Storming the Castle!

Hello again and thank you for keeping up with all things InTents! Last weekend I hit up the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY which took me slightly out of the realm of festivals I had been frequenting. First of all, Forecastle was held at the Belvedere in downtown Louisville. Everything was located within the 7 acres that make up the water-front park on the Ohio River…no on-site camp or sprawling hills. Secondly, the line-up was a little more prominent than the smaller regional festivals I’ve been sticking to and, lastly, I was fortunate enough to spend time with and stay with my best friend, Abby, all weekend. All of those things combined pretty much secured Forecastle as my favorite festival so far.

The Ohio River from the Belvedere

I headed down Friday afternoon to catch up wth Abs and after dinner and some drinks, we headed down to register for our passes which included access to the VIP section…this was a first for me, but proved to be pretty cool. The VIP section basically consisted of several different areas to hang out in and around, a separate supply of porta-pots, discounted drinks and, best of all, a HUGE fan for heat relief. Concrete and humidity made for some sweltering weather both Friday and Saturday, but the music was well worth it.

So, onto that! We entered near the East stage and Extreme Sports area (amazing kids rocking out on bikes & boards all day…rad!) and headed straight toward the West Stage. The path from one stage to the next was lined with vendors ranging from normal hippie wear and jewelry to designer threads; an odd mix of hippies and hipsters that was pretty interesting. We arrived at the main stage just as Zappa plays Zappa finished setting up. I was a little disappointed we missed the Whigs, but Zappa definitely offered some positive energy and upbeat vibes. They’re pretty jammy and a little funky, so it was a nice start to my night. Find out if you dig them at myspace.com/zappaplayszappa.

After investigating the VIP section further and hanging with some friends, it was time for Pretty Lights to start. Pretty Lights consists of Colorado-based producer Derek Vincent Smith and drummer, Cory Eberhard. I hadn’t heard much from them before that night, but had heard a lot about them leading up to it, so I was pretty anxious to see what all the hype was about. As soon as the lights went on and the music started, I FELT exactly what everyone had been talking about. The beats were sick and the live drums brought a different element than you normally see at hip hop shows; everyone was dancing and the energy was amazing. After a short stint hanging out with my good friend Alex from Herm Productions (myspace.com/434761697), I got back in time for the Black Keys to finish out the night. The Black Keys was another band I had been told about a lot, but hadn’t seen live. They were a great transition from the electronica beats of Pretty Lights and brought a great blues-rock vibe to keep the energy up, but still pretty chill. I dug them a lot and everyone seemed pretty stoked when they came back for an encore. Check them out at myspace.com/theblackkeys to hear them for yourself…you’ll be a fan for sure!

The Black Keys in downtown Louisville

If you’ve ever been to Louisville, then you know the fun doesn’t stop until you do, so we headed to the Derby City Espresso to check out The Pass and You’re My Destiny. Both bands were pretty rockin’, and it was really nice sitting on their back patio and smelling the fresh coffee (even at 2a.m.). After a late night slice, it was all I could do keep my eyes open, so we headed back to Abs’ place to rest up for Day 2.

We arrived Saturday just in time to catch the end Afromotive’s set. A mix of afro-beat and funk, these guys from Asheville, North Carolina are great at getting your blood pumping and your feet moving. Feel the beat at myspace.com/afromotive.

We also caught the last bit of the New Mastersounds from the UK. Really amazing accents made me like them, but the music made me a fan. They’re jazz and soul and everything good about combining the two with funk. It’s hard to stand still when I listen to them…test yourself at myspace.com/newmastersounds.

After some super fresh sweet potato fries (one of my faves!), Abs and I took some time to hang out in the shaded confines of the VIP section during the Dead Confederate’s set. The Black Crowes were up next and by far the band I was looking most forward to seeing, so I was ready for them to start. Standing along the side of the lawn, I watched and danced, but was a little disappointed in the lack of energy they brought even with Chris Robinson rocking out and dancing harder than anyone else there. However, it was great to see one of my favorite bands playing in such a cool setting…skyscrapers and hotels lined the sky around the festival, which was made to look like a pirate shipwreck in the heart of Louisville. Whether you like the Black Crowes or not, check them out at www.blackcrowes.com for a free download of “I Ain’t Hiding.”

The Black Crowes!

We did happen to catch a little of Trevor Hall’s set on the East Stage where we ran into James Nimmer, founder of Muncie’s Wuhnurth Festival and his best girl, Christa, rocking out. Trevor Hall embodies peace, love and unity with his positive lyrics and reggae rock tunes. He makes your heart feel a little lighter and gives a little hope that things will change and be okay. Let go with Trevor at myspace.com/trevorhall if you need a release.

