BoulderFest Line Up

[Bill Klingensmith]

Who is in charge of lining up talent for this event?
Only reason I ask is that last year 85% of the bands sucked.
I do think the concept of BF is great for the community, but quality of the acts last year weak.

Does Rochester had a vital music scene... and I am not seeing it?
That may be the better question. Or does a select few hipsters pick the line up for the fest not thinking the viewing audience?
Things to reflect upon....hmmmmm.

[Alfred]

Great comments! I've been trying to find this out as well. My band did not play the fest last year (we missed the cutoff but at least we didn't wind up in that 85%!), yet we have played Boulder twice in the past year. I've tried to contact them about it, and have asked about it when i go to Boulder...but I think that there has not been any official call for bands put out yet.

As for the vital music scene...that's a problem. There are a lot of issues that compound this. For one thing, it seems that only recently has there been any desire for original music...which means that most bands, playing original music, have to struggle harder (though that seems to be changing a bit, fortunately). Another is the issue of venues...some are extremely nepotistic, some just plain suck, and some will only book bands on the condition that the band sell a certain number of tickets. This sounds like no big deal, but it only serves to ensure that the same people come to your shows and that venues don't have to put any effort into publicity. There are tons of bands and artists in Rochester, but there isn't much that is cohesive, collective and united. In addition, there's always the issue of practice space (my bands practice at EchoTone on South & Averill), parking, etc..

Since we're on the subject of bands and venues...i may as well plug this Saturday, April 5th, at the Black Pearl (corner of Meigs & Caroline), my band (Strange Montgomery) will be playing a benefit for Flower City Habitat for Humanity.

Our websites: http://www.myspace.com/strangemontgomery or http://www.strangemontgomery.com

[Bill Klingensmith]

Great Alfred.
I will check out the myspace/web site. If I show up saturday for a drink... I approve. LOL

This is a music scene that I use to replace what I don't like about the SW/Rochester. It is called Pop Asheville. In North Carolina, the very cool thing about it is they are all friends. Little bad blood... they support one another's creativity. It is not Noise Rock, beyond the use of the word Pop, Pop is a good thing here more so because it is roots based with essence of Punk... ahhhhh the aroma.
www.reverbnation.com/popasheville
http://www.myspace.com/popasheville

This scene is turning out talent like:
Tyler Ramsey Now with Band of Horses.
The Avett Brothers
The woman who is leading this charge is named Stephanie Morgan of Stephanie's Id.

I listen to WRUR/WXXI for my listening pleasure.
But I listen to WNCW from Western New York. They have a two hour program called "Living Color". A local radio show. Fri 9-11PM and Sun 7-9 PM.

Check this stuff out. I wish it was here... but Rochester may not be ready to be so original.

[Bill Klingensmith]

Alfred,
What time is the show tonight?

[Marta]

Interesting--I've never gone to BoulderFest because I've always had last minute conflicts, but I was looking at it as a good event to catch up on the local scene. I'm just not likely to go out to a show that starts at 10 PM (or later)--actually I don't go our much at all--and with a dial up connection, myspace is a day trip. I wouldn't mind some suggestions re radio shows.

[Bill Klingensmith]

88.5 FM WRUR
Is a great station in town. Not much local music on the radio.