Total Fest VII Aims to Out-Do Itself

By Alaina Abbott, 7-18-08

	Caption: Click the poster for a larger version

Total Fest VII bands and fans will be flocking in from the Seattle and Portland areas to give this year’s festival in Missoula—August 14-16—a Northwestern flavor and a greater turnout.

“I think this year is going to be our most diverse year,” said Josh Vanek, one of the festival’s organizers, with music ranging from country to punk.

A do-it-yourself independent music festival, Total Fest VII will feature 42 bands over three nights at the Badlander and the Palace.

In addition to the music, the festival will include a record swap on Saturday, August 16, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at Big Dipper Ice Cream.

Highlights, Vanek said, will include Federation X playing their only show of the year and Pierced Arrows coming in from Portland, Oregon.

A three-day, 18-and-older pass costs $35. A two-day pass, all ages, for Friday and Saturday costs $25. More of the festival will be open to fans of all ages than in the past. Tickets are on sale at Ear Candy and Rockin Rudy’s.

The original idea behind Total Fest was to support punk rock, indie rock and folk music. As Vanek says, “Missoula didn’t have an actual indie festival to call their own.”

Learning from Total Fest V, organizers made adjustments and have seen attendance rise over the past three years, which translates to being able to pay bands more. But bands are drawn to the festival by more than the money, Vanek says. Many have connections to Missoula and enjoy the city’s atmosphere. This year, 120 bands applied to play, with only about a third of them selected.

“We definitely do some whittling down,” Vanek said. “They’re all bands that want to play.”

Some of Total Fest VII’s sponsors are actively fundraising for the event, including KGBA, Biga Pizza and Hausfrau. Big Pizza is hosting an all-you-can-eat Total Fest fundraiser, dubbed “Total Feast,” July 20th at 5:00 p.m.

“People might assume it’s just a rock festival,” Vanek said. “I really invite folks to come and enjoy it, regardless of what they think it might be.”

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/totalfest.