the Dinosaurs in Vietnam Charge to Long Island’s Youth

So, here I am—

sitting here in my bedroom on Long Island, during a chilly spring night in Wantagh, a place where I’ve lived for a very long time. I can’t help but smile as I type this. I haven’t smiled like this in quite a long time. Why am I smiling? Because I have renewed faith in all of you.

Long Island’s extended music community has been drastically changing over the past ten years, and the prospect of what could happen in the next ten, twenty years is absolutely tremendous. It is no secret that more and more of Long Island’s best and brightest artists have realized that House Shows are the spark we need to make all of our own respective art flourish. There have been many house shows that have existed all over Long Island now for well over a decade, and while the numbers are small at first, more and more people have been coming home, bored, with nothing to do, but they still have desire in their hearts to create something beautiful.

Though I do feel the need to clarify a few things. I must say, it deeply upsets me to hear that some people seem to think I have some sort of a personal agenda invested in this. It really does. Because I truly believe my intentions with Long Island have been nothing but selfless. I’ve invested years of my time doing my best to go to various shows and support local artists. Perhaps you’d notice me from the stage; I’d occasionally photograph and film almost every show I go to. And with Dinosaurs in Vietnam I’d put out the occasional compilation  or book the occasional show from time to time as well. I’d either buy your CD, or I’d give you a reason to give it to me for free. Oh yeah, I’d also happily listen to it more than just once. In fact, I’m the kind of person who would listen to it over and over again, just because I truly think it is something beautiful. I’d also play it for my friends too, and I’d be more than happy to let other people know when someone has released an awesome work of art. When I feel inspired, I tend to blog about what I see, and post up what here. Though, for those of you who’ve taken a good look at this blog, it should upset you as much as it upsets me to see that there isn’t much here. There certainly have been instances where I’ve felt the need to post here, but as you all know, life unfortunately gets in the way. I knew that when the time comes, Dinosaurs in Vietnam’s use and purpose would present itself in its purest identity, because my intentions have always been more than just to benefit any one artist alone. Why? Because despite how overtly critical I’ve been known for being at times, I truly believe that not just one of you, but all of you inspire me. I really do.

Is it wrong that I love to support a cause that has helped me deal with so many personal things in my life?  I think the fact that there is so many talented people right here on Long Island is a very beautiful thing all in itself. Just because you might not see me as an artist or musician, or someone else who you could use to benefit you right off the bat, why do you judge me and write me off for having the desire to do something more here? Just because I haven’t released any recordings myself doesn’t mean I don’t have the mind for it. Why do you single me out, saying I have this personal agenda when all I really want to do is show you how you can all help each other out and collectively thrive as one? Am I so wrong? Do you see that as a personal agenda? The only thing I see that’s personal about this is my desire to make it my life’s work to make a difference right here. And if you’re just as passionate about these issues and want to make a difference as I do, I’d love it if you’d join me.

And yes, while I do certainly have a plan, I had never meant to keep it to myself. I’ve been but a mere spectator for years now,  just like many of you reading this. Since I’ve been going to shows as a kid,  I’ve been able to study every aspect of all different shows from a non-musician observer’s point of view purposely for the very desire to fix the flaws Long Island’s artistic community collectively has. Over the years I’ve explored various scenes in my studies, and because of that I’ve been able to appreciate not just the good and the bad but every angle, every aspect of what Long Island’s talented has to offer. There are a lot of gifted people here on Long Island. Not just musically, but in all forms of the arts. My intentions were never meant to exploit it, I wish to make it thrive, so instead you can all make the most of yourselves and benefit for your own well being. There are too many people here who take advantage of the arts for personal gain, and not enough people who sincerely appreciate it. Quite frankly, that disgusts me. It is my desire for everyone who is passionate enough about what they love and to succeed and to benefit from this. Tell me, is that so wrong? I believe that this dream is in fact a reachable one.

Many who live here know that Long Island’s best resources are it own people. Yet there still hasn’t been enough of a spark to motivate any major long-term changes that need to happen here in terms of encouraging overall community growth. However, I believe that this is no longer the case. Why? Because Long Island’s kids have been flocking home in the masses, fresh out of school and many with a purpose, more and more each year.

