Thursday, September 3, 2009
Next Big Nashville Did Your Band Get Asked to Play Next Big Nashville?
Posted by Adam Gold on Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 8:09 AM
The past couple weeks have seen a whole lotta nail biting from local bands as they first were given notice of whether or not they were selected to play in this year's Next Big Nashville Festival, and second were informed of where in the festival they are slotted. Everywhere I've gone for the past few days, members of local bands have been either complaining or rejoicing at the news. Regardless, Nashville is talking.
Many in the local rock scene were surprised to hear of certain bands who were not selected, especially in the case of Murfreesboro mainstays Kindergarten Circus and Hammertorch. Both bands have released records this year. Both records are great. Kindergarten Circus played the festival in '07 and '08 and their self-titled debut was put out this year by Grand Palace Records--who have hosted showcases at NBN for the past two years. You'd think they'd be a shoo-in. Hammertorch have backed Caitlin Rose for more than a year--including her set at last year's NBN--and are some of Murfreesboro's best representatives. Singer Jason Yeary told the Scene that he is "disappointed" by the NBN panel's decision.
NBN co-founder Jason Moon Wilkins told the Scene that the Kindergarten Circus rejection was in fact an error and that measures are being taken to rectify the situation and ensure the band a slot in the festival. Wilkins went on to say that there were 600 applicants for 140-170 slots--compared to 237 slots in '08. He said that--as is the case in all factions of the music industry--it's been a tough year economically and that they've have had to "scale it back to survive...there are a lot people who are going to be left out who are very good."
He also said that, consequently, they will not be using some of the more peripheral venues they used last year, such as Limelight and Edgehill Studios. One venue that will again be in the mix is The 5 Spot. As was the case last year, bands selected to play the East Nashville haunt are showing a little trepidation over playing a venue that is so far off the beaten path from the Elliston Place and Cannery Row block parties that dominate much of the festival happenings. Wilkins claimed that there are a lot of "East-siders who don't like to cross the river," that last year's 5 Spot shows were all considered successful and that "to not include [the club] would be an insult to them."
A more complete lineup for Next Big Nashville 2009 is expected to come down the pipe next week. For now check out the current line-up here and purchase your tickets and wristbands here.
Many of you who frequent this here blog are invested in this and we would like to hear what you have to say. Discuss.
Comments (25)
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The thing that kills the east side NBN venues for me is that the shuttles won't go to them. I had planned to hop the shuttle last year to catch Dukes of Daville but didn't find out I couldn't go there until I was halfway to Cannery. I wound up seeing the Pink Spiders instead, it was a terrible trade off.
Only thing that bothers me is that Next Big Nashville has artists that are not from Nashville. As much as I love Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys (note, I refuse to call them just "The Rocketboys") they are not a Nashville band last I checked.
Otherwise, yes there is the obviously popularity contest, but that's kinda just how music works.
@Jim, that is done intentionally. NBN is trying to widen its scope to include bands that are outside of Nashville and bring in more regional / national acts. I believe the theory is that in bringing in acts from outside the Nashville bubble you bring in more potential exposure for everyone. It's not a bad theory.
It's a bummer that the festival is scaled back this year and that certain local acts are getting snubbed for potentially lesser regional acts but you can't please all the people all the time.
My hope is that last years Anti-NBN fest grows in size this year. Not because I'm against NBN but because it will give those bands a chance to play and the people who want to hear them don't care if it's NBN affiliated or not.
Oh come on Sean, that was the highlight of the festival...just for me.(and that random old guy that I see around the shows with pretty ladies.)
Just for the sake of conversation, does anybody know if Armed forces made the cut this year?
my band didn't make the cut, but i wasn't bitter at all, but then andy vastaugh came over (i cooked a delightful vegetarian black bean and spinach lasagna for his birthday party) and stuck one of his NBN stickers on my whiskey bottle and when i told him there would be no Doyle at NBN there was a little mix of bitterness and awkwardness, but then it was gone along with the whiskey...and the bottle...with the sticker on it.
I'll go ahead a start the fire. I haven't heard them, but solely from their internet behavior, I hope Armed Forces didn't make it.