From there, the only thing left was the explosion brought on by Widespread Panic. Now, don’t get me wrong, Panic is GOOD; they’re talented and have been jamming for a long time, but I’m not a die-hard Widespread fan. I like the stuff, but they aren’t my crème-de-la-crème if you know what I mean. Most of the rest of the Forecastle fans felt the exact opposite. As soon as WP took the stage, everyone went crazy and entered a Panic frenzy filled with erratic dancing and elated joy. I’ll give it to the band, though, they know what it takes to make their fans go to that place and just ride the wave right on through. They rocked it out for over an hour before we decided to head out, but it was definitely a great end to the festival for me.

I didn’t hit up any shows Sunday, because I needed to head back, but Forecastle overall was AMAZING! Pretty Lights definitely stole the show and it was really great spending tons of time with my best friend. I’m sad it’s over, but there’s still tons of summer to go and I can’t wait for everything coming up!

Speaking of…next up is the Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering in Janesville, WI July 31^st-August 2^nd featuring Cosmic Railroad (obviously), ekoostik hookah, Terrapin Flyer, Sweetwater Meltdown, Home Groan, and a slew of others. Check out myspace.com/cosmicrailroad for the entire rundown of bands & events and don’t forget to check back often for more coverage on all things InTents!

Until then, be happy and stay positive,

music.love.KG.

Don't judge me.

As always, any questions/comments/concerns can be sent to intentspromo@gmail.com!

Campfire tales

Hello again and thank you for keeping up with all things InTents!

Last weekend’s 1st Annual Hookahnanny at Hog Hill in Hamilton, IN was my latest stop on the Promo Tour. Only a couple hours north of Muncie, Hog Hill has an amazing set-up for festivals. Surrounded by trees and offering tons of camping space, it’s a great place to get away and still be close to your morning cup of coffee (definite plus!).

After getting our camp situated, my friend/photographer, Nick Armogida, and I had a chance to mingle with some fellow festers before the music started. Vendors lined the far side of the hill across from the stage and tents took up most of the space left over. The stage, set at the top of a hill, was in perfect view from just about anywhere on the grounds and offered some good exercise in reaching it. As the music finally got underway, Gida and I found a nice shaded spot to hang out and enjoy the live music.

First up was Shaggy Wonda, an amazing group of musicians out of Bloomington that offer some pretty bluesy rock tunes. They definitely brought a mellow feel to start it off and Teddy Jones plays a mean sax for sure! Check them out at myspace.com/shaggywonda to see what I mean.

In between sets, we found our way back to the campsite to hang with some new friends and relax before Ekoostik Hookah started. Romeo Champagne offered a great set of funk and jazz to chill out to, but as night set in, you could tell everyone was ready for Hookah. We made our way to the stage just as the band started. A large crowd had already gathered and was not at all deterred by the steep hill they were dancing on. As one jam flowed into the next and the crowd really started feeling it, Gida and I took a little time out to spend with the stars. The sky was astonishingly clear and only added to the euphoria of live music, nature, and a slight head buzz.

When Hookah finished up, promising a MUCH longer set the next night, we hit up the valley again to catch Derick Howard’s acoustic set. As always, Derick astounded me with his “one man jam band” effects and crazy light show. Even after heading back to camp to sit around the fire, people would stop by just to make sure we knew those crazy riffs were coming from “ONE dude”. After a great day of music and campfire tales, we finally turned in.

The always amazing Derick Howard

Saturday morning started a little early due to the sun turning our tent into a not-so-welcome sauna, so we decided to get some coffee and take a cruise around to cool off. When we got back to Hog Hill, we stopped at the top of the campsite to listen to Dan Dickerson rock out with his amazing electroacoustic harpiness. If you haven’t seen Dan in his intergalactic mini-bus offering jams created by looping his guitar, harp, drum kit, kazoo and just about anything else that makes noise, then you haven’t experienced true wonderment. Check him out at myspace.com/harpconditiondandickerson and see if you don’t end up with a harp condition of your own…he’s amazing!

Dan Dickerson & Family

As hard as it was to pull away from the harp, word was out that one of my very favorite jam bands, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, had arrived and I couldn’t wait to see them! I chatted with some of the guys as well as UV promotions master, Rachel, as everything got set up and then just sat back and enjoyed the energy the Hippo always brings to wherever they are. For their schedule and/or to listen to some awesome tunes, check out myspace.com/uvhippo…so worth it!

