[Slip Slidin' Away]

The final day started out with a scorching afternoon performance by Memphis’ own Lucero. I’ve really been enjoying seeing Lucero with a horn section, it’s added so much depth to their sound. A good example of where the horns excelled at this show lies in their performance of Smoke – the first track off their latest album, 1372 Overton Park. They also played such classics as Tears Don’t Matter Much and Kiss the Bottle. Their performance of Mom, also on the new album, was particularly meaningful – the song lyrics hit home and made me miss my parents.

Next up was John Fogerty. I grew up listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival and can recall the exact moment my brother ‘passed down’ his cassette tape of their greatest hits, so I was excited to see some music that I grew up with. When I arrived I heard the chords of Born on the Bayou being blasted through the speakers.  I was glad I arrived when I did – because Fogerty kept up the southern rockabilly sound through his entire set. He ripped through cover versions of Night Time is the Right Time and Pretty Woman with relative ease. John played a version of Down On the Corner that would’ve made Willie and the Poor Boys proud – had CCR not departed on such bad terms in the early seventies. He also performed other classic hits from CCR and his solo career including Centerfield, Bad Moon Rising and Fortunate Son. Overall, a good song selection that helped one ignore the pounding heat you had to endure in order to see the show.

I opted to check out the Cafe Where stage that is located in the back of the main stage area because it was a tent and I desperately needed some shade. While there I happened upon a local band that I actually own an album of, but have never seen live - How I Became The Bomb. I stuck around for a couple of their songs - Zod and Secret Identity. I was impressed by their professionalism and the fact that they actually approached the audience and interacted with them. I’m definitely a fan of their synthy-pop rock, and most importantly – the fact that they have a keytar in their music (note: at least 2 keytars were played at this Bonnaroo – HIBTB and Mr. Stevie Wonder).

[Keytars on the comeback]

Kris Kristofferson started out his set by receiving the key to the city of Manchester from the mayor. What an honor it is to have him at Bonnaroo, much less see him perform live. He performed several songs that ran the gamut on his songwriting career. Shipwrecked in the Eighties opened the set and was dedicated to the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Other highlights of his performance included Me & Bobby Mcgee, Best of All Possible Worlds, Nobody Wins, Sky King, Loving Her Was Easier, Jesus Was A Capricorn, Your Time’s Comin (co-written with Shel Silverstein) and finally the Kris-written song Johnny Cash made famous – Sunday Morning Coming Down. The last two songs – A Moment of Forever and For the Good Times – featured Jamey Johnson on vocals.

Embracing all things boognish - Ween was also on the docket of bands to check out.  Several Ween classics were performed in that of Voodoo Lady, Roses are Free, Bananas and Blow, the ever-so-fun sing-a-long that is Piss Up A Rope and The Mollusk. The highlight of the show was when Gene noticed Stevie Wonder on the side stage after they played Touch My Tooter to which Gene replied “That’s for Stevie Wonder, I know he’d understand.” I was particularly impressed with their version of Bowie’s Let’s Dance and they finally ended their set with the popular Booze Me Up and Get Me High and Buckingham Green.

Phoenix rose to the occasion for their short performance. Opening with Lisztomania the band came out thrashing and ready to rock. Lasso and Fences were played solidly back to back. Girlfriend was performed with a quiet eloquence. My favorite song of theirs – Rome – was just as beautiful as the city itself. The band closed with their hit 1901 and got everyone jumping up, dancing and celebrating the music. The song was even jammed out a bit and if it hadn’t been for the elongated and overplayed ending it would’ve been classified as epic.

I’ve had hits and misses with the Dave Matthews Band over the years. In high school, Under the Table and Dreaming was in constant rotation of the CD’s I listened to, but somewhere in the early 2000′s I lost interest in the music they were making. Most recently I saw Dave perform solo at the Music Saves Mountains Benefit held at the Ryman Auditorium in May and that changed my mind. I would, once again, give DMB a chance.

The show itself was a crowd pleaser, with sprinklings of songs old and new. Lying in the Hands of God featured an awesome sax solo toward the end and very much got my attention as I had never heard the track before. I also enjoyed Tripping Billies simply because it brought up some fond personal memories, the song lyrics themselves speak about celebrating life and in a way the mission of Bonnaroo. So Damn Lucky is a beautiful song and was performed with the eloquence it deserves and the fast-paced Two Step was simply tight. If I had to pick one highlight it would be Dave’s solo performance of Neil Young’s The Needle and The Damage Done. Perhaps it’s because of his solo performance from May – but when Dave is on stage by himself - he can be absolutely mesmerizing.

