#nice a fest

[greensparty]

Stuff I’m Looking Forward to in July

Can’t believe it is now Q3 of 2022. In addition to Independence Day (July 4) and Eid al-Adha (July 9-10), here is what’s on my radar this month:

Movies:

Thor: Love and Thunder 

I enjoyed Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok, but what he did that really impressed me what Jojo Rabbit. Now after a few years of writing, directing, acting and producing several films and TV shows, he is returning to the MCU. New Thor flick opens July 8.

Nope 

A Jordan Peele movie is now becoming a big event! Since his debut Get Out, he has been firing on all cylinders. His mysterious new one opens July 22!

Podcasts:

The Video Archives Podcast 

Former Video Archives clerks Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary are sort of returning to where they both worked in the 80s. After the store closed in the 90s, QT acquired the entire Video Archives inventory. In this new podcast, the Oscar-winning screenwriters review a movie from that inventory on VHS and discuss it each episode. I am so there! Podcast premieres July 19!

TV:

Better Call Saul (AMC)

In April, season 6 of my #1 TV Show of 2020 premiered. Since this is the final season, they split the season in two and the second half returns on July 11. Let me just say right now, I am going to be so sad when this series ends on Aug. 15 and it then becomes Breaking Bad (in story chronology that is)!

Music:

Jack White Entering Heaven Alive

Just a few months ago, Jack White released his album Fear of the Dawn. Now he is releasing his second album of 2022! Album drops on July 22.

Events:

Collectibles Extravaganza 

My pals at the Northeast Comic Con have a collectibles convention at Boxboro Regency (Boxborough, MA) on July 1-3.

Nice, a Fest 

A brand new music festival is happening in Davis Square (Somerville, MA) at both Crystal Ballroom and Rockwell, with loads of bands including Speedy Ortiz. After the bands on Fri. and Sat. there will be midnight screenings of Wayne’s World and Wayne’s World 2 at Somerville Theatre as part of the fest! Nice, a Fest is July 28-30!

[arsonmusic]

Mallcops - 35mm Memories

I went into Mallcops's set not giving them a fair chance. I was at Nice, a Fest in Boston. It had been a long day, and it was their 45 minute set standing between me and Somos, a band I know and love. As their set went on, I warmed up to them more and more, eventually deciding that I really liked their songwriting. I didn't think I was going to go home and listen to them though. But I was getting into my car the next day with Peach Tree stuck in my head. Okay, I'll listen to that song again. And then the next day I was looking for something to listen to, and new thing I knew, I had this EP on repeat.

On Saturday, July 25th, 2026 Mallcops released an EP titled 35mm Memories. The first song, Make You Smile, rocks. It's got a fun little edge to it that I appreciate. It's not a song that is going to stick with me, per se, but I think it's good.

The title track has a great chorus. I want more of that chorus. I do want to note though it's Somerville, Massachusetts and I don't believe you can afford somewhere with a lawn.

Like I said, Peach Tree was the song that made me want to listen to Mallcops. It was the song that stuck out to me the whole show. It's fun and sweet, with a nice "swing" to it. I think I'm about to listen to it in my car every morning this week.

Doggy Bag also has a fun edge to it. This is a song that's going to keep me coming back to this record, instead of just having Peach Tree on repeat.

Wooly Mammoth is my least favorite song on the EP. It's kinda slow and not fun or catchy in the way the other songs are. Well I shouldn't say it's not fun. Singing about Wooly Mammoths is a fun topic. But still.

Feel So Cool was really good live and also stuck out to me during their performance. I think it wraps up the record well.

Mallcops, I'm sorry I didn't give you a fair chance. 35mm Memories is great and I will happily see you again.

[indigaux]

Hey, Boston ~̆̈ I’m returning once again to take the stage and eat the mic (❁´◡`❁) come thru to the Mean, a Fest

The antithesis of Nice, a Fest >:) Mean is a festival of noisy electronic experimental music. Hosted at Trendy Shit Town by Deep State Booking, so you know the vibes are punky, weird and radical ***٩(˘◡˘)۶***

When?

