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2016 Vans Warped Tour NYS Fairgrounds Syracuse

The 2016 Vans Warped Tour made its first appearance in Syracuse at the New York State Fairgrounds on Thursday July 7. Despite the extreme heat, the punk rock music festival drew a large crowd. The fairgrounds was an ideal setting for the expansive set up that included seven stages, vendors, local food trucks, an adult size slip and slide and the air conditioned “chill out” truck that offered fans free energy drinks and some relief from the burning heat of the sun.

Warped Tour is celebrating its 22nd birthday this year and the impressive lineup included Warped Tour veterans Less Than Jake, Yellowcard, New Found Glory and Sum 41. The lineup also included popular metal acts Motionless in White, White Chapel and Every Time I Die. There were also a few Upstate New York bands, including Syracuse’s own One Last Shot and State Champs from Albany.

The Vans Warped Tour offered a perfect blend of veteran acts, rising stars, local favorites, punk rock and metal. The mix of offerings attracted a broad spectrum of fans of all ages and music preferences making for a one of a kind experience.

Check out the photo gallery for captured moments and memories from the day.

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July 27, 2016
Alice in Chains at the Turning Stone Casino

Alice in Chains brought a perfect blend of classic and new hits to a near capacity crowd at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort on Friday July 22. Alice in Chains, who recently opened a few of the Guns N Roses reunion shows, is currently headlining a North American Tour that is scheduled through early October.

Alice in Chains, despite the passing of lead singer Layne Staley in 2002, has been forging ahead with William Duvall as their full time lead singer and has been touring since 2006. The new line-up has since released Black Gives Way to Blue in 2009 and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here in 2013. Alice in Chains is beginning work on their next studio album with a TBD release date. This is my third time seeing Alice in Chains with DuVall and if you haven’t seen them yet, you are missing out.

Alice in Chains opened with “Hollow,” followed by “Them Bones” and “Dam That River.” William DuVall and Jerry Cantrell flawlessly traded off vocals reinforcing that authentic Alice in Chains sound. The band continued with more hits, “Check My Brain,” “Angry Chair,” and “Man in the Box.” Bass player Mike Inez attempted to get the crowd revved up by playing at the edge of the stage and motioning for the audience to cheer. Cantrell worked to engage the audience as well by yelling come on and pumping his hands in the air. The crowd fell a bit flat despite the best efforts of the band members to get them pumped. Cantrell took the time to thank fans who were engaged by flipping a guitar pick to them between songs.

Drummer Sean Kinney took a short break from pummeling his drum kit to joke around with the band and the fans by making a circle with one hand and poking a finger through it with the other to indicate the band was about to play “Down in a Hole.” Kinney in addition to being an amazing drummer, clearly has a sense of humor and finds creative ways to interact with the fans from behind his drum kit.

The evening continued with “We Die Young,” “Got Me Wrong,” and “It Ain’t Like That” before the band took a short break. The encore included some of my favorites with a powerful version of “Rooster,” “No Excuses” and an in your face “Would?” Alice in Chains bid the crowd goodnight; Cantrell, DuVall and Inez tossed out handfuls of guitar picks as Sean Kinney handed out a few drum sticks to select fans he had engaged with throughout the set. Alice in Chains created a memorable night of music from Cantrell’s haunting guitar riffs to DuVall’s perfectly sung harmonies, Inez’s energy and smile intermingled with Kinney’s constant backbeat; these guys know how to get it done.

Set list: Hollow, Them Bones, Dam That River, Again, Check My Brain, Nutshell, Angry Chair, Man in the Box, Your Decision, Down in a Hole, Stone, Last of My Kind, We Die Young, Got Me Wrong, It Ain’t Like That

Encore: Rooster, No Excuses, Would?

July 27, 2016
Photo Gallery: Happy Owl Fest 2016

This past Saturday, on one of the hottest days of summer, the Happy Owl Fest flew into the quaint, Grateful Dead-esque ‘venue bar’ known as American Beauty, located in the midtown section of Manhattan. Typically, I would not be very excited to be inside for a festival in the middle of the summer, but fortunately, this venue’s air conditioning battled the 100 degree heat without mercy. At times, there were rumblings of people actually being cold. Add to this the ample selection of good craft beer, and American Beauty’s only food offering, a free personal cheese pizza with each beer, and you have a lovely way to spend the better portion of your weekend day. I haven’t even talked of the line up yet, which of course was the reason I was there in the first place.

