Sharing the bands you should know about at High Water Fest
In a hurry to get to the Saturday shows, but thought I’d pop out some music for you to contemplate, especially if you aren’t at High Water and want to hear the other bands playing Sunday. (full disclosure, I was crunching to spit this out before the shows today, so not much background…just music)
The Suffers-Sunday at 1:00
Wanna get your dance on? Then this Houston, gulf coast band could do the trick. Harboring a sound with a heartfelt mixture of vintage R&B and classic rock & roll with dashes of reggae, country, and hip-hop, The Suffers ten piece band might make you move your feet. Swinging your hips to the beat, slow jamming with your honey-pie, or just nodding your head in approval will be the perfect Sunday morning recovery we will seek after a Saturday of ‘full on’ sound.
Indianola-Sunday 1:45
I first learned of Indianola at Wildwood Festival outside of Athens, Georgia. I fell in love with his song “Heartstrings”. I blogged it HERE. Excited to see Indianola again, I listen to try and find other music to appreciate. Well here you go, a raw, heartfelt outcry of pain expressed in simple music. Love!
Deer Tick-Sunday 2:30
Been around awhile, but serious talent worth checking out… This tune is from 2009, but I appreciate it as if it is brand spanking new.
The Deslondes-Sunday 3:15
The Deslondes have a new one and holy cow, a nice remembrance of slower sweeter times…
Matthew Logan Vasquez-Sunday 5:00
Shared his music before, and pumped to hearing him live.
Slow Runner-Sunday 6:45
Wow, I am a fan and will appreciate their indie sound, cause it is more my speed.
John Moreland-Sunday 8:45
Ready to Yee-Haw!
Okay, I’ve covered all of the bands playing at High Water Festival. Sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, and water….I am off! Wish you were here!
This could be the perfect storm of the new musical sound ,what a fun festival experience.
So, the cool thing about a new festival is that it is smaller than the others. They can stretch out their bands so the listeners don’t have to decide between two or three favorites. Honestly, if you are pumped and tenacious enough, you can hear everyone. Did you get that?
You can hear everyone!
With two stages and varying start times, this could be the perfect storm of musical sound and a fun festival experience. Oooh good golly! I am drooling in anticipation of this joyous event….how bout you?
But, who has time to research all the music? Let me do it for you!
So stay with me sweet friends even those that aren’t able to be there. I hope to cover it so that you can experience the joy, as if you might have actually attended.
Let’s check in with the earliest bands. They are so easy to shrug off due to a need for sleep, a slow start, or just pacing yourselves. But these are the bands that make me proud to blog music. They are hard working creatives and seriously deliver their deepest passion to each festival ticket holder. They are the bands you really shouldn’t miss. They may very well be the next big headliner, or better yet, they may find new support and appreciation for their life-long work of music.
Go early….Go early!
Julien Baker-Saturday at 1:00
Starting off the Fest is the amazingly talented Julien Baker. I just witnessed her depth and mind altering songs at Savannah Stopover in a quiet church setting. There, her voice and her song was so powerful the audience collectively held their breath and appreciated exhaling and cheering during the breaks. I am curious to see how she transforms her thoughtful set of songs with such emotional tone to a festival stage. It will be something to behold, I can pretty much promise it. But don’t expect a dance jam. She displays more of a diary-like unfolding of her life in simple guitar strums and the occasional belting cry.
Julien Baker-Distant Solar System
Arum Rae-Saturday at 1:45
Arum Rae is a striking vocalist. She earned her way to study music in the prestigious Berklee Music School. With a name that means waterlily, I can listen to her and become the drifting blossom of her namesake, on slow moving waters in Heaven.
Arum Rae-Heaven
Charles Bradley-Saturday at 2:30
Are you up for a soulful digging sound with a 70’s vibe? Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires will certainly fill the bill. You might not even know if this sound could really grab you, but what, the what….it is music that will seriously MAKE YOU MOVE! If not, you can’t hang with me anymore! Damn, come early and jam with us!
Charles Bradley-Ain’t It A Sin
Caroline Rose-Saturday at 3:15
With new music on the horizon….maybe even days away, I feel sure we are in for a real sweet treat. I saw Caroline Rose at The Earl in Atlanta awhile back. She was in support of a pretty big band and I made my way to her merch table to have a chat…because her show was THAT GOOD!
She asked me to hold off posting because she had new music….well I have been uber patient. I can’t stand it any longer and am so excited to hear what she’s got up her sleeve. Obviously a serious perfectionist, I am sure I will be bowled over by whatever she brings to the stage!
Caroline Rose-At Midnight
Lucius-Saturday at 4:00
“Demonstrating an evocative mix of torchy, pedal steel-infused Americana and urban indie pop”, Lucius has an impressive pair of female vocals heading up the band. Another sweet story of melding the history of Berklee School of Music and the band’s relocating to the hustle and bustle of music discovery… Brooklyn. Listen.
Lucius–Until We Get There
Aaron Lee Tasjan Saturday at 5:00
Have you ever a Shazammed a song and then distractedly forgot about it…then later Shazammed it again. Well this is the band, and for some reason, each time I hear this song, I subtly hear The Beatles in the chorus and the ahhs in the background. Can you remind me the Beatles tune I might be thinking of? This song actually is very different than his other tracks. Catchy and Nashville rooted alt-country rock, Aaron Lee Tasjan seems to transcend beyond any preconceived perimeters. So give him a listen if you are tempted to hear a newer wave of country.
