Northern Room

Northern Room is a Milwaukee band making waves among the lesser-known "city on the lake." They broke thru not too long ago in a contest and was awarded the opening spot for Bon Jovi. Last year, the released their full length album Last Embrace (Deluxe Edition).


I recall vividly the first time I heard the single "We're On Fire" in my car. It was a Saturday night in late December, and I have quite a drive to church. From my time spent living in the area, I fell in love with a relatively unknown radio station in Milwaukee called 88.9 Radio Milwaukee. On my drive that Saturday night, that song came on and grabbed my attention instantly. Not trusting my memory, I wrote it down and downloaded their music off iTunes when I returned home.

Their music has an uplifting intensity to it. The mixture of the drums, bass and guitar loops are very hypnotic and Andrew's vocals are calming, yet powerful. I signed up at their website to learn more about them and started receiving emails about their residency. (A band will play at the same location for consecutive weeks)
The Hi-Hat/Garage in Milwaukee housed the band for their four-week Wednesday night stay. I had the pleasure of attending their "acoustic" show where they performed their set in a more low key version and even had their drummer, Michael singing some tracks to open the show.


mash- up
1. a song or composition created from the combination of the music from one song with the a cappella from another.
2. a song created out of pieces of two or more songs
3. are incredible fun and a fascinating way to reexperience some of your favorite tunes

The last week of their residency closed with a mash up teaming with the local hip hop group the Figureheads. Milwaukee isn't well known for having a deep music scene, so the chance to see two local groups be able to collaborate and perform in Milwaukee was exciting.
The band started the night performing their songs and then inviting the Figureheads, a hip hop duo accompanied by their dj. Each song took a different turn, but the infusion of the Figurehead's lyrics into the Northern Room songs had the same incredible results.

After the show, I met members of each group and my friend Mark was told that they only rehearsed on two different occasions, although it felt like these groups have been playing together for years. I still find it hard to believe that possibly one of the best concerts I have ever attended was for free, on a Wednesday night, and by two great, but unknown groups in Milwaukee.

blast from the past

Lake County Film Fest

The Lake County Film Festival celebrated it's 5th year showing films from Feb 28th to March 3rd. I attended the event and saw 8 films on Saturday/Sunday. Nat Dykeman, the founder of the festival brought together film makers from all over the country for us to celebrate their work.

Bad For Business

Nothing raises a woman’s self esteem more than rejecting a loser who is hopelessy and completely in love w/ them

I began my Saturday starting off with this movie. The trailer I saw intrigued me, which Derek (actor/writer) & Jeff (director) later told me it was "illegal" due to the Hall & Oates song used (shh!)

To summarize this movie is simple. Jerry runs a business where he is hired by ex boyfriends or family members or friends to help a girl get over her ex. Now his methods are unconventional and he later meets his match with a girl he can’t shake.

Derek plays Jerry and shows he has some incredible acting skills. I thought he was charismatic, witty, and funny – the trifecta, or as Derek corrected me, the Triple Threat. I learned later that was probably a wrestling reference as that consumes about 65% of his thinking. Derek gave me a DVD of the film and I have already watched it again.

Probably my fav film played at the festival.

Midlothia

I’m laying down this big bag of boulders and I’m asking the woman I love to take the leap with me

This film is about secrets unraveling between a circle of friends in a small town in Texas. The film is risky as it is primarily filmed in one location relying on the acting skills to carry it. And it succeeded. During the course of the film, you will discover (as I did) that it reads like a play and actually was based off a play. I met Bill Sebastian, the actor/director of the film and he was incredibly great. We talked about other actors and filmmakers in the business and we’ve actually seen of the same guys speak, as well as read some of the same books recently (No Country For Old Men).

Captain Blasto

Let me get this right. You got this crew of guys that go out and pretend to rob people, then you can come in dressed as a superhero and stop them.

I think this movie might be flawless. You pretty much get the picture from the quote on the synopsis of the film. This film is inspiring in a way. It’s showing people who aren’t in the place they want to be, but their imagination uplifts their lives. Unfortunately, the criminals let their imagination go too far and Captain Blasto has to confront them.

