“Hipster” is a fun word. It’s still new enough to society’s vocabulary that a finite definition has yet to be nailed down. Until then, we can let “hipster” register in our minds however we like. Evoking visions of fixed gear cycling armies or stampedes of awkwardly waddling individuals in ultra-tight denim. See? Fun, right?

There does seem to be at least one universal requirement in dubbing an individual as a hipster. A fierce desire exists in these people to inform you that they’ve known about that band way before they were popular- they’ve been torrenting/pirating their music since grade school and watched the lead singer take his first guitar lesson at age seven. And it’s not just the process of informing someone of their discovery of a band before you found them years later, it’s the condescending tone in which it occurs. You can almost see them getting high on that superior air as they describe the “intimate venues” where they’ve seen that band perform.

I’m not that innocent. Britney Spears reference? Maybe. But what I do know to be true is that I’ve definitely been called a hipster before, and I’ve certainly called others hipsters, too – usually prefaced with expletives and rolling of the eyes. I’ve been on both sides of the “Hipster Spectrum” (it’s a real thing). When I was 14 years old, I was borderline obsessed with Green Day’s album, American Idiot. I don’t know if it’s because it was one of the first albums I bought myself, if the simplistic chord structure spoke to me or if I just thought that heart-grenade thingy was kind of cool. Whatever the reason, I memorized every lyric and preached the album’s brilliance to anyone willing to listen. My older brother, a musician, was neck deep in his punk-rock phase at this point. I remember being chastised by his posse for my newfound fandom of Green Day – told that the album was a quintessential example of selling out, and how they used to be good. They don’t even play punk anymore.

I’ve found my way to the opposite end of the spectrum, of course. A time or two too many. I recall seeing MGMT live, and this drunken kid started endlessly chanting “Elec-tric Feel”- two songs after the band had just played it. It bothered me so much that I think it actually ruined the concert for me. I remember thinking, they just played, it you assh*le. Don’t you know any of their other songs? Why the hell are you even here? Even though I kept my thoughts to myself, I was still breathing that superior air.

There are countless other times that I’ve donned the hipster persona. Cringing as I heard Old Navy and Honda commercially rape Vampire Weekend’s music. Wanting to punt a child every time I hear a teenage girl refer to Dave Matthews as “Dave,” followed by an anecdote about how his music has influenced their entire life.  All the times I’ve ever said, “How have you not heard of [insert obscure band name here]?”

Now I’m wondering why? Why is it so damn tempting to act that way? Anytime I’ve heard the word “hipster,” I automatically associate it with music. But the truth is that hipsters aren’t anything new- and it is not quarantined to music alone. Think about it. Take sports fans, for example. How many times have you heard a fan describe in excruciating detail how long they’ve been supporting a team for? Is there anything worse than someone who proclaims themselves a fan of a team only after they’ve won a championship? Strikingly similar to announcing fandom of a band after a hit song.

If we make the leap to sports, we must keep leaping. Because it doesn’t stop there. Hipsters have long been weaved into the fabric of society. How about religion? Are new converts to any religion not somewhat looked upon as “lesser” by those who’ve been practicing their entire lives? What about relationships? Does a couple who’ve been married for 20 plus years not wince just a little bit when they hear the newlywed teenagers exclaim how in love they are? Don’t we tend to feel the need to say how long we’ve known a friend for when undergoing introductions at parties?

“Hipster” isn’t a new idea at all. It’s just a word we’ve finally attached to our human need to prove our commitment to something. That thing can be a band, a sports team, a religion, a person, etc. The universal root of it all remains: we’ve spent more time. Perhaps that is where the entire phenomena originates. The ultimate tribute an individual can pay to anything in this world is to dedicate time to it. Not money. Not support. Time.  As mortal beings, we only have so much time to give. So of course, when we’ve spent large amounts of time following a band, rooting for a team, etc., we feel somewhat irked when we see the same passion in someone who has spent less time doing the same thing. Because if they display the same passion as you in a smaller amount of time- then well, damn, it kind of undermines your commitment. Wait a bloody minute now. Where were you when Pitchfork gave them 0 stars and condemned them to hell?

If “hipsterism” is essentially derived from a desire to prove a greater dedication to something, then there must be more constructive ways to apply this desire than to let it manifest in condescending tones and sarcastic laughs. And there is. Let’s take the “wise old man” cliché for a moment. The proto-hipster. Always some sagely advice to offer- that you might not quite understand at first. But never judgmental. Just offering new paths.

That could be the solution. How hipsters finally lose the negative stigma they’ve cloaked themselves with. When you hear a new fan talk about how much they love a band’s new, poppy, hit single, don’t reply by informing them that said band is complete shit compared to their first album’s work. Instead, tell them to check out that first album. Suggest some other bands they might enjoy too. Smile, and agree at said band’s awesomeness. I didn’t know it at the time, but American Idiot opened a door for me not only to Green Day’s classic albums, but to the entire genre of punk. We can facilitate that experience in music for others if we don’t take a new fan’s opinions as attacks on the time we’ve spent following a band. Be the wise old man. Offer the sagely advice. They might not have any idea what you’re talking about, but some of them- a few- may come to understand.

In addition to music, a majority of music festivals have been seen adding yoga and other activities to their daily schedules. With hundreds of like-minded attendees, wide open outdoor spaces, and access to talented musicians, it’s no wonder music festivals play the perfect host to yoga sessions.

With Catskill Chill on the horizon, we took some to talk to Melia Marzollo, Director of Yoga at Catskill Chill, to learn about the power of yoga at these events, how attendees can stay centered and healthy, and how to restore after three days of – more or less – raging. Marzollo is the owner and director of the beautiful SkyBaby Studio in The Hudson Valley. Melia is also a certified instructor of Pilates, Power Yoga, Yamuna Body Rolling, and Holistic Health Counseling.

