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Nederland Music & Arts Festival 2007 takes place Friday, August 24th through Sunday, August 26th in the Mountains of Nederland, Colorado on the shores of Barker Reservoir 17 miles west of (3,000 ft above and only 25 minutes from) Boulder.
Confirmed artists include: Sam Bush, Steve Kimock with PBS (George Porter Jr., Russell Batiste & Brian Stoltz - from The Funky Meters), Galactic's Stanton Moore Trio (featuring Greyboy Allstar's Robert Walter & Will Bernard), Leftover Salmon's Vince Herman & The Great American Taxi, ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), The Motet, DJ Logic, Papa Mali, Tony Furtado Band, Euforquestra, Salvador Santana Band, Onda, Salem, Blue Turtle Seduction, Head For The Hills, Acoustic Shanti Groove, Elephant Revival Concept, Tiffany Christopher, John 'Blackdog' Ridnell with Cecil "P-Nut" Daniel & Gail 'Mojo' Muldrow and many more! For more information visit: NedFest.com
The Echo Project kicks off its annual eco-responsible music and arts festival in Atlanta, Georgia this October 12 – 14, 2007. The three-day, multi-stage camping festival will be held on 350-acres of scenic Chattahoochee river front property on a privately owned 1250-acre farm just south of metropolitan Atlanta.

With a green focus and philosophy, The Echo Project is set to revolutionize how music and arts events affect our environment through eco-friendly event production by ways of carbon emissions, power consumption and creation, alternative energy sources, and waste management and recycling initiatives. For its inaugural event, The Echo Festival along with Sustainable Waves and Rivers Alive is also launching a major Chattahoochee river clean up prior to the festival. Featuring a diverse range of talent, from rock to hip-hop, The Echo Project also announced its first round of performers today, which include The Killers, Phil Lesh and Friends, moe., Stephen Marley, The Roots, Cypress Hill, Polyphonic Spree, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Umphreys McGee, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, The Disco Biscuits, Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues, Brazilian Girls, Perpetual Groove, The Avett Brothers, Lyrics Born, RJD2, Toubab Krewe, Spam Allstars, ALO, Greenskeepers, and the Afromotive. The Echo Project is promoted by Nicholas Bouckaert of Rivertown Entertainment, LLC. in conjunction with Meatcamp Productions. Greening partners include Sustainable Waves, a national provider of mobile solar powered sound and staging solutions; Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation’s leading provider of cleaner electricity and carbon offset products; and the Environment Media Association (EMA) which mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate people about environmental issues and inspire them into action.

Also visit the Home Grown Music Network booth in the concert area. We'll look forward to seeing you there! For more information or to purchase tickets visit: AllGoodFestival.com Please be aware, all set times are subject to change.

ROPEADOPE STAGE (Campground Stage)

Thursday, July 12
8:00 - 8:45 American Dumpster
9:00 - 10:15 Ozric Tentacles
11:00 - 3:00 Dark Star Orchestra

ALL GOOD STAGE (Main Stage) - TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Friday, July 13
3:00 - 4:00 The Bridge
4:20 - 5:20 PBS
5:50 - 7:05 Yonder Mountain String Band
7:30 - 8:45 Steel Pulse
9:15 - 10:45 Keller Williams
11:30 - 1:15 Bob Weir and RatDog
Late Night 2:00 am - 4:00 am STS9

Saturday, July 14
12:00 - 1:00 pm SOJA
1:15 - 2:15 AOD
2:30 - 3:30 Perpetual Groove
3:45 - 4:45 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
5:05 - 6:25 Drive- By Truckers
6:55 - 8:25 Les Claypool
9:00 10:30 Michael Franti and Spearhead
Late Night 11:15 1:15 am moe.
2:00- 4:00 am All Star jam - hosted by moe.