The schedule was ambitious, including nine acts between the hours of 3pm and 3am, with a bonus side hustle of the Phish webcast from Chula Vista, CA, which was projected in the main bar while the bands played on in the main stage area. I was one happy camper that I was able to catch the full sets of Polyvamp, Sylfox and the Hustler, Formula 5, and Sprocket. Alone across these four bands was an eclectic mix of music that should satisfy a majority of musical tastes. In sum, the Happy Owl Fest navigated improvisational rock, funk, and electronic with a dash of blues, not necessarily all at the same time.

Should this event take place again next year under similar circumstances, I wouldn’t hesitate to make the trip. The balance between venue, beer, food, music and price of admission was quite welcome. The only suggestion I would make is for the venue to make a small investment in a house lighting system. On one hand, the noir scene makes for a rare experience in dedicated club venues these days. On the other hand, a little lighting action would would inject some energy into the room, in this photographer’s opinion.

Till next year, enjoy my gallery from the first Happy Owl Fest.

July 27, 2016
A Jammin’ Dark Star and an IPA, Please

They high-stepped into the Saranac Brewery and bid us all a fond goodnight, but in the middle, Dark Star Orchestra took the near capacity crowd on a mind bending, psychedelic journey through the middle 1970s.

One of the most fun aspects of attending a DSO is trying to figure out what Grateful Dead setlist they are recreating. Opening the show with a fast “Bertha” made it immediately feel like a 1970s show to me, but because the band has played it for their entire career, it didn’t help much in determining a year. “Me and My Uncle,” “Loser” and “Black Throated Wind” confirmed that it was a show somewhere between 1970 and 1979, which, again, doesn’t do much in helping me decide.

It was the following, stand alone “Scarlet Begonias,” complete with a harmonious and ferocious solo by Jeff Mattson, that gave away the show either being an original Dark Star Orchestra setlist, or coming from a show prior to March 18, 1977, when the first ever “Scarlet Begonias”>”Fire on the Mountain” was performed at the Winterland Arena.

A song mainly performed by Jerry Garcia Band, “It Must Have Been the Roses” preceded “Jack Straw,” “Tennessee Jed” and “Mexicali Blues.” “Deal” then featured fun interplay between keyboardist Rob Barraco and Mattson, and really gave the show a 1973/74 feel. Rhythm guitarist Rob Eaton was visibly impressed with how the band was performing, smiling often and seeming more animated than usual.

“Big River” and “Brown Eyed Women” were short and succinct, before the highlight of the show, “Playin’ in the Band” kicked into another realm. During the lengthy jam, I mentioned how I was confident this was a 1974 show, when an older gentleman informed me that DSO was recreating a Dead show from May 14, 1974 in Montana.

“US Blues,” “El Paso” and “Row Jimmy” were executed impeccably to open the second frame. “Weather Report Suite” then bled seamlessly into “Let it Grow,” before the opening lines to the 1960s psychedelic masterpiece “Dark Star” were played. Being the band’s namesake, DSO brought us on a journey from 1967 up until 1974, with elements of the grungy, late 1960s Dead feel, up to the mid-1970s, more mild tempo style and everything in between. It was the highlight of the entire show.

Garcia ballad “China Doll” gave the crowd a breather before “Promised Land,” “Not Fade Away” and “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” literally rocked the set to a close. If there was a single person not dancing like a maniac, I surely did not witness that, and the set concluded with the utmost energy.

Already prepared for the “One More Saturday Night” encore, I snagged one last $5 Saranac Legacy IPA (seriously, though, where else can you get a beer that delicious at a concert these days for $5? Most Bud Lights at other places cost more than $10 …) and took my space back for one final boogie.

