Hey, hi, and hello my excitable friends! Welcome back, it’s time for the new fan spotlight. This week lets meet Kaeley Trinidad!
Five years old was the age Kaeley was when she first heard 311 and she credits her dad as the reason she first listened to them. “He bought their Transistor album and we’d always listen to it in the car. Then when I was 6 or 7 I started listening to them on my own and of course I was obsessed with Beautiful Disaster and What Was I Thinking, and had those playing on repeat.” While she doesn’t remember what exactly drew her to them, she said it was probably just that they make really awesome music.
Number of shows stands at 21, although it should be 22. Kaeley was supposed to see them in Fresno in 2015 but had to turn around and drive home because of the mudslide. “Not gonna lie, I cried the majority of that 3 hour drive home.” Favorite event was last years cruise to Jamaica. “It was my first cruise and first 311 cruise and it was an absolute blast! I definitely had a hard time coming back from that vacation.” Favorite show specifically though for Kaeley goes to when she saw them at The Roxy in 2014. “That was my first time at that venue actually and so I had no clue what to expect. When that curtain rose and I was less than a foot away from the band and right up against the stage, my jaw dropped and no joke, I could not pick it up off the floor the rest of the night. I was completely blown away. It was awesome being that close and it was an awesome show overall. I even got to help P-NUT get his Tesla out of that crazy tight parking lot after the show!”
There are many songs that Kaeley loves, so picking one that means the most was difficult for her to answer. “I turn to their music for all kinds of things but there’s just not one song in particular that I turn to all the time.” She did say Transistor album holds a special place in her heart since it always reminds her of those car rides with her dad, rocking out to the music. She also have lots of favorite lyrics, but the one currently on her white board at work is, “Got more funky styles than my laser jet got font!” (She’s a graphic designer, so the quote works quite well in her field.)
California girl to her core, Kaeley was born and raised in Southern California, then moved to Michigan as a teen where she spent her days dreaming of ways to get back to the west coast. Her sign is Gemini and while she isn’t super into Astrology, she says that her sign does explain a lot about her personality, like she’s full of opposites. “I’m a girly girl and a tomboy, I like going out and staying in, I’m creative and analytical, I’m extremely anal and organized, but also a procrastinator and will have things in an organized mess.” Kaeley is also really driven, working full time and attending school for graphic design at Cal Poly Pomona. “My life is pretty crazy Monday through Friday but that’s how I fund my 311 habit. And no matter what my schedule is I ALWAYS make time for 311!”
Interesting fact: Kaeley has a lot of neatly kept expensive makeup. While she doesn’t wear makeup often, she goes all out when she does! Something to be jealous of if you’re a drinker: Kaeley doesn’t get hangovers! “People try to tell me it’s just because I’ve never had enough to drink or whatever but I’ve proved them all wrong. It’s like I have a second liver or something. I always just say it’s because I’m Irish and Mexican, so I was genetically engineered for drinking lol.” Guilty pleasure: “I hate reality TV but I am seriously addicted to the shows Extreme Couponing and Extreme Cheapskate.”
Kaeley’s message to 311: “I would simply say Thank You. Their music has gotten me through all kinds of stuff, brought me together with so many awesome people, and given me so many amazing memories.”
Now her message to all the awesome excitables out in 311 nation:
“To those of you I’ve met: I miss you all and can’t wait to see you all again! To those of you I haven’t met: I sincerely cannot wait to meet you! I’m super stoked and can’t wait to party with my Excitable Crew in NOLA for my first 311 Day!!”
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Now you know all about Kaeley! Thanks for reading about another fantastic fellow fan. As we rapidly approach our favorite day of the year, remember that whether you are in Nola or somewhere else this year, we have been given a gift from this amazing band and their positive messages, and you are all spectacular people that can carry their messages out to others you know! Until we meet again – “Stay positive and love your life!”
Much love – The Runt