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I AM FESTIVAL
September 13, 2008
Pics & Recap

Recap by Adam Wujtewicz
Photography by Meghan Killimade
© Wailing City Photography 2008

I AM Festival year 3 was as close to a make it or break it event as you can get. After a huge opening year followed by a lackluster sophomore outing it was extremely important that this years festival made a real impression on the public.

Our friends from Connecticut College, Great Skaught, started the show off on the Main stage with their brand of 3rd wave ska. They actually were able to fill the entire stage with their 8 piece band. To be completely honest I missed most of the set because I was trying to help set up the local music booth and get a hold of press passes. The band came through loud and clear, it's rare you can hear a ska bands horn section that well, but I was still in "set up mode" while they were playing.

Great Skaught:

The first band to take to the second stage, (which was actually a stage this year), was Mystic's own The Thick Thieves. They are probably more influenced by their parent's brand of rock than that of their own generation. They sound as though they were around to study Neil Young in his hay-day. They were also able to pull in a good sized crowd for as early as it was.

The Thick Thieves:

Back on the main stage Panda and Child were pulling out all the stops and all the instruments, seriously there was flute, synth, trumpet, 2 guitars, bass and drums as well as a few different types of percussion. For the most part their set consisted of Mogwai-like post rock but they also through in a couple of pop numbers to confound the audience a little bit. The lead singer's vocals had an avante-guard quality to them which tends to go along with the post rock sound but none of it ever seemed pretentious. Their stage presence left a bit to be desired but the music was good.

Panda & Child:

Last minute addition, Eula, took to the second stage like old pros. The 3 piece art house rock band were all obviously super competent musicians but they never let it get in the way of playing a good and "to the point" song. The singer's voice was very airy and almost ghostly which was a drastic contrast to the super angular music. Rather than making things awkward however it seemed to soften it and make the songs more inviting and less abrasive than they could have seemed other wise.

Eula:

Another last minute addition, Atrina, brought a bit of "doom" to the festival grounds. They were more influenced by traditional big riff hard rock music than bands like Isis but the song structures and speed kept them in the doom category. The music had great dynamics and could have flowed one song into the other throughout the set but you could have painted a picture of them on stage they were so still. Also, never turn your back on your audience for an entire set. If you act like you don't care that they audience is there more than likely they won't care that you're there.

Atrina:

Young avante rock go getters Brava Spectre decided to start their set while Atrina took a minute to decide what their final song would be. Sean Murray had to nip the mayhem in the bud so that Atrina could finish their set. Brava Spectre paced like caged animals trying desperately to not lose their momentum. In another bold move Brava introduced their new guitar player to the public that afternoon. They don't play the easiest of music so it'll take him a few shows to really get up to par with the rest of this high energy outfit but I think he'll make a great addition. Brava Spectre ignored the second stage all together playing down on the ground with the people rather than too the people. At the end of their set, in a flurry of noise and havoc bass player Josh Houser released a swarm of insects while running his bass over a nearby lamppost where they must have been nesting.

Brava Spectre:

Throughout most of Onieda's set the insects rained down from the sky but by the end they were gone. My theory is that Onieda's swirling cacophony of psychedelic melody destroyed them. They had me enthralled from start to finish. They were certainly noisy but that had more to do with the amount of sound that they produce rather then the way they played. They reminded me of an super intense Tortoise with vocals seemed to pose philosophical questions with every syllable. Even if you weren't impressed with their music watching the drummer bang away from the start of the set to the bitter end and the bass player/keyboard player rock out and deal with mid day drunks was plenty entertaining.

Oneida:

After all that I decided to take a break from the music and go check out the vendors and other things under tents. If the music wasn't your cup of tea you still could the I AM festial grounds to go shopping. There were jewelry, clothes, art or even a new president. DJ’s Frank Lo and Zo Fresh kept shoppers, passer's by and graffiti artists entertained spinning all day . I wasn't around for the graffiti at Sail Fest so I made it a point to go check it out at I AM. You really get a great appreciation for it when you can watch the artists work progress in front of your eyes and then see the huge amount they were able to accomplish in a day.

