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The String Cheese Incident, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas – March 18-20, 2016
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Jacklyn Citero
It all started when a much younger Jackie dove into her parents’ record collection, grabbed that trippy Magical Mystery Tour album, and played “Strawberry Fields” over and over again until it was engrained into her soul. She grew up on the dreams and stories of Simon and Garfunkel, “Bleeker Street” being one of her favorites, the seduction of The Doors, Van Morrison, because “Brown Eyed Girl” is definitely her song, and the likes of Jefferson Airplane, The Who, Jimi Hendrix…you get the picture. It may not show on the outside, but Jackie has a hippie heart, and that reflects in her musical tastes today. While some of her favorites may or may not be jam bands, her taste in music feeds into many genres. From alternative, Brit, and indie rock - OK, maybe all rock - to pop, to rap, to electronic, she loves it all. As a northerner, she thought she would never understand country until she found herself on a Georgia farm in cowboy boots watching Luke Bryan shake it for her- yeah, she got that. She is a chronic wanderluster, she doesn't believe in guilty pleasures, enjoys a great Moscow Mule, and is an absolute music festival fanatic- you’ll find her wherever the music takes her.
SXSW 2016 Gallery
Festival Foodie SXSW 2016 | Two Words: Kimchi Fries
We associate many things with Austin’s annual SXSW festival: music, technology, media, education, tacos, BBQ, day parties… While the list of affiliated foods, drinks, and entertainment goes on and on, it’s undeniable that there is one delectable treat that stands out. Over the past six years, SXSW attendees have come to crave Chi’Lantro’s acclaimed Kimchi Fries. This creation from Jae Kim has become a SXSW, as well as an Austin, staple.
This reinvention and fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisines is unlike anything you have ever tasted and no line is ever too long to wait in for Chi’Lantro’s fare. After years of indulging on Chi’Lantro’s menu, we just had to chat with Kim about one of our most favorite eats of SXSW.
Festival Foodie: Chi’Lantro is reinventing traditional Korean and Mexican cuisine, where did the idea/inspiration for your food truck and restaurants originate?
Jae Kim: I started the business with 30k in savings and by maxing out a credit card to 30k. I didn’t have the resources, or an experience to start a restaurant, so, leasing the food truck provided an opportunity to serve Korean BBQ inspired menu. We grew organically and took out a loan to open a restaurant.
FF: It’s easy to associate Austin, and Texas as a whole, with traditional BBQ- Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, the works. Over the years, Chi’Lantro has made its own distinctive mark on Austin’s BBQ and food scene with elements of Korean BBQ. Can you explain what makes Korean BBQ different and how are Chi’Lantro’s rib-eye and pork Bulgogi prepared?
Kim: I heard Aaron Franklin of Franklin’s BBQ talking recently and he said making Franklin’s BBQ is a like a science because timing, temperature, and quality has to be perfect. I think Korean BBQ isn’t as time consuming as Texas BBQ because weather doesn’t play into the factor, but we use over 20 ingredients to mix our thinly sliced meat, marinate them for over 24 hours, and cooked on a hot flat top grill.
FF: As a vegetarian option, Tofu is offered as a protein menu item. Is your tofu prepared in any particular manner?
Kim: It’s very simple, yet very good. It’s cubed and fried lightly to give it a slightly crunchy texture on the outside, then pour in our house made tofu sauce for taste.
FF: Where can attendees find Chi’Lantro at this year’s SXSW? Will you be partnering with any specific brands this year?
Kim: We are at Southbites, Austin Convention Center, Palmer Center, 823 Congress, 1509 South Lamar, and East 6th Street. We’ve partnered with multiple brands to give away food during Interactive and Music portion of SXSW. It will be exciting.
FF: How would you describe those famous Kimchi Fries in one word?
Kim: Winning
FF: How did these fries become such a staple to SXSW?
Kim: Word of mouth. We do our best to give our customers quality and consistent food and service and it’s been recognized by our fans and customers at SXSW. We are humbled and thankful.
