Arts & Entertainment Connexions

FORECASTLE FESTIVAL REVIEW – OMG What A Show! (used with permission from Alternative Revolt Magazine)

Daniel: Louisville, KY, have you found a competitor for the Kentucky Derby Festival?

Louisville, KY: Yes Daniel. In fact I can prove that the Forecastle Festival upstaged the Kentucky Derby Festival.

Daniel: For Real?

Louisville, KY: Yes and the first time I did it was in 2005. Who’s your daddy?

Ok, so this was a fake conversation but that fact is true. If you’ve never heard of the Forecastle Festival it’s a shame. According to Outside Magazine, the Forecastle Festival is “One of the top 15 Outdoor Festivals of 2009.” Even SPIN Magazine named Forecastle as “One of the Top 101 things to do in America.” It started in 2002 as a free show that cost less than five hundred dollars to put on. Volunteers in the local music community agreed to put on the event at Tyler Park in Louisville, KY and drew a crowd of hundreds. The success of the warm vibes and pleasant experience brought the attention of JK McKnight. It was McKnight who brought the local art community into the event. Quickly, environmental organizations wanted in and BAM SUCKA, July 19th, 2003 the Forecastle Festivals moniker was established: Music.Art.Activism®
The Forecastle Festival was expanded on greatly each year, eventually gaining major sponsors allowing it to be a big deal in the life of anyone who enjoys variety in entertainment. The festival got so big that Tyler Park was not large enough. Between 2005 and 2010 the Festival was relocated 3 times finally finding adequate space on 15 acres of Louisville, KY’s Waterfront Park, thanks to the help of the country’s oldest, largest, and most experienced operators of live theatre and music, Nederlander Entertainment .

Forecastle Festival is a 3 day event that boasts an eclectic mix of music, art and environmental activism. Basically, this means that you’re going to witness a variety of bands from all over the nation on 3 different stages. It also means that you will experience bizarre shows of danger, crazy carnival like performances, marching bands, etc. that are famous from other parts of the nation. Another added treat is you can listen to guest speakers from environmentalists who will tell you the positive direction of going green by providing new study information, live demonstrations, and new facts and figures. Let’s not forget either about some pretty cool art exhibits, tattoo artists, outdoor club dancing, and a crowd of thousands upon thousands pouring in from all over the U.S. and even outside the states. There is so much to do at this amazing event that you nearly would have to clone yourself and share the mental connection and imagery with your other self to experience it all. This is both its biggest draw and biggest problem.

On the plus side, an event like this is absolutely amazing with all it has to offer. The art exhibits are great, the people are friendly, the variety in various forms of entertainment including the nationally popular Cirgque Berzerk from California is awesome, and even the music scene has some variety. You can hear Bluegrass music, techno music, classic rock, folk music, alternative rock and it’s all done by flawless performers both locally and nationwide.

On the minus side you won’t be able to witness every show completely. This is a bummer because bands get missed out on, environmental awareness speakers get overlooked, and uniquely dangerous magic acts get missed by performers from all over. For my personal tastes I thought there were too many Bluegrass musicians for one festival but I understand why due to the nature of Kentucky’s music scene. Honestly, there could have been more hard rock and alternative rock that I missed simply because of everything to have to cover.

All in all, the Forecastle Festival is an absolute must if you enjoy just a fraction of what I told you about so far. Hearing new music, seeing new forms of entertainment, gaining education of the very important environmental issues, and making new friends from other states and countries is awesome! This festival allows all that and more. $150 for 3 days of this seems almost like a steal.

Now, I will tell you of my experience of the Forecastle Festival and grade it with a Second Opinion to follow from a female’s point of view via local photographer, Staci Scevers, whose photographs sprinkled throughout this article will help you get a deeper feel for this astonishing event!

SIDE SHOWS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTS:

There were bands and things I missed. Most of what I missed, being in a music magazine, was the environmental demonstrations. I am an enthusiastic person when it comes to going green and learning about the positive direction of the planet. I missed things like renewable energy, Dr Feel Fine’s “Cure-All” Puppet Show, the Flaming Lips documentary, a yoga workshop, local food production and Middle Eastern belly dancing which would’ve put me in a trance, I’m sure. I cannot give an honest grade overall for that since I only saw pieces but as previous boasting goes in other publications I would imagine they would have received an A.

