Don't Fear the Beaver (Beaver Island Music Festival – Thursday, July 14)

Had I known that an insignificant water collision would cause a 4 ½ hour ferry departure delay, I probably would have waited until Friday to make my way to the Beaver Island Music Festival (BIMF). More on that later.

In the style of many other local and regional music festivals, BIMF features days of musical entertainment and on-site camping in the middle of a forest. Except for a water barrel, latrines, and a few food vendors, the quaint downtown five miles away houses the only supplies and amenities to festival goers. The island itself is a 2 hour ferry ride from mainland Michigan. In it's ninth straight year, BIMF draws several hundred music lovers with a passion for camping, the wilderness, and a lights-out time of 4 or 5am allowing plenty of time for intoxicated partying. Music acts range from bluegrass, acoustic classic rock, fuzz box acid blues, to Celtic jams. With lots of tie-dye and Bob Marley posters, BIMF is a hip-hop and heavy-metal free experience catering to a racially monochrome but all-ages audience.

Thursday afternoon, our ferry to Beaver Island from Charlevoix left around 7pm instead of its scheduled 2pm after the ferry driver allegedly hit a smaller craft boat upon pulling away from the dock. According to hearsay, there was no visible damage to either boat, but the ferry driver insisted on calling the Coast Guard to inspect and possibly issue a citation. Of course the nearest Coast Guard representative was in Sault Ste Marie. The commute and inspection ultimately delayed our departure by four hours, an apparently unprecedented delay in the ferry company's 70 year history. For a more factual and official version of this story, follow this link to the Petosky News: http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2011-07-14/minor-collision_29775769

Fortunately our performance times were not until Friday and Saturday evening. Setting up a tent in the dark was a challenge, as was sleeping in a tent for the first time since I was a Boy Scout (yes, I was, for about 1 year), but I survived to tell the tale. To my pleasant surprise, they even have wireless internet in several of the 'quaint' businesses that I described. No commercial franchises to be found, but everything I need to survive for three days is here. More coverage of music from the festival and my first-hand experience with mosquitoes next post.

See that little circle in the map? That's where I am.

Emerald Isle Ferry Boat Unloading

En-route to the festival in the back of a flat-bed truck

Beaver Island Sky at Dusk

A.C. In St. Louis

If Connie's home were located near virtually any other major city or on the water, it could easily fetch a half-million dollars or more. But in land locked Terre Haute, Connie's home sits on the market for a fraction of the price. Classic 1920's architecture featuring polished hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, enormous bedrooms, and a stylishly remodeled upstairs bathroom and kitchen make this home a visually aesthetic gem. Sure it's energy inefficient, the exposed floors and walls exponentially amplify and echo every sound, and medieval tapestries could appropriately decorate the hallways, but the initial reaction from everyone who steps through the front door must never get old.

For understandably practical reasons, Connie is selling her home. Sadly, Thursday night through Friday morning may have been our final visit to one of our favorite post-gig resting places.

With no performances until Saturday night, we decided to head toward St. Louis anyway to spare hours of driving on Saturday. On my insistence and promise to pay half (I paid 100%), we stayed at a Motel 6 just 15 minutes outside of the city instead of searching for a camp ground. I got Eric and Nic to admit later that given the oppressive heat and humidity outside, the motel was a good call. For dinner, I incorrectly ordered a complex meal at the nearby Waffle House. I say 'incorrectly ordered' because I spent over $20 ordering extra items ala-carte instead of settling with a pre-priced meal at a fraction of the cost. The apple-cinnamon waffles and coffee were a scrumptious novelty, but by the end I felt stuffed and ripped off rather than satisfied.

Saturday morning...well...Saturday afternoon, we left the hotel to explore the cultural offerings of downtown St. Louis such as the zoo and art museum which to our pleasant surprise are free to the public. Walking from the parking lot to the zoo meant wading through thick humidity and a scorching sun, so when we passed the stone columns guarding the enclosed art museum entrance, we conceded to the demand of our sweat covered bodies and strode inside instead.

I can't speak for Eric or Nic, but I personally prefer the company of quiet museum goers (snobbish as they may be), strolling, studying, and murmuring over the swarming masses of parents and obnoxious prepubescents scrambling past exhibits of caged, hairy, smelly beasts or internationally varied cousins of park squirrels.

Featuring an array of world art including Picasso's (really, who doesn't have at least one Picasso?) Gauguin's, works from the Rembrandt school, and a Chuck Close portrait, the St. Louis Art Museum primarily focuses on works from the region especially pertaining to early urban development around the Mississippi River. I think we all would have stayed longer, but hunger drove us out of comfort and culture, into the barely ventilated van, and finally to a nearby Steak and Shake for culinary pop art.

After devouring a delicious avocado steak burger and fries, I indulged in a strawberry milkshake for the first time in about 5 years. Thankfully my lactose-intolerant stomach forgave slip into sugary sublime during our return visit to the Tower Grove Park where the squirrels like in Manhattan, scavenge eerily close to occupied picnic tables.

