July 21, 2014
Red Wing Roots II

July 11-13

Natural Chimneys Park

The Steel Wheels threw their second annual Red Wing Roots festival in the beautiful Natural Chimneys Park down in Mt. Solon, VA. After being unable to join the inaugural fest, I was bound and determined to make the journey this year. Since I left DC, I was looking at a bit more of a drive – 7/8 hours depending on how sticky my pedals are & how hydrated I manage to make myself. The drive was beautiful. I love the solitude of being in a car alone, taking in new sights and backroads, and being only passably concerned about following any directions. 

RWR grants you an entire weekend experience by not focusing on one aspect of a festival - music, art, etc. - but by skillfully weaving genuine folk, americana, and roots music with mantras of healthy minds, sustainable living, and active lifestyles. Active cyclists themselves, The Steel Wheels seemed to have little problem recruiting like-minded outdoorspeople to join them on their three-day journey.  In between lackadaisical hammock hangs, I had the chance to cycle around the perimeter of the park, practice yoga in front of the main stage in the music meadow, chow down on burgers made from locally sourced ingredients, and sip blissfully on beers from Blue Ridge favorites, Blue Mountain Brewery. I always make a point to stop at Blue Mountain when I’m in the area for a few cans to take to whatever fest I happen to be heading towards. Luckily, I’ll have the chance two more times yet this fall. (Lockn’, The Festy)

I volunteered as a member of the production crew for the weekend, which meant a bunch of behind the scenes work making sure things went off without a hitch… or with their required hitches. Very grateful to the entire RWR team for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned over the years and eagerly sponge up what the veterans/pros do to create a seamless and memorable weekend. 

Arguably the best part of the festival, of any well curated festival, is the music. The lineup was filled with new names (The Judy Chops) and old favorites (Peter Rowan), spanned local (James Justin & Co) and national acts (Trampled By Turtles), and had me both lounging blissfully in the grass (Willie Watson) and dancing until I collapsed (The Devil Makes Three). The authenticity of each performer was so apparent and something I definitely do not take for granted. As was the genuine love for performance and music preservation among both the artists and the festival attendees. I’ll be back. 

The views on the drive through the mountains:

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“Natural Chimneys”

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The crew that I met up with has been reuniting at most of the festivals around the Blue Ridge (and a rogue Electric Forest a few weeks ago) for a few years. We all initially met at The Festy and upon finding out we have a similar history decided to keep camping together, enjoying good times, and, of course, chillin’ the most. 

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Cokey was our hollow, matted, beacon of refreshment. She once oozed of sweet coconut water, but soon found liquids inside of her that were better suited to her/our afternoon party plans. We christened her the sustainable version of “slap the bag”. 

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I candidly snapped this picture before almost hyperventilating; Peter Rowan and his Bluegrass Band running through a few soundcheck songs. He’s a bluegrass idol and i was undoubtedly grinning from ear to ear to be able to hang out during. 

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Few men can pull off teal pants. 

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July 15, 2014
Bloomstock

Kris & Terry’s Farm 

Bloomdale, OH

4th of July weekend

Every year, for a grand total of two years, my aunt and uncle have hijacked the 4th of July weekend and thrown a pig roast/potluck/music festival on their modest farm in the middle of BF Ohio. It’s a chance for family to reunite and friends to play music together and share stories of their summers so far. More picking party than outright rager, the lull of acoustic music drifts briskly over you as you swoon next to the corn stalks and, like the seedlings planted in every direction, soak up the sun. By early afternoon the scent of food that began cooking at sunrise begins to waft into the ‘campgrounds’. The crowd momentarily stops playing, puts down their instruments, and stands around the roasting spit looking at this guy:

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I always underestimate the amount of time people can spend standing around a pig rotating helplessly over a coal-stoked open fire. Cruel and unappealing? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely. 

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July 15, 2014
Electric Forest

Rothbury Michigan

Double JJ Ranch

June 26-29

Perhaps very fortunately, I have fallen short of being able to describe my first EF experience in enough succinct or sensible phrases to form a blog post, so few text will follow this short introductory para.