Bonnaroo has become the musical vacation destination of this country and next year it’ll be celebrating its 10th year as a festival. It is the place where a kid can be a kid. For four days you can be anything you want. You can dress up, you can dress down, you can go naked. For four days you can escape your responsibilities, your job, the five o’clock news – ultimately, you escape reality. And I’ll be damned if I don’t enjoy every single minute of it.

Perhaps Jay-Z was speaking of Bonnaroo in Young Forever:

Where the sun is always out and you never get old / And the champagne’s always cold, and the music’s always good.

[Mumford & Sons]

Following Mumford and Sons was the legendary singer-songwriter, John Prine. Prine performed several of his classics including Crooked Piece of Time, Grandpa Was A Carpenter and Souvenirs. At the end of his set, world renowned Kris Kristofferson – who had watched the entire performance side stage – and members of Old Crow took the stage to join Mr. Prine for Lake Marie and Paradise. Meanwhile, Weezer put on a show that included classics like Undone (The Sweater Song), Say It Ain’t So, and My Name Is Jonas. The band also performed several newer songs, including Beverly Hills, Pork and Beans, and popular covers in the form of MGMT’s Kids and Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.

Up next was the back to back headliners of Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z. Overall Stevie Wonder was an absolute delight and his backing band was top notch. He seemed to roll non-stop through each song with only occasional brief pauses for a small political rant or two. I loved the interaction he had with the crowd, a call and response if you will, to get the audience to participate in singing verses. During My Cherie Amour he joked saying “Don’t mess up my words.” All I could do at that point was smile and sing along myself. Other highlights from Mr. Wonder’s set included Superstition, Sir Duke, Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) > Heard it Through the Grapevine, For Once in My Life, and Livin’ For the City. Overall, an amazing set from an amazing musician.

There was an extended break between Stevie and Jay-Z and I was curious if there would be any glitches in the stage setup like that of Kanye West only three short years ago. In an act of irony, ten minutes prior to the start of the show a countdown clock appeared on the stage video displays. The stage was setup with huge LED lights that resembled the New York City skyline and it looked beautiful.

The performance was non-stop from the beginning, kicking off with On To The Next One. He gave props to Jack White and Stevie Wonder, who were both side stage, stating that he “couldn’t wait to tell my mom that Stevie Wonder stayed for my set.” Each legends in their own right, it was nice to see Jay-Z show respect to his elder. He moved almost as quickly through his songs as he did roaming the stage. Hova’s set was chocked full of his hits including Takeover, 99 Problems, Can I Get A…, Heart of the City (which included a sample of U2′s Sunday Bloody Sunday, not the original sample), Empire State of Mind, Hard Knock Life and the appropriate show-closer Young Forever.

Overall a great day of music concluded by a rapper who wasn’t late and didn’t bitch about it the next day from his MacBook Pro — I’d consider that a success.

Following the Flaming Lips was LCD Soundsystem’s performance. James Murphy and company did not disappoint at Bonnaroo. The set my have started a little late but the band more than made up for it. The first single of the group’s new album, Drunk Girls, got the crowd involved and they seemed to never stop dancing.

Pow Pow was impeccably performed; while Daft Punk is Playing at My House and Tribulations seemed to keep the crowd energized. The show started to wind down with a version of Losing My Edge that brought out the spirit of David Byrne from the Remain In Light era only perhaps a little more edgier. I simply never stopped dancing at this show and I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end the night.

The best way I can sum up the Friday late nights are by borrowing lyrics from Lady Gaga. Each performance easily ”left my head and my heart on the dance floor” and by the end of the night I was completely spent but it was worth every single minute.

Stay tuned for more coverage from Saturday and Sunday at Bonnaroo…

[Getting Juggy With It]

Next up was the ever elusive Umphrey’s McGee. The set started out right with All In Time and then an excellent, heavily jammed out transition into The Floor. Turn & Dub seemed appropriate for a daytime slot at a large outdoor festival. The show also featured two of their new songs that I had yet to see – Conduit and Booth Love. Their performance was solid, but what I might call a standard afternoon festival set. I sincerely hope the next time Umphrey’s appears at Bonnaroo they have a late night slot. Also of note is that their performance at the Sonic Stage included a cover of Paul Simon’s Graceland featuring Brock Butler.

