Sasquatch Awards

When asked to choose my favorite moments of Sasquatch 2011 I draw a blank, there were too many. Too many sets I loved, too many moments of pure glee- so instead I decided to give away a list of Hannah Angst certified Sasquatch Awards:

Best Rally After an Infinitely Long Soundcheck:

Robyn: Seriously, that sound check was so long that it was almost a surprise when she began performing. Granted, when she did arrive onstage, she managed to make me forget that I had waited almost 45 minutes for her, and she ate a banana in a really angry/sexual way. As promised, the fit I had when she played “Dancing on my Own” looked epileptic. People were probably worried.

Best Moment that Made me Swoon:

The Antlers playing “No Widows”: I want this song to impregnate me- and hearing it live, coming out of Peter Silberman’s mouth and somehow sounding just as gorgeous and even more sincere than the album was, for lack of a better word, orgasmic.

Best Moment No One Saw:

Reggie Watts Eating Frosting off Wayne Coyne’s Fingers: Since it was the tenth birthday of Sasquatch, Ace of Cakes made a giant cake for the festival and had a bunch of guests out to sing “Happy Birthday”. Well, Wayne Coyne threw that cake into the crowd, then Reggie Watts decided lick up the frosting. I know this happened because when I ran into Reggie Watts and asked, he remembered doing it.

Best Pleasant Surprise:

Pepper Rabbit: I saw these guys open up for The Submarines a while back and thought they were great, but I had no recollection of them being this good. They played an early afternoon set on Saturday, and the crowd was much bigger than anyone anticipated. Their adorable nervousness allowed them to feed off the crowd’s buzz and put on a spectacular and memorable show.

Best Unexpectedly Giant Audience:

Foster the People: Holy balls! I knew they were generating a lot of buzz, and listening to their albumTorches on the way to the festival definitely got me excited to see them, but no one was expecting the kind of crowd they garnered. It was epically big for a band playing on the smallest stage. They seemed awe struck at the size and energy of the crowd, and channeled that awe into an amazing and entertaining set.

Runner Up: Reggie Watts

Sure, his unique brand of comedy, music and beat boxing loops deserved a giant audience, but the small Banana Shack was packed to the gills for Watts’ afternoon set. I like to think it was because they were all giant Comedy Death Ray Radio fans.

Best Taking Down of Annoying People:

Hari Kondabolu: He added the white girls wearing feather headdresses (a really annoying trend that was especially popular at Sasquatch) to his list of people that will die in the coming revolution. He didn’t stop there either, making sure to get in some good jabs at the assholes that were littering during the festival. Best of all, it was hilarious and not at all didactic.

Biggest Let Down:

Me seeing a Decembrists acoustic set instead of White Denim: I got into the Redlaser acoustic tent for what I thought was going to be a great Decembrists acoustic set. What I got was a 45 minute sound check and three songs from a band that did not look like they wanted to be there. What I missed was a set from a lauded new band that apparently blew everyone away (except me.)

Most Hilarious On Stage Antics:

Guided by Voices: Robert Pollard is not a man who has aged very well. He is, however, a man who still does really strained high kicks, has a cooler full of beer and white wine with him onstage and has stage hands light his cigarettes.

Most Fucking Fun:

!!!: I’m assuming this was as much fun for people in the crowd as it was in the photo pit. When lead singer Nic Offer told the security not to kick the photographers out after three songs because he would have some surprises for us, I shook with glee. Spoiler: I was not taking pictures during “Must Be the Moon,” I was dancing.

Best Set to Sleep Off a Raging Box Wine Hangover:

Beach House: This is not a slight to the great set that Beach House played. It was gorgeous, airy and a perfect soundtrack to take in the beautiful scenery and beautiful day. The simple, overwhelming wonderfulness of the whole thing, coupled with the liter and a half of box wine, carried me off to sleep.

Best Moment I Will Look Back on to Ease the Coming Darkness:

Wilco opening up their set with “Ashes of the American Flags”: The giant storm cloud that was threatening to ruin my most anticipated set of the weekend receded, and my favorite band ever came out to sing my favorite song ever. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic weekend. Wilco’s set, and specifically this song, was pure magic.

Thanks, Sasquatch. That was really, really fun.

