking my mom. I asked my dad. I did not get the bike for Christmas. I did not get the bike for Valentine’s day. I didn’t see a bike on St. Patrick’s day. No bike on April Fools day. Why were my parents not giving me this bike?
They knew how scared I was of falling down. I had no problem with jumping off tables or swinging on a tire swing but the idea of falling down with metal frame scared me. I would ask about what happens when people fall. I saw the boys in the neighborhood show off their scared. I told my mom about it since she can’t stand the sight of blood. Once she ran around the garage around holding my brother screaming when he had a bloody knee from riding his bike. I did not need that type of drama at 4 years old.
I just needed a bike so I could go to the elementary’s school playground on the weekend. Then it happend. The best time of year: my birthday.
My mom had already taken me to test bikes (major tease). I did not talk to anyone on the ride back home because they had played mind games having me sit on a bike. This bike. That bike. What color do I like? Yes I want a sparkle in there some where. Omg, then ride back home with no bike! Ugh. At this point I felt like it wasn’t going to happen. I just forgot about it the time rolled around for one of my legendary birthday parties.
My daddy came inside & asked me to follow him into the backyard. There was my brand shiny pink bike. It had a white banana seat, pink Barbie frame with pink and with white streamers! It was official! I had wheels! It was okay that I am not even a fan of pink because wheels means playground time! I could not wait to hit up the elementary school.
First, I had to finish celebrating my birthday. I go hard on my birthday every year so after my neighborhood friends and their parents set it off all day. I went to sleep that night without even sitting on my bike. However, I did make a lot of plans with my friends and their siblings to hit up this park. I remember telling everyone one about my bike, it was of my favorite parties before I was old enough to legally drink alcohol. All my family was there, it was the most sugar fueled party I’ve ever had.
The next day was rough. My mom told me before I even had breakfast that I had to learn how to ride the bike today. My dad told me outside and showed me what to do. Yeah, just peddle. Okay. Then came the stress about falling. I ran inside & my mom said, “You are going to fall but you are not going to go through the floor! Just get back on and keep going. Do not come back inside until you know how to ride that bike.”
Stressed. I’m five years. I’m out of control awesome in my pink Barbie bike but I had this requirement that I would be riding my bike before I could back inside. “Hello? Is someone coming out here with me? No. THANKS TEACHERS! Nobody is going to help me for the rest of the day! Fine! Barbie bike are going to make this happen.”
I asked my mom how long I was learning how to ride my bike. In my memory I was out there for 6 hours. It was DUSK when I got back inside. My mom insists that it took me an hour. Time goes by slow when I’m frustrated.
Of course I fell down. I laid there thinking, “This isn’t too bad.” I would get back up. I would ride the curb with my foot out so I could balance myself. I rode my bike in all sorts of weird ways EXCEPT the way my dad showed me. I would look back at my house & my mom would look at me & seeing I was not riding my bike. Then finally, I pushed myself off the curb and thought, “If I fall, I fall, I’m ready for a snack.” A couple of times I thought about how life would be if I never learned how to ride a bike and would be forced to live on the streets.
Then I rode my bike. Just rode up the street for a block as the sun set. I stopped at the curb where the stop sign was. Then I pushed off again headed back to myself. I was riding my bike! Streamers in the wind, my long shadow on the pavement. I saw my parents look at me ride my bike and it was everything I wanted. They waved me back inside. It was too late to ride to the playground but there was always tomorrow. I’m glad my parents let me learn how to apply what they showed me with out giving me training wheel. Then the pressure of a deadline. Teaching by stepping back is the best way I learn. Sweet freedom. After that my parents always had a hard time keeping me home.
Do you remember your first bike? How did you learn how to ride a bike?
Five way to keep your goals solid
Posted: January 20, 2016 Filed under: Active Life, Goals, Positivity 3 Comments »
I’ve been working on ways of keeping my goals and at a couple of points felt like I wanted to quit. It is so much easier to say things like I am as good as I am going to ever be. Quit is way easier. However, I have worked around that because I do want to do more. Here are 5 tips that have helped me this past couple of weeks.
Package deal: This means that I am including what I need to do to reach my goal in something I have to do anyways. I know I am going to do something physical first thing in the morning so I decided to include it be physical for only 5 minutes – then if I want to continue I do. So far I usually do because I’m already working out, as long as I have no time restraints then I’m going to continue for another 25 minutes. I have also heard of people who go bed in their work out gear so they is little excuse to why they are not working out.
