Album artwork by Mr. Clinton Reno
MP3:Bookmobile – Weekends of our Youth
MP3:Ben Schwabe – Crystal Branches

First a little disclosure right upfront- I’m an official part of the Columbus Music Co-op volunteer machine, so this is a project which is near to my heart. Looking beyond my obvious lack of objectivity, I think most of you reading this have some shared interest in the Columbus music community and will appreciate both the efforts and the results of this undertaking. Something like a year and half ago, a plan was hatched by Jon Fintel (Relay Recording) and Erin Moore of the CMC to provide a vehicle to showcase the variety and quality of music making in town. Of particular importance to the founders was the notion that equal attention should be given to young (high school age) artists, who would be showcased adjacent to more veteran musicians. Over the past year, Fintel donated over a 100 hours of studio time to record and master eleven original tracks, some of which are the first professional recordings made of the participants. All of them are available only on this compilation, which turns out to be a really strong collection.

On Saturday, February 13th Relay and the CMC will host the first of two CD release shows at Carabar, where copies of the compilation, complete with original album art, will be available for $5. In the spirit of providing a musical experience for young people, a second all ages and family-friendly multi-faceted release show is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th in the North Market Dispatch Test Kitchen from 1-5 pm. All bands are volunteering their time, so should any profits be made from shows or sales, they will go to fund the CMC’s Columbus Music Assistantship Program to provide emergency medical expense grants to working musicians in need. Keep reading below for additional information on bands, a track listing, and set times.
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Picture this. You’re a musician. You’re in a local band that’s created a steady fan base. You want to test the waters of your talent, so you accept a challenge that matches you randomly with four other people to form a band. You then have 8 hours to come up with two original songs and one cover with these people whose musical limitations are potentially a mystery. Following the minimal time spent conjuring up and practicing these songs, you must perform them in front of a full audience of your Columbus peers. Oh, and on top of all that, this year you get filmed every step of the way. Nervousness ensues, the pressure’s on. Welcome to the Rock Potluck of ’09.

In its 5th year of existence, the Potluck continues its raw artistic event, boasting a roster of 41 musicians from 41 Columbus bands. Though both the challenge and combination of personalities thrown together seem like an equation for an explosive reality TV show, there is an underlying positivity. The Potluck’s coordinator, Bobby Miller, feels that the event “helps bring the entire Columbus music community together in a very unique and supportive way. Each band creates a bond and ultimately the experience they go through and the music they make together is something really exciting to hear and watch and something they can all be proud of.” More than one band created within the event has continued to play out after the fact. Sandwitch, born in the ’03 Potluck (made up of Ron House, John Olexovitch, Brett Burleson, Bobby Silver and Zac Szymusiak) has put out a 7”, played at last year’s SXSW and will soon be releasing a full-length record on Columbus Discount Records. (more…)

Pictured: Man Man@Summit

There’s no such thing as good music. All bands suck, especially yours. It’s all been done before and there is no such thing as a new genre, no matter how many you try to cram in your shitty songs. Basically what I’m saying is fuck that band Attack Attack! for being from Columbus. Crabcore? MORE LIKE CRAPCORE HAHAHA AMIRITE

This week I jammed to Michael at The Agit Reader Happy Hour, went to a sold out hipster fuck-fest at The Summit, jammed to some sweet bands at the CMC Parking Lot Blow Out and watched some bands in a pretty cool warehouse space. (more…)

Hey, you know the drill because we’ve talked about it before and lots of folks are getting excited about it. But if you haven’t heard, the Columbus Music Co-op’s biggest shindig of the year happens tomorrow beginning at 3:00 in the parking lot beside Surly Girl Saloon. Not only is this a great free party with 11 bands, tons of beer, humongous hot dogs, and now, debuting for 2009 a couple of awesome summertime liquor concoctions, but it’s also all in the name of a great cause.

People have asked me in the past what happens with the money generated from CMC fundraising, and the answer is really simple: it’s been redistributed as cash right back into music community pockets to support working Columbus musicians with medical needs. We’re talking thousands of bucks going to directly assist your friends, your colleagues, your favorite artists. This is one way in which the CMC is making the city a viable place for people to make art.

Okay, enough lecturing and more with the pitch- besides the booze, additions to sweeten the deal for year number four include more tent coverage, big beer mugs to cut down on time in line, and a super sweet raffle selection (PBR bike, Anyway Records Collection, Wholly Craft stuff, What the Rock, man the list goes on…). So come hang out, drink a beer, say hi, pitch in. Amazing band line-up and set times are after the jump. (more…)

The fine folks at the Columbus Music Co-op have had a busy winter with all kinds of happenings, but spring has sprung, the Parking Lot Blowout is on the distant horizon, and a few other events are emerging from the CMC winter chrysalis. First one is happening this Thursday the 30th at The Shelf, where they’ll be hosting a workshop titled “Legal Issues for Musicians” lead by attorney and co-owner of All Hail Records Tony Clark . You got questions about whether you should be signing with Universal or Sony? RIAA or ASCAP? Or maybe just about how to establish copyright and digital music distribution? I really have no idea if Tony is gonna help you out with your major deal, but I’m betting this is an awesome place to get some fabulous free info on legal matters large and small, and a few of your basic questions answered.  The workshop is from 7-9 PM on Thursday- shoot ‘em an email to let ‘em know you’re coming.

As is the case with almost all the CMC events, this serious business is tempered with a healthy dose of fun. The evening will kick off just downstairs from The Shelf with a happy hour at the Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, complete with the ladies of the CMC spinning a couple hours (5-7PM) of all local music. I swear a few Commit To Be Lit drinks will make all the legalese magically comprehensible. After the legal workshop, The Shelf space will transition from courtroom to concert hall as it is filled with the dulcet voices of Dan Spurgeon (Bush League All Stars) and Sean Gardner’s solo project Winter Makes Sailors. Music should go from about 9 to 11. If you didn’t get enough booze at Tip Top, bring your own to The Shelf for the show, along with a couple bucks for the performers.

Disclosure: I’m a board member of the CMC

News from the Columbus Music Co-Op

The Columbus Music Co-op is pleased to announce the launch of the Columbus Musician’s Assistance Program (CMAP) pilot. Under CMAP, mini-grants will be given to working Central Ohio musicians who are lacking health insurance coverage and are experiencing health-related financial hardships.

Musicians will be able to submit requests for assistance with:

* Medical bills/treatments/office visits
* Vision or dental services
* Prescription medications
* Drug & alcohol addiction treatment

Grants will be awarded in amounts between $0-$1,000

Click here for complete details.