Long Island has constantly been growing, and it will continue to do so. All kinds of people live here, and most importantly it is our right as citizens of Nassau and Suffolk Counties to voice our opinions on topics of concern here at home. It excites me to see that the ones who have yet to take advantage of this privilege are coming home, motivated to do something, and more and more young people are starting to vote too. My informed peers return by the boatload—back to that place that they’ve resented for the bane of their existence, to a place that they’ve once taken for granted—with a purpose. For those of you who, like myself, haven’t left this place, you should be happy to realize that this truly is a great place to live. We’re really fortunate to have turned up here, and to all of you who are returning; I think you’re really fortunate to come back here too.

We’re not kids anymore, and yet we still cling to our youth. Personally, at 22, fresh out of college, its safe to speak for my peers to say that we’re still not quite accustomed to being adults quite yet, in our twenties and thirties. But we’re still learning, constantly connecting and realizing how useful we can be to one another. Because of this, more and more pockets of communities centered in music and the arts have formed on Long Island, and they seem to flourish all around. Healthy competition in our youth has brought out the best in us, and together we can thrive, enhance, and enrich this island to be something truly worth loving.

And yet there is one thing that stands in our way—the fact that as Long Islanders, we’re cliquey as hell; the fact that it can take so long for people to accept someone here is sickening. Where is the love? Where is the community? Where is the open-mindedness that this generation is supposedly known for? Growing up as the son of a Vietnam Veteran in the Boy Scouts, I learned how good community values can greatly benefit a good cause. As an Eagle Scout, I was able to grasp, appreciate, and apply this concept to benefit my community on a smaller scale.  It is my hope to apply that very concept here and inspire others to see the potential within you to do the same thing.

It pains me to say that not accepting people is our regions biggest weakness and the leading cause to our potential downfall. That sort of jaded resentment we as Long Islanders tend to have toward one another is the direct result of the fact that there are too many here who use their strength, talents and brains to exploit others to gain selfish ends. We, for so long, have failed to realize that if we dedicate our skills and abilities for a common meaningful purpose, everyone will absolutely succeed in what we do, and that is what desperately needs to happen here on Long Island.

I charge you, Long Island Youth, to be among those who dedicate your skills and abilities to reach out for the common good. America was built on the solid foundations of clean living, honest work, and unselfish citizenship. As a country, we’ve made a major impact on the world, and especially over the past few decades, our country has  acknowledged what sort of power and impact that our artists can wield. We’re able to make a major impact just by starting up something positive in our own community. I still find it sad, and a little bit scary that it took events as catastrophic as what occurred on September 11, 2001 to remind many Long Islanders that its still okay to go and ask your neighbor for a cup of sugar, or its not a big deal to visit your neighbor to have a shoulder to cry on if you really needed one. Sadly, that reminder of  community had phased out as the previous decade wound down;  it goes without saying how we all needed to move on from that horrific day. So we put other thoughts in our minds, and let life consume us once again. The fact that we’ve gotten so wrapped up in the routine of our day to day lives has worked against us and clouded our vision to realize that we’ve forgotten one of the biggest tragedies of them all—the disgusting lack of participation in local community and local culture here at home.

We’re fortunate that our home is a mere stone’s throw away from the greatest metropolis in the world— with so many opportunities, so many places to see, and events to go to. Don’t get me wrong, I love all five boroughs of New York as much as the next guy, but please, do yourself a favor—open your eyes and realize how realistic it is to make major changes here at home and bring back that sense of community America was once known and admired for. Don’t forget, Long Island is the place where we were born, where we were raised, and where we were given the skills and tools we needed to succeed in whatever we put our minds to. We owe it not only to ourselves here in the present but everyone else who’s lived here before us, and most especially to the people who will live here in the future. Whatever others may say or may do, if we all work together for one common goal, we will prevail and leave behind a record for which all who come after us will see and be justly proud and inspired. It’s our turn to give back.

