Month: June 2015

Chicago Blues Festival
Grant Park
Chicago, IL
June 12-14
After 32 years of long standing music tradition the Chicago Blues Fest brings some of the country’s most prominent players that have helped shape the Blues world and music as we know it today. Outside of Bob Margolin, former Guitarist for Muddy Waters, and Marty Sammon, current keys player for Buddy Guy, we were graced by one of the last living legends Buddy Guy himself. Guy provided nothing short of an inspirational performance to a rain soaked audience upward of several thousand. “…cool it down…I want to hear some hand clapping…”, said Buddy to his band of which he was firmly obliged by the audience.
I was given the opportunity to speak earlier in the day with the chief organizer of Blues Fest, Jeneene Brown-Mosley, who is currently in her 4th year holding this role and 29th year as an administrator of in the Chicago Department of Cultural affairs. “I was excited,” said Mosley when told that she would be taking over for this highly anticipated event. “The most interesting things [about this role] are when you are trying to keep the integrity of the tradition of the Chicago Blues Festival while letting people know that there is a new generation of blues and, so, trying to keep that going.” This is important, “… to keep the young people involved as some of our artists are passing away…” How true as the music world has most recently lost one of its most recognizable personalities, BB King. Mosley went on to tell us more about the tribute on Sunday evening for Muddy Waters.

Bob Margolin was gracious enough to answer a few question about the tribute that he would be playing that night while in between sets on the Windy City Blues Society Stage. “I miss him [Muddy Waters]… “ “but I gotta keep playing..” Margolin, once side man to Muddy Waters, played only hours before Marty Sammon, now side man to Buddy guy, took to the same stage. Sammon stated, “This festival is what it’s about” headlining the WCBS stage that Sunday afternoon. Both Margolin and Sammon took the main stage and were well received, giving the audience a stellar performance to hold on to until next year. Dave Madlener, director of the Windy City Blues Society, made a point to say that “Each year we get the chance to hear them do what they love and they just keep getting better…”
But, what of Blues today? Where is the genre going? And who do we see leading the way to infuse the foundations of Rock and Roll back in to the masses? Will Jacobs, one of the younger and steadier Blues musicians running in the Chicago Blues scene today had this to say about the movements new direction “You see a lot of people finding the Blues through Johnny Lang and Gary Clark Jr. [who is playing Lollapalooza this year] and work their way back to players like Albert King and BB King. “ “I see younger people coming into places like Kingston Mines, Blues on Halsted, and Blues Chicago and that’s great, but where is it on the radio?” Currently Jarekus Singleton, as Jazz influenced Blues artist, is one of the few along with Jamiah “On Fire” and the Red Machine that are currently making a name for themselves on the national circuit. From having quick moments with all of these artists it seems that the general consensus of the future direction of Blue in the mass public lies within the Soul R&B.
Maybe. From a point of view shared by artists that have wonderfully devoted their lives to this genre, yes, this could hold, but as a music lover I feel that this may be a bit hasty. When walking outside of the grounds just beyond the gates to CBFest I my ears peaked with profound interest at the sound of a ruckus that could be described as Psycho-Delta Blues. An amazing duo, know as Tyrannosaurus Chicken [www.facebook.com/T.Chikn], consisting of Smilin’ Bob Lewis and his god daughter, Rachel Ammons, two native from Arkansas that some how seemed to just burst out of the trees while busking their uniquely profound style of Delta Blues. “ Back home [Arkansas] they call us Pyscho-Delta,” said Lewis. A sound that has been cultivated over the past 7 years which has just this past year taken to the road. They were featured at CBFest on the Windy City Blues Society stage on Friday to a packed crowd, then spent the rest of the weekend keeping to one of the oldest Blues traditions; busking on the street for everyone to hear. He wails on a series of stringed guitars, banjos, dobros, and a Telephone receiver microphone , while she fiddles with the fire of someone looking to escape their body flailing her hip long hair around the stage. A party whether you like it or not. They have headlined smaller Midwest festivals like MOLOVE (Missouri), Hillberry(Arkansas), Big BAM Ride (Missouri), and a slue of venues along the way to enthusiastic crowds. Their music left no foot un-stomped. Their sound was unique, fresh, intoxicating, and, yet, rooted in Delta Blue tradition. Definitely worth checking these two out!
With so many opinions as to what truly makes up a sound to classify it as something or not like everything in life it must evolve if it is to survive. And with newly found gems such as Jamiah “On Fire”, Jarekus Singleton, and Tyrannosaurus Chicken we have begun to see the genre shift into a new age and leave its…..
Mark

And with that yet another wonderful year on Mulberry Mountain at Wakarusa 2015 comes to an end. Wakarusa isn’t your typical music festival; each year it offers more to its Wakafarians, than just a musical aspect. It’s a combination of art, music, and the spiritual experiences one has that keeps participants coming back year after year. Despite the detour due to the landslide on highway 23, Pipeline did a great job of funneling the crowds through the security gates and up the mountain in a timely manor. Even in the initial long security check lines spirits were at an all time high, people were cheering, beers were being passed, and “Happy Waka’s” were being said everywhere. Celebration was thick in the air, as everyone was pumped to finally be back in the presents of the mountain.
 
