Incivility Abounds

Some of you may have noticed that my blogging frequency--particularly with respect to political blogging--has gone down considerably over the past six months. That trend is no doubt partly related to the ebb and flow of business as a solo practitioner. Things are busy at the office, so blogging goes down. But some of it is because of a disturbing trend I've noticed, both here and elsewhere: it seems impossible to have a civil disagreement here--or anywhere.

One of the things that initially attracted me to blogging was the great discussions that can (and should) ensue among the blog's readers. Those used to take place regularly here. Lately, though, any political post devolves pretty quickly into name-calling and nonsense. In particular, we have a couple commenters who routinely refer to poor people as "pig filth" or "human trash." I'm not interesting in trying to engage in a serious discussion with such people.

If this were only happening here, I'd wonder if Griff or I were doing something to foment the incivility. But it seems to happen everywhere. The summer town halls about health care are an example: people were literally shouting down their elected representatives rather than engaging in any attempt to actually have a civil discourse with them. And I don't want to suggest it's just the right. The left, too, is becomingly increasingly shrill. During the Bush regime, anyone who dissented was unpatriotic. Now anyone who does so is a racist. Neither label is true, but both are (or were) bandied about with a great deal of frequency. And I'll admit: Griff and I sometimes feed our trolls, too. Some of my posts may have been more inflammatory then they needed to be, and Griff has lately been as guilty as name-calling as anyone.

But it's not just the political arena where people no longer feel the need to be civil. Last week, Julie posted a mildly critical review of Local 127. Some of the comments it generated were appalling. I can understand and respect being passionate about food. (Heck, earlier this year, when liz posted only a lukewarm review of Adriatico's, I briefly considering calling an IT-oriented friend and seeing what would go into a denial-of-service attack on get in mah belly. (I'm kidding, of course. That's illegal. Don't do that.)) But passion aside, really? People are engaging in pretty vile name-calling because Julie wasn't as effusive with her praise as others would have preferred?

I don't know what the answer is, and I won't pretend to. I don't know how we get back to disagreeing without name-calling, to expressing strong beliefs without raising our voices and questioning each other's motives. I don't know who's to blame and I don't care.

I just know that somehow, we have to get back to a place where we can discuss difficult issues with civility and grace. Climbing that hill isn't nearly so easy as it was to fall down it, but we must strive to find a way.

MidPoint Closes Big

Day Three of the MidPoint Music Festival brought me back to the tent at Grammer's for Eat Sugar and the hot local band's new material is as good as their debut EP. The MC said it best when introducing the group, they will be the next big band out of Cincinnati.

When I got to Grammer's exactly at 6:30 the band was starting and I heard the sound and was confused. There's not current a female lead singer. After some slight confusion and a realization that I was hearing a sound check, I understood that I hearing Micachu and The Shapes, the next band up on the bill. The UK band was another fresh sound that can best described as Hip Chick Brit Pop. The Trio mix an indie vibe with pop and some eclectic instruments include a great use of empty liquor bottles. I didn't get a chance to get their CD, but I will look for it on iTunes.

Next our gang shot down to the Know Theatre and caught Zest of Yore, from Austin. A decent band, they lacked distinction, but were earnest.

Back Downstairs Twightlight Revival filled the Know's cabaret space with a roots tone that had catchy tunes and a subtle charisma.

Another find of the festival is StephaniesID. A fun pop sound with an edge. Stephanie was walking around the Upstairs area before her show in a little bit of a nervous burst of energy. When she got on stage she let out the nervousness with a cheerful attitude with drop of darkness that gave her just a little bit of mystery. The North Carolina based band is a Midpoint Veteran. They should plan on coming back next year right now.


Next up was local masters Wussy who are the top dog in town. They have an experienced connection that is unmatched in Cincinnati. I could go on forever, but the fact that you couldn't move upstairs at the Know during their show, says it all.

The closer of the night Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles lived up to the word on street. Her Americana feel leaned over the county music line enough for a flavor, but held closer to a roots feel.

Another year and another great festival. I'm so very pleased with the event, the crowds where great everyone I went. I think CitBeat should be very proud. I think they made great progress from last year's event, which says a lot with its success in 2008. I think the Grammer's model was perfect, it gave a start and a headliner a place to shine, but then left the rest of the night to other venues and bands and pushed the crowd to explore. At the same time, themed stages and partnerships with local labels and artists gave options to all types of fans. I give this years festival high marks and only with 1 minor exception, everything worked. I look forward to MidPoint 2010.

Let the Ranch Know They Messed Up #mpmf

Send your Civil comments to the Cadillac Ranch management here. Let them know their actions are not what good members of the Business do. Let them know they have lost your business. Please keep it civil, we don't need insults or vulgarity or other negativity tied to the festival.

Super Sucky Cadillac Ranch Kicks Out #mpmf

Reports have been confirmed that the bar Cadillac Ranch has cancelled the remaining shows for tonight's MiPoint showcase. In what can best be said as the worst PR move in recent Cincinnati history, I for one will never again set foot in that location under the current management/ownership. It is classless act to break agreements and ruin the experience of visitors to our city.

