Harvest of Hope - Day 2

Harvest of Hope was an interesting, to say the least, collection of fans brought together by a cheap ticket price and a surprising line-up. Normally a festival in over run by hippies and indie kids, but HOH had new group surpass the masses. They were metal/punk fans that look similar to characters in the movie, "Mad Max". They went by the name "Crusties" because they do not bath, but prefer not to be called hippies.

Wild Sweet Orange

Wilds Sweet Orange interview at Lightning 100.

After working at the station for nine months, I decided it was about time for me to take a day off. So I traveled down a day early to enjoy the beach before the festival. After enjoying some time on the beach, I met up with one of the members of City Lights Bloom. The band was kind enough to let me crash at their place for the night. I was a little weary when guitarist Brandon Highfill described the band as similar to Explosions in the Sky. A lot of bands that claim this tend to crash and burn with the over use of noise to fill in every gap of silence. City Lights Bloom was a refreshing breath of the correct way to build up an instrumental, with talented musicians. It was also impressive that HOH music festival was their first show....ever! They were contacted on myspace and asked to perform during a prominent time slot on Saturday night.

Lucero

After seen Lucero on several occations, it was suprising to see how sober Ben Nichols was on stage. Normally, a Lucero show will end with Ben Nichols performing in the parking lot for beers. Lucero's HOH peformance ended at 11:00 pm on the dot, with a simple "thank you".

Harvest of Hope - Day 1

The Harvest of Hope is a benefit for better working conditions and wages for migrant workers. These immigrants work in some of the worst conditions in the world to barley make enough to feed their own families back home. If we did not have these immigrant workers, food prices on most produce would rise three times the normal rate. Harvest of Hope is the first benefit festival I’ve ever attended. Being the first year of a festival, there will always be a few kinks that will accrue. We arrived worried about the lack of camping space available to the public. Several hundreds of festival goers arrived early to the site to set up a guaranteed spot. Most campers, after setting up their temporary homes for the weekend, enjoy cracking open a cold beer to celebrate their accomplishment. Ice is one of the most essential items need while camping at a festival. After wondering around the camp/festival grounds, I used my media pass powers for good and traveled to the backstage area to hopefully find some ice. After 20 minutes of following different signs marked "ice" I figured the ice truck had not arrived at it's destination. So I paid a vender $5 to get a 20 pound bag of ice and took it back to the campsite. I have never received so many looks of confusion/anger walking back to my tent.

If you are wondering where I am writing from, Harvest of Hope definitely cut back on their press area. Right now, I am under a canopy with no internet, electricity or even an adequate amount of shade. The odd thing is, the bands do not get access to anything in the back. They do not get a camping pass, meals, water, or even a pass for the full festival. They do get 7 Miller Lite drink tickets thought, per band.

Indie rock dj, Girl talk, headlined the first night of the festival. Girl Talk’s music is a mix of pop culture reference, hip hop, and iconic older tunes that you might hear on Lightning 100. Even without my new camera, I ventured into the photo pit to get a few quick shots. Enjoying my amazing view from the photo pit, I decided to step it up(literally) to the show. So I joined a bunch of indie white kids to dance on stage to hip hop. If you are wondering what that looks like, it’s just a whole lot of jumping. Standing on stage is always a different view of a show.



Also the Harvest of Hope forgot to provide power for the press tent. I am on a race to write before my battery kills my media experience.

UPS of Hope: Pre-Festival

Normally I would start my blog from the start of the festival, but this long car ride has inspired me to pass the time with a story. After many days of researching digital SLR, I finally order my first large camera purchase. After a good week of work at Lightning 100 packed into 3 days, I came back home expecting my camera to be waiting for me at my door. Don’t expect anything from UPS. After several hours on the phone, I was informed that my camera was on my front doorstep. I was actually told by UPS that “You must of not noticed them dropping it off while you were on the phone with us(customer support).” I asked UPS to wait a moment while I checked. No camera. After UPS actually check their records, they informed me that the driver took the package to the wrong address. It was delivered to a house in East Nashville off Dickerson Road. I ventured to the house in hopes that I would be able to obtain my package. The house was dimly lit on one of the worst streets in East Nashville. I knock on the door and do not get an answer. The neighbors next door were nice enough to take a break from their 40’s to tell me that they were not home. I guess UPS will be buying me another camera, but I doubt try will be able to repay me for the priceless photos I would of taken at the Harvest of Hope Music Festival.

