Total Bummer is a Total Winner (PLAYLIST) May 2, 2012 1 comment	By derek

So there are a lot of music festivals lately – have you noticed? And they’re getting bigger; much bigger. Ten bands in one day used to qualify as a “festival”. Now SXSW has 1000 bands and lasts 6 months (I think). With all these festivals popping up, surely there’s one out there with allure past a few interesting headliners AND doesn’t cost $300. Maybe? No? Bummer.

SEGUE into obvious counterpoint: yes, such a festival exists and it’s called Total Bummer, happening this weekend in Orlando. Unless you’re pretty actively seeking out music, the lineup, which spans 4 days (Thur-Sun) probably looks unfamiliar. Let me promise you that this roster is somewhat of a triumph of promising, under-the-radar artists. Certainly a triumph by Florida standards. While other festivals feel like an exercise in market targeting, Total Bummer looks like a curated collection of artists that have been earning nods from music geeks, Bandcamp scouts, and tumblrerers. It’s a sign that maybe self-publishing music – and, in many cases, sharing it for free – is the new way to connect with listeners, build a fan base, and perhaps even make a living out of creating music without getting pimped around by a label.

Total Bummer’s artists range from dance floor sensations Pictureplane and Teengirl Fantasy to performance art to unapologetically subtle instrumental acts. In between there dozens of Florida’s most promising new(er) acts, including a showcase from Tiny Waves.

Total Bummer 3D: Dance Mix

In total there are 103 bands. And because the majority of the artists aren’t reined by mid-major labels, the price is low. Very low. $30 gives you a weekend pass. Radical!

Here’s the full line-up:

Thursday Unstoppable Death Machines Surfin Serf Filthy Savages Basements of Florida The Great Deceivers Ex Breathers Plains Alias Punch Sloppy Kisses Khann Trails Thee Holy Ghosts USA Holes

Friday Pictureplane Teengirl Fantasy Michael Parallax Michael Collins Yip Yip The Back Pockets Guy Harvey The Dewars Sumsun Wowser Bowser The Pauses Messy Sparkles Bayatas Thee Wilt Chamberlain Roadkill Ghost Choir Spindrift Cats in the Basement Wet Nurse Acoqui Attached Hands Fortune Howl Lung of Flowers Dolphyn Rydyrs Ice Jet Fine Peduncle A.T.T.I.C. Birdfeeder Meth Dad Boat Party Billy Strangers Family Band

Saturday Reptar Junk Culture Hundred Waters Levek COOLRUNNINGS Yung Life Telethon Oh Fortuna Saskatchewan Catamaran Hear Hums Mutual Benefit Maximino Alligator Indian Blastoids Ghost Fields Woset Bubbly Mommy Gun 2ppm Young Adult Permanent Naps Coral Legs Orchard Thief Little Spoon Kodak to Graph Great Beer Cuddle Formation MSNRA Jovian Junction Orchestra Godboat Days of Beyond Thunder Henry Krinkle Mini Prophets JSHIH Bwedge Jazz Prison Vir Ironing

Sunday Tiny Waves Showcase Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt Dark Seas of Awareness Aircraft Alien House The Band in Heaven Fruit Flesh Southern Nights Moonlasso Wood Thrush Roamer X Portals Showcase Walsh Persona La Ave Kohwi Million Young Ming Ming Dream Peter XXYYXX Sad Souls Day Joy fthrsn Emily Reo

Obvious conclusion: I genuinely recommend making it out to this. Support Florida bands and self-supported musicians/artists*

*that are inventive and talented. don’t support the other ones, someone needs to wait all these tables