DSO, almost 20 years into a pretty successful career, is showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever. In a recent interview with NYSMusic, Barraco said the band plans to cut back on the number of shows per year to focus on new family members, and put the emphasis on bigger events. A stop at the Saranac Brewery seems to be an annual thing for the band, and I can’t think of a better place to spend a summer night grooving to my favorite music ever made.

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July 27, 2016
Let the Hoppy Hour Hero Flow with moe. at Saranac Brewery

This weekend, moe. returns to Utica, NY for another glorious two-night stay at Saranac Brewery and prepare to bring Hoppy Hour Hero to the masses. The Utica staple will welcome Ryan Montbleau supporting on Friday, July 29 and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong opening on Saturday, July 30.

As fans already know, Saranac will be serving up some of their moe.st special brew, Hoppy Hour Hero, for the double event along with many other summer favorites. Fans can also stay tuned for a special taping of “Vinnie’s Kitchen” featuring a recipe that includes the band’s namesake beer, which will be taped at the Brewery with some lucky contest winners. Gates open at 5 p.m. both days.

The Buffalo-based jammers have been taking a short break to prep for this weekend as well as select Summer appearances and their Fall tour which includes a Red Rocks performance paired with Gov’t Mule, a Pink Floyd theme late-night set at The Peach Fest, and another 2-night run at the Town Ballroom in Buffalo.

July 27, 2016
Camp Bisco Settles in at Sophomore Effort on Montage

Camp Bisco is a household name at this point. Just its mention can inspire mixed emotions; from love to disdain. After a long stint at Indian Lookout Point in Mariaville, NY, Bisconauts found a steep new home for Camp Bisco last year at the Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center in the “Electric City”, Scranton, PA. Returning July 14, 15, and 16 for the second round, Montage seemed to have a much better inclination towards the larger crowd that Bisco inevitably draws year after year.

Thurday, July 14 was pleasantly welcoming upon arrival compared to the tediousness of last year. The security lines moved much more quickly both on and off site, and the shuttle system ran smoothly. Once inside, campers had a plethora of events to choose from. Beginning promptly at 10AM, a yoga class at the Above the Waves stage kicked off the weekend’s bevy of Wellness programs. A Festival Fuel seminar followed at noon, a talk that gave information as to which food would best combine portability, nutrition, and ease of preparation; extremely useful for any frequent festival goer. It seemed that Bisco was aiming to make its patrons not only headier, but healthier, this time around.

Speaking of heady, Philadelphia based DJ Josh Wink set the bar high for all of the electronic acts that would follow with his 5PM set. With his career blossoming in the club scene of the late 80’s, Wink has been an internationally touring act for decades. Playing in front of a smaller crowd than he had in years was no deterrent for this old pro, and Wink had the crowd moving in a matter of measures. Dopapod hit the Above the Waves stage at 6:30PM, coming hot off their summer tour with an air of confidence. Opening with “Vol. 3 #86” and thundering right along into “Black and White”, the boys were in prime form as usual. “French Bowling” lead to a highly unexpected and face melting “Black Sabbath” tease. Fan favorite “Trapper Keeper” wrapped things up.

Lotus was on deck for the Electric City main stage at 8:30PM. Being the eve of the release of their new album, Eat the Light, the trance-fusion giants were in sync. They debuted a new track titled “Sleep When We Are Dead” off of the forthcoming album, and closed the set with “Bush Pilot”. Beginning right on time at 10:30PM, the fathers of Camp Bisco, the Disco Biscuits took the stage. “Triumph” launched the evening into orbit, followed by “Papercut”, which hadn’t been played in over five years. A whimsical cover of “Safety Dance” got everyone to look at their hands, and took us back into the end of “Papercut”. Without a single ending the entire set, the Biscuits jammed right into an Great Abyss, wherein they let the projection light show loose under the seemingly sailcloth pavilion, revealing a truly stunning addition to this year’s production value. “42” took us into the ending of “Nughuffer”, the jam between exploding off the stage like liquid hot shrapnel. Eager was the mood of the crowd, almost impatient to see the Biscuits’ next sets.

