Ever meet somebody that you just fall in love with instantly? Not in a romantic way, but in an “oh my lord you are so sweet and adorable, how can anyone not love you” way? Well that is how I felt about Priscilla when I first met her! She radiates sweetness…I mean, just look at that face in the photo above! Alright, I’ll let you read all about her so you can fall in love with her too.

Priscilla lives in a suburb of Chicago and has lived in and around the area her entire life.  She mentioned that she has probably moved about 25 times in her entire life (which is a lot because she isn’t that old!) but has always stuck to that area. She went to school at Columbia College Chicago to study film making where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in the subject. Now she is a famous film maker…ok not really. Like many people who went to college, they aren’t doing anything remotely close to what their degree is in (myself included!!). Priscilla currently works for an import/export logistics company just outside of Chicago, which helps fund her 311 habits.

Priscilla first discovered 311 back in the 90’s because she was a self-proclaimed music video addict and she remembers seeing the videos for Down and All Mixed Up. “I want to say that I was a fan back in 1996 (I was 10!) but I was too young to start buying their albums and really start listening to their songs.” Flash forward to ten years later in 2006 when Priscilla started getting really into 90’s alternative music. Her boyfriend at the time made her a mix tape (remember mix tapes??) and the song 8:16 AM was on it. Priscilla said she just kept playing it over and over, mesmerized by Nicks voice. She then started buying all of 311’s albums and realized how they were all about positivity, unlike a lot of music she heard on the radio. From then on she was hooked!

Priscilla first saw the band live back in 2007 but didn’t fully realize the scope of the fan community until she attended 311 Day in Vegas in 2012. “I was waiting in the VIP line alone and thinking to myself, how does everyone know each other? I was really boggled by all of this because I wasn’t aware of the groups on Twitter and Facebook.” She then befriended an excitable by the name of Dan Economico (to which Priscilla would like to say #PIC shout out!). They started talking and he asked if she was on Twitter. They exchanged handles and she began to realize just how much fans connect outside of the shows. As she says, “I started following people left and right and soon became hooked in this world of 311 excitables on Twitter, and then Facebook. I can’t believe all the wonderful people I’ve met since then. I am forever grateful that [311’s] music has brought me to so many friends I know today, including my Georgia brodel!”

Of all the events Priscilla has attended (she is at 25 shows and counting) her favorite she says is the 2nd 311 cruise in 2012. She didn’t get to go on the first, so she was ecstatic that they did another one and she had the opportunity to attend. This was her first time meeting a bunch of other fans that she had connected with on social media sites and she said it was “surreal meeting them in person.” Describing the island show can only be done in her words that she wrote to me. “I will never forget that show on the island. I was in the crystal clear blue ocean with a bunch of other excitables, listening to my favorite band in the whole world, playing a special show for us in the middle of paradise. I remember looking all around me and thinking to myself, don’t forget this Priscilla!” It’s apparent that she hasn’t and truly never will! 🙂

There are other bands that Priscilla loves, such as The Doors, which were the first band she ever became truly obsessed with. She is also all about The Beatles and mentioned that she is one of the biggest fanatics you will ever meet. She told me that she knows the answer to just about every Beatles trivia question there is (to which I might have to challenge her at some point, seeing as that I too am a huge fan). Priscilla also loves bands like Nine Inch Nails (she believes Trent Reznor is a musical genius) and No Doubt. Priscilla stated “Gwen is my idol!” These are just a few in a long list of musicians that she loves. When I asked her to tell me something most people don’t know about her, she said that most people don’t know she is Mexican and Puerto Rican, but don’t go spouting of Spanish to her because she’ll tell you “I can’t speak Spanish if my life depended on it!”

One of the things that drew Priscilla to 311 (and most of us to them for that matter) is their positive messages. The song that means the most to her is one we all know and love, and where the bands most famous line came from. “Jupiter means the most to me because that song epitomizes everything that 311 stands for. Stay positive and love your life…this is a great song to listen to when you’re feeling down.” Priscilla knows just how much this band has brought to her and she wants to thank the band for that. “Thank you for bringing so many friends into my life through your music. If it weren’t for you guys, my life would be so much different than what it is today.” [Side note: I told Priscilla to give me one sentence she’d like to say to the band and she gave me two because as she stated, “I do what I want!” Who can argue with that?] Priscilla also mentioned how much she loves the lyrics, “But at twenty years of age, in frolic and in rage, I will see it through in time.” The reason? “It means a lot to me because I always try to remember that when my life is chaotic, I will survive through it and hopefully learn something out of it to take with me.” She’s a smart woman!

Priscilla is a prime example of how 311 fans take away more than just a great listening experience, they take away life lessons and uplifting messages. She also exemplifies just how many awesome people you can meet in this 311 community of fans. I’m lucky enough to have met her in person, and hopefully one day you all will too! I’ll tell you from personal experience, she is just as adorable and sweet in person as she is in the cyber world! I leave you with her personal message to all of you out there reading:

“I just want to say hello to all my excitable friends out there and lets not get caught up with some of the negativity posted in some of the Facebook groups. We’re all here in these groups because we enjoy their positive message through their music. Let’s keep the positive vibes going. If you ever see me at the shows or events, please stop me to say hello! :)”

Thanks Priscilla! Love ya girl! 🙂