Don't Fear the Satellites

Clifton prepares to fest
CHMF founder dishes details
By Kelly Tucker | Entertainment editor

Published: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Updated: Sunday, March 13, 2011 23:03


Coulter Loeb | Chief Photographer
The Happy Maladies perform at Rohs Street Cafe during the last Clifton Heights Music Festival in October 2010.
Cincinnati's creative talent is preparing for what event coordinator Rome Ntukogu predicts will be an audience of more then 4,500 local participants for the fourth semi-annual Clifton Heights Music Festival.
In addition to the typical local music takeover of Clifton's hot spots — Rohs Street Café, Baba Budan's Bar and Coffeehouse, Uncle Woody's, Mac's Pizza Pub, Christy's Biergarten and Murphy's Pub — there are plenty of new features to keep patrons on their toes this April 1-2.
First, Ntukogu's promotion company Far-I-Rome has already produced a series of preview events around Cincinnati for the festival, showcasing local art and musicians at venues like Rohs Street Café, The Drinkery and even a second-story loft on Over-the-Rhine's Main Street.
"Another reason for the preview shows are because we had so many submissions and so many amazing bands that it just felt right to try to do something to help them," Ntukogu said.
Although some bands that performed at the previews will also make appearances at CHMF 4, the overwhelming amount of band submissions left some musicians without spots at the fest.
In addition to the CHMF 4 previews, Ntokogu has planned a stand-up comedy block from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Baba Budan's April 2. Local comics Mike Cody, Kelly Collette, Mike "Meat" Cronin, Sam Evans, Tabari McCoy and Alex Stone will be starting the night off on a light note, adding another element of variety to the event.
The final new addition to the already-packed two-night schedule? The Mad Frog has signed on as a seventh venue and will host a range of performances ranging from punk to blues.
Ntukogu said the addition was made possible because of the Mad Frog's recent efforts to give more local artists stage time as opposed to its previously heavy focus on DJs.
"We try our best not just to build musicians but to bring life to a community," he said. "If there's a venue that's suffering because of whatever, if we can shine a positive light in that direction, I'd be happy about that."
There are several new musical additions to watch out for at each venue, including Mia Carruthers and The Retros ("Taking the Stage"), pop/jazz artists Don't Fear the Satellites and two visiting bands from Columbus: Hours Before Morning and Glass Winged Sharpshooters.
Old favorites returning by popular demand include the No No Knots, together for one of their final performances, The Frankl Project, Loudmouth, Indigo Wild and Moxy Monster.
Ntukogu is also looking into the future. He plans to keep Clifton Heights Musical Festival's pace going strong for years to come.
"I take it as a personal goal to elevate the festival in some way, to make it more interesting," he said. "I don't want it to ever feel old or the same. The day that happens is the day we stop doing the festival and we do something else — like a traveling caravan."
Friday passes are available at www.cincyticket.com for $5, and two-day passes are available for $10. During the event, tickets will be available at any participating venue at $8 for one night and $12 for both nights. Visit the Clifton Heights Music Festival 4 event page on Facebook to view the complete artist lineup. - The News Record

The same folks that brought you Frazzle Town are at it again with the next installment of their Music and Arts Series. This time around Zack Szabo and the historic Madison Theater is proud to present The CinSCHWAnati Fest Saturday March 2 at 7pm. The CinSCHWAnati Fest features four of Ohio’s best; Ekoostik Hookah, Blue Moon Soup, Grooveshire, and Don’t Fear the Satellites. This northern Kentucky fest puts the spotlight on the music of the Buckeye state headlined by Ekoostik Hookah.

Ekoostik Hookah returns to the Madison Theater for the first time in 2013. After a successful year of touring Ohio and the Mid-West, Hookah brings the party to the Bluegrass state. These guys have been a mainstay in the Ohio music scene for over two decades and the band continues to draw crowds wherever they go. Blue Moon Soup makes their way to KY from Yellow Springs, OH to share their brand of Jam/Folk/Grass. These guys push the boundaries of Traditional Bluegrass and Folk and fuse the two for a psychedelic Bluegrass sound you won’t find anywhere else.