I did get to see pieces of March Madness Marching Band, a very enthusiastic group of marchers that got into people’s faces and marched throughout Waterfront Park. I believe it was their costumes, constant smiles, and absorbing their costumed characters that scored high with the crowd. They got an A. The Outdoor Extreme Sports Park was cool to see but really, if you’ve seen one show of bike tricks, you’ve seen them all, in my opinion. I saw fascination in the small crowd around this graffiti decorated area so based on their looks I would bump mine up to a C+. Perhaps having to be so many places watered down my excitement for this so other fans would have given this grade even more points.

The Cirque Berzerk from California was an awesome treat. I score this an absolute A. You had a very entertaining, athletic group of performers doing Three Stooges type acts while bouncing around on trampolines and landing flawlessly on a high wall ledge. Then, one by one, female performers came out and did acrobatic things via a loop suspended in mid air, a silk cloth that reminded me of a spider weaving a web and then a combination. Then there was a theatrical scene of athleticism with a pair of men who displayed mild affection towards one another. All these acts were set to music so it was more like a theater production then a circus act. The finale was awesome as every performer came out doing their signature pieces while some of them blew fire from their mouths and such. Even the comical guy on stilts between acts joined in the fun. Excellent!

I also got to see some artwork that was unique. I met local tattoo artists who had some fantastic artwork on display. I also met some of the artists who worked on art displays for the Forecastle Festival. Very cool stuff.

THE MUSIC

This is where I’ll find disagreement I’m sure. I’m not a huge fan of country music. Gladly, there was none there. I’m not real fond of Bluegrass music but that’s what I would say at least 70% of the bands were; Bluegrass and Classic Rock sounding bands. Of course, it’s Kentucky so it was to be expected. I have no idea how Smashing Pumpkins fit into this festival. Their style, from what I could tell, were different than all the rest. However, as a live show with limited effects perhaps it was an easier blend. Let me reiterate that I didn’t get to see all the bands so there could have been some rockers out there I missed.

Now that I’ve said that I was pleasantly surprised by most of the bands I heard. I felt like maybe I missed out on something the last 15 years or so. Some of this Bluegrass music was pretty good. It wasn’t that oldies stuff I remember and it didn’t have that whiny feel that some of the Country music artists have. It was a different sound as if Bluegrass finally evolved. I particularly liked the 23 String Band. Those that did rock didn’t do it in Chevelle or Sevendust fashion or even Smashing Pumpkins fashion. They had a more Classic Rock sound or even a bit jazzy. Death On Two Wheels had my favorite stage performance and rock sound, like a new age George Thorogood. Company of Thieves had an awesome jazzy rock sound that made me smile. The first band on the East Stage on the first day of the festival could have easily been my favorite. They are called Kinetix and they rocked! Each of the bands I listed all get an A with the award for best East Stage performance, in my opinion, going to Death on Two Wheels with Lucero as a Runner Up.
The North Stage had the most diverse bands with some sounding like a meeting with Modest Mouse and the 60’s such as the Doloreans and IamIs who also reminded me a bit of an RPG soundtrack. Then you have local rappers with a style I would define as Disco Rap called Scanners. More Bluegrass music hit that stage with My Morning Jacket co founder’s band, The Raverra Colt, and also Arnett Hollow. You also had a style of rock in the vein of Marilyn Manson, but not. I wish this band, Straight A’s, didn’t have distorted effects on their voices all the time. My pick for winner of that stage out of those I saw perform? 23 String Band with The Raverra Colt as a runner up mostly because of the front man’s sense of humor.

The Ocean Stage was the dance stage and it was always hopping. While it was more a grass area with a booth covering the DF equipment it had some of the festivals finest hotties shakin’ their bodies. Also, most of the shirtless guys were in that same crowd. This is where all the DJ’s partied. A couple Electronica bands shared this stage such as Papadosio which got my Best Of award here. Not much else to say really. If you got a beat and lots of bass people are going to shake their change.