Vinyl Mag: How did you first become invoked with Catskill’s yoga program?

Melia Marzollo: I am the director of SkyBaby Studio in Cold Spring, New York, and when the Catskill Chill was looking for activities to offer festival goers, I immediately went to my happy activity and suggested yoga.

VM: Why do you believe music festivals are the perfect venue to provide yoga?

MM: For so many reasons, but at the root, vibrational energy. Music and movement create vital energy; they are the perfect couple.

VM: What are the benefits for practicing yoga at a festival?

MM: Centering, restoration, invigoration, self-love by practicing self-care, to name a few.

VM: Do you feel there is something special, and almost unifying, in sharing in a yoga class with fellow music festival attendees?

MM: I do. What happens when you move with other people? When you open and move? Good Stuff – that’s what.

VM: For someone who has never tried yoga before, what would you say to encourage them to try it out at Catskill Chill?

MM: Take on today. Try it on fully. The Teachers at The Chill are amazing lights in their industry and share the same love of music as you. You already have something in common.

VM: Do you have any suggestions on what one should wear and bring with them to yoga at Catskill Chill?

MM: I always feel best while taking a class when I dress in layers. The weather in The Catskills at this time of year can go from hot to “Chill” pretty quickly, especially when you are in and out of movement – layers are so accommodating. There will be some yoga clothing for sale in the Wellness Village where the classes will take place. I would also suggest, water, a yoga mat, and if you forgot yours, bring a towel!

VM: What are some tips you have in order to stay centered and healthy during a multi-day festival?

MM: Rage and Restore. Yin and Yang, baby. It can be so easy at festivals to get over stimulated and stay up for three days straight, leaving you wiped out in the following week. We want you to leave feeling good. Really good. Soul-shining-good. You have to take care of yourself to feel that way. Take 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.

VM: What are you looking forward to the most about the festival?

MM: Spending time with friends and being part of the magic that live performances bring to the human experience.

VM: Are there any artists in particular you are excited to see?

MM: Nakho and Medicine for the People. I’m also looking forward to the surprise collaborations that always seem to happen at this festival.

*Catskill Chill offers two free Yoga classes on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 p.m., on the Northwestern Tennis Courts. When the weather is kind, practice is under the big, beautiful Catskill Sky! If the weather does not cooperate, there is an indoor studio adjacent to the courts, so show up, rain-or-shine! No reservation or appointment required. Mats are limited, so if you have your own, please bring it!

Nestled in the rolling hills of Virginia, the annual four-day interlocking music festival returns to Arrington from September 4-7, bringing with it another spectacular and distinguished lineup. With iconic artists such as The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Phil Lesh & Friends, Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee, Wilco, and many, many more gracing the side-by-side Oak and Ridge stages, Lockn’ is once again proving to be a festival not to miss.

While the lineup alone is enough of an attraction, the festival and the surrounding acreage are host to many other sights and experiences. From biking to yoga, to a plethora of craft beer choices, to a private swimming hole, the choices are endless. Here are Vinyl’s top choices in what not to miss and partake in while at Lockn’ (besides the main music, of course!).

1.  The Oak Tree:

A symbol of the estate and festival – not to mention Nelson County – this majestic white oak tree is nearly 400 years old and absolutely massive. We highly recommend taking a walk to the tree one afternoon and taking a couple of minutes to bask in the presence of such a breathtaking gift from Mother Nature. The oak tree is located near the end of RV Ridge almost at Oak Ridge Road.

2.  Early and Late Night Shows at the Triangle and Shakedown Stages:

If you can venture away from your camp early enough and/or can resist the urge to head back to camp for some shuteye after the headliners, these two stages (outside of the main festival venue) have great musical offerings including Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass and Grateful Gospel, and sets from Taj Mahal, Dumpstaphunk, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Hot Tuna (acoustic set), and Bustle in Your Hedgerow. Since these stages are located outside the enclosed festival venue, it is safe to say they are BYOC (Bring Your Own Cooler). May we suggest mimosas for Keller’s Grateful sets in the mornings?

3.  Private Swimming Hole:

You awake from your deep slumber from that overbearing stagnant heat that has filled up your tent from the morning sun beating down on your tent. As you emerge, half asleep, you wish there was just any relief. Lucky for you, there is salvation! The Trinity Episcopal Church will be offering trips to a private swimming hole on the Tye River. Trips cost $20/person, and from the pictures, this place looks amazing. All proceeds will support local charities and Haitian outreach.

4.  Soapstone Water Filling Stations:

Okay, so this isn’t something to do or something really exciting, but we thought it was kind of nifty of Lockn’ to team up with Alberene Soapstone of Nelson County, VA to create beautiful water filling stations made from local soapstone that showcase the beauty and resources of Central Virginia. Keep an eye out from them, and make sure you stop and fill up your Camelbak- stay hydrated!

5.  Biking:

Last year, we quickly regretted not bringing our bikes to Lockn’. Maybe it was how bike-friendly this festival is, or how beautiful the estate is to ride around, or maybe it was that our campsite was miles from the venue entrance.  Whatever the reason, we knew we would not make the same mistake this year. There are over 30 miles of bike trails to explore on the grounds of Oak Ridge, and with this year’s new on-site biking program, Lockn’ attendees may borrow bikes for free, and bike racks will be set up at locations all through the festival.

With so much to do, see, and explore, all of your senses will not be disappointed. For its second year, Lockn’ proves it is more than your average run-of-the-mill music festival, and we cannot wait to be back!