Wed, 09/14/2016 - 1:56 pm

Catskill Chill is doing more than just improving their campsite this year. Chill moved fifteen miles down the road to a brand new campground with rad accommodations.

Will this be the chilliest of the Chills? Yes. Did Chill skip out on a killer, funky line up? Abso-funkin-lutely not.

This year’s festival is bringing in the big boys. Mike Gordon will be there for his last summer performance before resting up for his fall tour. Greensky Bluegrass will be coming in hot from a two-night run in the Green Mountain state. Keller Williams & Grateful Grass will be brewing up my favorite take on Dead songs. All of these headliners are a do not miss.

You know what’s hard not to appreciate? The unreal, groovy, and soulful selection of funk bands coming to this year’s Catskill Chill. Seventh annual Chill means a choice of seven funky bands heading to New Minglewood for an unforgettable weekend filled with old-school George Clinton funk with Lettuce’s addicting, electro jams, served with a big ole glass of The Main Squeeze.

1. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

George Clinton is the LEGEND of funk music. Don’t know him? Here’s a brief description: He’s the father of funk. Need I say more? The man who blended together decades of music in order to come up with the legendary P-Funk. He’s a must see and will familiarize you with a layer of funk before heading off to see the following six bands.

2. Lettuce

Let us play and let us play a glorious, long set at Catskill Chill. This band has gained a following. But you don’t need to listen to these dudes before seeing your first set. However, I can’t promise that you won’t be downloading every live show and listening them on repeat for… Ever. Jesus is my homeboy and he’ll be yours after Saturday night.

3. Turkuaz

The funk and soul posse of nine are making their way to this year’s Catskill with more than just a colorful wardrobe. Out of all the bands on my must see list this year, Turkuaz made the very top. They’ve had a memorable summer and it’ll be an honor to see them rock out at Chill. You know what’s even chiller? This sexy group is teaming up with Dopapod for Dopakuaz. Late night rage! Ay yi yi!

4. The Main Squeeze

The good-looking men of The Main Squeeze are coming in steamy, funky, and ready to play at Chill. And I hope it’s not chill. I hope it’s sweaty. I know my hopes and dreams will be fulfilled because The Main Squeeze always delivers. Sealed and delivered with a side of freshly squeezed funk.

5. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

They rule the table tennis court (sorry, Mike Gordon). Members of the flock will gather to see PPPP rage once again at this year’s Chill. Without a doubt, these men know how to bring the party with some real nice, homegrown funky vibes.

6. West End Blend

West End Blend is just getting started on their Fall 2016 tour. They started last weekend at Otis Mountain Getdown and will be heading all over the Northeast to spread the funk with some Catskill Chill family (Hayley Jane & The Primates and Dopapod). Ten people already makes a party. So let’s see how unbelievable this set is going to be when they hit the Chill stage on Friday.

7. Relative Souls

They said it best themselves, “it’s musical gumbo… and it’s spicy!” These dudes are bringing a whole melting pot of feels to Chill this year. They’ll be wrapping up their summer (and ours) with true soulful and funky jams. There set is a midday dance party you do not want to miss.

My friends of Chill, it’s time to get down with the get down. See y’all this weekend at New Minglewood.

Wed, 09/21/2016 - 5:06 pm

This was my fourth Grand Point North festival on the Burlington waterfront. However, it was my first dancing with Grace Potter in the photo pit.

Kaleo was on stage performing “Way Down We Go.” Grace leaned over to me and asked, “have you checked out the music video to this?! It’s amazing! Filmed in a CAVE! In a cave in ICELAND!”

Grace’s enthusiasm for this weekend is contagious. The staff, visiting musicians, vendors, her family members, and every individual in the audience felt her passion for this festival. When she wasn’t backstage hanging out with all her family and friends, she was floating amongst the crowd as an attendee of GPN.

There are many memorable moments from the weekend. I was particularly impressed with the festival’s selection of local musicians to get the party started. Billy Dean & The Honor Roll, Smooth Antics, and Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band are all bands that I have seen more than a few times. Billy Dean, Steph Heaghney, and Kat Wright are all artists that inspire me. They each brought positive energy and good vibes to the Grand Point North festival.

Blind Pilot, originally from the Oregon, brought indie folk goodness. It’s not often that I get to see banjos, ukuleles, vibraphones, brass, and more all play on the same stage together. They released their most recent album last month and I, along with many others, were fortunate enough to hear it while seeing the sun setting over the Adirondacks.

Kaleo was one of the bands that I was not super familiar with going into this weekend. Not being a fan beforehand was a huge, massive mistake. One of my favorite sets from the weekend and this summer. This rock band from Iceland skipped over the Atlantic Ocean to hang out with us in the US of A. And I’m thankful for it. Jökull Júlíusson has a stage presence that’s beautiful, badass, and moving. Not to mention that he has the best style that I have seen on a man in Vermont in a long, long time.

