NYS Music 20​12

Author: Sophia Strange

  • Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2012 Preview

    When you think of summer and music festivals for pure enjoyment, there is no festival better than the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in 2012. This is not just idle praise, The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival was voted with the 2009 IBMA Award for best festival, a category they have been a finalist for on five separate occasions.   In my mind with the organization and the lineup set for 2012 there is no better small music festival in this country.  The festival runs July 19th through the 22nd on the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, deemed a “who’s who” of the music scene.  In fact I do not see another similar festival anywhere this summer that can match this line-up in terms of super stars and the diversity in the larger world of bluegrass.

    The festival is set on a high country Catskill New York region farm.  Located in such a stunning location, the physical beauty of the farm gets transformed by the tent and camp city that springs up every year.  All festivals have a vibe, at Grey Fox the vibe is outwardly friendly, I believe you will find a sense throughout the weekend, that you are just where you ought to be- good music and good people all connected to the earth.

    What makes the festival work is the organization.  Grey Fox is produced by Mary Tyler Doub along with her able assistant, Mary Burdette and a crew who are self-less in their commitment to make the Grey Fox a good time for everyone.  The layout is easy with tenting spots nicely marked off around “streets” named after the greats of the bluegrass world.  The entrance into the festival is always a snap. Once there everything is easily accessible, need ice? Well the ice truck calling out “iiiiiiccceeeeeee” is right around the corner. If it rains hay bales will appear in an instant (not a drop fell in 2011).  Best of all is that this is a participatory festival, the festival encourages folks to bring along an instrument, take a class or just meet folks and pick together.  The headliners join right in, there will not be a performer that will not meet and greet and talk to folks to share the common love of fine music. In most festivals when the professional music stops the night would be over, not at Grey Fox, now the party begins and everyone heads down to the campground and gets out an instrument and finds group to sit and play with.  The atmosphere invites you, no matter what your skill level to sit down with strangers and play and guess what, you ain’t strangers by morning.

    In terms of the professional music, one of the great things about the festival is the multiple stages.  The dance tent is always humming, the main stage perfectly set, but perhaps the gem is the Master tent, where the biggest names come and sit and talk and joke and play in a very up close and relaxed manner.  All this and we have not even talked about the performers, and this year every day is loaded with the best in bluegrass.

    As always the festival is hosted by the Dry Branch Fire Squad and they will open the festivities with their special blend of humor and straight ahead bluegrass.  It is hard to say who I am most excited to see because there are so many people to talk about.  That said, that Jessie McReynolds is coming with his friends to play the music of the Grateful Dead is at the top of my list.  If you don’t have the disc they put out last year, you are missing something, as the master of the mandolin does really understand the music.  Running a close second is Hot Rize, who have gathered together to play only a few dates, Tim O’Brien is just one of those people who have taken the music, kept the tradition but pushed it out to keep it fresh.  Since we are talking mandolin, there is this fellow David Grisman who will be here, yea he can play.  Then there is otherworldly player, Chris Thile who will play with both the Punch Brothers and with fellow nut Michael Daves (how they did not win the Emmy this year I don’t know). Punch Brothers banjo picker Noam Pikelny will also be doing double duty.  The annual tradition of the Del McCoury Band will again grace us; a more talented group there just is not.  As mentioned before, Grey Fox has wise ears, so David Bromberg is back this year; a friend to bluegrass is how he put it a couple years back.  My sweetheart, the Claire Lynch Band is back again, thankfully.  Two of the top mainstays of current bluegrass; the Infamous Stringdusters and the Lonesome River band will excite us.  New York will be represented by the Gibson Brothers keeping the long, brothers in bluegrass tradition, very much alive and we will be treated to the banjo wizardry of Tony Trischka and Territory.  There are also a host of names that may not be as well known but are exceptional musicians, the Dixie Bee Liners or the hip old time musician Frank Fairfield come to the front of my mind.  I am also a huge fan of fiddler Darol Anger and he brings his Old-Tyme Kozmik Trio.  Again this is just the short list, tons more.  The point is that the Grey Fox is the place to be, a better time you will never have.

    http://www.greyfoxbluegrass.com

  • Music Lovers Paradise – the 22nd annual Grassroots Festival returns to Trumansburg

    The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance started over 20 years ago as a concert to benefit local AIDS support organization AIDSwork at the State Theater in Ithaca NY. Featured artists were Donna the Buffalo and pals The Horse Flies, and Neon Baptist.

    Encouraged by the success of that night, members of Donna the Buffalo conspired to create a festival that would continue to raise money for the fight against AIDS and other worthy causes, provide regional and national exposure for excellent local musicians, and expose the local and regional music lovers to excellent national and international artists.

    The idea proved a success, and with the help of zillions of volunteers, and the generous support of many friends in the musical community, GrassRoots came into being as an annual event. In the intervening decade(s), GrassRoots has grown from humble beginnings to become a nationally recognized event, unique in its focus on traditional and contemporary roots music, and one of the few self-sustaining non-profit arts organizations in the state.

    The festival is presented over a four day period (Thursday-Sunday) on four stages which run ridiculously long hours to accommodate the 60 some bands that play the festival. The band selection reflects the eclectic tastes of our ‘amorphous committee’, a difficult to nail down group of musicians and artists who lean toward roots related & world music.

    GrassRoots doesn’t hesitate to bring you great music you’ve never heard of before. Every year wonderful new bands are discovered and presented along with many old and true friends. Check out the list of previous years artists for a general idea of what’s in store for the future.

    The 22nd annual GrassRoots Festival is held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in Trumansburg New York, located about 10 miles north of Ithaca NY on Rt..96 on the west side of Cayuga Lake in the very scenic Finger Lakes region of central New York. It’s all about having a grand time, generating a feeling of community, and giving something back to enhance our town, our society, and our world.

    Grassroots Website

    Printable Schedule

  • The Wood Brothers at The Tralf Music Hall

    The Wood Brothers made a greatly appreciated stop in Buffalo on the 24th of June in support of their first ever live release, Sky High, a title that seemed to describe the mood of the crowd on this perfect summer night at the Tralf Music Hall.

