Music fest Lawnaroo inspires spring spirit with eclectic performers
By Kelly Vormelker, Staff Writer
May 30, 2008 | 6 a.m.
For many students, spring in Athens consists of sun-tanning, porch parties and most notably, street fests. But this weekend, students can take part in a different kind of fest. The rustic charm of College Green meets music fest with the first-ever Lawnaroo concert.
Danielle Sills, a member of the executive board for the Radio-TV News Directors Association, conceptualized this event. Sills has always wanted to see a concert in the Scripps Amphitheatre and thought this could also be a great opportunity to work with some other journalism organizations, such as the Association for Women in Communications, the Society of Professional Journalists, ImPRessions and Brick City Records.
Breaking out of the traditional festival grind, Lawnaroo takes place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 30 in the Scripps Amphitheatre. The lineup of bands is long and diverse, so students can come check out their favorite band or stick around to find a new fave -- all for free. “Everything at Lawnaroo is being done with no exchanges of money, just students working together to put on a great show,” Sills said.
Lawnaroo Lineup:
After traveling and touring for more than 25 years with his wife, Gaye, Bruce Dalzell has come to be known as “The King of Baker’s Open Mic Nights” since the couple's 1984 return to Bruce's hometown of Athens. Since then, Dalzell has gained recognition around town and has been doing great things for the music scene of Athens, spearheading many concert series and events.
”Bruce Dalzell is kind of the anchor of all emerging talent in Athens, being the host of Baker's open mic nights," Sills said. "His carefully crafted acoustic tunes are the perfect vibe for an outdoor concert.”
Dalzell also is currently working with a songwriters' circle that meets in the 1804 Lounge in Baker University Center. They have just finished collaborating on a new song, with Dalzell finishing the song's mixing. Dalzell is also working on a project for the Athens Historical Society, but do not expect the king to be leaving the building any time soon.
“I love open mic night," Dalzell said. "As long as they will have me, I will be there. It is a job that I really enjoy."
Ever wonder what it would be like to watch the associate director of the School of Journalism rock out on that school's front steps? Put curiosity to rest as The Bob Stewart Band takes center stage at Lawnaroo. The Bob Stewart Band consists of Greg Bikowski (bass), Elliot Abrams (lead guitar), John Ortman (harmonica) and Bob Stewart (guitar and lead vocals).
The band’s sound reflects the time and wisdom with which they have had to hone their instrumental skill. Mellow hits also unmistakably have been influenced from the town of Athens that they call home and years of anecdotal material from which to pull.
Sealove is the nomenclature attached to independent artist Erin Schroettinger, who has been playing guitar since she was 12 years old. Schroettinger writes with emotion, stating that nothing feels better than sitting down and playing a guitar just to let feeling seep out onto the strings.
”I think her songs are so applicable to the things people our age are going through," Sills said. "I always describe her as a DIY artist who sounds like she could fit perfectly into the Juno soundtrack.”
The songs on her debut release, Sealove, are folksy and prominently feature Schroettinger’s calm, sweet voice. She describes them as “out-of-tune ukuleles and your grandmother’s urban legends.”
Since Flotation Walls' 1996 inception, the band has worked under a revolving door policy. Originally very experimental with punk influences and reliant on Casio keyboards, founding member and principle songwriter Carlos Avendano remains the backbone of the band. As of now, other permanent member include Anna Wuerth, Zak Moses, Ryan Stolte-Sawa and Luke Brevoort, with many other people contributing to the band’s latest record, NATURE.
While unfinished tracks can be heard on the band’s MySpace page, NATURE is currently undergoing final mixing, and the band is now searching for a record label. NATURE relies on keyboard and synthesizers pitted against whispered lyrics. As the only Lawnaroo act from out of town, Flotation Walls can be praised, if for nothing else, for traveling and playing simply for the love of performing.
As they continue to make waves in the Athens music scene, it is simply difficult to miss local act Kaslo. Since its conception, Kaslo has now expanded to include permanent members Teddy Humpert (guitar, vocals), Clay Flaherty (guitar), Luke Brevoort (drums), Michele Bartos (cello, vocals), Tom Holmes (keys, trumpet) and just recently, Jake Householder (bass, vocals), a Athens solo staple in his own regard.
”Kaslo is a great example of a local band that just keeps getting better with time," Sills said. "Plus, they just released a song called 'Poopface,' so I'm an advocate of any band that has the nerve to do that."
The band’s most recent project is a six-song EP, Ohio EP, which the members recorded during one long weekend in which they were, essentially, barricaded inside a house. Ohio EP, the result of an intense three-day jam session, is sure to showcase the band’s intense appreciation of Appalachia, as its music always does. Precision was not lost in the quick recording -- Ohio EP may be Kaslo’s most polished recording yet.
Jamie Rymers of Nostra Nova and The Five Deadly Venoms will also be performing an acoustic act. After the bands finish and the sun goes down, Soul of Athens will show DAWN2DUSK, a compilation of photographs showcasing life in Appalachia. The film will be a fitting close to the night, allowing students to reflect on their own experiences in the town.
The event is also serving as a benefit concert. Donations will be accepted in the hopes of creating a modest scholarship for a Scripps student.
If all goes well, Lawnaroo could become another staple festival for Athens. “We planned this year's Lawnaroo as a stepping stone for the years to come," Sills said. "We hope to learn from everything we do this year to make the event smoother and bigger next year. It's just time for students to start getting some use out of the amphitheatre."
Has Lawnaroo spawned a new venue in Scripps Amphitheatre?
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