The Forest is transcendent. It is alive. In turn it fuels your life and makes you aware of your self, your surroundings, and how inevitably interconnected one is with the other and with the whole. I managed to snap a few pictures here and there, but in no way do these accurately convey the actuality of standing in a sea of like-minded individuals, entering the Forest for the first time and feeling the lights, or frolicking endlessly through the grounds finding the unordinary and extraordinary around every turn. And the music was so off the hook that it swam upstream and poured out into the ocean. I hope that any one who stumbles across the chance to go to EF takes fortune up on her offer. 

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June 18, 2014
Appalachian Uprising

June 5-8

Scottown, OH

Are you ready to rise? This festival holds a dear place in my heart as one of the first “larger” bluegrass festivals I attended as a wee pre-teen. Many thanks get sent to my parents who acknowledged that their love of bluegrass music should be shared with their children. Although some of my first memories are dancing at bluegrass stages at undeterminable locations, Appy up might be the first large camping festival I attended. (NOVA and Kendallville being some of the smaller camping festival firsts) My family returned year after year, always greeted by Mack on the four-wheeler who usually was safe-guarding our camping spot at the bend in the path by the ravine. As my brother and I grew older and picked up instruments of our own, we learned to play in this valley, learning from older pickers and jammed alongside until we could keep up (dat bluegrass boom chuck tho). We were eventually able to play the stage two years in a row, and even opened for the Avett Brothers way back in 2008 when they were raw & rickety unkept kids with spectacular songs. 

Unfortunately, rumors were circulating that the 2014 festival was going to be the last one. If true, it certaintly had a good run, and I’ll miss that magical valley I grew up in. The family couldn’t come, but I knew I had to be there. I rounded up a few friends, headed down to the tip of southern Ohio, and let loose. All things must pass, but I have some mighty good memories of the years spent roaming around that place, as well as the music I witnessed and also helped to create within the tree-lined “walls”.

Shyly sitting in on the old folks’ jam

Stepping out onto the stage for the first time

Singing at the top of my lungs until sunrise

Lenny and his corn hole pancakes

Stumbling onto ‘wild’ horses up the mountain

A romantic fling.. or two

A flood

A hailstorm

Sam Bush signing my brother’s mandolin

Slurping up spaghetti in the back house in kitchen with the Avetts

Sharing the magic with my friends

The 'bear’ that destroyed our camp

Moonshine, moonshine, plenty of moonshine, too much moonshine

Getting stopped by the cops in the bus on the way

The Steves

The food

The heat

Rumpke all nighters

Black Swamp String Band playing in the bus

The bus getting stuck and flocks of campers coming to help unstick her

Last minute FoodTown stops

The cardboard pizza at the RV dump on the way home

… and so many more.

These memories will undoubtedly stay with me for a very long time. I added plenty of new ones this trip - so there are few pictures as I was way too busy living life in the moment to be bothered to capture said moment via camera. A weekend with no cell service, and no distractions from the scenery and the music, is a wonderful thing indeed. What I did capture is but a small slice of the magical vibes that the valley projects. 

Long live Appy Up. Good to the last drop. 

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June 18, 2014
Nelsonville Music Festival

May 29-June 1

Nelsonville, OH

This was my first time attending the Nelsonville Music Festival, and I can’t believe I missed out on the previous 9 years. The lineup rivaled some of the better folk/alternative fests out there, but the small size allowed seemingly endless front row access for some crazy good acts. The weather was flawless, the vibe completely positive, and the post-fest jam tent each night in the campground kept me dancing well into the wee hours of the morning. 

Nelsonville was one of the few festivals this summer I was able to attend with my family, which means comfy “camping” accommodations. Dad bought this old MCI bus from a scrap yard many years ago and we’ve been slowly converting it into a livable motorhome. As of now, it’s more than livable, with a full kitchen (stove, fridge, oven, sink) bathroom (shower, sink, toilet) and plenty of bunks. Plus, my dad wanted to get fancy so we now have central air, heat, a backup camera, tv, track lighting, and a host of other unnecessary but very accommodating accessories. (Pictured: Dad, and Edna the buss) 

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One of my only concerns was the amount of straw/hay scattered around the campground. Personal campfires were allowed and no one seemed to be monitoring any fires… but thankfully nothing or no one went up in flames. We tasked younger brother with raking us a safe campsite. (Pictured: James, and Uncle Terry the Farmer & his rig)

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The finished camp, complete with shade and hammock set up between rear-view mirror joint and ladder on back of Uncle Terry the Farmer’s rig. (Pictured: ice cold shandy, perfectly parked RVs, family)

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Plenty of campsite jamming’. 

