Later this month, your friends are throwing a music and arts festival. You might even already be a part of it.
It's called, appropriately enough, Your Friends Fest, and this idea of scene unity from artist and Psychic Dog frontman Dug McCormack goes down Saturday, July 30 at ONCE Ballroom and Lounge in Somerville. Like last year's event at ONCE, this year's Your Friends Fest features a mix of music and art, with bands like the Knock Ups, Mercury on Mars (EP release), Thrust Club, Rrrright? (debut show), and Psychic Dog (7-inch release) playing in the Ballroom while a collection of painters, illustrators, printers, crafters, sculptors, herbalists and others showcasing their in that space and the upstairs lounge. The evening is hosted by Powerslut's Linnea Herzog, there's a comedy showcase curated by Kevin Harrington, and a photo booth will be set up by Jenny Bergman of the Secret Bureau of Art and Design.
There's a lot going on. And that's by design.
"Your Friends Fest is about community," says McCormack, matter-of-factly. "It's about the venue, the staff, the bands, the vendors, the comedians, the fans -- all of us. It's about bringing the community together and seeing the different talents that make up our group of friends. People you see head banging on a Wednesday night also make some great crepes on Thursday morning. Your friends tending bar Thursday to Monday take some mean photos... we just know so many talented people. Let's get them out there and share the talents of the jerks we are so lucky to know."
McCormack says booking the bands was easy, and he's thrilled to be utilizing the multi-room space at ONCE.
"I chose the bands by people who have inspired me and introduced me to more creative types than I could ever have wished for," he says. "All these bands have been doing something in the scene for a while, wether helping others, bringing awareness to the scene or just plain old kicking ass. The best part about putting on the event are Great Friends Doing Great Things."
Get a preview of each musical performer below, led by the new Psychic Dog double single, "Body"/"Rev. Mike", two tracks that were recently recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks Boston by Dave Minehan and mixed and mastered By Richard Marr at Galaxy Park Studios. It'll be released by Ocelot Records at Your Friends Fest on clear lathe cut picture disc via Hocus Bogus, with cassettes from Head Vs. Heart Records. "We wanted something tactile for the kids to listen to," McCormack says.
Advance tickets to Your Friends Fest are available here. The party starts at 6:30 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m., and the door cover is $12.
