Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Laughman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started booking D.I.Y noise, punk, and experimental shows for fun in 2019. As a dance (ballet and modern) school drop-out, it’s something I unexpectedly fell into doing. I got off on curating lineups that could cross-pollinate audiences and inspire the community. Part of my “research” was going to gigs as often as possible… twist my arm. As a “non-musician”, I felt I found my place in music. Experiencing live performance has always been a way for me to spiritually transcend and feel connected to the world and humanity. I found the feeling as a young dancer, and then it sort-of exploded when I ended up my first punk show.
I booked anonymously until the pandemic stopped things short. I never thought I’d book again, until I landed jobs with Endoxa Booking and Will’s Pub. I travel a lot to see the bands I love, and soon came to realize I needed a name for my booking endeavors. The thought of branding myself made me cringe, hence the anonymity pre-covid, but you gotta have a name when networking – especially out of state. Along came MOX!E.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe my path in the music industry has been very lucky, and I feel very privileged. It’s one of the things in my life that sort of found me. I’ve always felt like a musician trapped in a dancer’s body. Dance never came as easy to me as music promotion – even though I loved it so damn hard. Being a woman promoter, and a young one, always comes with being patronized and under-estimated in this male-dominated industry. But one could almost see that as an advantage – it’s not always a bad thing to appear “weak” on the outside when you’re full of kick-ass energy and loads of compassion on the inside. That being said, I feel comfortable working with tough people, men, and those a little rough around the edges. They don’t scare me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work as an assistant to Peter Olen of Endoxa Booking. My responsibilities include graphic design, booking, running shows, and being his right hand (wo)man.
I run Social Media and Promotion for Will’s Pub. Other responsibilities include ticketing, graphic design, calendar-keeping, and booking.
I run social media accounts for a few other small-businesses in FL such as New World Tampa, and Alchemy the Hair Salon of Orlando.
My work with MOX!E is comprised of curating musical acts especially close to my heart. The taste is very small and niche. I design all flyers, and photograph and coordinate all of my shows. My goal with MOX!E is to bring a particular brand of punk and experimental music into central Florida that isn’t quite present enough. Especially egg punk and hardcore.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Go to local shows! Buy merch, donate on bandcamp, share flyers. It makes a difference.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moxiebooking
Image Credits
Casey Laughman
