The 34th Annual Corn Fest starts today and DeKalb will once again host musical guests from all over the country. The Northern Star had a chance to talk with bass player Little Lisa from Chicago’s Dot Dot Dot.

Northern Star: Have you performed in DeKalb before? At Corn Fest in the past?

Little Lisa : Dot Dot Dot is certainly not a stranger to DeKalb, as it hosts one the coolest legendary Illinois music venues, Otto’s. We try to play that venue a couple times a year. The last Corn Fest plays for us were 2007 and 2008, so we are really excited to get back to the festival this year, eat all the corn on the cob and drive at excessive speeds on the airport runways. (laughs) Well, how fast can you go with a van, really?

NS: Corn Fest’s website says, “Corn Fest is one of the last remaining free summer music festivals among Illinois music festivals and summer festivals in Illinois.” As a musician, how important do you think long-standing music festivals like this are to spreading your music and to keeping and increasing your fan base?

LL: It is amazing that a free festival exists. For sure, Corn Fest is one of those endangered species. With these tough economic times, there is nothing better than playing a huge free event that is in such a wonderful community. Our fans travel from all over to see us and not paying for a ticket is an amazing bonus!

NS: Which do you personally prefer playing at? A music festival or a show at a local venue?

LL: Living in the Midwest, I’d have to say playing a festival means it’s summer, and I love summer. So, hurray for summer events! Festivals also mean there is music all day, so I actually get to see other bands that I normally do not get to see, which is a nice treat for me.

NS: Dot Dot Dot’s website mentions the band having “spectacular chemistry.” How do you feel listeners will be able to understand this through your music?

LL: Musically and energetically we really enjoy what we are doing, so there is that unspeakable bond that happens with us as a group as we perform on stage. Hopefully, the audience is ready, willing and able to take a ride along with us for a fun experience that will allow for a temporary escape from their reality.

NS: How many, if any, ears of corn do you plan on eating?

LL: All of them!