At this point, the sun was really starting to burn me (literally), so we headed down to the pavilion for some lunch and much needed shade and then back to camp for a nap. Unfortunately I ended up missing The Werks & Samesoul, but they did offer some amazing background music to take a nap in the grass to. I awoke as Ekoostik Hookah was setting up for their second set, so we decided to pack up our camp so we could head out after the show. Hookah offered another amazing set of psychedelic jams from a group of some of the most all-around talented musicians I’ve had the pleasure to watch. Every member brings their own outstanding live performance that flows seamlessly with every other member’s. As I sat back and watched them perform together, I could tell how comfortable the guys still are after over 15 years of jamming together. Their sound is nothing if not completely original and has the ability to take your mind away from it all. The feeling is pretty freeing and a little bit magical, too. Definitely the perfect end to one of my favorite shows of the Tour so far. Check out Hookah at myspace.com/officialhookah and let them take you away!

Next up: The Forecastle Festival in Louisville, KY…by far the one I have been looking forward to the most. Not only will there be amazing music offered by the Black Crowes, the Black Keys, Zappa Plays Zappa, the Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Dead Confederates and tons more, there will also be amazing local art and the company of one of my very best friends. This weekend could set a new precedent for all other upcoming shows!

Be sure to check back again for all things InTents and, as always, feel free to e-mail me with comments, suggestions, and/or concerns at intentspromo@gmail.com.

Until next time, be safe and stay positive!
music.love.KG.

One last thing, I would like to thank some amazing people for all the support they have shown me and the InTents Promo Tour…Michelle Kinsey as well as the entire All Access staff, Gary Martin of After Dark, Rod Crossland of Wishbone Gifts, and Scott Gaddis and everyone else that has taken part in helping make a crazy dream come true. Thank you all!

KG Returns

Hello again!

As always, thank you for checking back keeping up with all things Intents!

My latest adventure landed me on the side of a mountain in Acme, Pennsylvania at the Church of Universal Love & Music where music really is a religion and good people a staple. With a beautiful blue-sky backdrop and gorgeous green trees in every direction, the CULM is the perfect place to take in fresh air and calm your soul.

After getting my camp situated for my travel companion, Vern the Mini-Fern, and myself, I walked down to check out the set-up. Vendors lined the gravel road leading to a stone pavilion equipped with church pews for “worshipping” the service. The service Friday night was a round up of amazing musicians brought together to instill good vibes and offer a positive experience. When I arrived at the stage, the Jerry Hannan Band had just started and consisted of amazing song-writer and musician Jerry Hannan as well as Steve Molitz & Eric Gould of Particle, and Josh Clarke & Scott Rager of Tea Leaf Green. It was a great combination of talented musicians who seemed to have a lot of fun just jamming together and sounded pretty amazing given they hadn’t practiced together before the show. The music was upbeat and people gathered to hang out and enjoy the sunshine.

I took some time during the break and next set to check out the grounds and talk to some locals as well as spending time in the shade…the humidity was pretty intense. The local crowd was really nice and seemed pretty impressed that an Indiana girl would choose rural Pennsylvania as a festival destination. After discussing beer preferences and upcoming shows, I got back in time to catch Particle with Josh Clarke from TLG taking the stage and pull out a mind-blowing set. Everyone forgot about the heat and danced and cheered as each song flowed into the next. As an added bonus, a local artist had set up a light-box and painted on-stage as the band rocked out. I must admit that I stood mesmerized for a while as he turned once painting into another without ever cleaning his “canvas”. The whole experience was quite impressive and as the night rounded up, I head back to camp to enjoy the rest of the show under the stars. At this point, I have to say that although I am not the biggest fan of the state of Pennsylvania for reasons I will keep to myself, it does offer one of the most beautiful views of the night sky I have ever seen.

At the end of a long day of driving and dancing, I decided to turn in, but I can say for sure that the good times continued into the wee hours of morning. When I woke up, the skies had opened up and there were some major storms on the horizon. Seeing as my trip didn’t end there, I decided to take off just as things were starting to liven up. I was sad to miss Steve Kimock (certified Guitar God at the CULM) and Hot Buttered Rum, but I no doubt had an amazing time and will return later this summer for an August Saturday Jam. To check out the line-up of great festivals and jams sessions to come, go to ilovemusicchurch.org…it will be worth the trip!