Sunday, July 15
12:00 - 1:00 Lee Boys
1:15 - 2:30 Sam Bush
3:00 - 4:30 Soulive
5:10 - 7:00 Leftover Salmon

THE MAGIC HAT STAGE- Concert Area

Friday, July 13
4:00 - 4:20 Eva Castillo
5:20-5:50 The Piestaters
7:05 - 7:30 pm Lovewhip
8:45 - 9:15 Will Hoge
10:45 - 11:30 Lotus
1:15 - 2:00 am Benevento/Russo Duo Saturday,

July 14
4:45 - 5:05 Ryan Montbleau Band
6:25 - 6:55 Benzos
8:25 - 9:00 New Monsoon
10:30 - 11:15 Tea Leaf Green
1:15 - 2:00 The Slip Sunday,

July 16
2:30 - 3:00 West Indian Girl
4:30 - 5:15 Bob Schneider

Also visit the Home Grown Music Network booth in the concert area. We'll look forward to seeing you there! For more information or to purchase tickets visit: AllGoodFestival.com

Bonnaroo Music Festival - June 14-17, 2007

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Bonnaroo? I go to southeastern Tennessee for the Barbecue. The festival is just what I do between stops at Prater’s.


praters

All kidding aside, I do book a hotel every year on the route to the fest that takes me by Prater's. What's better than some "Q," chili, potato wedges and sweet tea to prepare a person for the sweltering daily musical overload that is Bonnaroo?

The dynamic Hammond B-3 and Drum duo, Sugar Free Allstars are known for high-energy grooves, funky attitude and humorously witty lyrics. The music is a unique blend of New Orleans funk to Memphis soul, drenched by Hammond B-3 gospel and mixed with straight up rock and roll!!
By Kacy Stabler

HGMN: How long have you and Rob been playing together as a band?

Wiser: We started out as a 3 piece with a guitar player in 2000 with a different drummer. Rob, or Dr. Rock as we shall henceforth refer to him, joined in about 2002. The guitar player quit in 2004, so we've been kicking it as a duo for about 3 years.

HGMN: You've been in multiple bands with a variety of styles before settling with Sugar Free Allstars. Briefly describe that journey and how you feel about SFA compared to the rest.

Wiser: It's funny, each group I've been in got smaller and funkier. I think SFA is the best of the bunch because it definitely has a "thing" that separates it from the rest. There aren't very many organ/drum duos that sound like a full band and write catchy, quirky tunes and try to put on a high energy, entertaining show. We say that we're a product of corporate downsizing.

HGMN:
Your music has been described as funky, groovy, and very lively. How would you best describe your music?

Wiser: G. Love and Special Sauce meets Booker T. and the M.G.s mixed with the quirkiness of Cake. Then you bump the energy level up a notch or two and you have the Sugar Free Allstars

HGMN:
We all know there is a struggle that musicians face when trying to get their talent out there for people to hear. What was it like for you and the band?

Wiser: It's easy and hard at the same time. Hard because of the awful state the music industry is in as far as how corporate it's become thus making it difficult for music with any merit to get through, but as a reaction it seems like many college and community radio stations and websites and organizations such as Home Grown Music Network have taken more to the quality acts that the industry seems to be ignoring, which in some ways makes it easier.

HGMN: Who was your inspiration when growing up? Who are your favorite artists/bands?

Wiser: My extended family is very musical and they would always sing and play at family reunions (still do). Also my Jr. High band director was an inspiration as well. Favorite artists/bands include Ben Folds, Dr. John, The Meters, Billy Preston (RIP), the Blues Brothers. Mainly older funky stuff.

HGMN: So what is it that you have playing in your cd player right now?

Wiser: We actually listen to more vinyl than CDs. I just found a Dr. John album called One Night Late on Karate Records that I never knew about, it's really good. Also just today I found George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh for cheap, I'm actually listening to that right now.

HGMN: Tell me what it's like for you to travel, tour, be part of something that you have probably always dreamed of?

Wiser:
Well it's definitely cool to be doing something you love for your job, but just like with any job it can get old. There's a lot of things involved in making music a business that are never a part of the dream. As you get older the traveling can definitely wear on you more than when you're a young man. Having said that it is awesome to be able to say that you're at least partially supporting yourself with something you've created. That's definitely a cool feeling.

HGMN: Dogstock Music festival is an excellent way for people to join together for a great cause while enjoying their favorite music. Did this have an effect on why you chose to perform there?

Wiser: The cause is very cool as well as the camaraderie. Just about every band that we're friends with from different parts of the country will be there. It will be great to hang out and jam with all our buddies.

HGMN: So I have to ask, do you have any dogs? If so, will they be joining you for the trip?

