Fest 23: Artist Interviews
Interviews / Fest 23 • October 18, 2025
FEST 23 takes place later this month, from Oct. 24-26 in Gainesville, FL. Something like a billion bands are driving, flying, canoeing, and snowshoeing to the festival from across the country -- many of them for the first time and many come back to play nearly every year. Scene Point Blank has traveled to “over half” of them (we’ve lost count -- it's a theme you’ll read in this feature) and each has been a blast, merging a strong and positive community atmosphere with great musical finds and old favorites. This year we reached out to six bands to share their thoughts about The Fest, what they will do in Gainesville this year, and what new projects they might have in store. https://thefestfl.com/ Read the interviews below: Reconciler Celebration Summer Miller Lowlifes Pool Kids Rodeo Boys Partial Traces Reconciler Like many of the bands in this feature, Reconciler are punk veterans who play the festival often, but not quite every year. It's an annual tradition but also -- at least in this writer's opinion -- something of a showcase of what the southeastern US punk scene has to offer. We caught with guitarist/vocalist Joseph Lazzari to talk about regional punk, their latest EP and, of course, FEST 23. Scene Point Blank: What's the first thing you think of when I say the word “Fest"? Joseph Lazzari: Best weekend of the year Scene Point Blank: What was your favorite or most memorable experience at FEST 22? Joseph Lazzari: Its always hangin’ … Read more
Arms Aloft
Interviews • June 23, 2025
Remember Election Day 2024? Maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you've blocked it out. That's fair, but there was one pleasant surprise that day: a new EP from Wisconsin's Arms Aloft. It … Read more
Ilya Arbatman (Rotary Club)
Book store co-ownerInterviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • May 13, 2025
There are a lot of misconceptions about the life of a musician. Most musicians have day jobs – and not just to pay the bills. Jobs provide new challenges, personal … Read more
Chuck Ragan
Fly fishing tour guideInterviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • April 14, 2025
How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their … Read more
Retirement
Bike ShopInterviews / Don't Quit Your Day Job • March 23, 2025
How an artist spends their time by day will influence the creative process at night. In Don’t Quit Your Day Job, Scene Point Blank looks at how musicians split their … Read more
