Middle of the Mitten is an event celebrating the anniversary of The Record Lounge and its commitment to local and independent music and businesses. Preparations are underway for the fifth annual showcase, which will be January 24-26, 2013 in Lansing and East Lansing. Click here for the latest info on the lineup and locations.
Email middlemitten@gmail.com to volunteer, get involved, or ask questions
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Hey.
We’re at 88.9FM The Impact (East Lansing) right now. If you’re not around here, or you just don’t want to get up to turn on the radio, you can stream it online right here: [click this link]
“5 for 5” with Simien the Whale
Middle of the Mitten is getting close, and we’re talking with the big dogs now! This will be Simien the Whale’s third MOTM festival, after joining us last year and way back at MOTM2. This year they’ll be right in the middle of the pack at MOTM5 Day 2, and they’ll also be chatting with us during the first half of The Basement, which is 8-10pm on 88.9fm The Impact [click here to stream]
Interview by Michelle Perkowski, a fellow tumblrite (tumblrer? tumblrigan?)
1. One look at your website will show that you guys enjoy vlogging and making videos. Do you see that as something personal, or an extension of the band? Do you think it helps you connect to your fans better?
That’s a good question. Touring can be really hard for bands without label support. It is expensive, grueling, and venues want you to draw people you can’t necessarily guarantee. We made our music videos to represent us to cities we haven’t played yet. We knew it would give us a chance to introduce our music to new music fans as well as show another side of our creativity.
We made the ‘Simien the Whale short’ series to help spread the word about our November 2012 Album Release Party and to show people we have a sense of humor. We hoped they would show that we are regular dudes, and not the serious brooding artists that a lot of musicians can be perceived as. It was also a fun way to flex our creative muscles when we didn’t have any shows lined up. We’ll probably make more.
2. You guys have participated in ArtPrize a couple times. What draws you to participate in a competition like that, especially considering music is not the typical medium of choice?
2012 was our second time performing at the ArtPrize Musician’s Showcase, and it was the first year music was actually up for a public voting prize.
Not only is it a way to have our music heard by an international audience, but it’s a way to help reinforce the importance of music in art scenes. Visual art is amazing. I love it. Music is another form of expression, that we think has just as much value as visual art. It’s a performing art!
The MOTM5 radio appearances have begun!
Friday 1/11
Gary Cimmerer on Grand River Radio Diner from 12-1pm on LCC Community Radio 89.7fm WLNZ (Lansing) [stream]
Thursday 1/17
MOTM5 crew with Simien the Whale and The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle on The Basement from 8-10pm on The Impact 88.9fm WDBM (East Lansing) [stream]
Friday 1/18
Life Size Ghost on Acoustic Cafe from 11am-12pm on 88.1fm WYCE (Grand Rapids) [stream]
Mike Vial and Maria Rose & The Swiss Kicks on Grand River Radio Diner from 12-1pm on LCC Community Radio 89.7fm WLNZ (Lansing) [stream]
Tuesday 1/22
Nathan Alan and Liz McDaniel on Progressive Torch & Twang from 8pm-12am on The Impact 88.9fm WDBM (East Lansing) [stream]
The second wave is almost here! Listen in to the WDBM appearances for chances to win All Access tickets to MOTM5
We will be on local spotlight show “The Basement” on Impact 89fm tonight with Nathan Alan, Simien the Whale, and Gun Lake from 8-10pm!
Tune into 88.9fm (East Lansing) or click here to stream live and free (Worldwide)
No festival would be complete without a sing-along! Catch Nathan Friday at MOTM4 Day 1 and with us tomorrow on The Basement on Impact 89fm