FF: In addition to your Kimchi Fries, what other menu items would you suggest to someone who has never had Chi’Lantro?
Kim: Our bowl is 2nd most popular item on our menu and we won’t disappoint you!
SXSW 2016: Bayonne x Vinyl Mag
Musically, Roger Sellers is many things – talented composer, accomplished musician, aural experimenter, electronic/minimalist pioneer – he is not, however, a DJ. To clarify any misunderstandings of this fact Sellers has distinguished his electronic material by adopting the alias “Bayonne.” Seller’s debut as Bayonne, Primitives (March 25th, Mom + Pop), is a richly layered soundscape; an hypnotic electronic dream that takes you on a winding journey into another world. With SXSW around the corner and a US tour on the horizon, we sat down with Sellers to talk about the new album and get an inside look into Bayonne.
Vinyl Mag: This month you will re-release Primitives under Bayonne on Mom + Pop. How has the transition been in having your electronic/minimalist material be identified with this moniker while keeping your folk-based material associated with your own name Roger Sellers?
Roger Sellers: The transition has been pretty smooth so far, being that many of the songs in Primitives were written at a time I was also focused on more folk-based writing. The styles easily overlapped. I feel it all comes from a similar place, “Bayonne” is a way for the audience and myself to distinguish the two.
VM: You’ve said many of the songs on Primitives came from experimenting, what does that creative process look like behind all of the sound layering and experimentation?
RS: Primitives is largely based on loops and layers. I found myself purchasing a looper in early college and started experimenting. I liked the ideas I would come up with rather quickly because it wouldn’t allow for second guessing. I soon became very intrigued by this process and decided to put these loops into a live performance, which led to the record years later.
VM: What three words would you use to describe Primitives?
RS: Repetitious, dense, and melodic.
VM: The artwork for Primitives and that translucent turquoise vinyl, is stunning! How was this design and color palette created/chosen?
RS: Well, the way I imagined my environment while working on primitives was like being in a dark, but colorful crystal cave or something. The record and process had a very earthy feel to me so I did the best I could describing that to Rob Carmichael, the artist. The turquoise translucent vinyl worked really well with the color scheme and gives it a crystal effect.
VM: You have quite a few US tour dates coming up, are there any venues/festivals/cities in particular on this tour your are excited to play/visit?
RS: I’m really stoked to play SXSW as always along with Levitation this year. Outside of my home state Im very excited to visit Montreal and Toronto for the first time, as well as hitting the road with Small Black in April.
VM: Do you have any pre-show rituals or routines?
RS: It depends on the show, but I’ll usually try to chill out as much as I can and conserve energy for the performance. Stretching is something I do close to show time, and I’ll usually jump around right before I go on to get the energy up after chilling.
VM: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
RS: There’s many artists that would be awesome to collaborate with. I’d love to do something in the studio with Wye Oak. I love the way they write and structure their music, and Jenn has the voice of an angel. They rule.
VM: What artists are you excited to see while at SXSW?
RS: It’s funny I just found out Wye Oak will be playing and I’ve never seen them live before. Plus they’re playing at my favorite venue, The Mohawk. Unfortunately I’m playing a set at that same exact same time.
VM: What do you plan on doing in Austin when you’re not performing?
RS: There’s usually little time between shows, meetings, practice, and press during SX to do other things. When I do have time I like to hang with friends of colleagues from out of town that I don’t get to see as often.
VM: Tacos and BBQ seem to rule the SXSW food scene every year. Being from Texas, if you could only choose one or the other as your favorite, which would you choose?
RS: Texas BBQ rules, and so do tacos in Austin. It really depends on what I’m in the mood for but I’d say this year I’ll be more on the BBQ side of things if I had to choose. I eat tacos ALL the time.
Catch Bayonne at SXSW 2016!
