Music Fest 2011

For the second consecutive year, the University of Toledo organized a free community-wide pep rally to kick off the football season and allow students, faculty and the community to "rock out before the first football game" at Memorial Field.

This year, students hope the festivities and support for the football team will bring in a victory against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats Thursday night.

"Last year it was really awesome to see so many people come out, especially considering that it was the first year, and I hope to see it continue to grow," said Stephanie Gurgol, a senior majoring in paralegal studies.

"I think it's really cool how the university is supporting not only the football team, but the community as well by providing this free event and allowing people from around the city to enjoy it. It's not something you see very often, especially put on by a large public university," said Alyssa Vogt, a senior majoring in communications.

Also making appearances were Head Football Coach Tim Beckman, along with the football team, cheerleaders, the Rocket Marching Band and Rocky.

Also making her debut in midnight blue and gold was Rocksy, UT's newest mascot. Other acts included opener Abigail Stauffer, followed by country crooner Glen Templeton, flutist Alexander Zonjic, and legendary funk band The Ohio Players. Cartel rocked the stage as the final performers.

Following Cartel, there was a fireworks display for those across the area to enjoy.

The Independent Collegian was able to catch an interview with Cartel's lead singer Will Pugh before they played their set.

IC: How were your previous experiences in Toledo? What venues did you play?

WP: We played at Headliners a couple of years ago and it was a blast. It was probably one of the better club shows we've ever played. There was a lot of energy; we were really, really sweaty. We had a lot of fun; we have nothing but good memories from Toledo.

IC: What has been your most memorable experience on tour?

WP: The very first tour we went on, none of us had really been outside of our state before. The first time going to California, which was the first time any of us had ever been, was a spiritual experience. We went through the desert, we were coming in and catching the sunrise on the Pacific; it was the coolest experience. We're in a band, we're playing music, we're on the road and that's the only reason we're here. I would say that experience was pretty consistent with all the different places we've gone like Japan, Australia, the UK, stuff like that and the only reason we're there is because we're in a band. It's always a humbling experience.

IC: When was that ineffable moment, when there are no words to describe how you feel? On stage? In studio? When you first heard one of your songs on the radio?

WP: The first time "Honestly" got on the radio was late 2005. Actually, we were at home practicing getting ready for a tour and they played it on the local radio station. We were all outside with cigars just like ‘Yeaaaah!' That was one of the cooler moments. There's so many, it's kind of hard to quantify them. They're always different every time. The only reason this is happening is because I'm in a band and that's always a cool experience.

IC: Was there ever a moment you were nervous onstage?

WP: Oh yeah. Really, instinct kind of takes over no matter what. I remember we played Bamboozle in the middle of 2007 and there was like 40,000 people there, so it was just a huge parking lot full of people. We got on stage and it was just like ‘Oh my God, it's just so many people!' That was just really nerve-wracking. I don't really remember much of that show, just that I was blank the whole time like ‘Don't screw up, don't screw up, don't screw up.'

IC: The music industry is not easy to succeed in, what steps did you take in the beginning to get the ball rolling?

WP: We always made it about being at a grassroots level with our fans and kind of pushing it through the Internet or websites; that's the most direct connection we've always had, other than playing shows. Being on the road and nurturing your fan base on the internet, not only by giving them content, but by communicating with them- that's the character even until now; it's a constant mantra for us to make that happen. If you're good and you write good songs and you can perform well live and you're fairly likeable amongst your fan base, that's a huge goal to have to make it.

IC: Has YouTube or Myspace changed getting into the industry?

WP: It's made it a lot easier to get your band out there, but it's also necessitated certain creativity in this arena. There are so many bands now that weren't around when we first started. There were a lot of bands doing it, but it wasn't as saturated. The whole industry, the Internet and everything is saturated down to some guy can decide tonight that he's going to write a bunch of songs and in a week and a half he has videos up on Youtube. So, you're competing with everybody and it's like so much stimulus with the media and it's hard for people to go out and do it all and stick out. You've got to find creative ways to always be on the forefront of people's minds. It's a constant task.

IC: How has your music evolved from your first album "Chroma" and what or who were your inspirations for evolution?