MPMF.10 Day One

My God, I forgot about this blog. I blame Animus. Anyway, I thought I would write about MPMF 2010 in Cincinnati.

I don't like to write about music festivals. I'm not one of those hip kids who know all 200 local bands and all 20,000 midwest regional indie bands. So I'm also not going to tear into each band's act comparing them to whoever or whoever. Whatever. I like music, I get stuck on a band forever and miss out on other new and hip acts because of it. It's what I do.

Pre-MPMF grillout was nice. It was a small crowd. Funniest thing was that I had mistakenly bought the non-self-light charcoal. Listen, folks, I'm not a man's man. I can hang PBR signs in my kitchen, I can cook a mean omelet, and I can change out a light fixture, but I can't change my own oil, and I'm barely competent enough to change a tire. Apparently, I also cannot light a grill, unless it's that 'self light' stuff. Suffice it to say that after three attempts, I basically DOUSED the charcoal in lighter fluid, let it soak, and then tried to light it.

Which is apparently what you're supposed to do. Who knew?

The burgers were damned good though. I'm not spilling my secrets. I may not be able to light a grill, but what I put on that grill is going to sear your tastebuds with awesome. Was stoked that my friend Bree came over too, because she's confined to a wheelchair and my back yard is wheelchair accessible.

So, on to Midpoint. Started the night off with Slothpop at Below Zero. Had never heard of them, liked the write up on mpmf.com, and got good referral from the peeps I was with. They were actually on my "I want to check them out" list, and I'm glad I went. I have to make a comment about the drumkit's tone. I've played drums/percussion for twenty years. The tone of his snare, his kick, and his floor tom were absolutely PERFECT. Thick, heavy, cutting, with just enough punch to keep it from being muddy. Damn, son. Nicely done. Impressive use of the violin, and I have to say that the two female singers were making me feel all warm and fuzzy. Especially the black girl who would occasionally play keys. Daaaaaaaamn!

Slothpop. Below Zero Lounge, MPMF.10

Next stop of the night was Blue Wisp to see Clare and the Reasons. This is one of those groups I DO know about and have been dying to see. I also love Brooklyn, and they are from Brooklyn. Started off the show with a filthy vodka martini that we affectionately named "The Oscar". Not as sassy as the Vesper, but it was so filthy that I'm pretty sure it put scabs on my lips.

Clare and the Reasons. Blue Wisp Jazz Club, MPMF.10

What can I say about Clare and the Reasons? Clare's voice makes my heart melt, and they cover one of my favorite Genesis songs of all time - "That's All". I also have a ridiculous amount of respect for any band that can play quietly. Anyone with half an ounce of talent can play loud. Silent, moving, poignant melodies only come from an instrument that you have taken the time and energy to know intimately. That's what I can say about Clare and the Reasons. Hey guys, are you playing in Brooklyn when I'm visiting NYC in November? Hope so.

Here's a link to a vid of Clare and the Reasons covering "That's All", linked from http://www.eachnotesecure.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujD3jCcYeF8&feature=player_embedded

Side note - little shout out to Van Dyke Parks. I'm pretty sure he was on before Clare and the Reasons, and was my backdrop for the first "Oscar". Good stuff.

Next it was off to MOTR to see the Super Desserts. I discovered the Super Desserts a few months ago at CS13 and fell in love. I typically do not enjoy that type of indie fluff pop. There was just too much of it out there in the last year or so, you know? Thing is, the Super Desserts have a fantastic live presentation and vibe. It doesn't come across as contrived. These people are genuinely having fun and its infectious. Every time I see them, it's like I'm watching a group of old college music major buddies who are using their music degrees as drink coasters, and decided, 'Hey, fuck this economy, let's go make beautiful music for a sad world'. Good choice. Plus, they are from Columbus, my home town.

Super Desserts. MOTR, MPMF.10

Side note - MOTR rules. New favorite hang out spot? Perhaps. Been seeing it all over foursquare this week. Def going there some time after MPMF.

I was enjoying the patio at MOTR when I realized, "HOLY FUCK! I'M LATE FOR HOLY FUCK!" Ran to my car and headed to the Cincinnati Club venue. Walking into the place was... odd. I kind of felt like a party crasher. Don't get me wrong, the actual venue was awesome, but the whole getting into it thing kind of felt out of place. You know what it was? It was the fact that the bar was only serving mixed drinks and Corona. I wanted a beer, and I got a Corona... and of course, there was some drunk bloke who had to do the whole put-your-thumb-on-the-bottle-and-spray-everyone-with-nasty-lime-corona-juice. Thanks dude, but I did not need your douche-bunk all over my face.

It's okay though, because Holy Fuck was awesome. My one complaint was that everyone in that venue was at least 6'4". That's nobody's fault, really, but it definitely was a bit of a spoiler. I think I saw one of Holy Fuck's band member's heads, that's it. I suppose I could have been an asshole and elbowed my way to the front, but I hate doing that.  At least the music was fucktacular. To make up for the fact that I basically got to stand and LISTEN to an awesome band rather than really see an awesome band, I bought the vinyl record. I am listening to it right now, in fact, and it's niiiice.

So, all in all, MPMF was exactly what I expected it to be. A lot of running around, drinking stuff I normally don't drink, watching AMAZING musical groups, and having a good time with great friends. Just gotta lose the Corona and I'm good.

Here's a little video I shot from the Holy Fuck concert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz0gFqCf34k