"The Maine Diaspora" is a new section in the Exception Magazine which explores why Mainers move away (or move back!).

Our second Mainer to be profiled is Trevor Geiger.

Bio
Born in Bath, Maine, raised in Arrowsic. Singer/songwriter, Audio/Visual Tech, Home Recording Enthusiast, Tree Hugger.
Bio 2: What would Neil Young do since 1982
Age: 29
Hometown: Arrowsic, Maine
High School: North Yarmouth Academy
College: Macalester and Columbia College Chicago for my BA
Occupation: Self Employed (Musician, A/V Tech, Accounting Tutor, Irrigation Specialist)

First off, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I've been living in Chicago for the past 7 years after moving here with my old band, DPOM. I have been largely self employed the entire time and around 2008 (when the economic shit hit the fan), I decided to go back to college for a degree in Music Business Entrepreneurship. I attended Columbia College Chicago, which I saw as basically a vocational school for artists. For my degree, I took all your standard business school classes: Accounting, Law, Finance, Management, etc. But I also did PR/Promotions for the school's student-run record label (AEMMP Records), organized and attended events at SXSW in Austin, and was taught by some of the best music industry professionals in Chicago. I used the opportunity of being a student again to help my band the Arrowsics gain a small fan base and a solid Chicago network of musicians and industry people.

I recently graduated in May, and also got engaged to my long time girlfriend, Eva Salomon. She is an amazing woman and a talented artist who has been working as a high-end cake decorator here in Chicago. Since we are both New Englanders, we decided a while back that we should move to Maine after I finished school in order to be closer to our families and to "settle down" a bit. We are currently winding things down in Chicago and are looking forward to the move back East!

What is your fondest memory of growing up in Maine?

I know its corny, but I guess just the nature. Being able to play outside in the woods for hours. Swimming and biking in the summer, ice skating and skiing in the winter. I grew up with beavers, frogs, deer, loons, eagles, osprey, owls, great blue herons and more right in my front yard. Nature was a normal part of my life and I'm hoping it will be again.

Why did you decide to leave Maine? Have long have you been gone?

Almost 10 years. I left Maine to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2002. Besides it being a great school, I was young and looking to leave home and live in a big city. When I found St. Paul to be A) the coldest place ever, and B) more pretty than gritty, I dropped out and moved to Atlanta for about two years and then to Chicago where I have lived since.

What is the perception of Maine where you live?

In Chicago, most people know Maine as a beautiful place to vacation. They always ask about the lobster and the seafood, which I assure them is delicious. Portland is starting to get a good reputation as a foodie town. But when I talk about it to most young people, they all assume I'm talking about Oregon ("Oh, I love Portland!" Sorry wrong coast).

Most people think that Maine must be colder than Chicago. They are wrong. The Midwest is definitely colder. More snow too. Sorry Maine.

I think the perception is that Maine is a bit remote (and parts of it are). Most people are surprised to hear that Portland is only two hours from Boston and five from New York.

So after years away, you are still planning to return to Maine. Why did you decide to move back?