The men of Guster made their trip to Burlington worth every minute. They spent the majority of their Saturday leading a bike tour around Burlington before stopping at Patagonia for an intimate, acoustic set. I’ve always explained Grand Point North to be a family festival and it really came full circle seeing Ryan Miller’s kids rubbing elbows with all of us in the photo pit.

Saturday wrapped up way too quick for my liking. Luckily, I still had Grace to look forward to. Grace Potter is a badass. She’s even more of a badass being backed up by the talented members of the Magical Midnight Roadshow. The pit is filled up with musicians who performed that day, family members from all over the country, friends, photographers, and crew. Always a party, always a good time.

I woke up Sunday preparing myself for the rain that was said to come that afternoon. There was an eighty percent chance of thunderstorms. Our good vibes mixed with Grand Point North’s magic left us with beautiful, blue skies and happy, dry dancing feet.

The local talent CONTINUED to blow me away. Iron Eyes Cody, a band of seven, hit the stage at 2:15pm sharp. Renn Mulloy and six dudes performed in front a huge group of local fans. Those who weren’t a fan before… sure are now. A set that left me excited for the future of indie music to come out of this city.

Steady Betty is an insane group of talented women who come from a variety of backgrounds. Eliza Hardy Jones, a member of the Magical Midnight Roadshow, performed with other members of Grace’s band including Ben Alleman and Timothy Deaux. Eliza is a ray of sunshine and absolutely brought it to Sunday’s GPN. Thankful for her beautiful singing voice and sense of humor during her mid-afternoon set.

And the Kids and River Whyless both came out to perform a solid performance for their first Grand Point North.

However, I was truly blown away by The Record Company. These three dudes left me feeling hot from dancing and hollerin’ so much. Looking for a new band to follow? I’ve found them. They are it. Chris, Alex, and Marc brought the true rock n roll from their home out in LA. Praying they will make it back out to Burlington in the near future.

There are very few musicians in this world that gives me goose bumps, tears, smiles, and laughs all within a 45 set. The Wood Brothers do that for me. Their stage presence, song lyrics, and individual personalities as artists constantly inspire me to push myself as a practicing artist. Every song and every performance isn’t long enough for me.

Old Crow Medicine Show was one of the most entertaining sets I have seen this year. All seven of them hoped, jumped, skipped, danced, and ran across the stage throughout their entire set. They sure as hell brought those Tennessee grooves to the Green Mountain State.

Grace Potter eludes magic. She came out the second night ready to bring it one hundred and ten percent. Grace on stage is not a concert or a sing a long. She’s a true performance. She doesn’t wear her shoes for very long and she was eager to make a personal connection with every individual in the crowd. After nearly her two-hour set, the party didn’t look like it was going to end anytime soon. Grace invited everyone from backstage to join her in singing “Nothing But Water.”

Grand Point North is a stunning example of an artist returning back to their roots. Here’s to many more years of Grace Potter returning to the Burlington waterfront and bringing along a diverse group of artists to enjoy the beautiful state of Vermont.

Check out more photos from Grand Point North 2016.

Sat, 10/08/2016 - 10:11 am

Catskill Chill is a music festival held towards the end of the summer music festival season. Most people are burnt out, broke, or unable to take anymore time off to attend another music festival. If you had an excuse for why you couldn’t attend this year’s Catskill Chill at New Minglewood, you won’t be making those same excuses next year after learning about their extremely successful transition to a new campground.

Catskill Chill is a community of groovers, brilliant artists, and easy-going staff. The entire weekend was stress-free due to New Minglewood’s campground with a great flow, welcoming faces, and a happy community of music lovers. I’ll be back next year without a doubt in my mind.

I arrived late to the party on Friday afternoon. Parked my car and ran over to make sure I wasn’t going to miss George Clinton’s sunset performance. There’s a reason this man is the creator of Parliament and Funkadelic. He’s a funk mastermind who knows how to have a good time. He’s singing in the middle while his back-up dancers are entertaining the crowd, rappers are jumping into the photo pit, and then there’s a guy doing acrobatics on the amps.

After George Clinton warmed me up with his show at the Main Stage, I headed over to the B Stage to catch Pink Talking Fish. This mash-up of Eric Gould, Richard James, Zack Burwick, and Dave Brunyak is genius. Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish inspire this group of dudes for a killer tribute set. Always, always, always a great time.