    Few were prepared for the beautiful Sunday mass-style healing we were about to experience.  The Wood brothers, Chris on upright bass and Oliver on guitar, joined the stage with their unique drummer Jano Rix, and opened with the stylish and soulful cover of ‘Up Above My Head’, immediately showcasing their perfect 3-part harmonies and the amazing acoustics that the Tralf has to offer.  Their one long set of songs old and new, ranged from folk-type ballad ‘Lovin Arms’ (which was dedicated to their mother) to songs more gritty and blues driven like ‘Where My Baby Might Be’.  It really made you wonder how they are pulling off so many genres of music with such style and accuracy.

    The Wood brothers really took us back in time to a simpler place as they gathered around a mic in the front of the stage with Rix on ‘shuitar’, a beat up acoustic guitar with lots of gadgets that he played like a cajun. They played a few songs of this style like an old bluegrass group and the crowd that was mostly seated was now dancing like crazy.  Chris Wood transitioned from the fingered jazz bass style to a classically bowed interlude during a beautiful solo that then opened the doors for a vivacious version of a Wood Brothers classic, ‘Liza Jane’.  This portion of the show was some of the most soulful music this reviewer has ever seen performed.  Things got a little more funky and free with songs like ‘One More Day’ and ‘Honey Jar’. It was here that Jano Rix proved himself to be the best possible addition to this amazing duo.  His style of drumming is raw, but relaxed and it really compliments the more classic style of playing of the brothers.

    The Wood Brothers took the stage once again for an encore, ‘Luckiest Man’, a song that really shows the world that the Woods are all about great songwriting.  The guys really got the crowd going once more with ‘Shoofly Pie’ from their latest album, Smoke Ring Halo,  again showing off their incredible harmonies and Oliver’s southern roots.

    The band lingered happily after the show signing merchandise and chatting with fans until the venue was empty.  In fact, at the very end there was about 6 fans sitting with Oliver chatting around a round table who looked like they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.  These are really great guys, truly amazing musicians with so much soul and talent that put on a show you can’t get anywhere else.  Do not miss an opportunity to see them. Bands like this don’t come around too often.  They will be performing at this year’s moe.down in Turin, NY at the end of August as well as other festivals around the country.

    Visit www.thewoodbros.com to pick up a copy of their new live release, see complete tour dates, and more.

  • Mountain Jam 8 Festival Review

    Writing two weeks out and I feel like I am still recovering from a huge Mountain Jam 8 musical onslaught. There is so much to say but first I just have to say that again the folks at Radio Woodstock throw one heel of a well run party. Warren Haynes deservedly gets a ton of credit but the behind scene work to make this festival so easy and enjoyable is what keeps me coming back.

    As he has for the past couple years, Moose drove in from Detroit and picked me up, blasted tunes through some beautiful New York farmland and before you know it, we were in good old Hunter, NY. Again no lines getting in, MJ is just so hassle free. With much appreciation to top photographer, Rakes, we got hooked up in a ski lodge and were with a full house rockin’ crew. There are many ways to do Mountain Jam, good camping scene, some stay in the lodge ($), some in town, each way works, our place came with a foosball table which at 3 in the morning featured some serious competition. Anyway, the festival was led off by a teenage rock band- Going Dark who delivered a great set- Funny as the festival would close with a still young but not teenage Stevie Winwood closing. And that is Mountain Jam, so much musical diversity, like the mountain weather, if it isn’t working for you wait five minutes something else will come along. The musical highlight Thursday for our crew had to be the Brooklyn based funk outfit, Turkuaz. Basically if you want to dance and just have fun, these guys bring an army of fun. Later that night the heavy sound of Planet of the Abts and the groove and funk of Karl Denson had wet the appetite for a long weekend.

    Friday made it down to hear the sacred steel of the Lee Boys. Coming out of a Florida church, this family band brings some inspired gospel driven rock. They proved to be one of my festival favorites, with the big one on drums destroying the place and the Dr. on the pedal steel constantly take us higher. The Sheepdogs out of Canada bring a mix of the Stones and the New Riders and easily lived up to the hype as one of the top up and coming rock outfits. Speaking of living up to the hype, Andres Osborne did a particularly fine version of Dylan’s Masterpiece. The late afternoon featured another of my personal festival favorites; the Travelin’ McCourys with Keller Williams. Even without brother Rob on the banjo, Ronnie on mando and Jason Carter on the fiddle are as good as it gets on their respective instruments and Keller, is well a nut. They are supercharged and can play anything, from a tip of the hat to recently departed Doc Watson (Tennessee Stud) to current pop hit by Foster the People (pumped up kicks), got some good dancing in with brother Rick. As mountain jam does, quick change into the blues powered rock of Gary Clark Jr. and then onto the Roots. The Roots are show stoppers, billed as hip hops hardest working band, they are propelled by drummer ?uestlove , but it is the horn section who run laps around the band that just kills me, especially the tuba player, gotta be seen, plus their cover of Curtis Mayfield’s people get read y was a musical highlight. Ok night number one of the Mule, what is left to say? They are the last man standing is the world of rock, there is no excuses they are going to bring it for hours. The only real question is could they out due last year? Friday night they came close, Saturday, well yea they did. Friday’s three plus hours featured a huge version of mule, plus great covers of the Who’s love ain’t for keeping, Dylan’s I shall be released and the Dead’s The other one. Big thanks to Butchie for guiding me back home, and also to Nancy and Jason for coming to get me for late night/early morning fun. Somehow Stern and I are in the burlesque tent (dancers long gone) listening to rockabilly at 3am, I don’t know.

