During the first week of February, Fairbanks hosted a double feature weekend of music by Anchorage band, Medium Build. Hailing from Southcentral AK, Medium Build ventured up into the interior for a one-weekend, two-show stop. Their performances spanned across the Golden Heart City, starting out their sub-arctic tour with a classic UAF Pub Friday night, to a second appearance in the core of downtown at The Venue, on Saturday.

(above, Health album cover)

Concertgoers were lined up outside of the doors of the Pub by 8pm, standing aimlessly while the bands soundchecked and tested out the full range of the Wood Center fire alarm system. The Friday show opener’s, local Fairbanks band Once and Future, lead by Josh Labuda, kicked off the night around 9pm with high energy bops, a punky contrast to Medium Builds’ fervent tunes.

Patrons filtered in through the glowing, multicolored led-light streaked hallway, quickly queuing behind the bar for pints and pitchers of local brews. The band took the stage and kicked the night off by flaunting their new album, starting the set with “Atom,” the second song on their latest EP, Health.

Medium Build has been playing at the UAF Pub every year since 2017, only missing a 2020 show due to other pressing issues, and has grown from being a solo act by Nick Carpenter, to a tight-knit 5 person ensemble. The band is going on tour this spring, with shows ranging from the edge of Atlanta, GA, all the way back to the west coast, wrapping up the tour in the PNW with performances in Seattle.

(below, adoring fans and iPhone pics at the Pub show)

A quick internet search and music sample reveals that the band creates a sound that falls into the genre of alternative/indie pop, though some digging and spiraling through recent Instagram comments, and past glances at the band’s social media profile points to meta that frog rock might be a better term to capture the groups true essence.

The Friday night performance drew a crowd that raged, figuratively and literally, as the band offered an opportunity for the audience to scream into the void together. I personally wore over-the-ear headphones, which was a harmonious experience as everyone joined in to “Rage.” Medium Build continued on, and people stayed jumping and dancing, 30 minutes past Pub closing hours, before the night ended with thanks and a nod to their next show the following night. One of my favorite moments of the evening was near the end of the performance, when the lead singer shared some insight on their next song, “Be Your Boy,” and said, “This is our pop song. This is the song that gives us money,”

*

The vibe of the Venue show boasted an intimate affair for a close-knit community, complete with hyygelig mood lighting and displays from some of Fairbanks’ favorite local artists. Loyal fans and friends first wandered through FBX Beer before stepping into the Venue showroom, where homegrown Fairbanks band Heart Machine, an Americana type beat, waited to start off the evening.

After a few rhythmic beats, and 1 group polaroid photo later, applause welcomed the headliners to the front of the room for the next part of the show. Nick waltzed onto the stage in a tanned fleece vest and orange-tinged wraparound shades, and asked the crowd, “I’ll give you two guesses of where I got this vest,”

Less than 2 guesses were needed, as an immediate choursed response of “Value Village!” and laughter filled the room before the crew dropped into their second display of the weekend.

(above, a Venue show perspective)

The frogs rocked till just past 1am. Show highlights include the wider range of songs performed, the final encore (2 more songs! 2 more songs!), and that one guy who kept running into people and furiously spinning the disco ball in the middle of the room.

Piece of advice; don’t be that guy.

But do catch Medium Build on tour this spring, from March 23rd-April 8th

Medium Build Website; https://mediumbuildmusic.com/

Buy their music; https://mediumbuild.bandcamp.com/

Is This, Frog Rock?