It has been almost a month since my inaugural post on our blog and I get the feeling you all are in need of some music news. Ready or not, here it comes.

First up (and time-sensitive) we have the Jazz & Ribs Fest starting tonight right here in Columbus. It will run all weekend. Find out more here.. and if you’re in the Columbus area, I recommend following ‘ExpCols‘ on twitter so you won’t miss things like this in the future!

Next, I will be attending New American Music Union Festival in my hometown of Pittsburgh, August 8-9. Although heavily branded and sponsored by American Eagle (kind of lame, but whatever), the weekend is shaping up to be one to remember. Headlining artists include Bob Dylan, The Raconteurs, The Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley, The Roots, and Spoon (one of my favorite rock bands touring today). They have managed to assemble quite and eclectic and well-rounded lineup partly thanks to curator Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis said this about planning the festival:

“My experience tells me that concerts can be life changing. That is how I approached putting this lineup together. The thrill of seeing Bob Dylan next to The Raconteurs next to Gnarls Barkley next to The Roots is reason for us all to celebrate. Music is still the most inspiring creative force that I know of and this seemed like a prime opportunity to let it shine. Add to this the fact of a generously low ticket price and that it all takes place in the streets of Pittsburgh and we have the most rocking block party of the summer.”

There are also a number of college bands from across the country which will have the opportunity of playing at the same festival as many of the artists that have inspired them. Each one will be judged and the winning band will receive a full-day recording session in LA as well as lots of promotion from AE.

As of right now, all the tickets are sold out (!), but something tells me all of the South Side of Pittsburgh will be rocking regardless of admission. Feel like making a road trip? This might be just the time to do it.

In other music news, Pirate, a band featuring friend of dynamIt Nat Hagey (bass guitar), will be performing at The Basement on August 3. They are opening for We Are Scientists, a very good indie band hailing from England. I know I will be there, and I’m sure the guys of Pirate would like it if you stopped by too. Tickets are $12 and you can get them here.

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Album I’m currently digging: Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket

Dynamit was honored as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2010 & 2011 by Columbus Business First newspaper and Interactive Agency of the Year. Times are even better in 2012 and we’re hiring a Web/Graphic Designer for our aggressively growing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting edge projects for well-known brands in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and highly creative environment. Please email resumes/cover letters and portfolio information (documents or links to online examples) to Gary Moneysmith via gmoney@dynamit.us.

A web/graphic designer on the Dynamit team will:

• Be well versed with Adobe Creative Suite: Strong knowledge of Photoshop, experience with Illustrator and InDesign.
• Have a strong understanding of Usability & Web Trends: Experience with user interface design, knowledge of best practices & examples of this in a portfolio or live site/application design. They will also be up-to-date on web trends and design tactics with examples.
• Have experience in user experience design (UXD) designing application and system interfaces. This experience is crucial for this position.
• Have Basic Programming Knowledge: We’re not looking for a developer here, but the designer should have the ability to design for web with a knowledge of the boundaries and how to design for execution by a programmer.
• Have a Strong Portfolio: We’d like to see much more web work than print.
• Be eager to learn, with a passion for design & the web. The designer should have a strong internal drive for industry knowledge and be committed to furthering the craft.

Experience is important, but personality is key. Our culture is what drives us, and we’re looking to build our team with someone who both fits and contributes to it.

The position is full time at our office in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as well as a fun, high-energy, intellectually-stimulating work environment.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary (compensation will be based on skills and experience)
• Fully paid medical/dental insurance for employees
• Paid parking
• Unlimited vacation time (within reason)
• Office bar + climbing wall — not recommended together

Don’t sit back. If you want to work in a fast paced work environment with great people who love what they do, apply today.

About Dynamit
Dynamit is a digital agency based in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We work with clients and brands on digital initiatives that include strategy, design, user experience and development. We influence communication and commerce. Client work includes Hilton Worldwide, Charley's Grilled Subs, McGraw-Hill, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), E-Z-GO, American Electric Power (AEP), Columbus College of Art & Design and the Ohio State Medical Center (OSUMC) to name but a few.