“Hey, this song reminds me of Dean and Rory (from the show The Gilmore Girls). Do you want to hear it,” my friend asks in the car. 

“Sure.” 

At that moment, my life changed. 

Every car trip after that, I knew the music I wanted to hear. The band Set It Off. It didn’t matter what song it was because every song was (and is) phenomenal. I listen to them everyday, and they mean the world to me. They are my heroes. They changed my life, and I am sure they will change yours. Ok, maybe they won’t. But, please, give them a try. They deserve it. Listen to what they have to say and pay attention. You may find yourself relating to and connecting with their music. 

I started listening to Set It Off about two years ago. It takes a lot for me to like a band, or a singer, or even a television show. I need lyrics and stories that I can connect to. Even if the melody of a song is great, the melody is not as important to me. 

At first, I used Set It Off’s music to vent about fictional characters, because the writers torture them to no end, and they deserve better. Then, one day, my friend told me that Set It Off was going on tour. I instantly told her, “Let’s go!”

We went and I had the time of my life. I didn’t know most of the lyrics to the songs, so I couldn´t exactly sing. But, I was listening, and I instantly connected to the lyrics. I felt understood for once in my life, like I wasn’t alone. Even the words Cody, the lead singer, spoke during the concert were relatable. At that concert, that day, I felt free to be myself, and not feel excluded. The joy I felt that day was incomparable to any other time. I knew I needed to see them again. I wanted to make sure that they knew how much they meant to me, so I wrote the band a letter. 

I spent weeks to months on that letter, because I wanted to make sure that everything was just right. I had a lot to say, and I needed them to hear me, because that’s what their music makes me feel. It makes me feel heard, like I’m not alone in things that I go through. 

On January 30, 2020, I got to tell them just that. I got VIP tickets to meet Set It Off, and it was the best day of my life. Cody was the sweetest person, and even though I was really nervous and didn’t say much, he made sure to get my letter. Since that day, I have been able to connect with Set It Off through Twitch streams, and virtual VIP meet & greets, and because of that, I can consider band members Cody and Maxx my friends (Zach doesn’t stream on Twitch). Even though 2020 was a terrible year, being able to connect with them has made my 2020 one of the best years of my life. Strange, I know. 

At the concert itself, Set It Off wasn’t the headlining band, and they were only on stage for 30 minutes, but I loved it. I screamed the lyrics so loud that I lost my voice. I was so happy to be there. Like I said before, I felt heard. Meeting Set it Off was life-changing. I hope that a band or a singer can do that for you. It doesn’t have to be Set It Off, or even a small band. It can be Billie Ellish, for all I care. Just make sure that it matters to you and you are not only liking it because other people tell you to. 

Maybe you already have artists that you listen to that help you with things. Set It Off has taught me a lot, but, most importantly, Set It Off has taught me that it is okay to be who you are. The best thing you can do is be yourself. Don’t feel like you have to like what other people like, or what’s in. You don’t have to change yourself for anyone. Voice your love for underrated bands! Even if you like popular artists. If that is what you truly like, express it! 

All I am trying to say is that you need to give smaller bands a chance. They really care about what they are doing, and more importantly, they care about their fans. They really want to help people, and I want that message to be heard.