The Main Stage, of course, had the most popular musicians from around the country. This is where I spent most of my time. On Friday, things started off with Scott Miller and the Commonwealth. If you like bluegrass you will like this band. It’s not my cup of tea but the crowd loved it. While not super energetic on stage the emotion from the music to crowd was noticeable. I am not a huge fan of this style but live is always better than an album for first timers. Therefore, I would grade it a C while fans of that genre would probably boot it up to a B or even an A.

Drive-By Truckers was another band I thought was iffy. However, when I heard them play I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn’t disappointed in the least. They have a style similar to Scott Miller but different too. Without being annoyed I give them a B-.

Manchester Orchestra was next and boy was I diggin’ it. There sound is very cool and the lyrics were very intense. Even a guy in the crowd by me said that he came to the Festival to see them because he read the lyrics of some of the songs online and loved them. I concur. An A, Manchester Orchestra!

Headlining Friday was Widespread Panic. That crowd was huge. I don’t get into that kind of classic sounding rock much but they had some sprinkled musical pieces that really rocked. The veteran performers were in their mojo and although there wasn’t a high energy stage presence everyone was having a good time. I give them a B+.

Saturdays’ Main Stage busted out the gate with Modern English, a nod to back to the 80’s with added new stuff. Not too shabby at all. I give them a B as well as Umphrey’s McGee who followed them.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals was next and I was mesmerized by the vocal quality and pleasant mix of soothing rock. You must check them out if you don’t know them. An A!

Cake followed next and they were fantastic. The women drooled, the music rocked and the crowd was enormous. I score an A.

Devo came next and people went stupid happy. I do not like this strange band very much and will probably get slapped for stating so. But the costumes were top notch, their style immaculate and the crowd was beyond stoked. So my grade of a C because I am not a big fan will be bumped to an A because of stage performance and the people in the crowd loving it.

Bassnectar followed which was odd to me as it was the only DJ on the Main Stage. I didn’t think he belonged but this massive crowd shaking ass was incredible. Also, the light show and song selection was pretty damn good. This was an A and I heard people say it outdid everyone else, probably because the crowd was mostly older teens and 20-30 something’s.

Smashing Pumpkins finished the night with a bang. I read and was even told by some staff there how difficult Billy Corgan can be. For a shy guy who likes to make his image bigger than it is he surprised photographers by allowing extra photos to be taken. He even gave audience members high fives and made funny jokes. According to Jeff Asfahl, one of their biggest fans from Chicago, he was impressed. Was this real? It was plain to see that Billy Corgan really wanted to re-establish his career. I liked the energy on stage. He was great. The problem was the song selection. The crowd didn’t seem to really recognize a few and it seemed everyone was pissed that Zero wasn’t played. The crowd chanted it over and over but never did they play it. I would give them an A but for song selection and lack of Zero I will drop it to a B. We were the only magazine to get a photo of the song set list though. Score!

Sunday’s lineup was the most mild and the crowd didn’t get large until the evening. Joe Purdy did ok scoring a B. Dar Williams’ folk style received a B too because by that time I wasn’t hearing much variety in that style of music. Not her fault. She did talk a lot between most songs which was cool to hear the meaning but not so cool as it detracted from the flow of music.

I’d say my heart stopped when I heard the next band, Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek… .

Read the rest of this review plus see pictures and more at AltRevolt.com

Daniel C. Morrison aka: The Hit Man

TheLiveLine.com – where fans and artists go to shoot the sh** (used with permission from Alternative Revolt Magazine)

One of the hardest working guys I know not only promotes several record companies and a number of artists but he also works for a very cool business, TheLiveLine.com. This company allows fans to call a number and listen to a recorded message left by an actual famous artist of their choice to see what the latest thing going on in their lives is. Not only that, but a fan can also receive a text by the artist of what they’re into or what they’re about to get into. To make it sweeter, sometimes the artist will answer the phone and talk to you if they’re super cool and not super busy. Want to know who some of these artists are? Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dez Fafara (DevilDriver), Burton C Bell (Fear Factory), Maria Brink (In This Moment), and many more.

