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xp_communicationMINNEAPOLIS - The organizer of what was originally intended as a small fundraising effort for UM's chapter of HeliX credits the power of social media and a domino effect caused by several popular bands for how Joyful NoiXe took off overnight.
Benni Strong, a music performance major at UM, says that she got the idea from a late night discussion after a meeting of the campus' chapter of the mutant rights organization. "I'm really interested in the business end of things," the visible mutant - her power allows her to alter her skin's pigment at will, creating vivid and ever-changing 'tattoos' - said in an interview. "And some of us know people in bands, or are in bands ourselves, so.we figured we could make it work."
"We never imagined it could get -this- big."
The 'star power' of two major acts has helped to fuel the growth of the festival, which has gone from a local 'Battle of the Bands' feel to something more like a mutant Woodstock. Cats Laughing announced a reunion show at the festival, and Strong Guy, a band under Alison Blaire's Little Green Man label, has also said they will be playing. "When Cats Laughing said they were interested, it was like, ohmygosh," Strong says. "I mean, a bunch of us grew up with their stuff. But when Guido Carosella called...we had no idea how we could fit all of this in one venue."
The concert series has expanded to a second venue, and a second night of performances at First Ave and the Harriet Island Pavilion. The concerts run on August 25th and 26th, and will run for most of both days. All proceeds go to benefit HeliX.
"My hope is that with this kind of turnout, we can help fund chapters at other universities," Strong says, her enthusiasm evident in the way she talks. "That'd be pretty cool, y'know? Help educate people, advocate for those who need it."
Benni Strong, a music performance major at UM, says that she got the idea from a late night discussion after a meeting of the campus' chapter of the mutant rights organization. "I'm really interested in the business end of things," the visible mutant - her power allows her to alter her skin's pigment at will, creating vivid and ever-changing 'tattoos' - said in an interview. "And some of us know people in bands, or are in bands ourselves, so.we figured we could make it work."
"We never imagined it could get -this- big."
The 'star power' of two major acts has helped to fuel the growth of the festival, which has gone from a local 'Battle of the Bands' feel to something more like a mutant Woodstock. Cats Laughing announced a reunion show at the festival, and Strong Guy, a band under Alison Blaire's Little Green Man label, has also said they will be playing. "When Cats Laughing said they were interested, it was like, ohmygosh," Strong says. "I mean, a bunch of us grew up with their stuff. But when Guido Carosella called...we had no idea how we could fit all of this in one venue."
The concert series has expanded to a second venue, and a second night of performances at First Ave and the Harriet Island Pavilion. The concerts run on August 25th and 26th, and will run for most of both days. All proceeds go to benefit HeliX.
"My hope is that with this kind of turnout, we can help fund chapters at other universities," Strong says, her enthusiasm evident in the way she talks. "That'd be pretty cool, y'know? Help educate people, advocate for those who need it."
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