Harvest of Hope 2009

This year marks the first annual Harvest of Hope Foundation Music and Art Festival at the St. Johns County Fair Grounds in St. Augustine, Florida. This three day, multiple stage alternative music festival all to benefit and raise awareness for Harvest of Hope (www.harvestofhope.net), a non-profit organization that provides financial, educational, and service oriented aid to migrant farm workers all over the country. The event emphasizes the focus on being family friendly as well as environmentally friendly. Showcase not only a large group of musicians who are donating their time and performances to the cause but will also showcase a variety of art shows and films from progressive artists from around the country, non-profits, local businesses and progressive organizations.
Most importantly, the festival will be focused on raising funds and awareness for the Harvest of Hope Foundation.

Line-up for Harvest of Hope 2009
(My picks are highlighted, but still checking out new bands)

Girl Talk Less Than Jake Tokyo Police Club The Night Marchers The Mae Shi King Kahn & the Shrines Yip-Yip Rehasher Grand Buffet Ruby Coast Hollywood Holt Tim Barry Bomb the Music Industry Austin Lucas O’Pioneers Josh Small Liza Kate Look Mexico Brainworms Flatliners Paul & Ginger Dirty Money The Takers Tubers Anchor Arms Cheap Girls Alligator Failures Union Coyote Throat Laserhead The Winslows Reptile Theatre	Against Me! Lucero Propagandhi The Mountain Goats Bad Brains Tilly & the Wall The Bouncing Souls John Vanderslice Strike Anywhere HEALTH Wild Sweet Orange Valient Thorr Deerhunter Paint it Black None More Black Underground Railroad to Candyland Her Space Holiday Sundowner Lymbc Systm Sunbears Static Radio (NJ) Antartic After the Fall Smoke or Fire (acoustic) Hometeam The Beauvilles Averkiou Morningbell Hawks & Doves Bridge & Tunnel Mouthbreather Weapons to Go Mumpsy Ones to Blame Johnathan Appleseed BLORR Viernes Jimmy Reeves & the Wolf River Juicy Pony City Lights Bloom T13C! Towers of Hanoi Willie Green Christina Wagner Lighthouse Music Blues Lightning Onslaught Dynamo Incoherent Barnaby Jones Mario Sevayaga County Road	The National GZA/Genius The Gaslight Anthem Diplo Kool Keith (Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Doom) featuring Kutmasta Kurt Black Kids The Harlem Shakes Ra Ra Riot Tiger City MURS Holy F*ck Monotonix Kiss Kiss This Bike is a Pipebomb Hammel on Trial Keith Murray Dave Dondero Kevin Seconds Fake Problems Whiskey & Co. Summerbirds in the Cellar Division Minuscula Vince P Ghost Mice Paul Baribeau Young Livers Good Luck Grabass Charlestons Tim Version Lauris Vidal & his warm guns Gatorface Virgins (FL) Monikers How Dare You New Bruises Emilyn Brodsky Ninja Gun Spoonboy EYC Cutman Protagonist No More I made this mistake Lost Hands Found Fingers Assasinate the Scientist So Pastel Worlds R.A.F. Buttons Shaking Hands

Langerado Canceled

It was disappointing to find out about the cancellation of Langerado this year. The location move from an indian reservation in the Everglades to downtown Miami might be why they did not sell enough tickets this year. There is something about paying for at hotel and an over price festival ticket that does not sit right with people.

Don't worry though, another festival is accuring the same weekend if you had your heart set on good music and camping. Harvest of Hope Fest will be going on March 6-8 in St. Augustine, Florida.

Visit HarvestofHopeFest.com for more details on tickets, line-up, camping, and everything else you might need. Check back for my picks for the festival.