Bisco veterans Orchard Lounge kick started the Friday festivities on July 15 with some filthy deep house beats. Being their 9th appearance at the festival, the trio floored the crowd with a qualified style. Thundercat continued to electrify the main stage at 4PM with a sophisticated brand of jazz-fusion that only bassist Stephen Bruner can deliver. Lettuce ensued, though seemed lacking in the wake of such intense technical musicianship as the Thundercat brought. 7PM rang in the Disco Biscuits first set of the evening. Humidity wasn’t the only reason for a high moisture level, as guitarist Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig slid into the opening bars of “Jamilia” with a sensuality that made the ladies blush. “Park Ave.” completed the segment, as Bisco classic “Caterpillars” brought us into an inverted arrangement of “Mulberry’s Dream”. The band seemed to struggle through “Feeling Twisted”, as bassist Marc Brownstein took off his five string and clumsily muddled around on his less mastered instrument, the mini-synth. The conclusion of “Caterpillar” rounded out the set.

Odesza provided a wonderful set break. The production duo incorporated analogue instruments into their electronic soundscape, with a stage presence that matched their enticing visualized display. The Disco Biscuits returned fashionably late around 10:45PM, getting straight down to business with a crackling “Strobelights and Martinis”. The segment continued with a skin tight “Spraypaint”, into a galloping and mysterious “Lunar Pursuit”, which was supplanted by a “Helicopters” that took it in for a landing. Keyboardist Aron Magner gently guided us into the terrifying tale of “Spaga”. After the smoke cleared from a completion of the previous night’s “Nughuffer”, “Spraypaint” took the evening to a cheerfully teary eyed end.

Saturday July 16 was chalk full o’ fan favorites, starting with Tom Hamilton’s American Babies at 1PM. Ott grooved next, bidding a warm farewell and asking everyone to stick around for the Biscuits’ day set to follow. Rolling out another classic cover, the Biscuits pulled the pin with “Pygmy Twylyte”. Next was an inverted version of “Humuhumunukunukuapua’a” which they recently played during the Bisco Inferno run in Denver, CO. Decidedly matching the sunny mood, the Grateful Dead’s “Viola Lee Blues” continued the cover trend. The segment continued with a stunning “Shelby Rose”, leaving many first timers with an apprehensive grin. “Little Betty Boop” concluded the first in the trilogy of Biscuits sets. The crowd seemed excited for Jewish rap superstar Lil Dicky, AKA Leftward Slopping Penis, but expectations were crushed for the first 15 minutes of the 6PM set, as there was an alarmingly obnoxious “hype” man screaming into a microphone and making air horn noises from behind a turntable. Lil Dick came out at a seemingly random moment and performed none of his well known comedic songs, instead going back and forth with an unknown rapper in perverse and simpleminded rhyme.

Back to business. The opening tune of the Disco Biscuits 7:30PM set matched the state of the crowd, as we were all “Sweating Bullets” in the heat. Drummer and percussionist Allen Aucoin’s technical precision was blatantly evident during the transition into “Minions”, which gave way to an eerily heavy “Pimp Blue Rikkis”. There was a unique smell and smoke in the GA pit, that of the oddly familiar multidimensional moth ball variety, as a wicked crispy “Aceetobee” jammed into their debut cover of Men at Work’s “Down Under, back out to “AC2B” and into another debut, the Grandmaster Flash’s “White Lines”, concluding with an absolutely smoldering “Aceetobee” outro. Zeds Dead reminded us what trap was after that. STS9 began at 10:30PM, sounding a bit mailed in. Many wandered over to the Above the Waves stage where Marshmello was turning brains into gooey mush with his hypnotic yet subtle drops. The weekend came to its pinnacle at 12:30AM that final night, with the Disco Biscuits closing shop. “King of the World” is always a ripper out of the gate, heading straight into “Little Shimmy in a Conga Line”. “Cyclone” was ironically interrupted by incumbent weather, and after a 40 minute break for safety’s sake, they broke back into that jam almost seamlessly. Going straight for the throat with the peak of “Basis for a Day”, next the Biscuits cooled it down a little with “Tricycle”. Inverting even further by going back to the intro of “Basis”, the end of “Little Shimmy” made sure those who were paying attention were kept on their toes. Another “Basis for a Day” jam, this time in a more traditional order, pulled the musical cruise that was Camp Bisco XIV back into port. The “Story of the World” encore had a few flubs, but over all left fans with their hands to the band as everyone got ready for the classic crowd picture that wraps up all prominent Disco Biscuits weekends.