3/13 (Sun) Barbarian Group @ Mohawk (Outdoor) – 7:20pm
3/15 (Tue) Bayonne In-store @ Waterloo – 5:00pm
3/17 (Thu) Mom+Pop Showcase @ Container Bar – 1:30pm
3/17 (Thu) Secretly Group Showcase @ Barracuda – 8:15pm
3/18 (Fri) ASCAP Showcase @ The Driskill – 11:59pm (aka midnight)
Hulaween 2015 [Photo Gallery]
Hulaween 2015: Dopapod x Vinyl Mag
The last time we saw Dopapod they were kicking off their massive fall tour with two memorable sets at this year’s Catskill Chill. Now, with two months left of their tour and an upcoming performance at Hulaween, Rob Compa (guitar) and Scotty Zwang (drums) took time out of their busy schedule to chat with Vinyl Mag about their current tour, Hulaween, candy corn, and Dopapod’s New Year’s Eve show, The Ball Drop.
Vinyl Mag: For the entire fall, leading all the way up to New Year’s Eve, Dopapod has quite the heavy touring schedule. How to you mentally, physically, and musically prepare for such an intense couple of months?
Scotty: We are typically on the road long periods of time. We even joke that we are on the never ending tour. At this point it’s like riding a bike.
Rob: After the last tour, we spent a few weeks with our families and girlfriends and generally just kept to ourselves. I think that’s really important. When we go on tour, we’re essentially at work 24/7, and you can go a little nuts being around the same people all the time. Having time apart is really important for maintaining a strong friendship for us. I also don’t really get a lot of time or privacy to practice my guitar playing when I’m on the road, so I usually try to focus and work hard at improving as a guitar player when I’m home.
Vinyl Mag: You have a great mix of festivals and indoor venues along your tour route, how do you approach writing your sets for intimate venues compared to that of a festival?
Scotty: For the most part, Rob writes our setlists. It’s based off what the last play was. We try to not repeat any songs from the last time we played in that area or played that festival. Sometimes we will double if we really want to play it or it’s requested.
Rob: It’s pretty natural. When we play clubs, we have a lot more time to stretch out, so well generally ignore the setlist and play whatever we want for as long as we want. Festivals, on the other hand, tend to be a more specific, deliberate set. We focus more on presenting our songs to new fans.
Vinyl Mag: In particular, what are some of your favorite venues/festivals you will be playing at on this tour?
Rob: I love Higher Ground in Burlington, VT, the Tralf in Buffalo, NY, and I’m also really excited to play The Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA. As far as festivals, I’m really excited for Hulaween. Suwannee Music Park is a really special place.
Scotty: We just played a handful of our favorite venues on the first leg of this tour, but I’m also really looking forward to playing Hulaween and Irving Plaza in NYC.
Vinyl Mag: Hulaween is right around the corner, can you give us any hints on what we can expect from your set? Any collaborations?
Rob: We have no idea!
Scotty: We have some ideas, but I guess you will just have to come down and see for yourself!
Vinyl Mag: Will there be any Halloween costumes involved or will the set be straight business?
Rob: There may be costumes. I absolutely hate dressing up, so for my own sake I hope not!
Scotty: I will tell you that I will never wear a wig on stage ever again. Last year I dressed up as Lydia for our Beetlejuice themed set. I kept getting hair stuck in my month, and when I would try and move it while playing, a drum stick would get stuck in my wig. It’s was a bit of a mess (ha!).
Vinyl Mag: Since we’re on the topic of Halloween… What’s the best Halloween costume you ever wore?
Rob: Bottle of mustard.
Scotty: I don’t usually get crazy for Halloween. I enjoy the holiday. It’s always a lot of fun, but I can’t recall a favorite creative Halloween costume. I once dressed up as Tom Cruise in Risky Business. So I just had to wear white tube socks, white undies, and a white button down. That was easy. Also very revealing.
Vinyl Mag: The great Halloween candy debate, Candy Corn: Yes or No?
Rob: Oh god yes.