Friday, July 21st at 7PM — Late

Place?

Boston, MA (DM @tst.boston on IG for the official addy)

Cover?

$30 max — $10 min (sliding scale)

Lineup?

Maddog | Fear Dot Com | B2B | Jordan Valentino | Hexx Head | Threshold | Iris Ipsum | Tiefling | Indigaux the Fae | Dante | César | Hassel G.

Vendors?

Lesbians Online | Fetal Anomaly

[greensparty]

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL OF 2022

1. Nice, a Fest (July 28 to 31, 2022 Somerville, Boston)

This indie rock celebration rocked Davis Square’s Crystal Ballroom and The Rockwell with artists like Speedy Ortiz, Colleen Green, Weakened Friends and more. Bonus points for the midnight screenings of Wayne’s World and Wayne’s World 2!

[greensparty]

Thank You Dana Carvey!

This past week, I covered Nice, a Fest, the music fest that took place in Somerville, MA! Read my coverage here: https://greensparty.tumblr.com/tagged/nice-a-fest

In addition to my actual articles about the fest, I tweeted throughout on Twitter about the fest and got quite a reaction! Nice, a Fest retweeted to their network as did Get to the Gig Boston, Colleen Green, Hardly Art (Colleen Green’s label), the Crystal Ballroom, Somerville Theatre, Nice founder Alex Pickert, and many more!

But there is one extremely special response I got on social media! On Friday just as I was about to attend the festival’s midnight screening of Wayne’s World at Somerville Theatre I tweeted a pic of the marquee and I tagged the film’s stars Dana Carvey, Tia Carrere and Alice Cooper. Today I looked at my phone and got a Twitter notification that Dana Carvey liked that post!!!

screenshot of the Twitter notification

I am a big huge fan of Mr. Carvey. As a teen I used to watch SNL religiously and tape sketches and watch and rewatch sketches until I memorized them. Mr. Carvey was my favorite. I watched his movies, his talk show appearances, his comedy specials and he has always been one of my favorite comedians and entertainers as a whole. I even got to see him at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston for the taping of his Netflix special and it was my #1 Comedy Show of 2016! If I ever got to meet Mr. Carvey I’m sure I’d be keeping it together to not geek out and recite his many routines and impressions back to him. This “like” meant quite a bit to me and is one of the coolest things in this blog’s history! 

Thank you Dana Carvey!!!

[greensparty]

2022 Nice, a Fest Wrap-Up

Tonight is the after-party of the 2022 Nice, a Fest music festival in Somerville, MA. I’ve been covering it the last few days:

https://greensparty.tumblr.com/tagged/nice-a-fest

Colleen Green and her band at Nice, a Fest

On Friday night, I went to Crystal Ballroom and saw Colleen Green. Earlier in the week I did an email interview. She was super-nice in person and even signed a CD for me. She really put on a great show and her band (a trio with her on guitar and vocals, a drummer and bassist) are really tight. I jumped out of my seat when I heard her song “TV is my Friend” that I know as the intro music on my friend Ken Reid’s TV Guidance Counselor podcast. Small world! Colleen Green is an artist that is really going places and her album Cool, released last year, is just that.

Afterwards were Boston’s Future Teens. Even before this festival I had been hearing a lot about them. They are a emo-rock quartet. Some of their stuff I could easily see getting played on mainstream radio. Fun band!

Somerville Theatre marquee

Afterwards I went downstairs to the Somerville Theatre for a special midnight screening of Wayne’s World. I’ve written a ton about this film, but in a nutshell I saw this opening day in 1992, multiple times in the theater, and at the 2017 anniversary screening. I could tell you every line from this movie front and back. It is very much an audience movie and midnight screenings are fun because the audience truly wants to be there! This was in the big house and it seemed to be a 35 mm print. I was tired the next day, but it was worth it! Party on!

