INTERVIEW: Pacemaker Audio Raffles Studio Time for Cancer Support
“Anyone can be around for the fun parts. This is about what happens when things get hard and people choose to stay. Bri has been that person for a long time, so this is that same energy coming back to her.”
Fixture of the local scene Pacemaker Audio has just launched a raffle benefitting Briana George's battle with metastatic breast cancer. Diagnosed at age 33, her life was quickly turned upside down. Despite this, she continues to be a consistent presence at local shows. Tyler Krupsky, the mind behind Pacemaker, explains that his support for her battle is inspired by her support for the scene itself.
"She is there, showing up for young bands and repping her friends hard, with a cane. I have seen her stage dive and her wig came off and she rocked the hell out of the whole situation. If that's not love for your scene and community, I don't know what is."
"Pretty much the scariest day of my life was finding a lump,” Brianna tells me. “Fast forward a month later and I had stage three breast cancer that has spread to my lymph nodes." Despite the horrific diagnosis, the double mastectomy, the lymph node removals, and months of chemo and radiation therapy, much of what Brianna missed the most was the community she loved.
"I missed some shows when I was super chemo sick and it was the worst. I honestly missed having fun with my friends just as much as seeing bands." When her health improved though, she got back into it full throttle. "I stage dove during Straight Jacket's set while I still had blood drains coming out of my body, hidden in my pocket. I don't know if I'm brave or stupid but I'm having a good time as much as I can. l just needed some movement in a life that I felt like I had to put on pause."
What wows her the most is that the scene she's put so much time into has paid it back in dividends during one of the greatest struggles of her life. "The outpouring of well wishes and offerings of help was crazy to see. Like something I love loves me back? Insane."
Folks in the pit knew her struggle and did what they could to make sure shows were accessible for her. "The local scene has been so, so good to me. They make sure I always have a safe spot to stand or they'll yell at me and tell me to be safe when I get a little overzealous. I've never seen so many people come together for anyone, no less me."
Tyler and his partner Olivia Fay are both firm believers in the power of community. Olivia explains, "Scene solidarity is what turns a group of people into an actual community. It's not just about music. It's about showing up for each other when it counts. Anyone can be around for the fun parts. This is about what happens when things get hard and people choose to stay. Bri has been that person for a long time, so this is that same energy coming back to her."
Tyler hopes that this gesture will inspire more like it. "There are so many people right here in our local community that need our help. If I can directly impact someone's life this way, why can't you?"
Each raffle ticket purchased enters you into a drawing for a free demo/EP recording (three days of studio time) at the Pacemaker Audio studio in Balston Lake. As somebody who's spent some time there, I truly couldn't imagine a more welcoming, inspiring, or downright fun space to work out your latest musical venture. Love from Rufus and Fiona (Tyler and Olivia's dogs) will be included free of charge.
To enter the raffle, send @oliviamariefay $5.18 on either venmo or cash app with a ticket emoji 🎟 in the note. You can also purchase tickets in person at shows (trust me, you'll see them both around) or at the studio. DM @pacemaker_audio to coordinate. The winner will be announced on 5/18.
