[NOTE: All kinds of cool MPMF photos and multi-media are here.]
Just 48 hours after declaring Ann Driscoll my official MPMF 2007 "musical crush" (see Thursday's wrap-up), I'm ashamed to say I've cheated on her. Twice.
Th first transgression was the beguiling Leerone, the piano-based songstress from Los Angeles. She kicked off the night at Below Zero (the old Cavern/alchemize/etc.), performing her brainy ballads to a small but enthusiastic crowd that grew as her set went on. She is such a sweetheart, the kind of gal that you would trust with your kids after just meeting her. She really strives (and succeeds) to make a personal connection with the audience, insisting that they are "the other half of her band." She even has a tradition where she takes Polaroids of audience members, has them sign their name and posts them on her website. So in essence, there's going to be photographic evidence of my infidelity on the Internet. The shame!
Skipping ahead to my next infraction, later at the same venue Kaitee Page performed. As mentioned in the preview, tonight was the conclusion of her Midpoint Mini-Tour, which included a backing band of Cincy-based rockers. Suffice it to say that we spoiled her not only with a large and receptive crowd, but also with some of our best musical ambassadors to flesh out her progressive Pop Rock tunes. With this band, particularly Moth drum-ace Kevin Hogle, Kaitee was able to explore her inner Math Rocker and we (the crowd) were the beneficiaries. Another member of her supporting cast was Davey Mac (aka "Sex Party Dave") on violin, who also happens to play bass for locals Banderas. I wondered when listening to her tunes online how she was going to be able to cover the keyboards and violin simultaneously (she plays them both in the studio) and this was the answer. She had her mini-ax too, which allowed a couple of great dual (not dueling) violin moments, including the mind-blowing finale. So, to summarize, the "group experience" I had with Kaitee was stellar. Sorry, honey!
Bel Auburn's set at New Stage Collective was inspiring as expected, and well worth the set-up time delay. Luckily the audience had comfy seats to sit in while we waited — the makeshift "bleachers" at NSC are terraced structures dotted with nice, upholstered chairs. And I only call it makeshift because it looks like a strong wind (or Rock show) would cause them to collapse (they seemed to be primarily made of 1" X 3" lumber; definitely not the sturdiest).
Next I went to see who was in the "TBA" slot at The Exchange. To my delight, it was Boston's Onebigmess, whom I had missed Thursday. They're a good old-fashioned Hard Rock band, nothing more, nothing less. The real entertainment happened on the way in. One of the bouncers was quipping to another as he fastened my wristband, "This is a terrible place to be grow up for music. Cincinnati's music scene sucks." I had to laugh out loud. He could probably find plenty of people that agree, but saying that in the middle of the city's biggest annual music festival seemed akin to the "Thrill Seeker" skit from Kentucky Fried Movie.
On the way down to see Church of the Red Museum at Ink Tank, I got assaulted! Well, I'm stretching the meaning of that word to its legal limit. Actually, you could probably call it a nudge AND it was from a girl. I was walking in front of Kaldi's and a group of gals passed me going the other way. I suppose I didn't give them a wide enough berth, because the one closest to me stuck out her elbow, jammed it into my shoulder and pushed, warning, "You betta GET out our way!" Yes, ma'am!
Anyway, Columbus' CotRM was every bit as talented and creepy as Brian Baker's preview promised they would be. In fact, this seems like a good spot for me to point out the truckloads of superb artists from Columbus. I don't think I can recall a greater concentration of talent up that way. If you throw in the bands from southeast Ohio, I'd dare to say that the Ohio talent pool (non-Cincy) might have outshined local artists this year. Maybe the Midpoint staff should consider High Street for the new epicenter? Or at the very least threaten to move to get more money from the city.
If sports teams and mega-corporations can do it, why not MPMF?
— Ezra Waller
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