Right around the time my laptop’s battery started to die last night I realized it was really impossible to capture everything that was going on at the Highdive. Furious typing and an army of witnesses helped somewhat, but through the haze of my third beer (damn I wish there was more free Jack!) I could tell I would have to write a follow up. Here it is: Errors, omissions, honorable mentions, and a reflection on the entire night.
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Errors (or Oopsies!)
Thank you to Josh Fisher for pointing out some lyrics I misheard during the Corn Desert Ramblers set. Honestly, sitting in the back of Highdive attempting to type and html for three hours straight messes with your senses. The Corn Desert Ramblers put on a great show and deserve correct documentation: The song goes… “lost all my money but a 2 dollar bill, 2 dollar bill, 2 dollar bill, and i’m on my long journey home.” My bad guys.
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Omissions
I tried to insert some over-heard convos in between what was happening on stage, but unfortunately did not have enough time. Here are some highlights:
“Another water for my lady friend!”
“Snowsera sounds like a confused Emo band.”
“Michael Coulter is making me really uncomfortable.”
“Eight bottles of free Jack is clearly inadequate!”
These few were from some tattooed Heavy Metal dudes sitting next to me for a bit (sorry for the profanity). I had to write them down because it was such a hilarious difference from everyone else’s behavior:
“Cover band award? Why don’t you just shit on all of us some more?”
“That bitch on the mic is hot. I’ll give her an award or two.”
Directed at me: “Yo can I check my gmail?”
Honorable Mentions
Jon Hansen - Way to put on a great show and keep it running smoothly. That goes out to everyone involved as well.
Scurvine - It was annoying to see some rude people ditch out on your performance, but I really dug the Tegan and Sara cover! Great job.
Elle - Thanks for letting me join in on the open bar - I was afraid I would have to be an island of sobriety in a sea of whiskey. Also, I heard a lot of comments from people impressed with your work. Keep it up.
Reflection
The Local Music Awards were steeped in controversy this year, deserved or not. The discontent followed the awards to downtown Champaign, manifested in the charity show next door at Memphis on Main. I thought the absence of some great CU bands would be an elephant in the Highdive’s stage room, but I was impressed with the respect everyone paid each other (minus some of the above quotes). People traveled between both shows and I heard positive comments for each band. As soon as Scurvine was finished I headed next door and checked out the rest of the charity show. It looked like everyone was having a really good time and just happy with the support shown.
Illini Media did a great job with this year’s awards, but of course there is always room for improvement. I think a regular obsession with local music would result in a more positive response from the community. Yes, local music gets played on WPGU, the Buzz is constantly interviewing local artists, and the217 is off to a great start (Band of the Week Feature coming soon!). I guess what I think attributes to alienation is the seemingly temporary obsession with local music during the weeks leading up to the LMA’s. Seemingly is the important word. Illini Media is always looking to boost talent with exposure, but when the LMA’s are over it looks like the support withdraws as well. This is simply not the case, and if you think it is then pay attention to the new efforts being made to incorporate more local exposure. I’m looking forward to future LMA’s that will be a uniting force, not an estranging one.
Matt Fender: I'm put together beautifully
Comments
Student (Student) says:
(Posted April 4th, 2008 at 3:53 pm)
Um… pepper spray? In Memphis on Main last night? Just before the Beauty Shop went on?
In case there’s any confusion out there in your ranks, pepper spraying local music events (even those that are in resistance to your own) = not being supportive of the local music “scene,” 217 folk. Seriously.
Anyone have anything to add?
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted April 4th, 2008 at 5:40 pm)
I assume that accusation is some sort of joke (probably by someone that works for 217), but just in case you are serious…
Everyone that works for Illini Media had friends in Memphis on Main last night. Not “hey whats up? how have you been?” friends, but best friends. Why on earth would someone pepper spray their best friend?
Your accusation creates a larger rift in “scene” than pepper spray ever could. Go troll somewhere else.
John Hoeffleur (John Hoeffleur) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am)
That last sentence is ridiculous. What are you thinking? Cleary, you’ve never enjoyed a lungful yourself.
Pepper spray choking a roomful of people > “gotcha” post on your blog, trolling or not
Shows are central to the music scene, not your blog dude. If someone (I’m not saying who!) sabotages a show with a chemical agent, that’s a much more serious matter than some anonymous person giving you a hard time on your blog. Please, take a minute and think about what you are saying man!
