This album is proof that we can live forever

Nick Galassi and I met on Facebook, I started seeing his singing videos and knew he was a talented soul.

I would bug him on every post “when are you going to start a band?”

Over a year of leaving those messages on all of his posts, he told me he finaly did start a band.

I couldn’t wait to hear what he was making.

He convinced the guys to drive across the state to work with me on their first song.

The irony is that this song ended up being “Memory”

Months later - they reached out to start recording the next songs

And over a year and a half of work, we finished our sessions for the EP

Nick was always the MOST excited human whenever I would send mixes to him.

Working with him was truly an incredible time, and I’ve truly never met anyone who could do what he did.

2 weeks after I sent Nick the final mixes, he passed away.

All I could think is how extremely excited he was to hear his own music, and how he couldn’t wait to share it with the world.

And how grateful I am that I got to complete and send him his record to enjoy, before he left.

Thought he is gone physically, this album - his art - his message - his spirit, live forever in these songs.

It is my belief that we live forever, if we pour ourselves fully into our craft.

And that is exactly what Nick did here.

Lastly, I’d like to thank Nick for introducing me to the incredible friend group that all of Florealis is. Each of us got to spend a good amount of time together, but I never would have met them if not for Nick singing on Facebook, and sharing his talent here.

Much love to the Florealis family, Nicks family, and everyone who takes a moment to listen to Nicks message. ❤️

https://open.spotify.com/album/2VOWV8OaF3hiTbbGtyIUc6?si=BEdln7pBQ7ytbTI5cpOx6g

The day I quit my 9-5

It all came to a head- years of working on music 6pm-12am, and waking up at 5am to get to work by 7am.

Stressing time, rushing from place to place so I don’t waste a single moment of my “productive hours”

That all ended when a co-worker got an award: for working at the company for 10 years.

They gave him a Generic (not even personalized) plaque “10 years of hard work!”, and a brochure where he could choose 1 item from.

These items included things like, a back pack, a hoodie, a SMALL single burger sized grill, a power drill- you get the point.

EVERY one of the 8 other guys I worked with were crowded around him

The excitement in the room got louder, everyone pointing in amazement over these items that he could choose from

But me?

I was broken in disbelief

Watching the excitement that 8 fully grown men could have - knowing after 10 years of helping a company make …millions of dollars - they too could have a flashlight, and a 3inch plaque

That was never my goal of course

But seeing how sticking around leads to complete abandonment of your dreams, and apparent brainwash…

I had to go NOW

The next day I put in all my vacation time

When I got back, I put in my 2 weeks

While I worked there, I spent HOURS every day consuming podcasts - to learn what I needed to to break the illusion

The illusion is that working a job leads to freedom

- after 10 years, that man did not reach freedom, no where close

But after 7 years of self-educating, I got a little bit closer to freedom that day.

It’s been 1 year and 9 months since I worked an actual job.