Sleepy Vikings are one of 120 bands playing the STPP Festival. Photo by Kelley Jackson
In recent years, there has been negativity in the Washington, DC music scene. Perhaps this can be attributed to the rampant stupidity of over-privileged, leather-faced housewives on our television sets, the popularity of brooding, pretty-boy frontmen in modern “alternative” music and constant Capitol Hill drama. With this much negative energy running through our brains, it’s hard to imagine wanting to support anything other than an all-beer diet. Fortunately, one “Mann” has the vision, drive and ambition to interrupt our hardships and unite the DC/Metro area with local music for one weekend. DC meet Dave Mann.
Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie (STPP) was founded by local musician, artist and music enthusiast Dave Mann, to “give a little rhythm and animation to the awkwardly large mass of music available today.” STPP is “a site devoted to the review of bands big and small, from the hidden gem, fine dining acts you’ve never heard of, to the tried and true, comfort food groups that you grew up on. STPP brings you buxom falls, anemic springs and a few things in between. STPP is based in Washington, DC, but writers for the site reside all over the US and cover all things tasty.” After a successful following on the blog front, Mann set his sights much higher.
On June 4, 2011, Mann launched the first ever STPP Music Festival. Over 125 bands from DC, PA, NYC, VA, MD and beyond descended on the U Street corridor for two plus days and nights. Shows were held at six local Ethiopian restaurants/music venues, including Bella Cafe & Restaurant, Almaz and 1920. With a full-time job and a very busy night life, Mann single-handedly planned, arranged and booked the entire festival, relying on volunteers and other artists/bands to stage manage their venues and run sound for each other.
When the last guitar had been strummed and the weekend drew to a close, Mann sent this email out to all the musicians that performed, some just a few short minutes before: “Well, the first STPP music festival is now officially over, BUT lets keep the buzz going because the next one is happening in October…” And Dave being a Mann of his word, (enough with the Mann puns?) that’s exactly what’s happening!
On Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:30am, STPP Music Festival (Fall Edition) will kick off. The fall lineup features local artists such as Sam Cooper & the Sleepwalkers, Ugly Purple Sweater, The Jet Age, Nunchucks, Jacob Gemmell, Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band, and many, many, many more! The festival runs all weekend long at several venues along U Street. For a complete list of venues and the bands performing, along with more information on this festival and other musical happenings around town, please check out the Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie Blog at http://www.sweetteapumpkinpie.com/ and www.facebook.com/sweetteapumpkinpie.
OCTOBER 2011 ISSUE
