burned all my notebooks...what good are notebooks: Make Music Pasadena: Sights and Sounds

Monday, July 22, 2013

Make Music Pasadena: Sights and Sounds

MAKE MUSIC PASADENA

PASADENA, CA

01 JUNE, 2013

Occupying an armada of venues scattered around Old Town Pasadena, Make Music Pasadena once again made its mark as a showcase for rising bands, and provided a grueling, but satisfying day for those willing to invest the shoe leather. As a first timer, I didn't wander too far afield, sticking primarily between a stage set up at the back of the Pasadena Playhouse, and the main stage, (about a mile away down Colorado). Having my bearings in place, I look forward to exploring every nook and cranny next year, but what I saw certainly worked well for an introduction.
Superhumanoids, (who kindly visited my home base of Santa Barbara back in February), kicked things off, and their buzzing heartfelt pop was the perfect way to start the day. August will see the release of their new LP Exhibitionists. The first of a few long hikes to the main stage yielded the high energy of Hunter, Hunted. High point of their set was a spot-on cover of the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind". After a short refueling break on some neighboring stoops, it was back to the main stage for Yacht, who set the standard with a commanding performance that packed up the closed-off Colorado Ave.
On the way back down to the Playhouse Stage, a shortcut by the Pasadena Civic Auditorium yielded a welcome surprise: churning out a set of Eastside garage rock, were a combo i came to know as the Blackfeet Braves. No nonsense, old school rock that won the day for me. In the intervening space in time, they've apparently changed their name to Mystic Braves. Whatever the name, they're well worth tracking down.
Robert DeLong overcame the brutal effects of the hot sun melting down his laptop, and salvaged a performance that sated the anxious crowd. Fan favorites Tanlines, (from NYC), finally got it together setup-wise, appearing half an hour after their appointed time, but threw down a crowd-pleasing set.
Scary part is that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Hats off to the Make Music Pasadena crew for an impeccable one-day Fest. And did I mention that it was FREE! The organization asked for a mere $5 donation to help defray the costs, and it certainly is worth that.