For your listening pleasure: EUMATIK

When I walked into Be Here Now, Muncie's artsy-yet-totally-rad all-ages venue on St. Patty's Day, I was planning on taking in an hour or two of music before heading home early. Once again, the Midwest music scene proved me wrong. Indigo Sun was already rocking to an energetic crowd while Alex 'Herm' Schneider of herm Productions lit up the otherwise cave-like corner that houses the small stage on the lower level of BHN.


Herm...

Amongst the crowd, I stumbled upon the 3 guys who make up Eumatik. Derek Shelton (drums) and Ashton Kleeman (keys) bounced about with the same mix of quirky antics and mischievous charisma they always exude while Josh Lockwood (Ableton Live production guru) looked over their equipment. Josh is the quiet one...calm demeanor, polite smile, a little shy. That is, until they take the stage and he puts the hood of his zip-up on. At that point he, along with Shelton and Kleeman, morph into a crazy, dance-inducting music machine that literally forces your body to move and your mind to slip into the music.



With the welcomed addition of Herm's never-ending flow of beautiful colors and dramatic effects, they took over the crowd of appreciative music fans celebrating the Irish in all of us. It's hard not to fall prey to their free-flowing and infectious energy. I did and loved every minute of it.



After their St. Patty's gig, I asked the guys a series of questions to help the IndyMojo crowd become a little more familiar with this talented trio in preparation of their set this Thursday, March 31st at the Mousetrap with Psynapse & Jeremy Daeger for Indymojo Presents: Altered Thurzdaze w/Eumatik. View full event details here.


Chances are, if you've been anywhere near the Midwest Jam scene in the last couple years, then you've seen Josh Lockwood and Ashton Kleeman in action before. They are 2/3 of the psychedelic/fusion band Catch Curtis and Kleeman is also half of the livetronica duo Emryonic Fluid. Derek Shelton has sat-in with a plethora of Midwest bands such as Catch Curtis & Midwest Hype and was part of the jazz-fusion group Red Light Remedy. Here is a little more about Eumatik...in their own words!
Side note: If the talk gets a little "techy" for you, just know that these guys are extremely knowledgeable in not only how to play music, but how to MAKE music. Enjoy!

KG: Eumatik...care to explain that name?
Josh: The word Eumatik (pronounced "you-mat-ik"), was initially just a name we coined to define our sound. Since then, the word has evolved into more of a music-making concept than a title. We like to think of Eumatik as a living, trance-inducing, funk-blasting, dance mechanism that stimulates the mind by being harmonically innovative and experimental, yet easily accessible in the conventions of modern electronica.


KG: How would you define Eumatik's sound?
Ashton: We're a fusion band that has been flipped on an electronic axis so-to-speak, because Eumatik's sound isn't limited to electronica or electronic-based genres of music. We incorporate our jazz and classical training into the elements of our compositions via the way we treat the form, the transitions, or the harmonic dictation. But the one element to our music that we all follow and incorporate into every sub-element, is the production instrument, Ableton Live, orchestrated by Josh. We treat our live sets as a journey through the ultimate functions of music - dance and emotion. We attempt to be universally enjoyable on the dance floor by putting our own spin on techno, dubstep, trance, drum & bass, funk, hip hop, swing, and disco while simultaneously characterizing the track's personality or setting whether it be fun-loving, sexy, angry, goofy, robotic, imprisoned in a dark castle, shooting down enemy planes, haunted by ghosts, freaked out by circus freaks, abducted by aliens... stuff like that.


KG: With Altered Thurzdaze consisting of so much dubstep, what do you hope to bring to that particular scene?
Ashton: We will bring improvisation ... melodic and glitch improvisation.


KG: and how do you hope that crowd "responds" to your music?
Ashton: I hope they go bananas for Eumatik!


KG: How long have you, Ashton, & Derek been playing together and what made you decide to give Eumatik a go?
Josh: The three of us met in music school at Ball State University. Ashton and I started jamming about five years ago and we've played in Catch Curtis together for about three years now. Derek was in another band when Catch Curtis started, but I knew he could nail down beats to a click track in one take because I had him play drums on a few of my recording projects for school. Ableton Live was the sole reason that Eumatik came about. We realized that the three of us complement each other perfectly and our first official show was in October 2010. We've composed well over three hours of music for Eumatik since then and I couldn't be happier with the way we work together and function as a group.