From The Wild Honey Pie

Newport Folk Festival Preview

In an effort to have the best summer ever, pretty much all of us from The Wild Honey Pie will be piling into a car and going to one of the world’s most important and notoriously awesome festivals —Newport Folk Festival. Given that the event is curated so flawlessly, the choices we will be forced to make during that time will be epically tough. To make your life (and ours) a bit easier, we’ve gone through the lineup and highlighted our favorites.

The What Cheer? Brigade will be roaming the grounds of the festival, either all morning or all day (I’m not sure). They are a crazy marching band with crazy outfits and a crazy show. It’s pretty much the best way to start any weekend.

11:30AM — PS 22 Chorus — Alex and Ani Harbor Stage

You guys have seen the videos of these kids, right? They are amazing! Their performance is also one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.

12:40PM — Felice Brothers – Fort Stage

While I do love their music, it’s the promise of an unforgettable live show that will drive me to this set. They have been praised time and time again for their spectacular onstage antics.

12:35PM — River City Extension — Quad Stage

Another band that is known for their electric stage show and their intricate folk-pop, River City Extension is playing at the same time as the Felice Brothers, making for an extraordinarily difficult decision. To be honest, it’s a tie only my mood on the day of the festival will be able to break.

1:40PM — Freelance Whales – Quad Stage

Members of The Wild Honey Pie love Freelance Whales. We love them in a carve our names together on a tree kind of way — a milkshake with two straws kind of way. So, yes, we will be up front swaying along and offering up our letterman jacket to the band if they get chilly.

2:00PM — Gogol Bordello – Fort Stage

In the mood for ruckus or perhaps really, really love the color purple? Gogol Bordello will be playing at the fort. Last time I saw them, I came away with bruises and some great stories, and I can’t imagine an acoustic set will change their dynamic all that much.

3:25PM — Earl Scruggs – Fort Stage

You don’t go to Newport and not see a legend like Mr. Scruggs. That man can tear up a banjo like no one before or since—your eyes and ears will have no idea what hit them, and you will walk away a better person for it.

4:45PM — Gillian Welch – Fort Stage

I get a crazy surge of adrenalin at the very thought of finally seeing Gillian Welch, one of my favorite artists, live. Her talent and unique sound are unparalleled, and her brand of skeletal rock is truly boundary pushing. I am so excited, it kind of hurts.

6:05PM — The Decembrists – Fort Stage

The last time I saw The Decembrists, I was a little disappointed. Granted, the time before that was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. I’m sure the buzz of such a brilliant festival will bring out the best in them, and the best of their amazing music.

11:40AM – David Wax Museum – Fort Stage

When All Songs Considered described this band as “pure joy” I was inclined to agree. It’s lovely, upbeat folk-rock that will be a fantastic start to the day.

12:40PM — Mountain Man – Alex and Ani Harbor Stage

The sweet entwining of female harmonies is always a true pleasure, and these girls, with their gorgeous voices and mix of new and traditional songs, promise to put on a truly resonant show.

2:00PM — Wanda Jackson – Fort Stage

There are two reasons to see this show. The first, because Wanda Jackson, who recently released a stellar record with help from Jack White, is one of the most amazing and important female artists of all time. The second, with the Third Man Records truck being at Newport, I would not be surprised if Jack White helped the venerable Ms. Jackson on stage.

3:00PM — Justin Townes Earle – Quad Stage

Justin Townes Earle has probably the best name in country music and the talent to back it up (Towes after Townes Van Zandt and Earle because, well, he’s Steve Earle’s son). His most recent release Harlem River Blues was one of my favorites of last year, and his charisma simply sets the stage of fire.

3:00PM — Chris Thile and Michael Davis – Alex and Ani Harbor Stage

Coming from the Bluegrass music capital of the world (Boulder, CO–and I will fight anyone who says otherwise), I pride myself on recognizing the more spectacular artists of the genre. No one plays the mandolin like Chris Thile. No one makes it more accessible yet challenging. He is the pinnacle of great modern bluegrass.

4:45PM — Elvis Costello – Fort Stage

“Alison” is my jam, and Mr. Costello is one of the great songwriters. I am sure that his show will be incredible.

