Meet Abbey Konchan in this week’s #IDSpotlight!
Name: Abbey Konchan
Age: 25
Hometown: Flagler Beach
Current City: Washington, DC
Occupation: IT Business Analyst
Instagram: @abbey.in.wanderland
What was your first electronic music event?
My first show ever was a Pretty Lights Concert that I went to with my college sorority. It was our annual “destination unknown” event but with “neon rave attire” as the hint, it didn’t take long to figure out. I ran out to Walmart and got myself some cheap white Keds sneakers and covered them with rainbow glitter. I left loose trails of sparkles all over that bus and everywhere I went that trip!
What/who influenced you to attend your first event?
As I said above this was kind of a surprise event but I was supremely excited! If we want to switch gears to my first event attended by choice, it would have been shortly after that trip in the middle of spring semester. I loved the vibes and music and decided to take the two-hour road trip with some sisters to Tampa’s Sunset Music Festival. I needed very little “influence” I kinda jumped in head first… never looked back!
What is one moment from an event that was special and why?
I just recently attended BassLanta for Bassnectar New Years Eve. That sentence alone probably speaks to how special it was. I was dead center about 50 feet from the stage with some of my closest friends. Anyone who has been to a show curated by Lorin himself knows its no joke, with visuals all around and a crowd who truly appreciate that environment. “Magical” doesn’t seem like a strong enough word.
A little over halfway through his set a stranger standing next to us asked if I wanted to go up on his shoulders. I went up and at the moment was the only one up on shoulders as far as I could see. The wave of people under me was overwhelming and easily the coolest thing I’d ever seen! But that’s not all, about a minute into this new viewpoint Lorin handed the mic over to his activist speaker. At the time I felt like I was as a spoken word slam show just to me.
To make the whole thing even crazier, in that crowd of thousands and thousands of people, the guy who put me up on his shoulders was from my hometown and went to my rival high school. The world is so small and the EDM community never fails to amaze me in that way! The experience was amazing and overwhelming and I will absolutely never forget it!
What is your favorite festival or event?
It’s so hard to pick a favorite since festivals and events are really way more about the people you’re with, and the circumstances that life puts you through, but one festival for sure that holds the most special place in my heart would have to be Bonnaroo! There is just nothing like the positivity of that festival. I always look forward to returning.
What is your favorite electronic song and why?
HARDEST QUESTION EVER. Because electronic music can range all over the map this is almost an impossible question. As of today, I could have “You Don’t Know” by Alison Wonderland “Bass Jams” by Bonnie X Clyde and “Chromatek” by Bassnectar & G Jones on repeat in my headphones and never need to stop it. The first two kind of stand alone in the lyric space for me. Speaking so deep to my feelings or things I deal with in life. Chromatek, though lyric-less, stands alone. I love filling my car with its warmth and wubs. The ending, too, gets me every time.
Who are your favorite artists?
In no particular order: Alison Wonderland (ok she’s top so I lied), Seven Lions, Bassnectar, Minnesota, Excision, and NGTMRE. Again though this is just what I listen to most days, old sets get me pumped in the gym and speak to my soul when I need something so loud I can’t think. I have a very very wide range of music likes. For example, I get down with funkier stuff; Dirtybird Campout here I come!
What are your favorite genres?
All of them! If left to my own devices though, I usually end up wherever the Trap or heaviest Bass is.
What do you feel your “Identity” is in the electronic music community?
While the music feeds my soul, I definitely thrive in the fashion arena! I love the way these events give each person the chance to express themselves! Whether it’s a themed event or just living your best “bass head” life! There is so much fun to be had!
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself for the readers?
I am an IT nerd, competitive bodybuilder, Basshead, and Rave Bunny, who also listens to classic rock, country music, and sometimes heavy metal! Being a part of this community is something I’m so grateful to have found because the people you meet and the music that brings us all together is such a cool thing! Find me at fests with my light up gold and black captains hat! I’m super friendly and love meeting new people!
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