    Saturday. Here is my advice; make friends with a professional chef who likes to party and is willing to cook up breakfast for the masses, it is a good way to start a morning after. Went for a hike way up the mountain with Kevin and Pete and dug the tunes of Zack Deputy and the forest. Came down the mountain and caught the old school of Charles Bradley, gotta give best outfit to his leather jumpsuit as well as his seasoned vocal chops. The now for something completely different award went to Mariachi El Bronx, a L.A. based rock mariachi band- which either you loved or didn’t (I caught a nap in a hammock). Back up for the Word, so happy to see them again, a true supergroup. The set a groove and mine it until the whole mountain is dancing, which is just what Holz and I did. Early evening enjoyed a fine cocktail party while digging the return to the music performing world of the piano and songwriting brilliance of Ben Folds Five. Then the Mule. First set killed and concluded with a bit of Brit music: She came in through the bathroom window/Bitch. The second set was one of those moments that we all live to say we were at, their tribute to Levon Helm. With tons of guest including his band, download the set, youtube it, just get it. Most time musicians’ play for us, this set they were clearly playing for themselves, they were just happy to share. Emotional and yet tight, versions of Night they drove old Dixie down, Cripple Creek, It makes no difference and the Shape I’m in, were flawless. “Out of nine lives, I’ve spent seven, how in the world am I gonna get to heaven?” Knowing the set closer and having heard it, sung it, played it a million times, still does not prepare for the version of The Weight they laid on us. All this and they played a whole third set as long as any acts set. Late night was great, Nigel Hall Band, Lotus both were great.

    Sunday, my head hurts and guess what the strongest day of music awaits. Had to miss some good music as I was slow and the mountain weather not conducive. But by the time Trombone Shorty got on, his high energy beat back the rain and Geoff got me to dance. Next up came another of my favorite sets, I had been dying to see the Carolina Chocolate Drops and they proved to be even better live than on disc. Playing the Black Southern Root music, their show-personship and musical talent puts them in a class by themselves be it on their own material (country girl) or covers (Johnny Cash’s Jackson) this music makes you feel good. Speaking of feeling good, Tedeschi Trucks followed and as they did two years ago, blew up the mountain. As large as a band can be they do not get in each other’s way Susan Tedeschi’s voice is unmatched and Derek Trucks unique guitar style will get anyone rollin’ and tumblin’. Dawes had the tough job of following but did well to keep the crowd with their Americana rock. Then it was time to make some noise, back for the 7th year Michael Franti and Spearhead. He even made the sun come out. You known he is going go into the crowd, the flower guy will do his thing, Franti will get the kids on the stage, the whole beach ball thing, but man is it just beautiful. Great version of ganja babe. Warren came out and tried to sneak some Beatles by Franti and he just grabbed it and ran with it. Dead tired, Spearhead will get anyone dancing. The festival closer was music legend Steve Winwood and his voice remains. A strong set of finely crafted music covering his whole career, the Blind Faith tune Can’t find my way home as well as the set closer with Warren of Gimme some lovin’ were highlights.

    Need to give a shout out to the smaller acts as all through the weekend some of the up and comer sets were fantastic. The first rap artist at Mountain Jam; Philly’s Ground Up, were really good, as was soulful Simi Stone, the rock group Delta Rae was as enjoyable to look at as to hear and Franti’s acoustic set in the awareness village is worth the festival price of admission every year. So there you have it, Gary Chetkof and his WDST staff work for a year to make a perfect festival and they succeed because they are music fans that value experience over the almighty dollar, I say bless them for that righteousness and start planning yourself because it is less than 300 days to MJ 9.

  • An Interview with Adam Deitch of LETTUCE

    An Interview with Adam Deitch of LETTUCE

    Music is a powerful force, especially for musicians. You don’t touch it… It touches you. In 1992, the young group of like-minded teenagers studying at a Berklee music program met up and started jamming. Though probably unaware of the opportunity and effect they would have in the future, they, like so many other aspiring players, undoubtedly dreamt of their chance to come.

    Fast forward to 20 years later, the band Lettuce, who got their name by asking bar owners and musicians onstage a very simple question (“Let us play?”) has left an indelible mark in the world of Funk, Soul, and Hip Hop. Now, instead of the band asking the question, it’s the fans yelling a command. Ala Bad News Bears, “LET THEM PLAY!!!”

    Needless to say, Lettuce followers were eager to get a taste during their short run of upcoming dates, including a Syracuse stop at Westcott Theatre on June 7th. I got in touch with Adam Deitch via email prior to their show, and let them know that 315 is ready and read our Lettuce Interview with Adam Deitch

    1) What’s up and thank you very much for taking the time to speak with Upstate LIVE! It’s been a while and you guys are back at it… How does it feel to get back on the stage together again? Any fun surprises we can look forward to? 

    We’re back and ready to FLY. We will be playing some of our newest, freshest cuts from our new record, “Fly” as well as our classics.

    2) Lettuce has been a group for 20 years… Did you imagine the band having such a positive impact in the music world when you were first sitting down and getting started? How does it feel knowing your creations have inspired so many bands to start jamming?  

    We hope to inspire young musicians around the world to get together and explore the magic of playing FUNK music. Its a team oriented style of music that when properly “locked in”, can bring people together.

    3) Your last release “Rage!” dropped in 2008. Everyone in the group is active in other projects, so it’s been a long wait for new material? What can you tell us about the new album ‘Fly’?  

    The new album, Fly is our greatest work yet!  We spent the year working out the songs at our gigs to get them to a point where they feel just right. We recorded the album on 2 ” tape, so it has the sound and feel of a classic record.

    4) You played Westcott Theatre on June 7th, and the next day you opened for Dave Matthews at Saratoga performing Art Center. What is it like going from a 700 capacity venue to a 30k+ venue? How does the onstage dynamic change for you?   

    We will definitely be using that big stage in Saratoga!  Our bassist, Jesus Coomes likes to run around the stage and get the crowd hyped, so we’re looking forward to that one.  Musically, we approach the shows the same.

    5) Lettuce incorporates a wide range of old and new influences in your sound. How important do you think it is to have a background and understanding of the forefathers of a particular genre when forming a new project?  

    I think in ANY field that one chooses to dedicate oneself to, having a deep understanding of the forefathers in that field can only expand your understanding and help you succeed.