Zo Fresh:

Graffiti Wall:

Local Music Booth:

[below] Some of the I AM Fest organizers: Sean Spellman (left), and Tim Grimes, (right).

New London Poets:

Amensty:

[below] W-CAST member, Michelle Moran, (center).

T-Shirt Making:

[below] The East Lyme Youth Services crew running their AWESOME T-shirt making booth -- what a hit!

Fencing Booth:

[below] W-CAST member, Dan Park, and his fencing booth.

Zine Making Booth:

[below] Local musician & artist, Liz Larson, and her Zine Making booth!

Art Making Booth:

Buzz Within Booth:

Vendors:

[below] Local artist & musician, Scott Mackenzie,(left), making some sales at the Total Bulsheviks booth!

[below] Brian Brother & The Raiders Roost tent. Brian had the best selection of food on the pier hands down folks! You can't go wrong with handmade pizza's & quesadillas!

[below] Local artist, Carrie Bulger's tent, Stick It To 'Em -- a great assortment of handmade magnets!

I strolled back to the main stage in time for Oakley Hall. I find I enjoy these guys the more they drive their groves along. New London is certainly happy to have made a friend of Oakley Hall. They’ve got just about everything this town loves… folky alt country tunes with big time guitar and super melodic vocals. Oakley Hall is also glad to be friends of NL. They have apparently been to a few other “London’s” and this is their favorite. This is the 3rd time I’ve seen them and my appreciation grows for them each time I see them. They’re our generation’s Crosby Stills Nash & Young with a more psychedelic guitar sound.

Oakley Hall:

Fresh from tour the Suicide Dolls took the second stage. They had some trouble adapting their sound to an open air atmosphere but they barreled through their set. Then I got to hang out and hear about the tour. Welcome back guys!

The Suicide Dolls:

Now that it was dark outside Martha Wainwright started what looked like story time on the pier. Everyone took a seat on the ground and watched the Canadian songstress sing her neo-folky pop songs. She was pretty animated for an acoustic artist but on a bill full of rockers, an acoustic act puts a real halt on the momentum of the day. Her songs had pretty good movement unlike some folk artists that can lull you to sleep. Martha also had quite a foul mouth on her for a folk singer, which was entertaining.. My favorite part though was when she made fun of the people running the super distracting light show. Now that was great.

Martha Wainwright:

Fatal Film kicked things back into high gear. This was the best I’d heard Film sound in a while. I could hear all the guitar, the vocals were clear and the rhythm section gave the needed thump to drive their set (comprised mostly of songs from their new album Thrill’r), straight through the skulls of the audience. Just to show that they’re really good guys, Fatal Film showed they’re support for the railroad.

Fatal Film:

Next stop, hip hop. Obama supporters, Kidz In The Hall blew ear drums, literally, to the sound man by shoving a microphone into a monitor, numerous times. They had a good crowd and got them all fired up, waving Obama signs in the air all and all. The coolest thing about their act was the fact that the DJ used a sample pad and drumsticks to add accents to his beats. However, when your MC gets over excited and sprays water all over your gear it doesn’t work so great. Word to the wise, rockstars are nothing when their bravado breaks the gear before the set is over. Luckily for them, Oneida & Oakley Hall drummer “Kid Millions” happened to still be hanging around backstage and saved the day by jumping on the drum set still set up on stage to provide the back beats. AWESOME!

Kidz In The Hall:

The final act for the second stage was Tiny Master Of Today. With all the hub-bub around these kids you’d think they were visionaries. They’re 12 & 14 folks, they’re just trying to make pop rock and they haven’t figure out how yet. It’s not avante guard… it’s a couple of kids trying to find their voice. I’m sure they will, I really like the guitar tone – it reminds me of Mudhoney. All in all I say stop the hype and let them develop the way they should.

