Melodica Festival Self-Indulgent, But Still Positive for Dallas

Where do I begin? 1. Many of these acts were NOT electronic. Did you listen to anything while you were there? Do you know how to work a search engine and a Myspace page? 2. I can name probably fifty people that either played or attended that have never even heard of Wanz Dover. I can probably think of close to a hundred who have probably never met him or have no idea what he looks like, and many of those people were there. 3. You can't blame Wanz for people giving him thanks. 4. I was involved in selecting at least one of the venue's lineups on one night of the festival and our participation had NOTHING to do with friendship with anyone. We did what we were asked and that's that. 90% of the people that agreed to play on our night have no idea who Wanz is. 5. I saw the original proposed lineup for the fest. Not only did it include mostly rock bands, it included some of Wanz' toughest critics. He did not just invite his friends. 6. The bands, artists, and music is what drew these people in. Nobody would have enjoyed this festival if it were about one person. You're insulting all of the musicians that participated as well as the people who cared enough to go see them. 7. And by the way, do you think Pitchfork cares who Wanz is? How clueless are you? I do not know Wanz personally and we've offered up our own criticisms of each other, but you have to be the biggest Don Quixote of a music writer that we've seen around here in a long time. Good luck to you. Defensive Listening We Shot JR

Dear Pete, WOW! Why so negative? As a newcomer to the scene I would think you would want to at least give the impression that you were somewhat receptive to what this town (for better or worse) has to offer musically. I guess you are just another poor music writer that covers his ignorance and lack of talent with a faux Lester Bangs-esque "angry young man" schtick. Not such an auspicious start. I hope the insecurity wears off soon, Pete.

Good job on failing to report about the MUSIC at a MUSIC festival. Not one mention on any bands that played melodica. Oh well another opportunity the observer squandered. Wanz you did a great job putting this all together but you didn't have quite enough humility. pfft

thing is, even when no one was paying attention, music was happening in the metroplex. good music. we don't need you or your type. go back to sending resumes to Blender.

nice response to this at weshotjr.com

A few things I take issue with: I was present for all 3 nights of Melodica, and there were a ton of bands that played, including some really great, even mind-blowing local bands. How about a word or two about them? Then there was this: "electro-synth beats that brought nose-in-the-air hipsters by the hundreds": seriously? Were you at minc all night? There was a huge cross-section of music of all kinds of different genres represented, and less than half could even conceivably fit that description. And there's that "hipster" thing again. Could it describe a handful of people who were there? Certainly. But to paint the entire crowd with that broad stroke? Please. Also, "This was an audience of Dover's 400 closest friends." True, to a point, looking mainly at the bands that played. Wanz has also been a part of the music community in the area for a decade and a half. And being a music lover, he has met and befriended (and otherwise) many others in the community. The "audience," however, also consisted of fans of certain bands that played, who may or may not even know who Wanz is, including some fans who know of and don't particularly like Wanz but begrudgingly came out anyway based on the strength of the lineup. The two nights at minc were mostly attended by the local electronic music community, which has for some reason always been more or less seperate from the indie rock community. I am involved in both scenes, and in the electronica scene, very few know who Wanz is when I mention him. If this was truly "an audience of Dover's 400 closest friends", I also have to ask why there weren't 400 people inside Sloppyworld or at the outside stage at Dada when the Frenz played. Considering that you state that "out-of-town artists brought in to play the fest approached Dover, inspired to host similar DIY-type festivals in their own hometowns" and then go on to say nothing will be accomplished in the long run, I have to say I'm confused as to what "nothing" means in Pete's Lexicon of Confusing Terms. "Offering a presentation of his friends' bands to a crowd of Wanz's friends and an audience of listeners already familiar with these sounds" - again, only true to a point. Although I consider Wanz a friend, I was unfamiliar with upwards of 30 bands that played this weeked (other than looking them up on myspace in the weeks leading up to the fest). I had the chance to check out several of these all in one weekend, and found quite a few who can now consider me a new fan. Finally, using the quote "I made Dallas cool" and dwelling on it - really bad taste, Pete, especially when noting that he immediately regretted saying it. Perhaps it was taken out of context, perhaps not, but you show you're too new to the area to be writing about a festival of this scale with this quote. For those of us living in the area, who have had to endure the pervading, mindless mantras of "Dallas music is dead" and "Dallas sucks" repeated by those living within the city as well as without, Melodica was a breath of fresh air, and a reassurance that Dallas (and Ft. Worth, and Denton) does indeed have a thriving local music community, and shitloads of great music. While Wanz at times can seem "pompous" or overly excited about it all, perhaps it is because his optimism is such a stark contrast to the ruthlessly pessimistic and ubiquitous aforementioned mantras.

