The Freio Music Podcast
Episode 024 - Bridget Law & Tierro Lee
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FMP 024 – Bridget Law and Tierro Lee
World’s Finest
The Domino Room-February 17th, 2017
Last Friday at the Domino Room in downtown Bend, Oregon, we were able to catch Leftover Salmon’s opener, World’s Finest. Featuring an electric banjo, saxophone, and vintage guitar, they had a rustic and organic vibe. Blending elements of ska, bluegrass and reggae, they were able to touch on several familiar sounds while adding their own character and a bit of a twist.
Juggling genres and different styles, it was obvious the group drew inspiration from assorted backgrounds. There were many moments of feel-good-bluegrass easily associated with Portland and The Pacific Northwest. Both upbeat and rock influenced it reminded me of groups like Fruition. Other times they would tone things down and switch over to reggae and ska. Some highlights included “Rub-a-dub” reggae and well timed breakdowns to group acapellas. With flexible musicianship, they were able to showcase a few covers as well. My favorite was their funky-bluegrass cover of “Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band. The nostalgia of the song, accompanied with their provocative saxophone, was a great way to close out the set.
Full of fun energy and a feel good vibe, World’s Finest had very personable crowd interaction and seemed to thoroughly enjoy their time on the stage.
Check out the links below for music and more on the World’s Finest!
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
The Volcanic Pub Theater-February 12th, 2017
Wildly entertaining, eccentric and funk-nasty. The words that come to mind after last nights show at The Volcanic Theater in Bend, Oregon. I knew to expect some funk with an East Coast jam band influence. What I didn’t expect was a roller coaster of spacey interludes, mambo break-beats, and jazz waltz noodling. And yes, of course there was always a sneaky funk breakdown to tie it all together. On point transitions and tight coordination amongst the group allowed for fresh switch ups and genre blending. It’s hard to explain exactly how I would classify their style, but just take my word for it, you don’t want to miss them live. Its beautiful, musical madness at its finest. With a packed house on a Sunday night, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong definitely have a following and were a perfect fit for the wacky Bend crowd, looking to get the most out of their Sunday night.
It’s rare that you come across such an animated front-man as lead singer and guitarist Greg Ormont. Sporting pajama pants and a frizzy Afro, I’m pretty sure he never blinked. His wide array of facial expressions were both engrossing and humorous. My initial hesitation slowly grew into captivation and it became hard to look away. Incredibly skilled guitarist Jeremy Schon really took it to the next level. It was clear that this type of seasoned musicianship demanded a bigger stage. With a calm, natural presence on stage, Ben Carrey laid down filthy, funk bass lines to back the group. Drummer, Alex Petropulos playfully transitioned between different tempos, genres and moods with ease. All together, this group was a tight knit team. Their raw and playful energy on stage really reflected their confidence to push their music to new boundaries.
This group is big news and word is spreading fast. They had so much support that they were able to fund their new studio album “Pizazz” through contributions from their followers. It should be releasing sometime this Fall. Also, make sure and check out their new live album “The Great Outdoors Jam” coming out February 17th!! For those of you out in Colorado, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will be playing at Red Rocks, August 13th with Moe and Twiddle!
Written by Greg Powell
Photography by Molly Buckiewicz
For more info on upcoming tour schedule, music and the band check out the links below!!
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Sonic Bloom 2016
Sonic Bloom 2016 has a stacked lineup producing incredible performances too numerous to describe here. It is safe to say, “SonicBloom has become one of the best electronic music festivals in North America!” It is worth noting the international talent attracted to the base of the Colorado Rockies to share their vision, talent and art. To see the full lineup click here.
The mindfulness and vision to attract the top talent from across the globe, must be recognized and commended. The three official stages vibrated with historic house music. This festival is the nexus of the Colorado electronic music scene. The location is perched atop a beautiful space of land with the foothills of the Rockies to the west and windmill filled fields that go on to meet the eastern horizon. The festival has succeeded at curating a fertile ground for the world-wide cutting edge of musical maneuvering.
The sound systems are tuned to the valley and can bump through the entire festival grounds. The security is appropriately staffed and energetically aligned. The friendly faces can be found throughout the campgrounds, stages, in swinging hammocks, in high fiveing security guards, or the dancing chefs who happily serve nourishing food at reasonable prices. The ice, in high demand in the hot sun is the only noticeably overpriced product at $1/lb. The showers run at full capacity as people line up for their chance to clean off that layer of accumulated dust and dirt that is kicked up from all of the movement. The sunny and beautiful weather also brings with it the dryness enabling the dirt to turn to dust. The wind is welcome and the stream is an oasis for people looking to take a dip and cool off.