Another year, another Bisco for the books. Most agreed that Montage Mountain seemed much more suitable this year than last, with some logistical and personal experience now under their belts. Camp Bisco began with the notion that Jam and Electronic fans alike could enjoy not only acts on the same bill, but spending a weekend together in a music scene melting pot. Bisco 2016 exemplified the idea perfectly.

July 26, 2016
Austin Blues-Rock Star, Carolyn Wonderland, Robbed in Europe During Tour

Updated 7/27/2016 Blues artist Carolyn Wonderland and Shelley Cox were able to travel on from Madrid to join the rest of their band members in Amsterdam to complete their tour. Their next stop is on Aug. 5, at the Rock au Chateau in Villersexel, France.

Carolyn Wonderland, a Blues-Rock icon from Texas, was in the midst of her tour in Europe when she was robbed during her set from a secured backstage area. A portion of her band had already traveled on to their next destination, Amsterdam, but Wonderland and her tour manager, Shelley Cox, were robbed of their passports, money, and other personal belongings.

Wonderland completed a run of shows overseas, including some in Austria and the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland; then, this tragedy struck at her show at the Canary Islands. At this point, it is unclear if whether she will be able to complete the tour, until she receives word from the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday when it opens.

Cox and Wonderland have been given permission to travel to Madrid where the U.S. Embassy is, and have found a hotel that took in their reservation.

Her Facebook post outlines the tragedy and her hopes for a recovery from the nightmare:

ever wonder what it’s like to live out the movie “Lost in Translation?” Shelley Cox & I just got to experience it for a day.

We’ve been working hard to recover from having to eat a few airline tickets this summer, knowing that if we scrimped and saved for a few months, we’d make it to the fall and everybody would be paid and groovy. That plan was just punched straight through the gut last night. After playing a really great run of gigs in the Canary Islands, we were robbed from the secured backstage area while playing the last songs of the night. They got all of our tour money, my phone, wallet, credit cards, drivers licence, both Shelley & my passports… The good news is: at least it wasn’t violent. Having experienced both, this sucks, but at least I’m walking around talking about it and not laid up somewhere. Thanks to all who have offered help and kind words. We spent several hours with the police and on the phone trying to figure out if and how we might be able to finish our tour (still holding out hope for Amsterdam, Belgium, France and flying out of Zurich early August) Good news: they let us fly to Madrid since there’s no Embassy on Lanzarote. Bad news: tomorrow’s a holiday in Madrid and we won’t know if we have to be sent home or get to finish the tour until the Embassy opens Tuesday. Shelley & I cannot leave the country without visiting the Embassy in person. Kevin Lance & Bobby Perkins made it to Amsterdam. Shelley & I found a hotel that would take us with our photocopied passports and police report so we don’t have to live in the airport til Tuesday. Our great little community of friends have kept our spirits up and we’re going to try to sleep after the first shower and chance at sleep in 36 hours.If anyone is in the market for a nice Les Paul Goddess, I’ll be looking to sell mine when we get home.

Wonderland’s friend, Shelley King, has offered to accepting checks made out to Carolyn Wonderland sent in care of Shelley King, P.O. Box 33097, Austin, TX 78764. King also suggested using PayPal, via carolynwonderland@hotmail.com

Wonderland and her band are scheduled to headline the Chenango Blues Festival Aug. 19 and 20. NYS Music is a festival sponsor.

July 25, 2016
Frogfest 28 Gets Checkered Flag At Utica/Rome Speedway

Frogfest 28, one of Central New York’s longest running festivals, has once again gone down in the books as a huge success.

Held at the Utica/Rome Speedway this year in Vernon, NY, the fun filled lineup welcomed local Beadle Brothers, together with national artists Lindsay Ell, Eric Paslay, and Montgomery Gentry who brought the party and did not disappoint the packed crowd. With blue skies and sunshine, Frogfest 28 was one epic day with a rodeo, a habitat for humanity build, good eats, and of course, great music. Check out NYS Music’s highlight gallery of the days events, and mark your calendars for next years.

