Learn about electronic music lover Olivia Parker as she talks about her first festival experiences, favorite artists, and more!
Name: Olivia Parker
Rave Name: Giraffe Goddess
Age: 20
Hometown: Carmel, IN
Current City: Washington D.C.
Occupation: Student, Intern for Headcount Democracy
Twitter: @ohh_livi_yuhh
Instagram: @ohh_livi_yuhh
What was your first electronic music event?
My first electronic music event was actually a small one-day festival hosted by the Indy 500 called Snakepit 2013! The lineup with Diplo and Afrojack with a few smaller hometown DJ’s. At the time it was pretty small, the stage was simple and it rained all day so the race itself was delayed but we danced on in Turn 3 of the track until the ground was one big mud pit!
What/who influenced you to attend your first event?
I have always grown up on classical music and smooth jazz as a result of my parents. I am a classically trained violinist so my go-to was always classical orchestral music and that’s all I really knew. However, my first encounter with electronic music was actually by watching the movie Tron Legacy in 2010. I didn’t know it at the time but many of the main songs in the soundtrack were produced by Daft Punk, so after the movie, I went to Pandora and looked up a Tron Legacy Soundtrack Radio Station which instantly introduced me to dozens of other artists with similar vibes at the time such as Deadmau5 and Skrillex.
None of my other friends at the time listened to EDM and I was even ridiculed for it because at that age, a lot of people didn’t understand it but, I immediately was hooked. It wasn’t until a few years later where I stumbled upon a clip of Excision’s Shambhala mixes, and video recaps of him at the event, that I realized that these events even existed. I was still really young at this point as I was a freshman in high school but the older I got, the more my excitement grew and I was finally able to attend my first event the following year!
I remember it like it was yesterday, my friends and I all meeting up and making kandi, blasting Diplo and Afrojack all day every day, picking out my outfits, buying glitter from Walmart with no idea how to stick it on. But I knew, the second I walked through those event gates, that going to events was something I wanted to keep doing for as long as I could.
What is one moment from an event that was special and why?
I’ve had so many amazing moments at events, too many to count at this point but I think the most memorable moment I’ve ever had was being able to meet up with all my friends from social media Spring Gathering event in Chicago, IL. We had all met, unintentionally through Twitter in July of 2017 as a result of a giveaway being hosted so we immediately posted our Snapchats and made a group chat.
Though some people were able to meet up a bit sooner at festivals like Camp Bisco, we all didn’t get a chance until later in March. At this point, I had already begun a long distance relationship with my boyfriend, who I met in the group and we had met up before at a few shows but, I still hadn’t met my best friend Paige. We had talked every day either texting or through FaceTime but finally being able to meet her and see her in person was a moment I’ll cherish always. Soon after we met up with the rest of the Snapchat squad and headed into the event.
Another aspect that made this event so special to me was the fact that it was my first ever Bassnectar event, and I have been a loyal fan since 2010. Being able to experience his music for 2 nights with my best friends, the love of my life and thousands of other beautiful Bassheads meant the world to me.
What is your favorite festival or event?
I recently attended my first ever Electric Forest this past year and I honestly still feel like I’m living in that dream. I’ve watched friends go for years and I’ve always sat out either because of jobs, internships, money or family events but this year I was finally able to go with 5 of my closest friends. It was my first ever camping festival and I stayed in Maplewoods.
Every moment, from meeting up with friends at the iconic Walmart in town and meeting my neighbors to waking up in my tent to the sounds of the Tripolee stage bumping away in the heat was like a dream come true to me. I’ll never forget walking through the Forest from set to set, spicy pie in one hand, my hoop in the other, taking in all the intricacies and details of this wonderland. I never knew one place could hold so much beauty and good energy such as Forest. I left Electric Forest feeling so whole and grateful for my life and all I’ve experienced so far, I can’t wait to go back!
What is your favorite electronic song and why?
Choosing one song is always difficult and I can never pinpoint it when someone asks me but subconsciously I always find my way back to one song in particular, “Eyes on Fire” (Zeds Dead Remix). The song is so beautifully crafted lyrically and melodically while still incorporating that deep, glitchy dub sound I remember falling in love with from the very beginning. I remember blasting it through the night trying to memorize every detail of the song and now whenever I hear it, I’m immediately taken back to the first time I ever did. Though I have favorites by GRiZ, Excision, Bassnectar, Brasstracks, and countless others, Zeds Dead will always have my heart with that track.
Who are your favorite artists?
I have too many to count! But since you’re asking, Bassnectar and GRiZ are definitely my top two, always fighting for the #1 spot every time they release new music but my heart can never decide! Immediately following would be Brasstracks, Excision, Zeds Dead, The Floozies, Space Jesus, Ganja White Night, Pretty Lights, Chris Lake, Lane 8, Tchami, Claude VonStroke, Justin Martin (in no particular order)… the list could go on!
What are your favorite genres?
My taste is eclectic when it comes to electronic music as every genre has so many beautiful aspects but I always have the most fun at Dubstep events and groovy EDM events. The first concert, that wasn’t a festival, I ever attended was Excision’s Paradox tour in 2015 and I was absolutely blown away by the intricacies and artistry it took to produce such amazing tunes. However, the first time I saw GRiZ in 2017 at the DC Anthem, I was blown away by the exact same reason, except this time, we incorporated live instruments into the mix. I may have even resonated more with GRiZ’s show as I also am a musician!
What do you feel your “Identity” is in the electronic music community?
I think the most important aspect of any community is compassion and empathy. Looking out for each other, especially in events such as these where it’s not always the most comfortable of conditions, is key to a good vibe for everyone and I take this very seriously.
My friends always call me “Mom” and whether I like it or not, its true. I’m always making sure people are comfortable and taken care of, whether its my friends or random strangers. If someone is shorter than me, they go in front. If someone runs out of water or food, I offer without hesitation. If someone needs to step out and chill for a minute because the vibe is too intense, I go with them.
For example, at Electric Forest this year I was walking with my friends from a set and I saw a couple sitting on the ground and one of them didn’t look so good. I went over and asked if they needed help, they said they weren’t feeling too well wanted water and some candy or gum, lucky for me, I had packed jolly ranchers, granola bars and just refilled my hydro pack, not really thinking I was going to need it at all. So I gave them some food and water and sat with them until they were feeling a bit better and I hugged them and left. The next day that same couple found me in the crowd by chance, hugged me and told me I really helped them out that night!
There’s nothing more important than your neighbor, not a set, or an artist, or even a rail spot. So I guess my “identity” in the EDM community is that of a Mom, and then a glitter supplier (biodegradable of course) and then a Giraffe Goddess. [Laughs]
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