If you’re anything like me—someone with an absolute passion for everything that you believe in, I charge you, Long Island Youth— you teenagers, twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, to motivate yourself to do something, anything inspired at least once a day. It is my belief that if we embrace the Arts at all angles, we can unify this broken community that is Long Island. So please, by all means, go ahead and snap a photo at Jones Beach, or strum a bit on a guitar at home. Write some poetry after exploring Sagamore Hill, or start an independent wrestling league out east. Create a short film outside of that old run down movie theater out in Patchouge, or sample that weird sounding creak under the attic stairs for that new tune you’re working on. Sing in the shower, or choreograph a dance. Bake awesome cupcakes, or prepare an incredible meal for a picnic out at Montauk Point.  Create breathtaking three dimensional design landscapes, or house and host an event that showcases artists, something that’s meaningful and beautiful that would be open to all who want to take a part in it—all ages, races, sexual preferences aside. Heck, take all these things, bring them together and do it all under one roof, and then document it for the whole world to see. Write about it in the local paper even! Do you get what I’m saying yet?! Bang on a Can, Long Island!! Never discourage yourself from doing what you truly love, and don’t let normal day-to-day activities prevent you from doing what you truly enjoy. Now is the time for us to prosper! Let us take our talents and use them to contribute to the culture here on Long Island. It needs us desperately.

Long Island is packed with so many inspirational places to be, and such awesome things to see. As kids we would always complain about their never being anything to do here, but we’ve been so busy with our New Yorker lives of constant motion that we tend to forget to stop and appreciate it. I encourage you to explore Long Island to your hearts content. Support local live music, museums, and historical sites. It is imperative that we support local businesses and favor them over any other major non-Long Island based corporation that has taken root here. Small businesses need a vivid and caring community in order for them to be successful. We all need to remember to depend on each other. It’s the most important thing.

I’m curious to see what the Long Island of 2020 is going to be like. I’m looking forward to watching the progress being made. In order for us to thrive, it is my belief that we need to peacefully co-exist, be aware of each others doings, open up to all others like us who are around and exist on Long Island, doing the same things we’re doing. Together, we can inspire others to truly appreciate all forms of the arts for what they are and show others how they continue to still have an affect on us, by motivating and inspiring.

Dinosaurs in Vietnam as an entity are moving forward to fulfill its original purpose. Dinosaurs in Vietnam Artist Movement’s purpose has always been meant to motivate and encourage anyone and everyone on Long Island to do something that they truly love, whatever it is. We never intended to exclude anyone, any musician, no matter what style of music you play. Though in time, the inevitable fact of the matter that it is impossible to cater to the requests of all has alienated some. In most circumstances, DiV is only one person; it hurts me to turn people down. And while I still am just one, I plan on continuing to utilize Dinosaurs in Vietnam as a positive tool with the intentions to benefit all Long Island artists who wish to participate and take a part in it. If things end up going on the track as I hope, I’d like it so there will be a long-term permanent home for all types of music on Long Island to equally be appreciated and accepted by people of All Ages. I encourage anyone else who feels just as passionately about these issues to start up something of your own, create your own community and grow, just like we all should.

I wish to extend a hand of friendship out to anyone and everyone who agrees with these views. Don’t get me wrong, Dinosaurs in Vietnam is just a name. I don’t plan on that name getting in the way from me from making some necessary change here. Lord knows we need it. However, if you come to the table with intentions of use for purely selfish reasons, please, please, stay at home. For everyone else who is able to step back and see the big picture, please feel free to contact me at dinosaursinvietnam@gmail.com. I’m curious to hear your two cents on these very important issues and would love to hear from anyone and everyone who thinks they have something worth saying or contributing toward the topic.

If you’re as passionate about this as I am, lets put together a committee of all who are involved every art form on Long Island, and especially all communities of music. Lets make a true mark on Long Island’s culture and make people aware of what we do. I would like to start by campaigning to change the many outdated laws that are currently in place in many local governments around the island that legally prevent us to blossom and do what we love. I hope to change these laws with the best intentions of Long Island’s citizens and government in mind. I sincerely believe that together, we’re stronger.

If you’re in a band and would like to get more involved in any way, please contact me. I’m probably not going to be booking any shows for a little while, but I plan to soon enough. In the meantime, I’ll be accepting submissions for Dinosaurs in Vietnam, Compilation 3 (TITLE TBD), due out this Fall.

For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Will Forthman, and I hope that together, we can succeed and make Long Island a place we can truly say we love.

I hope to hear from you sooner rather than later.

With Faith and Love,
Will Forthman

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