Photo by Brittany Pyle, courtesy of Elsinore (Brittany Pyle)

As in past years, the 2009 Pygmalion Music Festival has kept a watchful eye and open ear to the sounds of the local music scene, placing CU favorites in venue showcases among nationally touring acts. With just under 40 percent of the Pygmalion line-up comprised of bands from right here in CU, buzz discussed specific festival plans with several local favorites.

buzz: What plans do you have for your Pygmalion set? Are you planning anything out of the ordinary?

Golden Quality: Do you remember The Great White concert? That’s all I’ve got to say ...

World’s First Flying Machine: We’re headlining at the Red Herring on Thursday, and we’re really excited about it. We also have pickups on our banjo and mandolin finally, so you can actually hear what we’re playing. It’s a totally revamped and dynamic live show that I think suits the basement venue really well.

New Ruins: We’re pretty excited to have Paul [Chastain] back so we can rock as a five-piece.

My Dear Alan Andrews: I will be playing with a cast of friends from the Urbana Nation, playing some songs off of E T H O S, my debut album, and some new songs off of a new album that will be released sometime in the next two years or so.

Tyson And The Friction: Shazzam, yes we do! We have some new “electric” stage costumes being designed just for this show! We are also giving away a bunch of old Red Hot Valentines t-shirts as prizes for the best dancers. And, as always, our music will hypnotize.

Elsinore: Just like with all of our shows, we plan on playing our asses off. Since this is a big show we plan on rising to the occasion and making it as good a show as we can and hope everyone comes along for the ride.

buzz: Do you plan on checking out any other acts during the festival? If so, which ones and why?

Golden Quality: We might bounce around to see some friends and check out a few acts, but [we have] no special attachment to anyone in particular. There are a lot of great acts and show line-ups, so if we get the chance to see any of them it’ll be a good time.

World’s First Flying Machine: I’m really excited for the comedy at the Red Herring actually. There’s some great comedic talent that’s been incubating in CU. Also, it’s OHTIS’ last show and I’m stoked to get to see them one more time.

My Dear Alan Andrews: I am playing the Red Herring with World’s First Flying Machine. They should have a new album out, so I’m pretty excited to pick it up. William Fitzsimmons’ recordings sound incredible, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he brings to a live audience.

Take Care: I have a sticky open on my Mac with my Pygmalion itinerary. I plan on seeing Starfucker because the name of their band is Starfucker. Also [I plan to see] Maps and Atlases because they’re apeshit.

Tyson And The Friction: Now that the set time has been moved to 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, we are for sure checking out YACHT. I’m also excited about seeing our good friends OHTIS and it’s even better that they are opening for Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s.

Elsinore: Most of us in the band plan on getting to as many shows as we can. Thursday afternoon we will check out our friends Tracey and Tricia. Then, Thursday night is our show (which we are super-jazzed about) at the Canopy Club, and on Friday, Ryan Groff plays at Blues.

buzz: What do you have coming up after the festival? Any big plans you would like readers to know about?

Golden Quality: We’ve got a couple of things we’re working on. One is getting into Boombox Studios in Urbana in late September/early October to finally record our full length.

World’s First Flying Machine: Our debut album, The House You’re Living In, is finally done. It is mixed, it is mastered, and we are happy. We’re working on artwork and all that, and then it’ll be available for your listening pleasure.

New Ruins: We’ve tracked a third record. Hopefully soon we’ll have a couple new songs posted for people to check out.

My Dear Alan Andrews: I will be headlining a show at the Canopy Club on Thursday, Oct. 1 with the Ben Miller Band and Jaik Willis. Ben Miller Band played at my old house last spring, and we had a crew of 15 or so that raged an epic bluegrass jam after their set til the sun rose. [It was] wicked times.

Take Care: We’re playing with the Bled on Oct. 4. Also, we’re going to get back to recording again. Look out for vinyl!

Tyson And The Friction: On Oct. 1, we are playing a show at the Courtyard Cafe. That show should be off the hizzle my jizzle drizzle. Also, we are still doing the “Single of the Month Club” songs in preparation for our full-length album Fantastique Plastique.

Elsinore: After the festival we will be touring out to the East Coast and back for the CMJ Music Festival in October, which we are really excited about.