Jared, Shannon, and Tomo,
I know you have heard this from thousands of people since you guys began this incredible journey as 30 Seconds to Mars more than 10 years ago, but I can’t help repeating the sentiments of others when I say that your music has changed my life.
I went to a show of yours over four years ago not knowing what to expect. It was March 26, 2006 at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY and my sister was dying to go. She talked me into going with her, even though I had never heard of 30 Seconds to Mars before. It was my first concert, and I was nothing short of completely blown away. It didn’t matter that I had never heard the music before. It didn’t matter that we were stuck in the back. I came home with my head spinning, an autographed CD, and memories that will last a lifetime. From the moment you guys went onstage, I was instantly a part of the incredible, loving family that makes projects like this happen. One of the best decisions I have ever made was to say yes to my sister that March afternoon.
After that beautiful, magical night, I knew that I had found something important. Something had changed during that show. Music had always been important to me - I had played different instruments for as long as I could remember and music was regularly discussed in our family - but after your show, music was everything. For years I had had my heart set on becoming an architect, but I suddenly couldn’t see myself spending the rest of my life behind a desk drawing buildings. It wasn’t enough. It was then that I chose the path that led me to study Music Industry at Syracuse University. I realized that I may not be cut out to be a performer myself, but I need to be involved in the industry in some form or another to be happy.
About seven months after that night at the Town Ballroom, a childhood friend of mine passed away at the age of nineteen. His life had been one of many difficulties that he seemingly did not know how to overcome, and he had turned to drugs at a young age. We had grown apart a couple of years prior to his death, but when I heard of his overdose, I was stunned and heartbroken. We had different groups of friends at the time of his death, and I found myself unable to talk to my friends about it. They didn’t grow up with him, they had no memories with him, they were not affected by his passing. They couldn’t understand my pain, so I turned to the one thing that I knew could help: your music. I listened to A Beautiful Lie, especially “A Modern Myth” and its chorus of goodbyes, on repeat for months as it was the only thing that made the pain lessen and my anger, fear, and sorrow be released. Unfortunately, I have had a few more friends die before they reached the age of 20 since then, and I have consistently turned to your music as therapy.
As cliche as it sounds, that experience truly made me realize the fragility of life. I came to absolutely despise the idea of doing anything except what made me happy, because who knew when it could all be over? As much as I enjoy architecture as a hobby, music is my greatest passion, and it needs to be the focus of the environment in which I work. Upon reflection, I came to the conclusion that I want to help people experience something similar to what I did at your show in 2006. I want to be one of the people responsible for bringing music to the public because I know the power it holds and the ways in which it can change lives for the better. I truly believe that I have no one to thank but you guys - Jared, Shannon, and Tomo - for where I am in my life right now and where I see myself going in the future.
If you’ll allow me one request, it would be that you guys keep doing what you’re doing. You have changed the lives of countless individuals, and you will continue to do the same for others, I know it. Your music is forever a part of who I am, and I am more grateful than I can even express for your creativity, passion, and dedication. I have found who I am and my place in the Echelon family, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Love love love,
Laura Dumitru
Buffalo, NY, USA
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