The unofficial or ‘renegade’ stages include tipis and camp sites stacked with speakers and subs. The colorful crowd and the apex of art have arrived to create an immersive experience that people are willing to dedicate four days to. Some of the crowd has traveled from across the continent to enjoy the this dreamed up reality.
This festival has become a small close nit group of people who are looking out for one another to form a utopic village for just under a week. The production continues after the last set as everything needs to return to its original order; stages must come down, lasers, lights, projectors, sound & lighting boards, 1,000’s of yards of electric wiring, speakers, microphones, instruments, and framework to name a few. The thankless work of setting up all of the stages and hauling in the gear was executed with time to spare and enough technology to entertain even the most avid of festival goers.
People in their ‘A-Game’ costumes come energetically into the festival entrance in groups. Everyone has made 10+ new friends and friendly neighbors. The exchange of ideas, paints, music and visual art permeate the mind of every attendee. One cannot help but be inspired by something of unique beauty.
Day in the Life; at Sonic Bloom:
Winds whip down the hills and across the plains. Dust moves in a hurried Eastwood direction. Every walk of electronic culture strolls through the grounds interacting with experiences, sonic vibrations and frequencies across the perceptible spectrum. Cars have been rolling in for over 12 hours at a steady pace filling up the campgrounds. The lucky and wise are nestled among the 6′ shrubbery whose neighbors are bushes and trees. My neighbors on the other hand-made the pilgrimage to SonicBloom from Louisiana. A tightly packed vehicle of four young energetic and enthusiastic beautiful artistic human beings. As a group, it does not seem possible to gather so many like-minded humans in a place to enjoy and thrive in a collaborative environment.
Friendly staff greet the goers. The hippy chicks and the electric glowers.
From the lighting to the sound, from the stages to the camp ground, there are smiles to go around. With the hammocks from Yammocks, and the beats from the peeps the festi is full of fun-loving music geeks.
Three stages of stacked sets featuring some of the top electronic acts from around the world. American electronic music lovers treat this event as an annual pilgrimage to discover and reunite with the music, people and source of creative energy that is the foundation of a festival. Creativity flows from the ornately decorated stages and sublimely composed tracks that suddenly take hold of the listeners and create a simultaneous bodily expression of enjoyment including but not limited to twerking, spinning, jumping, dropping, exploding or floating.
The breeze kicked up into a howl for Nightmares on Wax’s last song featuring one of the most recognizable guitar riffs around. The high energy Bonobo set was filled with masterfully woven bass lines pulsing through the night. The crowd can be heard cheering for miles.
The late night stages rage like there is no finality to human diurnality. The artists continue to stoke the flaming crowd into the next adventure and from one set to the next. The solitude of night embraced with the warmth of bass and faces.With the evolution of the performances, the pulse of the festival was amplified and magnified by the exemplified beat technique. The audible entertainment abruptly ended, with a slow retreating high pass filter that faded out for 15 min or more notifying the audience that the silent disco was starting. With headphones on, the party rolls on…
The nexus of Colorado electronic music counter-culture is here; at Sonic Bloom, on the beautiful property at Humming Bird Ranch.
Wonderfruit
Take a look at Wonderfruit’s official trailer for “Journey to Wonderfruit”. This one of a kind festival kicks off Dec 17-20th. Take a look at what really makes Thailand a special destination for what’s being called Thailand’s socially-conscious, eco-friendly version of Coachella.
Wonderfruit has added new acts to the lineup: Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), Rhye, Lucent Dossier Experience, Daedelus, Catching Flies, Greasy Café and more join a hyped 1st wave roster including The Faint, The Submotion Orchestra, and the world premiere of Jon Hopkins x Chris Levine’s audiovisual collab, iy_project.
The festival aims to be part of a shifting paradigm in Asia.
Date: December 17th-20th 2015
Country: Thailand
Festival: Wonderfruit
More details:
PATTAYA Chonburi, Thailand – Wonderfruit Festival Thailand’s pioneering, sustainability focused and eco-friendly festival, featuring world-class international live acts and DJs. From hip-hop and electronic to alt-R&B, Thai folk, techno and circus arts, as well as a variety of regional Asian acts, Wonderfruit is set to spellbind audiences with the best music and performances from around the globe.
The second wave is led by legendary hip hop artist Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), R&B duo Rhye and the breathtaking, twirling, fire-breathing cirque performers of Lucent Dossier Experience. The international line up also includes Heartthrob, Elektro Guzzi, Daedelus, Goldroom, Viceroy, Catching Flies, Com Truise, Papercutz, Anchorsong, Arjun Vagale, Ocean Lam and Gaby Endo. Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Thai artists on the bill include Pongsit Kampee, Greasy Cafe, Boy Thai, Kidnappers and Dan Buri. They join a stand-out first wave including the world premiere of Jon Hopkins x Chris Levine’s iy_project, The Faint, Submotion Orchestra, Howie B, Dapayk Solo, and more.
