With the 2016 edition of the High Sierra Music Festival starting Thursday June 30th and running through July 3rd in Quincy, CA, Glide Magazine’s Scott Itamura and Andrew Quist, both High Sierra vets, give us the lowdown on their choice picks and festival memories…
Scott Itamura
During the drive up to Quincy CA, for my very first High Sierra Music Festival in the Summer 2005, a good friend of mine said, “Scott, I’m going to tell you something that has expanded my festival experience, my life and my world at large and I learned it at The High Sierra Music Festival.” Grizzly Dome passed by us as we drove up the winding HWY 70 to our mountain destination. Then he said, “If you’re at the festival and everything and everyone, is telling you to go right, take a left.” I took those words to heart and haven’t looked back since.
That first summer was my summer of love, my girlfriend looked deep in my eyes as Brett Dennen sang, “Just like the moon,” on the Vaudeville Stage and told me that she was incredibly and totally in love with me and would spend her days taking left turns by my side. Since that first Summer, High Sierra has never let me down.
That, to me, is the beauty of High Sierra. That combination of all the incredible music, friendly atmosphere, and delicious food fuels a passion for life, love, living and wild animal dancing. These, in turn, open up countless opportunities for genuine human connection.
This year I am super stoked to team up with my long time friend, professional photographer and collaborator, Andrew Quist and Glide Magazine, at this year’s festival as we share with you all of our crazy musical and non-musical adventures.
In writing this preview, Andrew and I decided to make a short list of bands we love and look forward to seeing again, as well as hit on a couple bands we’ve never seen but look forward to see. But like I’ve said above, there’s going to be a lot of left turns. So there is no real way to know what we’ll see, hear and dance to or the connections we’ll make, I hope you’ll join us.
ALO: Animal Liberation Orchestra is a High Sierra staple for me and a definite must see. With their melodic tones, tight harmonies, musical talent, hard earned craft and visual spectacle they will have you smiling, dancing, all while being surrounded by your friends and thoroughly enjoying yourself. Zak Gill, Dan “Lebo,” Lebowitz, Steve Adams and David Brogan have been working together on their chops since they were young tikes and have long since become masters of rhythm and tone. Individually they have shared their abilities across many genres and on outside collaborative projects, but ALO is where I love them best!
Steve Poltz: I don’t care where I am or who I’m with, if Steve Poltz is playing I drop it all and head to the his show. With his guitar, skill and talent he places a magic spell on his audience and transfixes them all while simultaneously taking them deep space traveling with every minute of his performance. Last Summer during his Vaudeville performance I was both in tears of laughter and introspectively reflecting on my own mortality as he told the crowd about having a stroke on stage during a live solo performance at World Cafe Live in Wilmington, Del, a year earlier. He’s a true folk singer. He lives it and he love’s it and it shows. Do yourself a favor and give him a listen.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band: I am beyond stoked to see this Grammy Award winning band for the first time. I have heard so many great things about them from friends, professional musicians and overheard eavesdropped random conversations. The husband and wife led blues rock band have made a name for themselves and built a solid reputation that has my attention. Mike Wofchuck of High Sierra’s past resident drum troupe “Wofthump,” recently said, “Tedeschi Trucks’s music transcends genres and is a pure path to true music.”
I will take it and see you there.
That is just a tiny sliver of all the options of musical experiences to be had. Other bands that I can’t wait to see are Colorado’s bluegrass masters Elephant Revival, Dr. Dog, Xavier Rudd, Thievery Corporation, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, The California Honeydrops, Jamestown Revival, The Record Company, The Del McCoury Band, and countless others.
Join us as we see music, take photos and dig deep into the roots of a myriad of bands’ history, sound, style, setlists and form.
Andrew Quist
We’re three days away! I
feel like I’m comfortable saying that I am a High Sierra lifer. Since my first fest in 2004, High Sierra has been a fixture on my calendar. I’m just there . . . no matter what.
Essentially I got my start in music photography at High Sierra in 2006. I was front row for a late night show at The High Sierra Music Hall when all the stars aligned for two of my favorite bands to share the night’s bill. Surprise Me Mr. Davis opened for My Morning Jacket. I was up front. The show was absolutely incredible and I decided I just had to be done simply watching shows. I needed to document the moments that melted my face. Within two years I was helping cover the fest for an online publication and within four or five years I was photographing My Morning Jacket on the main stage. It had all come full circle.
High Sierra is an amazing opportunity to join with friends, year after year, and share in the celebration of all that is right and good in the world. Together we experience four days of art and fellowship under the tall pines and mountains that make Quincy, California so special. I look forward to time with my good friend and now writing partner, Scott Itamura, as we endeavor to bring you coverage of what promises to be a very special year at High Sierra for Glide Magazine. While I’ll be largely behind my camera, I thought I’d share what I’m excited about. What am I looking forward to musically? Well:
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals: I first saw Ben play at High Sierra a few years ago. Those that watched with me can surely remember how transfixed I was as I watched he and the Innocent Criminals perform an amazing set on the main stage. The intent and purposefulness of the music left me awestruck. I am so excited to see what this band has in store this year.
The Rhythm Council: (featuring Papa Mali, Henry Butler, Kirk Joseph and Robb Kidd): This is a big year for visits from the dirty south to High Sierra. Anders Osborne, JJ Grey and Mofro, The North Mississippi Allstars and more. Of this grip of southern funk crushers and rootsy traditionalists, The Rhythm Council will distill spirit down to its most basic, funky, swampy form. There’s just something about the funk that oozes when Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne mixes his guitar with Kirk Joseph’s low end tuba. If these guys can’t get you grooving then, and this is heavy, you’re soulless.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: This is Joe Russo’s latest project that boasts incredible players like Scott Metzger, Marco Benevento and Dave Dreiwitz. Following his tenure in the post Grateful Dead supergroup, Furthur, Almost Dead pushes . . . well . . . further. This band is simultaneously expansive and rooted in all the elements that turned me on to an entire universe of music at the age of sixteen and changed my life forever.
And those are just three bands that I’m interested in. There’s so much more! Mofro, Thievery Corporation, Leftover Salmon (thank GOD!), Anders Osborne, The Del McCoury Band (!), The New Mastersounds, Xavier Rudd and more and more! There’s the parades, the copious craft beers, THE FOOD, the smiles, the “Happy High Sierra!” greetings, and all the friends that I know will be there. It’s summer time!
