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

The road to Wuhnurth...

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

With the Wuhnurth Festival only a few days away, I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am to see some of my favorite regional bands in my own backyard. I recently had the chance to hang with Wuhnurth founder James Nimmer and his leading lady Christa as well as catch a few of these bands a couple weekend’s ago at the 2^nd annual Knollfest near Butler University’s campus in Indianapolis. Knollfest is a one-day festival that helps raise funds and awareness for local high school art and music departments in the Indianapolis community. This year’s line-up was a great preview for some of the bands I’m planning to see at Wuhnurth ’09 as well as a few others I won’t. The day started out with Hyryder, a jam band out of Indy that started the day off with some positive energy. Within 15 minutes of my arrival, they covered the Dead’s “Shakedown Street” and I knew it was going to be a good day. Check them out at myspace.com/hyryderindy to hear some great jams! Next up was one of my personal faves, Daphne Willis out of Chicago, IL. Although usually accompanied by a drummer, bassist, and guitarist, Daphne brought just her guitar and another acoustic guitarist for her mellow afternoon set. As always, she wowed the crowd with her solid vocals and good vibes. After her set, Daphne let us in on the fact that she has changed her set-up and will now have a new bassist and a trumpet player instead of a guitarist for her Wuhnurth set. I can’t wait to see how this changes her sound this weekend. Go to myspace.com/daphnewillismusic to check out her current stuff and catch her Sunday afternoon at the Waterbowl.

I happen to love to Daphne Willis!

From there, Ladymoon from Indy took over with their killer experimental progressive jams. I tend to find myself just staring at them when they play; they’re amazing! If you haven’t had a chance to check them out live, visit mysdpace.com/ladymoonmusic to find a show near you…so worth it!

Rockin out!

The Ragbirds from Ann Arbor, MI were up next and brought a whole new energy to the growing crowd. Their mix of folk and Afro-beat got some booties shakin’ and some heads bopping…so much so that the crowd insisted on “one more song” once they had finished. Check them out at myspace.com/theragbirds for a good dose of positive energy…Tipi Baya is my personal recommendation. Shaggy Wonda and Midwest Hype rounded out my trip. Both have their own spin on reggae funk; Shaggy Wonda adds more of a blues-rock sound while the Hype hits hard on hip-hop influences. Be sure to check them both out at Wuhnurth; Shaggy Wonda (myspace.com/shaggywonda) will kick of the entire weekend Friday at 5p while the Hype (myspace.com/midwesthype) plays Staurday night at 11p. The Twin Cats and Groovatron also played on the Knoll, but I was unable to catch those shows. They’re both pretty awesome bands, so I encourage you to check them out anyways.

So, onto this weekend! Wuhnurth is a 3-day music festival based on helping spread environmental awareness while promoting up-and-coming talent from the region. Wuhnurth ‘09 will be held at the Waterbowl Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13^th and is bound to be a crazy, good time. James Nimmer, founder of Wuhnurth, has set a line-up that’s sure to please just about every festie kid in the Midwest and beyond.

Wuhnurth '09...finally!

Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident as well as Cornmeal , Pnuma Trio, Future Rock, Roots of Creations, and Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band will all be rocking out this year in addition to the return of bands such as MC Sparkplug, Sweet Japonic, Daphne Willis & Co., Midwest Hype, Fresh Hops, and UV Hippo. In addition to the 3 stages featuring 30+ bands & DJs, be prepared for light shows by Herm Productions and the Covert Operations crew, fire dancers, merch and food vendors, mini-golf and volleyball tournaments, sunshine, and good vibes all weekend long! Pre-sale tickets are still available and include on-site camping and all three days of some of what the best in the Midwest music scene have to offer. Check out wuhnurth.com for info on tickets, line-up, and how you can help fulfill the Wuhnurth mission. Then, be sure to hit up the front of the stage with me while I take in the beauty of home as the music takes me away.

Until then, stay positive and enjoy the sunshine…while it lasts!

music.love.KG.

Back to the Farm!

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

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks for this festie kid, but it’s nice to be back in the swing of summer shows and sunshine. A few weeks ago, I ended up on an impromptu weekend tour with the MC Sparkplug crew that ended up being one of the best weekends of the Promo Tour so far. I, Tony Z, & Lanie, along with our friend Kristin, headed up to Fort Wayne’s CS3 for the Plug’s Friday gig with the Afrodisiacs and, another of my personal faves, Dan Dickerson. The show was great. The Afrodisiacs have an amazing mellow sound with great control and harmonies. Dan Dickerson, as usual, blew my mind with incredible loops and his magical harp. If you haven’t done so, check him out at myspace.com/dandickersonharpcondition! MC Sparkplug put on an awesome show of their own and ended the night with positive energy and good vibes.

