Feature / Interviews / Fest 23
Fest 23: Artist Interviews

FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL.

Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year.

Scene Point Blank has traveled to “over half” of them (we’ve lost count -- it's a theme you’ll read in this feature) and each has been a blast, merging a strong and positive community atmosphere with great musical finds and old favorites.

This year we reached out to six bands to share their thoughts about The Fest, what they will do in Gainesville this year, and what new projects they might have in store.

https://thefestfl.com/

Read the interviews below:

1. Reconciler
2. Celebration Summer
3. Miller Lowlifes
4. Pool Kids
5. Rodeo Boys
6. Partial Traces

Reconciler

Like many of the bands in this feature, Reconciler are punk veterans who play the festival often, but not quite every year. It's an annual tradition but also -- at least in this writer's opinion -- something of a showcase of what the southeastern US punk scene has to offer.

We caught with guitarist/vocalist Joseph Lazzari to talk about regional punk, their latest EP and, of course, FEST 23.

Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word “Fest"?

Joseph Lazzari: Best weekend of the year

Scene Point Blank: What was your favorite or most memorable experience at FEST 22?

Joseph Lazzari: Its always hangin’ with our friends/family from all over, especially the ones we’ve made from abroad that we rarely see.

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?

Joseph Lazzari: I think this will be Reconciler’s 8th time playing Fest?? And the 13th Fest I’ve attended. Unless I’m bad at math. (I am.)

Scene Point Blank: Obviously The Fest lineup comes from everywhere, but in my experience, I've discovered a ton of bands from Florida and Georgia who don't play my region of the US as much. How do you think The Fest has shaped the narrative around the southeastern US for people from other parts of the world?

Joseph Lazzari: The typical southern narrative created by and for non-Southerners is kind of a joke where the punchline points at our ignorance and stupidity -- usually in contrast to the brilliance of everyone everywhere else.The reality is the Southeast is a uniquely beautiful, complicated, and painful place. It's the most biodiverse region in North America, but the pressure to conform and the efforts to homogenize are immense. Class War thrives. Road-tripping here feels like time travel and there’s a poetry in all of it, if you care to see it. The avenues to be an artist in the Southeast are few and far between, but so are the ways to kill the spirit of an artist here. Punks in the south put their money where their mouth is. There are no fairweather nonconformists here. Mark Twain said “Southerners speak music.” And Andre 3000 said “The South got somethin’ to say.” The Fest has always been a beacon that proves both of these sentiments to the rest of the world.

Scene Point Blank: You released a new EP this year, simply titled Three Songs. How did you land on that direct title?

Joseph Lazzari: Calling it 2 Songs seemed to sell it short and calling it 4 Songs felt like overdoing it.

Scene Point Blank: What's the story behind this EP? Are they songs from another recording session, or something new you had in your pocket?

Joseph Lazzari: We had amassed a lot of material from the time after the release of our first LP, through Covid, and into the slow crawl toward normalcy. We could’ve made a double LP or released 2 separate LPs from that material. Instead, even after culling a couple we ended up with a 13-song LP and 3 songs without a home that stood together as a group. Ultimately, it felt better to release them as they were rather than store them up for the next record. What comes next starts with a clean slate and I like that.

Scene Point Blank: I feel the EP has a call-to-arms kind of vibe that fits your previous work, but it's maybe a little more urgent. Do you think that's accurate or is it simply a great job by the producer in capturing that energy?

Joseph Lazzari: Very much appreciate you being open to the idea that we might be able to afford a producer. We can’t.

There is definitely an urgency to these songs. They were all written out of desperation really -- from that place where anxiety is screaming the high harmony over a real deep depression. Its like the emotional equivalent of drinking a ton of coffee when you’re beyond exhausted. Only part of your brain responds to the caffeine. The rest of it is snoozing. I’d like to think we’re a pretty dynamic band regardless, but I think that’s why these songs live alone, together.

Scene Point Blank: Your album art utilizes a lot of bold bright colors, Three Songs being one example in a larger pattern. How do you approach album art?

Joseph Lazzari: I’m an oil painter and I’m usually working with the same themes in songs and paintings, so pairing my paintings with our songs feels like a natural thing to do. In my day to day life, the color palette I experience is pretty muted. The majority of my clothes are black. I spend most of my days working with wood, surrounded by vast swatches of browns and beiges. When I’m painting, I suppose that where I let my love for colors shine? I’ve never really thought about it much, but I’m definitely going to now.

Scene Point Blank: Speaking pretty broadly, your songs often have a really big singalong at some point, while you mix up the song structures and vibes around that. Do you start with the hook/refrain in songwriting, or is it the other way around?

Joseph Lazzari: There’s no set starting point. There’s just pulling a piece of the puzzle from out of the ether and working outward from there. Sometimes what I imagine to be a chorus ends up being a bridge or an intro, or it gets scrapped all together after it helped to usher in the rest of the information. Songwriting is a science that I know little about, so I still get to see it as magic.

Scene Point Blank: Who coined the "soft-edged hardcore with a southeastern sensibility" description on your bandcamp page? (I dig it.)

