Kindiefest 2010: Jon Samson

I feel like Jon Samson got the short end of my Kindiefest stick -- I was late getting back inside Littlefield to hear the beginning of his set, and midway through recording one of his songs on video, the batteries in my camera gave up the ghost. So that's why you only get 1:45 of video, of the twisty (lyrically) "Right Now." Samson's music was by far the most overtly "educational" of any of the acts performing at Kindiefest, but he definitely knows his way around a melody and a hook and had a solid band backing him up. "Educational" music isn't necessarily for everyone's tastes, but you could do (you probably have done) far, far worse. Samson's set was emblematic, even, of Kindiefest in general for me this year -- there was so much going on, with so many people, that it was completely impossible to hear everything or talk to everyone. Folks I spent significant amounts of time chatting with last year I barely talked to in passing. Luckily, others caught what I couldn't, so since I missed the last 3 acts of the Sunday showcase so I could hightail it back across the country, you can read, for example, Jeff Cohen's summary (and video) of Ralph Covert, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, and the Royal Order of Chords and Keys. Enjoy, then, the last video from my collection.... Jon Samson (CoCreative Music) - "Right Now" (Live at Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Kindiefest 2010: Rocknoceros

I'm pretty sure that even though the main room at Littlefield for Kindiefest was reasonably full for the Saturday showcase by DC-area band Rocknoceros, it was probably one of the least crowded shows for the band. It typically sells out its weekly shows at Jammin' Java. So even though their set was a bit shortened by some technical difficulties, and they didn't have nearly the number of preschoolers bopping around as they typically do, they put on a good show. I was particularly struck by the economy of motion of the band, particularly Coach Cotton, who was always right on time with the percussive accents. They're, like, the Spoon of kids music. Rocknoceros - "Texas" (Live at Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Kindiefest 2010: Clementown

The band Clementown came from the Twin Cities to Sunday's Kindiefest public showcase with saxophone and quick-change artist along for the ride. The saxophone -- well, there are few things that saxophones can't improve (oil changes? no, it'd probably improve oil changes, too), and it definitely added some funk to Kate Lynch and Chris Beaty's pop nuggets. The quick-change artist? Unfortunately, I don't have any good pictures or videos, but the band was accompanied as well by a woman who acted out in costume several of the stories from "Polkabats and Octopus Slacks" (I particularly liked "Eliza's Jacket," which indeed had dozens of numbered pockets from which to pull items). Not to mention Calef Brown's illustrations (the inspiration for the whole business to begin with) projected behind them. In total, it might have been the most theatrical performance of the weekend, and that's saying a lot. Clementown - "Bathtub Driver" (Live at Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Kindiefest 2010: Mr. Leebot

I remember Mr. Leebot was playing a small gig Bill and I set up and now he's playing the big-time Kindiefest conference. Lee turned in a fun, energetic set (especially considering he's, y'know, a robot), but perhaps the liveliest part of the performance was when Tito Uquillas, Chris Wiser, and Tor Hyams came out to join Leebot for some robot dancing on, er, "Robot Dance." "Sensory overload," indeed -- they had some dancing skills heretofore unknown to us... Mr. Leebot - "Good Bot" (Live at Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]

Kindiefest 2010: Sugar Free Allstars

At some point during the Sugar Free Allstars set at Kindiefest, I turned to the person standing next to me -- at that point in the set we were all standing -- and said, "Hard to believe they generate that much from just two guys." And it's true -- it's not that Chris Wiser and Rob Martin are playing 3 instruments each, it's just that they get the maximum sound out of their organ and drums. They both also worked hard, Wiser especially, to get the crowd dancing, Wiser exhorting folks to stand up and wringing every last bit of energy out of their funky 17-minute (20-minute?) set. How much energy did they have? They finished the set quickly enough that they had time for an extra song. They also had time to pull Jeni Cosgrove, Mindy Thomas, and Jeff Bogle up to show their disco moves on "SFA Disco Dance Party" (picture below). Sugar Free Allstars - "Cars and Trucks" [YouTube] (watch Mr. Leebot and the guys from Recess Monkey, among others, follow along to Wiser's instructions)

Kindiefest 2010: The Hipwaders

The Bay Area trio The Hipwaders took advantage of their showcase at Kindiefest to play some of their hits ("Educated Kid," natch -- see below -- and "Art Car," for example) but also roll out some new songs that they've been working on. "My Dog Steve" was a crunchy rocker so new that lead singer/guitarist Tito Uquillas (he of the lovely Cort guitar) hadn't even done all the necessary copyrighting, while "Go Go Girl" has a pleasant Byrds-ian melody and ends with "ba ba bas." Sounded nice in Brooklyn; look forward to hearing it when it finally makes it to record. The Hipwaders - "Go Go Girl" (Live @ Kindiefest 2010) [YouTube]