Not only do they have an amazingly simple and effective idea for promoting businesses, their idea behind fan-to-artist mobile phone interaction is cool and unique which will probably be as important as society has made Twitter. Their press release sounds mighty inviting: “The website allows our talent to create AudioBlogs, and anyone can call them at a number we assign them for FREE. This itself is cool to be able to hear their actual voice, and interact with fans. Fans can even leave voice messages for the Artists, and you never know, the artist may just answer the phone and start talking to you! Every time an artist updates their AudioBlog, a text alert goes out.

Try it for yourself, and give Maria Brink a call for FREE: (877) 306-2742. Who is Maria Brink? The delicious singer of “In This Moment” who also was featured in Playboy.

TheLiveLine.com has an updated version which will go live very soon and you don’t want to miss out on this huge ordeal. You can see a glimpse now at http://www.theliveline.com

What interested me equally was a section they have called “Purgatory.” This is a cool concept where unknown artists get a chance to score a spot with the big boys on the site. Basically, an unknown artist tries to gain 1,000 fans. Until they do they stay in “purgatory” but once they get that number of fans they achieve a spot with the already-knowns. So, to get a bit more understanding here is an interview with someone who knows all about TheLiveLine.com, Scott Holmen.

THE INTERVIEW

Daniel/AR: The idea behind theliveline.com is very cool. It’s been tested for a couple years if my information is correct. What prompted the idea and how did it get moving so fast and successfully?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We were aware that the technology was available but mostly being applied to retail marketing. We approached our parent company with the idea of using their existing technology and applying it to the entertainment industry.

Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario how a fan could benefit from joining.

Scott/TheLiveLine: In addition to getting updates from Artists IN THE ARTISTS’ OWN VOICE, fans on TheLiveLine have access to exclusive contests, promotions, alerts and access to our “Talent Family”.

Daniel/AR: What is the cost to join?

Scott/TheLiveLine: It is absolutely FREE to be a fan or an artist on TheLiveLine.

Daniel/AR: Tell me a typical scenario of how a business could benefit from this. Let’s say the name of the business was Envy Anna Jones or Eggshell White Castle.

Scott/TheLiveLine: The businesses that are coming alongside TheLiveLine see the value of several components that we produce. A business is able to access fans, via their mobile device, which is the most immediate and relevant way to reach their targeted demographic today. We are able to serve highly targeted text, voice and web communications on behalf of these businesses.

Daniel/AR: How would you compare this to Twitter which is what I thought of initially?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We are different than twitter in that we have incorporated an Audio component in TheLiveLine. On twitter, you can’t be too sure who is tweeting on behalf of an artist. Frequently, an administrator is generating the tweets. With TheLiveLine, you are HEARING your favorite artists voice SECONDS after they record their AudioBlog and are provided with a way to engage in 2-way communication with them.

Daniel/AR: When theliveline.com is complete what are all the great things one can expect from visiting it and being a member?

Scott/TheLiveLine: As we continue to build out TheLiveLine we expect to facilitate event based mobile experiences where we are at shows allowing fans to engage with the artists via picture 2 screen text to screen, voting, and providing mobile deals on merch, concessions, etc.
We will be able to provide fans and brands with highly relevant information that they will want based on some of the information that they request. For example, a metal fan will request and get information around metal music, metal merch, metal events, etc.

Daniel/AR: Your “purgatory” is a very cool idea. To what extent will theliveline.com go to make sure these artists get known?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We are huge proponents of the “up & comers”. We have already used our resources to book shows for some of these smaller bands. We truly believe that as Artists see a company in this “Dog Eat Dog” world that you so accurately describe come along side of them and help them with publicity, brand building, management, and bringing them into our network within the entertainment business they will reciprocate by providing TheLiveLine with new content, traffic and otherwise reciprocating. Scratching each others backs if you will.

Daniel/AR: Anything else you’d like to have everyone know?

Scott/TheLiveLine: We would love fan feedback on our TheLiveLine. We would love to know other bands that you would like to connect with through TheLiveLine. This site is meant to cater to the fans so I would hope that they would be generous in letting us know what they want. We will do everything we can to make this site the ultimate site for engaging with artists and gathering information about entertainment.

Daniel/AR: Even though this isn’t an artist interview I’ll throw you a famous question curve ball just the same. If theliveline.com dominated all businesses and could change the way people paid for services what would the change be, would Bill Gates care at all and would it affect the afterlife in any way?

