Name: Ian Campbell
Age: 22
Hometown/Current Location: Orlando, FL. Currently residing in Davenport, FL
Occupation: Elementary School Computer Technician
Instagram: @callmesoup
Rave Name: Soup
What was your first electronic music event?
Life in Color Orlando 2015.
What/who influenced you to attend your first event?
I spent a majority of my life as a Christian, volunteering at local churches with their youth groups. After high school, I had a falling out because of a miscommunication between myself and the youth pastor of a church I went to. This caused me to struggle as I tried to find my place in the world. That all changed a few months ago, when I found my place in this community… I had found a family to replace the one I had lost when church turned its back on me.
On that day, there was a Disney Raver Day at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida. I had been very hesitant to go there, but decided to wing it and give it a go. I had nothing to lose at that moment, and I had been closed up in my room for a long time in depression, so the fresh air would be lovely. When I got there, I met up with this amazing cool girl named Jennifer Foster (whom, I came to find out afterwards, moved from California to oversee the development of the first Raver Day at Magic Kingdom), and I knew from the moment I met her at the monorail that this was going to be one hell of an adventure.
One short monorail ride later, we walked down Main Street, watched the end of the Festival of Fantasy parade, and created an inside joke that we continue to use to this very day. We ended up meeting the rest of the crew in front of the castle at 12:30 pm. There, I was welcomed in by huge hugs, introduced to the concept of PLUR, received my first Kandi, and had the greatest time of my life. Afterwards, two people from the group, Jessica Tessene (@taurdi5mau5) and Dase JT (@raverreptar), basically had me hooked into the family. He gave me my raver name, Soup, on that day, and she led me to Life in Color Orlando as my festie bestie.
What is one moment from an event that was special and why?
One moment that was special to me is when I first walked into EDC Orlando 2015 on day two. It was the third electronic music event I had been to, and the second festival I had been to, Suwannee Hulaween being the first festival only a week before EDC. I had contacted Dase and Jessica about where they were at, then split off from the group I came in with (my ex, her ex and her friend) to go find my rave family. I found Dase, nearly tackled him to the ground from behind, saw Jessica, gave her a huge hug, turned back around to be given a bear hug and swung around by Dase, and say hi to the rest of the family that were there. It made my entire first EDC a huge success, regardless of my ex ruining Day One for me.
What is your favorite festival or event?
Since I have only been to three event, out of LIC Orlando, Suwannee Hulaween and EDC, I think EDC stole my heart. The way the stages were crafted and set up were amazing, the people I met there were one in a million, the music had me feeling alive… I felt I was finally alive again, like I could be myself and not care about the world outside Tinker Field. I was me again, and it felt liberating!
What is your favorite electronic song and why?
Human – Krewella
The way it begins is so somber, making you feel the helplessness of feeling lost. As the drop comes, you can feel the frustration of not wanting a life of loneliness and the desire to make a change. I listen to it from time to time still, to remind myself that I have found home, but to never forget what I went through to get to where I stand now.
Who are your favorite artists?
Deadmau5, BlasterJaxx, Kaskade, Seven Lions, Alison Wonderland, Tiesto, Headhunterz and Showtek. This list will grow, trust me.
What are your favorite genres?
I like a little bit of everything. Lately, however, I have been liking a lot of hardstyle and trance.
What do you feel your “identity” is in the electronic music community?
As I have only been in the community for 5-6 months, I believe it is too early to determine what my true “identity” will become. I’d say that I am a “Rave Baby” still, because of how much time I have spent in this community. Though, I am a “Rave Little Brother” in my rave family right now, because I look up to my Rave Big Sister, Jessica Tessene (@tardi5mau5) for advice and how to go around in the community.
But, I have a spirit that is protective and watchful, while wanting to enjoy the moment. I plan events I want to go to, mark off dates in my calendar, make plan for transportation and meeting places… But, when it comes to being in a festival/event, I love just going with the flow. I enjoy seeing the people I want to see, I love experiencing the people that other enjoy seeing, I enjoy walking around, I always enjoy interacting with everyone… Basically, I enjoy every aspect of an event.
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself for the readers?
I like to play video games, but I don’t own a console anymore (a gamer bar near me, called Player 1, helps me with not having a console). I know a lot about Disney and Universal, since I have an Annual Pass to both parks (meaning that I’d love to meet any of you lovely people at the parks and hang out, as long as my schedule allows it). If you come to Orlando for a festival or event, let me know… I am always up to meeting new people and going on a new adventure. Oh, I, also, have a wicked awesome photographic memory.