who has 400 "closest friends"? it was music lovers, like he said.

what a wasted opportunity for the dallas observer you could have turned the tide by actually writing about local music instead we are now facing a hundred year war full of hubris and a robot army on the brink of a neo-conservative revolution no matter its all coming from the nether streetz anyway all the blogoids are typing for freedom and picked up the slack that the prehistoric print machine dropped a long long long time ago blog up and ditch the robopaths headline of the decade: dallas observer music section died with deep ellum like for really real http://www.digitalliver.blogspot.com/

And I thought Jonanna Widner was bad.

Self indulgent is as self indulgent does. This article is a load of self indulgent crap. Why must you take a dump on our tiny little "do it yourself" music festival just because it was tasteful enough to receive some small national mention? What purpose does that really serve you, Pete. You may just alienated yourself from anybody who cares enough to read the music news in the Dallas Observer.

Good lord. What a terrible, unnecessary article. I've never really understood Wanz or what he does, but he is a "doer" and a survivor, and for that he deserves recognition if not admiration. At best the article is a backhanded character assasination; at worst, a serious injustice to local music.

Go fuck yourself dude.

I think it's fairly clear that the Observer should start looking (again) for a new music editor. Here's my idea, anyone interested in the position should write a accurate article on Melodica and send it in. And I don't know, maybe mention the bands that played. You know like Silver Apples, who have been around in some capacity since '68, or Sub Oslo, who played their first show in like 10 years. Or Treewave's recent nod in Spin Magazine. Or Spectrum, who flew out from London and planed a tour around Melodica. I think it obvious that we can write a more thorough article than Pete. It's pretty clear he's out of his depth, but that's no excuse for poor research. I bet he'd write an awesome Spoonfed Tribe or South FM piece.

First off I just don't see how an article like this has a point. While I admit there were many times leading up to the days of Melodica that I thought it may be a failure. I was proven wrong. Clearly I didn't understand it. As a outsider is this your issue? Wanz and I may not always see eye to eye but what he pulled off has given me a new respect for him. He has become a friend that I'm proud to have. I agree that Wanz can come off pompus at times, but remember that it comes from a person that is passionate about dallas & it's music/art community. Not only was the turnout great, there were some awesome bands. I feel myself lucky to have now been exposed to acts like Treewave, History At Our Disposal, Yells at eels(AMAZING), Jack with One Eye, Happy Bullets, ect ect. Without this festival it's likely that I would have continued on unenlightened to this world of music like many in our society. It's not music that you would hear on the edge, eagle or many other radio stations so it is easy to see how it would be over looked. In Wanz's own way he was trying to bring together the scene. This is something that we need in Dallas bad & I believe that he did make some progress. Why is it that you feel a need to tear it down or hinder his progress? We don't need or want you here. Good luck in what we hope to be your few days left...

The majority of the bands I saw had instruments with strings and skins and in some cases horns. The elctronic music was sensual and inspiring and I am now a new fan of several of the bands. It would have been nice to hear some actual "reviews" of the music instead of bashing someone you probably dont even know. Wanza Dover deserves every single Thank You he received and more. For 3 nights Dallas had a wonderful,fun,non-violent music festival that didn't cost a fortune to attend. And that doens't happen every day. THANK YOU WANZ!!!!

Thank you, Pete Freedman for showing us all exactly why the Observer is and will always be a FREE publication. There is no way anyone would have paid for this article! People want exactly what Melodica offered but this is Dallas and they still don't know where to get it. Thanks to the organizers and to WANZ for putting out the pulse that is working to revive the electronic heartbeat of the Dallas music scene. I think I got it! A little less Pete Freedman and a lot more John Freeman. Oh I even said that out loud... ThX~ Pickle!

