Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be introducing bands coming to town to play this year’s first-ever MidWest Friends Fest. Taking place on August 31 at The Southgate House Revival, MidWest Friends Fest features 21 local, regional, and national acts on all 3 stages, as well as a local artist and community partner showcase taking place the first half of the day.

Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Nashville’s very own The Dreaded Laramie, power pop/rock outfit ready to tear it up on the Lounge stage at this year’s fest.

First, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for CincyMusic - we really appreciate it!
 Oh my gosh, thank you so much for taking the time to ask!

For those of our readers who might not have been hip to The Dreaded Laramie the last time you came through town, can you introduce yourselves and tell us what you’re all about?
 We’re a band that likes to put our left foot in, left foot out. Doing the Hokey Pokey, that’s what it’s all about.

Actually though— MC and I began playing together as the Dreaded Laramie back in 2016 and have been writing melodically-driven chunky rock tunes ever since, heavily influenced by bands like No Doubt, Weezer, Rozwell Kid and PUP. I like to think of this as the little power pop band that could, chugging around the country playing wherever we can. Despite rumors that rock is dead, we created a project that feels like a love letter to 90s rock written in guitarmonies. We’re also not above leaning into goofy stage banter, self deprecating lyrics, and gimmicks that are so silly they somehow kind of work.

You recently released an incredible LP, Princess Feedback - can you tell us about putting that album together and what the response has been so far?
 Oh, why thank you! We’ve been super super proud of it.

This was our first full-length record, and for that, we tried to create a tightly packed 10-song LP that would have “no skips” on it (a la Blue Album). Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Kickstarter backers, we had the opportunity to record it with Dave Schiffman, our dream producer who has worked with some of our biggest musical heroes. Dave ended up being a mentor, coach, and fellow goofball at heart. We had a ton of fun making it, and I think you can kind of feel that when you listen to the album.

Also the response has been amazing! It’s been really exciting to see which parts of the record resonate with people.

You’ve actually just been out on tour recently with another MidWest Friends Fest band, Pinksqueeze - what was that experience like? Are you excited to get to play with them again in a few weeks?
 Pinksqueeze is out of this world. So tight. So fun. So genuine to the core. They are truly the entire package.

We booked that tour together to help us all get out to the Pacific Northwest for the first time, and it did not disappoint. Beyond inspiring us every night with their stellar set, they also are just on top of everything—all the details, all the logistics; everything you need to make tour-life more sustainable. You can tell they really love what they do, and that kind of energy is infection. To be honest, it’s only been a few weeks since we got back from that run, but we’ve missed them.

Can you tell our readers how you got involved with MidWest Friends Fest, and what you’re most looking forward to?
 We got connected with MidWest Friends through our homies in Teens in Trouble, who we’re about to accompany on tour through the Northeast. There are a lot of bands that we love that are on this lineup, so we’re super excited to get to hang and check out some great music. Old friends, new friends—we’re excited for all of it.

Plus, I actually caught a show at The Southgate Revival House back in 2019, so it’ll be super cool to get to play it now as a performer.

Have you been to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky before? What are you excited about doing or seeing while you’re in the area?
 Sure we have! Some of our best friends actually live in the Cincinnati area, so I think we’re most looking forward to seeing them (and their cats).
 
 MC lived for about five years in Northern Kentucky, so this part of the country already kind of feels like a second home to us.

Is there anything else you would like to add or mention?
 Princess Feedback is out now, please stream it wherever you get your music. Then Shazam it. That last step really goes a long way.

 
Find out more about The Dreaded Laramie on the MidWest Friends Fest website, where you can also stream music from all 21 bands, follow along on social media, and purchase tickets to the event. If Facebook is more your speed, check out the event page and be sure to RSVP to let your friends know you’re ready to have some fun.

Check out the stage lineups and set times below - we’ll see you at the fest!