Get a deeper glimpse into the magic of what’s to come with the official “Journey to Wonderfruit” trailer. The forthcoming mini-film from The Confluence is teased here with stunning shots of Thailand, the festival’s home, which mingle with visages showcasing the beauty of Wonderfruit’s people coming together to celebrate art, creativity, and individuality.
Providing homes to this diverse spectrum of artists are the highly conceptualized Wonderfruit stages. The Main Stage will be transformed by artist Joel Dean Stockdill into a sculptural paradise using locally sourced materials, while the Solar Stage will be designed by Los Angeles-based Vita Motus, renowned for their innovative stage designs for Coachella’s Do LaB stage and Boom Festival. Leading Thai contemporary fashion house, Issue will team up with architecture collective, Bang Bang to embellish the Soi Stage by layering specially designed printed fabrics with alluring chinoise architectural elements. The festival grounds will be further brought to life with incredible art installations that interact with the local ecology as well as Wonderfruit guests.
Younger festival goers too can get creative with the activities in dedicated kids’ area, Camp Wonder. From free running workshops with champions Team Farang and a kids’ disco, to foraging and traditional kite-making, plus storytelling, magic and a puppet show from Chao Khun Thong, it’s the perfect place for little ones to express themselves and for parents to join them in having fun and exploring Wonderfruit’s sustainable ethos. What’s more, with a professional nanny service on hand, grown ups can drop the tots off while they explore the delights of the field.
Joining award-winning Chef Gaggan in the Theatre of Feasts is noted mixologist, Shingo Gokan, owner of Speak Low in Shanghai, who will design a signature cocktail to be served to feasters. Foodie favorites Hong Bao, Bad Motel, Fillets, Broccoli Revolution, Maison Jean Philippe, Moo Ping Hea Owen and more than 20 traditional Thai street food outlets are set to join hungrily anticipated food and drink vendors Knock, Rocket, Surface and Peppina. Stay tuned for the full epicurean lineup and list of vendors for Wonderfruit 2015.
As well as delectable eats, Wonderfruit offers food for thought; brand new for this year, Scratch Talks presents global thought leaders including Dream Rockwell – the founder of Lucent Dossier Experience, legendary music producer Howie B and noted architect Duangrit Bunnag for a series of perspective-altering interactive discussions. Additionally, The Sharing Neighbourhood, presented by SC ASSET, provides a platform for passionate individuals to share their unique skills and deliver engaging workshops from handicrafts and mask-making to yoga, dance and meditation. Further outward-bound activities include human foosball, tug of war, aqua-volleyball and silly circuit training at Wonder Boot Camp, while indulgent treatments are available in the Healing Village from energetic body mapping to reiki.
From December 17-20, 2015 in The Fields at Siam Country, just 150 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, Wonderfruit presents not only an unforgettable party but a transformative experience, rooted in their ethos of social responsibility.
For more info visit: WonderfruitFestival.com
Countdown: 7 Days – Arise Music Festival 2015
Its official, there are only 7 days left to buy your tickets to Arise Music Festival without missing a beat! If you are like us, you are trying to squeeze in as much entertainment into your summer as your wallet can buy and your boss will allow, listen up. Ticket prices increase August 1st, so act now and buy your tickets here. To find out more info about who is playing, the daily schedule and driving directions: click here. If you have already attended the festival in past years please leave your impressions of the festival below in the comments. A quick festival check list for you is below. Add any items we may have missed in the comments below.
When:
August 7-9th. (Early camping for 3day pass holders starts the 6th at 4pm.
What to bring:
Water bottle
Camping equipment: sleeping bag & tent (or a snuggly friend)
Artistic clothes, instruments, structures, face paint, and
Hat & sunscreen
Warm and cold clothes (day and night).
*If you plan for bad weather you will have a blast regardless what nature throws at you; so bring that rain coat!
Food, Money, and Snacks
Friends
A positive attitude, a large lasting smile and a camera for those special moments.
Arise Music Festival is truly one of a kind. In the state of Colorado, there has never been a comparable event. Arise will take place again at the extraordinarily beautiful and welcoming Sunrise Ranch, just outside of Loveland, Colorado. The location is spectacular and the festival has improved every year since its inception. With new amenities, artists, and attractions this year is poised to be the best Arise Festival yet. Colorado’s flourishing artistic community will be present and your arrival will be icing on the cake. We hope to see you there!
For more information, keep on reading ~ . . .
The 2015 installment of theARISE Music Festival is set to kick off on August 7-9 at the scenic Sunrise Ranch in Loveland, CO.
The three-day camping event will feature headlining performances with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Polish Ambassador, Emanicpator Ensemble, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Ozomatli, Trevor Hall, Rising Appalachia alongside over 100 live performances across 6 stages.
