Omega Dog is one of 15 bands slated to play the Lot Dog Music Festival in the East Village on Saturday, Aug. 27, along with Particle and Tea Leaf Green.

By Michael Swanger
scenescribe@mchsi.com

Three years ago, 29-year-old musician and graphic designer Steve Pellow left his native San Francisco to move to Des Moines to tend to his ailing mother with the intention of staying a few months. Three years later, he remains here by his mother's side, but along the way he has since formed a popular local jam band, Omega Dog; met a girl; established a network of like-minded musicians; and created a production company that will launch a new music festival in Des Moines this weekend.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Pellow's Omega Dog Productions will host the first annual Lot Dog Music Festival from noon to 11 p.m. at his Northland Studios, 621 E. Des Moines St., in the East Village. The outdoor/indoor event includes performances by 15 national and local jam bands like Particle, Tea Leaf Green and Floodplane on three stages, as well as a live art show, food and an after-party at People's Court.

"Me and the drummer got an itch to start a festival, then everybody grabbed onto the idea, and it took off," said Pellow, who credits the assistance of a small core group of people for helping him to organize the event. "At first, we thought it might attract a couple hundred people, but now we're looking at as many as 1,500 people."

Lot Dog, which Pellow says will cost about $48,000 to produce, is just one result of his boundless entrepreneurial spirit and energy. While touring with his band, Omega Dog, he has met and aided several musicians within the friendly jam band scene throughout the Midwest, helping them to secure gigs in Iowa for a nominal fee. Along the way, he has also formed a production company to promote local groups like Floodplane, Mr. Baber's Neighbors and The Workshy.

"Our goal is to bring more attention to the Des Moines music scene. There are a number of talented local bands that people need to know about, and we want to bring in some big name national acts to perform," he said. "We're trying to lift everyone up in the scene."

Beyond booking bands, Pellow wants to help develop them. From designing their websites and arranging promotional materials, to building a recording studio and launching an independent record label, Pellow has big plans. Meanwhile, he's searching for a building in Des Moines big enough to accommodate his vision.

"Right now, we're looking at buying a building where we can house everything and make sure that business-wise everything is taken care of," he said. "We want to give bands resources to help themselves."

Along the way, Pellow plans to give back to the community.

"Right off the top, we're donating $5,000 to VSA from proceeds from Lot Dog," he said. "Our production company is also going to donate money to benefit no-kill animal shelters."

Later this fall, Pellow adds, he hopes to bring the popular jam band Rusted Root to town for a concert. Next year, he hopes to expand the Lot Dog Music festival into a two-day camping music event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

"We're going to stay here and continue to grow," he said. CV

Lot Dog Music Festival

When: Saturday, Aug. 27, noon - 11 p.m.

Where: Northland Studios, 621 E. Des Moines St.

Parking: Free

Tickets: $30 general admission, $50 VIP at Tilky.com

Website: http://www.lotdogmusicfestival.com

Lineup

ODP Stage: The Sheet (12:45 p.m.), Shoeless Revolution (3 p.m.), Stoney Holiday (5 p.m.), The Workshy (6:30 p.m.). Omega Dog (8 p.m.), Tea Leaf Green (9:30 p.m.), Particle (11:10 p.m.)

MoRub Stage: Blue Martin Tribe (noon), Heatbox (1:30 p.m.), Truth Be Told (4:15 p.m.), Mr. Baber's Neighbors (5:45 p.m.), Mooseknuckle (7:15 p.m.)

VSA Stage (free): Still Shine Railroad (2 p.m.), Geoffrey Stafford (4 p.m.), Floodplane (6 p.m.)

After-party: On the Run performs at People's Court. Free to VIPs, $5 for ticket holders, $10 public.