Isn't any self respecting artist with integrity and balls (ovaries?) going to indulge themselves to the fullest? -Artists for self indulgence

"I did the impossible," he says. "I made Dallas cool." yeap.

Hahaha hohoho! What a bitter and unnecessary article but hey it's funny and believable. My favorite part is all the WeShotJr stooges coming out to complain on the Observer's website. Looks like they arent the funniest shit talkers in town anymore!. I urge both the Observer and WeShotJr to keep up the funny work.

It’s disappointing that you’ve devoted an entire page to attacking a festival organizer’s character and neglected to cover a single band that played. Wanz is a polarizing figure in local music (to put it mildly), which makes your statement that he threw a party for his 400 closest friends absurd and uninformed. He set out to create an event that unified the local music community, and that’s what he accomplished. Perhaps Wanz’ claim to have made Dallas cool was in poor taste, but you know what? It’s true. If I had been an out-of-towner visiting the city for the weekend, I would have thought I was in the midst of a truly progressive, supportive, forward-thinking and liberal minded culture—not a city that prides itself in sponsoring toll roads and libraries named after war criminals. You seem to be saying that the festival might have been a “success” if more mainstream bands had been included to broaden the appeal. Well, there’s already another local festival organizer doing this, so that would have been redundant and unnecessary. Wanz put together a diverse weekend of music without relying on any big-name draws, and the public supported it. It’s clear that you have an axe to grind with those who have discriminating or slightly esoteric tastes in music. Did you get your ass kicked by somebody wearing a Spacemen 3 shirt in high school? It might be time to get over that.

Just wanted to give a shout out to Wanz & say Thanks for getting off your couch & doing something instead of just bitching, whining, & complaining. For those who think they could do it better, more often, put cherries on it or whatever... Please DO! Dallas is willing support it. The Observer is quite willing to take the ad money, and I at least know of one person who will bring his closest 400 friends. It sucks that this seems focused on some mystery pissing match between the D.O., W.S.J.R., & Wanz instead of the music you are supposed to be writing about. We as readers don't care about your personal problems. Write about the music & leave your petty bitching to yourself & your friends who'll listen.

Thanks for wasting yet a little more of my time, Dallas Observer. Thanks for paying yet another douche bag to report on the music without reporting on the music. You never fail to disappoint. I know why your mommy hates you.

Just another horrible hire for the Observer. Cut and pasted from the DC9 blog: In the two years or so that Pete's been the A&E editor at the Indy, I've never seen him at any art show or music venue. He was abscent from the scene. It is curious that when he took over the helm the Evangelical Christian (think Ted Haggard, Focus on the Family, etc.) rock scene started to get lots of coverage even though nobody gave a shit about that music. Have fun with your new mut.

How did the Dallas Observer get saddled with the journalism equivalent of an Internet troll? It is pitiful that this is what passes for professional music journalism. Did the author actually get paid to write the above article? If so, to what end? To make sure that readers don't attend future events the organizers hold? To ensure that others don't try the same foolish caper of organizing a festival? As many others have stated, the author wrote not a single word about any of the bands that played. This shows even the casual bystander that he did not attend, nor did he know anything about the national acts. Now, not everyone knows who the Silver Apples are, I grant you, but this is surely a golden opportunity to teach them, isn’t it? It is sad that we live in an age when a music editor doesn't look at something like this and say "Finally, something interesting to write about." Instead, this author quite clearly said "I am going to make sure nothing like this ever happens again on my watch. And while I'm at it, I'm going to marginalize and trivialize a longstanding scene-maker. That'll show 'em." Surely the Observer or its parent companies have no quarrel with Wanz, why would they? I know people say, "The Observer...what do you expect anymore?" I have to say that I expect a lot. I expect that a person given the precious ability to be a tastemaker for thousands of kids and, for that matter, adults, will not be a fool. I expect that when a music editor (supposedly) attends three full nights of music, he could AT LEAST toss out a couple of band names. Maybe a description of what kind of music they played.