@michael
Who is running Anti-NBN Fest? Agreed that NBN is still a good thing, but I'd love more details.
None of my bands were picked! I mean, sure, one hasn't played a show (or written a song, or rehearsed for more than twenty minutes) in the last year or so. And another doesn't have a name. And, I mean, none of them actually submitted to NBN. Still, I'm calling foul. Foul, I say!
great talking point Bawston Sean. We decided (strategically) this year that we would not apply to play NBN, even though (as ever) we did enjoy our hi-jinks last year w/with the open letter, and the ludicrous interweb based voting... not to mention all the free booze at all those other showcases we had free admission to!
However we do have a new album out (not that that should factor into the selection process) called the Rest Is Noise and you can click on our namey hyper link thing to find out all about it.
@Zach.. great review of our music, solid stuff, keep it up.
Who decides who gets in anyway that Dean guy who loves Heypenny?HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Do what I can to stir the pot. I'll check it out when I get home to be truly fair.
Ok, I listened to it. Not for me, but at least your artwork is pretty. Seriously though, I think you could go far with the music, just don't be such a drama queen when your band doesn't get picked or someone makes a crack, this town is already full of whiners.
I'd just like to say "thank you" to whomever booked Dixie Whiskey to play at The Wheel during NBN. We haven't had a chance to play at any of the Broadway honky tonks and are glad you are giving us the opportunity!
@bawstonsean Here's a one time offer: you can be the absolute first person in town to review the new hit single from our album THE REST IS NOISE, entitled "love exploder". the track won't hit the interwebs until next wednesday, 09/09/09, but i would love to give you the honor of being the first to love or berate the song. email me at brandonjazz@gmail.com, and i'll get it to you to HEAR IT FIRST, MTV news style (circa early 90's).
are you man enough?
forever bringin my gun to the bar,
brandon jazz/afmf
This year was a tough one for the NBN crew from what I have seen - having to scale back and all. I have very little involvement this year, other than being sent 10 bands to listen to to give my 2 cents on - sadly (but understandably) to no avail. I spoke with Dillon from Kindergarten Circus when he got the "no" letter, and I was shocked to shit, same goes for Judd and Maggie, The Kopecky Family Band and others... I am glad that we still have a bunch of locals playing, and to those that aren't - yeah it blows, but it is just one festival over a few days. There are still so many other opportunities to play throughout the year. NBN shouldn't be the goal, but getting your music out there as far and wide as you can. @Michael pretty much hit the nail on the head for NBN this year. I just really wanna to make sure that @BawstonSean is safe and not suffering from alcohol poisoning this year, or if I can't do that - I sorta wanna film it at least.
Manic Comment just for @wait a minute I'm ddt!!!!!!!!!: Heypenny are playing Saturday night at Mercy for the festival and I am freaking stoked! Make sure we see your mugs there - cause so is Protomen, Kyle Andrews, and some other cats.
I really want to see Matt Friction & The Cheap Shots play. Recordings sound good and hope you check it out.
I am also pretty happy that Chris Crofton and the Alcohol Stuntband got a gig this year too. Guys have been busting ass.
Lotta bands I haven't heard of too, but pftt... what does that matter - I get to hear new stuff and that aint bad at all.
Nuff said
Brandon,
Are you directly quoting the Larper from the park when you say, "Are you man enough"? I believe you are. shame shame shame.
May BawstonShawn berate your new song with a foam sword!
last years pretty paltry anti-NBN fest was a SPAT thing, and no it wont be happening this year.
I personally have no love at all for the NBN thing simply because of the wide array of genres that get ignored as a whole...some of our most packed shows in nashville recently have been DJ nights, and i dont know about this year but last year those were pretty absent, and there are indeed some really talented DJ's here who are innovative and progressive. And more abrasive music tends to either be altogether ignored or stuck in an early slot on a show that makes no sense whatsoever. also the intense focus on keeping the same bands every year kind of stinks. the out of town bands are okay, but entire showcases for labels from out of state? kinda against the point dont ya think? that happened on saturday night last year, and its kind of hard to compete with a show such as that versus all the locals in all the other places. im gonna go ahead and guess some scratch was involved on that one...
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