The CinSCHWAnati Fest also brings Cincinnati’s premiere Blue/Rock band Grooveshire to the Madison Theater. The guys have shared the stage with the like of Robin Trower, Noah Hunt and the 420 All-Stars and more. The band brings a blend of Blues and Rock for a sound that they call “Louisiana Bayou Grunge,” Rounding out the line-up is the Rock/Jazz/Jam band Don’t fear the Satellites from Cincy.
- Jimmy Cummings

"Watching DFTS perform is always a memorable experience. I have watched this band progress and craft their sound over the years. It is amazing to see such a versatile band blend as many influences as they have into their music, AND have a blast doing it. If you happen to be an opening band for these guys, you might want to Fear The Satellites." - Travis A. Harris (Jammin in the Hills Music Festival)

Clifton prepares to fest
CHMF founder dishes details
By Kelly Tucker | Entertainment editor

Published: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Updated: Sunday, March 13, 2011 23:03


Coulter Loeb | Chief Photographer
The Happy Maladies perform at Rohs Street Cafe during the last Clifton Heights Music Festival in October 2010.
Cincinnati's creative talent is preparing for what event coordinator Rome Ntukogu predicts will be an audience of more then 4,500 local participants for the fourth semi-annual Clifton Heights Music Festival.
In addition to the typical local music takeover of Clifton's hot spots — Rohs Street Café, Baba Budan's Bar and Coffeehouse, Uncle Woody's, Mac's Pizza Pub, Christy's Biergarten and Murphy's Pub — there are plenty of new features to keep patrons on their toes this April 1-2.
First, Ntukogu's promotion company Far-I-Rome has already produced a series of preview events around Cincinnati for the festival, showcasing local art and musicians at venues like Rohs Street Café, The Drinkery and even a second-story loft on Over-the-Rhine's Main Street.
"Another reason for the preview shows are because we had so many submissions and so many amazing bands that it just felt right to try to do something to help them," Ntukogu said.
Although some bands that performed at the previews will also make appearances at CHMF 4, the overwhelming amount of band submissions left some musicians without spots at the fest.
In addition to the CHMF 4 previews, Ntokogu has planned a stand-up comedy block from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Baba Budan's April 2. Local comics Mike Cody, Kelly Collette, Mike "Meat" Cronin, Sam Evans, Tabari McCoy and Alex Stone will be starting the night off on a light note, adding another element of variety to the event.
The final new addition to the already-packed two-night schedule? The Mad Frog has signed on as a seventh venue and will host a range of performances ranging from punk to blues.
Ntukogu said the addition was made possible because of the Mad Frog's recent efforts to give more local artists stage time as opposed to its previously heavy focus on DJs.
"We try our best not just to build musicians but to bring life to a community," he said. "If there's a venue that's suffering because of whatever, if we can shine a positive light in that direction, I'd be happy about that."
There are several new musical additions to watch out for at each venue, including Mia Carruthers and The Retros ("Taking the Stage"), pop/jazz artists Don't Fear the Satellites and two visiting bands from Columbus: Hours Before Morning and Glass Winged Sharpshooters.
Old favorites returning by popular demand include the No No Knots, together for one of their final performances, The Frankl Project, Loudmouth, Indigo Wild and Moxy Monster.
Ntukogu is also looking into the future. He plans to keep Clifton Heights Musical Festival's pace going strong for years to come.
"I take it as a personal goal to elevate the festival in some way, to make it more interesting," he said. "I don't want it to ever feel old or the same. The day that happens is the day we stop doing the festival and we do something else — like a traveling caravan."
Friday passes are available at www.cincyticket.com for $5, and two-day passes are available for $10. During the event, tickets will be available at any participating venue at $8 for one night and $12 for both nights. Visit the Clifton Heights Music Festival 4 event page on Facebook to view the complete artist lineup. - The News Record