I hate commenting, because I'm sure you love all this attention, but... Your article did feel a little like, "oh shit, I didn't go to any of the shows, but I have to write about this festival". The damn thing could have been written before it even started. I used to do that in high school all the time. I will say that as a patron, because of a lack of posted schedules, you had to know someone who new what bands were playing when and where. And that was a bit frustrating, but I think that was the only way your "400 friends" criticism made sense. Otherwise, your article was sad. I've never been so disappointed in the Dallas Observer. EJ

I don't think I need to re-hash the same criticisms above, but I do feel the need to Second them, just to let you know that this article angered and alienated another reader. This was a tremendous and varied festival, and I haven't seen it's like in the four years I've lived here. The author sounded like a jealous teenager, and I am sad to see such a pathetic excuse for music criticism in the Observer. Two Thumbs Down for you, BIG UPs to all the artists and owners from MELODICA VIVA DALLAS! -- Ssssssss

Pete, Unfortunately I’m not surprised at the tone of this ersatz review of Melodica given the amount of effort, in my opinion, you took in encouraging me to say negative things about the festival and Wanz. Just because I had a beer buzz, I wasn’t about to say something I don’t believe in or agree with. The shocker for me was when you claimed I’d been “drinking the Wanz-Aid.” I can only assume that it was disconcerting when you discovered I told Wanz about your Wanz-Aid comment. But I look at it this way, you did at least learn one thing about this music community as a whole on Sunday: we may be fractured and fractious, we may not always ‘get’ each other, but we do talk to each other. I’m a not a part of Wanz’s circle of friends, we’ve only recently become acquainted because of Melodica, but I will staunchly defend his choice to be proud of himself. He’s earned it. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to book something of this size, keep all of the venues and bands organized and informed, handle the advertising and promotion, coddle the bands that need coddling, put out all the fires that will inevitably flare up with an event of this size AND hold down a ‘real’ job? Have you really considered the amount of emotional, personal and financial sacrifice these kinds of events take? It’s often draining and for the most part it’s thankless and wreaks havoc on your personal relationships. Have you ever had to experience the fear and anxiety of meeting guarantees? It’s terrifying to sit back and wonder, “Will I be able to pay my bands, my debts to printers and publications, will I make enough to cover the cost of this extra PA?” So I say if Wanz wants to go rent another PA, mount it on a truck and drive it across all of Dallas while shouting into a microphone through the loudspeakers how proud he is of his accomplishments, then I’ll pay for the whole dammed shebang. He did it, he pulled it off and by God he DID make Dallas a little cooler for three glorious days in February. You know what else he did? He unintentionally did Dada a favor. If day three of Melodica hadn’t been at Dada, many bands would still be under the assumption that Dada doesn’t care about them and many music fans would continue to harbor the notion that we aren’t concerned with bringing in shows that fuel their particular passion for music. Wanz gifted Dada with an opportunity to defy these misconceptions, so by all means, add me to the list of egregious thankers. Pete, you’re nice guy, at least you have been the times you’ve come into Dada and the first time we met you gave me the impression that you really wanted to explore and understand the music scene here. Why was there no mention of the bands. No mention of Mom's beautiful set...no pithy commentary of the outrageousness that was Vorvadoss...no insight into the historical significance of Silver Apples? While I’m all for dissenting opinions, the last thing this community needs is another music writer who takes what seems to be an alarming amount of glee in tearing down the music, promoters, venues, bookers, and/or fans, while simultaneously championing the notion that its perfectly reasonable to use mean-spirited remarks as a stand-in for facts. Where I’m from, a person’s personality, let alone appearance or personal choices, doesn’t negate their accomplishments. That being said, I for one implore you to not abuse the bully pulpit you’ve been assigned to, but rather use it to rally support for the gems you find in Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth and more importantly, use it to give informed, thoughtful and constructive criticism. Respectfully, Amanda Newman Club Dada