KG: Is it ever hard to separate Catch Curtis from Eumatik...and the same for Ashton with Embyonic Fluid, CC, and Eumatik?
Ashton: For me, It's not a difficulty at all because they complement eachother in a very unique way. If I was a chef, it would be a secret, but I'm not, so I'll say that I manage to incorporate aspects of what I've
learned from playing in each project into each project in a sort of interwoven mesh of inspiration. So, actually it has been essential to finding my unique playing style and technique.


KG: What is the goal of Eumatik?...just for fun or all the way?
Josh: We really want to hit the festival scene hard and play a lot of late-night time slots. Music festivals bring a great mix of art and music lovers together, but lately there has been a difference in opinion between some of the "organic" (acoustic, no loops, no computers) music fans and "electronica" (synth-based, heavy use of loops, drum samples) music fans. So being lovers of both modern jazz and electronic dance music, one of our main goals is to bridge the gap between the two. A lot of newer electronica artists primarily emphasize rhythm, timbre, and texture via the sound design, and the synthesis alone is extremely in-depth. We are synth-prominent in instrumentation, but we also hope to appeal to jazz fans by adding a lot of color to our chord voicings, melodies, and solo sections. We love to get down to tasty synths and dance beats, but we're constantly challenging ourselves to be harmonically and melodically unconventional (for instance, using altered dominant scales, modal progressions, and modulating sequences in a hip hop or dance track). Another goal of ours is to stress the organic qualities of our group improvisation, even through the exploration of Ableton Live. We all believe that improvising is the key to expressing ourselves limitlessly within our art form, and we have an insane amount of fun when we improvise because of the hard work put into preparing for live shows. For me, making music is all about looking back through history, collecting all the qualities, characteristics, and sounds I love, and meshing them together into something that fits well. Our plan is to focus on building upon old ideas and develop new ones so we can continue to make the kind of music that we love... ALL THE WAY!!! for fun



To learn ore about Eumatik and/or to hear some recent tunes, check them out on Facebook or visit their website.

Eumatik on YouTube!

I would also like to say a very special THANK YOU to Adam Alexander for the use of his amazing photographs...check out Adam Alexander Photography and give him a "Like" today!

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine my friends!
music.love.KG.

Read more: KG's Blogs » IndyMojo - Find Friends and Fun in Indy

You've been Dosio-ed!

Ahhhh....Dosio.

After my last blog, where I outlined what to expect at a Papadosio show, I was pretty sure the show put on by IndyMojo this past Friday at the Vogue would be somewhat predictable. I should have known better.

With people filling the downstairs, PapaD took the stage to a rousing crowd of fans who were ready to get down. The 5-piece from Athens, OH were, in-turn, ready to make it happen. From their first note, Papadosio exuded positive vibes and played with an energy I hadn't seen from them since last summer. Coming off a three week break in Peru, it was apparent they had found their groove and a new-found passion for playing.



While seamlessly transitioning crowd favorites and songs from their upcoming album, PapaD offered the same perfect blend of powerful riffs and melodic lyrics with that little something extra that makes a show go from really good to simply amazing. They continuously worked the crowd into a frenzy before pulling back just enough to have them begging for more and then happily giving it to them. Each song ended with a dramatic climax with adoring fans on the tips of their toes soaking up every drop of Dosio they could. With glowing hoops, poi and about a dozen lasers going in every direction, the show captivated every sense and I could feel that unique energy that only Papadosio possesses. By the time they covered Yeasayer's O.N.E., I had seen all I needed to see.



In an industry where playing harder, faster, and louder doesn't necessarily equal better, Papadosio is the perfect balance. They know how to push just enough, slow down when needed and no matter how loud, they always seem to sound just-right. I wouldn't be surprised if before long, Dosio isn't selling out venues like the Vogue and moving into a higher jam tier. I can't wait to see what they bring to the festie scene this summer!

As for Sixdollarsuit and Octopus Nebula, I owe them a super huge apology for missing their sets. A serious of mishaps and unfortunate events ended with me getting to the show just as Papadosio took the stage. From all accounts, I was told both sets were pretty good!

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine my friends!
music.love.KG.

Be sure to check out more upcoming shows presented by IndyMojo! Their Spring line-up is STELLAR with shows by EOTO and Cornmeal...plus, their 420 Show & MojoStock are shaping up rather nicely!

For more info and/or tour dates for Papadosio, check out http://www.papadosio.com.

PapaD is back!

