Kick off ACRN’s Lobsterfest with The High Strung
Thursday's Lobsterfest
By Courtney Baldasare, Staff Writer
June 5, 2008 | 6 a.m.
What does three days of sensational live music plus a small-yet-enthusiastic college town plus a sizzling spring quarter weekend equal? Here at Ohio University, this could only amount to one thing: All Campus Radio Network’s annual Lobsterfest.
Although the campus seems to be abuzz with anticipation of headliner Andrew W.K., the lineups for each day of Lobsterfest are all quite impressive. Starting off the festival on Thursday, June 5 will be local music phenomena Russenorsk as well as Nostra Nova, along with nationally recognized and acclaimed band The High Strung.
Russenorsk, a three-piece indie rock band, has gained much attention as of late, especially in terms of campus admiration. Through the various little coffee shop concerts and infamously enjoyable house shows that the band has played this year, the local boys of Russenorsk have certainly and validly received the thumbs-up from music enthusiasts and critics alike.
Sharing the stage with Russenorsk will be other local talent Nostra Nova, the name of which was spawned from some words made up over a bike ride with another musician friend. Backed by a guitar, drums, an organ, a keyboard, a bass guitar and harmonic vocals, Nostra Nova front-man Adam Torres has all of the necessary ingredients for a great folk rock act. According to Torres, however, the backing musicians have never exactly been consistent, though they have been more regular in recent times. He will be performing solo and intends to play his “original stuff.”
Torres, originally from the Cincinnati area, had a shred of musical experience as a high school kid through his band, in which he was not too altogether involved. However, it was really the Athens scene and the old Front Room that pushed him toward involvement in the local music vibe. At the time, that particular scene included such influential bands as Southeast Engine and Cosigner.
For having such a great and loyal following as a musician, Torres certainly does not have a method to his brilliant folk-y madness. When it comes to producing new material, “It’s usually just some creative itch that needs scratching and just banging on a guitar for a night or something,” Torres said of his creative process.
Unfortunately for fans of the self-described folk/pop/contemporary band, the Lobsterfest performance will apparently be the last one. “Just artistically, I think I’m probably going in a new direction. And also, personally, I don’t know how much I really desire to play out anymore,” Torres explained. “It could be that I just need a break from it.”
Aside from excitement of playing alongside Russenorsk and The High Strung, Torres also sees Lobsterfest as a fairly bittersweet event this year. Torres expressed the sentimentality that will, inevitably, accompany the departure of ACRN booking extraordinaire Brian Ostrander with his final go at the annual festival.
Perhaps the most well-recognized performers of the night will be Michigan-based The High Strung, which consists of Josh Malerman on vocals and guitar, Derek Berk on drums and falsetto and Chad Stocker on bass. The three-piece indie/rock/pop band has recently gained a great deal of consideration and acclaim from even the most critical of ears as it has paved its figurative musical path, armed with catchy, unique sound and bold, witty personality.
The High Strung recently released a new record, Get the Guests, and the album marks a continuance of the band's prior media status as a sensation, even in publications such as Rolling Stone. “I don’t think we’ve got too much attention yet, like, not the [kind] that changes lives, and either way it’s good to know that writing this newest record was almost without neurosis,” Malerman said.
The band’s philosophy on the creation of music seems all too simple, especially when The High Strung produces a sound as complex and distinct as it does. Malerman speaks of a DIY spirit, noting that with the right attitude, a person can create music that sounds as poignant and appealing as the songs played on the radio. This mentality adds to his band's carefree-yet-talented aura, which is reflected in The High Strung's tunes.
Luckily for Lobsterfest-goers, The High Strung is “excited,” “interested” and “ready for it.” The band is looking forward to sharing the stage with both Russenorsk, as well as Nostra Nova. The group’s love for music is immeasurable, as is with most budding and venturing performers, and they play for that very feeling.
“The best thing is the unity feeling with Derek and Chad, like we’re in the center of a bizarre experience that just continues and gets brighter and then gets darker and [then] brightens again. Yes, I’d say turning to see Derek and Chad play, the looks in their eyes, something in there is my favorite part,” Malerman explained of their permeating performances.
“Unique” is an understated description of the sound of The High Strung, and the band knows this full well. “A man can’t help but create in his own image what he knows," Malerman said. "With this in mind, you hope you and your mates are unique enough guys, have odd-ball world views that come through in your playing and then your sound.” It is clear that the band has something to say, and the members go all out to relay that message with some instrumentation as the cherry on top.
An immense love for performing is The High Strung’s high point, so much so that for the members have played several tours consisting only of shows at public libraries. To the band, the performances feel as dynamic as anything. They perform wholeheartedly, feeling every chord and note not as an artificial pleaser for beat-thirsty crowds, but as a true emotional connection both on-stage and in the audience.
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