The Sparkplug Crew

After the show, we all headed back to Dan Dickerson’s for some late-night food & fun. At this point, I must say that Dan and his leading lady, Mikila, were the most amazing hosts and treated us fantastically. We were, and still are, insanely grateful for the hospitality we were treated to and still can’t thank them enough for all they did. If I ever decide to skip town and leave it all behind, you will probably find me at Dan Dickerson’s house eating falafel and getting lost on the intergalactic space bus.

Okay, back to the tour…from Fort Wayne, we headed up to Flint, MI for the Plug’s show at the Loft. We were all really excited to see the Covert Operation’s crew and the Flint family. Tony and Lanie ended up owning the night after the other acts cancelled, so it felt like a private Plug Party. Dallas and Kedree from Covert both joined in with the Plug and kept the heads bumping and the bodies moving well into the night. Both nights were filled with lots of fun, great people, and amazing music…definitely worth giving up my “off” weekend.

My plan was to hit up the Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering in Janesville, WI the following weekend, but a series of unfortunate events kept me close to Muncie. I did, however; spend quite a bit of time driving, so I had a chance to catch up on some tunes. My CD of choice, you may ask? One of several Wuhnurth 08 demos; I happen to come across it while cleaning out my car and was stoked to hear it again! With Wuhnurth 09 less than a month away, I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am for this year’s show. James Nimmer, founder of Wuhnurth, has set up a killer line-up complete with past favorites and some new names that are sure to knock your socks off. Kyle Hollingsworth of String Cheese Incident as well as Cornmeal , Pnuma Trio, Future Rock, Roots of Creation, and Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band will all be rocking out this year in addition to the return of bands such as MC Sparkplug, Sweet Japonic, Daphne Willis & Co., Midwest Hype, Fresh Hops, and UV Hippo. Wuhnurth 09 will take place September 11-13 at the Waterbowl and you can get your pre-sale weekend pass for $30 which includes camping. Check out Wuhnurth.com for the complete line-up and info on how you can help out with this year’s event!

My most recent travels landed me back at Freedom Farms in Poland, IN for the Revolution Music and Peace Festival. I showed up Saturday afternoon and things were in full-swing. Alex from Herm Productions did all the lighting and sound which brought the whole place to life and made the music that much better.

Herm is all business!

Fourth Street Fusion out of Ohio blew me away with their amazing blend of psychedelic funk. Check them out at myspace.com/fourthstreetfusion to see what you think! Another new favorite of mine is Mellow Fellow Factory. I had heard a little from them before that night, but something about hearing them in the open space of Freedom Farm really made me dig their take on experimental rock. Go to myspace.com/mellowfellowfactory and see if you can hit up a show sometime…it’s worth it! The next act came as a bit of a surprise for a hippie fest, but everyone seemed to have an open mind about it. Krista, pop/rock star signed to J Records, scored a top spot on the line-up and I was pretty interested to see what she had to offer. I was surprised that I actually liked it. I don’t really consider myself a “music snob,” but a pop star at a hippie fest just didn’t seem to mesh in my mind. Her sound still didn’t “fit” with the rest of the bands, but her voice is solid and she even raps a little which added some fun to her set. It was also a great transition into the MC Sparkplug set that immediately followed. As Tony & Lanie took the stage, Herm did what he does best and lit up the entire stage as well as the surrounding trees with a plethora of shapes and colors. He was on-point with every beat and in-sync with every move they made.Check out Tony & Lanie's sound and schedule at myspace.com/mcsparkplug. I caught myself, more than once, standing with my back to the stage watching the shapes in the trees while the music took me away.

The Plug set...killer lights!

If you ever want a pure professional with an amazing talent for staging, lights, and sound, get ahold of Alex through hermproductions.com...he's pretty incredible if you ask me! By the time Covert Operations set up for the final slot of the night, the energy was up and everyone was ready to jam. Covert started strong and kept the vibes rolling for 45 amazing minutes.Check out a little of what Covert can do at myspace.com/covertopslive.

Dallas from Covert...my fave!

At that point, the local authority shut down the main stage. The crowd and the band were a bit disappointed, but the fun didn’t stop there. Local folk group, Bob & Priscilla set up for a beautiful acoustic set. They’re sweet, a little twangy, and well-composed. It definitely mellowed the mood a bit, but only enough to bring on a chilled-out atmosphere.

Bob & Priscilla

After that, Derrick Howard took over with his loop-acoustics and provided background music that pacified the all-night crowd as well as those that were spent and ready for some R&R. I ended up gallivanting around for a few hours, talking with old friends from festivals past and new ones as well until I headed back to my tent. I headed out kind of early the next day, but was really happy I was able to return to Freedom Farm and spend time with a few folks I hadn’t seen for a while.

Miss Lanie & Kadence

As for what’s next, I’m not positive of anything other than Wuhnurth in mid-September. There will definitely be shows before then, so be sure to check back often!

Until then, stay positive and enjoy the sunshine!

music.love.KG.

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!