See our article on Tea Leaf Green: https://www.moonshineink.com/articles.php/0/1295
See our article on Big Light: https://www.moonshineink.com/articles.php/0/1294
The snow isn’t totally melted on the peaks yet it’s already time to start thinking summer. Before we know it, July will have arrived and with it the 19th annual High Sierra Music Festival. Residents of Quincy and fans of the festival may not know that it was a cold spring, unlike the one we are experiencing, that is the reason Quincy plays host to the much beloved event.
As long-time attendees know, HSMF used to take place in Bear Valley at a brisk 7,000 feet. But 1998 saw a heavy, wet winter and the spring was cold. Snow didn’t melt and, according to High Sierra spokesperson Rebecca Sparks, ‘Memorial Day weekend we went to the site and there were still five or six feet of snow on the festival grounds. We had no guarantees that it would melt and started looking for a contingency plan. We found Quincy and within a month moved the entire festival.’
Despite one trip back to Bear Valley in 1999, the organizers of HSMF decided to make Quincy their permanent home. ‘While the city was a little apprehensive in the beginning, we have now developed an amazing relationship and are very supported from all stripes and all walks of life, from hippies to conservative business owners.’
Nine years later HSMF is growing exponentially. As Sparks says, it has turned into ‘a whole other monster,’, but she notes that the greatest thing that has evolved since that very first fest is the community that has evolved around the festival itself.
‘People have made it a tradition, and that’s a great thing to behold. People have grown up going to this festival; people who are now in college started coming as young kids, people who met here years ago are now married and are bringing their kids. It’s just such a natural organic development.’
The festival has grown from one stage with 20 performers to multiple stages, over 50 performances, late night performances, parades, kids programs, music workshops and over 6,000 tickets sold. In addition to the strong connection with the community of Quincy, HSMF has a strong connection with the artists that play each year. When asked why many artists come back again and again Sparks remarked, ‘A lot of bands just love the looseness, the freedom to intermingle with other musicians. They can chill and play a few sets at the same time; we provide an opportunity to play in creative settings, a chance to play with their friends in public and I think that’s something they don’t get to do when they are on tour on their own.’ She also adds that certain bands just become a part of the fabric of the festival, and while trying to please everyone, they try to rotate a certain cadre of bands each year and try to keep it fresh.
For its 19th inception HSMF has invited feminine icon Ani DiFranco, Australian former busker John Butler and progressive improvisational masters Umphrey’s McGee to headline the event. Ask Sparks who she is most excited to see this year and her passion for the festival shines through. Of the over 50 acts performing, she says Denver-based foursome DeVotchKa, currently on tour with former Talking Heads front man David Byrne (Editor’s note: See Rocking Stone story this month on David Byrne, ‘ Everything That Happens Will Happen Today’). ‘They are a very unique sounding act, an interesting mix of styles – of Slavic, mariachi, rock and really interesting instrumentation; accordion, trumpet.’ Sparks goes on excitedly to chat about OllaBelle, a rootsy-Americana sound with a little rock that features Levon Helm’s daughter Amy; Mike Farris; and the Roseland Rhythm Revue, mixing gospel, with an upbeat rockin’ guitar; and finally Vieux Farka Touré, a Malian guitarist.
For those feeling like taking a break from the intensive music schedule, Sparks is also excited about the kids program and the outdoor playshops. ‘People may have started coming in their early 20s, now have kids and don’t know what a great place it is for kids,’ says Sparks. ‘We have Joe Craven and Living Folklore, they bring clown yoga and go on stilts for storytelling – it’s such a great crowd pleaser.’ There is also a grassy lawn reserved for daytime outdoor playshops. ‘We have a difference dance taught every year, from African dance to belly dancing, we’ll have some hula hooping, yoga, pilates, belly dancing, capoiera all on the menu for this year as well as poi spinning.’ As for the usual music biz playshops that HSMF offers, nothing has been scheduled yet. According to Sparks, the playshops on social networking and digital distribution from last year may reappear this year, but nothing is finalized.
Whatever your pleasure at the festival, between the lineup, parades, added outdoor activities, food, vendors and late night performances; it’s unlikely you’ll get any sleep but are sure to finish the weekend with a new favorite band and a slight sunburn. Join Sparks and the performers July 2 through 5 for ‘the ultimate intimate festival experience.’
2009 High Sierra Music Festival Lineup
Check highsierramusic.com for complete information.
John Butler, Umphrey’s McGee, Ani DiFranco, Disco Biscuits, DeVotchKa, Leftover Salmon, The Slip, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Del McCoury Band, Galactic, Marco Benevento Trio, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine Featuring Melvin Seals, McTuff Featuring Skerik, The Wailers, Tea Leaf Green, Ollabelle, Mike Farris and The Roseland Rhythm Revue, ALO, Vieux Farka Touré, Dr. Dog, Devil Makes Three, The Travelin’ McCoury’s, The Lee Boys, Cornmeal, Bonerama, Greensky Bluegrass, Joe Craven & Sam Bevan Duo, Fareed Haque and the Flat Earth Ensemble, Nathan Moore, Assembly of Dust, Orchard Lounge, Delhi 2 Dublin, Red Cortez, Lubriphonic, Izabella, These United States, Alice DiMicele & Friends, Bourgeois Gypsies, Raina Rose, The Loyd Family Players, Pretty Lights, Everest, Dusty Rhodes and The River Band, Pimps of Joytime, J-Boogie and Dubtronic Science, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Living Folklore
