Several performers have been announced for this September's MidPoint Music Festival (the first with CityBeat at the controls). National booked performers include Robert Pollard, Mates of State, Say Hi, Why?, The Purrs, Rosehips, Oh My God, The Swimmers and a showcase presented by Lujo Records, featuring locals Pomegranates and its Lujo labelmates Look Mexico, Baby Teeth and Mouse Fire, among others. Several enticing acts were also selected from the submissions we received, including Ruckus Roboticus, New York's Cinema Cinema, London's Temposhark and Mexico's The Mocks.
On the local front, some of the best artists in the Greater Cincinnati music scene will be playing MidPoint. Among the confirmed locals: The Hiders, Wussy, 500 Miles to Memphis, IsWhat?!, The Frankl Project, The Fairmount Girls, Eclipse, Diet Audio, The Host, Goose, The Tillers, The Swarthy Band, The Seedy Seeds, da muttss, Seabird, Junior Revolution, Spookfloaters, mallory, Noctaluca, Kim Taylor, Jon Justice, John Doe/1200 Hobos, johnnytwentythree, Jeff Scott Roberson, The Read, Bad Veins, Ill Poetic, Eat Sugar, Cari Clara, The Lions Rampant and Buffalo Killers. And that's just the beginning!
For lineup updates and ticket information, keep checking mpmf.com and the Spill It blog at blogs.citybeat.com/spill_it.
• This Saturday at the Northside Tavern (in the new, extra large performance space that's getting raves), beloved Indie Rock foursome Wussy will release a new EP, Rigor Mortis. (Black CharlemagneRigor Mortis EP to hold fans over until the release of their sophomore long-player, Left For Dead. opens the free show.) The band previously self-released a different
This version gets the stamp of "official" by being released through Shake It Records and features a different track listing. Three tracks are taken from a live session the band did on woxy.com (the sound quality is top-notch), while the title track is featured on Left for Dead.
The EP also includes three superb unreleased tracks from the Left for Dead sessions. The songs — certainly no B-side throwaways — are in a vein similar to Left for Dead. "Skip" features some xylophone plunks and a great vocal turn from Lisa Walker, while "Sweetie" is garage-y and jangly, with some swirling keyboard noise and Walker and Chuck Cleaver's impossibly perfect harmonies. Cleaver handles vocals on the Velvets-y "Blood and Guts," as well. The unreleased cuts are absolute gems; ownership is mandatory for anyone who considers themselves a Wussy fan. (wussymusic.com)
• Superb Americana band Magnolia Mountain is gearing up to head into the studio this September with hopes of releasing an album by the end of the year. Legendary local photographer Michael Wilson has already shot some images for the album (go to markutley.com for a preview). The band also recently added Melissa English on harmony vocals (English was frontman Mark Utley's bandmate in his popular Indiana-based Alt band, Stop the Car). MM plays the Northside Tavern this Saturday with special guest Janet Pressley.
• The Mylene Sheath, a local indie label specializing in Experimental Rock music, is presenting a free label showcase this Saturday at the Gypsy Hut. Akron's If These Trees Could Talk, Virginia's Gifts From Enola and Cincinnati's Beneath Oblivion play the 10 p.m. show. (mylenesheath.com)
