Local Festival Snubs Local Talent
It's hard to determine the impact of Des Fest. Cincinnatians have been told by promoter Nick Spencer that this is an event designed to help our city, but at every turn, there seems to be another snag and more negative press. It's a shame considering the festival, in theory, is a great thing.
First, the festival triggered a fight with the city. A showdown between the indy rock world and our city council that is notorious for a lack of vision.
Now it's triggered a fight between the festival and one of Cincinnati's most popular local bands, the Sundresses. It's sad to see that this festival, designed to promote culture and music in Cincinnati, is treating its Cincinnati artists with such disrespect.
The bad news associated with the planning and execution of this festival has risen to the surface. Hopefully some good news will rise to the top after the weekend. But the Cincinnati music scene is bound to have a poor taste in its mouth with press releases like this floating around:
First, the festival triggered a fight with the city. A showdown between the indy rock world and our city council that is notorious for a lack of vision.
Now it's triggered a fight between the festival and one of Cincinnati's most popular local bands, the Sundresses. It's sad to see that this festival, designed to promote culture and music in Cincinnati, is treating its Cincinnati artists with such disrespect.
The bad news associated with the planning and execution of this festival has risen to the surface. Hopefully some good news will rise to the top after the weekend. But the Cincinnati music scene is bound to have a poor taste in its mouth with press releases like this floating around:
No agreement or details were given regarding payment. We would have played for FREE if we had been approached in a manner that suggested Desdemona wanted us to perform. Something like, “Hi Sundresses, we’re really trying to start something great here in Cincinnati with the Desdemona festival and we really want you to perform. We may not be able to pay you, but we like your music and want to give you the opportunity to be a part of what we think is going to be something really special.” Something along those lines would have worked, but that never happened. When I asked Nick Spencer to tell me why The Sundresses should play Desdemona, his response was (with a tone of indignity), “Well, if you dont wanna play, just don’t play.” Well, fine, if we’re not worth YOUR time, you’re not worth OURS, Nick.
Unorganized, rude...not Nick Spencer.
Posted by Jacqueline Henretta | 3:25 PM
The Sundresses have put out only one CD, back in 2003, and have been invited to play SXSW four consecutive years. These lazy asses have never bothered to put out another disc since then. Doesn't ound much to me like a band that's trying very hard to 'make it'. Oh yeah, didn't they badmouth the venue they were assigned to play durin MidPoint a few years ago for not being up to 'their' standards?
Major Prima Donnas. Fuck 'em.
Posted by Anonymous | 11:02 PM
I smell a publicity stunt! Don't fall for it, Andrew. If bigger names such as Annie and Heartless Bastards didn't throw a fit, it's likely that the Sundresses are just generally hard to work with.
Posted by JoeRo | 8:43 AM
JoeRo,
I think that's exactly what the Sundresses are saying. The "bigger names" were treated like artists and the local acts were treated like they had just come from the Magdalene House to ask Spencer for some spare change.
Posted by Andrew Warner | 8:48 AM