Joseph Lazzari: It's taken probably 8 years, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time anyone has asked directly about it. All these A.I. articles regurgitate it like its some readily accessible and widely understood sub-genre and that always cracks me up. This phrase was adapted from a negative review given about Jawbreaker in Spin Magazine in the early/mid-'90s. We actually felt like this sentiment was something to aspire to.

Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?

Joseph Lazzari: We’ll be trying really hard to beat the morning rush for those bagel sandwiches and the cold brew over at 4th Ave Food Park.

Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you excited about the most this year?

Joseph Lazzari: Dillinger Four, Fucked Up, Drug Church, Meat Wave, Rodeo Boys, Zeta, Feversleep, Five Hundred Bucks, Errth, New Junk City, Debt Neglector, Sunliner.

Scene Point Blank: Who is one "under-the-radar" artist people should check out?

Joseph Lazzari: Five Hundred Bucks

Scene Point Blank: What's your favorite non Fest-sponsored thing to do in Gainesville (food/destination/etc)?

Joseph Lazzari: Flaco’s
Karma Kream
Satchel’s
4th Ave Food Park
Hear Again and Sunshine Records

Prioritizing friends and doing what’s fun in the moment over keeping a rigid schedule.

IMMEDIATELY ripping off all those gross paper-ass bracelets from each venue as soon as I clear the exit door. I don’t like how they feel. I don’t like how seeing them all stacked up on other peoples’ arms makes me feel.

Celebration Summer

I reviewed the debut Celebration Summer a few years ago. I liked it, but it didn't really dig its hooks into me. Then, later that year I saw the band and they captured my interest a little bit more. Fast-forward a couple more years and, well, I'm really into their latest EP, A Little Less Numb.

While a few rare bands start out at full-strength, growth is a natural part of any band. SPB catch up with Celebration Summer about how the band has changed, why DC is so great, and about their plans for FEST 23 too.

Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word "Fest"?

Chris: In the words of Dillinger Four: Summer in October! A healthy mixture of all the energy, positivity, and angst that comes with warm air, loud music, and great people.

Greg: Sweaty sing-alongs, running into old friends, making new friends, and trying to figure out if you have time to grab a slice before the next band you have to see. I also think of sore feet. It's a long three days if you do it right. Don't forget those orthotic insoles, folks!

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?

Chris: This will be my first one! Nearly half a life of dreaming of going to Fest (let alone playing it!?) has finally paid off!

Greg: I've been coming to Fest since FEST 17. This is Celebration Summer's "hat trick" Fest, our 3rd, and we are so extremely grateful for the opportunity to be back! Each year we've played has been an incredible experience.

We even recorded our last one (FEST 21) at Loosey's for a split 12" with Fest favorites Wolf-Face for DCxPC Live, which comes out at FEST 23!

Scene Point Blank: Tell us about Celebration Summer. What’s your “elevator pitch” for the band?

Chris: We all bring certain musical tastes to the table that make things a tug of war between hardcore, “orgcore,” pop-punk, and some sprinklings of indie/emo, so let’s keep things simple by saying “melodic punk.” And then hopefully things will click with folks within the first 30 seconds of hearing us.

Greg: We’re four guys from DC playing melodic punk, but with our own spin. We started out with a heavy dose of inspiration coming from bands like Leatherface, Husker Du, Hot Water Music, as well as a bunch of Dischord stuff... but I think we've really come into our own sound. You can hear that in the progression from our first EP to the stuff we're writing now. Think big hooks, a little grit, and relatable lyrics you want to sing along with.

Scene Point Blank: Do you remember when you all met each other?

Chris: Time is hell on the brain, but I think I met Greg through a local musicians Facebook group pre-COVID when he had an itch to play bass in a band. We’d trade messages back and forth on different musical topics, and once Celebration Summer started, we’d keep in touch just to bullshit about upcoming shows and cat memes. I got to meet Nate and Dan through the shows they played with their previous drummer Glenn. I was a big fan of their music, so we all kind of got along through the “great set bro!” style conversations that happen at shows. And then when I hopped behind the drum kit, I was perfectly at home with their friendly goofiness. I think I still have the cool, ribbed guitar pick Dan gave me at one of their earlier shows…

If people walk away feeling seen or less alone, then we’ve done our job.

Greg: I've known Dan since I first moved to DC from San Diego back in late 2001. We used to hang out all the time, but then I moved away in 2005 for flight school (I was in the Navy at the time). I moved back to the DC area in January 2013 (again, from San Diego), where Dan and I reconnected. When I decided to start looking for bandmates in 2018, I posted an ad on Craigslist, and met Glenn (our former drummer). He and Dan were in a previous band together, so having that mutual connection made him an easy addition. The three of us started jamming a bit and auditioned a few singers until we met Nate. He was the missing puzzle piece that really captured what we were trying to do.

Chris was a local scene guy who I met through a Facebook group, I think. It's weird, I can't exactly place where I first met him... I feel like he's just "been around" local shows and other events in the area. Needless to say, once Glenn decided to "retire" from the band after FEST 21, Chris came over to our practice space and really wowed the shit out of us. The dude is a beast behind the kit. He even learned every song we'd ever recorded before showing up!

Scene Point Blank: Your last release was an EP (A Little Less Numb). What are you working on now?