She & Him’s performance was a show stopper. Sentimental Heart and Change Is Hard were performed early in the set. In the Sun was impeccable and included a crowd singalong. M. Ward took command of Roll Over Beethoven and brought down the house. The show concluded with a hauntingly beautiful version of I Put A Spell On You.

[Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers]

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers set was unbelievable – a talented group of musicians complete with comedic interludes between each song. In a bit of technological irony – Steve Martin used an iPad for setlist purposes. I found it odd, yet hilarious. Highlights from this performance include: The Crow, Late for School, Athiests Don’t Have No Song done a capella style, and Rare Bird Alert. The show concluded with a great rendition of Orange Blossom Special.

At one point the famous actor/author/banjo-strummer alluded to the possibility of a sit in by Jack Black of Tenacious D, but all Mr. Black did was run from one side of the stage to the other. Apparently, Steve and Jack are in the process of filming a movie together. It’s weird to think about the fact that Steve Martin, Jack Black and Zooey Deschanel all became famous for their acting careers and they all performed within a three-hour time frame yesterday.   Who knows what other actors and actresses will find themselves making music and then performing at the country’s premiere music festival in the near future?

[Steve Martin's $500 setlist]

Well, it’s music time for me once again. I’ve got a lot in store to catch today and still need to process all that I witnessed at yesterday’s late night performances. I’ll be back later to share a post that includes a complete report and setlist of Chromeo & Daryl Hall, my take on the Lips’ version of Dark Side of the Moon and the best performance of the festival thus far – LCD Soundsystem.

• Previously on HT: A ‘Roo State of Mind – Day One

[Umbilical Moonrise]

Overall, the Thursday experience was good save one issue. Bonnaroo added the Lunar Stage this year. It’s a stage that features Rock Band (where you can actually play on the stage) and hosts DJ music at night. The Lunar Stage is situated between This Tent and The Other Tent. The problem is, the sound from that stage bled to both stages and sounded like complete shit. It was so bad, I found myself completely stage left for Lotus, but could still hear the music pumping.

You can hear it to the right of This Tent as well. Completely annoying and I think perhaps further ruined my experience for Mayer Hawthorne. Bonnaroo, if you’re reading this: please turn that stage down. It can’t be that hard, everything that’s being amplified from that stage is only ultimately running through two channels. If you’re going to have it next year please consider an alternate location. I really hope it’s adjusted for the late night tonight because if any music bleeds into my enjoyment of Hall & Oates classics, I’ll be more than upset.

Alright, that’s enough logistical bitching from me. I’ve got to head out and go see music!

]]> http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/a-roo-state-of-mind-bonnaroo-day-1/feed/ 0 http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/the-bonnaroo-list-five-to-see/ http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/the-bonnaroo-list-five-to-see/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:00:52 +0000 Jennifer Kirk http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/?p=34892 4. Thursday -  (Any Tent 4:15pm to 1am):

I really wanted to spotlight a particular band from Thursday’s lineup to discuss but I simply couldn’t narrow it down to just one. I’m particularly looking forward to back to back performances by Neon Indian and Temper Trap, who get plenty of play on the Alt Nation and SiriusXMU channels I listen to over satellite radio during my 45-minute commutes each day. I’ve only heard a track or two from each these artists,  but that’s exactly what I’m looking for — the element of surprise and finding that artist that gets me right in the gut.

That’s what has become so great about the Thursday shows, Bonnaroo has done an excellent job of booking bands that are either underground or too new to be known. For example, last year I happened upon People Under the Stairs who put on a phenomenal hip-hop performance that set Bonnaroo off just right. I also got to catch a performance by the then almost too new to be known Zac Brown Band. This year, they have a prime spot on the main stage, performing right before the Dave Matthews Band. Can we say high-profile time slot? Be sure to check HT two days from now as I detail my Thursday Bonnaroo discoveries right here.

