Over the next few 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.
OK Cool is a charming union of glistening math rock and fuzzed-out dream pop that the two Chicago shredders have been working on since their inception in 2020. Get to know more about OK Cool before MidWest Friends Fest!
For those of our readers who might not have been hip to OK Cool, can you introduce yourselves and tell us what you’re all about?
Hey readers! We are a duo from Chicago and have been making indie/emo/whatever music since 2020. We're pretty goofy people who tend to write depressing music. It balances itself out.
Tell us more about your record label, Take a Hike Records. What prompted you to create your label? What do you look for when adding artists?
We started the "label" in the pandemic when we were bored out of our minds. We don't really have a great word for it. Right now we use our site to sell our merch as well as our friends' merch - basically anyone who doesn't want to handle the shipping and inventory legwork themselves. It's a pretty loose thing that helps us make money on the side and save up for recording.
Can you tell our readers how you got involved with MidWest Friends Fest, and what you’re most looking forward to?
We've known Ben from Scarlet Street for a while now and have played alongside them in the past, and I've really liked everything they're doing, so it didn't take much for me to be convinced that they're putting something really cool together. I've been to Southgate House Revival before and really loved the space! I'm most looking forward to meeting some folks that I've been following online for a while, as well as having Cincy chili again.
Is there anything else you would like to add or mention?
We go on at 5:45pm, don't miss it!!
Find out more about OK Cool 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!