Today’s the day. After a summer full of looking at this year’s artists, THE weekend is finally upon up. I know that some of you may know who I am after 3 months of blogging and some of you do not. I wanted to share myself and my favorite memories of New West Fest.
I guess I’m most recognizable as the trumpet player from 12 Cents for Marvin. We played for 9 years straight at NWF and it was always one of our very favorite shows. I didn’t realize until this year, but we were playing at the event before Bohemian Nights had taken it over.
The first big memory I have of the event was about 5 years ago. We played on the Chestnut Stage and were being filmed for an upcoming episode of Showcase Fort Collins. There were camera people around the stage and not only were we trying to pull the show off, but also trying not to trip over cords. Here’s a picture from that:
Rose Hill Drive played that year and I was very excited to go over and check them out. We were also playing late night at Conor O’Neill’s, so after our set the plan was to load in at Conor’s and then walk out the front door to watch Rose Hill and War on the Linden Street Stage. Yeah, that didn’t happen. The street was so full that we couldn’t even open the front door. It was absolutely packed out. Luckily someone from the bar lived upstairs and we were able to watch the show from the rooftop patio.
I will fondly remember the following year, as the year of Hilary’s mohawk! Wow, was that thing hard to pull off. We had been in the studio all summer and had not played a ton of shows, as we were trying to finish our album up. We weren’t sure what kind of energy we would have, since we were so burnt out from recording… Let me just say that our crowd was so awesome that it was something we didn’t even need to think about. My parents had drove up for the show and it was full. There was so much energy and rowdiness. I even saw my Mom dancing. When we played WWF (King of the Ring), all you could see were this massive amount of people jumping up and down. Funny story… In between lines Tom looks at me and says, “Dude, that one guy jumping is really really high. He’s the only one I can see. Over on the right.” I look during the next chorus and it’s my DAD standing/jumping on a chair. I love my parents. Here’s a crowd shot after the set:
This photo was taken right before our set the next year, also at the Chestnut Street Stage. 12 Cents had just put out a new album that spring and ska was on the rise. The show was so much fun and we played to a full house. When the crowd called for an encore, I don’t think anyone knew what to do. The Motet were playing after us and graciously told us to get back on stage. And the BoNi production staff let us play two more songs. (Also the Motet killed it during their set…their best of Halloween shows – very awesome!)
The following year, we were on the Chestnut Street Stage. It had been overcast all day, but no rain. Whitewater Ramble were on right before us. In the middle of their set, it just let loose and was a torrential downpour. All of the bands were huddled under a little tent behind the stage. We were all hanging and waiting to see if we would get to play. The storm did not let up at all. Production let us know that they were going to wait about 5 more minutes and then call our set. Seriously maybe 4 minutes later, it completely stopped. Everyone was rushing to get the stage dried off and set up the mics. In the midst of this, a beautiful rainbow appeared over the stage. Although we had no idea, it stayed for our first 4 songs. Here I am with one of our friends right after we were done:
I also pulled double duty that year as I played with my other band, the Caleb Riley Funk Orchestra.
And of course last year, we were so honored to be asked to play the kick off party on Friday night. It was without a doubt one of our very favorite shows. It had been raining again all day long. We show up for sound check and everything is set up and tarped off. We are told that we may or may not play. It all depends on the weather. About a half hour before our set, the rain goes away. We set up, sound check, and get ready to hit the stage. There was a great crowd and about four songs into it, it starts POURING. I’m not talking just a little sprinkle, but actually downpour. The really cool thing… most everyone stays. We are asked if we want to call it, but with such an energetic and loyal crowd, of course we want to play. So we did for two hours in the rain. People were so soaked, but dancing and having a good ole time. Our horn section will sometimes walk through the audience and play, we figured if everyone else is a trooper, let’s go hang with them. So we go out in the rain and do up a song. I kid you not, I was as wet as if I hopped into a swimming pool fully clothed. Yikes! But awesome!!
I hope that all of you will be out making your NWF moments this weekend and I hope that you feel free to share them with us. Hope everyone has a fabulous time and sees some awesome bands!