3. LCD Soundsystem (Friday late night, This Tent, 2:30am to 4am):

So this will be my first, and according to James Murphy, last time to see the great LCD Soundsystem. I’ve been looking forward to this performance since I saw they were part of this year’s lineup. I got hooked on their first album a few years ago and absolutely dig their new album – This is Happening. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that their set of electro-punk-dance fusion will occur in the wee hours of the morning following Daryl Hall and Chromeo.

2. Mumford & Sons (Saturday, That Tent, 5pm to 6:15pm):

A few months ago one of my best friends sent me a YouTube link to a music video for a song called Little Lion Man. Until that moment I’d never heard of Mumford and Sons. That day, I put that video on repeat. I listened to it intently and immediately had to memorize all the lyrics. As soon as the chorus hit, I was hooked.

But it was not your fault but mine / and it was your heart on the line / I really fucked it up this time didn’t I, my dear?

I had to ask myself - how in the world could someone make the line “fucked it up this time” sound so beautiful? Who was this band and why had I not heard of them before? I needed more, more, more.  I looked up as many videos as possible and streamed every track on their MySpace page. They just recently released their album in the US, and I’m happy to say I own the vinyl version which makes it sound that much more beautiful. The lyrics of love, loss, life and redemption speaks to my soul - it’s as simple as that.

1. Chromeo & Daryl Hall (Friday late night, The Other Tent, midnight to 1:30am):

I was first exposed to Chromeo during Thanksgiving weekend of 2006 and I’ve been hooked on this Canadian duo ever since. Their late night performance in 2007 is, hands down, was the most fun experience of my extensive Bonnaroo career. Daryl Hall (of the famous pop duo Hall & Oates) has been a part of my musical vocabulary since before I can remember. When videos of this collaboration from Live at Daryl’s House went viral I went absolutely berserk, it’s greatest mashup of musicians since Eminem and Elton John.  The past couple of years Bonnaroo has forgone the Superjam’s of old, but mark my words – this is the superjam of the weekend.

So there you have it. On one hand I hope you give these artists a chance, on the other I hope you don’t so I have more room for my happy ass to get down. Either way, I’m more than ready for Bonnaroo. I hope it shapes up to be one chocked full of memories of good music and great friends.

Safe travels to everyone and don’t forget your last minute festival essentials. If  you see a 4 foot 11 inch girl sporting a Darth Vader mask, watch out as I might run you over going from stage to stage attempting to get in as much music as I can in four days.

Now – I’ve shown you my picks, will you show me yours?

It’s hard to ponder the impact this natural disaster will have on middle Tennessee. The clean up, the costs, the time, the economy and even the music business.

Music and tourism are some of the main draws for Nashville.  It’s hard for me to fathom how these industries will be effected in my home town. Gaylord Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry employs thousands, conferences occur there year round which brings tourists and much needed sales tax dollars for the state of Tennessee. Hundreds, if not thousands, of  people will be out of jobs for weeks, if not months. Considering the current state of the economy, this is not good news.

The newly constructed Schermerhorn Symphony Center found their basement flooded and water was within a foot of the concert hall floor. Steinways were destroyed. The newly named Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators and serves as the largest indoor music venue in the city, was flooded.  Just a block away the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is the largest popular music museum in the world, was flooded. Luckily, the collections are stored on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors and remain safe. Unfortunately, the Grand Ole Opry museum has probably lost everything from rhinestone suits to acoustic guitars that the legends played on the famed stage.

Gibson USA had water enter their factory, but they’ve not been able to assess the damage as of yet. Nevertheless, production has been halted until further notice.  Possibly the hardest hit would be Soundcheck Nashville. Soundcheck Nashville is the largest enclosed rehearsal studio in the world and it happens to hold numerous tour sets, tour buses, equipment and not to mention hundreds, if  not thousands of instruments. They will not even get access to the buildings until today. The site hosts so many clients that Soundcheck Nashville set up a flood blog so that they can schedule times for these artists to come in to assess the damage to their equipment and instruments.

