Instagram is a powerful social media platform that connects ravers from all over the world through beautifully presented photos. I love going through event hashtags to reconnect with ravers I had met and traded with when I forget to exchange contact information. Sometimes you’re meant to only cross paths with a person once, but sometimes those small interactions blossom into friendship. PLUR Rabbit and I had been following one another for some time, but hadn’t had the chance to meet in person since we live in different parts of California and attend different events, but last March changed our status of internet friends to friends. Walking through the magical grounds of Beyond Wonderland 2016, I crossed paths with so many beautiful ravers and one of those beautiful individuals happened to be Jose.
Living in Los Angeles, California, Jose was easily exposed to the rave culture and began raving when he was just 15 years old starting off with smaller shows, then attending his very first festival in 2009, Electric Daisy Carnival. Like so many new ravers in the scene, he was excited to see what rave culture was all about and just knowing it was a place where people can have fun and dress up was just exciting on its own. With the new possibilities that have opened up in his life, Jose began to immerse himself into a world that would forever change his life. 9 years later, Jose transformed into who we now know as PLUR Rabbit.
So the question everyone may be wondering: how did he come up with the name PLUR Rabbit? “The way I express myself is by representing the word PLUR but also showing people that you can make it a lifestyle,” explains Jose, “Plus rabbits are lucky!” Jose embraces his PLUR Rabbit name and lives up to its fullest potential through his hats. “I love how creative my PLUR Rabbit hats are because it represents me as well as challenges me to express myself differently, but creatively each time!” Jose shares. It’s inspiring to see Jose dedicate himself to the one subject being the rabbit, yet have different themes for every single event that he goes to! I don’t know how he comes up with each idea, but if he’s anything like me he must plan it out in advance because the details in each outfit is superb! Where does the inspiration come from? “One person that has inspired me is my good friend Tony,” he shares, “He showed me to not be afraid to express yourself and that they should be no limitations. Another person that inspires me is Alex Duran. He has shown me how to step out of my comfort zone and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be dressing up! He was the one that started choosing my outfits and making ideas before I knew what I wanted to wear and he’s one of the most creative people I know in my life.”
Not only has raving strengthened his friendship with his current friends, he has been forming new ones at each event he attends: “Raving has really changed a lot in my life. I actually got to meet a lot of my friends and it’s funny because the people I meet at these events actually stay in my life. The friends that I have now have been like family and always there for me as I am always there for them. We always hangout, have sleep overs, and always talk about how we met in line or on the dance floor. Raving can really bring people together.” The bonds of friendship over the love of music and rave culture made Jose truly believe that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel even though many say that the scene has become filled with hatred. “Raving has also shown that there is peace and love in this world,” Jose says. “It’s such a positive place to be in and it makes me feel happy even after the events!”
Although old school ravers continue to say that PLUR is dying and the scene isn’t the same, does Jose think that rave culture has shifted into something negative? “To be honest I don’t think the scene hasn’t really changed dramatically. The love and PLUR still live in these events. Yes, more people know about the events, but I believe it’s not a bad thing at all. It gives us the opportunity to show newcomers how loving we all are and don’t need negativity in our lives.” He truly embodies the meaning of PLUR when he greets ravers who come up to him to introduce themselves and treats them as if they have been friends forever. “I really try to make PLUR a lifestyle,” Jose says happily. “I try to stay positive and strong every day. Sometimes there will be bad days, but if you’re a positive and strong individual you can conquer the problem and turn that bad day around. I also love telling people what PLUR is all about and so far everyone is loving what it stands for!”
So for all of you ravers and non ravers out there, when it seems like you’ve hit rock bottom and there’s no hope here are some words of advice from our PLUR Rabbit: “Life is a journey and it all starts with a “once upon a time” and ends with a “happily ever after”. Fight for what you believe in and never give up no matter how many no’s you get. Never give up on you.”
If you ever see rabbit ears shining through the night make sure to find it because chances are it’ll be the one and only Plur Rabbit!
Jose and I at Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2016
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