Wiser: No dogs, we're cat guys. Easier pets to have when you have to be gone for several days at a time.

HGMN:
What is your tour schedule like these days?

Wiser: We're getting all the way up to North Dakota, down to Texas, out to Memphis and over to Colorado. Thinking about working on a tour to either of the coasts when gas prices come back down.

HGMN: Any big summer plans in mind?

Wiser: We're doing a couple of library tours as part of a kid's summer program. We've got a children's album coming out and these shows will be to help support that CD. We're excited, as this will be something completely new for us.

HGMN: Chris thank you very much for taking the time to answer some questions for music goers to learn a little bit about what Sugar Free Allstars is all about. From someone who had not heard a lot of your music before, I love your style and will be sure to spread the word around. Have a great summer!     

Page McConnell - VIC Theatre - Chicago, IL 06.13.07

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Phish keyboardist Page McConnell has kept a pretty low profile since Phish’s finale in 2004, until now. He recently recorded his first solo effort, and returned to the road for a short run through the East and Midwest. Like a phoenix, McConnell has resurrected his stage persona and masterful musicianship, while displaying leadership qualities uncharacteristic of his Phish role.
Backed by a steady group of musicians and former Phish lighting director Chris Kuroda, McConnell and band flowed through an extended set in Chicago at the intimate Vic Theater. Opening the night with "Stuck in the Middle With You", McConnell sounded fresh. His soft melodic vocals fit naturally into the song, and his band sounded tight. After "Stuck..." was an extended romp of "Back in the Basement" off the new album. This instrumental was hot.

Mountain Jam - June 1-3, 2007 - Hunter Mountain, NY

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What do you get when you cross a stellar line-up, sneaky security and police presence, and ominous weather? The answer is the third annual Mountain Jam. Oh, and I forgot to mention red clay mud.Most of us arrived dry and intact and looking forward to a weekend of great music. I set up shop in the middle of a tent city with good friends on all sides and proceeded with the weekend.

The first act that really struck me was, of course, Burlington, VT’s own, RAQ. They’ve really come into their own by heavily touring and playing together on stage all the time. Some of their songs cause you to pump your fist and chant anthem-like lyrics while others just make you groove. You can really hear that they mesh well and have a lot of fun bringing the funk as was most apparent in their afternoon set of music.

Asheville Music Jamboree - June 1-3, 2007 - Take 2

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The Asheville Music Jamboree at Deerfields (NC) was a sweet treat to welcome festival season. This Eco-Conscious, Kid Friendly adventure in the beautiful hills of North Carolina was an excellent pot of roots rock music stew, from the Carolina mountain music to the roots of Jamaica, through to the revolutionary fusions of Rastagrass Appalachian Reggae and rock.

Echoes of revolution, positivity and respect for the Earth bounced all over the venue, from Ralph Rodenberry's "You and your light can change the world" to Sol Driven Train's "Humble yourself before the Earth," to Michael Franti's "Everyone deserves music, sweet music." The festival gave a little taste of the flavor of Asheville, NC, which is exactly what any festival should do for its guests. It was like the city of Asheville had a day in the park... the sights, the sounds, the community of peaceful people, those out there driven to make a better world...

Known for their clever songwriting, lush vocal harmonies and one of the tightest rhythem sections on the scene, 56 Hope Road travels around the country in a 1988 Fleetwood RV, sharing their message of optimism and an organic blend of rock and soul with fans of all ages. Bonded like a family, the music has an unmistakable honesty and openness. They allow the joy of spontaneous creativity to color their song-based arrangements - neither losing their musical center, nor restricting its growth. With a blend of acoustic songwriting, funk, jazz and improvisation, this music is acoustic funk at its finest!
By Clara Rose Thornton