On the big screen!

On Sat. I returned to Crystal Ballroom and caught Portland, ME indie rockers Weakened Friends. I remember a few years ago they opened for Letters to Cleo and last year they did an in-store performance at Wanna Hear It Records. The trio is definitely a Band To Watch! 

Speedy Ortiz on stage

Then it was the festival headliners Speedy Ortiz, who were formed in Northampton, MA and are now in Philadelphia. They are one of my favorite bands right now! My #5 Best Concert of 2019 was Speedy Ortiz when they did an Indie617 show at McGann’s Pub. Such a great show and afterwards the band signed my vinyl copy of their album Twerp Verse, which I named an Honorable Mention for Best Album fo the 2010s. Last year I got to review the reissue of their album The Death of Speedy Ortiz & Cop Kicker…Forever. They took the stage and made reference to playing Somerville last year and it was their first show since 2019. They always put on a great show, but best of all about this particular show was that they did some new songs. Singer / guitarist Sadie Dupuis said they recorded a new album, but not sure when its coming out. I am so there when it is! I hope they play Boston again real soon!

Then at Somerville Theatre was a midnight screening of Wayne’s World 2. I’ve written a ton about the sequel, but in a nutshell, I saw it opening day in 1993 and multiple times in the theater. In 2018 after I wrote a 25th anniversary piece, director Stephen Surjik emailed this blog with his memories. The screening was not in the big house, but was downstairs in a smaller theater. It was not as big of a turnout, but still an audience experience. This was not a film print. I don’t even think it was DCP, it seemed like it was DVD or such. Overall: This is a far better sequel than people give it credit for.

As for Nice, a Fest, this was an awesome festival and it’s off to a great start. Big thanks to Alex Pickert and his team for putting on a great fest. I hope it continues next year!

For info on Nice, a Fest: https://www.niceafest.com/

[greensparty]

2022 Nice, a Fest: Talking with Colleen Green

Tonight is the second night of the Somerville music festival Nice, a Fest. Earlier this week I posted my Preview. I will be covering the festival with some dispatches. 

One of the headliners for tonight’s festival set at Crystal Ballroom is Lowell, MA-based singer/songwriter Colleen Green. No relation to me or this website, she rocks! I recently caught up with her via email for a brief pre-show interview:

Today’s schedule for Nice, a Fest

Me: You’re playing at the Nice, a Fest in Somerville. How does it feel to be a MA native and performing this first annual music fest with so many great musicians celebrating Davis Square? 

CG: It feels great!

  Me: How did you get involved with the festival?

Alex Pickert, the person who is running the festival, emailed and asked me.

[read my interview with festival founder Alex Pickert here]

Me: I really liked your latest album Cool. For lack of a better word, it was very, um, cool (no pun intended). I heard some retro influences on the album. Were you heavily influenced by 80s and 90s artists? If so, who?

CG: Thank you! I am heavily influenced by 80s and 90s artists in general. When [producer] Gordon Raphael and I first started talking about recording Cool and what we wanted it to sound like, some of my touchstones were The Breeders, The Clean, Pavement, The Cure, Sublime, The Romantics, The Cars, and Weezer/The Rentals.

Me: In addition to your music, you also illustrate your merchandise and t-shirts. Does your music contribute to your art or vice versa?

CG: The only reason I started making my own merchandise was because I didn't know anyone and had no money, so I had to do everything myself. Then people seemed to really like it and I realized how special it was so I kept doing it. I've always enjoyed drawing and it's a good excuse.

Colleen Green

Me: You are currently based in Lowell after being in L.A. for a while. Do you consider both coasts to have an influence on your songwriting?

CG: The east coast made me who I am, which is an authentic person who thusly makes authentic music. Living in LA was an extremely lonely and isolating experience for me for several years, and I think most of the music I made during my time there reflects that.

Me: What’s next for you after Nice?