Chris: We’re working on an album that’s going to be really, really good. Possibly even great. A solid 5-out-of-7 style release that hopefully showcases all of our musical influences in an incredibly cohesive package. It’s got a little bit of everything subgenre-wise and I really hope that translates through on our final recordings. Plus, I'll be on it, so...

Greg: We have a bunch of killer songs we've been working on. Some we've had in our back pocket for a few years now, and some super brand new ones that are getting the finishing touches and arrangements. We've been "about to record" our next full-length LP for what seems like forever, as we are the consummate procrastinators. We promise, it's in the works and will be rad... whenever we get our shit together.

Scene Point Blank: Personally, the whole EP hit me as a statement about finding comfort in music/art/community during trying times. That’s my take. Is there a mood you strive for in your music?

Chris: I’ve always followed the belief that music is made for your community and that amplifying lyricism through its coinciding music is how you make something memorable. Growing up, some of my favorite songs involved friends singing about local experiences to a basement or garage of 20 or 30 people. And there’s a ton of power and comfort in having those 20 or 30 people sing along word-for-word and find their own connection to those lyrics, especially when there wasn’t a recording of that song to memorize. That may not translate to a million streams or a thousand record sales, but it gives the people in that moment a lifetime of memories to power them through the hard times.

Greg: We definitely lean into that balance of urgency and hope... like, "Yeah, things can be tough, but music and community can pull you through." If people walk away feeling seen or less alone, then we’ve done our job.

Scene Point Blank: From a personal standpoint, I appreciate the length of the 7” (4 songs, 15 minutes). It feels like a package and not just a couple of songs thrown together, unlike many singles and EPs. That said, it seems like one-offs and short records are more common than ever in the digital landscape. What’s your preferred way to listen to music at home?

Chris: I used to be super into vinyl, so the LP album format really finds itself into my modern listening in my car, on Bandcamp, etc. Albums were made with a certain flow, lyricism, and production for a reason, and I think it’s a bit of a disservice to default to shuffling the songs on an LP or EP before giving it several uninterrupted listens.

Greg: Personally, I tend to lean more towards full-length vinyl. I like putting a record on, flipping it over, and really living in it for 40 minutes. It’s an experience you just don’t get with the shorter format stuff or scrolling through songs on Spotify. Also, I like to put on records when I am doing other things, and 7"s tend to keep me somewhat tethered to my record player.

Scene Point Blank: For FEST 22 I interviewed J. Robbins. What is it like being part of a music scene with such a deep history?

Chris: It’s great to know that musical idols from your youth are normal folks who live within a few miles of you. And all the local bands formed and inspired by other local bands create an ecosystem that tells folks that it’s OK to just express yourself -- there’s no intention of getting famous. Everyone who regularly attends or plays shows will find themselves in a photo of a scene-specific book or in a video of a scene-specific documentary one day, and that is honestly such a fantastic feeling to me.

Greg: It’s humbling and inspiring. Although I grew up in Southern California and was very involved in the local Orange County and San Diego scenes of the '90s and '00s, I always felt a very odd and unique connection to the DC and Dischord scene. Growing up on these records and then suddenly J. Robbins is recording your band or you’re sharing a bill with bands you idolized. It makes you want to work harder and do right by the scene. I tried my best to show my love for the DC scene with the comp I put out last year called Yesterday and Today: DC Does Dischord. It is 27 bands from our area covering the Dischord classics and deep cuts. I am super proud of that project.

Scene Point Blank: Gainesville has its own legacy in the punk scene, albeit quite different from DC. What was it like to visit the city the first time?

Chris: I’ll letcha know in October!

Greg: It felt like punk summer camp. The whole city kind of transforms into Festland and you immediately feel welcomed. Totally different vibe from DC, but the same sense of community.

Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?

Chris: It’s honestly just going to be great to hang out with Greg, Nate, and Dan without having to worry about our jobs or other random distractions. It’s a cherry-on-top moment in where our journey has taken us so far with this band and with our friendships.

Greg: We are super psyched to do a Minor Threat cover set this year. Don't worry, it won't be a straight edge gig... the Malort and PBRs will flow like wine!

Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you excited to see at FEST 23?

Chris: SO MANY. I can’t wait to revisit memories from larger bands I’ve seen before such as The Get Up Kids, Dillinger Four, Dead to Me, and The World Is..., but I also can’t wait to catch up with friends’ bands like American Television, New Junk City, Samuel S.C., and Errth. And of course, there’s always the go-to festival equivalent of a bar crawl where I’ll randomly walk in on the set to a band I’ve never heard before, that I’ll love immediately, and that I’ll spend a paycheck’s worth on merch.

Greg: I’m always psyched for bands I know, have played with, or have seen before. Stoked for D4, Banner Pilot, DTM, Tiltwheel, Iron Chic, Bane, The Casket Lottery (but bummed Stacy isn't with them), Tim Barry (Avail is actually originally from Reston, VA -- where I live... -- before they moved to Richmond), Signals Midwest, SPELLS, AmTV, Wolf-Face, Oh The Humanity!, Timeshares, Tired Radio, Errthg, NJC, Neckscars, Jon Snodgrass, Chinese Telephones, The Eradicator, City Mouse, 7 Seconds, Dead Bars, and others. We played in DC recently with Swing Kids for Positive Force's 40th Anniversary of Revolution Summer. I hadn't seen them in years... they are still insanely intense and amazing.