    6) So, Lettuce members are all very accomplished players who’ve worked/are working with a “Who’s Who” of top-notch artists and performers, and all have their own projects that they work on. Are there any new collaborations in the wing for the band as a whole or individual members?   

    Right now, we are concerned with the eight members of Lettuce and how we can take over the world. Eventually, you will see more collabs with guest “golden era” MCs and maybe some more shows featuring Maceo, Fred, and Pee wee of JB fame. Kraz is writing and producing for EVERYbody right now.

    7) Can you hip us to some of the artists you are currently digging on? What does Lettuce listen to during those long drive between venue stops?

    We listen to a lot of classic hip hop, 60s and 70s reggae/dub music, 60s and 70s (some 80s) soul and funk, as well as rare movie soundtracks from the 60s and 70s as well. Neal Evans, our keyboard player is the authority on that stuff.

    8) Lettuce has opened for some of the biggest acts in the music biz… Are their any groups that you hope to share a bill with in the future that you haven’t yet? Any places in the world you are looking to perform that you haven’t already?  

    I would personally like to do some co-bills with the Budos Band, And we REALLY want to get to Europe at some point, as well as South America, especially Brazil. We’re all fiending to get back to Japan again, also.

    9) What’s the craziest or most memorable show Lettuce has played to date? What was it like?   

    We had a great show at Electric Forest festival as well as at Camp Bisco last year, which really helped introduce us to the younger fans who normally listen to electronic music. I think we converted a few of them 🙂

    10) Lastly, what advice can you give some of the young, up and coming bands out here in Syracuse, in NYS, and everywhere that listens to Lettuce who hope to make it in music, on the road, and as a professional musician?

    Listen all day and night to the records that paved the way for the music you play. Know all the musicians that were significant in that style. Watch the musicians on YouTube and study their body language on stage. Keep writing new ideas and recording music. Stay together and make people DANCE!!  Spread positive vibes whenever possible!

    http://www.royalfamilyrecords.com/lettuce

  • Interview with Vincent DiFlore from CAKE

    What can you say about Cake? “Clever”, “ironic”, and “monotone” are just a few words that come to mind, but I’ll be darned if they aren’t one of the most interesting bands still rocking the live circuit. Their rise to prominence was inevitable. I mean, can you honestly say that when the opening for “The Distance” projects over your speakers, you DON’T turn it up? That’d be a load of rich, creamery butter.

    Forming in the early 1990’s, Cake made their way around the Cali circuit, undoubtedly turning heads and captivating crowds wherever they played. Their sound is unique and highly enjoyable… You can either listen with intent, or as background, and it just seems to make a whole lot of sense, and none at all, wherever you are.

    Brought to you by Dan Smalls Presents, Cake will be rocking Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown on June 15th. Something tells me there’ll be plenty of good times and lots of beer drinking! It’s a “Must See” event for our area, and likely a strong sell out… Get your tickets, folks!

    Here’s Vincent DiFlore and I bantering back and forth via email, talking about stuff and junk. It’s Cake… It’ll be entertaining 🙂

    G- What’s up guys and thank you for taking the time to speak with Upstate LIVE! How’s everything been going on the current tour?

    V- Things are good. We took some long bus rides. I’m not sure if we like the same TV programs. We actually keep the TV off almost all the time, and discuss social, medical, and political issues. It’s a real laugh riot.

    G- So Cake is a little more than 2 decades old, and you’re still turning heads and making fans wherever you go. What’s the secret ingredient that makes your recipe so moist?

    V- The secret ingredient is probably the unquantifiable element, that is the gestalt of the group. Our statement as a group that plays tight arrangements with good interplay, is much more powerful than any single element on its own.

    G- Your music encapsulates many different genres, and it’d be difficult to pigeonhole your sound into one special place. If you were to explain your sound to someone who’d never heard your tunes before, what would you tell them?

    V- It’s hard core easy listening. Downstream from mainstream. Hank Williams and Sly Stone are at a party together and they’re listening to AC/DC records backwards.

    G- You have 7 albums out so far, including a b-Sides release, and 2011’s “Showroom Of Compassion” was your latest release. How do you go about writing your albums, and what is the recording process like for you guys? It must be a whole lot of fun coming up with Cake tunes!

    V- John is our primary songwriter. He brings the words and melody to us, along with other riffs he has for it, and we all contribute to the arrangement plus other melodic lines and rhythmic ideas.

    Often we will scrap one arrangement in favor of another. We diligently work on a song until it is ready to get into a final mix.

    G- How do you feel about the music permeating the airwaves these days? Is Cake a fan of anything coming out that maybe you can hip us to? What do you guys listen to when going back and forth on tour?

    V- I have a great routine going in my work area, where I also keep my turntable. I go to my collection of vinyl with my eyes closed, and grab a jacket randomly. This keeps me from being picky. I know these albums are still in my collection for a reason. I’ll take the vinyl out, and lay the needle down on any track. The results are often profound. It’s always a song that resonates with me in the moment somehow.

    G- So, who are you voting for in the election? Any particular favorites to lead the U.S. for the next 4 years?

    V- I’d like to see the President and Secretary of State continue to work their international diplomacy. I think Obama and Clinton are quite good at it.

    G-  Are there any changes you would like to see come to fruition during the next president’s term… Attainable goals you think we could hit if we put the government to work?

    V- An alternative to fossil fuels would be great. I hope we encourage and invest in innovation.

    G- Back to the music… I think, with the exception of Norwegian Black Metal, Cake could probably blend into just about any live event and make it work. Are there any acts that you hope to share a bill or collaborate with one day?

    V- Perhaps we could get together with one of these bands from Norway you mention. That would be an awesome collaboration. I’m into it.

    G- Since most of your shows are probably memorable, can you tell us about the craziest show you’ve played to date? Where was it and what was it like?

    V- Once we were asked to play at a Bar Mitzvah in Boca Raton. There was a nice invitation, so we called the family and actually set it up. It was a kick. I’m glad we did it.