As the owner of The Meridian Room for the past eight years, I have watched a blighted, forgotten little corner over Dallas turn into one of the most creative, independent, unpretentious and laid-back areas in all of Dallas. THAT is exactly what this festival was. I have never met Wanz, was not involved in the festival at all (except by default - our business was up 50% that weekend), and didn't go see any music, as I was too busy helping out at our overly-packed (with more than just hipsters) bar. I do know this: this festival was put on by two guys (give John Freeman some props) with NO money, NO corporate sponsorship, and a couple of venues that don't even do music on a regular basis. The area was packed, there were ZERO problems with patrons (at least at our place), and there was a sense of something cool happening down here. Here in Exposition Park the bars, galleries, and restaurants seem to do things with a D.I.Y. mentality that I really haven't seen anywhere else is this city. We're in a piss-poor part of town, we have a parking lot full of craters and tagged dumpsters, and we all are housed in bulidings dating back to the 1900's that crumble when we open our doors. But we like it that way, and it seems like a good chunk of the people that live in the neighborhoods around us do as well. We scratch and bite and fight our way together through zoning problems, SUP hearings, aforementioned crappy buildings, and a local entertainment weekly that does little more than report on all that is going wrong with Deep Ellum & Expo Park. Well, thanks again for supporting us Dallas Observer! I understand that Mr. Freedman is just a young kid who took on a big job in a big city with a very vocal music community, and he is trying to make his mark. And perhaps Mr. Dover's festival won't leave a lasting impression on the community. But the bars and galleries and restaurants will be here in some form or another long after Mr. Freedman moves on, and I imagine our little community will continue to band together with great events and good times. Forget about the music (oh, you already did), focus on the good deed a couple of guys and a few bars did for one little weekend in a small, artsy corner of Dallas. Thanks again, Simon McDonald The Meridian Room P.S. Hope you enjoy that NOFX show from your Critic's Pick section this week, maybe 15-year old generic pop-punk is more your speed...

This article made me hope some Icelandic Metro Paper company buys out the Observer and fires all the bush league writers. The Melodica Festival was entirely positive for Dallas and especially for its electronic music community. One good example is that I played in the festival as part of an electronic music group and several people walked up to us and asked who we were and how to get a hold of our music. We have played Fallout Lounge before and, aside from a few random patrons, very few people turned out except the regulars at our performances. This is much different. It was the sort of thing that unites a city like Dallas and makes people want to participate in it more, knowing their peers are striving for similar goals. This inlcudes the non-electronic acts as well. And as someone who spends time doing performances at venues in Expo Park, I will be the first one to tell you that Denton folks already know what it is and they're there all the time. Mr. Freedman, your article to me, though I am admittedly biased, makes you sound like you're one of two things: A. 50 years old and disgruntled or B. You have some intense grudge against Wanz that distorted your entire perception of this well-meaning and important festival (at least to people who do what I do). Your criticism of Wanz inviting all his friends to play is unfounded and confusing. Of course his friends are going to be people who make electronic music as well. Add in the fact that most of these acts were radically different and of the sorts that have to date been underrepresented in Dallas, combined with the fact that people who hadn't previously been exposed to it were interested and you get something very good for Dallas. Besides, you really think someone like Wanz who you yourself suggest is an elitist would have 400 friends? And can't you see that this is some of the only major press coverage of the festival? With that sort of responsibility, are you really going to write an article that tries to take the floor out from under the whole concept? I understand that journalists must be critical and revealing in their analyses but you're not Upton Sinclair, know what I'm saying? I don't have the time and probably space to write all that was wrong with the article, but at least I'm glad the part of your article praising the festival was longer than the parts both denouncing it as fruitless and justifying your denouncement. I'll at least give you credit for that.

Not to beat the horse any further here, but Dallas needed something like this. We at The Amsterdam Bar saw a lot more than 400 folks as a result of this. A lot of new faces were out and about. The scene was exactly what most anyone would like to see... Good people listening to good music in mass. I don't recall a giant Wanz love-in in our space, but I wasn't looking for one either. I'm sorry your article missed what the point should have been. A review about the music would have been more relevant. I'd like to thank Wanz & John Freeman for putting this to-do together. It was a good time for those who came & enjoyed it. They brought a lot of people out & pulled off a pretty complex event without crime, vandalism, or any other issues. We'd be glad to see it happen again. I for one will take all the Wanz-aid you've got. Twice on Sundays. Mike Scheel The Amsterdam Bar

Hey, folks, fuck bitching about this bullshit...What we should really be doing is getting totally sideways annihilated on some top-shelf Wanz-Aid!