I'm EXTRA excited for Horace Pinker getting back together. Also, super stoked for bands I've never had the chance to see live like Shelter, Greg Norton, Dikembe (I seriously always miss their Fest sets, and they had to cancel their DC show this year!), North Lincoln, Hospital Job, Bear Away, Holy Mess, Cadillac Blindside, and Back Teeth. Hot damn! There are just too many to list all of them. Fest is cool because you get the legends and the up-and-comers all mixed together. But also not cool because there are going to be a LOT of overlaps which means I'll be missing a lot of bands I really want to check out and support. Ok, now my anxiety is peaking... Must. Find. My. Ativan...

Scene Point Blank: Who is one "under-the-radar" artist people should check out?

Chris: American Television for sure. Steve and Brian have put so much time and effort into not only making fantastic music, but also making our local scene the best it can possibly be. I fully see them having their Kill Lincoln moment and getting pretty dang big in a pretty short timeframe.

Greg: I'll give you two, because, well, fuck your rules. Tired Radio and Errth. They are both friggin' incredible bands and dudes. They are really going to make their mark on this scene. Apparently, Errth decided to form their band at a Celebration Summer show in Philly when we toured with Tired Radio, Goddamnit, and Pilot to Gunner.

Scene Point Blank: What's your favorite non Fest-sponsored thing to do in Gainesville (food/destination/etc)?

Chris: Y’all got a Waffle House?

Greg: Eat. Just eat. Gainesville knows how to feed punks.

Scene Point Blank: Anything you want to add?

Chris: This really is a dream come true. I can’t wait to take in the fun, energy, lore, and memories of Gainesville in a tidy, chaotic weekend package. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of new folks to call friends when it’s all through.

Greg: Just that we’re grateful to be back at Fest, grateful for everyone who checks out our band, and if you see us wandering around, say hi.

Miller Lowlifes

A lot of my stories about finding new bands have one thing in common. It's usually a sentence that goes something like, "I discovered this band at Fest."

Miller Lowlifes are one of those discoveries and I've had Pinch Hitters playing on repeat this year. I figured I should make take the concept full circle, so I contacted the band to talk about what Fest means to them and, now that their debut full-length is out, what comes next.

Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word "Fest"?

Matt: Family Reunion

Richie: Friends

Joe: Party time!

Scene Point Blank: What was your favorite or most memorable experience at FEST 22?

Matt: Honestly, it was my first real time getting to hang out after my daughter was born, so it was just getting to see a bunch of old friends. Also our set was really fun.

Mario: We covered a Fay Wray song and Jeff came up and sang it with us.

Richie: Yeah, covering the Fay Wray song “Bi” with Jeff on vocals was a highlight for me. I discovered Fay Wray long after they had broken up and never in a million years would I get to see them live. Turns out we have a mutual friend who is friends with Jeff, who sang for them. I was relieved when Jeff agreed to sing it -- that song is so hard to sing for me.

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?

Matt: I've played 11 Fests so far. FEST 6 with two bands, then a regular run from 12 to now, with an off year for FEST 19. I've been to every single Fest except #10 and most of #1.

Mario: Been going since FEST 3 and either playing, shooting video, or sometimes both. I took a break from 15-19. I’ve played 4-5 with Madison Bloodbath, 3 with Big Sad, and 2 with Lowlifes.

Richie: This will be my sixth Fest I’ve played. This will be the Lowlifes' third time playing and my other band, Articles, sixth time playing.

I have been attending since FEST 4. I think I missed FEST 12 because of a family reunion. Whatever year that Twelve Hour Turn reunited for is the one I missed. That is one of my favorite bands, and I remember going to St. Augustine to see their first warm-up show because I wasn't going to be able to see them during Fest.

Scene Point Blank: The Fest has a global lineup but, in my experience, I've discovered a ton of bands from Florida directly through Fest. How do you think The Fest has shaped the narrative around the southeastern US for people from other parts of the world?

Richie: I lived in Gainesville for about 8 years collectively and I think people that aren't from Florida/Gainesville have this idea that Gainesville is like Fest all year round. Gainesville has a vibrant music scene that is incredible, but not every single show is like a Fest show.

Gainesville has a real small town vibe. You can be in an active band in town and not really have to tour outside of hitting up Tampa and Orlando. To me, that is what is charming about Gainesville. You get the perks of a mid-sized city, but you go just outside of the city and are surrounded by vibrant nature.

I think Fest has given many bands a chance that wouldn't normally be invited to play a major music festival. Lots of bands that play are putting out their own music on their own labels, booking their own shows, and making their own merch. One of my favorite things to do at Fest is just wander into random venues and check out bands I’ve never heard of.

Scene Point Blank: How long were you working on Pinch Hitters before it released this year?

Matt: this was basically our first batch of songs, with a few thrown out, since summer 2022.

Richie: Yeah, when I joined the band they had two songs written without any vocals. Matt and I got together and hammered out some song ideas. Everything came together fairly quickly, although I say that we had a practice space burn down in the middle of all of that. RIP Dudes Room.

