I went to Elsiefest this weekend and I was lucky enough to get the 5 minute hangout session with Darren in his dressing room.
As soon as I walked in the room, Darren looked at me and asked if we’d met before. Before I could even finish saying my name, he said “Jess, of course!” and said it was great to see me again. We sat down and he asked me about what my life was like; I told him about college and my goals in politics and he started asking me about the 2016 election, and told me we’d sit together one day at the white house correspondent’s dinner, and that it’d be “fucking awesome.” When I said I wanna be president he said “Of the United States?” and I nodded and he said “Of course.” Joey Richter and an electrician came in the room during my session, to which Darren said “This is Jess, she’s gonna be president.” Then he asked me what a smart girl like me was doing in NY for a silly concert like his. He asked me what year I was in college, and told me it was unfortunate that Columbia always gets mistaken for the one in NY because “no, Chicago. It’s a great school.” When I told him I was two years ahead of where I should be he said “right, because you’re super smartz.”
I had him write out my tattoo, which I’m not sharing the original of because it’s personal, and he took a ton of time making it perfect. Upon asking if I could ask him a question, he patted my knee and said “This is your time, of course.” He mentioned tattoos later during his set when he sang “Not Alone.”
Then we took lots of pictures. I finally got my hug picture, and when I asked he said “of course, come here!” and hugged me so tight. Afterwards, he gave me the best kiss on the cheek and I asked if we could do that in a selfie and he agreed because he’s amazing.