Scotty: Yes but I can’t eat a bunch of that stuff. It never sits right.
Vinyl Mag: After your Hulaween set you all get a little break from the tour, will you be sticking around Hulaween and get to enjoy the festival at all?
Rob: I’m flying home on the 31st, so I’ll be pretty in and out. I haven’t been home in 6 and a half weeks!!!
Scotty: I believe some of the guys are staying. I will be heading home the next day. All this touring and I never got to move into my apartment.
Vinyl Mag: After a couple more weeks of your massive tour, you guys finish it off with your jam-packed New Year’s Eve show sharing the stage with your friends Turkuaz and Kung Fu. What is the best part of musically sharing such a special night with artists you have been such long-time friends with?
Rob: The hang is easily the best part. Other than that, I’m most excited to jam with Craig Brodhead and Tim Palmieri because they’re two of the best guitar players I know.
Scotty: I really love playing and throwing parties on New Year’s Eve, but the one aspect of a normal New Year’s Eve celebration I really miss is the lack of loved ones. Whether it be friends or family. Doing shows with two bands we are so close to, makes that feeling present. They are also all such talented players, that it makes for nice impromptu sit-ins/jams.
If a fan is thinking about ringing in the New Year at The Ball Drop for the first time, what can he/she expect from the night?
Rob: Lots of sit-ins, possibly us being drunk from champagne and sloppier than usual.
Scotty: I don’t know what to expect, but I know they should bring an extra pair of pants.
Catch Dopapod on Tour Now!
Oct 30 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween
Nov 12 – Providence, RI – The Spot Underground
Nov 13 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Nov 14 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater
Nov 18 – Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall
Nov 20 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Nov 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
Dec 02 – Wilmington, NC – Ziggy’s
Dec 03 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
Dec 04 – Charleston, SC – The Pourhouse
Dec 05 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Dec 08 – Chattanooga, TN – Revelry Room
Dec 09 – Nashville, TN – Exit In
Dec 10 – Asheville, NC – New Mountain
Dec 11 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Dec 12 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
Dec 13 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java*
Dec 31 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium w/ Turkuaz + Kung Fu (The Ball Drop)
* – No Nth Power
# – w/ Moon Hooch
Vinyl Mag’s Favorite Moments of Catskill Chill 2015
It’s true, there are some things that you can never fully understand until you’ve experienced it. We’ve always heard the stories of Catskill Chill, but it wasn’t until this year we were able to join the ChillFam for a weekend in the mountains and truly experience everything this festival has to offer.
Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, Camp Minglewood proved to be a special place. During the summer months Minglewood serves as a performing arts camp, but for one last summer weekend for the past six years, Minglewood hosted one of the most beloved intimate festivals on the East Coast.
This year was the last time Catskill Chill will call Camp Minglewood home. In late 2014 it was announced that “due to circumstances outside of their control, the festival will find a new home for 2016.” Even though it seems very hopeful that this beloved festival will continue on, it wasn’t hard to see why many people have come to love Minglewood as the festival’s venue.
While there was a somber undertone to the weekend, all in all, Minglewood was given a proper farewell.
From the venue, to the amazing sets and artist collaborations, to the strangers that became friends…it was a wonderful weekend all around. Even though this list only touches the surface, we’ve picked some of our favorite moments to share from this “Farewell to Minglewood” weekend:
ChillFam Allstars Tribute to Herbie Hancock:
The planned collaboration was everything you hoped for and more. Electro funk was all around Saturday afternoon as Eric Gould (Pink Talking Fish), Steve Molitz (Particle), Mike Greenfield (Lotus), Danny Mayer (On the Spot Trio / Alan Evans Trio) gave tribute to the legendary Herbie Hancock. The set took place at the “Club Chill” stage, just a short walk from the Main Stage area, and the crowd was absolutely loving it (and so were we)! The tribute’s setlist included: Spank A Lee, Fat Mama, Steppin’ In It>Chameleon Outro, Watermelon Man, The Traitor, Rockit. The chemistry of the “Allstars” was on point and “The Traitor” was an absolute highlight.
moe.