    G- Lastly, what advice can you give some of the young, up and coming bands out here who want to make it in music, on the road, and as a professional musician?

    V- The advice I would give is to always work on the material. You have to have some bones to put the meat on.

    www.cakemusic.com

  • Festival Preview – Mountain Jam VIII

    Spring has sprung and there is only one thing left to do but strap on our dancing boots, and get ready for THE jam festival of the season – Mountain Jam number VIII.  And yes bigger and better than ever, if that is humanly possible.  For those who are uninitiated the boot reference relates to the foot-ware fashion favored by many- ladies that means the high multicolor rubber kind, gents this is mountain jam,  so look the part- in any event you will be happy you did.  In fairness, 2011 was totally dry and hot so the boot thing was more of a fashion statement, but my inner boy scout always wants you to be prepared!   In terms of preparation for Mountain Jam VIII my best advice is to get ready to be rocked hard and put away wet, this is a festival done right in so many ways, I bet you will be like me and get to a place where you just do not want to stop.

    Mountain Jam is held at the Hunter Mountain ski lodge and slopes.  The four day festival runs May 31st through June 3rd.  The mountain is located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.  Getting there is both easy- the roads are good condition but they are smaller roads and that always is part of the fun.  Twist and turn through some of the most beautiful early summer farms and woods anyone can imagine.  Once you arrive you will immediately discover why Mountain jam has been voted the one of best festivals of the year.  The festival is completely constructed to make your experience the best it can be.  Put together by the CEO, Gary Chetkof and his team from radio station WDST (Radio Woodstock), these folks live and breathe serious tunes every day, so they made a festival for us.  So instead of getting hassled, you get a friendly face and some assistance.  When you put the music in front of a profit motive, you get a fan experience. Parking is easy, entrance is easy.  It is an intimate festival; tickets are capped at 15,000, so you are never “lost” in a crowd and actually can meet and connect with like minded humans. Staying is easy- plus there are a lot of options from an excellent camping scene, but you can also stay at a ski lodge or a hotel or one of the beautiful bed and breakfast places in town.  From the get-go the festival has adopted green practices and has a whole awareness village to help us connect to the planet in sustainable ways. What is also really nice is that the main lodge is always open- got a full bar, a late late night jam room, lots of real bathrooms, food inside.  The vending is unique so more than the usual stuff you can get some mountain jam homemade Jam, antique silver spoons or a real Jerry Garcia signed watercolor painting. So all and all it is just the best scene and wait, yes then there is the music.

    Musically, the festival is co-produced by Warren Haynes.  Warren sits in with many of the friends he helps to recruit to the festival lineup. And Warren has had an amazing few months as has been well chronicled- playing with Clapton, Jagger, Richards and Obama (yeah the President- pretty cool).  The thing is, topping the Govt Mule sets from last year seems impossible- You tube it and you can feel the mountain shaking through your computer.

    During their second set on Saturday night, Gov’t Mule will be joined by the full Levon Helm Band including Amy Helm, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams and the LHB Horns among others. The set will feature music from Levon’s 50+ year career. Levon Helm, the long-time drummer and singer for The Band, a 2-time Mountain Jam performer and Woodstock resident, passed away in April at the age of 71 after a decade-long battle with cancer.

    “Levon was a musical hero of mine,” says Warren Haynes. “His 70th birthday celebration at Mountain Jam two years ago was a magical night and a truly inspiring musical performance.  So bringing back that incredible band to share in our tribute seemed like a great way to honor his memory.”

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX2GlgF-wBc&w=560&h=315]
    Headlining this year is the original boy wonder- Mr. Stevie Winwood, so Gimme Some Lovin’, I am ready! Michael Franti and Spearhead have appeared every year since the first year and have this special ability to bring such a joyful mood to the crowd, last year sending out a boat load of giant beach balls the hill was awash in color. Tedeski Trucks Band, fresh off the Grammy for best blues disc is back this year and they know how to party.  For me a must see will be the Roots.  This is typical of Mountain Jam musically, the diversity of styles harkens back to the old Fillmore Auditorium with jam bands, blues band bluegrass bands (the Traveling McCoury’s), Americana, Urban, late night electronica and up and coming bands that Radio Woodstock has scouted out to turn us on to.  There are four stages filled day and night with so many choices that your schedule is vital.  Some other folks in this year’s lineup that I am dying to see include Trombone Shorty (who also recently played for the President), Lotus, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ben Folds Five (who are reuniting after 11years, so a real musical treat for all of us) and the Word (featuring the other worldly Robert Randolph, John Medeski and the North Mississippi All-stars).  Again that is just a personal list, go on the website and you will see that the lineup is just plain loaded.

    Not to belabor a point but what makes Mountain Jam work so well is that it is organized for us and set in an honestly beautiful place. When music and beauty come together, who couldn’t be happy?  A good example is that the chair lift is open for rides up the mountain (and to get to a seriously long zip line) and we were coming down the mountain last year as Mavis Staples hit the stage and launched into some of the Band’s tunes they had done in the Last Waltz movie way back when, we all were transformed, and that was early on the first day and we all just stayed in that place of pure joy the rest of the weekend.  Take my advice, be kind to yourself and come to Mountain Jam VIII

  • The Heavy Pets Syracuse 4/12/12 Show Review

    The Heavy Pets dropped by Westcott Street in Syracuse this past Thursday and damn, it was a good time! With plenty of space to move around, the crowd took in a solid batch of jams by the 5-piece from Florida, enjoying the sunshine they brought with them. Unbeknownst to me, the group has ties to Syracuse University, so it was a twisted sort of homecoming for at least one of the band members. Go Orange!

    Since their formation in 2007, T.H.P. has released a total of 8 albums (4 studio and 4 Live,) so they have plenty of output to select from when heading into their shows. The band chose lively starter “3am” to get the performance in motion, and we were off on a jammed out journey.

