Another Night on Mars: Why 8123 Means Everything to Me
This is love letter to a band called The Maine.
As a native Arizonan growing up under an umbrella of many genres and styles, finding local music in my youth was a defining moment. I wish I could remember exactly when I started listening to The Maine, but I know that my discovery of the band was a result of loving bands like A Change of Pace, Hello Hollywood and The Format. At any rate, The Maine came into my life in the range of my high school years and they started as just another band.
The Maine has a rather unconventional story- the band who didn’t think they’d be here after 10 years. It’s the story of five high school buddies — John O’Callaghan, Pat Kirch, Jared Monaco, Garrett Nickelsen and Kennedy Brock — who hopped in their parents’ van to play music to what started as audiences of only 20 people. The DIY approach worked and they signed to Fearless Records in 2007, eventually making the leap to Warner Brothers in 2009. Unfortunately, the band’s changing sound led to differences with Warner and they left the label in 2012 to form the conglomerate that is 8123.
And then one day we all woke up and The Maine was everyone’s favorite band. They are the band that’s done it right from the beginning.
You Are Watching a Band Called The Maine
With the formation of 8123, The Maine built nothing short of a musical and cultural juggernaut in the world of independent artistry. No longer just a label and management company, 8123 morphed into a movement, punctuated by the wildly successful 8123 Fest in January 2017.
8123 Fest brought fans from all over the world to a parking lot in Arizona for one magical day of music, food and community. As someone who’s made many friends through music, 8123 Fest felt like a family reunion. It was a true testament to the lengths fans are willing to go for this band we love so much.
There has been a flood of negativity rocking the music world lately- terrible stories of musicians abusing their fame, behaving inappropriately with fans, etc. The Maine has been one of the least problematic bands this scene has dealt with over the entire course of their career.
This is a group of genuine guys who only ever wanted to make music that speaks to other people. They made headlines for their industry-defying standard of never charging for meet-and-greets (the lines at Warped Tour 2016 are legendary) and even embarking on a completely free cross-country tour so they could reach as many people as possible regardless of financial situations. This is a band that I have stood behind for 10 years and will continue to throw my wholehearted support until they decide to hang it up.
With Friends Like Ours, Anywhere is Home…
The Maine recently concluded their Modern Nostalgia Tour, a celebration of their two most recently released records. I, of course, attended the Phoenix date of the tour and put myself in a room of the best vibes one can find in the Arizona music scene. It’s very difficult to just tell someone what it feels like to see The Maine live but the best description I can muster is the feeling that must have gone through the Grinch’s heart when he learned the meaning of Christmas. The entire room is singing and smiling and releasing pure joy — energy that is matched and reciprocated by the band. It’s abundantly clear that these guys love what they do and we love them for it.
The Maine is no longer just a band. 8123, and the people that make it up, is no longer just a label. These guys have given us a soundtrack, a movement, a family and unconditional love and positivity. I’ve seen The Maine in concert more times than I can count in the last 10 years and that giddy, bubbly anticipation before a show has never faded. We all still line up after the set to buy yet another shirt and roll up our sleeves to show the band our latest Maine-inspired tattoos. We forge lifelong friendships and never stop smiling at this wonderful, inspiring, goofy band called The Maine.
Here’s to the next 10 years and beyond.
Olivia Khiel