Headliner moe. brought a heavy hitting, high energy set that included many long-time fan favorites. A high point of the set was when the band brought Mike Wilbur and Wenzl McGowen (Moon Hooch) on horns and guitarist (and son of Dave Matthews Band’s Stefan Lessard) Diggy Lessard on stage for “Happy Hour Hero” and “Dr. Graffenberg.” If there is one thing we learned from this sit in is that Lessard surely takes after his dad and truly blew the crowd away with his talent. moe.’s entire set included: Seat of My Pants>Recreational Chemistry, Billy Goat>Bearsong, Happy Hour Hero, Dr. Graffensbery, Spine Of A Dog>Buster.
Cover Sets
They were three sets that were continuously talked about amongst attendees over the weekend- Dopakuaz Plays Studio 54, Twiddle Dead Set, and ShwiKus Plays the 80s. There was nonstop chatter about Dopapod and Turquaz‘s “Disco Inferno” set that included songs such as, “That’s The Way,” “Give It To Me Baby,” and “Bad Girls” >“Funky Town.” Vermont’s Twiddle took an electronic approach to Dead favorites and a sit-in with Chris Houser of The Werks and Todd Stoops for “The Music Never Stopped.” Saturday afternoon ShwiKus (Shwizz+FiKus) tore up the Club Chill stage with 80s classics- it doesn’t get any better than “Rock the Casbah” > “We Didn’t Start The Fire.”
Camp Minglewood
Camp Minglewood is a highlight all unto itself. Driving into the venue and losing all cellphone service, you are transported back to a simpler time where summer meant carefree fun. Walking through the campgrounds you see groups of friends who have been coming year after year, attendees are welcoming as they offer up a smile or hug to a passerby, and the whole vibe of the festival really does put the “chill” in Catskill Chill. For all who attend the festival, once they arrive at Minglewood, whether it be their first or sixth time, they become a part of this special family.
In the last minutes of this year’s Catskill Chill and in a final farewell to Minglewood, it was only appropriate that the festival closed with a monstrous finale. Featuring Haley Jane, DJ Logic and Tom Hamilton of Billy and the Kids and American Babies along with members of Lotus, Turkuaz, Disco Biscuits, Pink Talking Fish, The Werks, Perpetual Groove, Shwizz and Fikus, all were on stage for the final goodbye that included Sly & The Family Stone’s “Family Affair” that went into Sister Sledges “We Are Family” – a fitting tribute to this festival family and to this cherished venue that so many have called their second home.
Yoga & Wellness at Catskill Chill
It’s been a festival filled summer for Vinyl Mag and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. While we are still full steam ahead, we want to be mindful to not run ourselves ragged. Lucky for us, and everyone else heading to Hancock, NY, this weekend, Catskill Chill will be providing some wellness activities that we cannot wait to participate in.
Last year we talked with Melia Marzollo, Director of Yoga and the Wellness Village, about Catskill Chill’s yoga program and how attendees can stay centered and healthy at the festival. We caught up with Marzollo to get the scoop on what to expect at this year’s Chill and what we have to look forward to concerning the Wellness Village.
“The Wellness Village will act as a haven in the center of Camp Minglewood for healthful, restful pursuits,” stated Marzollo. “This year we have a 30-foot massage tent with a team of therapists offering chair, table, and foot massage at a rate of $20 per 15 minute segments. We have a tea house, a small market offering organic produce, apothecary products, yoga gear, tarot readings, aromatherapy, Thai Yoga Massage and more!”
The expansion of the Wellness Village and yoga program this year also means additional daily classes for attendees. “This year’s yoga program has extended to offer classes daily from the opening of the Wellness Village at 11am to 7pm at its close,” Marzollo said. “We have lectures and talks, plant medicine and sound, and yoga classes including: partner yoga, deep stretch yoga, back bending and heart-opening and flow yoga. Some classes will be accompanied by live music as well.”