There is hope to restore the Music back in Music City. The Grand Ole Opry is relocating performances to the War Memorial Auditorium and the Ryman (the original Grand Ole Opry). If the damage assessment goes well at Bridgestone Arena it will host its next event, James Taylor and Carole King, on the 22nd of this month. The Country Music Hall of Fame is set to reopen it’s doors this weekend. The Nashville Symphony will be hosting a free concert with Christopher Cross at the Metro Courthouse tomorrow night. In an effort to salvage instruments and amps, SoundCheck Nashville will have a guitar/amp “triage” unit on site.  Mercy Lounge, a local venue that was not effected by the flood, hosted a benefit last night that raised over $11,000 that will be donated to Hands on Nashville and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

It’s so great to see this community come together and respond as well as it has after such a disasterous situation. But there is still more work to be done, there will be for months. Here’s how you can help:

If you’re local, please volunteer with Hands on  Nashville or the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, an extensive list of other options are found here. A water treatment plant is still down, so please do what you can to conserve water and reduce your usage.

If you’re not local, please donate to the Nashville RedCross (click DONATE NOW to make a contribution or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation on your mobile phone). Please come visit us! Bonnaroo and CMA Country Music Festival are a little more than a month away.  It’s even on the same weekend! We need the tourism dollars to help our crippled region return back to normal. Plus, I’m sure you’ll have some fun while you’re here and we’d sure love the company.

There ain’t no place I’d rather be, after all.

It’s hard to tell you how much dry ice you’ll need because it depends on how big your cooler is and if it actually shuts properly. It’s a hit or miss situation. Sometimes your items will get frozen at the bottom so I suggest putting cans or plastic bottles toward the bottom so you can pry them out if need be. Take a knife or screw driver of sorts in case you need to pick at the ice, and worst case scenario is you have to shotgun a beer or two.  If you get it correct you should only need to buy ice 1-2 times during the weekend, or maybe not at all dependent on weather and shade.

4. Water containers. Staying hydrated is the key to a successful festival experience! Purchase a Nalgene bottle or similar container. Last summer I purchased a Gription wide mouth lid for my Nalgene. It’s great for two reasons. First, it attaches to my backpack because of the design (normal Nalgene lids tend to stretch when on a carabiner). Second, it locks and seals shut so it’s pretty hard to lose water while walking the festival grounds. Purchase a CamelBak or similar hydration pack that can also work for storage. That way, you can try and sneak in some granola bars and fruit to last you at the concert grounds so you don’t spend too much money on food inside. Don’t forget to get an extra bite valve for the hydration system (mine have broken on site on more than one occasion).

5. Sunblock & the Misty Mate. This is a must! Don’t skimp. I know you want to work on your tan but be smart about it. Don’t go and get burnt the first day to ruin your entire festival experience. I recommend Bullfrog. Bullfrog is water and sweat proof. Purchase another lotion for your face. And don’t forget to take some aloe vera just in case!

The Misty Mate is awesome, don’t ask…just get one. You can thank me later.

6. Hat/Visor/Handkerchief/Sunglasses. You will need these items to help combat the heat and look fashionable at the same time. I sometimes wear ski goggles because they protect your eyes from the sun and the dust. Plus, they are awesome to dance in during the late night shows. Sometimes you’ll need to use the handkerchief to put around your mouth to combat the dust as well. Take some cheap but fun sunglasses. I know I wouldn’t like losing my Maui Jim’s because I had a little too much fun dancing.

7. Well ventilated tent. Make sure you open your tent windows at night to ventilate and during the day while at your site. You can also purchase some small battery-operated fans to put inside of said tent. These can usually help you get another hour or two of sleep… if you’re lucky. Don’t forget to put a tarp under your tent to help with water leakage. Make sure to waterproof your tent as well.

8. At least two canopies, three if you have the ability to pack them in your vehicle. These usually are 10’x10’ in size and E-Z UP tend to be the standard. If you plan on going to festivals or tailgating at sporting events don’t buy the cheap kind. These are investments and can be used for years.

The key to a good campsite is being able to provide the maximum shade space. Think about where you’re setting up the canopy in relation to the way the sun rises and sets. Perhaps you can use the canopy to act as a shade for your tent in the morning? Perhaps you can run a tarp off the side. Canopies can also be a great way to provide protection for your tent and your gear during potential downpours.

9. Purchase a good cooler or three! Another item you can’t really skimp on. If you plan on having a cookout or going to the lake a good cooler can come in handy. A festival situation is no different.

10. Bring food that you can cook quickly or that won’t spoil in one to two days. If you bring meat (burgers, steak, etc.) make sure to cook it within the first day or two. Bring other items that can be prepared quickly. I usually bring tuna/chicken salad and it’s a great way for packing a sandwich on the go.

