Hype vs. Reality at the Independent Label Fest
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Lastre lacks McFadden’s flair for invective but responded doggedly, noting that reps from many of those labels had indeed been part of the fest’s first year. In response, McFadden brought out the big guns, crafting long lists of the ILF’s perceived failings and trashing Lastre personally. It’s probable that the exchange turned the perceptions of many to disdain toward the fest in general and Lastre in particular. Is Lastre a bozo? Or is he a doer who’s getting far too much smoke from sideline critics?
The festival, which runs next Thursday through Saturday, September 29 through October 1, includes three nights of music in local clubs and two days of panels at Columbia College’s Hokin Annex, 623 S. Wabash. At-the-door registration is $75, or you can buy a pass for just the music for $40. For details call 341-9112.
Hitsville thinks Shea’s point is well taken. Lastre isn’t standing around carping: he’s doing the work to put on a conference. It’s possible a more Machiavellian operator than Lastre would have deflected the war with McFadden, would have insured that someone like Miller–who’s important symbolically, besides having worthwhile information to impart to registrants–would be present somehow. Still, an organizer has only so much time for the bigwigs. If they’re being coy, he sooner or later has to figure he’s wasting his time. After this year’s fest, maybe we’ll get to hear less armchair quarterbacking and more reasoned and constructive criticism from actual participants.
