Video Blog: Conversation with Ben Harper & Closing Thoughts from Amedeo

Jul 05 2009

Vendors surround 80-35’s main stage on Locust and 13th street, some of which are artists.  Jon Palestini is a Des Moines apparel artist who recently launched a Zombie line of clothing including my favorite “ZILF” design.  The only beer to be found in the festival was from Ames Iowa’s Olde Main brewery.  I enjoy their Clone pale ale so I had a couple while walking around today.  Ben Harper spoke with me about an hour before closing down this year’s music festival.  After the fireworks just about everyone cleared out except Amedeo Rossi the man who organized this festival two years in a row.  He was interrupted by work as our interview was wrapping up proving he never stops taking care of the countless details of 80-35.

Beauty of Broken Social Scene before Grand Finale featuring Ben Harper

Jul 04 2009

Broken Social Scene started playing at 7 o’clock and as the sun started to set their ethereal sounds beamed across downtown Des Moines.  It’s the beginning of the grand finale of this year’s 80-35 alternative music festival.  More people are coming through the gate and the bare spots in this area are filling up with hundreds of concert goers. 

The headliner of this festival Ben Harper and Relentless 7 are about to play.  I just met them in the press room while Frank from Capital 106 did a nice interview.  I am about interview Harper with the Des Moines Register’s Joe Lawler.  I appreciate the collaboration between media sources as this fun music festival wraps up.