Scene Point Blank: The songs are mostly about "the daily grind," to oversimplify it. But you have the baseball themed name and album art. How does that tie in? Are you big baseball fans?

Mario: Matt likes soccer, but the rest of us like baseball. The record was based more on the theme of being “Pinch Hitters.” Our first few shows were all booked because someone canceled. I wasn’t in the band yet, but even the first Lowlifes show at Fest was filling a slot for Matt and Joe’s previous band.

Matt: I like baseball! Just not as much as I used to.

Richie: As Mario said, a lot of our first shows were booked because other bands dropped. The phrase “Pinch Hitters” sounded unique to me so I went down the rabbit hole of the history of baseball in the Tampa Bay area. I learned about the Tampa Smokers, a local team that started in the early 1900s which was made up of cigar factory workers. That is the picture on the cover of the record. At the time I was reading the book How the Other Half Lives, by Jacob Riis which details the lives of the poor working class in New York at the turn of the 20th century. I basically combined the two ideas for the album art and for some of the lyrics on the record.

Scene Point Blank: I think it's your bandcamp page or maybe ADD Records that calls the band "blue collar punk played by people with white collar jobs." That definitely fits with the domestic beer nod too -- is all of this an intentional theme, or just a natural reflection of who you are and how you write? That's a long way of asking: Did you form Miller Lowlifes with a specific goal or did it "just happen"?

Matt: It just happened. Joe and I ended our last band, which has evolved into a great band called New Aesthetics. Our original bass player asked Richie, who was newish to Tampa, if he wanted to work with us. It's been an incredibly easy and fun experience so far.

Richie: I had lived in Tampa for a little over a year when I went to a show and ran into Matt and the original bass player of Lowlifes. I was (still am) commuting to play in my other band Articles out of Gainesville, but was looking for something a little more local. I had seen their previous band Secret World a few times and had no idea that they were ending. At that show I was asked to learn the song “Heaven” by Jack Palane Band. I went home, learned it, and we’ve pretty much been doing the band since.

Scene Point Blank: Most of these songs are right in the two-to-three minute timeframe. What is the longest song you've ever written?

Matt: I think we have a 4 minute opus coming up on the next recording!

Richie: I think the longest one is around the 5 minute mark. That was in my high school band. Songs I write keep getting shorter and shorter. Have you heard the new Dark Thoughts record? 11 songs in 16 minutes, that's the perfect length.

Scene Point Blank: What are you working on now that the LP is out?

Matt: We're recording our half of a split LP in September-October.

Mario: I hear we’re taking new promo pics. Super excited about that. I love it when a band drops a sick new promo pic. It’s what music is all about.

Richie: This is all news to me. We have new songs but now I know when we're recording, ha!

Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?

Matt: I dunno, probably some balloons? I’m always amazed and thankful that Tony has us.

Mario: I would like to go swim in a spring and eat at Bingo Deli. The rest of the band is invited if they wanna come.

Richie: I’m bringing my bike again this year so I’ll probably bike the Hawthorne trail one morning. It's one of my favorite things to do in Gainesville. A spring trip is always welcomed too.

I just reread the question. Probably a shot before we play. We will take any other shots anyone wants to buy us too!

Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you excited to see at FEST 23?

Matt: I heard Wolf-Face was doing a Bad Religion cover set. Beyond that and the answers below, it's seeing D4, Tiltwheel, Virginity, Tiny Stills, Dollar Signs for the last time, and seeing all of the old friends that you see once a year.

Mario: Chimes, Partial Traces, Toys That Kill…it’s a long list this year. We’re playing at the same time as Dead Bars, so I was sure to get them on our Thursday night Pre-Fest show at The Atlantic so I can see them.

Richie: Reversal of Man, Houseghost, Leg Biters, Carnivorous Flower, Saw Paw, Tiltwheel.

Scene Point Blank: Who is one "under-the-radar" artist people should check out?

Matt: Is Debt Neglector under the radar? They're amazing. I'm going to also say Big Sad, Too Many Daves, and Articles for no reason whatsoever.

Mario: Chimes and Partial Traces.

Richie: Errth

Scene Point Blank: What's your favorite non Fest-sponsored thing to do in Gainesville (food/destination/etc)?

Matt: La Tienda, The Atlantic’s barcade, and a six hour post up at Boca Fiesta (now that High Dive is gone).

Mario: The Cade Museum is cool if you have kids. Bingo Deli and Grand Scheme Brewing are always spots I stop by when passing through town. It’s also worth it to drive to nearby springs and take a dip.

Richie: Biking the Hawthorne trail and grabbing some food at Public & General.

Pool Kids

Pool Kids has been on an upward trajectory, touring with some of their idols and then joining iconic punk label Epitaph Records. And they have learned from the experience, naming their newly released LP Easier Said Than Done.

It's a fitting title for a record where the band pushed their limits, intentionally, culminating in a layered but still accessible record that carries the emo tag without derivation. The songs are meaningful and from the heart, but with sing-song pop and clever songwriting twists throughout.

We caught up with guitarist Andrew Anaya to talk about the album and, of course, The Fest too.

Scene Point Blank: You recorded the album about a year ago. How does it feel to look back on that period now that you've had some time to reflect?

