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I woke up Saturday to Barry Staples and Driveway, my band mates from Eating the Invaders, telling me to wake up. They said it was one o’clock and the bands were about to start. I was a bit groggy to say the least, and slightly uncomfortable from sleeping in the back of Staples’ van, but decided to rise regardless. I didn’t want to miss any of the acts.
We were at the Deep River Music Festival this weekend. I rode down with Driveway and all of his sound and lighting gear Friday afternoon. When we arrived at 3pm, there were people decorating the barn-type rec hall where we would be playing later that evening. Hay was being spread over red clay mud. The structure was an amazing sounding, huge church-like building with exposed rafters, glassless windows, unfinished and beautiful. And it sounded amazing.
I helped Driveway unload the van and place speakers around the concrete stage. The building had a large wooden dance floor in front of the stage and freshly spread gravel covering the dirt from wall to wall. The hay bails that lined the walls turned into seats as one by one, the volunteers finished up and waited for the festivities to begin. The man of the hour (who invited us to come out and play music), Jim Brooks, took some of us through the trails to see the the Deep River and the Native American fishing weir.
When we returned, folks started showing up, the other half of our band included. Porta-potties rolled in, a kitchen was formed downstairs, water was run, hand-washing stations were erected, and I was given an artist badge to wear around my neck.
From a performer’s point of view, the festival was outstanding. My artist badge enabled me to eat food in the kitchen, drink free delicious pale ale, and pretty much just feel cool.
Soon after this, the members of Amelia’s Mechanics (the weekend’s opening act) cruised up the dirt road and began unloading and setting up to play. They messed around with an adorable 6 week old puppy named Stella and sampled Rodger Lenhardt’s ElderBerry Juice and Cough Syrup. I’m pretty sure they bought some, too. It was divine.
Tents were put up, kegs were tapped, and we were about to be on our way. Amelia’s Mechanics kicked off the festival, then Eating the Invaders, and Holy Ghost Tent Revival closed out Day One. I had so much fun that Saturday morning, I fell for the old “wake up, it’s one o’clock and the bands are about to start.” It was really about 10:30am when Driveway and Barry woke me up. It took me about an hour to realize it. They thought it was funny, and I suppose it was.
Part two coming soon. The Deep River Music Festival: Amelia’s Mechanics is being worked on now. Cool pictures to follow of the lovely ladies, thanks to Driveway’s lighting.
more from M. Sheets Photography.
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“The Junior League Band is an old-time inspired rock band fronted by the Georgia grown banjo, vocalist, Lissy Rosemont. Based out of Washington, DC, this nationally touring band has been compared to “Alison Krauss and the Band” by the Washington Post, and touts Levon Helm’s own horn players on their catchy single “South Carolina Blues.” [...]
“Anna Vogelzang is a songwriter splitting her time between Madison, WI and Chicago. She has shared the stage with the likes of Regina Spektor, Deer Tick, and Nat Baldwin, among others. Her fifth studio album, Paper Boats, was released earlier this year by Slothtrop Records.”
Dark altostratus clouds were encroaching into our neighborhood as we set up [...]
Here’s Monkeywhale’s submission to the 2009 48 hour film festival.
Additional writing credit should go to Mike Lowe, who worked on Swim Film’s production, “Polish Versus” this year. They deservedly received awards.
Every element in this short was created and edited within a 48 hour timeline and no alterations have been made since.
Many thanks to everyone who [...]
New Jersey. Yes, this band is from New Jersey. They’ve performed on the Conan O’Brien show, been featured by Spin Magazine, performed at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella, and were formerly signed to Drive-Thru Records.
We had to wait until close to the release date of their newest album, “Steel Train” before we could post [...]
Here’s part 2. It’s been a few weeks since part 1. Molly McGinn and Molly Miller after completing their first album “North, South” with Kasey Horton and produced by Jim Avett, are now beginning the process of recording their second album with 3 time grammy award winner Steven Heller and Laurelyn Dossett at Echo Mountain [...]
Around a year ago, Molly McGinn ventured into our kitchen with a small outfit she hustled together from local musicians which she fondly called her “Buster Dillys.”
Over the course of the following 15 months or so she encountered Molly Miller and together with Kasey Horton they formed Amelia’s Mechanics, very quickly releasing their first album, [...]
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
makes me wish I was there… nice work…. and I want the pic of the poopin’ dog framed on my mantle. love it.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
new blog with tons of photos @monkeywhale .com.The Deep River Music Festival : Backstage http://bit.ly/1OEtZ6 via @AddToAny
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
thanks Tommy. Wish you were there too. Let’s bring a bunch of folks next time. save the monkeywhale.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
[...] « Previous Post: The Deep River Music Festival : Backstage [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
The Deep River Music Festival : Backstage http://bit.ly/1OEtZ6 / great photos from @matty sheets / yo check it
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
October 27th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
The Deep River Music Festival : Backstage http://bit.ly/1OEtZ6 / Great photos by @mattysheets / yo check it
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
October 29th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
[...] The Deep River Music Festival: Backstage [...]