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Bonus secret swimming creek!

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Thursday night my dad, brother, and I even got to play the late night campground stage. Potato photo, because it came off my drunk mother’s phone.

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———

Again, the music was so on point for the atmosphere. I walked away pleased as peaches to hear some of my favorite artists and discover a host of new tunes and artists to listen to. Can’t recommend this fest any more. Do it. 

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Pokey LaFarge

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Avett Brothers

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The Head & The Heart

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The Tillers

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Frank Turner

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Total Blam Blams

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Shakey Graves

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Wooden Indian Burial Ground

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June 2, 2014
Dark Star Jubilee

May 23-25

Legend Valley, Thornville, OH

Although I am pretty far from the stereotypical deadhead persona that the Dark Star Jubilee is wont to attract, this is the second time I have attended the fest and both times bore witness to some incredible shows. Although I was supposed to volunteer at Delfest the same weekend, a case of strep throat unfortunately prevented me from leaving Tuesday evening to make it to Maryland in time. After some antibiotics, though, I cleared up enough by Friday and set out a few hours south instead. Wasn’t gonna let strep take down my entire week.  

Hosts Dark Star Orchestra played an astonishing 4-hour set each night, and included what seemed like every Grateful Dead jam that has ever existed. The dancing was strong with this festival, and the smaller size meant stellar views of some great acts. 

Also, Legend Valley is a beautiful place (especially when it doesn’t rain/flood/storm as it didn’t this year) and the crowd’s personality perpetuates the essential festy codes of love, helpfulness, & respect. From kids running to help raise an EZ-up, to sharing smiles with ‘strangers’ while trekking in the hot sun, or even passing a swig of bourbon to new friends down by the stage, the entire weekend was filled with unexpectedly pleasant surprises.

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My mom and aunt expressed interest in wanting to tag along, and despite a few cautionary words of preparedness from my end, decided to join. Having the extra bodies (and their giant suitcases) in my car was a challenge, but having company compelled me to prepare a bunch of meals ahead of time. Eating well throughout the fest was worth a few complaints and concerns here and there about the not-quite-resort-quality accommodations and morning lectures about my later-than-preferred bedtime.

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Ohio’s The Werks were the first act to grace the new stage, sturdily constructed out of concrete and steel after floods wiped out the previous stage. The Werks hold their own shindig at Legend Valley taking place in August, The Werk Out Music Festival, which I will happily be attending. See ya there?

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Keller goes funk

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Dark Star Orchestra

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Late night with The Devil Makes Three. Always a good get down, but one of my favorite memories seeing them was at a sold out show at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville. Problem was, I found out they were playing and that it was sold out on the same day - the day of the show. So, a trio of us decided to mosey down to the show anyway, take our chances on scoring tickets, and ended up blending in with the crowd on a smoke break to get in. We did buy merch though to offset our mischief. 

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Ultraviolet Hippopotamus 

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One of the most unique and talented bands I’ve heard, Toubab Krewe. Always jammin to them, especially when the sun starts shining in the summertime. Their sound combines percussive Malian beats and instruments with some Southern American style. It’s good life music - truly original - so get on it. 

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Surprise fiddle! Courtesy of Nicky Sanders

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View from the hammock ridge

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June 2, 2014
Hessler Street Fair

Hessler Road, Cleveland

May 17th & 18th

The Hessler Street Fair is an annual arts and music celebration taking place in early spring on historic Hessler Road in University Circle. I’ve always felt a special connection to this festival’s ethos (peace, love, general hippie-ness), and its occurrence + the art-oriented atmosphere were significant factors in my decision to live on the one-way brick road during my college days. So when I was able to swing through Cleveland to catch a bit of this year’s fest, I was thrilled. Many many thanks to our good friend Fez for holding down a place at the end of the street for our viewing (and beer consuming) pleasure.

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No TV allowed kids. 