Setlist Montgomery Gentry – All Night Long, Lonely and Gone, Hell Yeah, Couldn’t Change Me, Ever Stop Loving Me, Back When I Knew It All, Lucky Man, Something To be Proud Of, Roll With Me, Daddy Won’t Sell the Farm, Hillbilly Shoes, Speed, Some People Change, She Don’t Tell Me To, Where I Come From, One In Every Crowd. Encore: My Town, Gone/Hillbilly Reprise

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July 25, 2016
Hearing Aide: Keepin’ The Family Debut EP

New Jersey indie rock band Keepin’ The Family independently released their self-titled debut EP in late June. The five-piece band has been gaining ground, only just getting started in 2016. With interesting instrumentation, including a trumpet and banjo, Keepin’ The Family has a range of talent with a little something for everyone.

The first track ‘Wet Snow’ comes in fast and heavy, with lead singer Jacob Cafaro’s voice barreling through. The song’s impetus rhythm is undeniable, making it difficult to not bop your head to the beat of the drums. Throw in some banjo, and you’ve got yourself a beautifully intense song. It would be easy to pop this album in at the start of a road trip and get a solid start.

Track three, titled ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ shows the band’s ability so slow it down and make listeners daydream a little. Slower in tempo and on the playful side, the track builds to a beautiful Allman Brother’s-esque guitar solo that makes the track feel more like a story. Cafaro’s voice isn’t perfect, but always hangs on and finds the perfect place to be. The band’s playful side is apparent, whether it be a rock song or a slower ballad.

Getting to the final track, ‘Road Trip,’ listeners are given a simple, clean song that feels inspiring and promising. The banjo yet again shines through, adding a piece of bluegrass to the already classic song. It would be easy to listen a few times and want to sing along by yourself on the open road.

‘Keepin’ The Family’ is a really fantastic introduction to what this band is capable of. Their influences may be obvious to most, but the range of their music is unique and vast. Not many bands include banjo and trumpet, only adding to their already remarkable abilities. With just five tracks, listeners can be in any mood to enjoy the album in full. Keepin’ The Family has a promising future if they continue to put out albums that not just engage listeners, but make them really feel it.

Catch up with Keepin’ The Family on their Facebook page, and listen to the album on their Bandcamp.

Key Tracks: Wet Snow, Camelot, Road Trip

July 25, 2016
Closing In On Tumbledown: An Inside Perspective with Ryan Dempsey of Twiddle

Vermont’s favorite band, Twiddle, will be hosting Tumbledown as a part of Burlington’s yearly summer Maritime Festival at the waterfront in Burlington, July 29th-30th. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Dempsey, keyboardist of Twiddle, to get the inside perspective. Dempsey shares how the line-up came together, the special connection that they have to Burlington, as well as a few other interesting bits and pieces about the event to let fans know what’s in store for them this coming weekend.

Chelsea Erin Wright: Hey Ryan! So many people, including myself, can’t wait for Tumbledown! This is Twiddle’s first big event, in your home state of Vermont. Can you tell me a little bit about how you guys came up with the name, and why you chose Burlington as the location?

Ryan Dempsey: We came up with with the name when we were looking through our lyrics. There’s this song called “Amydst the Myst”…we also thought it was a really recognizable name that people wouldn’t forget. There’s no other festival out there that has the name Tumbledown, but it also has to do with a song that’s important to us and it’s catchy…like come on tumble down to the waterfront! I think it sounds good. We chose the waterfront because it’s the most beautiful spot in this area, a great place to see a show…have fun, relax watching the sunset and experience good music…we love it and want to promote Burlington, and we’re a Vermont band so what a better way to do that. I grew up there, so it’s a special place to me.

CW: You couldn’t have picked a better spot! Your long-time loyal Vermont fans thank you for choosing to throw it here.

RD: Absolutely!

CW: You guys chose some really amazing acts to accompany you for the weekend-it’s such a great variety of musical styles. I’d love to hear about how you guys came together & crafted your line-up?

