“...Having a blast...” ~ a fan during I AM Fest
Let’s celebrate the
independent art and music scene with SouthSide, blogspot readers!
Opening this year’s
I AM Fest with a bang was the runner-up winner, Steady Echo
(http://www.soundcloud.com/steadyecho) featuring a set with a very charismatic front man
Mark who not only charmed this reviewer with his suave vocal and energetic
stage presence but also the screaming ladies around her. SouthSide highly recommends checking out this
band for it’s refreshing yet lively pop rock sound that comes with a groovy
danceable rhythm. Mark along with each member of Steady Echo kept the pack main
floor excitedly charged during such songs like “Crazy Cat Lady” and “Tire Fire”
as well as hyped for more music.
Afterwards,
SouthSide was able to chat with Amanda, backing vocalist for Steady Echo (and
Nu Bambu) about her I AM Fest experience, blogspot readers, since it was not
her first time at the fest but also on the House of Blues stage. Here’s what
she had to say “...it's amazing...” before adding how being part of a pop band has
helped her as an opera singer. “...it has helped me be more expressive...” in
front of the audience while “...soaking in the yelling and shouting...” from
them. She’s loving it! According to Amanda, the whole experience “...has helped
[her] grow as an artist...” She also wanted to add that during I AM Fest she
met so many bands and musicians citing it was a “...great opportunity...” for
her.
Meanwhile, front
man of Steady Echo did admit to this reviewer that laying on the photo pit
railing was specially done just for her while commenting about how nervous
before the show . Well, he said he’s always nervous before a show but now
satisfied having performed on the House of Blues stage. “...there’s a type of
energy that comes from a stage where rock legends have touched it even if only
in passing...” says Mark, “...that it gives a type of aura in which you can
ride upon [their] coattails...” He stated that it was not only “...an honor but
a a privilege to touch the same stage as these icons that influenced the masses
through the years...”
Next was Delilah
(http://www.myspace.com/delilahmusic), winner of this year’s Battle of the Bands and it
was plain to see why this local band took top honors, blogspot readers. amongst
stiff competition. This band offered fans a variety of music genres throughout
their set featuring hardcore guitar or country rock and sometimes a little of
both at the same time. Fans were thrilled by Delilah’s heart-pounding rush yet
intense guitar sound from beginning to end especially during songs like
“Stillwater” and “The Criminal”. “...you guys are awesome...” exclaimed
Delilah’s front man before rockin’ out the crowd with a thundering bang.
He’s a one-man band
from Jefferson Park area, blogspot readers, who speaks life’s lessons straight
from the heart via rhythmic beats and lyrical rap. RayIsDude
(http://www.wearehockstar.com) made his second I AM Fest appearance mixing a little old
and new tracks by this crowd-pleasing hip hop artist. Even though not really a
fan of hip hop, this reviewer enjoyed how this musician has message tucked
somewhere inside his lyrics for everyone to hear and learn. For example,
there’s one song about the sad tale of a boy named Johnny who was bullied and
then acted out his revenge against his oppressors. Yet, it wasn’t all sad or
deeply weighed down with a message, blogspot readers. Ray did poke fun with
other songs like “Good Life” (about wanting to live the good life) and “Bad
Girls” (simply the ones ‘...who be trippin and act crazy...’).
Watch out! There
are pirates lurking about House of Blues, blogspot readers! But these musicians
aren’t the looting and swashbuckling kind like Captain Jack Sparrow or
Blackbeard. Nope, they’re the debonair R&B type who sometimes end up
stripping off their clothes when their performance ends. Sadly not this year
and it disappointed a lot of people including this reviewer. Pirates!
(http://www.reverbnation.com/thesepirates) for their second appearance at I AM Fest
slightly changed their set from what they did last year to which surprised
SouthSide but she found it to be enjoyable again. It was more of an R&B
show than a lively rock that still retained the fun and wit in their lyrics in
songs like smoking cigarettes, “Man Lover” and “Satisfaction Guaranteed”
(expect some crazed, wild dancing going on during this particular song). Since
there was no stripping this year, the guys promised to do it next year.
Switching gears now
, blogspot readers, as we approached the half-way mark of I AM Fest with some
hardcore heavy metal music by Driven Under (http://www.drivenunder.com). It was intense.
It was thrilling. And seriously rocked a few pants off amongst the crowded main
floor. Feel the heart-pounding guitars and thundering rhythm of the bass amidst
the clashing drums that’s coupled with plenty of screamo vocals to keep you
head-banging throughout this band’s set. Ah, what a set, blogspot readers!
Heavy metal fans were screaming for more but sadly, due to time constraint, the
band couldn’t.
With this next
band, there was a bit everything for music lovers to hear as well as enjoy. If
you liked instrumental jazz, they had that. If you like lyrical hip hop/rap
with a cool sound, they had that too. Yet when this band took the stage, the
main floor once again swelled to near capacity. Performing a unique blend of
neo soul, funk, R&B and jazz with a bit of lyrical hip hop, OBY
(http://www.facebook.com/thebandoby) had one of the best performances (according to fans this
reviewer spoke to afterwards) during their first appearance at I AM Fest. And OBY was the only “band” that featured
musicians covering every inch of the stage, blogspot readers There was no more
room for any more. SouthSide immediately enjoyed the smooth eclectic soulful
sounds and floetry of melodic beats which certainly kept this crowd groovin’ to
the music.
