Tag Archive for 'The Decemberists'

SUNSHINE, MUSIC, AND MEMORIES: FUN FROM DAY ONE OF FOLK FESTIVAL 50

Published by Rainy on August 4, 2009 in Editorial and Festivals. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

The first day of Folk Festival 50, the golden anniversary of this Newport staple, did not disappoint. Though the day’s magic was thanks to the wonderful acts that played throughout the event on three stages, not enough can be said about how well the weather worked out. It was hot and sunny for long enough that the refreshing breeze that moved when Pete Seeger took the stage was welcome and appreciated. Read on for a recap of Day One. If you’ve been reading our tweets lately, you’re already ahead of the game.

"That's meee, after my gig!" ~Ben Kweller, when he saw this photo of himself.

"That's meee, after my gig!" ~Ben Kweller, when he saw this photo of himself.

The Fort Stage, the center of the festival, featured some of the most well-known acts including the bands I was most excited to see— Fleet Foxes and The Decemberists. Gillian Welch also played a wonderful set here, despite having a five-hour delay at LAX airport that nearly thwarted her showing up at all if the Newport police hadn’t escorted her in through traffic. It was also here that Pete Seeger, one of the original founding members of the festival back in 1959, finished up the day with a huge all-star sing-along. Not only did a diverse group of musicians fill the entire stage to participate in this memorable moment, but the audience was into it as well. Listening to thousands of people sing “This Land is Your Land,” after hearing Seeger retell the story of the song’s origin made everyone feel like this was a simpler time. The sun went down within 30 minutes of the end of Seeger’s set. What a perfect way to end a day!

Don’t let this fool you into thinking all the excitement happened on the Fort Stage. Some class acts joined Kweller on the Harbor stage, notably solo act Iron & Wine. The turnout for his set was so big that it was nearly impossible for anyone who didn’t find a spot early to get through the dense crowd. What the Waterfront Stage, the smallest at the festival, lacked in numbers (only 4 acts) it made up for in quality. If you haven’t already, check out Waterfront band The Low Anthem.

All in all the day really couldn’t have been better. Want more proof? Check out our Folk Festival 50 photo set. Coming soon we’ll be posting a video of Editor-at-Large Jay Sweet’s interview with Ben Kweller!

AUGUST’S LETTER FROM THE EDITOR AT LARGE, JAY SWEET

Published by KB@OS on August 3, 2009 in Artist News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

I’m sitting backstage at Folk Festival 50— a celebration of 50 years of music history in Newport, RI— listening to 90-year-old Pete Seeger headlining a sing-a-long with a phalanx of younger artists armed only with aged vocal chords, an out-of-tune banjo and more heart, soul and sincerity than perhaps any performer of the last century. He is quite simply music history personified.

In a 70 plus year career he has never once put financial gain or fame over artistic integrity. He has fought against blacklists, social injustice, racial inequality and habitat destruction his entire life, and here he is leading the charge alongside members of The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Ben Kweller, The Low Anthem, Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Tift Merritt, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and Gillian Welch to name just a few. Obviously it’s inspirational to watch all these performers join in song however the almost palpable lack of cynicism during Seeger stalwarts such as “This Little Light of Mine,” “If I Had A Hammer” and “This Land Is Your Land”  hits me the hardest. Everyone is genuinely moved by the power of the performers and audience singing together in perfect and gloriously out-of-tune harmony.

All the artists I’ve mentioned above made their careers on the backs of their own labor. With or without label support, these artists have all made it to this career milestone: playing the granddaddy of all music festivals via playing by their own rules. This badge on non-conformity is really their only commonality. The futility of genre labeling when trying to categorize all the collective talent on this stage is glaring. Each one believing that he or she can change the world for the better with a few simple chords, a pound of flesh and mountain of sincerity.  It seems the secret they are willingly sharing to all who take the time to listen is to make it as a true artist you have to go to any lengths to stand by your convictions— or as Mr. Seeger told me before he walked on stage, “You never know when which added grain of sand will finally tilt the see-saw of change in the right direction. We all need to do that little extra to make it happen.”

-Jay Sweet, Editor-at-Large

ARTISTS RALLY AROUND THE SAVE PASTE CAMPAIGN

Published by KB@OS on May 15, 2009 in Editorial, In the News and OurStage Partners. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

paste_logo2From Seattle to Boston, economic hardships are hitting many major players in the world of print media and the entertainment titles are not exempt. The latest would-be causality is the independently published entertainment magazine Paste, but not if its readers and an arsenal of artists have anything to do with it. To counter-balance the impact of rapidly decreasing advertising dollars, the two-time National Magazine Award nominee has launched a campaign appealing to its record-high readership. Contribute to the Save Paste campaign and receive exclusive tracks from artists like G. Love and Special Sauce, Josh Ritter, The Decemberists and many more.