Andrew Anaya: 2024 felt like an incredible whirlwind. Massive highs, devastating lows; I think I navigated the entire spectrum. The band was coming off about two years of heavy touring (USA + EU + Japan) and we somehow fit a handful of writing sessions and pre-production into the cracks. The recording process, though creatively fulfilling, can often be a slog. A lot of wormholes, experimenting, breakthroughs, headaches, and enlightenment. It feels great to look back on [it] with a completed story we’re all so proud of. We really hope our friends and fans love it the way we do. It’s theirs now.

Scene Point Blank: What songs on Easier Said Than Done are the most fun to play live so far?

Andrew Anaya: So far we’ve only gotten to play “Leona Street,” “Tinted Windows,” and “Easier Said Than Done.” I think they’ve all gone over well! It’s always a fun experiment figuring out how to sandwich the old and new material for setlists. Excited to play more on future tours.

Scene Point Blank: This record is described as a very focused, fully collaborative recording process. What song, for you personally, are you most proud of?

Andrew Anaya: We definitely pride ourselves on at least trying ideas (sometimes to great success, sometimes to utter failure). Christine wrote this entire album -- she’s an absolute beast and inspiration on that front. I really enjoy coloring in her illustrations with guitar soundscapes and being part of the team that either executes the original vision or takes it to some new place we end up discovering along the way.

“Exit Plan,” “Which is Worse?,” and “Last Word” are favorites, but they’re all loved equally.

Scene Point Blank: It sounds like you entered the studio (for 5 weeks!) with a plan. Did you follow a strict process or was it more go-with-the-flow, so to speak, in how you got to the end result?

Andrew Anaya: For better or worse, even the best plan is difficult to execute in a studio setting. Between the band and our production crew, Mike Vernon Davis and Sam Rosson, our team was six people deep, so many ideas and opinions needed to be explored and discussed. For people like Christine and myself, we need sturdy structure to grip through the turbulence of intense work Sometimes it was messy. At the end of the day, we accomplished what we set out to do. I love everyone on that team dearly.

Scene Point Blank: Your sound is loosely described as math rock-influenced emo. Given that blend of styles, who are a few guitarists that inspired you?

Andrew Anaya: There are certainly obvious guitar heroes for me: Nick Reinhart, Kurt Ballou, Nels Cline, EVH, the early '90s alt and grunge guys, tons of shredders like Dimebag Darrell and Chuck Schuldiner, the list goes on.

Scene Point Blank: I’ve come to realize the most important guitar players I’ve been influenced by and learned from are the ones I’ve played in bands with: Tanner Jones, Trevor O’Hare, Christine Goodwyne, Andy Vila, Nick Nottebaum, Scott Carr, Steven Gray. Those are people who actually pushed me to expand my musical palette and helped me discover what kind of guitarist I am and need to be.

Scene Point Blank: How did you connect with Epitaph?

Andrew Anaya: Epitaph was the first label to show us, without a shadow of doubt, that they were fans of the band and prepared to offer assistance while we started work writing LP3. We had an amazing home with Skeletal Lightning -- those people will always be our family -- but even they supported us in our decision-making process [of] finding a home for the completed album when it came time.

We’ll always choose to take a chance and try something new. We’re lucky to have been supported the way we’ve experienced thus far.

Scene Point Blank: What is your favorite album Epitaph has released?

Andrew Anaya: Epitaph releases have defined my entire life through so many eras from early childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. The Offspring, NOFX, Pennywise, Rancid, Zeke, Motion City Soundtrack, Converge, Every Time I Die, the list is massive. I still have my Punk-o-Rama cds. It’s a major honor to be among their legacy.

Scene Point Blank: Saturday's Bo Diddley lineup is stacked, and pretty varied in style. Share a few thoughts about some of the bands you'll be sharing the stage with. Is there a particular band you loved in high school, etc?

Andrew Anaya: I’m excited for everyone we’re playing with. It’s another who’s who of bands I’ve loved from across my lifetime. Rx Bandits is hugely influential to me, especially the guitar playing of Matt Embree and Steve Choi, so they’re sitting atop the list at the moment. Drug Church is not to be missed. Shelter is legendary. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it.

Scene Point Blank: FEST 23 is the final date in a 6-week tour for you. How did you choose to end things on such a high note?

Andrew Anaya: Fest has historically been a family affair for us. Some of our best, most memorable shows have been in Gainesville, FL. It’s one time of year where we can count on reconnecting with all our musician friends across the scene and also spend it with our closest friends we’ve grown in our early adulthoods with. There’s no better place to be than home turf.

Scene Point Blank: Name 3 things you're excited about at FEST 23.

Andrew Anaya: Can’t go wrong with a Cuban Gator from Flacco’s or some wings down at Loosey’s. I love getting to experience whatever my homies in PeZ are cooking up; they’re an amazing band who never fail to blow my mind with their performances and their schemes. I’m also excited and curious how my best friend Elliot will end up making me mess up my own performances with his inane and hysterical antics; last year he was crowd surfing reading Hare Krishna literature dressed as a ghost and I had to stop playing guitar for a couple measures. He’s the checkered demon.

Scene Point Blank: How many times have you been to Fest and what makes it special to you?