Rax Trax recording studios is housed within a squat brick building in Chicago's frenetic Lakeview neighborhood. Crouched on an unassuming side street and requiring low-level mental athletics to pinpoint its address plate or figure out that one has, indeed, arrived at the right spot, it doesn't seem to be part of the surrounding hustle and bustle. It hangs back, content, letting the bistros and flashy clothing stores do their respective dances for passers-by. Once inside, though, a palpable rush of human warmth, benevolence and radiant enthusiasm zings through the air like a wayward dart. Bright colors, band stickers, scribbled one-liners on kitchen cabinets and both hilarious and poignant photos of musicians who spent endless hours there eking out their creations only enforce the feeling. The inner sanctum of Rax Trax can be likened to a beating heart, joyous for its own existence and spreading that love to those who venture toward. Oddly enough, this is exactly the nature of roots rock purveyors 56 Hope Road, who were camped out there on a spring Sunday, tirelessly and joyously working on their upcoming 4th album due in the fall. The seven-piece "acoustic funk explosion" -- Dave Hamilton (lead vocals, guitars), Casey Fitzpatrick (saxophone), Greg Fundis (drums, percussion), Chad Sanders (bass), Anne Hamilton Katzfey (vocals), Matt Katzfey (percussion) and Tim Reid (vocals, keyboards) -- are not interested in screaming their worth to the world and constantly talking a boastful game about their heavy touring schedule, improvisational prowess or steady rise to national recognition, like some bands. They'd prefer you to just step inside their world, and see for yourself. Voted by Jambase as the #1 Road Warrior Band, they're surely headed to a venue near you. They can also be seen at this year's venerable Dogstock, a massive philanthropic festival event taking place in Melvern, Kansas, July 26-29 (www.dogstockfestival.com). In this exclusive interview, Hamilton gets candid and possibly controversial while taking a break from his recording session, nursing coffee and an infectious smile.

Home Grown Music Network - Can you describe the band's origins?

Dave Hamilton - We started in Decatur, Illinois, around 1998 as a three-piece - guitar, bass and drums. Then I moved to Colorado for a year and started writing tunes. I moved back, and that's when our drummer Greg went to DePaul [University, in Chicago] for grad school. We thought, "Hmm, Chicago's a good place to start," so we started playing music here. Didn't play a ton of gigs at the start; we worked our way up. We saved all our money and went on tour three years ago. We've done about 220 shows a year for the last three years.

HGMN - How many band members are there? There seem to be a lot.

DH - There's a touring group of five. My sister and her husband play with us around Chicago. But she just had a baby a month ago, so she's not back in the swing yet. She's an amazing singer, and her husband plays percussion. They both will be on this new album that's coming out.

HGMN - What's the new album going to be called?

DH - Play It By Ear. Well...probably. (laughs)

HGMN - Your music, as I characterize it, has a very warm, richly personal, "common man" sort of sound. Was this a conscious choice? In other words, did band members specifically look to certain groups or genres to garner inspiration, or did the sonic aspect of 56 Hope Road evolve more naturally?

DH - [It] more naturally evolved. We never tried to sound like anything. We had our own sound and we realized that's what it uniquely was. It's good driving music. It's mellow a lot of the time. But compared to our live show... Our live show is very energized and you'll be dancing the whole time.

HGMN - What themes do you like to explore lyrically?

DH - When I first started writing, I never wanted to sing about relationships. It seemed like that was the standard cliched song. As if...

HGMN - ...everybody upon everybody does it.

DH - Everybody's singing about how his or her heart's broken. But then my heart got broken, you know what I'm saying? So as far as getting the truthfulness out from inside, that's the most truthful music I've ever written because it really struck me deep. This next album is very reflective of what relationships are about, expectations within relationships, getting let down in relationships and also getting surprised in a relationship. Before it was about trying to write political songs or songs that were about everyday life besides relationships. But man, you know how it is.

HGMN - Yeah, when it happens, it happens.

DH - (laughs) When it happens, it happens. And as a songwriter, that's the best way to get it out. You need to get your feelings out there so you can move on.

HGMN - So do you think of songwriting as a sort of catharsis, then?

DH - Yes, completely.

HGMN - How would you describe the dynamic between 56 Hope Road and its audience?

DH - It's a close-knit one, definitely. We try to bring a party atmosphere to our shows most of the time. That's what people have come to expect. I love doing the acoustic shows too because you can really get it mellow and have people just sitting there and listening, not talking. The relationship is a constant, growing thing. You've got new and old fans, and that relationship is always, hopefully, growing, and will never stop growing. Hey, that's a hard question!

HGMN - Have you started to see a sort of cult-like fan base growing around the band?