Paste has long been a beacon for people who relish the discovery of new music, literature and independent movies. Many of the artists covered by the magazine are showing their appreciation for the taste-maker and industry leader by donating rare and exclusive tracks to anyone who donates to the cause. Other bands, like R.E.M. and Band Of Horses, have donated autographed posters to be given away to random supporters.

Singer/songwriter Cary Brothers summarized the sentiments of many industry insiders when saying, “Times are tough in the music industry, and now more than ever we need people like the team at Paste looking out for artists on the fringe of the mainstream.”

We at OurStage hope the music lovers and indie artists in our community will be inspired to save one of the most respected voices championing independent music. Donations to help out our friends at Paste can be made HERE.

Artists contributing songs for the Save Paste Campaign so far:
A Camp, Ari Hest, Army of Me, Arrested Development, Ben Folds, Ben Wakeman, Betty LaVette, Bill Mallonee, Birdmonster, Bloodkin, Bob Mould, Brandi Carlile, Cara Luft, Cary Brothers, Cowboy Junkies, Dan Zimmerman, Derek Webb, Duncan Sheik, G. Love and Special Sauce, Gomez, Greg Laswell, Indigo Girls, Islands, Jamie Lidell, Jason Harrod, Jennifer Daniels, Jesse Sykes And The Sweet Hereafter, Joe Henry, John Doe, John Roderick (The Long Winters), Josh Ritter, Josh Rouse, Keller Williams, Liam Finn, Loney Dear, Luke Brindley, Marc Broussard, Matt Nathanson, Matthew Caws, Matthew Sweet, Meiko, Neko Case, Of Montreal, Ortolan, Over the Rhine, Passion Pit, Patterson Hood, Portastatic, Robert Pollard, Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3, Rosie Thomas, Samantha Crain, Sandra McCracken, Shawn Mullins, She & Him, Slow Runner, Soul-Junk, Southeast Engine, State Radio, String Cheese Incident, Switchfoot, Thao, The Avett Brothers, The Clarks, The Decemberists, The Jayhawks, The Low Anthem, The Minus 5, The Rosewood Thieves, The Spring Standards, Umphree’s McGee, Venice Is Sinking, Welcome Wagon, William Fitzimmons
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THE NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

Published by Rainy on May 6, 2009 in Festivals and In the News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

It seems like it was just yesterday that Bob Dylan riled up a lot of die hard acoustic fans by switching to an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival. In reality, this memorable event took place 44 years ago in 1965, six years after the very first Festival in 1959.

Pete Seeger and His Banjo

Pete Seeger and His Banjo

A lot has changed since then but as the Festival celebrates its 50th year this summer, much remains the same. Renowned folk artist Pete Seeger, one of the original founding members of the Festival, will take the stage once again. (Seeger recently hit another milestone himself: his 90th birthday!) Joining him will be fellow folk classics like Judy Collins, Joan Baez, and Arlo Guthrie.

This year the full lineup says “In with the old, but in with the new too.” Folk fans of all ages are sure to find something they’ll love with the addition of popular current artists to the classic event. Neko Case will be there, along with Ben Kweller, The Decemberists, and Iron & Wine. You can see the full lineup at folkfestival50.com.

The Newport Folk Festival has a rich history filled with hugely famous names. It helped get Bob Dylan off the ground; his 1963 Newport appearance is widely regarded as his first major national performance. Dylan returned the next year with singer/songwriter Joan Baez, who had performed back at the very first Festival in 1959. So many huge names have performed in Newport over the years, the list would make any summer concert event tremble. Try Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Emmylou Harris… if you’re looking for classics, this New England staple has got your number.

Ben Kweller with His Guitar

Ben Kweller and His Guitar

This year it all takes place July 31st through August 2nd at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Tickets go on sale TODAY at 10 AM! You can go just one day or multiple days. Don’t miss your chance; more information about purchasing tickets is available here. There will be arts and craft vendors selling their products at the Festival, plenty of open air space to enjoy and surely some good food and drink. 

We hope to see you there for a weekend of great music and memories to last a lifetime. Fifty years from now when the 100th anniversary rolls around, you’ll want to be able to say you were there.

1090 Club, the Natural Selection

Published by jayschneider on March 23, 2009 in Artist Feature and Rock. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Most bands wouldn’t be able to thrive in the rural countryside, but the 1090 Club didn’t take this as a setback. On the contrary, they capitalized on being a “big fish in a small pond” and found ways to promote themselves to fame despite their location. Groups in situations like this typically use online promotional tools and resources to put themselves on the map. Billings, MT (the band’s home town) is an “island” unto itself in the middle of the country. Bands from small town areas, like the 1090 Club, offer their own unique style and sound.

Continue reading ‘1090 Club, the Natural Selection’