I think all of the comments are hilarious for they are posted by the same group of those who were being confronted. dallas scene is shit. it actually always has been. its called texas, yeehaa. im sure wherever wanz goes he will be a great shift manager at a guitar center but for having mediocre musical talent (anyone can obtain with equip. and practice) he has already shown his real talent is being a great self promoter. not once has he put on anything like this without his band or bands being one of the headliners. as for the show, silver apples was the only artist i saw worth seeing over and over. but hey, i liked them about for 10 years now. nothing new was revealed, it was just a social party that didnt have enough drugs to help the every dfw local show of mediocre-same ol' shit music and blending of chatter seem more all the more tolerable. i really hope one day there will be a good music scene here, not just the same crowd of musicians that have settled for themselves cause they like how they look on stage or in the mirror. texas music is bad. someone kill it. soon.

Here's what Pete would have written about SHQ: "I don't see what's so spesh about a place that can't even bother to put a sign up. While there are some good things to say about a place with a good heart, their lack of comfortable seating, good PA, well lit parking, and their willingness to pack their schedule with unpolished bands from Denton, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin makes me wonder if they really do actually care about reaching out to music fans from Lewisville and Richardson who could really help put them on the map and made them profitable enough to build a bar."

so Thomas why is dallas music scene bad? can u state a more objective case rather than a subjective one? try it.

i find it highly entertaining that a bunch of people who have been sitting around and bashing the observer all this time have come out of the woodwork when one of their pet projects gets talked about, just so that they can raise hell because it's not in agreement with their views. mind you, these are the same people who post hundreds of anonymous comments on other blogs about how much they hate wanz, how this scene is better than that, which bands are "real" and so on and so forth. these are people who won't open their minds to anything that doesn't come from their own little world, and then get all pissed off because someone dares to criticize the world that they've created. pete maybe new to this town, but i've spent most of my life here (and up until recently most of my time out at just about every music venue that's been open in this golden triangle of ours, supporting more bands than most of these people could even name), and i can say that though what he said sounds harsh, it's true. what should be a music scene has eroded into a bunch of little social clubs that try their damnedest to be different from each other in an attempt to be special and unique. the only reason everyone's bitching right now is because someone new dared to point out this obvious fact. face it, it's a bunch of people who will never be happy with anything from an "outsider". if pete had written positive things about melodica, you would all either (a) ignore it, or (b) makes some snarky ass comments about the new guy trying to fit in but won’t last anyway. and for the record, no, i don’t know pete, and yes, i actually happen to like a lot of the bands that played melodica, i just don’t like having to wade through a bunch of holier than thou scenesters to see them.

Thomas, bearing in mind there are things you don't know about, bragging about knowing who the Silver Apples are and not having anything to say about any other acts may end up making you seem a mite foolish. You can't write off that many performers who you didn't see. Low key people in Dallas who make quality music that people in other cities and countries enjoy are not going to take the time to market and promote their shit to people like you. Most performers who barely got a dime (or got no dime) from this just did it for fun and would much rather be playing to a club in Berlin and getting paid than fucking around in a tiny venue just for fun. But it was fun and it was positive and maybe, just maybe, a few people picked up on something that they never knew existed.

jennifer sounds like a holier than scenester, scenester. imho... but yeah, this article had nothing to do about MUSIC, which was what this weekend was about, and what this dude's job is SUPPOSED to be about. People had a good time enjoying music that doesn't normally get corporate attention, so there's GOTTA be some mastermind self-indulgent plan behind that shit huh? psh. not that i read the DO anyway...

Wow. That was the worst review I've ever seen of a music event in any publication. I think the editor of Teen Beat could have done better. Dallas, Ft. Worth, and Denton deserve better than this. My only advice to everyone bashing Pete is...well, stop reading his articles. If we ignore him long enough maybe he will just go away.