Papadosio, Dosio, PapaD…no matter how you refer to them, this captivating band from Athens, OH is always full of energetic jams and tantalizing grooves. With a show set for this Friday at the Vogue in Indianapolis, you will have the opportunity to experience them for yourself.



My first encounter with Papadosio came at Wuhnurth 09. As people flooded the main stage looking for Pnuma Trio, they were surprised to find an eclectic foursome spreading some seriously positive vibes. Due to travel issues for Trio, Dosio's set had been moved up and it didn’t take long for them to show they were more than capable of filling a headlining spot. Each song was executed with confidence and ease…the kind most commonly found in bands who have been touring together for decades, let alone a few years. By the time they covered Chromeo, the crowd was hanging on to every note and, in my opinion, they had successfully taken over Wuhnurth 09.



From there, PapaD has taken to touring the country from one coast to the other and back again; hitting up nearly every notable fest along the way. From side stage performances to headlining gigs, they blend heady electronica riffs and melodic lyrics and never fail to bring positive vibes to every set.

Now a five-piece with the addition of Sam Brouse on keys, they are continuing to take over the Midwest music scene. So far, they are set to play Summer Camp, Wakarusa, All Good, Beer Creek and, of course, their own Rootwire Music & Arts Festival in Logan, OH. Whether playing to a crowd of a few hundred or tens-of-thousands, Papadosio exudes positivity not only through their music, but their way of life as well.



Returning this week from a getaway to the Shimbre Shamanic Center located close to Puerto Maldonado, Peru, Dosio is ready to bring a new perspective on life and music to their fans. Taken directly from their site, papadosio.com-

"We have found ourselves in an extremely fortunate position to be in front of thousands of people all the time. We have chosen to express ourselves through lyrical means, and this is something we don’t take lightly. We want to stay on the path, whatever that may mean. This trip to Peru, will provide us with a new perspective, and hopefully allow us to continue to not only get this message across effectively, but keep the message pure of deviation."



Joining them for the first leg of spring shows is Octopus Nebula. Although I have not seen a live show, I have heard some amazingly good things about this Denver-based band. With Papadosio’s “seal-of-approval,” they are expected to be well received by the Midwest jam scene. Sixdollarsuit will also add their sound to the mix to round out a stellar unifying musical experience!

So, be sure to hit up their show this Friday, March 18th at the Vogue presented by IndyMojo.com. They will definitely help fight off the impending green haze brought on by St. Patty’s Day festivities.


Until then, be safe my friends.

music.love.KG.

Birthday Fun Run presented by IndyMojo.com, Hidden Relic Productions, & YMSB

Some people celebrate their birthday only 1 day a year…or maybe even for a couple days. As for me, I like to give myself a couple of weeks. I use to feel bad about this until a friend insisted an entire month was the way to go. This year, a two week tour of some of my favorite bands in the Midwest was just enough…even though it was cut a little short. More on that later.

My run started with Boombox, B!tch Please, and Bad Dagger presented by IndyMojo.com at the Vogue in Indianapolis. Bad Dagger, the side project of Twin Cats’ bassist Cameron Reel, started the night off with some sweet electronica jams produced solely by Reel. I felt Cam was a little reserved during his debut show, but knowing it came a little earlier than expected, I’d say his set was extremely solid. Spacey jams mixed with some techno and escalating climaxes with none of the womps you hear in most new ventures, it was a nice change from some of the stuff I’ve heard lately. I can’t wait to see where he goes with it at his April 21st show at Max’s Place in Bloomington with Catch Curtis.
B!tch Please came out next with his mash-up of Top 40 hits and head-bumping mixes. His set was filled with tons of energy and the crowd couldn’t help but move with the music. It was a nice transition into the highlight of my night, Boombox.




Consisting of Russ Randolph and Zion Rock Godchauz, Boombox mixes early funk and soul with a little disco and reggae to make a sound all their own. Their brand of jam is mellow with a bit of an edge that keeps you moving. To keep with that theme, Alex ‘Herm” Schneider from Herm Productions and Boombox’s own light guy, Todd, teamed up to bring two lighting styles together for one stellar show. Herm, with his bold color schemes and dramatic transitions paired nicely with Todd’s smooth color changes and more laid-back approach. It was interesting to see two styles meld together so well without any previous collaboration. By the time Boombox covered Shakedown Street (quite possibly my favorite rendition done of that particular jam), the crowd was under their spell and rocking in-sync with every beat. Overall, it was a great night of friends and music to kick off my birthday run. Check out IndyMojo.com for a ton of amazing photos from that show!