Also, bring good breakfast food. Bacon, eggs and OJ help get you going in the morning. I usually do breakfast burritos, salsa at a campsite is imperative. Bring plenty of snack foods: fruits, chips/dip, Chex mix, trail mix, granola bars, etc. Sandwiches are also a quick and inexpensive choice. PB & Jelly and other condiments don’t really spoil. Bring canned and plastic beverages/food containers only as some festivals will confiscate alcohol and other items that are in glass containers (security took away my grape jelly one year – so make sure to get the squeeze bottle).

12. Plenty of clothes. Bring your bathing suit for bathing/relaxing. Shorts and jeans, long sleeved and short sleeved shirts, hoodies, rain gear (Emergency Poncho), boots, sandals, crappy tennis shoes you don’t care what happens to. You know the Crocs everyone wears now? Well, Bonnaroo 2004 is where they became popular. This is the equation I would use to illustrate my point:

Music Festival (Rain + Sandals) = No more sandals.

Get it? Also, don’t leave your Crocs in your car all weekend. Mine shrunk from being in the hot car. I think a five year old boy can fit into them now.

13. Plenty of cash. The ATM lines are horrendous.

14. Cell phone charger (plug and car). A lot of festivals have a place you can go charge your phone up but you usually have to wait in line. Charge it with your car charger – but make sure to turn off your car after use. I’m finding that phone calls are getting easier each year at festivals — Big Cypress was a nightmare, I had to stand on top of a mini-van just to get a signal.

15. Cooking utensils. Skillet(s), propane stove, propane, forks, knives, spoons, plates, etc. Tupperware and Ziplocs work well to store food as well as clean cutlery. Viva Paper Towels are quite possibly the best invention ever. I purchased a clear storage container to hold all of this kind of stuff in and stored it under my camping table. It keeps your items clean/dry and doubles as additional table space. You should also take a 4 - 6 ft. folding table. Trust me on this. Don’t forget the dish soap to clean your cooking items after use.

16. Towels. For cleaning yourself, your dishes, drying off, etc. You really can’t bring too many.

17. Camping chairs. Get the kind that has a foot rest for the campsite and one with a low back for the festival grounds (if they are allowed). You’ll need them at the end of the day/middle of the day. Portable Hammock are also wonderful devices. Hey, you are on vacation — so take time to relax!

18. Music for your campsite. I always have my iPod and a small set of speakers that run on AA batteries. This is awesome for campsite music as well as in the hotel when you are following your favorite band. Encourage your friends that will be camping with you to bring their own mp3 players and make playlists. Don’t hog the music — this is a great time to expose and be exposed to new music. That’s what a music festival is about, after all.

19. Other essentials. Bring tools (hammer, screw driver, etc) and extra tent stakes. An air mattress is a WONDERFUL addition to your tent. I did it for the first time last year and will always travel with mine from now on. Solar showers are great for cleaning up during the day and in the morning when the pay-as-you-go showers are busy or not available.

Don’t forget your sleeping bag, blanket, and pillow of course! Bring some Tylenol, Benadryl, and other sundry items in case you get ill. Trash bags help everything. Keep your dirty clothes in them. Clean up after yourself and more importantly use them for recycling. Several festivals have really stepped up initiatives to divert tons and tons of recyclables from becoming waste, so do your part and recycle at your campsite. It’s only a matter of separating it, so what have you got to lose?

19. A headlamp, extra toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer. Petzl is a standard. You can never be too prepared for the port-o-let, who knows what you will find — especially in the dark!

And finally, but most importantly be sure to bring…

20. Fun, laughter, and a good attitude!

Bluegrass Underground is a monthly concert held inside the cavern that is broadcast on the world famous WSM AM. This past Saturday, Those Darlins – along with Grand Old Opry legend Charlie Louvin – literally rocked the cave. Luckily, I had my camera in tow to capture the experience of a lifetime.

TD: We think it’s a cool take on that song. Nikki wrote the song. Like with Snaggle Tooth Momma it’s about being proud of where you come from and who you are, and being comfortable and having a good time. But at the same time while writing the the song, I (Jessi) didn’t think about how someone would actually interpret the song, I was just writing a song. But we do agree that people shouldn’t worry about their image and feel like they have this certain body type or that type.