Tiny Masters Of Today:

After a long day of walking from one end of the pier to the other Jay Reatard closed the night. I don’t know that I have ever seen a man that is more rock and roll then Jay. He ripped through song after song running all over the stage swinging his mane of hair and guzzling beer. The songs were short and fast, the guitar licks were catchy and powerful… and the rhythm section was tight and held the the whole thing together. No talk, just rock. These guys were born to headline.

Jay Reatard:

Congratulations I AM Festival Crew – you got over the sophomore slump and proved New London has taste and talent!!!

Candids:

[below] Co-founder of I AM Fest, Sean Murray, (right), discusses details with organizer Daphne Glover, (left).

[below] Sean Murray announcing the happening's in between bands on the main stage.

[below] Who ever said New London doesn't recycle??????

Chris Kepple Stilts-man:

Steve Chupaska blogging backstage for The Day & The New London Times:

Matt Gouette “signing” at the local music table:

AFTERPARTY:

Wonderlust:

Note from the photographer:

Sorry guys, didn’t get shots of Gone For Good or Quiet Life at the after party. I was EXHAUSTED by this point having spent the last 12+ hours shooting. The lighting in the former ELNGEE was not the best either so I literally gave up. Hope you enjoyed what I actually did get pictures of! Til next year! -Meghan 

Sailfest 2008
Pics & Recap
Fri July 11 & Sat July 12

Photography by Meghan Killimade
Recap by Adam Wujtewicz

Friday night fresh out of work, I headed down to Customs House Pier to enjoy the first music of Sailfest 2008. It was a really nice day so that always helps and I found a parking spot so that was great too….but… on to the matter at hand!

The Thick Thieves were the first band on the roster and they had a great great crowd and played them they're electrified folk as if they'd been doing it for 20 years. They've got the guitar solo's down pat and the vocal harmonies are coming along. They were asked to fill time when it was realized that Ben Johnson, (from the band Ringers who was slated to play next), was stranded in New Haven on his way in from New York City where he currently lives. We soon found out that there would be no Ringers performance… and the Thieves did one hell of a job stretching out their set without ever getting boring.

The Thick Thieves:

Band number 2 who was supposed to be band number 3 was Wonderlust… that teen sensation still sweeping over New London. It's awesome to see these guys on a big production with awesome sound even though you can tell they've never done a sound check before. It's hard for me to think of something new to say about these guys cause I've written them up so many times, but they have some new tunes you may have not heard and they sound awesome -- one of them reminds me "Downtown Train" by Tom Waits.

Wonderlust:

In a crunch to fill time, Rich Martin, (who runs the customs house stage), called upon the one man who could single handedly save Sail Fest. That man is Paul Brockett. All he had to do was borrow a guitar and commence telling stories about this fair town. As always, Paul made everyone feel at home and more importantly gave everyone a reason to stick around the pier besides the beer tent.

Paul Brockett:

After an altercation involving a monitor and a small guitar amp… Fatal Film commenced playing songs they wrote on the worlds smallest set list. Film seems to be writing a whole bunch of new songs these days, one I had heard for the first time that reminded me of McClusky. They also sang the theme to "The Golden Girls", which is just part of Film’s style I guess. Keep it up fellas.

Fatal Film:

Sailfest virgins, The Suicide Dolls, took the stage with shiny new fabric on their amps but no bottle rockets. The Suicide Dolls have a reputation for being loud and noisy and without structure but I tell you that is a damndable lie. They showed quite a bit of form even though they still strung all their songs together into one giant uber song. These guys are one of the only bands I've heard do psychadelic punk, it's not fuzzed out stoner punk it's refreshing.