A few nights later I headed back to the Vogue where Galactic and Orgone were spicing up Valentine’s Day for the Indy area. Galactic out of New Orleans offers an infectious dose of jazz and funk that is unrivaled by most touring bands I’ve seen. Although I’m a fan of their earlier stuff, the giant “Ya,” “Ka” and “May” in huge LED-lit pieces at the back of the stage let me know they would be rocking some of their newer stuff. Neither the music nor aesthetics of that show disappointed. With Plexiglas covered LED’s not only lighting up the back of the stage, but around the keyboard, drums, and speaker, the lights beautifully accessorized a stage filled with heart-pumping funk and groovy jazz licks. Add the amazing skills of Corey Henry from Rebirth Brass Band on trombone and soulful voice of Cory Glover from Living Color, and you have the makings of a very intense love affair with funk. Another highlight from the evening was when Orgone, a funk/soul/afro-beat band out of L.A., joined the mix and added a whole new energy to the show; not to mention the first trombone-playing cowboy I had ever seen! Even though I missed Orgone’s set at the beginning of the night, I was glad I got to see what they could do. Being a Monday night, the show ended before midnight with most of the expansive crowd sticking around until the very end, soaking up the last drops of some seriously red-hot music. Special thanks to Hidden Relic productions for the opportunity to attend such an amazing show and for all they do for the Midwest music scene everyday!




At the end of that week, one of my very best friends and I trekked all the way to Urbana, IL for Yonder Mountain String Band at the Canopy Club. At this point, I must say that my heart beats for funk and soul, but bluegrass runs a very close race. With so much electronica and dubstep mixed into the scene these days, it was nice to see four musicians onstage with little more than their respective instruments and a love for what they do. And I wasn’t the only one! That was the final show in Yonder’s Cabin Fever tour and more than a few of the folks in the crowd had attended several of the earlier shows in the run. As Yonder opened their first set with “Free to Run,” the crowd pushed into the haze of the lower level and set their feet in motion. A mix of old favorites and a few new jams kept the energy high and bodies moving until set break. After some time to rehydrate and rest a bit, YMSB kick-started another set with a “Bolton Stretch/Boatman” mix. Their range went from classic bluegrass to gritty crossover jams that carried the same passion and energy until the moment we had to head out. Although we missed the end to what Yonder proclaimed as a “great run,” that show was definitely the shining moment of my birthday show tour. I can’t wait to catch them again this summer under blue skies and sunshine!




The final stop of my tour was to be Shaggy Wonda and the Twin Cats at 902’s in Bloomington with Brent Nixon of Herm Productions on lights. Due to some issues with the venue, the show had to be cancelled. Talk about a major bummer for the local Midwest scene! That show was slated to be a combination of intense blues/rock/jazz and face-melting funk. I can only hope that trio of Midwest talent will team up and try for another show in the very near future. Until then, check out Twin Cats at the Mousetrap this Friday, March 4th and Shaggy Wonda next Thursday, March 10th with Waldemere Revival and Midwest Hype for the Spring Carnivale at Max’s Place in Bloomington! Herm Productions will be lighting the stage for both events, so be sure to hit them up!

In the meantime, be sure to show your support for the Midwest scene by spreading the word on your favorite bands’ shows.

music.love.KG.

Long lost Wuhnurth 09 blog...

I FOUND IT!!!

Due to live blogging from my iPhone at Wuhnurth 09, I misplaced my coverage of last year's fest. After the Wuhnurth crew announced 5 local acts that will have spots on this year's bill, I thought I'd give another go at locating it. Super stoked to stumble upon it this morning! Last year's Wuhnurth Music Festival was one of my favorite festivals of the whole summer. If you weren't able to catch it, check out my review...then stop by wuhnurth.com for more info on this year's festival taking place at their new location at Stable Studios in Spencer, IN.


Amazing times at Wuhnurth 09...

