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Hi there everyone. Thanks for clicking on our newsletter. Hopefully we find you well.
I write this week still high on a full four days of music from attending a small festival this past weekend: Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Of Music And Dance, to give it its full title. A wonderful small boutique music festival that is into its second decade and just under an hour away from Raleigh. I used to attend this biannual festival regularly, but for several reasons I haven’t been able to these past few years. I chose a great one to return to. The whole four days from Thursday to Sunday was wonderful. I saw great music being performed by so many talented artists. I hung out with old friends, met new ones and generally had a nice chill time. Although just an hour away, I always camp the entire five nights there and take the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and recharge myself mentally and spiritually. In years gone by, there was no cell phone service or internet, which made the disconnect even more complete, but technology marches on, and now there is wi-fi available. I still barely looked at my phone other than to pass on a message or two, and certainly wasn’t walking around with it. However, I will admit to watching the Chelsea vs Liverpool game. Although not the result I wanted, I was in such a good mood that it wasn’t going to spoil my day. Mushrooms for breakfast will do that for you.
What I love about this festival is that it is all about the music and the love for it. Created by musicians for fellow musicians and friends to come together and play and enjoy. No egos, no big corporate sponsors, no trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator as far as artist booking goes, no huge crowds, no stress. Just good vibes and camaraderie. It sounds a bit hippie, and perhaps it is, but I’d rather that than some huge event sponsored by Evil Beer. At Shakori, you at least get to enjoy the free filtered well water that is accessible around the site. I always fill up my canteen on leaving for one last drink on the drive home. It’s good water. There’s also no closed off V.I.P. area here. Artists and festival goers, for the most part, rub shoulder to shoulder and are all together. I love seeing an artist play and then later running into them or having a meal with them or something. That happens all the time. I have had the privilege to meet so many cool people over a bite to eat or a cup of coffee.
I also attend the festival to participate. My buddies and I run what is known as the Vinyl Lounge, where we host a dance party late nights and play records between bands throughout the day. We have a lot of fun. I enjoy spinning during the day and often play stuff I wouldn’t generally get to as a DJ. The vibe is more mellow and laid-back. I broke out some jazz and bluegrass for instance. My fellow DJs are no slouches though, and bring some of the best music knowledge and selection skills to the festival. I’m always honored and humbled to be in such company. I see them busting out killer tune after killer tune and think how lucky I am to hear these jams direct from vinyl played through a fat sound system.
I feel like if I listed all the great sets I saw it would go on for a while. I also don’t want to mention some and forget others. I definitely whooped it up watching Del McCoury though. That was a lot of fun. So was seeing The Meters legend George Porter Jr. and his band. A lot of the fun about this festival is seeing artists that you don’t know, who blow you away. The bill is always packed with amazing talent, and every year I come away with a new favorite. The festival does a great job of bringing in a diverse set of acts from all over the world. It’s not just American roots music. There’s Afro, Latin, Cumbia, Celtic, you name it. Getting to see the musicians play so close also adds to the appeal, and you will witness some incredible individual performances. I have to say that this year the drummers really stood out. They killed it. Great stuff. Rather than ramble on more on the topic, here’s a link to the festival line-up and bios for those interested.
A few days away from the store, and a lot has happened. Looks like a bunch of very cool titles have come in. I have a lot of catching up to do. As do you guys. Go visit our webstore and take a look. I was excited to see that one of my most favorite and treasured artists of all time has a new record out, and so it was a no-brainer as to what my pick was going to be for record of the week this newsletter. It has become a tradition now. If he has a new record out, I’m going to pick it as my choice. I’m referring to Gruff Rhys from Wales, solo artist and member of Super Furry Animals. His new album is called Dim Probs and is out on Rock Action Records.
The album is his ninth solo album and the third to be sung entirely in Welsh. If you include the ones made for his previous bands Ffa Coffi Pawb and Super Furry Animals, that total goes to seven I believe. The title of this latest translates simply as “no probs.” It’s got all the trademark song crafting style that fans have loved from Gruff all these years. Beautiful melodies sung over his signature strumming guitar sound. Interesting percussion elements added, and on this one he is joined by fellow Welsh musicians Cate Le Bon and H. Hawkline. I’m not too familiar with the latter, but the former is great, and we have stocked her records here.
As I only bought the album yesterday and have only played it twice, it is a little early to give a detailed track by track review. Not that I do that much anyway in these things. LoL. I can tell you though that I enjoyed the record a lot and the quality control hasn’t dropped off one bit. Not that I would ever expect it from Gruff. He hasn’t made a bad record yet in my opinion in the thirty-plus years that I have been a fan.
So, it’s been a great couple of weeks for me musically. I saw Johnny Marr the other week, went to the festival this week and have Golpe to look forward to very soon. Give thanks for the good things in life.
Quick postscript. Another of my favorite singers, Lady Wray, has a new one out called Cover Girl. I’ve plugged her two previous albums on Big Crown in past newsletters and urge any of you who are into contemporary soul and r&b to check her out. This latest is tipped to be her best yet, and I am excited to dive in and find out.
And if all that wasn’t enough, it looks like we have some interesting compilations in stock too. The punk one called Cease & Resist - Sonic Subversion & Anarcho Punk In The UK 1979-86 looks cool and very well put together. Lots for us all to check out.
Happy listening. Thanks for reading and for supporting us and all the music that we carry and love so much. Cheers – Dom