18 Feb Seven Years Strong: Meet the Press

Hello, South Florida!

My name is Cassie Morien and I am delighted, humbled, and ecstatic to announce that I will be returning as your official blogger for SunFest 2018. It’s hard to believe that this year will mark my seventh season.

To my local friends and music lovers, I’ve missed you! Thank you for supporting me for so many years. If you’re new to South Florida, or SunFest, please allow me to introduce myself. 

I’m a South Florida native, born and raised in Boynton Beach. Before I could properly string together sentences, I knew I wanted to be a writer. Short stories, poetry, long-form prose— I explored it all. While attending Boynton Beach Community High School, an astute teacher saw my skills and steered me toward journalism. My life has never been the same.

Throughout high school, I wrote for the Sun Sentinel, under the care and guidance of Oline Cogdill. It was at this paper that I found myself captivated by music journalism. I knew then, at 15 years old, that I wanted to fill the rest of my life with sound. I dedicated my words to festival and concert reviews, artist interviews, and album releases.

My ears and heart then led me to the University of Central Florida, where I was accepted into the university’s competitive journalism program. After graduating, my heart found a home at Boca Raton magazine. Marie Speed and Kevin Kaminski pushed my writing in new directions, while also supporting my passion for noise.

In 2013, I knew it was time for me to find new music venues to conquer. Leaving South Florida (and Publix subs) was one of the most difficult, and best, decisions I’ve ever made. In 2013, I packed up my car with books and crumpled clothes and headed for Austin, Texas.

This June, I’ll celebrate my fifth year as an Austinite. I can confirm that Austin is absolutely the “Live Music Capital of the World.” This beautiful, young city is powered by noise (just like me). Now, festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits are within walking distance of my home. In Austin, I found happiness with INK Communications Co., and continue to write for Indie Shuffle, and recently the avant-garde Teeth Magazine.  

Texas has stolen my heart, but it can’t offer me a festival by the sea.

I’ve had the joy of attending and covering festivals all over the United States —from Coachella to Ultra— and I can confirm SunFest is a remarkable, unique experience. I’ve grown up with this celebration of the sun, which spotlights both local artists and chart-topping musicians. Paradise is listening to great music, under palm trees, with a salty breeze.

I can’t wait to come home. Being your lead blogger and guide for this fabulous fest is the honor of a lifetime. Truly. 

South Florida, I love you. I’ll see you so soon.