Wow. That is a big question!

1. Ultimately , payment for services would be made by brands that see the tremendous return on getting targeted, relevant information in front of fans on TheLiveLine. This way, fans are only present with information/advertising that they would want to see and advertisers see a high rate of return on their advertising dollars because of this.

2. I hope that Bill Gates would care. If TheLiveLine is “dominating all businesses” we would likely come up on his radar in a meaningful way.

3. As to the afterlife, one can only hope that energy put forth in this life affects the afterlife but I am hardly in a position to speak to these mysteries with any definitive conviction. For now I’ll just trust that if we “do good then good will follow us”.

Daniel/AR: Thank you very much for talking a bit about this amazing concept. Being one for the major and not-so-major artists together in one place is worth telling people about. I wish you all the best.

Daniel C. Morrison aka: The Hit Man

How could the number one online radio station of its kind in the world avoid a spot in Alternative Revolt Magazine? With over 2,000,000 listeners a month it’s impossible. Therefore, I wanted to let all loyal fans that listen to Acoustic Alternative Radio and also read the articles here that I will feature this magnificent station in the magazine.

So, come August, check out your favorite radio station in Alternative Revolt Magazine where we will also feature Otep, Sister Hazel and some cool bands you’ve never heard of. To see other great artists like SICK PUPPIES, NONPOINT, KITTIE, etc. (yes, the same ones you’ve read here but in flashy colorful pages and hot pics) head there now at AltRevolt.com.

Congrats to Wes Simkins and the crew at Acoustic Alternative Radio for being number one!

Daniel C. Morrison
- Hit Man

When Nashville Pussy, Green Jelly and Psychostick came to town I was fortunate enough to be invited to review the show. In fact, I have been invited to review several shows such as – Rockin Mayhem Festival, Rock on the Range, Vans Warped Tour, and more. This is all thanks to the fact that my articles have allowed me to also be the Head Journalist of Alternative Revolt Magazine, . I will be sharing those reviews and articles on bands here on the Arts and Entertainment Connexions. Now that I’m super busy I might not get them here weekly but if that’s the case you will see a bunch posted on a particular day. So now, on the review!

Review of the Parental Advisory Tour – a theatrical show you should not miss
Starring:
Psychostick
The Fabulous Miss Wendy
Green Jelly
Nashville Pussy

There’s something weird going on in the music scene nowadays. Our first issue was dedicated to female-fronted bands but it seems that females are more and more involved in bands nowadays. Maybe I’ve been a recluse from being so f*&@ing poor but I thank God that I’m able to review shows, interview bands and get to know them somewhat personally. Sharing that with a reader base is just that much better! Therefore, I am going to tell you my two cents worth of the Parental Advisory Tour where both males and females rocked the stage. No, not just rocked but murdered the atmosphere with explosive entertainment. From melting-your-face guitar leads to laugh-out-loud comedy, an unusual theatrical type performance and down and dirty rock I am upset that the crowd wasn’t bigger. Truly, what excuse did people have for missing this phenomenal night?

Let’s start things off right by telling you that Expo 5 in Louisville, KY is an awesome place to check out music. It’s not as well known as Phoenix Hill Tavern or Headliners but it’s bigger than both, at least it certainly looked that way. And a big place like that was needed with talent by the hilarious, metal crunching Psychostick, the angel with horns The Fabulous Miss Wendy who actually joined the stage to perform alongside the crappiest band ever, Green Jelly, and the rock steady, show stopping Nashville Pussy. I even took a peek in the other stage of this venue to check out a local metal band, Screwface that got the metal munching job done!

It was hard to pick out my favorite act. Psychostick began the festival with a hilarious sound check that wasn’t even part of the act. Then, front man, Rawrb, goes into an awesome selection of metal comedy with facial animations and band participation to go right along with the songs. Songs like “Two Ton Paper Weight,” about Josh’s old, run down Mercury and their newest hit, “This Is Not a Song, It’s A Sandwich” and their dedicated-to-all-beer-related things song, “Beer” was a world of awesome and laughs. Even drum bashing, Alex, made a funny, yet serious comment that sums them up nicely, “We like to write about the non-fiction stuff.” I score this performance an A.