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June 1, 2014
Kingman Island Bluegrass

April 26th

Kingman Island

This was a bit of an unofficial last hoorah for me in DC, as I can think of nothing more soothing or celebratory than sitting in the sun and listening to a bunch of bluegrass & folk music being played on water’s edge, on a forested island, on my last day in town. It was the day after my birthday and I had yet to cash in on a spammy email from Krispy Kreme offering me a free dough ring for signing up for their birthday club at dog knows what time in my life… so, I started my day with a donut and some tunes and decided to walk the few miles toward the water.

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A quick swap of sin later and I settled in to enjoy the sunshine and strings (courtesy of Justin Trawick and the Common Good).

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Pleased as peaches to be able to hear live one of my latest heavy rotations, Vandaveer.

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The Hackensaw Boys cobbled a band together for the occasion, and a buddy of mine that I had the pleasure of playing with once got to sit in with them on bass!

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Our “we almost started a band” band at a Black Squirrel gig

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& then I danced my way right outta the district. 

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- Laine

June 1, 2014
Bats Old School Weenie Roast

April 17-20, 2014

Trips Farm

The final 40 minutes through West Virginia on the way to Trip’s Farm wind through backwoods so void of human habitation, save for the cracking pavement that threatens to give way if you veer too far to one side of the single-lane road.  My first experience driving this route was therefore, understandably, plagued with uncertainty.

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I had a gut feeling that I should keep driving despite having to rely on my hastily scrawled written directions I smartly decided to bring with me, as any GPS technology was quickly becoming a less viable option. 

Uncertainty turned into anticipation as I came to a fork, of which the direction to take was obvious, being much more worn than the rocky path that winded further up into fields dominated by fallen trees and cattle. My persistence was rewarded.

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I found soft hills, a small pond on the ridge, a rickety barn, and plenty of trees for quality hammock hangs in a place that felt like some sort of dream world from a much simpler time. Which is why I was thrilled that my first trip of the spring season was coming back to Trips Farm. I decided rather haphazardly one Saturday morning to hop in my car and drive far from the Washington DC doldrum in which I had spent the dreary winter months.

Being April, the sun was shining brightly but there was still a brisk wind nipping at any exposed skin. I hung up my hammock, and had some great chill time, but had to resort to the back of the car (& a few minutes of blasting the heater) in order to fall asleep.

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Once I was warmer, though, sleep came quickly thanks to the hours of dancing, moonshine, and campfire jams that lasted well into the early morning. And yes, there were umpteen packages of weenies to roast, on shaved sticks like they’re supposed to be cooked of course. 

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This is Batman. He throws a damn good roast and is a pretty mean picker too.  

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The drive home. Sometimes you just have to stop the car. 

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Don’t forget to…

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-Laine

May 26, 2014
Start Anew, Again

Hello Internet.

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It’s the time of year to start fulfilling the promises I made to myself back in January: To venture out and “touch the rust of the midwest, taste southern soul, bask in northeastern breezes, dance under forest lights, feel the power hidden in the mountains, and keep searching for answers in between." 

When I made that promise to myself at the beginning of the year I was living in Washington DC and had just left/lost (the verdict is up on which party sealed the deal) a ‘budding’ career/forced 'contract’ of a job (depending on whom you ask and when). The same weekend as the aforementioned incident, I became pretty sick and began to notice my skin started looking not so much like skin was supposed to look. After a few misdiagnoses I landed an auto-immune disorder and was put on some hardcore drugs, which I am currently taking while trying to explore alternative treatments that aren’t so harsh on my already well-worn organs. Whew. 

So, after many contemplative sessions channeling all the wise folk who had ever given me a nugget of advice about life, learning, and love, I decided that it was cosmically appropriate that after my Star birthday in April (25 on the 25th!) I would pack up my things and leave. Those series of "quarter life crises” seemed like a good excuse to kick myself in the ass and start thinking about what I really wanted to spend my time and energy on instead of pursuing what I had been prescribed. 

After a bit on the heavy meds my first blood tests came back looking stellar, so for now I’m ready and raring go - although covered in a few remaining polka dots. I moved all my belongings back to Ohio and will be traveling the eastern half of the US for the next few months in my trusty Toyota SUV.

I’m going to try to document my trials and travels here, including but not limited or committed to music festivals, camping adventures, DIY projects, recording an album, staying healthy, writing a book, starting a brewery (!?!), applying to graduate school, as well as general thriving, living, and lollygagging. Here’s to the summer, and cheers to adventure. 

Don’t forget to daydream,

Laine 

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