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Arts & Entertainment

Independence Indie Fest at Hessian Lion

Celebrate this Independence Day with indie music performed by local bands and acoustic performers.

If you're looking for an alternative to traditional Fourth of July activities like parades and fireworks shows, Hessian Lion is celebrating our nation’s independence with a weekend of live indie music, featuring 10 bands and four acoustic performers. 

Festivities will begin July 1 at 5 p.m. with acoustic performers Dan Prado, Jo Symanski, Joe Mandravelis and Laura Hoffman, as well as two bands, Boxx of Roxx and I Love Diane.

In an effort to solidify Hessian Lion’s status as a home away from home for music aficionados, Kyle Helmstetter, music manager, decided to take advantage of the upcoming three-day weekend to showcase a larger number of bands than usual, since the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Monday this year. 

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Hessian Lion opened last August and since that time, around 100 different bands have played at the low-key venue.

“It’s a good vibe for creativity and music,” Helmstetter told Patch. "It’s a really chill atmosphere. We have a lot of regulars who come in just to hear the different music and sounds that can come out of this place. It’s definitely a music appreciator's bar."

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Indie music is not a genre of music, like soul or pop. Rather, indie music can be influenced by multiple genres of music, which is why it’s often hard for indie musicians to describe their style.

In fact, King Finger, one of the bands playing Sunday evening, recently came out with a demo called, What Kind of Music Do You Play? The band always struggles when it comes to answering this particular question.

Band member Rocky McAllister describes their sound as “loosely structured energy.” The group’s music is instrumental and improvised.

“It’s a little different. We don’t walk in there and play Dave Matthews covers for an hour and a half,” McAllister said. "It’s something new."

Robot IQ, another participating band, plays folk punk music. The eclectic band has a punk drummer, a loud and energetic singer/guitarist and a cello player for the bass.

“We support original music,” Helmstetter said. "Basically we talk to every band that’s trying to make it as [an original act]. Every one in the line-up writes their own music."

Patrons enjoy authentic jams while relaxing on living room furniture amid a playful atmosphere reminiscent of a popular high school kid’s basement. The site offers free pool, video games, a full bar, and traditional pub grub for late night noshing.

Saturday night bands include Mandrake Mechanism, No Aloha, Robot IQ and DJ VITO G.

Sunday night bands include King Finger, Executivitis, Azwan & the Savages, and Alottle.

Hessian Lion's Independence Indie Fest will take place from Friday, July 1 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, July 3. There will be no charge for admission.

Hession Lion is located on 10 E. Main St. in Avon. Parking in the rear of the building. Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, visit the Hessian Lion Facebook page

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