Track progress: I do this daily when it comes to my water and nutrition. This is part of my daily journaling to see what I have done and to reflect on how I feel with those results. When I don’t reach my goals the reason falls behind being mindless or not planning, that gives me the reminder that I do need to prep and plan. I place a check mark by what I am completing for the day which gives me a visual of my progress.
Adjust goals: At times I make grandiose goals without thinking of how much time, energy I need to put to get results or worst – not realize my goals are just completely not realistic. Instead of just quitting, I have adjusted what I can do. I even see if my issue is the timing or do I need someone to help me. I can always take more time to reach my goal but I don’t want to quit. There are SO MANY instagram challenges and at one point I was thinking of joining FOUR different ones – but instead I am just going to do ONE per month.
Trust the process: Reaching the next level is going to be a challenge. I have wanted to quit many things I have done tin 2015 RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. I am glad that I completed that progress, kicking and screaming so my reward was more powerful because I earned it. Also I have had to let go of things not serving my purpose – that was the hardest. I let go and had the time to learn and find mentors to help me.
One bite at a time. I have heard the quote: You eat an elephant one bite at a time. Of course I am not going to eat an elephant! I do know this means that to get a major goal that I am going to have to break it up. My goal is a certain weight but I have broken that up into this month to focus on tracking what I am eating. Every single step is just a bit of the whole and so I focus on what I can do that day.
I also make sure to listen to daily positive affirmations FIRST thing in the morning which motivates me better than coffee.
What are tips that you do to make sure you reach your goals?
Should I just change my January 2015 goals or give up?
Posted: January 18, 2016 Filed under: Goals, Hula Hoop, Instagram, Journal, Yoga | Tags: blog tip, blogger life, boho berry, bullet journal, goal progress, hoop dance, journal, maco tracking, Monthly Goals, motivation monday, yoga 12 Comments »
I did not have New Year Resolutions because as they stay the same old: lose weight, be healthy, don’t get in fist fights, don’t mess up everything. I do monthly goals. Now to review my goals for January.
Journal twice a day: Killing it! I did a twitter chat with BlogHerU about time management and found out ways to organize my day. I found out about bullet journal. I did not buy a new pricey journal or even a new crappy journal. I just started use my Chinese pug journal with some new tips. My favorite part is creating new spreads and lists as I need to. This is helping me to check off m daily tasks I need to complete without limiting my space. Some days take one page – some days take 5 pages. Also I have been using my colored pens to draw which is perfect for my creative personality. This video of a bullet journal flip through from Boho Berry has changed how I will journal forever! I know it will take some practice before my lettering and doodling improves. I got an awesome e-mail from Moxie Girls and decided to take the major points to create this motivational page:
Track meals’ nutrition: I had a rough start with this because I was trying to use apps. After I got my bullet journal method set up, I decided to log my food there so I can see what I am doing. Apparently I am a fan of 2nd dinner! This past week I have been having one dinner then a snack. This should help my budget as well. However, I very much enjoy these fine Dallas restaurants!
Post 3 times a week: I SMASHED it in week one but last Monday I had a major heartbreak to find out my creative inspiration had passed away. Last Monday I completely stayed of the internet because I knew that it would be too much for me on a personal level. So that was last week – this is a new week. I also decided to do more batch writing and scheduling since there are going to be entire WEEKS where I am just not able to do with life in general.
Bright side of the heartache, I decided to quit trying to be normal part 10. I always go through stages where I think I can suppress my creative needs and my desire to just be the weirdo I am. I don’t have a lot time here so I ended up getting purple hair.
30/30 hula hoop challenge: I am fully hooping 30 minutes a day every day! I am however NOT posting it on my Instagram account. I recently created a new account just for challenges so I don’t have any stress on if a pictures/video looks perfect. That account is completely for me to grow in whatever challenge I am working on.
January Yoga Challenge: Yeah, I completely did NONE of this. I had planned on doing yoga before bed but really after 8 pm I am still running around or completely wiped out that I don’t feel like doing yoga. I am just better in the morning.
I am glad that I decided to check in to see where I am at half way through the month so I can make adjustments to review my goals. There are none that I want to quit, just moving some things around such as doing yoga in the morning after hooping. Still not sure if I can do BOTH in one day.
Let me know if you are keeping up with you goals/resolutions. Are you making adjustments? Have you decided to quit?
