C&S Features writer Brandi Garsteck interviewed Leah Blowes, who does accounting for the 11:11AM Foundation. 11:11AM is a charitable organization that works to support pediatric cancer research, and has been a part of the Vans Warped Tour since 2006.
Leah has dedicated two full summers to being a part of the punk rock travelling circus, as well as having spent several years volunteering. If you’ve ever been curious as to what it’s like to be on Warped, read on for the interview!
C&S: Who are you and where are you from?
Leah: My name is Leah Blowes and I’m from Cleveland, Ohio.
C&S: What school did you go to, and what was your major?
Leah: I graduated from OU [Ohio University] in 2011 with a BBA degree in Management Information Systems.
C&S: How long have you been with Warped Tour?
Leah: I’ve done the full tour twice.
C&S: How did you get involved with Warped Tour?
Leah: When I was in high school I would go to Warped and volunteer for my friend’s charities, and after a few years of volunteering I was asked if I would be interested in doing the tour.
C&S: How long have you been working for 11:11AM?
Leah: I started helping out with 11:11AM in 2008. Unfortunately we haven’t been up to much lately because of jobs/careers, school, and other projects.
C&S: What is a daily schedule like on Warped Tour?
Leah: LONG. Here’s a little timetable:
7-8am: Wake up
8-9am: Load in and set up, try to make it to breakfast on time
9-10am: Coffee, get ready for the day
10-11am: Doors open; be at tent ready for the madness to ensue
11am-6:30pm: Hang at tent, watch bands here and there, eat lunch at some point
6:30pm: Break down and try to make it to dinner before 7
7-8pm: shower, end of day work (merch sheets, count money, etc)
8-??: finally time to relax, hang out, or on some nights just go to sleep. Bus call will be any time from 10 until 2, depending on where the next show is.
C&S: Who is someone on Warped Tour that you were a fan of and now are friends with?
Leah: Well, the last two years there weren’t a lot of bands I was into before the tour, but I did like The Wonder Years a lot and this summer I got to know some of those guys pretty well. They are awesome dudes, so much fun to be around and I always make sure I see them when they’re in the area.
C&S: What is the craziest thing that’s happened to you on tour?
Leah: Oh god. I have a million stories. Here’s a scarier one… this summer I had a bug bite of some sort become infected with what I believe was a Staph virus. I woke up on the bus in the middle of the night and pretty much thought I was going to die, haha. I was really sick and had to go to the hospital the next day. I’ll leave the more gory details out but this is where I tell you to do your part to keep your bus CLEAN, shower often, and always cover up any cuts, scrapes or other open wounds on your person!
C&S: How does someone pack for Warped Tour?
Leah: Tank tops, shorts, and flip flops. If you’re a sweaty person (like me), a few pairs of Nike dri-fit shorts are a great idea. Some people wear jeans every day and I have NO idea how they do it. Anyways, I basically try to pack half like I’m going camping, but half like I’m going on vacation. [I try to] have clothes and shoes I don’t mind making a mess of during the day, but also a few dresses and skirts for BBQs and parties at night.
C&S: I saw that you were a feature on Ialwaystellthegirls.com, how did that come along?
Leah: One of my friends knows the girl who runs the website and told me to email her if I was interested in doing a showcase.
C&S: What advice do you have for people who want to get a job on Warped Tour?
Leah: Volunteer volunteer volunteer! Just do your best to rack up experience and meet as many people as possible. Always be nice to people, and try [to] leave an impression on those you meet.
C&S: What most surprised you about what it was like to actually work on Warped Tour?
Leah: I wouldn’t say I was surprised, but the heat was definitely overwhelming at first.
C&S: What was the most fun or enjoyable part of working on Warped Tour?
Leah: The friends I’ve made. I’ve met some of my best friends on Warped and that is something that lasts long after the tour is over.
Thanks for the interview, Leah!
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check out my bff blowes. we’re proof that tour friends don’t end once you leave the bus :)