Andrew Anaya: I’ve been to Fest just about every year since Fest 9 (crazy to think back on). Every “real” band I’ve ever been lucky to lend some guitar to has played; Kit Fisto, You Blew It, Dikembe, Superhaunted, Pool Kids. There’s a major amount of near indescribable love, magic, and good vibes surrounding everyone in attendance from the bands to the fans. It’s a soul recharge and reminder of why we play music in the first place, which is to foster community and connectivity.

Scene Point Blank: You're also interviewing bands for the Fest guidebook. Why is that important to you?
[This interview will also appear in the FEST 23 guidebook.]

Andrew Anaya: I love to read articles where artists get to talk a little shop and let everyone else in on how they tick; it’s a gift for me to get a chance to participate in something like that. I am first and foremost a music lover and fan, I think the added layer of being a musician helps me bring some insight when the rest of us are looking to learn more about our favorite artists and creators.

Rodeo Boys

It seems fitting that the end of a Rodeo Boys set at FEST 21 was my introduction to the band's blue collar punk sound. Earlier this year they released the powerful Junior, a complete album that covers a range of emotions and moods over 14 songs. But what unites each track is the indisputable heart and authenticity -- something I saw firsthand in their live show.

Now a familiar fan instead of a first-time gawker, I reached out to the band to hear what they have in store for FEST 23.

Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word "Fest"?

Tiff Hannay: Friends!

Scene Point Blank: What was your favorite or most memorable experience at FEST 22?

Tiff Hannay: Last year we sold out the Civic Media Center and had a line down the block for our whole set! A bunch of our friends couldn’t get in to see us but it was really rad that we had so many people who wanted to see us.

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?

Tiff Hannay: This year will be our third consecutive year playing! We never made it down before 2023.

Scene Point Blank: I was surprised to see it's only two years between albums, as Junior feels really polished -- almost like one of those "5 years in the making" records. What was your general focus or mood going into your second album? (Apologies if I'm incorrect about it being your second album.)

Tiff Hannay: We actually have a secret first album that is no longer on the web. There’s 500 or so CDs floating around out there somewhere, but it’s not available anywhere else anymore.

Junior is significantly more polished for multiple reasons.

We actually did most of the recording for Home Movies (2023) in 2021 and had to sit on it until the label had room in their schedule to release in 2023. We didn’t have studio money, so we did most of it in my attic or in a bedroom closet and I sang through a homemade pop filter made out of pantyhose wrapped around a coat hanger. We didn’t really know what we were doing and it shows. We also hadn’t toured all that much at that point so we weren’t nearly the performers we are now.

Junior was the first time we worked with a producer (Tom May) and the first time we ever even heard of doing pre-production. It made a world of difference.

Scene Point Blank: I think Junior captures a mood that teeters between discomfort and empowerment. Your songs are about gender identity, relationships and politics all in one without preaching to the choir. Does that happen organically for you or do you aim for a specific tone and really fine tune your songs?

Tiff Hannay: All natural baby! I wish I had the ability to decide to write with certain tones. Whatever comes out is what you get. I still try to “fine tune” but it’s usually just trying to make it suck less.

Scene Point Blank: To build on that, Everything on Junior feels really intentional to me, balancing themes but also musical styles. What was the story you wanted to tell on this album and how did the sequencing shape it? Was there a song you kept moving around until you found the perfect spot?

Tiff Hannay: We played with sequencing a few times but it didn’t change much. I’m a little old fashioned in the way I like to make records. I like full records that tell a story or at least feel cohesive of a certain timeframe. It sounds intentional to us, because it’s all from a snapshot of the band in this current time with a solidified line-up, and the turn around time between recording and releasing was pretty quick so we still feel very attached to it.

Scene Point Blank: When you decide a song will be released to the public, is your focus on the live experience or the studio experience?

Tiff Hannay: Always live. We are a live band through and through, but we try to capture the live performance in the recorded track the best that we can.

Scene Point Blank: Lansing is a reasonable drive from many other big cities, but it's also big enough to have its own identity. What stands out to you about the local scene?

Tiff Hannay: Unfortunately, there isn’t much of music scene in Lansing right now. Post-COVID hardships and a lack of young bands coming up has hurt the scene in a big way, but I’m hoping as new venues start to open, we’ll see a resurgence. In the meantime, there’s still a great annual DIY festival that we help put together called Stoopfest!

Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?

Tiff Hannay: We’ve got the whole weekend to spend there this year, so we’re gonna try to see as many bands as possible!

Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you the most excited about this year?

Tiff Hannay: Mikey Erg, Weakened Friends, Jeff Rosenstock, AJJ, Pool Kids, Oceanator, Camp Trash, Dreaded Laramie

Scene Point Blank: Who is one "under-the-radar" artist people should check out?

Tiff Hannay: Flying Raccoon Suit! We just toured with them, and they are so good!

Scene Point Blank: What's your favorite non Fest-sponsored thing to do in Gainesville (food/destination/etc)?

Tiff Hannay: Karma Cream coffee shop!

Scene Point Blank: Anything you want to add?

Tiff Hannay: We love Fest and we feel so grateful that they’ve welcomed us back every year.

