1/12/07, 5:45 pm EST

Assignment One Finalist: Ann Marie Trietley on Fredonia, New York

Think you can do better? Prove it, by entering our our contest. Win prizes and get your work published. We’ll announce week two’s assignment Monday, 12:00 p.m. EST.

Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.

by Ann Marie Trietley
Age: 19

Sun-speckled vineyards and produce stands sweeten the air of Fredonia, New York. An hour outside of Buffalo, this college town is bubbling over with local musical talent. As the sun sets, youthful villagers descend upon the town in a cacophony of nighttime rambling. The weekends are always anticipated, since they are filled with a cornucopia of shows and gigs.

The Fredonia music scene is a bastion of experimentation. S.U.N.Y Fredonia college students provide a dynamic blend of local talent. The university is renowned for its music program, and the student talent is vast and dynamic. Bands composed of Fredonia students range from hardcore troubadours Hello, Star Vega to the eccentric prog-rock quintet Gonculator.

Fredonia’s Tarbox Road Studios have become a favorite of The Flaming Lips, who recorded “The Soft Bulletin” here. Wayne Coyne, Flaming Lips’ vocalist/guitarist, was spotted jogging around town in red shorty shorts, and the band was photographed for Maxim magazine in downtown bar B.J’s. Thursday also recorded an album in Fredonia last year. Frontman Geoff Rickley was spotted browsing the florescent aisles of the local Wal-Mart.

Ellicotville Brewing Company and B.J’s are perhaps the two most popular venues in downtown Fredonia. Vera Lena, Besnyo, and Sleeping Kings of Iona, three popular indie bands from Buffalo, maintain a strong fan base in Fredonia. Bands from all over, both signed and unsigned, frequent these local venues for the receptive, open-minded audience.

Every time the sun goes down, music enthusiants meet to absorb with passion the songs of their generation.