Bonnaroo 2009

The Lineup!

For the 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Phish (2 Shows)
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails
David Byrne
Wilco
Al Green
Snoop Dogg
Elvis Costello Solo
Erykah Badu
Paul Oakenfold
Ben Harper and Relentless7
The Mars Volta
TV on the Radio
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Gov’t Mule
Andrew Bird
Band Of Horses
Merle Haggard
MGMT
moe.
The Decemberists
Girl Talk
Bon Iver
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Galactic
The Del McCoury Band
of Montreal
Allen Toussaint
Coheed and Cambria
Booker T & the DBTs
David Grisman Quintet
Lucinda Williams
Animal Collective
Gomez
Neko Case
Down
Jenny Lewis
Santigold
Robert Earl Keen
Citizen Cope
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
The Ting Tings
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Kaki King
Grizzly Bear
King Sunny Adé
Okkervil River
St. Vincent
Zac Brown Band
Raphael Saadiq
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Crystal Castles
Tift Merritt
Brett Dennen
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Toubab Krewe
People Under the Stairs
Alejandro Escovedo
Vieux Farka Touré
Elvis Perkins In Dearland
Cherryholmes
Yeasayer
Todd Snider
Chairlift
Portugal. The Man.
The SteelDrivers
Midnite
The Knux
The Low Anthem
Delta Spirit
A.A. Bondy
The Lovell Sisters
Alberta Cross

Austin City Limits: Day 3

Austin City Limits Recap - Sunday

Photography by Brendon Getz

Jayson with Beck
Mike Farris

Mike Farris Interview

Brendon Benson from the Raconteurs

Jack White from the RaconteursGillian Welch

Austin City Limits: Day 2

Austin City Limits Recap Saturday

Photography by Brendon Getz

What Made Milwaukee Famous Interview American Bang Interview

Back Door Slam

Band of Heavens Interview

Sharon Jones

Sharon Jones Interview

Austin City Limits: Day 1

Austin City Limits Recap - Friday

Photography by Brendon Getz

Sunny Sweeney

Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell Interview

Vampire Weekend

Bobby Bare Jr.

Patty Griffin

The Mars Volta

Lollapalooza: Day 3

The last few days at Lollapalooza and hanging out in the city has been amazing. Festival goers have had perfect weather, no known cancellations and great sound. I think Chicago liked me too, but maybe a little to much. If this post seems broken up, it is due to the fact that I have been contentiously being moved to different terminals. So far I have spent 8 hours in the airport so far. The last day of Lollapalooza had a lineup of acts that made you want to stay at the festival. The first act I saw on Sunday would be The Whigs. The young trio seem very excited about playing the festival, which always adds to a show. The indie band occasionally would bust out some moves that made me believe that they were all once in a metal band.

The Whigs

My last encounter with Chromeo was backstage at Bonnaroo, then a great late night set. It is hard to measure up to that performance, but I still enjoyed the Lollapalooza set. One thing that changed about Chromeo was with their increasing popularity, Chromeo likes to say their name a lot now.

After Chromeo, I made my was to the Citi Stage where I would see my last show of the day. Saul Williams music leads you to believe that he is an interesting guy. If you want to know what an "interesting guy" means, check out the photos.






Lollapalooza really is a great festival, Chicago is a lively fascinating city, but the O'Hare airport is a hell hole. I would gladly get into the Rage Against the Machine mosh pit for another 2 hours than have to wait on another plane to turn me down. I am about ready to yell bomb in the airport. Please do not fly American Airlines.

Lollapalooza: Day 2

The second day of Lollapalooza started off with a brisk run from my hotel to catch Dr. Dog. I always forget how long it actually takes to upload a video on youtube. The show was definitely worth the run though. Make sure to check out Dr. Dog when they come to 3rd and Lindsley on September 7th.

Dr. Dog pt. 1

Dr. Dog pt. 2

After a performance from Dr. Dog, I ventured over to DeVotchKa on the other side of the park. Only owning the Little Miss Sunshine soundtrack of theirs, it was interesting hearing them with vocals. I enjoyed it, but did miss the yellow bus from the movie.