DH - Definitely. In Colorado, we've got a lot of stuff going on. Colorado, Arizona, and Minnesota are hittin' for us. We've found a couple of pockets where people are just into it. So we keep on going back to those spots, and magic will grow. We just did our first tour out west, and man, California's where it's at.

HGMN - Why do you say that?

DH - Because the people are so open to experience new things. They're not going to judge you the way it seems sometimes on the East Coast or even in the Midwest, where people have preconceptions of you or your music or what you might look like or might sound like. Out there, there's this freedom. They accept your expression more. They're not afraid to dance by themselves (snaps fingers) to start it off. I love the freedom out there.

HGMN - So do you feel that the scene in each of the four regions of the country has it's own tone?

DH - Oh yeah.

HGMN
- How would you characterize, say, the Midwest versus the South, specifically in terms of sound?

DH
- Well, South like New Orleans -- that's where a lot of music came from. A lot of the funk bands, like The Funky Meters, they created the whole scene down there. You've also got your southern rock, which is a whole 'nother scene. In the Midwest, there's also an incredible mix. You've got all kinds of music up here. You've got your hard rock, you've got your rockabilly, you've got your blues, your jazz.

HGMN
- It seems that there's starting to be a lot of integration between hip-hop and rock -- rock improvisation with a hip-hop MC in front. I feel that's really happening in the Midwest more than I see it happening in other places.

DH - That's happening a lot out in the mountain towns, too. In Colorado, they're so into it. You get an MC up there with you, and they can blow up the crowd (snaps fingers again) like that, if they're good. I love that aspect. We do have a couple rappers who come and play with us occasionally, and I love it every time. I would love to have an MC in the group permanently. It would change our direction a little bit, but it would be great if that person could maybe play percussion and sing, too. (laughs)

HGMN - Like while they're rapping, have some conga drums going?

DH - Seriously!

HGMN - In terms of the tone of the scene in different regions, I really feel -- and I might be biased, since I grew up here -- that the Midwest is one of the most accepting. You say that you feel California is the most, but I don't know. When I lived on the West Coast -- and granted, I was in Oregon and only made it to California a couple times -- I felt the presence of a sort of cliquish aspect, more so than in the Midwest. The Midwest to me seems "down home." You know, flatlands. Very friendly and open.

DH - Well, I do hear what you're saying. That sounds like Boulder. And I don't want to point fingers at Boulder, but it's soooo cliquish. Many people there have to be Mr. and Mrs. Cool.

HGMN - Like, (affecting a smirking grimace) what bands are you into? That kind of thing.

DH - Yeah. But my point mainly focused on there being more of the people there that are into our style of music. Folks are into it here, but there are a lot of people here who just want to hear '70s rock n'roll. That's what they listen to, and they don't care to open their mind up to other things. They just want to hear a cover band. They want to go see stuff they already know so they can get drunk and not worry about it. I like crowds that are about original music, about creating art, about doing something different and opening their minds to explore new things.

HGMN - Do you feel there's a different level or nature of interaction possible between a band and its audience in a festival atmosphere versus a bar or club show, or vice versa?

DH - The festival atmosphere is so cool because there's so much music going on. You're there for days, too. Everyone's on his or her own little personal journey. At a club you kind of just show up and leave and go back to your house. But at a festie, you're just there hanging out, you know? You may meet a person, and be hanging out with them for the next two days. I love that; people at festivals are always looking to meet new people and to experience new things.

HGMN - So you prefer that atmosphere?

DH - I can't stay at a festival, like...forever, you know what I'm saying? (laughs)

HGMN - My mind would go.

DH - Yeah. But it has its major joys. In a festie atmosphere people are already acclimated to a situation of listening to music -- they're there and ready. And I love people most when people dance. That brings me joy because I can physically see their energy, I can take that energy and give it back to them, and then they give it back to me and I go (makes a "fly away" motion).

HGMN - So it's a reciprocal relationship.

DH - Exactly.

HGMN - How did you get involved with Dogstock?

DH - We just put our press kit in and they contacted us. We have done a couple of things with [Loyal Family, the festival organizers and promoters]. Loyal Family is part of our network and our big family, so hooking up with those guys was a no-brainer.

