ION INDIE MAGAZINE November 2014, Volume 6 | Page 87

as this is, sometimes you have to be a hard ass in this industry--and rudderless musicians who flap in the breeze will hold you back. Remember, this is the music business, not the music friendship. *** "Music has really been a staple since day one", says CEO of one of Ohio's largest forums for live bands, “The DeBord Annual Halloween Festival”. CLAUDE DEBORD has been throwing an enormous bash every October for nineteen years now. This year's roster appealed to all tastes and included multiple acts performing simultaneously on an area covering seventeen acres. "It's a huge three ring circus--even if we have two bands on either stage and dancers on the other end, we still have music throughout the festival". ION Indie Magazine's kiosk was situated outside “The Barberton Gallery of Fine Arts’” tent, which faced the main City of Akron stage—which was bedecked with lasers and multi-diffuser lights. Being in the center of Hardesty Park, we were able to take in bands from start to finish. HOTT MESS, fronted by 30 year old ADREAN BAKER, opened the festival with recognizable Classic Rock tunes. Baker has original material she has penned: "What We Hide", "Sometimes" and "Make 'Em Dance". When asked where she sees herself in 5 years, Baker responded "Playing on some big ass stage somewhere!" This spunky singer can be seen on YouTube under her Dreamscene account, and you contact her professionally at: [email protected] THE 303 BAND played a riveting set of Classic Rock toward the end of the festival, worthy enough to please any devotee of arena Rock. They can be contacted at: [email protected] Photography by Jen Pezzo