Jan 8, 2018
by Ty
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
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by Ty
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
Tour Journal
18 - 20 August 2017 Lyons CO Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
Weekend goes along this line of routine: Early mornings. Leisure hours. Stretch. Sit. ‘Oatmeal’. Glug of ‘halfnhalf’. Honey, cinnamon. All bought locally in Lyons. Lyons is quaint.
Yoga. 8am. Kind instructor awaits on dewy grass. Shoal of fish eyed campers slowly slip up with mats. Writhe under his gentle orders for an hour. River rush in ears.
and on into the festivities…
Friday. Early afternoon set on main-stage. Hot sun. Alight upon stage with Erikazette, Sue and Edwina (martin, mandolin, EarTrumpetLab microphone).
Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers have warmed ever warm crowd. Lounging in chairs, on sun hot mats, playing in the saviour river.
Met Phoebe and band members, Dominic, Brother Roy and Nick at a wholesome music camp, last July. Mt. Shasta. There was a daunting element to the camp, I recall.. Known to no one. They would say ‘this is Rachel. Rachel’s a mandolin player.’ It’s true. But, at the same time… Was a useful social exercise to realise I rely on songwriting and performing abilities to earn respect from peers. To have any sense of self-confidence. Without it I can feel a novice with enthusiasm and insecurities.
Despite the size of stage and vast expanse to sing to, there is no sense of being dominated. No overwhelm. The space fits, somehow. Voice and song fill, somehow. Sweat tickles spine, trickles legs.
Next show will be shared with The Mae Trio. Having heard us all, independently, many throng to the Wildflower Pavilion to hear the four ‘young ladies’. The first time I properly got to know the Mae girls was when we toured the west coast of Ireland with Rose Cousins a few years back. Since then, though we’ve spent little time together and the Irish tour was only about three days, I feel sister to these women.
We get given a warm, standing ovation. A beautiful end to our time in this beautiful valley. In the sea of kind faces, I see Steve and Carly. Steve organises all the Planet Bluegrass events. They are the sweetest humans. I’m glad to know America’s music festivals are in such safe hands.
The music has been incredible. Highlights to my ears: Rhiannon Giddens, Lake Street Dive, Gregory Alan Isakov, Dave Rawlings Machine, Elephant Revival and, of course, The Mae Trio.
Later, will join a crew of musicians - member to various musical outfits - to ride inflatable donuts down cool rush of river. Whooping. Hollering. They will cut off at the bank of the festival campsite. I will continue, solo. Downriver, under bridge. To my own Tiny Home camp. Where a deep rock pool awaits, crystal twinkling in the dazzle-sun. Nymph like children jumping from ledges, teasing, screaming, laughing.
TOUR JOURNAL (USA -aug/sep)
14 to 17 August 2017 Lyons CO Rocky Mountain Song School
Journey begins. Midnight. Edinburgh. Caledonian sleeper. Train man hears my plight for a bunk. Upgrade is free of charge. A little guilt for fellow seated passengers. But this is to be the only soft, horizontal lay I get. For quite a while. Turns out.
To Orlando. Fellow passenger finds me on wikipedia. Wants his ‘Celebrity photo’. And one for his daughter. Spirited talker. Trouble is I have a migraine. And I’m watching Moana…
Plane entirely filled with young families making pilgrimage to Disney World Florida. 9 hours of flight. Delay upon delay, followed by 900 strong long customs queue and an hour wait for luggage. And still the children giggle. Filled by a promise.
On to Salt Lake City. Land just before an alien midnight.
‘Econolodge’. In slow queue feeling faint. Eventually told the water isn’t running. Won’t for some hours. Angry, tired people beginning to fill the lobby. Would I like to cancel my reservation?
Nausea becomes. Back to airport. Lay upon alpaca cardigan. Gift from mother- she says it’s a hug on the road from her. Morning and Denver arrive at me. Familiar faces: Maggie, Elsie and Anita of The Mae Trio there to share the shuttle to Lyons.
Suddenly sat at rest under shade of tree in a ‘Tiny Homes’ park. I smell. But I am at peace. And home for the week.
Song School commences. Friendliest faces float across quiet festival ground. Breakfast and registration. Welcomes. Handshakes. Hugs. Familiars united. New faces initiated warmly into the fold. A motley guild of song writers.
Scent of endless poured coffee. Morning dew. Pastries in the early sun. Trepidation and possibility.
Thrum of guitar merges with ever stream of river. Its cool water drifts down gully, bringing whatever windy remnants of weather the mountains have to give.
Week of workshops to cascade. Warmth and safety to burgeon. By time festival goers start pitching they must think us a strange cult. Hair loose. Faces open. Smiling. Voices raised. Arms outstretched. Swaying in the shallows of the river in a final sing-a-long farewell to the week.
The quiet field we have written in begins to take shape into Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.
Thank you, Lyons Volunteers. These photos were taken at Planet Bluegrass. xoxoxo
Americana Concerts Abound in Colorado
Grass is cool in Colorado this summer. Bluegrass that is. So is folk, alternative country and more. Our summer music series continues with a look at some of the state’s most interesting Americana concerts and festivals. Ryan Warners speaks with Brian…
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Five exceptional venues for mountain weddings
(by Denver wedding photography assistant, Moira Kennedy)
The Red Lion (Boulder, CO)
Located on Boulder Canyon Drive (Hwy. 119) in between Boulder and Nederland, the Red Lion is nestled in the mountains and features a unique menu which includes wild game, such as smoked boar sausage and quail. For Nettie and Greg’s reception, the bartenders worked with them to create a delicious cocktail that perfectly matched the summertime feel of their wedding. Boulder Creek provided a picturesque backdrop for the family portraits and kept the guests cool throughout the event.
Planet Bluegrass (Lyons, CO)
Known for its live music scene, Planet Bluegrass is bordered by the North Saint Vrain Creek. If a live band is important to you, this is the place to pick. With a stage for your band and plenty of room for dancing, your party will continue long into the night. At Nicola and Brian's wedding, the creek offered a great place for kids to play and the groomsmen to relax while fishing before the ceremony. Also, the late night bonfire gave guests a place to congregate outside the building.
Performing my song Jonah's Whale on the Wildflower Open Stage at Planet Bluegrass, Monday August 15, 2011. Ingrid Elizabeth of Coyote Grace on bass, JJ Jones of Girlyman on drums. Check out their awesome bands! http://coyotegrace.com & http://girlyman.com Thank you to Rob & Mike for hosting the open stage on Monday, and to the folks at Planet Bluegrass for hosting such an awesome Song School, providing the space and big thanks to the fantastic sound crew! http://bluegrass.com