If you support local music and local development, then join me in skipping this cheesy bar in favor of other more honorable establishments.

Yeah, you weren't going anyway, but now you have a reason that has purpose.

UPDATE: More from the Enquirer

MidPoint Day Two Recap

So, if you haven't been to the massive tent behind Grammer's, you are a fool and missed a great lineup of bands on day two of Midpoint. I started things off early with Lions Rampant, and I didn't get everything I expected. I was expecting the rough and tumble rock-n-roll band that snorkels in the Tyler Davidison Fountain. Instead a got a 5 piece line-up with a really new and frankly more polished sound. I think a Pearlene influence can be heard, and maybe that's just adding a keyboard. I really look forward to picking up their album. They ended their set with a fake fight, so the costume wearing guys are still there, just a little more polished.

Once I was at Grammer's I was staying for the full line-up so Wildbird was next. There were good, but didn't capture my attention. I guess my local bias played into my take on them, since the Lions Rampant and Heartless Bastards got my focus and attention.

The Heartless Bastards were great as usual and sound fuller with the addition of another guitarist. This was my first time seeing them as a four piece and I was impressed. I was really happy they came back home. The crowd was huge and filled the tent. I only wish my camera battery didn't quit on me, so my iPhone pictures from the rest of the night will have to suffice.

After Grammers we made a quick stop over to the Blue Wisp for the All Night Party stage. A good crowd at a bar I've never felt comfortable at. I was glad to see the support for local music coming from the All Night Party team. I look forward to more events from the in the future.

The Night ended at the Know Theatre for the Pomegranates, who are indie pop at its best. They have a great sound and I finally realized one of the band members works at my favorite coffeehouse. It always adds community when you know artists off stage. Only then can you fully appreciate two things. First, they are real people. Second is that you understand when they go on stage they have so much talent, but are still real people. I loved that about the Heartless Bastards and with Wussy. It makes living in a town with a great music so special, as long as you take the time to respect and appreciate the artists as real people first and talented performers second.

MidPoint Day Two Report From the Field

Lions Rampant sounded new and fresh.

Now on to the Wildbirds.

The Heartless Bastards are up next.

The PBR is flowing at Grammer's.

I am drinking it.

MidPoint Day One Complete

Day One of the MidPoint Music Festival went off with a thumbing of the nose to the rain! I was extremely impressed with the crowds. Thursday is traditionally a slow night for MidPoint, but there were really good last night, especially at CAC for the Seedy Seeds.

My Plan started me out at 8PM to see Serenity Fisher at Coffee Emporium, a fresh song writer with a great voice. (Full Disclosure: She's a friend)

Next up I caught the end of the Messerly & Ewing show, which because of illness, one of which happened just before the show, the four piece became a three with a fill in drummer. The Trio carried on to the cheers of the Madonna's Crowd. Since I knew half of the crowd by name, I had hoped they were all cheering for my arrival, but no, alas, the band was earning it. I hope to have the regular line all healthy and ready to go soon, I think they play next weekend, in fact.

After an hour and a half into the festival, the planned schedule seems a bit to much motion, since I was planning on going up to Grammers. Instead we walked by the Segway Room to catch some of The Daredevil Christopher Wright, but the small venue was packed, so we moved on.

Being in my neighborhood, we hit the Know's two stages instead and caught the end of the Vanity Theft from Dayton. They have potential. The all female band has several good musicians and their music had a mix of fun pop and indie angst. The could be more tight, musically, as a group.

Heading downstairs at the Know Theatre, I was pleased to notice that the next band was one I had heard good things about.

The best show I saw on Thursday goes to John the Savage from Milwaukee. They have an very unique sound the has a massively eclectic mix of instruments: Guitar, Accordion, Megaphone, Piano, Violin, Aux Percussion, String Bass, Drums, Chains, Trumpet, Trombone, Chains, Mandolin, Cello, Bells, and some type of wind-key board. The sharp musicianship gave the harsh and intellectual tone a base to allow the entire group to writhe on stage. A friend purchased their CD, so I am going to have to borrow it a listen, very intently.

After dodging a few more sprinkles we hustled down to the CAC to catch the Seedy Seeds for what ended being the most packed show I'd seen so far. The basement stage at the CAC was a steamy sauna filled with hipsters, aging hipsters, downtowners, arts professionals, creatives, and at least one very sweaty blogger. The Seeds are really a local musical treasure that I really hope everyone can see and expereince live. Their sound has a very popish tone, though they really can't be defined, but live they really pull all of the raw power they can out of their sound. Tonight, however, the sound mixing was not very good, at least in the back. It got a little be unbearable with the heat and sound. That takes nothing away from the band, who as usual gave a great performance.

The night ended with a small crowd at Washington Platform for Brighton, MA. They are a solid band, but rocked a bit too much for the space. WP is a little more suited for a slate of Americana Bands.

Night one was fun. The rain didn't hurt much at all. I do think I need to follow the Scion Streetcar Schedules better, since every time I saw a series of cars go by, I was about a block from my next destination.

Day Two is next!