In case you didn’t know, music is kind of a big deal at the SNOB Film Festival.
Yeah, sure, it’s a film festival, but don’t sleep on the music side of things. The festival always gets lots of great acts from New Hampshire and the Northeast in general, and a lot of people really look forward to hearing some good local music between films and beers.
We caught up with Rob Azevedo, of SoundCheck fame, who helps organize the musical aspect of the festival. Rob’s a big player in the New Hampshire music scene – and he’s a filmmaker – so who better to talk to than him?
Azevedo said his only defined role at the festival is that of a filmmaker and film fan, “but because I have a weekly radio show on WNHN called Granite State of Mind that is geared toward live local music, I have pretty good access to many of the artists killing it statewide,” he said. “A couple years back, (SNOB Executive Director) Jay Doherty told me he wanted to integrate music into the festival and put some shows on throughout the weekend. So, he booked the clubs and I lined him up with some great artists. And I think this is our third year doing it this way. I love it.”
Geeze, between spinning vinyl, writing columns and scouting acts, it’s a wonder this guy even has time to make movies. We can barely handle single tasks here at the Insider.
Azevedo has entered films each of the last few years at SNOB. This year’s film is called Defacto Inc.
“Defacto Inc. is the name of the short and it’s about a passionless leg-breaker named Muddy Atkins,” Azevedo said. “He loses interest in the collection game after one particular job goes really, really bad. He quits the game but is convinced by his boss, this loathsome sow named Tank Mancini, to do ‘one more job.’ He agrees to take the gig and, well, as Doc Thompson said, ‘Buy the ticket, take the ride.’ ”
Ah, the classic “one more job” endeavor. Never fall for the “one more job” line!
But this story is about the music, so getting back to that. Azevedo said the acts are always good, and this year will be no exception to that rule.
“Oh, it’s going to be another great year,” he said. “This band from Vermont named Madalia is headlining at True Brew on Friday night. Madalia is no joke. They have a music video showing at SNOB this year and the band will put some shake on you for sure.”
We’re not totally hip to all this musician lingo, but presumably having a shake put on you is a good thing.
“Ross and his Tuna Fish Discrepancies will warm up the crowd as openers and I pray they play Jim Carroll’s ‘People Who Die.’ Good night there.”
And isn’t there some kind of after-party going on? What’s the deal with that, anyway?
“Saturday we turn the heat up at the SNOB after-party downstairs at the Barley House,” Azevedo said. “We have Will Hatch playing and he is a one-man band with grit, passion and soul. Then the Tom Jones of New Hampshire, Mr. Walker Smith, will do his thing. Every time at a Walker show, someone turns to me and says, ‘This guy is unbelievable.’ He sure is.”
Wow. Bet you didn’t think you’d get the chance to catch a performance by the Granite State’s version of Mr. It’s Not Unusual.
But wait, there’s more.
“Then, after the film awards, Diamond Joe is going to close the night with what’s sure to be a raucous night of folk rock,” Azevedo said.
And because the festival aims to reach as many people as possible, the musical genres will be pretty diverse. There’s not much worse than being stuck at a festival that only plays polka music – if you don’t happen to be a polka fan.
There will be “some pop/rock, some smokey folk banjo numbers, some smart thinking, deep heartfelt relationship tunes and some lost in the forest, where’s my wooden pipe, hillbilly rock,” Azevedo said. “There’s a little something for everyone – unless you’re 12 and just want to do ‘The Whip.’ ”
Once again, we’re out of the loop when it comes to “The Whip,” but it sounds like you don’t want to be the one caught doing it.
One reason so many genres will be featured is because so many different types of music play such big roles in movies. There’s not just one kind of music that always dominates soundtracks.
“Music is crucial in film,” Azevedo said. “It’s as much a leading man as any character. It can add flavor to a scene that might not even need to be told in dialogue. My own films are heavily influenced by music. All the music we used in Defacto Inc. comes from artists in New Hampshire. Every note, every lyric.”
That’s some serious dedication to keeping things local. But speaking of local, SNOB is more than just a Concord-only thing. Although the festival takes place here in our city, it is a statewide – even regional – festival.
“I have friends coming down from Lincoln and up from Boston to attend SNOB and the after-party,” Azevedo said. “It’s a nice gathering spot to see some great films made by hard-working film freaks and then air it out with some music and cold beer afterwards.”
“If you like to get after it, it’s a can’t-miss night,” he said.
Well if you know anything about us at the Insider, it’s that we live to get after it. Whatever it is.
Looking ahead to the future of the festival, it only makes sense to look at the future of the music side of things, too.
“I actually think music is going to play an even bigger role in the festival down the road,” Azevedo said. “I know the event is growing every year, and I’ll do whatever is asked. I’m like a dog. Just throw a tennis ball. I’ll chase it.”
For all things music, check out facebook.com/SNOBFilmFestival.