Some of the offerings this year include a transformative experience in The Sonic Portal where attendees will lounge inside a custom chamber while sonic sculptors perform around them 360 degrees. Partner yoga will be offered on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday attendees can restore their bodies with either deep stretching yoga with musical accompaniment by Jesse Merandy of The Breakneck Boys, or revitalizing flow yoga.
All classes at Chill are by donation and will range in size from 20 to 200 people. Yoga mats will be available for purchase and a few to borrow on a first come, first serve basis. By taking some time and focus on themselves, attendees participating in these festival activities will experience centering, restoration, invigoration, and self-love by practicing self-care.
Last year Marzollo has some great tips for taking care of yourself while at the festival including “rage and restore” – Taking time to stretch and sleep and love and eat good food and dance and laugh and relax and get a message and dance some more, then repeat. This year, she offered some more sound advice:
“This year, I’ll simplify my advice, (as I am continuously trying to do with my life) practice the act of being in your body and deeply listening to its needs. Being surrounded by constant vibration and high-intensity for days on end can push you out of your own body witnessing your life experience externally and somewhat superficially. This life is too rich and too beautiful to experience it from the outside. Whether we are talking about music or self-care, I implore you to go in and come out listening deeply.”
Coolin’ Down for a Cause: WaterLockn’ X Vinyl Mag
You’ve been in a hot field all day with sun beating down, there’s no shade in sight and you’re at the point where you don’t know if you have a tan or you’re just caked in dust. If you happen to be at a music festival that features some sort of body of water, this part of the festival experience can be alleviated by jumping in the ocean or lake, or by heading off to the water park.
Going on its third year, Lockn’ will once again call Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, VA, home for four days this month. The 5,000+ acre venue is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain and the festival takes place within the grassy infield of the racetrack on the property. While the venue size is extensive, the property lacks a water feature for attendees to enjoy when the dust and heat become oppressive.
Fortunately, the congregation of the Trinity Episcopal Church, located just across the road from Oak Ridge Estate, were creative in organizing WaterLockn’ as a way for attendees to not only cool down and truly experience this area of Virginia, but also help support local and international charity work.
“When we first heard about Lockn’ coming to Oak Ridge, we had to decide as a congregation how we were going to react. We are a very small church in a county that has a very small population. A huge event like Lockn’ is a very different experience for most of us,” stated Jennifer Cumby, WaterLockn’ Coordinator. “Right away, we decided that we needed to openly embrace not only Lockn’ as a festival, but each and every festival goer in a loving way. We realized that for most festival-goers, Nelson County only really exists as some roadway and the festival grounds and we wanted to show people the beauty of the place we live and also, try to raise some money to help the people in this county and around the world who are in need.”
One of Trinity’s members came up with the idea to run trips to a private swimming hole on the Tye River. “It wasn’t long before the rest of us got behind it and just made it happen,” stated Cumby. “We work on WaterLockn’ for about six months out of the year. It’s a big investment of time and talent, but we are fortunate to have many, many creative, dedicated, and hard working community members who all come together to make WaterLockn’ happen.”
Trips to the swimming hole will run Friday-Sunday throughout the day, and will last about one hour total, with approximately 45 minutes of swim/bathing time. WaterLockn’ takes up to 50 people per trip with an average of 5-6 trips per day. The swimming hole is staffed with lifeguards and volunteers to make sure every attendee is well taken care of.
Out at the river, WaterLockn’ also provides Dr. Bronner’s soap. If you aren’t familiar with Dr. Bronner’s, this soap is organic, Fair Trade, biodegradable castile liquid and bar soaps. Because Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps products are organic and biodegradable, they can be used responsibly outdoors, with appropriate consideration for freshwater biomes and drinking water sources. “Since it is a natural waterway, we ask that people use the soap we provide to better protect our waterways,” Cumby said.