Blogging Elite 1 year Anniversary
Posted: January 8, 2016 Filed under: Giveaway | Tags: Blogging Elite 10 Comments »
This past year I joined Facebook groups to connect with other blogs and read more blogs. A group that have been wonderful is The Blogging Elite. Every week I get to read fresh content and connect with these bloggers on social media. It has been awesome to get to know them and read their stories.
Awesome news is that we are giving back to everyone and giving you some awesome goodies! I am a major fan of blogger Giveaways as I’m participated in many and even won several times in 2015. I support giveaways so much I even have a board on my pinterest JUST for giveaways that are current.
I’m surprised the group has been around for a only a year since it is very well managed and grown at such a great rate! So to celebrate myself and other members of the Blogging Elite are joining to do a giveaway.
I decided to donate one of the shirt I use to raise money to keep this blog going. Here is what it looks like:
Lick It or Leave It shirt
One day I’ll share the story on how “lick it or leave it” became my motto.
Here are the other bloggers who are part of this giveaway!
Nina | Erica | Emily | Tiffany
Savannah | Shane | Dara | Raewyn
Lauren | Hannah | Dana | Ally
WHAT DO YOU GET FOR ENTERING?? ALL THE STUFF!!
2016 Emily Ley Gold Pineapple Daily Simplified Planner
DIY Branding Package from Emily Finta (worth $125)
$10 Bijoux Avenue Gift Card
Love This Journal and Yourself E-Journal
“Lick It or Leave It” Shirt from HydroSupraLicked
Ad Space on Endless Bliss, Hugs and Lattes, Always, S, Sea Salt Secrets, The Southern Thing and Pellerini
Are you a part of an awesome group on Facebook? Which one of the giveaway items do you want the MOST?
Coachella 2016 Music Festival Guns N Roses, 2MANYDJS, Black Coffee, Vince Staples, SZA & DJ EZ
Posted: January 6, 2016 Filed under: Dance, Event, Music Mixes | Tags: 2MANYDJS, Black Coffee, Coachella, DJ EZ, Guns N Roses, SZA, Vince Staples 3 Comments »
I just thought of how many dads are going to join their kids at Coachella this year as Guns N Roses will be performing. I’m saying this as one of the few people at my age who does NOT have any children. Every year I have friends who say they can’t come out because they have kids – now there are not excuse. You have at least ONE act you’ll enjoy and your kids will have a blast. Major fans can always pick up a copy of Chinese Democracy-Deluxe Edition
The family that festivals together stays together.
Guns and Roses on 12/19/87 in Chicago, Il. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage)
Anyways there are going to be some awesome acts and here are some of my favorites.
2MANYDJS
Radio Soulwax Presents: As Heard On Radio Soulwax pt. 2 from Radio Soulwax on Vimeo. 2MANYDJS (LIVE)
Are you dancing while watching this video? I’m just sitting here watching this like, “Everything weird and funky is here TOGETHER!” This video is a visual trip AND got heat. Shout outs to the animators who created this video – it is wonderful and weird. I want to throw a party based on this video animation! You can pick up As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt 2
Black Coffee
This video starts off with a 4:47 interview (& I LOVE a good interview) then stay around for the best part of this video. It shows Black Coffee mixing. Yes you can watch him actually mixing!
Vince Staples
You know I respect more than anything? People who are about education reform and this guy blew my mind with his commentary on how school creates criminals. I had a rough time in high school because of my “strong willed” personality. Just listen, that is your job. Excited about Vince Staples. Also you can play him on vinyl: Summertime ’06 [2 LP][Special Edition]
Tei Shi
Simple black and white video with an ambient dream voice. I feel like I’m in the middle of mediating and praying with an angel guiding me. Excuse me while I have an out of body experience while I watch “See Me” another ethereal video. Much respect to this South American singer based in Brooklyn. Verde
SZA
More of this electronic R&B stuff please! Need some of her vocals to wash over you in traffic? Z [Explicit]
DJ EZ
STRAIGHT UP LEGEND!! Duh, as if I would end this list without having someone I have actually danced to. I have straight up look like I swimming in a pool after dancing to garage for an entire evening. There is is ONLY ONE of Ministry of Sound: Essential Garage Collection
My close friend just asked me if I am ever get sick of “that” type of music and the answer is no. I just take a break & by the line up on Coachella there is such a great variety that if anyone was to get tired there is another stage, and another, and another.
Currently available for you to enjoy while wearing nothing but a festival wrist band:
Who are you looking forward to hearing at Coachella this year?