The air is filled with nothing but good vibes and positive energy at the Waterbowl for Wuhnurth 09. With music in every direction, people are beginning to come out of their shells, and tents, to find their groove. Root Hog has just set up on the hill while the Vessel is pulling people from all around to the Main Stage. After last night's sets from Cornmeal and Fresh Hops, as well as MC Spakplug's sunrise set on the main stage featuring Dallas and Kedree from Covert Operations, it's hard to imagine the music could get any sweeter. The continuous stream of cars entering the gates shows that there are plenty of people willing to find out. As the UV Hippo van passes by, it's obvious there's nothing but amazing music still to come. This festie kid cannot wait to see what the Hippo crew has in store for this year's Wuhnurth crew, but the anticipation of them teamed with Alex from Herm Productions will keep me going plenty long enough to check out their late night jam. Its nice to see the meaning of summer comee out among the crowd at this year's fest. Of all the faces in the crowd, one stands out as the happiest of all. James Nimmer, founder of Wuhnurth seems to be walking on air as his vision comes to life in front of his eyes. The pieces all seem to be falling in place as a community brought together by music helps live out one kid's dream.

shining beams of love...Dallas from Covert Operations

Later that night...

I'm sitting in the grass outside the Field Stage as UV Hippo brings a while new life to Wuhnurth 09. As far as Midwest bands go, the Hippo ranks among the creme-de-la -creme of what we have to offer. Hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, UV gives jamming a new meaning. Every bit of them, combined with the never-ending ribbons of lights brought on by Alex from Herm Productions, agrees with the late night crew they've just started to unleash their groove upon. Fading out of "Cream Soda" and into a stellar space jam, people are dancing on the brink of a new kind of musical appreciation. Coming to nearly 60 minutes of nonstop music, it's apparent that UV Hippo was set to raise the bar to a while new level. The only thing rocking the crowd as hard as the Hippo, is the light show offered by Alex "Herm" Schneider. As usual, Herm is on top of every note, predicting what's next, and providing the crowd with an endless combination of shapes and colors. People have been pulled from every stage to feel the energy given off by two amazing talented forces in the Midwest music scene. With the Sparkplug crew and the Twin Cats still on the line-up, only time will tell if Wuhnurth can top itself tomorrow.

UV Hippo w/Herm Productions on lights

There's one more that talks about Papadosio "owning" Wuhnurth, but it seems to still be MIA. However, if you've seen Papadosio at any of the shows they've rocked this summer, then you know they jam with meaning.

More updates coming soon as well as Forecastle and Umphrey's/Rusted Root on The Lawn at White River coverage.

Until then, stay positive and enjoy the sunshine!!

music.love.KG.

Hookahnanny Music Festival Official Press Release

ekoostik hookah Return for Hookahnanny at Myers’ Hog Hill, June 25-26

Second Annual Event Features Performances From ekoostik hookah, Shaggy Wonda, The Werks, Romeo Champagne, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Derrick Howard and Samesoul

Two-Days of Music & Camping on Over 60 Acres of Rolling Hills & Green Grass!

7100 South State Road 1 Hamilton, IN | 260-488-4545 or 260-668-1806 | $30 Weekend Pass | Primitive Camping Included | Gates open Friday at Noon / Saturday at 9 AM | Bands Friday & Saturday | All Ages | Children under 12 free with paid adult | Complete information at www.myershoghill.com


ekoostik hookah will be headlining the second annual Hookahnanny, held Friday and Saturday, June 25 & 26 at Myers’ Hog Hill in Hamilton, IN. Additional performers include The Werks, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Shaggy Wonda, Romeo Champagne, Derick Howard, Samesoul and more still to be announced.

One of the most original and energetic acts around today, ekoostik hookah is the nucleus of a family drawn to its lucid, improvisational treatment of psychedelic rock ’n’ roll, blues, funk, jazz and bluegrass layered with rich harmonies. Born early in 1991 in a smoky basement bar, the band has been continually evolving, cultivating a sound that has perked the ears of contemporaries and attracted fans who travel miles to hear them play.

Through two full-length albums, numerous live recordings, and a ragged commitment to touring, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus has become a phenomenon in the Midwest music scene. Their thirst for exploration and desire to connect with the listener leaves audiences shakin’ their booties and wanting more.

Formed in 2007, The Werks have an intrinsic style that explores diverse elements of rock, funk, electronica, soul, bluegrass, jazz and world music. This original style coupled a dedication to touring, has earned them the devotion of a number of music-lovers across the country.

What I learned at Summer Camp.

Hey festie kids!

