Chardon, Ohio, May 24, 2016
“A lot of bands flock to the cities and don’t leave much for their hometowns. I admire what Chardon is doing through Love Fest; giving a venue to their own talented sons and daughters and then going a step further by welcoming out of town bands, such as BEAMS. I admire that this music festival is happening in a small, Ohio town.”
This is Anna Mernieks, founder of the alternative folk band, BEAMS, explaining how she, and the rest of her seven-piece band, feel about headlining at the July 9 music festival aptly named Love Fest. BEAMS hails from Toronto, Canada; Chardon Square will be home to Love Fest music festival on July 9.
In 2013 BEAMS debut album was well received and since then the band has been hard at work consistently creating one-of-a-kind ballads that speak to a new generation of music. Lea Marra, lead coordinator of Love Fest, reached out to Mernieke to perform at this years Love Fest.
“I have a bit of nostalgia for Americana.” Mernieks explains. “My mother was from the states even though I was born and spent my whole life in Canada. I want to see a small town that exemplifies Americana come alive with original music! We are honored and excited to be performing in Chardon for this years Love Fest.”
BEAMS focuses on blending their two female members voices in perfect harmonies that are offset by mandolins, lap guitars, banjo and a singing saw. Their music, a touch of ’60’s pop, bluegrass, folk and new-age Appalachian spirit, defies description and one must experience to understand the depth of their lyrics and songs. That is, perhaps, exactly the way Mernieks, main writer, founder, and free-spirit musician, planned it all along.
Nineteen other bands will join BEAMS at Love Fest, offering a diverse array of sounds for the audience with all the bands excelling in their own genre. Case in point: alternative-rock will offer up the talents of New Moon Rising from Cleveland, Ohio, winner of the first round of the Hard Rock Rising semi-finals. New Moon Rising will now move on to the regional finals held June 1 at Rocksino at Northfields Park. This four-member band draws in audiences with their smooth sounding vocals accentuated by bluesy harmonicas and outstanding guitar riffs. These boys can play and, like Cleveland itself, there is something gutsy and strong in their music. Lyrics that speak of real love, real lives and authentic struggles; no wonder they are garnering such attention in the Hard Rock Rising competition.
A couple bands hail from Chardon’s own back yard. Take Brandon Karcic, for example. A singer-songwriter that not only is constantly creating his own music under the name Professor Postman, but is also lead man for the local rock band Thick Kevin, who pride themselves on original music that can bring an audience to their feet. Karcic’s solo work is reminiscent of a budding new-age Dylan. Gritty and unabashedly honest lyrics that hold nothing back; his solo “Caught Up” is one such example of his style that will draw the listener to emotions well hidden deep in their heart. With the right tutelage, Karcic could well be one of the future geniuses of original music that rises from the humble streets of Chardon.
Cody Adams and Megan Dalton of Simpler Shades found their unique blend of peaceful harmony and lyrics in Athens, Ohio.
With original songs that hold names such as “Lil Daydreamer”, “Ice Cream Grin”, and “Trees” the sounds of the two Ohio born and bred band members offers something unique, and that is exactly the intent. Ask Adams what he hopes to achieve through the music and he will confidently tell you “to feel new things”. Perfect for an open-air music festival on a summer day.
Sure, all of Simpler Shades music is original and the harmonies of Adams and Dalton are spot on, but it is more than that. When you hear their music you become aware that this is important, that you will be able to say that you heard the band in their early days, now notable. The easy play of guitar, percussion which is all Adams, mixed with the uplifting sounds of a ukulele, all Dalton, will lift your spirits and find you toe-tapping as you sway your body to the oddly sexy tones, rhythms and cords.
Adams will be involved with two sets at Love Fest with the second being his solo work under the name Able. Under his solo work, Adams transports us to an new-dark-side-of-the-moon with a rhythm and blues feel. One could get lost in the silkiness of Adams voice if they were not so intent on hearing each and every one of his compelling lyrics.
This is exactly the kind of music, and more, that will be offered up by this years Love Fest Music Festival held July 9 on Chardon Square. Family-friendly activities will be offered throughout the afternoon of the festival such as creating “make and take” up-cycled musical instruments sponsored by Geauga Music Center and an interactive life-sized kaleidoscope that everyone can work on under the guidance of event artist, Annaka Silvia.
The event is endorsed by the City of Chardon as well as the forward-thinking organization, Chardon Tomorrow. With so many genres to choose from audiences will surely find the style of music from a next-generation band, that they can love for years to come. Cleveland has always given stage to the rising stars of music and now the countryside of Chardon, Ohio will do the same through their free open-air music festival.
Love Fest Music Festival is always free. Audiences should bring a lawn chair or blanket as this is an open-air music festival held in Historic Chardon Square Park. For a complete listing of all the bands you can go to the event website at http://chardonlovefest.weebly.com.
Image Courtesy of: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/music/
