Meeting Strangers on the Internet, Vol. 1 - Max
February 25, 2020
In my last entry, I mentioned an ad I posted offering free photo shoots in the Los Angeles area. One of the many responses I received was from Max. This is the story of our time together.
Max is 21 years old. Just a few months ago he scraped together enough cash to pack up his van and drive all the way from New Jersey to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He rents what appears to be a storage shed that sits on the property of an outdoor theater in Topanga Canyon; a space barely large enough to house his futon, a desk, and a hot plate. There’s a sink outside, and now that I think of it, I didn’t see a toilet or a shower.
While it doesn’t sound like much, Max really does have a small piece of paradise carved out for himself in the Santa Monica Mountains. His semi-remote outdoor location provides all the peaceful quiet, privacy, and seclusion an artist could ask for in which to hone his craft. Just steps away from his door is a scenic overlook of the Santa Monica Mountains. The biggest issue he’s having these days is finding other musicians that want to succeed as much as he does.
Finding others that share your passion and who can match your drive is so important for people like us. Max described some of the other musicians he’s met since coming to LA as hobbyists; people that are just looking for a casual, once-a-week jam session. And that’s cool to an extent, because it affords Max an opportunity to do something he loves, but if you’re going to climb the mountain you’re going to need a team.
At the time of our meeting, Max had a group he was playing with, but was seriously considering parting ways with them. He wasn’t convinced they were in it for the long haul. I could tell he felt conflicted about it, as I’m sure it took considerable time and effort to find and organize these people in the first place. And I understand how thinking about the idea of starting that process over seems daunting, but Max - if you’re reading this - don’t settle, dude.
For all of us on this journey, staring change in the face can be intimidating. Actually taking the leap can be even scarier, but our time here is too precious to spend it in a situation that’s not taking us where we want to go. Keep doing what you love, keep your eyes on the prize, and don’t let anything that’s in your control sway you from your path.
And thus concludes the first installment of Meeting Strangers on the Internet! This was a fun first pass. I hope you enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to writing more of these stories, so keep an eye out for more!!