Well, it’s that time of year…festival season! I’m Kim and once again, I’ll be gallivanting around the Midwest following some of the best music in the country as part of my “InTents Promo” Tour. I am also making a point to check out some of the environmental causes and initiatives taking place at more and more festivals as well. This year I kicked-off my summer with the 10^th Annual Summer Camp Festival at Three Sister’s Park in Chillicothe, IL last weekend. This was my first time hitting up Summer Camp, so I was pretty stoked to see if it lived up to the hype.

My weekend went like this:

I loaded up and headed for Illinois around noon on Thursday and arrived at Three Sister’s Park at 4pm. After bouncing from line to line at the “will call” desk for over an hour, I got my credentials and headed for the gate. I’d been warned the SC crew checks your belongings for outside alcohol, so I was prepared for the wait and tried to think cold thoughts (it was pretty hot in that line). After another hour, I finally entered the park and went in search of my campmates. I was fortunate enough to camp with the Shaggy Wonda crew out of Bloomington, IN. They’re an amazingly supportive “family” of beautiful people held together by their love of music (and each other). By the time camp was set up, it was time to hit up the Wonda set on the Camping Stage. Shaggy Wonda has a rock/blues/jazz mix all their own and know how to get a crowd going. Add lights by Brent Nixon of Herm Productions and live painting by Bloomington artist Jenna Crosbie and you have the recipe for a killer pre-party kick-off.

The Wonda Crew rocking the Camping Stage!

If you haven’t had a chance to hear Shaggy Wonda, check them out on Myspace and Facebook. Also, be on the look-out for some of their latest recordings from Stable Studios.

After the Shaggy Wonda set, I took a bit of a break before heading to the Red Barn for the late night jams.

The main show I was looking forward to in the barn was Future Rock. Based out of Chicago, Future Rock lives up to its name with super heady psychedelic riffs and mind-altering space jams . With that being said, my mind was actually on the kid behind the light board. If you’ve ever read an “Intents” blog or heard me talk about the Midwest music scene, then you know my love for Herm Productions. Headed up by Alex “Herm” Schneider, Herm Productions offers staging, production, and, most excellently, special effect lighting. Any show put on or involving HP is guaranteed to set your senses on fire and offer a light show so on point, you’d think it was pre-recorded. However, no automated show could ever bring the drama Herm brings to every show no matter the size or genre of music. Since he had been on tour with Future Rock for most of their shows in the past few months, I was interested to see how Herm ran this show. As usual, Herm hit every transition and was prepared for FR’s every move. Even though there were some technical difficulties in the middle (I doubt many people even noticed…the kid is good!), he started and ended strong and with his usual flair. It would have been great to see what he did without the snags, but seeing how he rocked it with them was pretty impressive. That night, and all weekend, I heard people talk about how great they thought that set was and how awesome the lights were. That show definitely set the bar for the rest of the shows that weekend and I couldn’t wait to see where it went from there.

I woke up and headed to the church early Friday morning for the daily “press meeting” and to charge my batteries (both literally and figuratively). Samantha Phelps was our press coordinator and did an amazing job keeping us informed of all of the behind-the-scenes events and happenings. As much as Summer Camp is about music, it is also about building a more sustainable festival that not only reduces its impact on its surroundings, but helps to give back to the community. Sam took us on a tour of the entire festival grounds and made sure to stop at the Soulshine Tent. At night, it was an all-out dance party with dueling dj’s and fire-spinners. By day, you could learn about recycling and the benefits of buying local as well as alternative fuel options and even all-natural dyes. Various bands such as Cornmeal, The Ragbirds, Family Groove Company, and Hot Buttered Rum played sets presented by non-profits and charitable causes.

Cornmeal rocking the Soulshine Tent!

There was also a “Make Difference” area near the tent with donation stations set up for canned foods, cell phones, and lightly-worn shoes. We even had the opportunity to speak with Summer Camp’s greening organizer and hear about some of the things they have been building upon to become a “greener” festival. Recycling centers were set up all over the festival grounds with a bin for garbage, one for compostable materials, and one for recyclables. Once the bags in the bins were collected by volunteers, they were taken to the “sorting” area to make sure trash wasn’t mixed in with the recyclable and compostable items. They even required vendors to order compostable supplies for the weekend in an effort to reduce waste. It was really nice to see such an influence put on making a positive change for the future.