These trips out to the river will cost $20/person and all proceeds will support local charities and Haitian outreach. Last year, WaterLockn’ was able to donate about $3,000 to charity.
“Last year, a portion of the proceeds went to establish a well in Haiti to provide fresh, clean drinking water and water for agricultural purposes,” stated Cumby. “Trinity also supports Nelson County Kid Care, which is a supplemental nutrition program for ‘food insecure’ children in Nelson County. The program provides non-perishable food items, distributed through the school system, to children to help feed them over weekends and breaks throughout the school year. Many Trinity members are deeply involved in this program, serving on boards and committees, fundraising, and packing the weekly allotments of food items. It costs roughly $200/year to provide food for one child through this program that is funded completely through donations and grants and is run by volunteers.”
This year WaterLockn’ will be donating to the Virginia Haiti Collaborative, as well as the Nelson County Kid Care. The Virginia Haiti Collaborative is a collection of churches, schools, and individuals affiliated with the Episcopal Church who partner with St. Marc’s Primary School in Cerca-La-Source, Haiti, to improve education throughout Haiti. “A significant portion of this year’s WaterLockn’ proceeds will be used to train Haitian teachers in Haiti to help them establish an education framework that will benefit all of the children in that country, Cumby said. “Haiti is very close to the hearts of all of us at Trinity Episcopal Church. Many of our members have traveled there to help build schools and work with the Haitian people to improve their quality of life.”
Donations from this year’s WaterLockn’ to the Nelson County Kid Care will continue to help provide food to struggling families to help local children stay nourished over the weekend. Research has shown a direct correlation between hunger and poor school performance. “This program makes a big difference in the lives of those who participate in it. That difference is noticed in the classroom, making educating Nelson County kids easier and helping them be more successful in the short and long term,” shared Cumby. “WaterLockn’ helps us raise more money to help more people than we could ever raise on our own. We are very grateful for the opportunity to do so much good while helping people have so much fun.”
Please Note!
As Vinyl witnessed last year, slots for WaterLockn’ trips fill up extremely fast! Trinity will have a table in the main festival area and registration for the trips will start as soon as the festival grounds open on Thursday. Last year, many trips sold out a day in advance, so it is suggested that if you know you want to go, come stop by the WaterLockn’ table first thing and get your trip locked in.
Travel out to the river will be in 12-passenger vans, so there will not be a lot of room for anything that cannot fit on your lap.
Coolers, glass, and alcohol are not allowed.
Individuals who will be bringing their children should bring a car or booster seat for that child. Children who are not properly secured in an appropriate safety seat will not be allowed to ride in the van.
For all updates, follow WaterLockn’ on Twitter and Facebook!
Celebrating 20 Years of Gathering of The Vibes: Founder Ken Hays x Vinyl Mag
Gathering of the Vibes has a rich history, a strong family, and a visionary as a leader. Over the past 20 years the festival has developed into a musical experience that is built on community and a deep love for music.
The festival that many have come to love today started out as a weekend of remembrance and celebration. It was August 1995 and the recent passing of Jerry Garcia was weighing heavy on the Grateful Dead community. Mourning fans on the East Coast planned to pay their respects to the late Garcia with a formal Central Park service scheduled by the Parks Department, much like what had taken place in San Francisco. After being postponed per request of the Grateful Dead, the gathering was ultimately cancelled by the Mayor’s office.
“Mayor Giuliani cancelled the official memorial in Central Park so we got together and did it ourselves,” shared Ken Hays, Founder of Gathering of the Vibes. “It all happened very organically. We went up to SUNY Purchase and spoke with the director of Performing Arts. They have a beautifully facility up there and they allowed camping, as they had held some family camping events on their campus in the past. Sure enough, we were going through and planning all of the logistics, we put up a small stage, invited some bands, and Deadhead Heaven – A Gathering of the Tribe was born. It turned out to be a beautiful weekend celebrating the life of Jerry and The Dead that following May in 1996.”
