Girl at the Rock Shows

I don’t remember when or how I got connected with Nic DeGrazia, but he and I have chatted on and off for well over two years at this point, and I have to believe that it was fate. He started the conversation by telling me about this awesome battle-of-the-bands-style festival he hosts every year in the Chicago area and invited me to the finale. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards that year. I couldn’t swing the trip, so instead, he sent me a vinyl pressing of a previous year’s festival. It was one song from each of the bands that performed, and I instantly fell in love not only with each of the bands but also with the whole idea of this festival in general. Fast forward to this year. I got an email from Nic about this year’s festival and the finale date. It was at that moment that I decided to stop being a little baby and book the hotel, reserve a friend, and make it happen, and, truthfully, I hate that I have ever missed this festival.

The Bitter Jester Festival isn’t your typical music festival. Not only does the battle of the bands aspect bring something new to the table, but it’s also a youth-based festival. The rule is that if you’re a solo act, you have to be 21 or under. If you’re in a band, at least half of that band has to be 21 or under. No matter what, nobody over the age of 24 can be a performer. Although based in Chicago, this festival accepts bands from all across the country, making it a truly amazing way to see what the youth across the country is doing. I could go on and on about this non-profit (that’s right, they don’t even make money off of this–they do it because it’s necessary and something that fills you with so much joy and love that money doesn’t even really seem to matter) but, as much as I took this trip to Chicagoland to support the festival, I was also there to support the bands and there are thirteen that I have to tell you about so let’s get into it (and please keep in mind, there were thirteen bands, I’m going to keep this brief but urge you to show some love to every single one of these groups).

The Strolls – My Saturday started with The Strolls from Indiana. Their sound was a standard indie pop kind of style, but they had this super cool and fresh jangle to their sound. Although the day was just getting started, The Strolls heated up the stage in the most perfect way.

Izzy Savides – I may have felt like my drive to Chicago from Minneapolis was long but it was nothing compared to the drive Izzy Savides made from New York. I’m just so glad Izzy made it. Stylistically, I don’t even know how to begin to describe this solo act. It was artsy bass lines matched with poetic words that felt a bit more like spoken word than anything else. It was a super unique set that stood out for all of the right reasons.

Tripsitter – The groove that Tennessee-based Tripsitter brought to the Bitter Jester stage was beyond flawless. It was soulful and so full of heart, but with a heavy beat and a reggae kind of attitude that made it absolutely infectious. Although like everyone else, this band was full of young members, there was an old soul behind this band that I see taking this group far.

Belle Vista – Belle Vista continued to put Tennessee on the map at this festival but with a completely different sound than Tripsitter. The groove of Tripsitter was replaced by indie pop perfection. When the band called out that they were going to do a cover song, I tried to guess at it. Although the Cage the Elephant cover they pulled out wasn’t at the top of my choice list, it fit their sound perfectly and really showcased their bright yet thoughtful sound.

Mistrophia – I don’t know how Mistrophia made me want to dance, but also made me want to just relax all at the same time, but why question genius? It was groovy, it was soulful, it was poppy, it was rockin’, it was everything, and the fact that this band calls Chicago home has me super hopeful that I’ll get to see them again sooner rather than later.

Hammerhedd – Representing Kansas City was Hammerhedd who brought back the more artsy side of music that Izzy Savides had laid out but with a different kind of energy. It was a full band sound that leaned into everything from avant-garde post-rock to something a bit more mathy and complicated. Regardless of what they were playing, the talent behind this band was clear.

Mystik – I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever really heard a psychedelic indie band before seeing Mystik on Saturday, but I hope it’s something that takes over. Scratch that, I could see another psychedelic indie band, but they wouldn’t hook me as hard as Mystik did, it’s just that I want more of them. Their sound was so soulful and so passionate, but it was also fun, playful, and whimsical all at the same time.

THREEGON – I know this was a battle of the bands, but I honestly kind of hated that because I loved all of the bands that played so much, and I don’t want to play favorites or anything, but come on, THREEGON– where in the heck have you been all my life? Their classic Zeppelin look with their timeless dirty rock sound had my eyes and ears glued to the stage.