Rodeo Boys is Tiff Hannay - they/them - vocals, guitar
Caleb Shook -he/him - guitar, vocals
Taylor Doty - he/him - bass
Christian Urrabazo - he/him - drums

Partial Traces

Even if I somehow missed Partial Traces' last LP (do'h!) I'm still a big fan of the moody synth-rock made by musicians with mostly punk rock resumes.

Besides playing a more chill style, two band members also opened Cloudland venue in Minneapolis, MN somewhat recently. We caught up with Maren (vocals/keyboard) to talk about the band, new developments, balancing projects and perspective on 20+ years of The Fest.

Scene Point Blank: I don't think you've played Fest in a while. What was the last time you were there and with what band(s)?
Maren: I had to look this up, but Partial Traces played in 2016, Gateway District also played that year. Gateway District played in 2010 and maybe 2012 or 2013? Soviettes played in 2010 and 2012, and maybe another early on.

Scene Point Blank: How many Fests have you played now? Have you attended more than that?

Maren: I don't know how many I've played honestly! I've been to a few more as a spectator, definitely.

Scene Point Blank: While you haven't been at Fest in a while, you still hear stories I'm sure. What changes are you most curious about as you return for FEST 23?

Maren: I'm curious about what changes and what stays the same -- I like to hear what younger bands are doing musically.

Scene Point Blank: How did your schedule work out that this year is the year to return to Fest?

Maren: Banner Pilot is playing so Nate was going anyway, and it sounded fun!

Scene Point Blank: Is there a specific record or band that really inspired Partial Traces' identity and when/how did you discover it? Any stories?

Maren: Not really a specific band or record, but I remember I was / we were chasing down something "different." I had been doing the same kind of music thing, more or less, for what felt like a long time and I wanted to do something different but I didn't know how. One day, Nate was like "Yeah I have all these songs and fragments in Soundcloud that are too weird for Banner Pilot but I make them anyway if you ever want to listen" and shared it. There were over 60 things in there! Whole songs with parts and changes, bits and pieces of ideas... most of it decidedly different! At the same time, Carrie (the bass player in Gateway) was living in Green Bay, and playing regular shows with that band was getting more difficult, so we just made a new band, which is Partial Traces.

Scene Point Blank: You formed nearly a decade ago, in 2017. Do you think the band's identity or trajectory has moved in any surprising new directions from your initial concept?

Maren: The identity and concept and feel is still pretty aligned with where we started -- if anything, further towards the ideas we were pushing towards, because we have involved more instruments and voicings that get away from the bands of our pasts. Mostly this shift was out of necessity. To keep making music during pandemic, we started using more synth, drum machines, loops etc, and some shows were played with only 2 or 3 people (at one point we were 5). Now, we always play as a 4-piece, and things have kind of stabilized again.

Scene Point Blank: How is it different to sing and play synth/keys as compared to playing guitar? Was there a learning curve to doing both at the same time live?

Maren: Well, at one point, I was playing keyboard AND guitar at the same time as singing, and there was definitely some learning for that! Now I just play keyboard, and really, I barely play it. It's not the big chords or leads of some bands -- it mostly adds a texture and a drone to lush out the song under Nate's cool leads. So it's pretty easy.

Scene Point Blank: How many bands are you in right now and how do you manage it all with Cloudland and other real life concerns?

Maren: I'm only in Partial Traces right now. But with all my other stuff, yeah, I'm very very very busy!

Scene Point Blank: It's been 4 years since your last full-length and two since the last EP. What is next from the group? What format (EP, singles, LP, etc) do you think best fits your vibe and writing approach?

Maren: Not true! We released LP Stay Dreaming in November 2023, which was right after Cloudland opened. We were so busy that I kind of forgot we had a record about to come out, so it was a fun surprise, and then we played a show at Cloudland for it. It's been fun to release the 2-3 song EPs we were doing digitally, and I think some of our best material is there. We will probably do some more of those and hopefully get to another full-length.

Scene Point Blank: As a venue owner yourself, what strikes you the most about the Fest community of 20+ years?

Maren: I'm so proud that a fest like that can continue for over 2 decades, that's just incredible. Hell yeah! I know it's a ton of work for them but what a beautiful thing: people come from all over the world to see each other and dance. They should be so proud of what they've built.

Scene Point Blank: Has running a venue changed your band's dynamics in any way you can describe?

Maren: We have yet to play a different venue since we opened, but I hope to get there (anywhere!) in 2026. Our practice space is kind of nicer, since now we practice at Cloudland. We are all really busy, but that's not new from starting Cloudland.

Scene Point Blank: Can you share any special plans you have for FEST 23 as a band this year?

Maren: It's not really a band plan but, personally, Carrie (from Gateway District, from Wisconsin) is going -- which is awesome since I don't get to see my dear friend very much. She planned it kind of separate so it's an added super awesome bonus.

Scene Point Blank: If Partial Traces were to play a covers set, what band would you pick?

Maren: Wow, good question. Just one band? Hmm. Suicide? Jesus & Mary Chain? I'm going with Suicide, I'll sing less!

Scene Point Blank: What bands/artists are you excited about the most this year?

Maren: It doesn't matter that I have seen Toys That Kill or D4 hundreds of times, I still am always so excited to see them! And I am also excited to see new bands I don't know. And just excited to see FEST!!!!!