    It was clear from the get-go that these guys are a very good band with a sincere passion for their craft… We need more groups like them coming around. Offering lots of mellow grooves and great tone, The Heavy Pets got right down to business. Throwing down some solid breaks and getting people ready to move, the band seems right at home onstage… No hesitation by the players at all. They could be playing for themselves or ten thousand people, but they seem very comfortable with their crowd and each other. Bonus points…  Singer/Guitar player Jeff Lloyd kind of resembles Dave Mustaine from a distance, though his pleasant personality and bright smile undoubtedly make him the better choice to have a drink with.

    To mix it up a bit, they brought in some definite funk on track two, “Monster Box.” With no hesitation, the bass player laid it right down, making the groove happen. With the rest of the group dialed right in, the cohesiveness of the unit remained for the duration of their performance. Throughout their 10-song set, The Heavy Pets featured plenty of tasty solos over some straight soulful grooves, highly danceable jams, and frantic rhythms.

    To veer off topic a bit, it is very good to know that wherever jam inspired music occurs these days, there will always be a tight-bodied glow stick girl in Ugg boots going off. And I still need an answer as to when in the hell hula-hoops got so popular?

    The Heavy Pets are yet another group that remind me how much music there is out there to explore. Though I’m a bit late in hearing this band, it is more of a relief to finally experience these guys than it is a bummer to know I am just finding out now.

    Lee Terrace

    4-piece group Lee Terrace provided the direct support. A very young looking band, their songs were diverse and unique, offering a wide range of influence and rhythmic texture. Incorporating jam, rock, and touches of punk and ska, their writing seems to be a free-for-all. With some dedicated woodshed time, I feel they have lots of potential to entertain.

    The first thing at struck me was the Bass player… The kid is solid. As primary singer, his higher range was complemented by the occasional harmony by the keyboard player, who exchanged microphone duties throughout the set.  The guitarist was also a good player, though I felt he scribbled out a majority of his solos rather hastily. The biggest detractor from the set was the drummer. I felt his approach was excessively showy, and he constantly nursed same fill over and over again. Hanging back a touch would greatly benefit the group as a whole. Good “House Of The Rising Sun” cover, fellas!

    Haewa

    Starting us off tonight was the young jam trip known as Haewa. Recommended to me by several people, I really dug what these guys were throwing down. Definitely inspired by jam bands, they group incorporates a decent blend of rock, funk, reggae, jam into the mix. I think they could make some nice waves if they keep up the good work.

    All of their songs were heavy on the groove, and they offered a nice pulse throughout their brief set. While the vocals were lacking at times, the kid’s guitar chops were right on, and he wasn’t afraid to show them off. The bass player was also solid as a rock, and worked a heavy bottom end into the mix. The drummer was a tad flubby, but he kept the groove moving along nicely throughout their set. Their incorporation of nice guitar effects, tasteful solos, and infrequent sampler usage filled up the room well.

    The group seems to be in the experimental stage, and, in my humble, they need to move around a bit more while they perform. But overall, it was a good showing by the trio. Check them out if you see them on a bill.

    http://www.theheavypets.com/

  • Interview with Liz Berlin of Rusted Root

    Rusted Root has been turning their performances into sweaty, sticky joy since 1990. I’m convinced the group could get the guards of the Royal Palace bobbing their heads in unison with their infectious rhythms and happy melodies.

    Still riding a huge wave of sustained popularity after their 1994 album “When I Woke,” Rusted Root is one of the few bands that guarantees an enjoyable, energy filled time when they grace the stage. After 22 years, 7 albums, 3 EP’s, and enough touring to make most long distance truck drivers weep, Rusted Root are true warriors of the road… They love what they do, and the proof is right there in front of you when you see them in concert.

    That being said, their May 15th stop in Syracuse is a must-see for eager fans, and arguably the best way you could spend a Tuesday evening in our fine city. I was able to speak with Liz Berlin over the phone prior to their performance to get some insights on the group’s extensive career, musical conceptualization, and how it felt to be the morning soundtrack for NASA.

    Interview:

    G- Hi Liz and thank you for taking the time to speak with Upstate LIVE!

    L- Hi!

    G- Are you currently on tour? Has the tour started yet?

    L- Well, we just completed 3 weeks of touring on the west coast, and we’ve been home for a couple of days. We’re leaving tonight to start the second leg of the tour.

    G- That’s excellent! And this is going to be another 3 week run of dates, correct?

    L- Almost 4, yea.

    G- So how were all the west coast shows?

    L- It was amazing! We played a lot of towns we haven’t been to before, and a lot of towns we don’t go to nearly enough. The tour was 98% sold out, and it was really, really awesome.

    G- Well, hopefully you bring some of the sunshine with you! What is going on after this next run of dates on the east coast?

    L- Well, we’re gonna to be finishing up this run of dates on the east coast and then we are going to be heading into the studio to finish mixing our next album, and finish up on the artwork and just get that all ready for release.

    G- Since 1990, Rusted Root has been playing shows, recording music, and logging in many, many miles… How does the group maintain such an active touring lifestyle? Any secret to it you’d care to share with us?

    L- Well, you know, I think there is a balance to it. We do tour a lot, but we also have our time at home and time to work on other projects so that we don’t get totally overwhelmed with touring.

    But really, we love it! The live performance is the highlight of our careers. Having that connection with the fans… Sort of that ritual of performing those songs and having all the fans come out… It’s wonderful!

    I think, my personal secret for touring, is I try to bring a bike with me as much as possible. I love exploring all the different towns we end up in. If I have a bike with me on the road, it helps a lot with my sanity!

    G- Right on. So, something I have wanted to ask you since my first listen… Where did your name come from?

    L- Well, when we were recording our very first songs, we had the goal of entering into a contest called “The Rock Challenge” and we had to turn in a 4 song tape. We didn’t have a name yet, and the deadline was that night. So, we sat around just brainstorming words together and, you know, someone said “Root,” as in Roots music, and I sort of ended up putting the “rust” and the “root” combination together, and that’s where it came from.

    G- Ok that clears it up for me! I’ve been waiting 16 years to ask somebody that. So, your last album release, “Stereo Rodeo,” came out in 2009, and you have been touring the album ever since. You are currently working on a follow-up to the album… Can we expect to hear any new songs on your upcoming tour?