Mike Gordon eased the crowd into the late-night sets. Gordon killed it but he really got the crowd goin’ when he came out playing Phish’s Yarmouth Road for an encore. Everyone was singing, “hang with the bees and the buzz in the honeycomb” all the way to the B stage to see the Pink Talking Fish/Kung Fu fusion Pink Talking Fu.

Bring on the brass, baby! Kung Fu’s Rob Somerville and Tim Palmieri make me feel some type of way. This was one of my favorite sets of the weekend. Not only was it a great set list, they brought out Hayley Jane, from Hayley Jane & the Primates, and Shira Elias, from Turkuaz, to make it even better. Talk about a way to continue the best party of the season.

Saturday was magical to say the very least. Between the gorgeous weather, amazing line-up, and happy faces, I couldn’t have been in a better place.

I woke up to Ryan Montbleau’s sound check and rolled out of my sleeping bag to make it to his noon set. Grabbed myself an iced coffee and let him sing me into the morning. It couldn’t have been more perfect. Ryan changed up his lyrics to 75 & Sunny to 75 & Chilly.

The next few hours were going to keep me moving non-stop from the Main Stage and B Stage. The walk only took me about 3 minutes. Chill made it easy.

Cabinet is great and I can’t seem to put them in one category. They blend influences from the blues, bluegrass, rock, and more. The band knows how to read a festival crowd, giving us all exactly what we want during their early afternoon set on the Main Stage.

Hopped on over to B Stage. There was no way I was going to miss The Main Squeeze. These dudes are moving on up. Fast. This five-piece band from Bloomington, Indiana is full of soul and hard rock. The talent these guys bring to the stage will always amaze me. Corey’s voice is soulful. Smiley on keys, Max on guitar, Rob on bass, and Rueben on drums makes for an remarkable, mind-blowing performance. They know what sounds good because they study the greats. The Main Squeeze is powerful because when you think the song couldn’t get better- it does. It goes beyond your expectations. I’m already itching to see them live again.

I caught the dudes of Particle the week before at Club Metronome with Kung Fu in Burlington, Vermont. They’re electric rock filled with energy. I could watch Steve Molitz on keys all day long. He’s bouncing on his tiptoes, making faces, smiling at Mike, Clay, and Kito.

TAUK crushed it. Saw them back in the spring when they were opening for Umphrey’s McGee in Albany, NY at the Palace. This was a completely different setting and it’s sweet to see them deliver another awesome set in a different setting. I have a few drummers that I love to watch and Isaac Teel is definitely one of them. This guy brings the funky face and tight beats.

Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass is a beautiful take on Grateful Dead’s fan favorites. As long as Keller is leading this group of bluegrass fellas, I’ll never get tired of this collaboration of bluegrass artists.

Then, there was Turkuaz. I had the privilege of interviewing Dave and Taylor before their set on the B Stage. They are a nine-piece funk band from Brooklyn, New York who consistently deliver. I don’t think I have been this much of a fan girl over a band since I saw the Dixie Chicks at 6 years old. I hoot, holler, dance, and sing my heart out at their shows. Turkuaz grasps the energy from everyone in the crowd and make you feel like you’re at a party that they personally invited you to.

T

ook a break from Turkuaz before their late night set with Dopapod to see Lettuce. Easily one of the best sets I have ever seen at a festival. They all bring funky and crisp sound to every song. And then Nigel Hall gets up to sing. I want that man to be singing in the background song of every major moment in my life.

I wasn’t even tired going into the next set because Lettuce fuels my imagination.  Walked from the Main Stage to B Stage to see Turkuaz again. This time, they’re Dopakuaz. Members of Turkuaz team up with Dopapod for Yacht Rock. Last year at Chill, they did Studio 54. This was completely different. They played hit after hit before getting to late Prince’s Purple Rain for a stellar tribute.

Late night at Chill was filled with options. Headed over to the Late-night Hall to see Gibbz and Chillfam Allstars Play Michael Jackson.

I couldn’t miss The Magic Beans at Club Chill. They are already building a northeast fan base all the way from Colorado. They seal, signed, and delivered a rad late night set. It ended at 4am and I just wanted MORE. The Magic Beans are taking over, flicking beans left and right!

Woke up Sunday to Roosevelt Collier, Taylor Shell, Michelangelo Carubba, Rob Compa, and Eli Winderman jamming out to some of my all time favorites. If I could listen to someone cover the Allman Brothers, it’d be these dudes. Roosevelt is the magician behind the steel guitar and beautifully led the talented members of Dopapod and Turkuaz to a soothing Sunday morning set.