The Suicide Dolls:

After the Dolls my crew of ruffians: Meghan, my sister Kristyn and Jay Banta of Recur Occurance, and I took a walk to Union Plaza to check out the evening's headliner and recipient of much acclaim, Alice Smith. I must say, she is good. She stopped our photo crazed Meghan dead in her tracks with her amazing talent. She had a 3 piece band behind her that sounded absolutely giant and she had the voice to equal them. Alice sang with this Billy Idol sort of sneer on her face that was more endearing than weird and it matched the fire in her voice. The songs were pretty interesting for the genre… and did I mention her voice? I'm still not sure what "urban alternative" is but she is certainly not your run of the mill neo soul artist.

Alice Smith:

After a heavy dose of Grammy nominee, we walked back to the pier for the Lo-Fi Radio Stars. They are a pretty big band being a 5 piece and all but their equipment took up way more room than they did. Between the 2 full stacks of guitar amps, a Hammond B3 organ and Bobby Crash's ginormous drum kit there wasn't much room left for band members. In all seriousness though, they played a set that your random Sailfest patron would eat up with a spoon. A tight blend of blues, pop and rock they ended the first night of sailfest with a crowd pleasing set.

Lo-Fi Radio Stars:

Other candids from the pier:

Saturday is the day of long lines for fried dough, screaming children, and masses of drunk people starting at noon. However Sailfest Saturday is also time or fireworks, wing eating contests and The Reducers. So I guess it all evens out.

After the Hot Rod's hot wing eating contest, Recur Occurance took to the big stage at union plaza. I've said it before and I will undoubtedly say it again, this is the sort of rock I miss. After being understandably overwhelmed by the stage RO went to work kicking some Sailfest ass! These guys have come a long way in a very short time and they really are a great working unit. They've got some quiet heart felt numbers, some great big guitar riffs and bassist Corina Malbaurn sings some great rocked out pop songs.

Recur Occurrence:

Next was the Living End-esque Gone for Good. Norwich's polished punkabilly protagonists pounced upon the stage with a high energy set of songs reminiscent of and including a song from the Stray Cats. I must say though the claws on the front man's guitar are much sharper than Brian Setzer's, it had almost a metal sound to that adds a different dimension to the music. As an extra added bonus GFG brought out a horn section they nicknamed "The Bang", which they told us came about by simply hanging out at the Oasis Pub one night; Johnny “Ska” on trumpet, Patrick on trombone, and Adam from ISL on Sax.

Gone For Good:

Saturday marked the final New London appearance of 10 year veterans Incognito Sofa Love. They played with more fury and intensity than I'd seen from anyone else on Friday or thus far Saturday and left ears ringing from the noise and mayhem that they created. So long fellas.

Incognito Sofa Love:

Needing a break from the rat race and the sun, Meghan & I retreated to Hygienic Art Park to catch a little country music in the form of Hellbent and Heartbreakin. They played to a very attentive crowd in the always beautiful art park. The traditional country band sounded excellent and were even asked to do a few more songs after they announced their set was over.

Hellbent & Heartbreakin’:

We took a jog to catch the end of Quiet Life's set back in union plaza. I wish I could have seen more because these boys have not ever disappointed me and they sounded like they had about 100 members up on stage playing with them. Just ask the kids that were dancing on the side of the stage.

Quiet Life:

I then took a break from reporting to be thoroughly entertained by the Paul Brockett Roadshow Band at Hygienic Art Park, and then to watch the fireworks.

Then as always, the cherry on the Sailfest cake… The Reducers! We made it over in time to hear their second set at union plaza. I'm sure for most people this would go without saying, but I do feel compelled. The Reducers put on the best show at Sailfest. They sounded great, they were super energetic and they looked like they sincerely enjoyed every minute they were on stage. I know I did. I can't really give you any specifics, and Meghan didn’t get a ton of pictures because we were WAY too busy singing along and dancing up a storm to continue reporting… but know that if you missed it… you should be sorry!

The Reducers:

Other candids from Saturday: