Once upon a time, the Clifton area near the University of Cincinnati — much like the bustling music scenes centered around colleges across the country — was ground zero locally for original, creative music. in these parts. These days the neighborhood isn't quite Short Vine-in-the-'90s level, but the return of this weekend's Clifton Heights Music Festival is another hopeful step in making the area more consistently thriving with music.   

The Happy Maladies drip with talent and training, all five have done time at UC's College-Conservatory of Music. And they all shack up together except guitarist/vocalist Ben Thomas, who lives down the street by his lonesome. Five cats roam the band house, and even the cats contribute on "Animal Welcome," one of 11 songs on the band's debut full-length album, 'Sun Shines the Little Children.'