Aaron Lee Tasjan-Little Movies
Margo Price- Saturday at 5:45
While we are on the country train, we need to discuss Margo Price. She possesses a sing songy vocal that is bar none and lyrics that are refreshing and remind me of the good ol’ stuff. She is considered the next break-out star from Nashville. So maybe those are words are enough to peak your interest and see her perform.
Margo Price-Hurtin’ (On The Bottle)
Shrimp Family Records Band-Saturday at 6:45
So after Margo performs there is the combined joy of the Shrimp Family Records Band. A collective, comprising of those that made recordings with them. So this could prove to be the happy jam of many talented musicians.
Here is a sample, where they played at The Pour House…
JD McPherson- Saturday at 8:45
Allow the vibe of impressive potential up and coming music settle on you. Well, just when you think it might be close to done, is when JD McPherson will show up, warm the crowd, and remind us of the joys of a happy steady beat and repetitive anthem-like chorus’. He rounds out the blending of country and indie music. How can you not love this track?
J D McPherson-Let The Good Times Roll
Okay admit it, that is a lot of incredible music to explore. And….it is only the first day!
Stay tuned for a snapshot of what to expect on Sunday. I really hope your weekend turns out as perfect as mine!
For those of you that have had your tickets for weeks and months now, and for those that want to win the immersed in cool music’s raffle, let’s talk bands and let’s listen.
We are officially only a couple of days away from the inaugural High Water Fest!!!!
For those of you that have had your tickets for weeks and months now, and for those that want to win the immersed in cool music’s raffle, let’s talk bands and let’s listen. On my raffle, I asked the question, “Who are you most excited to hear play?” Resoundingly the majority of answers chose The Shins as the favorite. So let’s begin this post with the beloved Shins.
The Shins-Name For You
What is not to love about this joyous heartfelt tribute to James Mercer’s three daughters? The video exemplifies empowerment and agility and female power. The Shins are an iconic band that continues to make music we all love and appreciate.
My girl, if you’re lucky one day
Rolling down the ancient high street you’l find
In the mirrors reflects a woman in her prime
Can you make your way out?
In a world dearly won
Well it’s yours love
You can move it around
Given all the drops in the ocean
Better take it one sip at a time
Somebody with an antique notion
Comes along to tighten the line
They’re just afraid of you speaking your mind
After The Shins many of you chose the Avett Brothers. They share wholesomely creative alt/indie/rock with passion. Here is a love song of epic proportions, if you were to sing these sweet words, I would be butter melting on a hot day. Love… Love… Love.
The Avett Brothers-I Wish I Was
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The next anticipated band playing at High Water Festival is Shovels and Rope, They were actually the curator’s of the festival. With their latest album, Little Seed, you can listen and you will hear and begin to grasp the deep roots of the South Carolina Lowcountry. I honestly appreciate their folk/alt tribute to the south, for the Lowcountry I love, and for the region as a whole.
Beautiful music and wisdom way beyond their young years, Shovels and Rope will win your heart. Within this song is a joyous anthem….What is not to adore about this bourgeoning band with depth and a heartfelt story like album, Little Seeds?
A favorite track of mine is this sweet song.
“…This life may be to good to survive…”
Shovels and Rope-St Anne’s Parade
Well, and of course, 2016 the Spoleto finale darlings, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, came next in the must see bands. With one of the most visually exciting acts to witness, dance to, and sing-a-long with, Nathaniel Rateliff makes another appearance and may even shower us with new music. There is an album coming sometime soon….they have chatted here and there about writing and recording. So fingers crossed, but their music is a celebration of life and music, whether it is new or old. I must give full disclosure, I am a dancing nut. I am a South Carolinian solely by living there the longest of any other place. In that state, I learned to shag and dance ( beach music capital)….this song has the perfect tempo for the shag and yes, the occasional stellar pretzel move…..
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats-Parlor
Last but certainly not least, many of you were thrilled about seeing Jump Little Children. Charleston is their home city. They will be among their followers and I expect a show beyond all shows!
Here is a favorite song of mine….and one that certainly tipped the scales for them.
Jump Little Children-Cathedrals
So nobody in my raffle mentioned Dawes, but honestly Dawes is a serious favorite of mine. I adore music that is lyrically weighty and embedded in a catchy tune which totally takes me unaware. I find myself just humming a Dawes tune randomly and then I have to hear it, again and again.
I can’t resist a simple guitar and storylike lyrics….I see it, feel it, and my heart beats to it.
Dawes- For No Good Reason
Hope you’ve enjoyed this preview of High Water Fest. Stay tuned for my other picks of must hear music.
Thanks to all who entered my festival raffle! Love you all for your enthusiasm and support!
For the next few days, you have the chance to enter and win two tickets to the sold out High Water Festival in Charleston, SC
So you wanted to go to High Water Festival, but when you clicked on the ticket info….
IT WAS SOLD OUT!
For the next few days, you have the chance to enter and win two tickets to the sold out High Water Festival featuring The Avett Brothers, The Shins, Nathaniel Rateliff, Shovels and Rope, Dawes and more! Just click the Rafflecopter link below and answer the question, or follow it to visit my Facebook page.
Good luck! I will transfer the tickets to a randomly selected visitor that checks it out, and follows through! Winner will be announced April 20th, 2017