    L- Oh absolutely! The set list in our shows these days is about 50% new material and the flow throughout the night is wonderful. The new stuff mixes very well with the old stuff and the energy is very high throughout the entire night.

    G- Alright! I’m looking forward to it. Can you tell us a bit about what is your writing process like? Who in the band typically comes up new music and how does each member contribute to the process?

    L- Well, Michael Glabicki is the primary songwriter in the band. He comes up with the skeleton… The guitar and the vocals… and brings it to the band and we all add in whatever our area of specialty is, whether it be bass or drums, vocal harmonies.

    And we’ve been developing the music a lot on the road in front of the fans, and taking a lot of input from the fans just based on how songs go throughout the night, from night to night. In that way, it is really like a collaborative process with the fans.

    G- Cool! You have released 6 albums, 3 EP’s, a Live record, and a greatest hits compilation, but according to your Wikipedia page (notoriously the most accurate website ever), Rusted Root has over 40 tracks that only exist on rare bootlegs recorded between the years of 1991 and 1995. Is this true, and do you have any intention on releasing these tracks on a studio recording? (SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT) I’d be glad to release them for you on Instant Classic Records!

    L- Oh wow! That’s funny I’ll have to read the wikipedia page… I haven’t seen it in a while. It is true that we have a lot of songs that have never been released on albums, some dating back as far as 20 years to the beginning of the band. The cool thing that happens, though, is they stick with us, and sort of surface on albums from time to time.

    For instance, on this next album, we’ll be putting a song on there called “Cover Me Up” which is a song that was written during the exact same time period as “Send Me On My Way,” “Martyr,” and “Ecstasy” and all of those songs that just never ended up on an album for some reason. But we’ve just brought it back in the last year and sort of revamped it and added a lot to it.

    G- That’s very cool! So your song, “Send Me On My Way,” was selected by NASA to be the morning wake up music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity…

    L- Haha how cool is that?!!

    G- Insane! What was it like to get that phone call and realize your music was going to be in space!?

    L- It was amazing! It’s still amazing! It’s mind boggling to imagine. We just feel extremely honored and blessed and really happy that we could contribute to a positive experience for the astronauts… Up there in space… It’s awesome!

    G- If I was 5, 6, 10 miles above the surface, I’d want to hear it!

    L- Yea hahahahaha!

    G- What is your take on the different performances environments you have been able to perform? Do you prefer festivals, headlining gigs, acting as direct support? Can you tell us a bit about the difference between these forums and situations, and how you approach each performance?

    L- Well, we’ve played in so many different types of venues and situations, and I can’t say that any one type is our favorite over another. It really all has to do with the energy of the people in attendance. Any situation… It can be the smallest, dinkiest pub in the middle of nowhere… If the vibe is right and the people are pysched, it ends up being the most amazing night for us.

    That being said, Bonnaroo was pretty amazing, and so was Woodstock 99… From the stage looking out… I couldn’t see the end of the people! That was quite a rush!

    G- I was at that Woodstock 99 show, and it was something else! Which leads me to the next question… I hope you didn’t answer it already, but, as I am sure there are many great tour stories, can you tell us a bit about your personal favorite Rusted Root show to date? Where was it and what was it like?

    L- It’s not actually one particular show, but I’d say it would be the whole tour when we were asked to play as the opening act for the Robert Plant and Jimmy Page reunion tour. That was just mind boggling to me! I remember we were on the road with the Spin Doctors at the time, and I came out to the tour bus from my hotel and Jim (Donovan) said to me ‘Guess what the next gig is!’ I said ‘What?’ and he said ‘Led Zeppelin!’ I said ‘Stop lying! That will never happen!’

    And just a few days before, I had been thinking about Led Zeppelin and how I wanted to find a really good cover band to watch because I wanted to see somebody play it. But it turns out we spent 3 months crossing the country twice with Page and Plant playing hockey arenas! I basically spent everyday sitting by myself in the middle of hockey arenas watching them sound check… That was just kind of a dream!

    G- Yea well, I’m jealous hahaha! Well, obviously you’ve been on the road for a very long time, and the music industry is a very tough business. In your profession opinion, what advice can you give some of the young, up and coming bands out here in Syracuse, and everywhere for that matter, who want to make it in music, on the road, and as a professional musician?

    L- Well, you know, there is all types of advice that I could give, but really… Just focus first and foremost on the music and your playing skills. Try to write the most original music that you can, and make it solid. After that, it’s really just a matter of exploring your options and being proactive with the opportunities that you have and the resources that you have.

    With the internet and social media and all of the different sites that there are for bands, there are so many resources now that we didn’t have when we were first starting. If you want to do music seriously, then you have to just decide that that is your mission and that’s your job, and treat it like a job. Just work very hard and stay focused!

    I’d like to give Liz a huge “Thank you” for taking some time to talk with me today before she embarks on Rusted Root’s upcoming tour. They’ll be hitting Syracuse on May 15th, so go grab your tickets and go see more live music!

    http://www.rustedroot.com/

  • Interview with Sim Redmond Band

    Ithaca based Sim Redmond Band is something to behold. Formed in 1999, the 6-piece have traveled many miles to bring their distinctive sound and positive energy to eager fans. The group’s unique blend of Roots/Afro-Caribbean/Reggae is a strong statement of how lively and diverse our local music scene really is. Offering strong rhythm, wonderful melody, and rich three-part harmonies, the group truly reaches their crowd with intent.

    With 9 albums to their credit, Sim Redmond Band is constantly working to expand their collective output, and minds of their listeners. Garnering new fans globally takes constant dedication and lots of legwork, but the group’s talent, ambition, and desire give them a full musical skill set to see their goals to fruition.

    I wanted to get in contact with Sim himself prior to their May 18th performance to discuss the band’s musical influences, their writing process, future plans, and a cross-cultural comparison of their performances. Here ya go!

