A classic teenage stereotype, a group of friends forming a band, is coming to life in Tahoma High School. Jayden Ketter, Gia Knutsen, Mara Kauffman, and Charlie Park, friends since 7th grade, have come together to make what they’re calling “Everdistant Utopia”, a punk rock/metal band inspired by greats like Nirvana, Black Sabbath, and Black Flag. While they haven’t performed together yet the group plans to begin songwriting and performances within this next year, using their free time during the summer to their advantage. This initiative not only allows them to chase their musical dreams but also helps them build a strong sense of community and creativity, echoing the nostalgic vibes many teens wish for today.
Anemoia means to feel nostalgic for a time you weren’t alive and while most current high schoolers were born in the early to mid 2000s, none were old enough to truly experience it and a large number seem to wish they could have. This longing for the past often manifests itself in a desire to recreate the sense of community and creativity that defined those earlier times. Starting a band in high school with your friends taps into this yearning by allowing students to experience the camaraderie and artistic expression that characterized the iconic music scenes of the past. It offers a unique opportunity to build lasting memories, develop musical skills, and create something meaningful together. Supporting small bands like Everdistant Utopia not only nurtures young talent but also creates a sense of unity and shared purpose, bettering the overall school experience.
Dreams of having the opportunity to live through a similar high school experience to our parents aren’t uncommon. Most teens want to get to party and live like people in the movies do, and what other era than the late 90s and early 2000s captures that feeling better? Small bands started by friends in their parents’ garage were a staple of those times, so if you really mean it when you say “bring back the 2000s”, go support your local bands.