Christ! What a bunch of arrogance! These comments can be summed up by, "Oh God, my band didn't specifically get mentioned in the Observer, so I'm going to bitch and moan, because someone was actually honest about us!" The truth is hard when you're not among 100 people who choose to believe that they've reached anyone but themselves with their music. This festival DID NOT represent the Dallas music scene as a whole, but just a single facet of it. A facet that's not really about music at all. Do you guys understand that?! YOUR "SCENE" IS NOT ABOUT MUSIC!!! It represents everything you guys supposedly "hate" about Dallas-- The stuck up, clique driven, trying to dress the part, but not really deliver, all the while making sure only to interact with people that I consider as "different" and "unique" which are really just synonyms for: "looks, acts, talks, and PLAYS music just like me!!!" It's like, if you don't subscribe to weshotjr, or whatever-the-fuck, you're not really "IN" in the scene.... Fuckin' get on stage, play your music, be grateful you got to play it, thank the people that were there to see it, and SHUT THE FUCK UP! All the rest is bullshit!! Music is about inclusion. You are about exclusivity, and self-praising. Join a country club! Stop talking about yourselves, and start playing music. Freedman's article was very negative, and honestly, having read it, it casts a horrible light on the Dallas music scene. But I'd rather him be honest about what he observed going on in your happy little music club, than succomb to the bullshit-one-clique-music scene. Your festival represents this cross section. I commend the fact that someone actually did care enough to have a festival (Wanz) , but it wasn't really for Dallas. It was for you, and your arrogance. And the fact that so many of you complain so fervently about not getting mentioned in this article PROVES this. You guys are the reason Dallas loves tribute bands. You only play with kids just like you. You don't invite the whole playground. Ou can only wallow in your own sophmoric glory for so long.

dear matt, http://420.thrashbarg.net/cat_fail_food.jpg thanks for trying though!

This article showed abysmal ignorance in it's ability to accurately critique MUSIC at the Melodica festival. I am a solitary individual who is not affiliated with any scene. I rarely venture out to see live performances, mostly due to the fact that I don't hear or read about showcases that appeal to my personal tastes. This past weekend was a rare occurrence and a welcomed diversion to my usual weekend routine. I take offense to all of the comments, both in the article and in these posts which make broad generalizations and subjective assessments on what people are like or should like. I found a wide variety of music represented and a general sense of community that I have not seen in Dallas in a long time. I am disappointed that this perspective didn't have a voice in the article. It is equally frustrating and depressing to realize that this article was written by a person who is paid to critique music, not to make political character assassinations. It is truly sad to see Dallas have the opportunity to enjoy a breath of fresh air, only to have some unqualified, uninformed, and biased little bastard come and sucker punch it in the stomach. I really hope his higher-ups are paying attention to the aftermath of this article and some justifiable retribution is applied. In other words, FIRE this kid. He has no business writing about music since it seems obvious he doesn't know how. My 2 cents.

Pete, You make me sad. Please choose a new career and move away.

I can only suggest you do over this rough draft and print a real review of the festival dear sir. I was exposed to so much new music at Melodica and have found some bands I'd be interested in booking at my events. Wanz brought together a diverse lineup of bands and djs for a whole weekend to intermingle and get to know each other and what they do. I thought it was a positive idea and a huge success. The world doesn't need another Lollapalooza of watered down radio acts selling t-shirts if that is what you were looking for that weekend I can see how you'd be disappointed. Big thanks to Wanz if you're reading this for doing something fantastic for Dallas!

Damn, even Jesse Hughey's better than this. At least he wrote that kick ass article about when Kurt Cobain fucked shit up at Trees.

Dear Pete, I am sad for you. I am forty five years old, married with three children, live in Suburbia, go to a Baptist Church, don't drink alcohol, don't smoke marijuana, play the cello, read the National Review, vote mostly Republican, I am over weight, attend the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on a regular basis, etc. With those credentials, do you think anyone would take an experimental music review from me seriously? I would like to believe seeing your credentials would make you more qualified. Thus far, you are not. Maybe you and I should trade places for a day? I have lived in Dallas since 1973. I have been seeing club show forever and a day. I love all the music Dallas has to offer! I love watching any musician work hard and pour themselves out in front of a crowd. I was at Melodica, loved it! I have been reading the Dallas Observer for years and years. I only read it for the music reviews and live music calendar. Unless your editor, or yourself, sincerely offers an extreme apology to all of those you have hurt by your thoughtless words, I won't even look at it again. I mean a sincere apology, five hundred words or less. Not some cheap after thought like I read on February 28, 2008. Good luck with your career in Dallas.