RD: We sat down in the tour bus and thought about the line-up, and considered who we would want to be a part of it to get a good vibe going, and who we want to promote…to have a wide variety of musical styles…a little bluegrass, a little funk…a little of this and that. Also, they’re all our friends, and we chose the people that were available on our list…we’re more than excited to have them come, because they bring a positive message. Nahko, Cabinet, Holly Bowling…all of the bands bring a good vibe, and that’s what we want to encompass. We think we nailed it with the artists that we got to be a part of this event. I’m very proud and thankful to the artists who chose to get involved.

CW: I’m pretty sure you nailed it. I think it’s funny, a few years ago I recall having a conversation with you about the Kitchen Dwellers, and you were so stoked on them. I had never heard of them at that point, and since have seen them several times in Vermont at Nectar’s in Burlington, as well as The Frendly Gathering the past two years – they are so great, and I’m really happy they they’re playing Tumbledown with you guys. Can you tell me about your love for them?

RD: Yeah-here’s the story about the Kitchen Dwellers…they’ve become my really good friends. When we were on tour years ago, we played a show in Bozeman at a place called the Filler, and my ex-girlfriend from Bozeman said “hey, let’s go back to this party”…so we go, and we find out when we get there that there’s a bluegrass band who lives there, and they just play music in the kitchen. We learned that they went around to all of the college hot-spots, and played in peoples kitchens. They were clearly bringing a really big vibe and were gaining a scene quickly. They were so young at the time, like 18 or 19…Mickey and I set up our gear and jammed with them in the kitchen at this party, and thats how we became friends. So on the frequent trips I would make to Montana, I would stay with them and we became very close over the years…I got to watch them grow just like we did, starting out at college and expanding outward. The difference was that they were playing in all of the kitchens surrounding the local college scene…they’re a great band, a mixture of jam, funk and bluegrass. They’re killing it…I’m really proud of them, and I’m excited to see what they’re going to bring to Tumbledown.

CW: Awesome-speaking of which, can you tell me a bit about the Kitchen Cabinet?

RD: Kitchen Cabinet will be playing an after-show for Tumbledown, which is a combination of the band Cabinet and the Kitchen Dwellers…they’re both bluegrass oriented bands, and so they are for the first time coming together to blend their sounds. It’s going to be excellent, because they’re both amazing bands, made up of amazing individuals and talented musicians. I’m stoked to see what they’re going to come up with…I know Mihali and I will be sitting in with them. We can’t wait to see what they have in store.

CW: Nice, so we’re going to see whats inside the Kitchen Cabinet and it’s going to be good, I’m sure!

RD: It’s going to be delicious…it’s already making me hungry.

CW: Hah indeed! What would you say is going to make Tumbledown different than your typical maritime festival on the waterfront?

RD: It’s our first big event, and we’re so happy to see the love and support it’s gained so far. People from all over New England will be there…the ‘Frendly crew’ will be there. It’s going to be the first time we’ve had any of these bands in one place together…I’m going to be wearing a tutu. We’re working on a great set…we’ve worked our butts off on making this a fun event. It’s a community of great bands, and we’re offering something that you can’t really get at any other festival.

CW: Yeah that’s what it seems like-it’s like the communities of Twiddle fans, Frendly Gathering folks, and the Burlington scene, as well as many other ‘Frends’ from out of state, are coming together and intertwining, from the waterfront to downtown Burlington – where you can venture around at your own pace, while getting the chance to spend the weekend taking in the beauty of Vermont’s greatest city. This is an amazing opportunity!

RD: Exactly, and rain or shine its beautiful…you’re in one of the most beautiful places in the world, that people dream about. Last year we played the maritime festival, and we got an amazing sunset. This year I hope for people to look at and take in their surroundings, to feel the beauty of Vermont, and to experience the community of Burlington. Also, the idea of so many people from all of the New England states coming together, being friendly and creating a good vibe…just enjoying the music and having a great time….it’s exciting!

CW: I’m also very excited about it, and everyone that I’ve talked to is also stoked for the entire weekend.

RD: Good…you’re not allow to come. I’m making sure that the police escort you out.

CW: Oh wow okay, that’s great. That sounds really appropriate to me..