The rest of my day was spent bouncing from show to show trying to take in as much music as possible. The Ragbirds had a good crowd for their 11am set and helped start the day off with positive energy. Papadosio out of Athens, OH kept spirits up in the heat with some crazy sweet electronica jams. Future Rock brought more amazing jams to the Starshine Stage, but didn’t have the same energy in the heat, and light, of day. One of my favorite sets of the weekend was Cornmeal. By the time I hit up their set on the Moonshine Stage, a cloud of dust had already been kicked-up by a huge crowd of adoring bluegrass fans. The dusty haze was pretty dense by the time they ended “Cornmeal in the Kitchen” and it took the crowd a moment to realize they were really done.

Cornmeal...again!!!

After a short stint catching the STS9 set, I ended up back at the Camping Stage just as Midwest Hype was finishing up. With the same energy I always expect from the Hype, they brought good vibes to the woods with their blend of reggae and hip hop. Next up was Indianapolis’ face-melting funk machine, the Twin Cats. Herm was back on lights with Brent in the wings to make sure this show went off without a hitch. If you have never seen a Twin Cats show with Herm Productions lighting, then you should make a point to track one down. The Twin Cats can throw down some of the best funk in the Midwest and HP knows exactly how they get down! With four LED strips framing Adam Catron on drums and lights in every nook of the canopy covering the stage, the duo didn’t stop the party for even a moment of the allotted hour. The power the Twin Cats bring to every show kept my heart racing and my body moving non-stop. They have quickly become one of my favorite bands in the Midwest. Be sure to check them out; you will not be disappointed.

From there, I headed to Bassnectar to help keep my adrenaline going. Complete with flashing lights and flying glowsticks, Bassnectar had the crowd raging in sync for well over an hour. At the end of every build-up,
hundreds of glowsticks would go flying and the crowd would explode again. After the final mix, I floated with the crowd to the second Umphrey’s McGee set of the night. Although I am not a huge Umphrey’s fan, I do have to say their light show was one of the most beautiful shows I have ever seen. With tiers upon tiers of lights, the stage was constantly washed in brilliant shapes and colors that went in every direction. I made sure to watch it from a few different angles and each one seemed better than the one before. I thought that show was, by definition, awesome.

Umphrey's whoa.Purple is my favorite.

Most of my day Saturday was spent avoiding the sun and trying to find shady spots to enjoy the music. One way I accomplished that was by heading to the church for a bass workshop with Victor Wooten, Janis Wallin of Family Groove Company, and Rob Derhak and Jim Loughlin of moe. It was interesting to hear the different takes on playing the bass guitar and with other musicians, especially from a few of my favorite bass player. I thought the workshop was a great way to add more intimacy to the festival and bring fans closer to the musicians as well.

Jim Loughlin & Rob Derhak of moe., Victor Wooten (SO close!), & Janis Wallin of FGC

From there, I took in the last of Steel Pulse’s jammin’ reggae set and a few moments of Victor Wooten. After that, I laid low until the sun backed off a bit. I headed to the Starshine Stage to catch Pretty Lights as the sun was starting to set. The biggest crowd I had seen at that stage was waiting alongside me and tore it down from the moment he started until he ended an hour later. Every beat ran seamlessly into the next and it was hard for anyone to stand still for more than a few seconds. Pretty Lights ended up being one of my favorite sets of the weekend as well. His raw energy was amazing and definitely left me wanting more.

I decided to opt out on the remaining Umphrey’s and moe. sets that night. I heard both were stellar with moe. producing a laser-ridden light show that stood up to, and possibly surpassed, Umphrey’s fireworks show. Since I wasn’t at either, I’ll stay neutral on the topic.

I made sure to hit up my Sunday press meeting and thank Sam for being such a great coordinator. With no set press plan from years past, I think she did a great job getting answers and trying to accommodating our needs.

our fearless press leader...thank you Sam!

I milled about my campsite for a while after that listening to some of the bands on the Campfire Stage. I had never heard Steez before, but they had a really upbeat jazz/funk sound. Brainchild is a band that I had heard locally before and enjoyed dancing to some of their jams while I packed up my stuff. I headed home that afternoon to get some work done and enjoy the rest of my holiday weekend with family, but was really grateful for the opportunity to experience the Summer Camp Festival. I’m not sure many of the 12,000+ crowd realized some of the great initiatives taking place around them while they enjoyed some truly amazing music, but I’m glad I was able to see it. Overall, I had a stellar weekend with talented people and amazing friends. I hope to go back next year and see how they intend to top this one; it’s going to be pretty tough if you ask me.

As for what’s next, I’m not exactly sure, but I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, stay positive and enjoy the sunshine!

music.love.KG