CG: Touring along the east coast, performing at the ICA in Boston on August 26, playing the Freakout Fest in Seattle in November, and hopefully booking some shows in Hawaii.

For info on Colleen Green: https://colleengreen.bandcamp.com/

For tickets and info go to: https://www.niceafest.com/

Green’s Party will be covering the festival with periodic dispatches throughout the fest!

[greensparty]

2022 Nice, a Fest: Talking with festival founder Alex Pickert

Tonight is the kick off of the Somerville music festival Nice, a Fest. Earlier this week I posted my Preview. I will be covering the festival with some dispatches. 

Kicking things off today is my recent chat with Nice, a Fest founder Alex Pickert. He is the talent-buyer for Somerville’s Crystal Ballroom, one of the festival venues, and his company Get to the Gig Boston is producing the festival.

festival poster

ME: First and foremost, how did this festival come about?

AP: Last year's inaugural fest was a reason to have local bands come together after the 2 brutal years we had without live music. We were able to host outdoors and I put 12 of my favorite bands into one day.  It was such a huge success that as soon as it was over, I knew I had to do it again but bigger. This year I wanted to quadruple the amount of bands and use my two favorite venues - Crystal Ballroom and The Rockwell, which just so happen to be a 1-minute walk from each other!

Me: I’ve always had a fondness for Somerville. My documentary Life on the V: The Story of V66 had its World Premiere at Somerville Theater at the 2014 Independent Film Festival Boston and we returned for a special screening in 2015. There’s also always been great music venues with the Burren, Once Ballroom and now Crystal Ballroom, and even just musicians performing outside in Davis Square. What do you think it is about Somerville that makes it so artist-friendly?

AP: I'll have to check out your doc! Sounds awesome! This is a great question. I think it really comes down to the fact that the community continues to support the arts - the neighborhoods are not just tolerant of the arts but they praise them and celebrate them daily with events like Artbeat, Somer Streets and more. The Somerville Arts Council is also the best around! It's awesome to see a part of greater Boston be so invested in it - even to the extent of the city taking over Arts at The Armory! Me: The line-up is a majority of MA musicians or artists with ties to MA. Was it important to you to begin this festival with local artists? Or did it just happen to be a lot of similar artists from similar scenes? 

AP: I made sure every single artist has ties to Boston.I've always been so impressed by the amount of talent Boston has, so I really wanted. to showcase all levels of local bands, from brand new bands like Gollylagging, to bands who have proven themselves in the scene like Future Teens!

Me: Headliners Speedy Ortiz were formed in Northampton, MA and are now based in Philadelphia, so it’s like a homecoming for them isn’t it?

AP: Yes! I have a few bands who are no longer local residents but started in the Boston scene. Cerce started here and live all over the country now, Twen live in Nashville now,  but started Allston basements. Bat House started in Boston but are now taking Brooklyn by storm! It was important to me to bring some of these kinds of acts back to where they started! So thankful Speedy was able to headline Saturday! I'm so excited for their set!

Me: In addition to the music, the festival is incorporating film as well with a 30th anniversary screening of Wayne’s World and (29th anniversary of) Wayne’s World 2 at Somerville Theatre. How did both films get selected for this fest? Any chance Crucial Taunt might make a surprise appearance ;)

AP: I love these movies so much, and since I was born the same year that the first one came out, I have never been able to see them on the big screen. I believe they are the reason I am who I am today and especially Waynes World 2 got me into the idea of booking concerts. In Wayne's stress dreams in the 2nd movie, he meets Jim Morrison who tells him "If you book them, they will come" and that's the motto I live by while I book shows every day of my life! I have that quote tattooed on me actually... lmao. I WISH Crucial Taunt would play. Maybe we can convince one of the bands to play "Foxy Lady" for us!

Thursday’s schedule!

For tickets and info go to: https://www.niceafest.com/

Green’s Party will be covering the festival with periodic dispatches throughout the fest!