I don't even know where to begin. I could write a novel here but I'll attempt to keep it brief. 1) Wanz - Wow. I will give you credit for what you did but you need to watch your mouth. You are acting as representative of the Dallas music scene as a whole and that kind holier than thou talk is a real turn off. 2) Whoever wrote this article - I get that Wanz's attitude overshadowed the entire festival for you and that is why your piece centered around him. I really get that, okay? But you did a disservice to the local Dallas scene that is FINALLY, SORT OF starting to get cool again. Remember back in the day when Deep Ellum was _the_ place to be and places like Main Bar and Orbit Room were packed to the gills with people? We need that kind of thing. I'm not comparing Expo Park to 1990s Deep Ellum but the vibe is going in the same direction - theres an independent spirit down there. And lets face it - Expo Park may be the only place in the city to get away from the shiny shirt crowd. Next time you attempt to write a piece on music - make it about MUSIC. Not one person's attitude.

pete - go fuck yourself, and get the fuck out of town.

I thought I was gonna read music news, and this guys talking about Wanz self indulgence. Buddy that has NOT been news for over 10 years now. I think news was watching Sonic Boom get a better dose of his own brand of rock delivered by "The Strange Attractors." I felt upgraded!!! "The Great Tyrant" holy creep show Batman, that was OVER the TOP! "Misson Giant," devolutionizing us, "FauX Fox" totally hot, "Dragonman" protrusions into the best DUBSTEP out! I believe he is a local!!! If he was in the UK he be plasterd all over the place, but no he's doing that in Dallas. "The Party" completely unstoppable. I figured I'd just mention a few of my highlights of the weekend. Who ever covered this article obviously appointed himself numbnuts of the year in music. The BEST part was if I got bored I went down the block till I was like "YEAH this is the spot right now!" I got an idea, cover music in Abilene for a month, then go find Wanz pompous ass and say "Thanks MAN, thanks for making Dallas a little cooler." Besides is ego is as capacity and nothing you can say will ever change that. P.S. You suck

To Pete- everyone is giving you so much static, but it seems to me that you were simply voicing the popular opinion in Dallas concerning music that is new and different. Which is why I suggest that Wanz take his pompous self-indulgence and his 400 friends to any number of progressive cities that will welcome them with open arms. If after 15 years of building a music scene that has inspired thousands (albeit mostly ex-Dentonites who probably don't count in the Observer's eyes), Dover still is not able to impress the same editorial staff that send to print phrases like "the Toadies' halcyon days", perhaps he is making the right decision to leave. To my fellow bloggers- I'm a bit surprised at your rage. Freedman's tepid response to Melodica simply proves what we all know: that despite the advent of the internet, the Dallas music "scene" is still deeply invested in its last-to-know identity, drawing inspiration from the most tired influences, insuring that it will never produce anything but the musical equivalent of soggy toilet paper. I know in your heart you wish it was otherwise, but it is not.

as for the comment that everybody knew wanz.....not true. i didn't/don't.

What a bunch of cry babies!! boo-hoo. This was far from a festival. It was a tired attempt to have a giant house party at the bars/clubs expense with your "coolest" friends on and off stage. Sweet!e30e Have fun patting yourself on the back. I should print up some tees with "I made Dallas cool" on the front. Thanks for the laugh! :-) Christy

This is very typical Pete Freedman. He was terrible in Colorado Springs, so it is no surprise that his utter lack of reviewing skills continue in Dallas. It looks as if he gets some sort of burr up his butt and writes from that. He appears incapable of actually listening and observing what is going on around him. Details and accuracy are optional at best for old Pete. Shock and awe seems to be what he is going for, with no plan after his initial attacks. Pete probably tortured puppies when he was a child just for the fun of it. Glad he's not our problem anymore in COS. Sorry Dallas.