[Photo by Steve Cross]

JK: What inspired you to put Carter Family and Dave Macon covers on your new album?

TD: When we started out playing together we’d just play old country songs, like the Carter Family, just sitting out on the porch. Once we started recording these cover songs, we decided we could make these [songs] go a whole other direction so we put a little punk rock in the songs and we’re really glad they’re on the record. And it’s really cool that it is Uncle Dave Macon, it’s something really unique for this area [Murfreesboro, TN],  and not everyone knows who he is.

JK: Let’s talk about the Murfreesboro music scene for a little, I see it as another southern music epicenter like Athens. We’ve seen bands come and go but every once in a while bands from Murfreesboro hit it big somehow. So with that in mind, what are some of your favorite artists from around Middle Tennessee?

TD: Kindergarten Circus! They’ve been playing for about three years now. They were like 13 and 14 when they started. It’s three boys, they are almost like our little brother band [laughter]. It’s garage rock. The first time we saw them we thought that by the time they are in their 20′s they will be the best band in the world. They’re already better than most bands we’ve seen and they’re dedicated. Their favorite bands are like the White Stripes and Velvet Underground and they formed through the after school program called YEAH (Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities) that is also the non-profit umbrella organization that over Southern Girls Rock’n'Roll Camp.

JK: What other bands outside of Middle Tennessee are you digging on?

TD: Heavy Trash, Deep Sea Diver and the Black Lips. It’s funny, but a lot of the bands we had the pleasure of playing with this past tour.

[Photo by Steve Cross]

JK: You have all been involved with the Southern Girls Rock’n'Roll Camp in one aspect or another, as the founder, volunteers and even as original camp members. Can you explain how the camp has grown and how its influenced you as a person and as a band.

TD (Kelley): Well, the camp is definitely really established now. It has a big fan and support base. We have more campers than we had in the past. We have a stronger curriculum and we have a lot of teachers and campers that come back as teachers, so they are aware of how it runs. It’s more stream lined. One thing about it though, is since this camp has been going on for so long people assume that we have a large financial base to pull the camp off year after year. And we’re a non-profit, but costs to put the camp on are going up year after year.

Unfortunately, because of the increased costs we’re looking at not having the camp at MTSU next year. And we feel that the camp does a lot of outreach to get girls interested in the Recording Industry and Music programs at this university. So we’re looking at very big changes at the way we operate next year. We’ve tried to cut costs everywhere. The camp survives on $10-$20 donations and the money we collect from the camp goes into the funds to support the camp the following year. The camp can always use the financial support because it really is a great program, plenty of people benefit from it, and value it.

As far as how the camp has influenced us as a band…its influenced our value system. We make band and creative decisions in an egalitarian, open and fair way. And that exemplifies one of the exact core values taught at camp.

[Nikki Darlin teaches guitar]

And for me (Jessi) I attended the first camp when I was 12. I played music since I was 9, but I didn’t know any girls that wanted to play music, I didn’t know how to be in a band, I didn’t know people who liked music. I would just sit at home and play music by myself. Then one of my friends told me about the Rock’n'Roll camp and she had never played an instrument before. So we went and I found a bunch of other girls who liked music and were interested in the same stuff we were. And I met Kelley and Nikki there.

The first time I ever played on stage or in a band or the first song I ever really wrote was probably at camp. It gave me something to look forward to each summer. It kept me going and kept me playing. And it influenced me to move to Murfreesboro which eventually lead to us forming.

JK: So, without the camp you wouldn’t be a band?

TD: It’s not like camp is our band. We had no intention of doing an all-girl band, we just started playing and found other cool people to play with. (Kelley) At the time I wasn’t looking for a new band or musician to play with, I wasn’t writing songs or deciding I needed to jam. I didn’t know I needed it but I needed some motivation and that’s how our practices started out, just loose, hanging out and having a good time. It wasn’t judgemental. It just happened.

Note: due to the loss in audio quality it was hard to distinquish which Darlin answered what questions so this an adbridged version of the actual interview.

Those Darlins hit the road on September 8 for a month and half long tour, that includes a handful of dates opening for Dr. Dog, and a Halloween show with The Meat Puppets at The Rudyard in Houston.

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