I don’t like to do things on the weekends. Given the luxurious opportunity, you’ll find me surrounded by seven or eight pillows, watching Californication or reading Donald Passman’s All You Need to Know About the Music Business – because I’m desperately insecure about my industry-related skill-set. During this time, I will either be sipping black coffee or red wine and drowning out the rest of existence.

That being said, I make some exceptions. They’re almost always music-related, but they’re exceptions nonetheless. This weekend, I ventured as far away from my queen-sized slice of heaven as the Pomona Fairplex and, I will admit, it was worth the schlep. Mind you, I’ve never been to Pomona, because absolutely nothing seemed worth the hour (plus) drive until Moon Block Party.

This event is a hipster’s paradise. Smoke a fatty real quick and try to imagine the outcome of open, sunlit fairgrounds, carnival games galore, thrifty flea market booths, grilled cheese & ICEE trucks and ice-cold Fireball and Jager on tap. Mmmm…


Britt Daniel (Spoon)

Oh, and I must have forgotten to mention the killer lineup. Highlights included a performance from the headliner Spoon (obviously), who played a top-notch set, drawing from their newest album, They Want My Soul (Loma Vista), with tracks like “Do You,” “Rent I Pay” and “Inside Out,” alongside classics like “The Beast and Dragon, Adored,” “I Summon You,” “The Way We Get By” and “The Underdog.”


Cole Alexander (Black Lips)

As for the rest of the lineup, I adore Band of Skulls; their 2009 full-length, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey(Shangri-La), makes me wet just thinking about it. Listen here if you’re lacking substance. Vice's Black Lipswere also mesmerizing, and I found a new band-crush in Lolipop Records' Corners, who skillfully mush together traces of psych, surf, punk and pop to concoct something I would compare to ear fondue. That’s a compliment, right?


Rick Mabery (Corners)

And make sure you check out Sistrionix, the debut album from Cherrytree/Interscope's Deap Vally. These two chicks, who list their influences as Thelma and Louise, certainly know how to bring it harder than the dudes. Watch the official vid for “Gonna Make My Own Money” here.


Julie Edwards (Deap Vally)

Unfortunately, Vagrant's Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, who had the slot before Spoon’s, cancelled two days before the event. Even more unfortunately, they cancelled because their drummer, Leah Shapiro, has chiari malformations and must undergo brain surgery soon. Godspeed, Leah – you’re a fucking trooper.

Aside from that despondent news, I’d say the one-day festival was a success.

I took it as my cue to leave when I caught a young man projectile vomiting into a trashcan. Surprisingly, that’s one of my usual cues to hit the road. It’s either that, or dealing with a half-naked, sweaty person who’s clearly on some type of psychoactive drug, trying to give me a high-five or hug. FYI, if you’re one of those people, expect hand sanitizer to the face the next time you think I’m okay with your plebeian germs anywhere near me.

xx,
Samantha Hissong