Sound-Tech Music Fest: Rock, Roll, and Rain

There is a saying in the entertainment industry: "The show must go on." This was the exact philosophy Allan and Cyndi Johnson followed when the heavens unexpectedly began to rain down on their 8th Annual Sound-Tech Studio Music Fest in Moreno Valley. Though the sky wasn't clear, one thing was: a little bad weather was not going to prevent the show from going on. Initially planned to be outdoors, the rain quickly became a safety concern as a result of the electrical equipment, and everything was moved into the studio. The Johnsons, owners of Sound-Tech, remarked that although the performance area took days to set up, it only took a few minutes to tear down. Regardless, the Johnsons and the fest stayed true to the spirit of rock and roll. Located high up in a canyon, Sound-Tech has been a local musical one stop shop for 17 years. Allan Johnson explained his role of, "running a studio, renting out musical instruments, and [giving] musical lessons." The fest is another component of that list. The line-up at this year's festival was partly comprised of students who come to the studio for lessons. Kristian Monroy, the opening act, was one such student and commented about how performing "gives [him] a little of the fame act." Students Adrian Casey and Tom Hackmann, members of the band Slow Leak, also performed. Hackmann stressed how this sort of performance was the culminating point of all of their hard work and practice. He also mentioned that it was a "new experience to have all of the components," referencing the inclusion of drums and a second guitar. The latter half of the line-up consisted of established musicians who record at Sound-Tech: Cloudyreed, Rust-n-Roll, and Band of Brothers. There was talent abound to be showcased and an atmosphere of shared experience and love of music that if anything, was only amplified by the intimate stage the studio became. Performers and audience members of all ages ascended to enjoy the all-encompassing rock experience.