DoVotchKa

DeVotchKa would be the first sound track band of the day, next I went to the Budweiser stage to see Explosions in the Sky. It is really easy to get into an instrumental, energy driven band like Explosions in the Sky. So I did. It might of been my favorite show of the weekend that I almost skipped out on to go get a slice of pizza. So if you every have a choice between a slice of pizza and Explosions in the Sky, make sure to make the right one.

Before Rage Against the Machine, they raised the police guard post. I decided if I was going to see Rage Against the Machine, I would do it right and get up in the front. Best/worst idea of the festival. 20 minutes before the show even started, people started moshing. For a guy that only weighs 155 pounds, I stood my ground pretty well.

By the time the show started, the crowd switched from moshing to full crowd swaying. Lollapalooza is where I met the guy that makes me really want to stay out of jail. During the second song, the rage kicked up 20 notches and turned into an extremely angry mob. I some how got pushed into the mosh circle and ran into a guy I like to refer as "Terror Train". He looked like the tattoo artist that you would be afraid of backing out of getting tattoo due to the fact that he might kill you. By the 3rd song, I was about 25 feet back from where I was originally standing, in an area with less rage. I got some video of the show, including myself in the mosh pit, but I can't upload it from here. Check back for videos from Rage Against the Machine, Explosion in the Sky and DeVotchKa. Here is a video I found, you kind kind of see me getting crushed on the left side of the stage in the front. Rage Against the Machine opened up with Testify.

Rage Against the Machine - Testify



Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire



Rage Against the Machine - Calm like a Bomb

Lollapalooza: Day 1

It is easy to compare Lollapalooza to other festivals I have partaken in. An average festival would start with me waking up at 8am due to the sun blazing into my tent and creating a cocoon of humidity. Lollapalooza entail me waking up at 10am to three very attractive women walking around in towels and ordering room service. I could get used to this.

The 2008 Lollapalooza music festival started off with a pretty strong line up of non-stop shows. While looking at the map, I originally called Lollapalooza a midget festival compare to the huge size of Bonnaroo. After running back and forth to the North and South side of the festivals, the walk started to wear down on me. The first show I made it to was Holy F*ck who remind me of an Atari that drank to much coffee. For an early show, it probably had the largest amount of people dancing on Friday.


After Holy F*ck blew me away, I walked over to see Rogue Wave after missing them at Bonnaroo. The mellow tones of Rogue Wave were over taken by the amount of people in the crowd talking over the band. I moved my way up closer into the crowd and took this video of Rogue Wave performing Chicago x 12.



After wonder around to explore the festival, I made my way back to the AT&T Stage to see the Yeasayer. If my grand children ever ask me why I am deaf, I will tell them it was because went to Lollapalooza and saw Yeasayer. I probably will not hear them ask the question though.


The Black Keys were the next band on my list to see at Lollapalooza. So I ventured to the other side of the park to the Budweiser Stage. I was initial confused on a woman standing on the left side of the stage on a speaker, but then I noticed that she was signing the crowd. The Budweiser Stage is the only one at Lollapalooza that has an interpretor and she was getting down.

Mates of State - Get Better



Grizzly Bear

After a long day at Lollapalooza, I stationed myself for a spot for Radiohead. The downfall was that so did 20,000 people before me. Radiohead started there set while the sun was setting over the Chicago skyline. It was a perfect setting for for a Radiohead concert, but I do not believe that the other people understood this in the crowd. Some how the crowd was talking over Radiohead! The sound should of been louder, but the people should of been quieter. After heading a girl ask "who is this band again?", I pushed my way closer to the front. The closer I moved up, the talking turned to singing along. It ended up being a great show, it is a shame that most of drunk Chicago missed it.

Radiohead - The National Anthem

Radiohead - There, There

At the end of the show, every drunk festival goer took to the streets. I would think after so many years of putting on the festival, they would have a down. Check out the Lollapalooza chaos in this video.

Well I have to run, I am starting to miss some bands. Check back tomorrow for more coverage.