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 12:23 pm)
John,
I don’t think “student’s” accusation was directed at me, and frankly I don’t care what people think of this blog. However, I do object to some moron using it as a soap box to hurl ridiculous accusations around.
What I meant by the accusation being more of a rift is that it turns what looks like just some asshole spraying a bunch of people with pepper spray into exactly what you said - sabotage. Do you honestly think some psycho at Illini Media or anyone else in town had it out for Beauty Shop?! Personally, I dig your music and have heard nothing but similar opinions from other staffers.
But, if you think there was some conspiracy to destroy your show (which almost everyone from LMA’s ended up going to) then by all means call Homeland Security and notify them that your music scene is under terrorist attack.
Student (Student) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm)
The offense you are taking is really weird.
A local show was pepper sprayed. As people who say they’re interested in supporting local music, is anyone reporting on this? Even if not interested in local music, you’re, like, “reporters,” right? Maybe it hits too close to home? I dunno, but the lack of coverage and attention given to this by all of you “reporters” who were right there is strange, to say the least.
Based on your response to my original posting, though, I must really misunderstand what Illini Media considers “news.” I guess what I wrote is not about your cool as shit roommate, or about the fun, fun time you had on spring break. It didn’t even involve pictures of your friends striking fabulous poses at events, so maybe it’s not “real news” in the 217 sense. But I gotcha. Don’t want to create a “rift in the “scene”" by bringing up something like this. Yeah. Of course not. That would be even worse than pepper spraying a group of people. What was I thinking? Idiot.
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 1:10 pm)
“In case there’s any confusion out there in your ranks, pepper spraying local music events (even those that are in resistance to your own) = not being supportive of the local music “scene,” 217 folk. Seriously.”
The act itself is, of course, something to be taken very seriously. ONCE AGAIN, I say that what I have a problem with is your accusation that someone involved with the LMA’s did it. What WERE you thinking?
steve (steve) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm)
I don’t think there is much to “report” on the pepper spray.
I was in bar when it happened and the thought of sabotage never crossed my mind. The LMAs were over when it happened, what did anyone have to gain by causing everyone in Memphis on Main to go outside for a while?
It’s extremely saddening to see that someone would even suggest sabotage in what I feel is a pretty healthy music community.
Student (Student) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 1:19 pm)
Did I say I thought someone in the LMA’s did it? I didn’t even mention the LMAs, let alone accuse someone involved with the LMAs.
Why would you jump to that conclusion?
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pm)
READ what you wrote dude. I don’t want to copy and paste it all over again.
“pepper spraying local music events (even those that are in resistance to your own) = not being supportive of the local music “scene,” 217 folk.”
…..
Obviously you arent worth the time I’ve spent arguing. I’ll make sure the 217 does a full investigation of the Pepper Spray Debacle and has a large report ready on your doorstep before you have time to whine some more.
Student (Student) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 1:32 pm)
I wrote it. I know what it says. And it doesn’t say what you took it as saying.
And nice ending there. Sorry to think that the 217 might be interested in actually doing some reporting without seeing it as SUCH a BURden. What a jerk I am to be “whining” about this pepper spraying sitch, eh?
You sure scored some points in my book with this one, Matt. That’s the spirit of a true A#1 reporter. Go local media!
Matt (Matt) says:
(Posted April 5th, 2008 at 4:04 pm)
Nice try.
There is no other way to read what you said.
Thanks for the compliment! I really like how you chose to change the subject rather than explain to me what you REALLY meant with that comment. As steve said, there is not much to report on the pepper spray. Now, if you would like to do some op-ed piece on the subject of music terrorism, shoot an email over to one of the editors.
Oh, but wait, that would mean you would have to grow a backbone and use your actual name.
elle (elle) says:
(Posted April 6th, 2008 at 5:19 pm)
a blog’s function is not to report. matt’s just stating his opinion about stuff, as all our bloggers do. this isn’t a news website. you can go to dailyillini.com for that.
thank you for reading and participating in the discussion though!
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Matt Fender
I'm put together beautifully
Elle (Elle) says:
(Posted April 4th, 2008 at 1:50 pm)
thanks matt! you’re awesome!