Bitches Bloom was one of the sets I was looking the most forward to coming into the weekend. Lettuce is known for their can’t-stop-dancing and funky long jams. On a Sunday “morning,” my body wanted something softer. Bitches Bloom drew influences from classic jazz and gave tribute to the set to Miles Davis. Lettuce’s trumpet player, Eric Bloom, is someone I tend to focus on during a Lettuce set. Sweet to have him front and center to lead the men of Lettuce in Bitches Bloom.

P

igeons Playing Ping Pong has an incredible following. Members of the flock rushed to B Stage to see these energetic, far-out guys rage for their first set of the day. Greg Ormont leads the crowd with his intense personality, wild eyes, and funky voice.

A few weeks ago, Dopapod brought back old drummer Neal “Fro” Evans. One of his first shows back with the band was as Chill. Awesome to have him back in the drummer’s seat!

The Nth Power blew my mind. Nick is filled with a sexy, soulful voice. He made me feel like I knew all the words to songs I’ve never even heard before. Back on the drums is Nikki Glaspie who continued to amaze me throughout their set. I honestly couldn’t photograph her enough. She brings the fresh beats. The Nth Power plays their music organically and it’s a blessing to have seen them.

I closed out my first Chill experience at Greensky Bluegrass. The sun was setting, the temperature was slowly dropping, and everyone was starting to move a tad bit slower. This was their first Catskill Chill experience and I’m glad I was there to witness it on a beautiful, chilly night.

Catskill Chill ended two weeks ago but I’m already counting down to next year’s weekend. Who’s going? You are.

Sat, 10/08/2016 - 12:55 pm

Turkuaz is an inspiring, soulful, funky, high energy, nine-piece party from Brooklyn, New York. This dynamic group of incredible individuals has been brought together by the power of an unforgettable funk song and a never-ending dance party.

Turkuaz has been on the road, traveling coast to coast, city to city, to immerse audiences with their contagious, feel-good grooves. It’s not only fun experience, but a true blessing to see all nine members of Turkuaz go on stage to deliver a performance that will leave you wondering if what you saw was real.

They are taking influences from history’s past. Genres like soul, rock, blues, and pop are seasons used in this delicious secret recipe that is made by Turkuaz. But the finished product is truly their own. I was fortunate enough to get a minute with Dave Brandwein and Taylor Shell before getting ready for the two sets they were performing at Catskill Chill 2016. We chatted about getting together with old friends at Catskill Chill, seeing great music, their fall tour, and the incredible vinyl collaboration with The New Mastersounds.

GW: I saw y’all this summer at Tumble Down in Burlington, Vermont. Super psyched to have finally seen Turkuaz live for the first time. And I’m happy to see y’all here at Catskill Chill. What year is this? The second?

Dave: I think it’s our third?

Taylor: Maybe our fourth?

Dave: It’s been a while!

Taylor: Definitely the longest running festival run we have performed at. We have a lot of great relationships with festivals but Catskill Chill is one of our all time favorites, or maybe our favorite. It’s one that we look forward to every single year.

GW: Turkuaz has been traveling non-stop for the past four years. Do you prefer performing in a venue compared to a festival? Is it a different vibe?

Taylor: We want to make a good impression when we play at a festival because we have a chance to perform in front of our peers, as touring musicians, and check each other out on tour.

Dave: it’s a chance It’s been a year, before we know it, and then it’s like “sweet, we get to see each other’s show!”

Taylor: Helps us all rise to occasion in a way. That’s why I like festivals.

GW: Dopakuaz is back tonight! Will it be the same as last year? What’s different?

Dave: Completely different. Last year we did Studio 54. We were questioned if we were going to do this again. But we decided on Yacht Rock. It’s going to be really different and we’re excited for it.

GW: Do you think, creatively, it’s going to be same vibe on the tour with The New Mastersounds this fall?

Taylor: That’s probably true.

Dave: It’s a different kind of thing. We’ve done tours with other bands where we get to perform and collaborate with them for 30 shows. We have time to collaborate. We have time to practice, hone in and build something night to night, which is really nice.

GW: You all and The New Mastersounds just recorded a vinyl out in California before High Sierra. Why did you want to release it on vinyl?

Dave: We wanted to contribute to that old sound that The New Mastersounds and Turkuaz is influenced by. And with this vinyl, we had the opportunity to perform each other’s songs on the vinyl. It was a chance for both bands together and collaborate in a way we have not done before in a recording.

Taylor: I grew up in California where my friends and I would record multisided records. I love going back to that idea of two different groups recorded on the same record.

Dave: That’s why we’re doing this. For Taylor’s nostalgia!

Taylor: Exactly!

Turkuaz is moving across the country this fall. Catch them on tour and/or during their New Years two-night extravaganza with Moon Hooch, Kung Fu, and West End Blend in Providence, Rhode Island. You’d be a fool to not dance with these beautiful people in 2016 and 2017.