#motm5

[motmevents]

Nathan Alan - Fly Sparrow

Catch him tonight at MOTM5 Day 1!

[motmevents]

Show brings acoustic, rock sounds to town for 2-day fest

Written by Anne Erickson, Lansing State Journal

Middle of the Michigan is dedicated to highlighting the great local talent located all around in Michigan.

“The festival is a chance for Michigan bands new or old, famous or unknown, to meet and play for each others’ friends and fans,” said Joel “Hodge” Heckaman, who organizes the music festival each year. “The playing field is a bit more level here, because there is never an announced headliner. It’s just an all-around good show.

“I’ve always called it a ‘local showcase’ — kind of a snapshot of what our music scene looks like any given year.”

This year Middle of the Mitten celebrates five years of showcasing talent with an acoustic show Friday at SCENE Metrospace in East Lansing and a rocked-out version Saturday at the Loft in Lansing. I caught up with Heckaman to chat about the budding Middle of the Mitten legacy.

Q: When you started out five years ago, did you ever think you’d be doing this half a decade later?

A: Not really, but maybe. We did the first show in January 2009, and I thought it was absolutely perfect. I didn’t think seriously about doing a second show until people started asking in September or October of that year, and that’s when I knew it was something special to more than just me. The third show was when it started getting major support from the MSU community, and that’s when I knew it was sustainable and would probably live beyond my reign. Now, five years seems like we’re just getting started. As long as the Michigan music community continues to grow and thrive, we’ll always have something to showcase and be excited about.

Q: How has the festival evolved over the years?

A: Almost as soon as the festival starts, I’m thinking about what can be improved for the next year. I never want to do the exact same thing twice, and that’s led to a lot of expansion in the number of days, number of venues and number of bands that get to be a part of it.

Q: What motivates you to put on this event every year?

A: My motivation comes from the thrill of experiencing live music, especially when it’s written and played by people who you know, who grew up and live right around you. I also get a lot of push from people like you, Scott Bell, John Krohn, and others who pour everything into this year-round. I’m always out trying to connect with Michigan artists and musicians, but I’m only really active in the scene about half of the year.

Q: What bands are you particularly excited to see on the bill this year?

A: I’m excited to see Nathan Alan, Gifts or Creatures, Life Size Ghost, and Elliot Street Lunatic again, and I’m anxious to see Mike Vial, Maria Rose, Midwest and the Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle for the first time.

Q: Do you notice any trends with the band this year?

A: We’re kind of sticking to the formula that worked really well last year, having folk and acoustic acts at SCENE Metrospace on Day 1

and then rock and alternative bands at The Loft on Day 2.

Q: Do you foresee Middle of the Mitten continuing for years to come?

A: I’m knocking on wood as I say this, but I really think the Middle of the Mitten organization has some serious staying power for many years to come. We’ve got a motivated group of MSU students and alums, immeasurable local support, and an art and music community worth celebrating. The most important test will come this summer, when we look to take the next step in becoming a nonprofit resource for the entire Lower Peninsula. Regardless of how that goes, though, the festival will definitely continue to grow and improve each year.

Online: Check out Middle of the Mitten on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Middle OfTheMitten and Twitter via @MOTMevents.

Friday’s lineup: The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle (Lansing), Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks (Flint), Gifts or Creatures (Lansing), Mike Vial & The Great Lake Effect (Ann Arbor), Nathan Alan (Thompsonville), Liz McDaniel (East Lansing), Ryan Anderson (Mt Pleasant).

Saturday’s lineup: Elliot Street Lunatic (Lansing), Life Size Ghost (Mount Pleasant/Grand Rapids), Calcaska (Flint), Royal Hoax (Pontiac), Simien the Whale (Grand Rapids), Midwest (Howell), Bicycle Sunday (East Lansing), The HandGrenades (Detroit).

Show details: Middle of the Mitten, 7 p.m. Friday, SCENE Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing, and 7 p.m. Saturday, The Loft (above Harem Urban Lounge), 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Tickets: $15 all access (both days), or $10 for either Day 1 or Day 2 at the door.

Anne Erickson’s column appears Fridays in What’s On. Have a band or concert to promote? Contact her at [email protected]. Visit Anne’s blog at LSJ.com/Local MusicBeat.

[motmevents]

Elliot Street Lunatic - Close Your Eyes

If this track is an indication of what they're writing post-Ghost Town Lullabies, we can have high hopes for their third album! In the meantime, catch them at MOTM5 Day 2 on Saturday

p.s. Reblog this post by 10pm for a chance to win tickets!

[motmevents]

Mike Vial - Damn Fine Day

Mike was a originally an alternate, but I'm really, really happy it worked out that he got on the lineup. You will be too, catch him Friday at MOTM5 Day 1

p.s. Reblog this post by 10pm for a chance to win tickets!

[inanoffwhiteroom]

Tomorrow!!! #MOTM5

[motmevents]

Life Size Ghost - Fall Behind

Rock out with these guys at MOTM5 Day 2 on Saturday. Reblog this post for a chance to win tickets!

[motmevents]

Gifts or Creatures - Ravenous Fur

Great little instrumental ditty from their album Pilot House. Check out another great track, Mail from the Westcott, then catch them at MOTM5 Day 1 on Friday in Downtown East Lansing

p.s. Reblog this post for a chance to win tickets!

[motmevents]

The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle - Wishing Well

These guys weren't kidding when they put the word 'spectacle' right into their name. You are NOT going to want to miss this! Catch them capping off an incredible MOTM5 Day 1 lineup on Friday at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing

p.s. Reblog this post for a chance to win tickets!