“Are You Ready” for
David Paige (http://www.DavidPaigeMusic.com) and his band, blogspot readers? Well, fans
certainly were when this group opened their fest performance with an explosive
bang! Throughout this set (like the others before him), there was an energizing
sound ...intense guitar work that kept it fun and exciting for all. This
reviewer enjoyed the moments of the downtempo rhythms yet still feeling the
electrifying charge surge not only within David’s music but also within his vocals. He made you feel the
words pop to life whenever his voice become emotionally expressive as he poured
his heart into each song performed, blogspot readers. What a powerful
experience this reviewer had with this I AM Fest artist and his band.
Following behind
David Paige was the return of Phil Jacobson and his band (http://www.philjacobsonband.com)
with his brand of easygoing alternative rock sound that totally jammed,
blogspot readers. Another huge crowd for him while wowing them with sweet vocal
harmonies and mellow, laidback groove amidst an upbeat rhythm. The type of
music that created an exciting build up but still keeping a few pockets of
intense energy for you to rock along with the band. 
Then it was Avon Dale
(http://www.reverbnation.com/avdale) also making its return to I AM Fest as well with a
few new songs to spice up their performance for fans. Performing songs like
“Slow Burn” and “Spider”, this fan favorite rocked the stage hard and strong
before the headlining band – Trainwreck Symphony (http://www.trainwrecksymphony.com) in
which the entire band looked ever so dapper for their first appearance at I AM
Fest. SoouthSide apologizes for not being able to cover three remaining bands
in full since she was also covering the art side to this fest, blogspot
readers.
Throughout the
event and in between band performances, fest goers were encouraged to check out
the artwork, handcrafted jewelry and more ready for purchase by such artists –
John Ruby, Emil Gorgioski (@EGorgioski) and Alex V Puryear (http://www.alexsurrealistartpuryear/com).
During her attendance at the fest, SouthSide had a chance to view the unique
artistic displays and met a few of them like Mike Stidham
(http://www.facebook.com/mikestidhamartistYEA) who had special request if you took one of
his free masks. By taking and wearing one of his paper face masks, blogspot
readers, he would take a picture of you wearing it ...thus you being a part of
his art project instead of you browsing it. Somewhere on his site should be a
picture of SouthSide wearing one of his masks. Others also were wearing them
around the fest as well. She met and spent some time chatting with artist John
Ruby (http://www.johnrubyart.com) who had a couple of suggestions for the organizers of I
AM Fest for next year. Besides being happy to be a part of a festival, he
wished the art side had an equal share of being the focal point and “...out
there...” just like the music. Others shared his views pointing out the space
for which they have their work on display is rather cramped and unproductive in
getting traffic to come their way to browse and purchase instead of visiting
the nearby restrooms. “...need to capitalize [more] on the art...” said one
artist who didn’t want to be identified, “...feels it’s more about the
music...” Another suggested that there “...needs to be a sign...” to direct
people towards the art part of the fest or at least showcase some of the
artists and their work on stage or on the screens in between bands. Overall,
blogspot readers, each artist SouthSide met while browsing their work did have
a fun time showcasing their art there.
I AM Fest may have
been over at the House of Blues, blogspot readers, but SouthSide’s day ...well,
night wasn’t. She had to play another round of “CTA mad dash” while heading
towards Elbo Room for the celebratory I AM Fest after party and fun which
featured a performance by Moon (http://www.moonchicago.bandcamp.com). The “who’s who” of the local scene ...some from
original I AM Fest lineup like Model Stranger (back then known as Reverie), 72
Hours, A Birdsong Valentine, and Lucid Ground were on hand to congratulate this
year’s cast of I AM Fest bands for a job well done while enjoying the mellow
metal psychedelic rock sound featuring Chris “Masta” Shen on bass/vocals along
with David Azizinamini and Christopher Schneberger. This reviewer cautions you blogspot
readers not to overthink the complexity of the band’s chord/changes or
out-of-placed instrumental bridges during songs like “Stars” and “Always
Summer”. Just sit back and enjoy the magical melodic ride of haunting vocals
amidst relaxing yet dark meditative sound. The music has layers like an onion
in which you the listener will have to strip away piece by piece until reaching
the eclectic soul of Moon’s intense sound. It will definitely mesmerize
especially when coupled with the on-screen graphics that run in sync to the
band’s set list. And it also heightens your Moon experience ...almost like a
Pink Floyd concert but on an indie scale (and budget). Still, it’s an
experience not to be missed, blogspot readers, by this up-n-coming local band.
She highly recommends checking out Moon at their next performance.
Well, it’s time for
SouthSide to logged this I AM Fest into the history books, blogspot readers. In
her opinion, it was another successful art and music festival independently
owned and operated (with a few sponsors to help make it successful). If you
want to learn more about I AM Fest, visit http://www.iamfest.com ...and make plans to
attend next year, blogspot readers!More photos to follow in the I AM Fest photo gallery blog...
Until next time,
support your local scene,
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