Whether you arrived Wednesday afternoon or early Thursday, first item on the docket is to reacquaint yourself with the grounds for veterans or get the initial lay of the land for newbies. With the main stages not housing music till the later afternoon one might stumble into one of the two stages not in the main festival grounds, the Backwoods Stage where Shawn James and the Shapeshifters were getting the festival off to a great start with their part heavy metal, part banjo pluckin’ bluegrass jams. Walking into the main grounds for the first time, festival-goers are delighted with what they find. Each year they give grants out to help fund some of the art instillations seen around the grounds and this year was no disappointment. Providing artists with a place to showcase their talents while onlookers enjoy, creating a magical space to spark artistic talent in anyone. Up on the Main stage was indie-progressive rock band, Moon Taxi, followed by The Devil Makes Three; both providing the perfect soundtrack to the beautiful day. Nestled back among the lush shade of the mountain trees lies the Satellite Stage, where Goldroom was queued up to play. Taking the stage, his sunset disco had the crowd dancing to the beautiful backdrop of the setting sun. Providing the perfect mix of tunes to get you pumped for the rest of the night. Reggae-rock band, Slightly Stoopid, stepped foot on the Main Stage around dusk, bringing calming vibes before crowd favorite Umphrey’s McGee brought the heat. Electronic Duo, The Floozies, had the crowd mesmerized with their sea of lasers and party rocking funk. Gigantic Underground Conspiracy, which features members from Big Gigantic, Conspirator and Underground Orchestra, closed out the Main Stage and did not disappoint. For those not ready to call the night quits, after hours were held at the Satellite Stage where Minnesota threw down some nasty beats and Govinda closed out night one with a 5am sunrise set. Exhausted, those who made it to the end shuffled back to their tents to catch what few hours of sleep they could before the sweltering Arkansas sun wouldn’t allow anymore.
One of the best features of Wakarusa is the hike to the waterfall. Forewarning, the hike down is not that tough and once hikers arrive they are ready to take the plunge into the brisk mountain water. The hike up on the other hand, is a much different story. What seemed to be a breeze on the way down is now an all-uphill boulder climb to make it back to the main festival grounds. Don’t let this scare you off though, it is definitely worth the workout.
First up on Friday’s agenda was Tropical house sensation, Thomas Jack, at the Satellite Stage. His soothing, island beats were a perfect way to easy you into the night. Electric disco man, JackLNDN played after and hyped the crowd up for one of my favorite duos Hermitude. Their remixes to popular songs like Odesza’s “Say My Name” and Flume’s “Holding On” got the crowd into the party mood. Back for another year, STS9 took the Main Stage where they blew everyone’s mind with their funky beats and eye-popping light show designs. Jeremy Salken of Big Gigantic made a
surprise appearance on stage with a marching band percussion section and continued to amp the crowd up for their upcoming set.  As Big Gigantic took the stage there was an intense feeling of excitement throughout the air. As soon as they played their first note, the crowd was in all out party mode from that moment on. Blasts of confetti canons shot into the crowd and rained down covering the boogying festival-goers like gifts from the sky. The night closed out with gravity defying aerialists Ouixotic. Their mesmerizing artistry choreographed to progressive electronic music artists left onlookers wanting more.
 
Awaking Saturday to the extreme heat of the sun was no different any of the other two days but in the early afternoon there was a sudden shift in wind. The stages closed down as a near by thunderstorm halted performances for the time being. This did mess with the stage schedules for the day but Pipeline did a great job in recovering by letting the artists push their sets back by the time lost. When Young The Giant finally took the Main Stage the crowd was more than ready to start gettin’ down. They played songs from their new album “Mind Over Matter” along with classics like “My Body” from their first record. Hip hop/neo soul band, The Roots, followed up with a killer performance. Indie rock band, Glass Animals played on the Outpost Stage, in arguably one of the best sets of the weekend, drawing quite the crowd. Playing hits from their debut album ZABA, they definitely did not disappoint with their first Waka experience. Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals provided some much needed relaxation before the craziness of Major Lazer ensued. I have to say, Major Lazer knows how to get down. With scantily clad, booty shakin’ ladies on stage the whole place was one huge party. For those who were not ready to call the party quits, The White Panda and Black Tiger Sex Machine provided the nasty beats to keep you dancing into the wee hours of the morning.
Awaking Sunday morning there was a sadness that hung in everyone’s mind. This was the final day on the mountain and no one was ready to return back to reality just yet. Spending most of the day at Satellite Stage to get away from the sun, Mouth, Greenhouse Lounge and Nadus all were providing the perfect beats to chillax under the shade of the Satellite Stage trees. Portugal. The Man took the Main Stage right before the sun started to set and brought the perfect sound track for the last nights sunset. Lotus was up next and played arguably one of the best sets I have ever seen. To close out the main stages, the tough decision between Eoto at Revival Tent or Thievery Corporation at Main Stage needed to be made. Not be able to decide, my time was split, getting down hard to Eoto’s funky beats then switching it up to Thievery’s more mellow sound really hit the spot. Satellite Stage housed the very last set of the weekend put on by Goldfish. Once the music ended the party was still going. Renegade stages were being set up throughout the campsites for those who were not ready to stop the party. Final memories were being made between old friends and new as the sun started to peek out behind the mountain backdrop. Reality began to set in as those still awake found their way back to their camps before starting to trek home.
 

Whether you’re at Wakarusa to escape from reality or to find yourself again, the mountain provides each with what they are searching for. The comradery between fellow Wakafarians is unmatched and cannot be replicated at any other festival. There is something magical in that fresh mountain air that leaves everyone awakened and refreshed. As you return home to your TVs and hot showers and conveniences of civilization, remember the feeling you get on the mountain. Carry it with you and plant it in life, love, and Mother Earth and then maybe the world will follow.

We can’t wait to see you all on the mountain in 2016!

WAKA WAKA!

Check out our Full Gallery From Wakarusa 2015 Here