Next, I was taken by surprise by a trio I had no idea existed, The Fabulous Miss Wendy. I won’t go into how badly I would’ve loved to date lead singer/guitarist Wendy but I will go into how she flat out shredded her guitar masterfully. With a solid voice, stage presence, showoff antics and shockingly fluid lead guitar skills she certainly shot electricity out of her axe through every song. Then, bad ass chic drummer, Chelsea Bangs (yep, that’s her name) destroys the drums that made her seem like a ten foot monster instead of the 5′5 or shorter cute girl with a warm smile. Let me tell you also that bass player, Brian Beckman, must be one lucky guy. Not just to perform with a pair of women who are gorgeous and talented but to be privy to some hopping, rocking music. He held his own too with the bass but Wendy just grinded out her guitar all over the place leaving little room for him to rock to full potential. I give their performance an A+

After the way-too-short 4 song set of The Fabulous Miss Wendy was over I witnessed a seamless blend into the strangest act I’ve ever seen to date when Green Jelly took the stage. In fact, Wendy, Brian and Chelsea were part of the band. It was like a carnival act and even though Green Jelly likes to be known as “the suckiest band ever” they really aren’t. It was a treat to see these musical veterans give a show. I was witness to the mighty Cow God, several different Sesame Street, cereal, and other characters and a crowd that went ballistic.
They introduced each song with props and an announcer. Most songs had a singer in a bad ass costume and the best part was that they pulled audience members on stage to wear the masks and just rock out with them. To me, my favorite was the Three Little Pigs. But it’s hard to pick out which they did best because it was like a real theatrical show. How in the world could this concert get any better? The sad part was that their spot in the limelight was too short. I’m not sure how different this concert was compared to others since I’ve never been to one. However, if you ever get a chance to see this maniacal band play then do it! You probably won’t see anything like it again so don’t wait around for them to disband again. I heard some people say that Green Jelly wasn’t as good as they’ve done before so my review gives them an A while other audience members I talked to would have probably scored it somewhere in the B range.

To end the night with an appropriate bang Nashville Pussy got on stage and, yes, rocked the house down! While not as comical or strange as the other bands they had fun, sang about fun and good times and the crowd responded in an identical fashion.
Blaine did his thing on vocals with a punchy rhythm and downright rock ‘n roll look. The people loved him! Karen Cuda fired away her bass and, at times, literally used it as a gun prop to fire off her impressive skills. The crowd went wild when she licked the entire neck of the bass while she played to one of the songs. Jeremy rocked on the drums and it was sad to see that he was so far in the background. But he gets props for keeping up with the wild action. But I think Rutger slayed the performance with her guitar playing skills. Her leads smoked, her body writhed and she allowed rock to become her entire body. This chic is rock and I wonder suddenly if Wendy from The Fabulous Miss Wendy took a close look at her somewhere else for she writhed and rocked with the same passion and adrenaline. Definitely, another A+ performance.

Between acts I did get to hop over to the other stage and check out a Louisville metal band called Screwface. Even Preston, the artist that designed their debut album cover, was present. These guys had a humble attitude and then turned around and blazed the scene. While I prefer my metal to have some singing in it they did a good job of screaming like the others. Their music, although metal, had sometimes a rock feel which was interesting as they blended the vocals with it. Their guitarist, one of Louisville’s music promoters, had some pretty sweet leads and I think I’ll keep my eye on this band to see what else they can do. It was hard to get a true feel for them since the sound equipment was messing up and the volume balance was a little off. Not their fault of course. When it did work they certainly came together well. For them I would score this performance a B-.

All in all I had one of the best times ever as one should with a unique lineup of songs, sounds and visuals that were so diverse. Lucky you, the reader, will get to witness a personal interview for each of the Parental Advisory Tour artists coming very soon. In the meantime check out their music at the following links:

http://www.myspace.com/psychostick

http://www.myspace.com/thefabulousmisswendy

http://www.myspace.com/greenjelly

http://www.nashvillepussy.com/home

Daniel C. Morrison
- aka The Hit Man

Would you like to get an interview and article written about your music and career? Visit our popular sister site and contact Daniel Morrison, Director of Operations, and he will fix you right up. Arts & Entertainment Connexions

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