Our reprise performance at Pop's Blue Moon was arguably tighter than last time, but the audience count still disappointed. Counting ourselves, we drew less than 20 people. On the plus side, at least 4 people heard us the last time we played and came back to hear us again.

The amazingly hospitable Paul and Pat put us up for the night again, feeding us a delicious, late-night snack of fried won tons over Romaine lettuce. Breakfast consisted of skillet cooked Dutch Babies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_baby_pancake), a pancake like entrée served with warm, syrupy strawberries and blueberries (or your favorite breakfast topping). Fresh watermelon, black cherries, and flavored coffee gave us plenty of sustenance for most of our 9 hour drive home. Once again, Paul and Pat have outdone themselves and we truly and humbly can not thank them enough.

St. Louis may be miserable outside in the summer, but our air-conditioned oasis's made the trek worthwhile. 

Pool and Park in front of St. Louis Art Museum

St. Louis Statue, Art Museum behind

Anti-Bird Nest Spikes inside Turkish Pavilion (Tower Grove Park)

2 Squirrels, 1 Discarded Bag of Cheetos

Indiana to Missouri and Back, Day 2 - Terre Haute, IN

With no plans for the day and measly hour and a half drive from Bloomington to Terre Haute, we accepted Kayle's invitation to hang out during the day. While I conducted an interview for my free-lance work with the Lansing City Pulse and worked a little on my blog, the day mostly consisted of watching movies and free-jamming with Kayle until it was time to leave for Terre Haute.

We discovered that 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' is not the worst movie in the world and that Robin Williams' 'Weapon of Self Destruction' is filled with very dated jokes, even for the date it was filmed.

For those unfamiliar with both, 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' is the Adam Sandler, Kevin James ('Mall Cop') vehicle that offended many and tickled others with its unorthodox approach to endorsing alternative lifestyles. Sandler and James play two heterosexual NY firefighters who publicly claim to be gay lovers in order to retain domestic partner benefits for James' children. Featuring Saturday Night Live alumni such as David Spayde, Dan Akroyd, Rob Schneider, and a hilarious, non-speaking role by Dave Matthews, 'Chuck and Larry' follows the Sandler story arch with celebrities and actors playing against type and an up-beat ending that is too good to be true. Still, watched in context, 'Chuck in Larry' has its heart in the right place, mocking stereotypes instead of people where everyone is better off if we all just love each other.

'Weapons of Self-Destruction' warrants little comment, much less a review suffice to say that Robin Williams needs to stay on top of current events in order to retain the funny in his comic style. Where he used to be cutting edge, Williams act now feels like a dull, 3-blade razor, desperately trying to keep up with the times while sounding so out of date. Maybe watching cable television would be good for some people as Williams instead seems to be riffing on taped reruns.

After we finish packing the van ready to head to Terre Haute, we realize none of us has the keys. Turns out while Eric cleverly placed the keys in his backpack to prevent forgetting them in the house, he neglected to take them out of his bag before stowing it in the car top carrier...which was now locked. Calmly and slightly out of character, I informed the group that with a small wrench, we could actually unscrew the bolts on the car top carrier to open the top and prevent having to cut the locks. 15 minutes, a borrowed wrench, and several pairs of pliers later, the keys were in hand courtesy of ME. Yes, it was my quick thinking and skinny arm which deftly reached through the tiny opening of the car top carrier and grabbed the keys from the zipped pouch. Shamelessly, I used this act of heroism to shield myself from all snarky jabs directed my way for the rest of the weekend. (In full disclosure, I should mention that Eric and Nic helped to unscrew the car top carrier latches as well. Also, thank you to Kayle's father for the temporary loan of the tools)

Home to a healthy and vibrant downtown scene including Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana is also home to The Verve, a happening nightclub that happened to be awesome and book our band for the second time. Inspired by the air-conditioning and cool posters of classic rock bands on the walls around the stage, we played a blistering 4 hour set complete with a new blues number written by Eric. The crowd response was surprisingly mixed with minimal response in between songs but plenty of adulation in between sets. Still, we were very proud of our performance which was aided by strong acoustics and a monitor for myself.

Connie, the owner of the Verve, put us up again in her beautiful home just up the street. More description of the house later, but a cold shower before sleeping in a soft mattress in an air-conditioned room felt like our final reward to a show well played. 