RD: Yea, I’ll pick you out in the crowd and be like “That girl, Chelsea…shes out”.

CW: Okay so, does that mean that Officer Frodjo’s going to kick me out, or will it be you?

RD: That’s a paradox, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens.

CW: Cause we’re frends…but Officer Frodjo and I are not.

RD: No, no yeah, we are frends…but Frodjo does not like you. Because you’re a good person, and Frodjo doesn’t like good people. You know like every other evil, corrupt cop…anyway, next question.

CW: HA! Yeah, so…while the music is the most exciting part, I know a lot of work and support has to come from many sources to put on a successful event. Can you share some of the ways in which people are coming together, to help make Tumbledown the best experience that it can be?

RD: Yeah, so we have a non-profit organization for charity called the White Light Foundation. We’re choosing many different ways to help the community, such as providing for homeless people and those in need. My dad is in charge of helping the homeless people of Burlington, he’s doing a great job…all of the excess money is going to go towards helping charities, which is great. We’re going to have Frisbee golf and a disc golf tournament, and the proceeds from that will go to the White Light Foundation. We’re going to have a PhanArt exhibit at Nectar’s, which is a great way for fans and artists to creatively express their love for bands such as Phish, Nahko, Twiddle…they can come up with their own art related to songs or lyrics, and they get to make money off of their art while also contributing proceeds to the White Light Foundation. This is bringing the artist community together to be a part of the event, which I think is huge. I’m wearing a tutu, that’s bringing many people together…

CW: That’s all amazing…and yeah the tutu, clearly that’s going to draw many, many ladies Ryan. And men.

RD: Yeah, the charity’s not important at all…it’s all about the tutu. But really those parts of the festival allow people to congregate and do something different during the music. It’s going to bring a lot of positivity. And Higher Ground is supporting us, which is helping us to make it possible…we couldn’t do it without the people of Burlington, and our supportive family of . We’ve had a lot of sponsorship…Ben & Jerry’s, the Outdoor Gear Exchange, Keep Vermont Weird…they’ve all been a huge help.

CW: Awesome. Let’s talk about the video that you made to advertise the event. It’s pretty rad that you were able to make it yourself, since video is something that you’ve always been into

RD: Yes, I was not expecting the amount of attention that my video got…we went downtown, Alex my girlfriend filmed it, and we have another friend who films, who provided some footage from Capitol Theater to add to it. The premise of that video was going downtown with a puppet, and approaching a bunch of random people and asking them to be a part of our video. It got like 20,000 hits within a few days. Then we made a second video with Frodjo…I had fun with it. Yeah, I went to school for film and am definitely a film guy…Frodjo is my avenue out into that world, having fun and making it a thing to promote Tumbledown.

CW: Sweet! What are you most excited about, as the days wind down to the event?

RD: Probably when I get on stage and pull off my tutu, and then pull my pants down, I’m going to get arrested

CW: And then it’s going to be over, because Twiddle’s not going to play Tumbledown…unless you’re going to have a 3 man show.

RD: Yeah, and then Twiddle’s going to breakup because they’re mad at me. Yeah, that’s what I’m most looking forward to. But really, in all seriousness I’m looking forward to Nahko…he is my biggest inspiration. Also, Madison Pruitt is coming and I believe she’s going to be playing a couple of shows…she is from Ohio, and is amazing. She’s a 16 year old girl who is just incredible, she’s going to blow up. I love all of the bands, but right now I’ve been following Nahko pretty steadily. I’m looking forward to sitting in with as many musical experiences that I end up a part of during the after-shows, and Mihali’s show…It’s just a full 2-days of music for me, the thing I love doing. I’m looking forward to all of it. I don’t doubt that everyone’s going to have a good time, so I’m looking forward to the aftermath of hearing people talk about it and seeing the photos.

CW: Cool! Well thank you so much for taking the time to share the inside perspective, and I’m looking forward to the very first Tumbledown! See you there!

RD: I’m looking forward to seeing your pretty face there, and everyone elses! Thank you for interviewing me, and I’ll see you soon!

Check out Twiddle’s website for more information.

July 24, 2016