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WORDS: SuperDee, The Kayceman, Forrest Reda, Susan
J. Weiand, Jonathan Zwickel, Monica Way
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PHOTOS: Susan J. Weiand, Jeffrey Smith, Casey Flanigan,
James Martin, The Kayceman, SuperDee
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One of many hoopers by Casey Flanigan |
The High Sierra Music Festival
is the ultimate jolt of inspiration that holds you over until at least Rocktober.
High Sierra might not have a fancy onsite wireless internet network or the hottest
lineup that attracts tens of thousands of people but what it does have is priceless:
complete intimacy with the artists and everyone around you. High Sierra has a plethora of entertainment and enjoyment for such a wide variety of tastes that fans are truly satiated each and every year.
The magic of High Sierra unfolds as you watch bands cross-pollinate before your
very eyes. You can see the small degrees of separation dissolve as band members flow
from stage to stage. You realize that this festival is not only a playground
for festival-goers but very much for the musicians too--a utopia for all music
lovers.
The Grandstand vending was top notch with exquisite festival shopping and community
organizations like Rock
The Earth and HeadCount--both of which will be traveling the festival circuit this summer. It seemed
as though almost every artist made a point to stress the importance of voter
registration. While it may seem as though they were preaching to the choir,
the message must be relayed not only to everyone that was there but also to
ALL OF YOU. Please visit headcount.org
and see what you can do to let your voice be heard this November!
So here it is: The JamBase Highlights Reel of High Sierra 2004. Yes, we may
have missed [insert your favorite band here] but hopefully this will give you
a glimpse of the wonderment that was the 14th Annual High Sierra Music Festival.
HSMF 2004 MVP: SKERIK (duh)
Skerik by Jeffrey Smith |
OK, this is a really big shocker but c'mon... the guy absolutely rocks! As described
on the Critters Buggin
website and the High Sierra program, "Skerik roams festivals and ruins
other bands gigs!" Skerik was High Sierra's "Artist at Large"
this year which meant that he had free range to wander onto pretty much anyone's
stage and eff shit up - which of course he did. Playing with nearly everyone
under the sun (and stars), he rocked with Galactic, Anders Osborne,
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Benevento/Russo Duo, and Hairy Apes BMX,
to name a few, as well as the amazing "Around the Horn" workshop.
Long live the Skerik Roamin' and Ruinin' Summer Tour 2004!
- SuperDee
Spoonfed Tribe by Susan J. Weiand
SPOONFED TRIBE: VAUDEVILLE
Busting out of Texas, this group of multi-instrumental percussionists and horn
players provided a musical treat in the Vaudeville Tent. Towards the end of
the set, members of Delta Nove were invited on stage for some spur-of-the-moment
improvisation. The music flowed like the magic that is everywhere at High Sierra,
and some new music was made. The band closed it out Ozomatli style, with a march
through the crowd and a group drum circle that brought the energy all the way
back. Spoonfed Tribe
was another unexpected pleasure at the Vaudeville Tent.
- Forrest Reda
HYIM & THE FAT FOAKLAND ORCHESTRA
Oakland's Hyim
& The Fat Foakland Orchestra continued their ascent to the major leagues
with a Main Stage gig that highlighted the four-piece band's newer material.
Last year's Let Out a Little Peace was easily one of the best debuts
from this side of the map, a brilliant, emotional mix of calypso, jazz, hip-hop,
Latin, and funk all bound by Hyim's soulful vocals and warm positivity. The
band's energized, early afternoon set featured many songs I didn't recognize
but that left a deep, lasting impression. And while Hyim is certainly a masterful
keys player and charismatic front man, his band is perfectly able to keep the
beat sweet behind his freewheeling b-boy antics. The connection between drummer
Michael Faiella and bassist Mark Calderon was almost extrasensory—they’re
a couple young guys but it’s clear they’ve been laying down the funk
for years. Keep an eye out for this band—they'll blindside you with the
goodness if you don't.
- Jonathan Zwickel
Xavier Rudd by Susan J. Weiand
XAVIER RUDD
Xavier Rudd
was another artist I had heard about but had yet to check out. What better
place than High Sierra to see some new acoustic talent? Rudd hails from Australia,
and with his multi-instrumental approach it's impossible to not think of a Keller
Williams from Down Under. While Keller uses pedals to create the swirling wall
of sound, Rudd does it barefoot with a stomp box, guitars, multiple didgeridoos,
and amazing vocal work. Rudd has Australia all over him--he sounds like his
homeland--but anyone who listens can relate as he sings of social justice over
hip-shaking rhythms. Watching him sit behind the slew of instruments while pounding
his footboard and wrapping sound around the crowd, it was impossible to not be
blown away. If you haven't seen him, you will... Keep your eyes
open; Xavier Rudd is one artist who should rise to the top.
- The Kayceman
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