To add a little more flavor to my blog, I’m adding a “Tunes Review” section! I’ll be spending a lot of time on the road, so why not check out some local music and let you know what I think, right? This time I took along local hip-hop group Small Wonders’ mixed tape (Travis from Village Green Records informed me that it’s basically a demo CD) and Shadyside Allstars’ latest project. Small Wonders brings a great combination of funk, soul, and even some disco on their 16-track mix and kept my spirits up with positive lyrics and killer beats. There are a few rough tracks, but, like I said, it’s just a mix. You can pick it up for yourself for only 5 bones at VGR and be sure to keep on the lookout for their upcoming album in the next few months. The Shadyside Allstars also brought a funky feel to my trip with amazing space jams and comedic lyrics. My personal fave, Trubador Stu, always puts a smile on my face and makes me wish I were watching the Allstars live. Check them out at myspace.com/shadysideallstars to check out some tunes and find out how you can get the CD for yourself. Let me know of any local favorites of yours you think I should check out the next time I’m on the road.

Speaking of next time, this weekend I’m hitting up the 1st annual Hookahnanny at Hog Hill in Hamilton, IN featuring ekoostik hookah (founders of Hookahville), Derick Howard, Romeo Champagne, Shaggy Wonda, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, The Werks and a slew of other regional bands that are sure to bring a wondrous weekend of music. Go to new.myershoghill.com for full details!

Be sure to check back for full coverage of all things InTents; until then, stay positive and have a great day!
music.love.KG.

Not so intents, but still pretty intense...

Hello again!

Thanks for stopping by to keep abreast of all things InTents!

This weekend’s “official” kick-off of the InTents Promo Tour landed me at Freedom Farm in Poland, IN (about 25 miles west of Bloomington). Freedom Farm is a happening place owned by Tony & Mary Minnick. It’s surrounded by trees and smells of lilac…a small piece of heaven for sure.

So, about the music…

The People’s Temple started it off with what can be best described as angry hippie rock. With a mix of metal, electronica, and even a little Latin from time to time, they brought tons of energy and actually made the wild mix work. I’ll admit it, they’re loud, but it makes it that much better when they take it to the brink of letting go and bring it back down just to do it all over again.

Be sure to check them out at <http://myspace.com/peoplestemplemusic> to see what I mean!


After a short break and a couple small sound glitches, Muncie’s own MC Sparkplug took the stage and, as usual, brought the crowd from their tents. Tony Z and Punky Moon Lover were awesome! As the sun set and the lights came on, their new music streamed seamlessly with old favorites and they had everyone dancing and bumping their heads. Even when they’re track messed up and played two beats at once, the Plug kept on point and left everyone “pheenin for more."

Keep up-to-date on what’s going down with the MC Sparkplug Crew this summer at <http://myspace.com/mcsparkplug> …their schedule is sick!


To round out the night, The DreamTrees out of Bloomington took the stage and kept the crowd pumped. Lead singer, Amanda Jones has a voice that projects for miles and can often go from Sporty Spice (no joke!) to Pat Benatar in the same song. They’re pretty funky and definitely know how to jam! Visit them at <http://myspace.com/thedreamtrees> to see what you think!

Unfortunately, it wasn’t an all-out “intents” experience, because I had to drive back that night. However, a few other highlights include seeing Shawn from Nature’s Plate who is heading up the Hoodilidoo Festival in Herod. IL this August (<http://myspace.com/natureplate> ), spending time under the stars with my two favorite trip-hoppin hippies, and meeting some really cool people that I can’t wait to visit again later this summer!

my favorite trip-hoppin hippies!

Speaking of later this summer, here’s the updated schedule as it stands for now. It’s changed a few times already, so keep checking back!

Next up:

RA Returns @ the Church of Universal Love & Music, Acme, PA, June 19-21 Check out <http://willypritts.tripod.com/> to view the line-up and what else the CULM is doing this summer!

The 1st Annual Hookahnanny at Hog Hill, Hamilton, IN, June 26-27th Full details at <http://myspace.com/officialhookah>

Rothbury Pre-Party @ The Intersection, Grand Rapids, MI, July 1st Light show by Herm Productions!!! <http://myspace.com/434761697> Check out <http://myspace.com/uvhippo> for full details!

Forecastle Festival, Louisville, KY, July 10th-12th Definitely check it out at <http://www.forecastlefest.com/> …this one is going to rock for sure!

Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering @ Camp Rotamer, Janesville, WI, July 31st-August 2nd More info at <http://myspace.com/cosmicrailroad>

Revolution Music Festical at Freedom Farm, Poland, IN, August 6th-9th Keep up-to-date at <http://myspace.com/indianafreedomfarm>

Hoodilidoo Music & Art Festival @ 34 Ranch, Herod, IL, August 14th-16th Visit <http://myspace.com/hoodilidoo> for full details!

Wuhnurth Music Festival @ The Waterbowl, Muncie, IN, September 11th-13th Check out Wuhnurth.com for more info as it comes in!


More dates will be posted very soon. Let me know if there’s something you think I HAVE to hit and be sure to check back often for all things InTents!

music.love.KG

This may get a little intense...

Hey everyone,

I’m Kim Gillenwater, KG if you will, and this is your guide to all things in-tents. Thanks for checking it out!

I’ll start off with a little about myself and then move right into what this blog is really all about…the In-tents Promo Tour! I grew up in Albany, a fantastic little town 13 miles northeast of Muncie, which is still my getaway when times get tough. I’m an 80’s kid and I love my mom. There’s not much else that really matters as far as my childhood goes, except maybe that I have ALWAYS loved music. My earliest and fondest memories are of dancing in the kitchen to cassette tapes playing in my little pink radio; my mom bopping her head and snapping her fingers while my brother and I laughed hysterically and showed her how it should be done (sorry mom). From Janis Joplin to Aerosmith and even Ronnie Milsap, I don’t remember being happier than in those moments.

Fast forward 20 years and my happiest moments still involve music. I am currently the promotions director/graphic designer for FMMusic, the exclusive booking, merchandising, and promotions company that powers Doc’s Music Hall and Doc’s on Dill. In the past year working for FM, I have been surrounded by a plethora of music, crazy people, and nearly every band stigma you have ever heard about and have loved (almost) every minute of it. At the end of the day, there are few problems in this world that can’t be worked out standing in front of the biggest speaker on the stage with your eyes closed while the kick drum knocks on your soul and the beat takes you away. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself…just be sure to let the music in.

So, onto the In-tents Promo Tour. The rundown goes like this: I go to regional festivals (within 300 miles), sell my “music.love.” t-shirt (check it out below), camp (hence the in-tents part if you didn’t get that), and spread the word on the music I love. Add some sunshine & daisies and you’ve got the gist of my perfect summer…it really is that simple! With the help and support of the amazing people in my life, my seedling of a dream blossomed into the real thing and here we are. Seems pretty rad, right?


Here’s some of what I’ve got lined up so far:

Summer Camp: Three Sister's Park, Chillicothe, IL May 22nd-24th
Freak Reunion: Freedom Farm, Poland, IN June 5th-7th
Andersonville Midsommarfest: Chicago, IL June 13th-14th
Forecastle Festival: Louisville, KY July 10th-12th
Hoodilidoo: The 34 Ranch, Herod, IL August 14th-16th
Sleeping Bear Dunegrass Blues Fest: Empire, MI dates not released
Wuhnurth: The Waterbowl, Muncie, IN Sept. 18th-20th

As with most things in life, there will probably be changes along the way, so stay tuned!


The whole thing kicks off this weekend at Springfest 09, a coming-together of last year’s Springfest 08 and Live at the Waterbowl. Put on by the “Happy Hippie” himself, Nick Armogida, to help benefit the environment and support Wuhnurth 09, Springfest is the perfect start to good times and great music. If you have been under a rock and don’t know what’s going down, allow me to shed some light. Ekoostik Hookah headlines with an array of local and regional favorites such as Daphne Willis & Co., MC Sparkplug, Midwest Hype, Shaggy Wonda, the Twin Cats, 8 Stories High, Red Light Remedy, Fresh Hops and many more! Plus, there will be a hookah lounge, henna tattoos, fire dancers, volleyball and cornhole tournaments, and even Yart, as coordinated by the Full Circle Arts Co-op. People all over the Midwest and beyond have been gearing up for this show for months and with a forecast of two perfectly sunshiny days (fingers crossed, please), it will not disappoint. If you can’t make it out, be sure to check back for coverage of what you missed and the latest on all things in-tents.

Until then, smile lots and stay positive!
music.love.KG.

One last thing…if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about what I’m hitting up this summer, don’t hesitate to let me know. Please try to be constructive, though: if I wanted my parade to be rained on, I’d stay in Muncie.




I love my mom…just don’t tell her I posted this!

The music.love. shirt as worn by the “prettiest flower” I know…let me know if you want one of these!




Wuhnurth 08 from my favorite hill…I can’t wait for Wuhnurth 09!

Have a great day!