4:20PM – Middle Brother – Quad Stage

I have a soft spot for pretty male harmonies sung by pretty males, and these boys have the added bonus also being really damn good songwriters and musicians.

6:05PM — All Stages

I would make a decision now for the three closing headlines — EmmyLou Harris at the Fort Stage, M. Ward at the Quad Stage and The Civil Wars at the Alex and Ani Harbor Stage — but it seems unfair. They’re all too great to choose just one. Whichever you see, I am sure it will be a fantastic end to Newport.

From The Wild Honey Pie

Newport Folk Festival Awards

Newport is a festival for people who don’t really like full-on camping festivals. Everyone sits down, there are places specifically for shade, there are only two designated places to get drunk and the artists all begin on time. It is a family festival – a music fans festival. Sure, it doesn’t offer the same sort of experience that the larger events can, but unlike those, you can actually relax and listen to the music. And oh, what amazing music it is. Newport can easily boast the largest density of legends this summer, with modern folk and true visionaries mixing beautifully. So, after some careful contemplation, we are ready to hand out our Wild Honey Pie certified awards:

“Two voices have never mixed so well.” — Guy behind me in reference to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

Truer statements are rarely spoken. The beautiful interplay of Welch and Rawlings’ voices and guitars for one hour was starkly beautiful and absolutely mesmerizing.

“Heartbreak Hotel” and “You Know I’m No Good” as sung by Wanda Jackson

Wanda Jackson dedicated “Heartbreak Hotel” to her old flame, Mr. Elvis Presley and sang it with a ferocity and abandon I’m sure would have made him proud. She followed up that spectacular number (and story about being on tour with Elvis) with a song she sings on her latest album, dedicating it to the late Amy Winehouse.

Tegan and Sarah

I’m not the biggest Tegan and Sarah fan, but their stripped down acoustic set at Newport absolutely converted me. They sang beautifully together and changed their songs into something appropriate and spectacularly different for the folk festival crowd.

PS22 and Freelance Whales performing “Generator ^ 1st Floor” at the Kids Stage

Around the time when the kids all put their arms around each other and sang the line “We’re finding every day several ways that we could be friends” I almost lost it. It was the most innocently sweet thing I have seen in a good long while.

The Civil Wars

Though they sang beautifully and their performing/songwriting ability was undeniable, I couldn’t help but be a little distracted by the behavior of the duo. Both Joy Williams and John Paul White are married to other people, but I certainly wouldn’t have assumed so. I suppose the gentle ruse is all part of the performance, though. Their harmonies and sad lyrical folk simply wouldn’t be a powerful without a sense of longing buried beneath the surface.

Emmylou Harris singing the Townes Van Zandt classic “Poncho and Lefty”

You guys don’t need to hear all the sentimentality involved with this, but it was certainly a moment for me and also the perfect way for the Newport experience to come to a close.

Delta Spirit

While I can appreciate their recorded material, something about their live performance generated a much more powerful experience. Particularly after having watched the calm of Freelance Whales’ set, the guitars, vocals, and overall sounds of Delta Spirit was nothing less than explosive.

Justin Townes Earle singing “Been Burnin’ Bad Gasoline”

Holy balls does that lanky dude have an insane voice! He had his pedal steel and stand up bass player take a break while he belted, and I mean belted, this Lightin’ Hopkins song. Our lives were all better for having heard it.

Trampled by Turtles

Though they played the Fort stage all the way in the back, their crowd was absolutely rambunctious and worthy of the main stage.

Middle Brother // Dawes // The Head and the Heart

There was a Dawes set in the middle of the Middle Brother set sandwiched between a Deertick set. All the switching seemed to force the energy even higher and make the audience even happier. It was the loudest performance I saw all weekend and the one where the audience sang the loudest.

And then, of course, there was The Head and the Heart. With its waterfront views and New England charm, Newport was the ideal environment to see the Seattle five-pack. It’s only been a few months since I saw them at SXSW, but they’ve managed to grow as performers by leaps and bounds. That says a lot considering they were completely and utter brilliant in Austin.

Pete Seeger leading everyone in a sing-a-long!

The festival ended with a frail voiced Pete Seeger and pretty much everyone who played that day singing “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.”

Photos also by Hannah Angst

From The Wild Honey Pie