HGMN - Dogstock is quite appealing to me because of the fact that it's a benefit show, for the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation. I find it very unique for a festival of that size -- 100-plus bands on four stages -- to donate proceeds not only to a good cause but to a cause supporting animals. That's pretty amazing, and I'm interested to hear your thoughts on festival culture's role in philanthropy. Do you feel that there's enough of a humanitarian/goodwill aspect there currently? Do you feel that should be hyped up?

DH - Every festival, in my mind, should be serving a higher purpose, for humanity and dog-manity.

HGMN - (laughs) Dog-manity? Maybe animal-manity. "Anamity!"

DH - We're making great new words here.

HGMN - I commend all the bands, like 56 Hope Road, that got involved. If every festival could have that aspect going on, then, when the bands are promoting their shows there they're also promoting the good cause.

DH - Activism, fundraising and philanthropy are really important, definitely. Music is about spreading love, at least for me. That's the main thing. That's why we do what we do -- to make people happy. I just want to make people smile and possibly relieve them of some of the stresses in their lives. Afford them a little getaway. And the songs that I write, maybe they can get a message out of them that can help them understand things within their lives.

HGMN
- Can you comment on the current explosion of the festival scene, and what you think 56 Hope Road's place is in it?

DH - I'm happy that it's exploding. It's definitely getting bigger and bigger. I wish we had a bigger place in it. We're on High Sierra [in Quincy, California, July 5-8, www.highsierramusic.com] this year, and I'm really excited about that. I've heard that festival is the bomb.

HGMN - I've heard that it's on another level.

DH - Another level, yes. There seems to be an increasing presence of cop influence and dirty vibes going around at some of the bigger festivals, and I've heard that High Sierra's not like that at all, that there's this free atmosphere. Everyone's chilling out, having a good time. People don't have to worry about getting searched, undercover cops and all that crap. So I'm looking forward to it.

There's been a switch. When I discovered this scene growing up, it was the Grateful Dead. I was 18, thrown out there, and was like "Wow. This is what it's about. I can't believe people are like this, are so nice like this. I can talk to anybody." The community was there. And then the whole Phish thing started. All those Phish kids... Oh man, I'm just sitting here talking crap. (laughs) I hate that; never mind.

HGMN - It's okay, you should express yourself.

DH - It just seems that [the Phish] scene was all about selling drugs and getting messed up. It wasn't about the music, you know? Things changed. I miss the days of everybody getting together and having a good time for the music and the music being the number one thing. Now, the music seems secondary to the party.

HGMN - Do you acknowledge any specific moment when this turn occurred? I know you mentioned Phish, but is there any specific moment you can recall in the 1990s when it was obvious that it'd started happening? Because festivals basically started to proliferate in the mid-90s, and I'm wondering if you see any correlation.

DH - In '96, right after the Grateful Dead quit [touring], right after Jerry died, is when I started to think about it. I went to a couple Phish shows, and I guess I was just trying to get the same feelings that I got at a Dead show. It never even came close. It was a younger crowd, but that younger crowd is older now. Summer Camp and other festivals are where those kids are now.

HGMN - Okay, last question: If you could give three adjectives that describe 56 Hope Road, what would they be?

DH - "Positive." Positivity is big for us. That's something that we all struggle with within our own lives. We focus on staying positive and keeping that ball rolling [in the music]. "Aggressive." We are aggressive in the way we run our business and in the way we play our shows -- when it's time to play, we're all there, we're a team, and we're going to give the best show that we can. We're aggressive in pursuing positivity. And lastly...we're lovable. Does that count?

HGMN - It sure does. (laughs) So is that what a Dogstock audience can expect, "positively aggressive love?"

DH - Absolutely! Good, we made it happen! I was worried about that one...

Check out 56 Hope Road's most recent studio disc, the sweetly lyrical Drop it All, available now at the link above. Also available is their debut studio creation All Points Connect -- featuring fan favorites "Future Sons" and "New Philosophy" -- as well as the soaring live compilation Once in Our Lives, all available at Home Grown Music. See you on Hope's road.       
Whether it's the searing social messages, the party uke songs, or the three lovely ladies harmonizing that seduce you to the groove, one thing is undisputed: Public Property is hot.
By: Patrick Knibbs

HGMN: For those unfamiliar with Public Property how would you describe the band in one sentence?