Captain Blasto won awards for art direction and definitely deserves some recognition for acting and … fight choreography

Golden Days

I never wanted to be a rockstar, I don’t even know what a rock star is

It is no secret the Damnwells are my favorite band. No music has connected with me and provided the soundtrack to my life more than this band. This movie gives me clarification to why their long awaited second album took forever to be released. As I spoke w/ Alex & Ted at shows, they were excited for the album and was waiting for the release. Months later when I next spoke to them, their excitement dwindled and they weren’t sure of the release date.

This film shows you the reality of the music industry and the Damnwells’s journey. Golden Days is biographical, but also brings you to the present day of the recording of their album Air Stereo. The album’s recording goes smoothly and the band anticipates releasing it that year, but Epic Records had different ideas for the band. On tape, an Epic rep is recorded saying "nobody knows who the Damnwells are." The band is later dropped from their label while Augustana & the Fray who are Epic bands flourish.

The film is filled with hurdles but has hope, and knowing that this story is still to be continued makes it even more exciting to look forward to.

My awesome friend Erik made it down to see this movie with me, and my friend Gilly from DC made it all the way here just to see the film.

Prologue

After the film fest ended, I went to the after party to hang out with the filmmakers. I got to meet a musician named Jimmy who provided good company and spent time w/ Jeff & Derek (Bad For Business), Bill and his girlfriend (Midlothia) and Nat, the founder of the festival. To my surprise, it was an open bar, so we were all there til 330am having a great time. The picture of Bill and I is funny because Derek said he would direct us and started saying "okay, you two are living together…" we both started laughing and I don’t think I heard the rest.

......Sunday.......

Indestructible

My body is 15% dead, but I’m also 85% alive

I woke up with little sleep determined to get back to the festival to see this movie. I heard about the buzz and also heard whispers that the filmmaker was there this past weekend.
Indestructible documents Ben Byer’s diagnosis and journey thru the disease ALS (Lou Gehrig’s).
Ben gives us full access to his life and we see his determination, desire, and even desperation to combat the disease. He travels to different countries for treatment and interviews other people facing this terrible disease.
Ben doesn’t feel sorry for himself, in fact he’s smiling most of the film. He takes a tumble down a flight of stairs in China and says with a grin "i’m indestructible."
The worst part of this disease is the way it affects families and it is very clear how Ben’s family is affected in this film. His father is the most supportive, but you can see the toll it takes knowing his own son is going to die in due time.
I had tears in my eyes several times during this film. One part in particular is when Ben is playing with his son and even states that he is doing this movie partly for him so when he grows up, he can see what he went thru. Ben’s relationship with his son is powerful. He never seems annoyed or overwhelmed by the toddler’s high energy. He laughs as his son rough houses with him and talks to him in gibberish. The sincerity of his love for him puts joy in this movie. This film makes you look at your life differently. I know it sounds cliche, but Ben faces more hurdles than almost any of us each and everyday.

Golden Days

yes, i watched it twice. i heart the damnwells

Weiner Takes All: (a dogumentary)

I wish Baby Luv could massage me, well she does massage me... My heart



I hope the movie poster makes you laugh, cos I laughed the entire movie.
Competitive Weiner Dog racing has been growing quickly over the past ten plus years. These owners launch verbal attacks and accusations against fellow owners and even make claims of steroids helping the dogs win races!
The footage of the actual races is the most adorable thing ever. Half the dogs dont reach the finish line and just run around in circles or chase the other dogs. I’d like to believe that when I go to Heaven, weiner dog racing will go on all day.

Wristcutters: A Love Story

Soon after I killed myself, I found a job here at Kamikaze pizza



Patrick Fugit stars in this unique film where he is trapped in an afterlife reserved for those who take their own lives. He soon learns that his ex girlfriend has taken her life too and he goes on a mission to find her. Along the way he helps a hitchhiker who is looking for the People in Charge as she believes she is there by mistake.
There are elements of comedy in the film to lighten up the depressing reality of what they are in. I loved this movie and it was a great way to end my long weekend.

big thx to my friend Nat for putting on a great fest and selecting the best movies possible.
Also to Jeff & Derek (Bad For Business) and Bill Sebastian (Midlothia) who are great guys and made great films.