MUSICMARAUDERS

Words By Chris Pandolfi ( chrispandolfi.com ) Live from the Electric Forest! This festival was other-worldly, bringing together the electronic and string band music scenes. I’ve never seen a site (formerly Rothbury) with more cool art/vibe installed on site–what a difference that makes. Thanks to our new friends, and hosts, the String Cheese Incident. We joined them on the main stage, along with our Railroad Earth and Greensky brethren, for a few tunes after our set. Banjo-cam takes you on stage, inside the action. Electric Forest dust-up from Chris Pandolfi on Vimeo . www.thestringdusters.ning.com

Words By Chris Pandolfi ( www.chrispandolfi.com ) Lately I’ve been wondering what ‘music associations’ are all about. Who joins? Why? What’s a music assoc trying to do? How do they get it done? And what types of music have one? Today’s NY Times has an interesting article about the mariachi music scene in LA, where newer, less experienced musicians are undercutting the typical $50/hour wages of older, more experienced players. Talk about a traditional scene–the bands actually gather in in place called ‘Mariachi Plaza’ just east of downtown LA, in full regalia, vying for the attention of potential customers. The United Mariachi Organization of LA is a new group, 200 strong, trying to keep musical/professional standards up, as well as prices. $10/month gets you a gold ID card but not necessarily much more. Says one veteran mariachi, “Do we need this? I don’t know. What we really need is more work.” Interesting. I googled ‘music association,’ and a few things came right up: Gospel Music A...

Words By Chris Pandolfi ( www.chrispandolfi.com ) Here’s the first look at our new multi-camera rig–the Iris. After a few months of testing gear I’m editing 6 cameras together to capture live Stringduster action. We shot this late night at High Sierra. Much more of this on the way… High Sierra Late Night (Hillbilly's, IRIS 1.0) from Chris Pandolfi on Vimeo . www.thestringdusters.ning.com

Original Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals returns to Quixote's True Blue in Denver, for two nights of fantastic soulful music! Come on out to Denver's premier Grateful Dead venue on Friday August 12th and Saturday August 13th! Supporting acts include Mighty Dub Killerz and Minivan Blues Band! www.quixotes.com RSVP to The Event on Facebook Here

Words By J-man Jerry Garcia. There is no more prominent figure on our scene than Jerry. His contribution to the music we all love is immeasurable. Quixote's owner Jay Bianchi, recognizes that maybe more so than any other. Stepping inside Quixote's True Blue is like stepping into a museum for all things Dead. August 1st, Jerry's Birthday, the celebration will begin and continue through the nine days leading up to Jerry's untimely passing on August 9th... Monday August 1st: Shakedown Street & Gypsy Wild (Jerry's Birthday) Tuesday August 2nd: Frogs Gone Fishin' Wednesday August 3rd: Fresh Hops & Flypaper Thursday August 4th: New Speedway Boogie Friday August 5th: Willie Waldman Project, Red Eyed Djinn & Rufus J Fisk Saturday August 6th: Euforquestra & Chaz Depaulo Sunday August 7th: Mighty High Band & Pine Tree Refugees Monday August 8th: Badass Blues Jam Tuesday August 9th: Shakedown Street (The day Jerry died) Following the celebratio...

Words By J-man Golden Gate Park has always been a special place for the Dead and their fans. Since the early years of the Dead they have been putting on shows in this magical place. September 28th, 1975 was no different. Grateful Dead Live at Lindley Meadows, Golden Gate Park on September 28, 1975. The magic began with "Help is On The Way>Slipknot!", a favorite for many Deadheads. Other highlights of the show include "Music Never Stops", "Franklin's Tower" and the extended "Truckin'>Jam>Drums>King Solomon's Marbles>Not Fade Away>Going Down The Road Feeling Bad>One More Saturday Night"... The energy was high, the recording is clean and the fact that it was another free show in Golden Gate Park elevated the vibe further. One of the additional highlights of the show comes when Phil and Bobby call for a stretcher at the soundboard and announce "Your wife's having a baby"! Enjoy this gem and feel the mag...

Words & Photos By Nicholas Stock ( www.phatphlogblog.blogspot.com ) For the second year in a row, Kyle Hollingsworth handcrafted his very own brew fest. Last year it took place the evening prior to String Cheese Incident’s Red Rocks run at The Great Divide Brewery in Denver. This year saw a boost in attendance and a move up to the Boulder Beer parking lot. With the inclusion of thirty breweries and sixty beers on tap, the stage was set for an amazing afternoon. We arrived just before 2:00 PM and got in line. With the price of admission we were given: two tickets for full pours, a ticket for food, all the tasters we could handle, and a commemorative pint glass. The only issue was that it was going to be a hot one as temperatures reached well into the 90s. The temp was definitely a factor but the huge variety of icy beers helped to contain the sweltering heat. Everyone was well aware of Kyle’s collaboration with Boulder Beer, which came in the form of a “Festival Pale Ale” titled...

Oak Hill, NY July 14-17, 2011 Words & Photos By Tabitha Clancy All grass is blue at Grey Fox. Well, metaphorically anyway. For one July weekend, the hay fields of the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, NY, were transformed into a picker’s paradise. In its two decade plus years since it began, Grey Fox has undergone various changes without sacrificing its integrity as a festival for all things bluegrass. Founder and producer, Mary Doub, even changed the name about ten or so years ago. She remembers looking up towards the wall in her bedroom. “It just hit me,” she claimed. On the wall was a painting of a grey fox. Grey Fox, in its mere existence, tells the story of bluegrass. Each day, the schedule was designed as if it were claiming folk lore of its own, connecting the older generations with the younger generation. The Dry Branch Fire Squad hosted the festival and made various appearances throughout the weekend, telling stories and harmonizing song. Fittingly, they closed with a Sunday Gospe...

Words & Photos By Karen Dugan ( www.tinyrager.com ) I just attended the 45th year of The Montreux Jazz Festival over July 13th - 17th. Taking place on the gorgeous Lake Geneva, or Lake Léman, as the Swiss like to call it, the entire festival ran from July 1st - 17th. Nestled amongst the French-populated section of the Swiss Alps in Montreux, Switzerland, this town has one of the most majestic views one will ever have as backdrop for a music festival. Fun Fact: Lake Geneva was the site for the first measurement of the speed of sound in (fresh) water. Take all your preconceptions, like comparing it to any festival you have ever attended, and throw them away. Especially for those thinking it might mirror New Orleans Jazz Festival in the sense of night and day jumps all over New Orleans to catch shows. Try thinking more along the lines of a dignified, classy, smallish in scale but giant in reputation, amazing, worldly festival thrown into the middle of The Sound of Music. A Little Ba...