Eric and Kayle free-jamming at Kayle's

The Verve exterior

Indiana to Missouri and Back, July 6-9 (Day 1)

When your first gig starts with no comped drinks and ends with two cases of free beer, it's easy to feel like Karma is smiling upon you. Thus was our Wednesday and Thursday in Bloomington, Indiana. Upland Brewery mirrors many Michigan micro-breweries with its emphasis on quality craft beer and gourmet food catering to the refined hipster or independent music lover. Since we were not offered food, I can only vouch for the one beer I was able to try, the lemon flavored but not too sweet Wheat Ale. Upland houses a cozy indoor bar with a rather spacious outdoor patio, and so we played outside...on the pavement, without shade, in the sticky, Indiana summer. I can not tell you how much sweat we produced in total, but I can say the ice in my tall glass of water melted long before I finished drinking with a tablespoon of condensed air covering the exterior.
Upland was arguably not our strongest show especially considering we had not played together in a month, but we gained a few fans including one Upland employee named Kayle. Kayle warmly invited us back to his home a few miles away.
Perched in front of four acres of open field, just minutes away from sprawling suburbia, Kayle said that he would love to host an outdoor music festival in his backyard, like a mini-Woodstock for the good people of Bloomington. A complete drum set planted in the middle of the house ready for spontaneous free-jamming confirms these dreams and his priorities. As a former bassist for Hillary Duff's band, Kayle has the chops and experience to be a professional musician.
He also gets to take home the bottled beer that the brewery is unable to sell, beer bottles that are too full or too empty according to Kayle. With no taste for Upland's Wheat Ale, he offered us two full cases (40 bottles) for free! Sure we have limited space in the van, but what kind of gracious guests would we be to turn down cases of micro-brew beer?
After an extended jam session in the wee hours of Thursday morning, Nic, Eric and I collapsed in our respective beds and dreamt of hand drums accompanying electric guitar grooves. There's no lake around, but the spirit of 'Phish' was very present.

Upland Brewery Exterior Street View

Our parking lot setup

Nic and Eric by the van and the stage

Cool Upland bike rack made of old bikes

Kayle's House

Kayle's commemorative plaque

Close-up of plaque

Bob Dylan Tribute Show - Saturday, May 28 (Part 2)

Within the elapsed span of approximately two days, we as a band learned five Bob Dylan songs for the annual 'Bob Dylan Tribute Concert' at Founder's Brewery. Considering that Eric is the only 'true' Bob Dylan fan, (and that Nic flat out dislikes Bob Dylan with me somewhere in the middle) that is quite an accomplishment. I would argue with anyone that Bob Dylan is a prodigy song writer and lyric writer. Few to no singer-songwriters come close to the volume of the Dylan catalog with the same consistency of poetic, lyrical perception, the basic building blocks for creating a 'killer' song. I would also argue that although I appreciate Dylan's insistence to sing his own material (thus setting a low bar for any singers to follow), Dylan is not and never has been a singer. Apart from a handful of tunes like 'It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding', Dylan's voice rarely captures the ear beyond irritation and subsequent cringing provoked by his grinding, wheezy, impaired throat.

And so, what better way to familiarize yourself with the depth of the Dylan catalog than by listening to other people sing his songs. The goal being to thank and honor Dylan for writing so many beautiful songs and then showing him what his songs could sound like if he could sing.

We performed our own versions of (though not in this order) 'Maggie's Farm', 'I Will Be Released', 'The Man in Me' featured in the film 'The Big Lebowski, 'It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry', and 'You Ain't Going Nowhere'. An acoustic trio incorporating funk rhythms and minor harmonics into at least one major key song I felt stood out from the groups to follow.

Nic wore the 'Bob Dylan' sunglasses, I sucked in my fear of playing to a room of several hundred people, and we rocked the house as the opening band.

'Earth Fest' – Saturday, May 28 (Greenville, Michigan)

It was a calm, quiet beginning to Saturday, May 28. Our performance in Greenville for Earth Fest didn't start until 4pm. In order to justify our time and travel, Nic and Eric offered to run sound for the festival...for the entire day. From noon until almost 8pm, Nic and Eric (who traveled from the Detroit area mind you) set up microphones and played with the mixing board to ensure that every act sounded their best in the community center auditorium.

In prior years, the Greenville Earth Fest actually happened on 'Earth Day' approximately one month earlier than this year's Memorial Day weekend time slot. For whatever reason, the festival was delayed and aptly renamed simply 'Earth Fest', a title with no real significance or connection to anything and consequently, no advertising or audience either. Each band came and went throughout the day: setting up on stage, playing their short set, packing up, and leaving before the next band started. Long, folding banquet tables set up in the lobby to display locally made crafts and locally taxidermied animals sat un-puruesed by an an audience that never really came.

Sandwich helpings from the local Subway slowly disappeared courtesy of vendors and musicians who devoured the stacked slices of freshly cut salami and wheat bread with desperate hunger. After we finished our tight and raucous yet sparsely attended performance, Erin and I booked it to downtown Grand Rapids to unwind before setting up at Founders for our second and better attended performance of the day.

It is noteworthy to mention that while Greenville Earth Fest acts saw sparse crowds, my parents and only surviving grandmother drove out special. Having attended other performances of mine in the past, I was thrilled that she could see this project of mine for the first time and eagerly awaited her review. Her response surprised me to say the least performance, my dear almost 82-year-old grandmother said that she did not understand how the third member actually contributed to our sound. The third member to whom she referred is our bassist Nic, whose sound at least would surely be missed. My attempt to explain the important and often under-rated role that bass plays in any band, especially a trio like ours, left an unconvincing impression on her.

If our band was 'Survivor', my grandmother would have voted Nic off the island.