Bess: Public Property is a 7-piece reggae act out of Iowa City, IA, complete with female vocalists, full harmonies, a ukulele, and songs that speak to our modern struggles without relying on any religious context or contrived assumptions of what reggae should be.

HGMN: One doesn't usually picture Iowa City as a hot-bed for Reggae. How did this all come about?

Bess: I could say that it came about because I was born and raised in Hawaii and reggae is huge there. I grew up with it and wanted to represent what I loved about the music I grew up with in Public Property. Or I could say that these days it doesn't really matter where you're from, because music is readily available all over the world and cultures across oceans are constantly influencing each other. It all depends on what you're exposed to.

HGMN: With seven members, and soaring gas prices. How will Public Property survive on the road? Have any your upcoming "road" gigs been hampered by this?

Bess: Not yet. We try and keep a tight budget as much as possible. We eat cheap on the road and are always watching what we spend and what's coming in. Our van runs on diesel and has fairly good gas mileage considering the weight it's pulling, so we probably don't have it as bad as some other bands. Plus we can run on biodiesel when we can find it. We will most likely become part of a biodiesel coop in IC very soon to help cut the cost and help support local biodiesel and for obvious environmental reasons.

HGMN: Where does Public Property foresee the future of music, in general, heading? And how will Pub Prop fit into that vision?

Bess: Right now it looks like all sorts of styles are merging and established styles continue to push on and evolve. As Jaco said, we don't play fuckin fusion, we play music! That being said, many of our heroes and influences are dead, so it's good that we maintain some sort of line of evolution. I am proud to play reggae music and keep reggae music alive. I don't believe any established "style" or genre will ever die. Hip-hop will never die, reggae will never die. They will just keep evolving with the times. I met a Rasta in San Francisco who had played horn with Bob Marley way back in the day. He must have been in his late 60s or early 70s. He said he was happy to see that our generation was continuing reggae music, the evolution of it, etc. That was one of the best things anyone could have said to me about our band: that he was happy to see we were continuing what he and so many others had started. I'm not sure where we fit in this future, or this present. Hopefully we can fit on your iPod or in your CD player.

HGMN: Has playing and traveling with the two ladies (Margaret, and Marvena) made the gents in the band behave a little differently?

Bess: Mareva is spelled like so. Traveling with the ladies has never been different for me, since they were pretty much in the band from the beginning. We would probably be more disorganized, eat worse food, and argue more if they weren't with us. But who knows? I was dating Mareva before she joined the band, so that is a whole different set of circumstances. I imagine that if the girls weren't in the band we'd all be a bit more slutty, though maybe not, cause some of us don't get much on the road anyways. We'd be a more boring and predictable bunch without them, and probably say more stupid shit because of it.

HGMN: What can we expect from Public Property in the immediate future - new album, touring, ect?

Bess: Right now we are rehearsing and writing new material. We are crossing our fingers that our 4th album will be released in 2007. Right now it looks promising. We are pretty much constantly touring. After Wakarusa we are going to Colorado for a couple weeks, then Returning to the Midwest for touring and some recording, then back to Colorado after Dogstock. We are taking a 2 week vacation in August after which we are jumping back into touring the Midwest. We are planning an east coast tour in the fall and tentatively planning a tour to the West coast and Hawaii in early 2008.

HGMN: Are there any groups you guys are playing with this summer that you're looking forward to see, from a fan's perspective?

Bess:
Oteil and the Peacemakers were great to see at Summercamp. Unfortunately we will miss a lot at Wakarusa because we have to keep moving after our show. Looking forward to playing a couple shows with Euforquestra and playing at Camp Euforia in July (a local festival they put on). If we get into the 10,000 Lakes Festival, we would all be pretty stoked to see Dweezel. Crossing our fingers.

HGMN: How do you feel about the mission behind Dogstock? And our any of you guys pet owners?

Bess: I think it's a great mission. Unfortunately we are not pet owners. We all live together and all tour together, so it's too much to properly take care of a pet. Margaret has a cat that she had to give up to her mom because of all the band touring. Right now the rabbits in the yard and our pit bull of a merchandise man will have to do.     

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