Taranis – Diversity and inclusivity are the names of the game when it comes to the Bitter Jester music festival and that became clear as Taranis set the stage. Their intro of “Sweet Caroline” from Neil Diamond had the entire audience “Bah Bah Bah”ing along, but in the blink of an eye, Taranis let their real sound rip, and it destroyed everyone. Okay, not really, but I loved seeing a metalcore-leaning band on this line-up and thought that they did a great job staying true to themselves, where they were clearly outliers stylistically at this festival.

Cabin Fever – Cabin Fever was the first of two back-to-back pop-punk perfect bands so, naturally, my heart was beyond happy. Their pop-punk sound was classic and nostalgic but also gave me hope for the future of the pop-punk world in so many ways.

Exit 122 – Exit 122’s brand of Chicago-bred pop-punk was just as perfect and continued my journey down a hole of nostalgia while making me so excited to know that my favorite genre truly is not dead yet. Not only did this band nail the sound of old-school pop-punk, but they also nailed the stage presence.

Billy Schaumann – Some people were just born to be on stage. Billy Schaumann is one of those. Backed by a truly incredible band, Billy serenaded the audience with R&B treats and soulful tracks that had us all dancing along as the sun was setting behind us.

Claire McKenna – To say that Claire’s singer-songwriter set was raw would be an understatement. I had never met or even heard of Claire prior to seeing her on Saturday night, but it was like she saw me and like I had known her for decades. Lying your heart on a stage is never easy, but Claire made it look and feel so beautifully effortless.

As mentioned, this was a battle of the bands. Not all of the acts that performed were competing. Some acts were guests that were just so freaking good throughout an entire season of battle-styled showcases that they were asked to come back and perform. I do not envy any of the judges who had to pin these acts against each other. I was truly floored by each of them, but at the same time, had my picks for the final two that were to battle it out with one final song to end the night before the grand champion was crowned. Okay, clearly I’m missing a lot of details here, but the battle wasn’t the most important part of this festival to me. That being said, it was super fun to see Belle Vista and Exit 122 battle it out at the end of the night and to be able to see Exit 122 be crowned the winners (along with a bunch of other musicians who won feature prizes as well).

Here’s the deal: I should have really split this into two blog posts —one about the bands and one about this amazing organization. I feel like I’ve already talked your ears off (or read your eyes out if you will), but haven’t even touched on the fact that this festival is so beautifully supported by the community of Highland Park (where it is held). I didn’t even tell you about the touching moment where Nic was surprised by a few people that had been pretty monumental in his life (there were a lot of beautiful tears during this portion). Did I mention that this event is supported and emceed by the one and only Peter Sagal (of Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me! fame, which, if you listen to NPR, is a huge deal)? How did I forget to mention that I started this day off by walking by Madame Zuzu’s tea shop (which is just down the block) and seeing the one and only Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) sitting out front (it is his tea shop so that’s not a huge shock but, I mean, come on, he was literally sitting right there). What I’m trying to say is that I have so much more to say here but just don’t have the time or the correct words, so I’ll leave it at this:

All of the musicians that graced the stage- You are rockstars. Don’t stop.

The community of Highland Park– you have a gorgeous downtown area. Everyone was so kind and all of the businesses that my friend and I stopped in were nothing short of welcoming. I mean, come on, you have Billy Corgan just sitting on your sidewalk– this will not be the last time I make a visit to your super charming town.

Everyone who had anything to do with this festival, from the volunteers to the organizations that support it and contribute anything and everything- Thank you. I should really have more details here or expand on this a bit, but truly, all I can say is thank you.

Nic DeGrazia —what you have created here is not only wonderful, it’s beautiful. You are giving up-and-coming young musicians a chance, and that’s more than can be said for 99% of the music industry. The team you have around you is so amazing and definitely puts their blood, sweat, and tears into this event but it’s because of the heart that you put into it.

This year was the 20th anniversary of the Bitter Jester Music Festival. Here’s to twenty more!

I’ll see you next year at the Bitter Jester Music Festival.

To learn more about this festival, the non-profit, Nic DeGrazia, and all of the amazing bands that competed throughout the year, check out the website HERE!