~Greta Cornett on behalf of Bohemian Nights
The original 303 from Colorado (the name of their sophomore album is Resident 303), 
The band will be playing on Denver’s Channel 2 the Deuce tonight at 7 PM. Tune in to catch a sneak preview or make sure to hit up the Old Town Square Stage on Sunday at 3 PM.
Find
With their music, that is.
Picking a band name was pretty familiar too. “Matt and I used to drive by Clearview (a Fort Collins street name) all the time and we always said we should put it in an album or call a band that. Since we’ve lived around Clearview through the years and our original practice space was on the north side of Clearview… we just decided that 
“We’ve been a band for two and a half years and it took us two years to do our debut album. We were new to a lot of the process, but it came out great. It felt so good to finally put it out there,” laughs Luizza.
They are repeat offenders for Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest. They played last year on the Old Town Square Stage, but will be starting the Mountain Avenue Stage off on the right foot on Saturday with their rock filled set. “Last year we showed up to the festival looking like a bunch of Bible salesmen. We all had on black ties and white button ups. People weren’t sure what to make of us until we started playing,” Luizza smiles. “This year, people have actually heard our music and we’re looking forward to showing off a few surprises.”
This WILL NOT be the surprise, but I had to include this photo of Matt Luizza in here somewhere…
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest has made the commitment to not only green the festival, but off plenty of educational opportunities to the public so that we can all make a difference. In 2008, BoNi diverted 67% of our waste by adding compostable and recylable vendor products AND through use of waste recovery. This year, we are targeting 80%. We need your help to make this happen, so please look for recycling stations set up throughout the festival.
Please look for the various Zero Hero stations located around the festival grounds. Our community volunteers will be decked out in their recycled, reused, and repurposed finest in an effort to attract and educate the public. We’re holding a costume contest for the best recycled dressed and also giving a best educator award.
By using biodiesel blends to power the 7 entertainment stages and 27 vendors, Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest will be offsetting approximately 47 tons of carbon during the festival. We have also purchased carbon credits from Trees, Water, People. This Fort Collins based non-profit is an award winning organization that uses 100% of those credits to help local economies in Central America build and distribute forest saving stoves and tree nurseries.
We recognize that sustainability is the key to vital and lively communities. We are committed to that sustainability by promoting and supporting our local artists, artisans, and Colorado vendors.
Please help us, help the Earth. Look for sustainable demonstrations throughout the festival. And remember to put your waste in the right place.
How did he find the rest of the band? “Well, I found Craig (Babineau) on Craig’s List… which is pretty funny actually,” Duarte jokes, “And really we all go to CSU, so it’s worked well.” This weekend will be the first Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest showing for Post Paradise, but they have are coming prepared. “We’re going to try to get in as many songs as possible at our set on Sunday. Think of us as music for ADD people,” sums up Duarte.
A big milestone for the young group is the release of their debut album, From Here to Anywhere. It’s a 7 song EP that the band will be dropping in September. Drawing from their eclectic influences, the album promises to be a good reflection of the group’s collective tastes. Drummer Babineau explains, “We’re always trying new stuff and trying to figure things out ourselves. But we always have a lot of energy and that seems to come through.”
The Flobots, Rose Hill Drive, the Hot IQs, and Tickle Me Pink have all been a part of the lineup. 
Come celebrate Fort Collins’ birthday with not only us, but your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers, your family, and everyone else who helps make this town what it is. Can’t wait to see you this weekend!
Greta Cornett (GC): Let’s start with your new album. It’s been receiving a lot of airplay across Colorado and has been in the Top 3 local spins since it’s release. Any album is a milestone, but how do you feel about what’s on here and it’s reception?
GC: Last year, we all got to see Johnny Hickman get on stage with you. Was that impromptu or had you rehearsed and will we see him again this year?
Named after Lazlo Hollyfeld from 80s cult movie Real Genius, 
Boasting not one, but TWO amazing female front women, 
Eryn Hoerig and Kate Grisby provide a dynamic vocal duo over some great chord progressions and the eclectic blending of genres. Stop by the Walnut Street Stage on Sunday August 16th at 1PM to see them in action or visit them at 
Hip-hop extraordinaire 
One of my favorite things about him is his lyrical content. It’s absolutely poetry first and foremost. The flow is musical with a raw edge. When he added a full band for Omotion, it has only enhanced his mass appeal.
Miss Hedonist landed 