    Interview:

    G- Hi Sim! Thanks for taking the time to speak with Upstate LIVE! If you could, please introduce the members in the group… Who is everyone and what do they play?

    S- My brother Asa Redmond plays the drums.  Dan Merwin plays bass and djembe.  Jordan Aceto plays guitar (and builds many of our instruments and pedals!).  Nate Silas Richardson plays rhodes, guitar, and sings.  Jen Middaugh sings.  And I sing and play guitar, and occasionally pick up my mbira, a Zimbabwean thumb piano.

    G- You formed this band in 1999… How did everyone meet up and when did you perform for the first time?

    S- I had begun writing songs in the late 90’s and we started out playing as the Sim Redmond Quartet: Asa, Dan, Jordan, and myself.  Our first gigs in this incarnation were at coffee houses and such late in 1998 and early 1999.  Soon after that, Uniit (our original female vocalist) began singing with us and we became the Sim Redmond Band.

    G- Your group is known for having a very diverse musical influence…. You blend several different styles together to form your unique sound. How would you classify yourselves as a group, and who in particular influences your style?

    S- Yeah, we all have a wide variety of influences that we bring to the table.  When forced to classify the music, I try to sneak around it by saying SRB is “all original feel-good music”.  But as far as genre, I guess it’s a blend of roots-rock, African, and Jamaican music, but even that is a limited description… There’s a lot more than that in it.  A lot of that diversity I credit to growing up around the Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival.  They bring in world class bands from all over the world.  Year after year, seeing groups like Burning Spear, Thomas Mapfumo, Super Rail Band, Lucinda Williams, and countless other greats, have all had a big impact on us.

    G- Dig that! So, what is your writing process like when you begin creating new songs? Who in the band typically comes up new music? Is there a primary songwriter, or is the process more organic and jam based?

    S- Our process in the past has been that anyone with a song (usually me, but not always) brings it to the band and the band then shapes and molds it until it’s ready for the stage or to be recorded.

    G- Cool… It’s great when artists all have a strong sense of collaborative effort. Speaking of which, SRB has a host of releases… 9 in total! Can you discuss your recording process? Do you have any new releases in the works?

    S- We’ve always really enjoyed recording new releases.  It’s a chance for us to explore all the potential of each song; to add that horn or string section we’ve always imagined, and the fill out that vocal part, or throw in a big drum jam.  We allow ourselves the freedom to do things that we might not be able to recreate on stage.  Then later, we figure out how to transform it back into something we can play live.  Sometimes that means Nate and/or Jordan have to cover a horn line on guitar or keys, or that we have to split up the vocal parts differently, but there’s usually a way to make it work.  Sometimes a song never makes it to the stage though, and we’re okay with that too!

    We haven’t written much over the past couple of years, so it may be time to take another approach.  Maybe this organic, jam based process you speak of….

    G- Right on hahaha! Now, Sim Redmond Band has a strong following overseas, particularly in Japan… Could you tell us about some of the musical and cultural differences between performances in the U.S. and overseas?

    S- Yeah, we’ve traveled to Japan several times… It was a blast!  It’s a whole other world over there, but we felt very much at home.  They treat us like rock stars, people constantly asking for pictures and autographs.  At performances, during songs, they are very quiet and respectful.  But in between songs they are quite appreciative.  And we did play in some more relaxed environments (beach parties, festivals, etc) where they showed us they certainly know how to party!

    G- Yea I’m told it’s tough to get around a healthy dose of alcohol in Japan if they want to warm up to people! Tell us a bit about what you hope the future holds for Sim Redmond Band… Do you have any touring coming up, new areas of the world you are striving/looking to perform in, or projects that you are working on with other artists?

    S- There’s nothing too different on the horizon.  We’ve never been a conventional touring band.  Our family ties keep us close to home for the most part.  But we’ve been playing at the newer Grassroots festivals (Shakori Hills Grassroots, Virginia Keys Miami Grassroots) that they have been developing.  They’ve got a festival for each season now.  Grassroots festivals have such a special vibe, and we’re really happy to be a part of that community.  Hopefully, we’ll continue to be involved with them and develop a more complete and consistent presence up and down the East Coast.  We’ve also been talking more and more about getting out to the West Coast.  So hopefully there will be some fun trips in our future.

    G- Do you have any particular bands that you would like to share a bill with in the future or events you would like to perform at?

    S- Wow, there are so many amazing bands and musicians it would be impossible to start naming them, and I’m sure some of the most amazing musicians are ones we’ve never even heard of.  As far as events we would love to be a part of:  New Orleans Jazz Fest would be very cool, Fuji Rock in Japan, maybe Bumbershoot out in Seattle, I could go on and on.  The world is a big and beautiful place…

    G- What is your personal favorite Sim Redmond Band performance to date? What was it like?

    S- I’ll admit it, I’m a homebody.  I like being around the Ithaca area.  One of my absolute favorite venues is the Taughannock State Park Summer Concert series just outside of Ithaca in Trumansburg, NY.  It is an evening event, there are lots of families and children.  We’ve been lucky and the weather has always been beautiful.  We’ve played there at least 5 times and it’s always like a dream come true.  We’re playing there on August 18th this year.  And of course it’s hard to beat the Fingerlakes Grassroots Festival, the biggest party I’ve ever been to.  That’s July 19-22 this year.  Those are some of my favorites, but we love them all!

    G- Lastly, can you give some of the young, up and coming bands who want to make it in music, on the road, and as a professional musicians a bit of your knowledge and expertise as a professional musician? Any words of wisdom or helpful tips you can offer from your experience?

    S- My advice would be to keep it simple and just have fun playing music.  If you’re doing that, then the rest should fall in line.  If you enjoy it, and play music that is true to you, people will respond to that.  Music is such a simple and beautiful thing, just let it be that.

    And there you have it. We would like to thank Sim and SRB very much for their time, and let everyone know that they’ll be rocking the crowd in Syracuse on May 18, so make sure to grab yourself a ticket and see some live music!

    http://www.simredmondband.com/