Today marks the day that I became a fan of The Vamps. It’s been two years since I joined this fandom, which I can happily call my family.
But let me tell you about how I discovered this wonderful group of four guys. Scratch that, this is how they made their way into my life without realizing it.
Back in June of 2013 as I waited to be picked up after finishing my exam, one of my friends had asked our classmate who was on the lock/home screen of her phone. I believe she had answered with either The Vamps or Vampire Weekend. (Let’s hope it was The Vamps, even though I really don’t like the idea of other people knowing about them because I want them to be my little secret).
What I actually do remember was watching the video of their cover of “Story of My Life”. I had no idea who these boys were and at the time, I was deeply invested with One Direction. So as I usually react to people that I’m not familiar with, I did what I later on regret. I laughed then closed the video.
However that was not the last time that I had encountered this band. Through my exploration of music on 8tracks, I soon came across “Can We Dance”. I was taken aback by the voice, it was the most unique and beautiful voice I had ever heard. It was so beautiful that I was scared to unmask the face behind it. Whenever I heard this pop dance song, I could see Nat Wolff in my mind since The Fault In Our Stars was coming out that summer.
Despite my initial resistance, I somehow delved into their world one day. I went on YouTube and their video that I watched (completely) was their trip to Los Angeles. It was then when I got attached and little did I know everything would change.
I kept watching their videos, intrigued and interested in getting to know this group of four guys. I learnt more and more through Google, Tumblr and Twitter. I familiarized myself with each member, especially the lead singer.
I had learnt everything from their ages to how many siblings they had and what kind of pets they own. At the start of this journey, I knew that James is obsessed with Taylor Swift and cats, Tristan loves Animal and animal print, Connor seemed really shy (especially in interviews) but had alter egos and Brad, Brad – I knew almost everything about him. He had taken hold of my heart.
When the summer of 2014 hit, I had listened to and replayed all the songs from their first album as many times we’ve seen Brad’s bum. I knew that I was never going to get sick of their music, especially since I had so many favorites from Meet The Vamps, the only album that I have listened to and liked the majority of the songs.
Apart from their own music, they had covered a good bunch of other songs. I lived and enjoyed their covers so much. I couldn’t wait for more!
A year had passed by and they finally had their own headlining tour! I got so excited when I had heard that they were coming to Canada since the only city they performed in was Toronto for the Austin Mahone tour. I had no clue that they would actually come to my city.
When I saw what they meant about news for Canada I was a bit sad because I had thought it was for their own tour. But either way I was still grateful to have had the chance to see them perform. Although I do wish I could go back and change things to make it the best experience ever because I worry that they may not come back. If they don’t, then I’ll just savor those moments that I did have and appreciate my experience to the fullest.
Aside from tour, new things had come up on the horizon that same summer. After 365 days of being a fan of the boys, I decided to change my url and enjoyed Tumblr much more.
When fall came around, I couldn’t contain my excitement for their new album! As much as I was excited, I was also nervous because I loved their first album with all my heart and I didn’t know what to expect for the second. But what I had sampled from their EP blew me away and I had faith in them.
Again, they amazed me. It was all so different with the new sound but I loved it. The lyrics still made me smile, cry and jam out like I did with the first album.
As the new year came around, big things were in store for the boys. I made sure to keep up to date with them more and more.
My love for them had grew much bigger, to the point where I couldn’t contain it by keeping it limited to Tumblr. I hated not being able to fangirl fully. I was afraid of having people around me find out about them and make fun of me or tear them down. But I no longer wanted to be paranoid by liking a lot of other people’s Instagram posts after liking any of the boys’ or favoriting a bunch of other people’s tweets after favoriting their’s.
So one day I decided to (even after telling myself that I would never) create a fan Twitter account as well as a fan Instagram account. (However, Tumblr is really where) I was able to connect with other fans which I never fully experienced – although I did have some interaction with other fans in past fandoms that I had been a part of, but nothing compared to this.
All three of these social media apps/sites is where I got to really express myself, my thoughts and feelings. This is where I became one with others.
I can’t imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t found these four wonderful guys. They make me so happy from their music to the mere fact of their existence. Never has a band made me experience such incredible things just by being their fan (there is One Direction – yet I never felt so much love, joy, laughter, positivity and support).
Because of the boys I was able to meet such lovely people and gotten close to some of them. I’ve spoken to the kindest people and made some friends from all over the world which is unreal!
I have experienced things that I thought weren’t possible but being a fan of The Vamps, they actually made it happen!
Wondering How We Got This Far
It’s crazy how much has happened in just this year. My mind constantly gets blown away with the endless (and I know I’ve said this many times) amount of love, happiness, positivity & support! This is why I love this fandom so much. You guys are just as incredible and wonderful as the boys are!
To look back at the start of this journey and to realize the now, I wouldn’t change any of it because I’ve written, done some singing, and a whole lot of blogging, sharing & posting. I’m able to do things that I love and enjoy (like the boys).
Speaking of the boys, they all have such a special place in my heart. As time and moments passed by, I discovered reasons as to why I love each of them.
James (omg without him The Vamps wouldn’t be here today!) is absolutely amazing! He is the sweetest, kindest, caring, strongest, wisest and admirable person ever. I love how interactive he is with us fans, whether it be tweeting us back, letting us know that he’s read our letters or received our gifts, taking pictures with fans and posting them – he is an angel! I love how he’s not afraid to speak his mind, stand up for himself or for others – I admire that so much.
Tristan has shown me to not take life too seriously. He knows how to make people laugh (in fact I can hear him laughing right now). I love how he goes out there and does his thing! The concentration on his face when he drums is just wow. I love how you can tell that he loves what he does because he’s so amazing at it! He’s not afraid to step out of his comfort zone or to try new things. He’s the coolest person ever.
Connor is the cutest thing ever! All smiley and happy go lucky. I just wanna put him in my pocket!! I love that he’s not afraid to be himself or his other selves. I love that he enjoys and has so much fun with whatever he does, like playing the bass. I love that he can really let loose, like he definitely knows how to have a good time. He’s just loving life.
Brad, ahhh I can’t even. (I’ll save it for a later time :P)
I wanted today to be perfect or atleast light and airy. But time and time again, I was put on an emotional rollercoaster because of the boys. I planned to make a playlist to celebrate my faniversary and as I put it together, I started tearing up from the songs I listened when choosing what to pick, especially the sad songs of their’s. Then felt all happy and nostalgic when I heard some of their classics.
Along with that came snap chat videos, Twitter and Instagram videos and pictures. So I was basically a mess (which had never reached this level specifically caused by them) and became frustrated that I hadn’t prepared this post in advance because I wanna be able to say all that I need to say. If you made it this far just know I love you for taking the time to do so! *screams internally* (there’s now a pain in my right arm so I better wrap this up). That’s okay though because what I’ve learnt is that we must live in the moment and make the most of it, like what the boys do :)
The boys bring so much warmth and light into my life. They keep me hopeful and looking for the positive/bright side each day. I’ve become more appreciative of the little things.
With everything that I’ve experienced so far as part of this fandom, I hope all this amazing stuff and feelings never end. I hope my support for them lasts a lifetime as well as the memories made, the friendships formed and all the things in between. I hope I can continue to do this for a long while. I hope every single thing lasts forever.
