Thu 10/20-Sat 10/22
Local music is alive and well, thanks to Love Muffin Records founder and local concert promoter Adam Rich, who for the better part of the last decade has staged concerts showcasing Northeast Ohio’s talent.
The 9th annual LoveMuffinPalooza also acts as a fundraiser for the Gathering Place, which is a local support center providing free programs for those touched with cancer.
LoveMuffinPalooza’s 2016 schedule is: Cary & Chris the Dissidents, Marina Strah, June Sladek, Theresa Rose and City Limits, Thu 10/20 @ 7:30pm at the Bottlehouse Brewing Co.; XLT 1000, Dave Smeltz, Jah Messengers and Outlaws I & I, Fri 10/21 @ 9pm at the Euclid Tavern; and Flowers In Flames, Brave Bones and Ottawa, Sat 10/22 @ 10pm at the Happy Dog.
CoolCleveland talked to Rich about LoveMuffinPalooza.
First off, what led you to create the music festival and fundraiser?
I started LoveMuffinPalooza out of my love for the old Undercurrents music festival that was a yearly event in the ’80s and ’90s. It was always in May, and it was three days of lectures, discussion panels and a trade show along with three evenings of bands all over town. When Undercurrents stopped, I was disappointed. I didn’t start putting on concerts until 2007, so in 2008 I wanted to do my own version of Undercurrents — at least the live music part of it. Hence, LoveMuffinPalooza was created.
How has the music festival changed over the years?
It started as a two-evening concert at the same venue. In 2010, I added a raffle to get the bands more money. These were items I would purchase at music stores. Then in 2011, I thought if I made the raffle benefit a charity, it would help people, as well as get more exposure and prizes donated instead of me buying them. I chose the Animal Protective League because a band member’s wife worked there. In 2012, the charity became the Gathering Place.
What type of attendance does LoveMuffinPalooza enjoy?
In the early years, attendance was not that great. Some nights were good. Some nights a handful of people came. Bands I thought would draw did not draw. I’ve experimented with different venues over the years. In 2012, I got the Barking Spider for the first night, and those were always good shows. Last year I got into the Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern under the new management, and it went great. This year I’m back at the Euc as well as the original Happy Dog. With the Spider closing this year, I chose the Bottlehouse Brewing Co. on Lee Road as its replacement.
What is Love Muffin Records?
Love Muffin Records is a label I started in 1994 to release my own music in college. It comes from a nickname I got on my high school soccer team. Record labels have weird names, so this seemed perfect. I have released six albums and a DVD. I have also co-released albums by other local bands, some of which no longer exist.
Finally, what’s new with your music?
I released my last album Streetlight Smile in 2014. I play drums, bass and guitar, but am terrible at singing. So I get a lot of different guest singers, as well as some other musicians to guest on other instruments. My next album, “Sunshine & Puppies,” is set for a January 2017 release.
[Written by John Benson]
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
Cleveland, OH 44102