What began as a memorial to facilitate some sense of closure for East Coast Deadheads, this initial gathering of The Tribe was just the beginning of something beautiful for Hays and fellow music lovers. “I was with Bob Kennedy and were looking over a sea of tents during the sunset the first night of Deadhead Heaven and we knew that we had to keep this going,” said Hays. “This was something incredibly meaningful for people in attendance and it was one of the few ways to get everybody together. Every year when The Dead came to town we would hang out and party, and with Jerry gone we knew that opportunity to get together with our friends would be limited. Everyone got along so beautifully that weekend so we decided to do it again the next year- we changed the name and doubled in size.”
From the very beginning, this event was started out of love; a love for The Dead, a love of the community, and a love of music. It’s this type of affection that keeps attendees coming back to Gathering of the Vibes year after year. “Today, the festival is very similar to the seed from which it began: love of music and community. Those things never change and that is what is so unique about Vibes and the family it brings together,” shared Hays.
The “tribe” Vibes brings together over the course of the weekend goes far beyond your average festival family. Gathering of the Vibes is welcoming to children and prides itself on being a family-friendly festival.
“When there are children around, it heightens that sense of community and it seemed like the right thing to do,” shares Hays. “We’ve made sure we have activities to entertain the kids, we have designated family camping, and we have special security measures in place for children. Last year we had around 2,300 children and that continues to grow. I personally love going to the family area and the kids area and see all the smiling faces.”
For Hays, those smiling families and attendees are one of the most rewarding aspects of producing Vibes year after year. “Looking out from the stage and seeing so many smiling faces, and then going over to the kids corner and seeing parents playing with their kids, that is what is rewarding about this festival,” Hays explains. “It’s an incredibly meaningful role I play here. It’s those smiles and exposing people to new bands and art they have never experienced before that makes it worth it. My job is to help set the stage for thousands of people with their positive vibes to come and celebrate. Those positive vibes are contagious and hopefully they will go home and spread the positivity to their communities and people who couldn’t join in the weekend.”
Hays has been at the helm of the Vibes ship since the very beginning and has faced and overcome many obstacles along the way. Looking back on the past 20 years, Hays shared with Vinyl Mag one of his biggest learning experiences throughout this journey: “I’m incredibly lucky that I have an amazing group of people that surround me and support me. And I think I’ve learned that I’ve always been hands on and continue to be hands on. I’ve been able to let go and trust those who have my back more now more than ever. And I think that’s one of the things I’ve learn over the years; it’s to be able to let go and trust that the people in key positions have things covered. Micromanaging has been my thing for a long time and to be able to let go and know everything is going to be handled properly is huge, and I am lucky to have an amazing group around me.”
As we approach the milestone celebration for Vibes, this team Hays speaks so highly of is hard at work preparing for the momentous weekend. With community always at the forefront of Vibes’ mission and goals, teams are in place supporting green initiatives, non-profits, food drives, and other programs that give back to the local community. Additionally, the festival boasts a stellar lineup that includes the likes of Wilco, The String Cheese Incident, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Weezer, Gregg Allman, and Warren Haynes. “I’m excited about our Friday night with String Cheese doing a couple sets, and welcoming Wilco, Ben Harper, and Weezer to Vibes for the first time,” said Hays. “We also have a bunch of up and coming artists that are really great artists and I think people are going to be excited when they see them. I think we have a really have something for everybody”
Back in 1996, Hays may not have known what his gathering would ultimately turn into and look like 20 years later, but Vibes has truly turned into something remarkable. When thinking about the future and the next 20 years for Gathering of the Vibes Hays has a list of musicians he would love to invite to come out and play but most of all, he would just like to see the festival and Vibes community stay relatively the same as it’s been. “Honestly, I’d like to see more of the same,” Hays said. “At Vibes people are just stronger and more united as a community and family. I want to see more of that; more love that can be expressed and a desire from all to leave the space at Vibes better than how we found it.”