The ARISE Music Festival first came to life at the picturesque Sunrise Ranch just west of the town of Loveland, CO in the summer of 2013 — bringing forth a full-bodied, innovative festival experience with a tangible uplifting vibe. While the two main stages and the electronic zone will always be the ARISE Festival’s primary attractions, the 3-day gathering is also filled with yoga classes, health-oriented workshops, celebrity and environmentally active presenters, along with a children’s village and parades each day.
Much more than just a concert experience, ARISE offers an array of interactivedaytime activities, camping opportunities and a vending village that showcases a bohemian-style specialty coffee shop with a full espresso bar, unique craft vendors, delicious organic and natural food vendors and trucks, and unique goods from around the world.
At every twist and turn, ARISE offers a visual feast for the eyes and an experience for the senses. As roving puppeteers, stilt walkers, large-scale art installations and live painters dot the valley, it is clear that the annual ARISE Festival devotes as much energy into showcasing varied art forms as it does it’s main attraction…live music. 
Taking a peek under the proverbial hood of the festival one might find that ARISE Festival’s mechanics are grounded in conscious environmental ethics. Located on an organic farm with over 100 acres of festival grounds, ARISE puts a considerable amount of effort into greening up the “leave no trace” event by implementing high standards of sustainability practices and environmental stewardship. Local event service provider ZERO HERO empowers attendees with the knowledge and systems needed to easily recycle and compost and divert waste. The event also prides itself in providing FREE drinking water to festival attendees, choosing not to allow the sale of water in plastic bottles, and encouraging festival-goers to bring their refillable water bottles. ARISE has also aligned with Fort Collins-based non-profit Trees Water & People to plant a tree for every ticket sold.
For music fans interested in sustainable gardening techniques, The Polish Ambassador will host a Permaculture Action Day at Sunrise Ranch on Thursday, August 6th. The Action Day includes earth-based, hands-on projects and educational techniques in the study of permaculture design. For those who want to dive deeper, The Polish Ambassador also be hosting an Intensive Permaculture Course in the 3 days leading up to the festival at Sunrise Ranch. The course is a comprehensive program that will take students through the permaculture design process; touching on soils, water, forest gardening, appropriate technology, and several other aspects of whole systems design. With a focus on catalyzing social transformation, intensive attendees will learn techniques for regenerating ecology, as well as explore community building through action-oriented organizing. The Intensive Permaculture Course will only be available to 30 preregistered guests and will be an additional cost for participants. (Details for the Action Day can be found here).
Perhaps one of things that makes ARISE stand out from most of the other festivals in Colorado’s vibrant music scene is a commitment to book distinct artists covering diverse musical genres that brings a richly well-rounded approach to live entertainment. Day and night, festival goers can enjoy over 100 live bands at any of the six stages or just take in the pristine views from one of the onsite bars or beer gardens.
2015 highlights include daily playshop sessions with featured artists along with a rousing discussion on engagement in social issues with Alex Ebert (Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) and Josh Fox (award winning writer/director of HBO’s Gasland documentary films).
The festival will run from August 7-9 at Sunrise Ranch in Loveland CO, just over an hour from Denver, 45 minutes from Boulder and less that 25 minutes from Fort Collins, in the Colorado Foothills. A full range of upgrade options including VIP passes, Early Camping, Car Camping and Day Passes are available on the event website.
It is also worth noting that ARISE Music Festival is a family friendly event, with free tickets for children 12 and under and half priced Youth Tickets for 13-17 year olds.For the full music line-up and schedule, and to purchase tickets check out www.AriseFestival.com.
Front Country – Concert & Album Review
It was the night of May 5th at Swallow Hill Music Hall in Denver, Colorado. The rain turned to sleet and the sleet turned to heavy snow. The arrival of the Californian Bluegrass band was greeted by nasty weather and a packed house filled with music lovers of all ages. The night began with Rail Splitters from Boulder, Colorado warming up the theater with their quick pick’n and melodic music. By the time Front Country took the stage the audience was ready for steady rhythmic bluesy bluegrass. Front Country is one of those bands who cannot be easily fit into a box or genre. They expand upon all of their individual strengths to blend, mold, and shape the sound until it’s profound.
Front Country’s songs are inspired by a range of topics including but not limited to the snowy state itself, Colorado, and an old time song about a gold mine prostitute. When Melody picks up the Kashishi she woos the crowd with her shakin’ while both Adam and Jacob trade instruments between songs to bring a new sound.
Front country’s album, Sake of the Sound, was created by a sextet (six members). Three of the six band members on the Album have jobs outside of the music industry. The momentum the band is riding keeps gaining speed, propelling that ‘Gospel Train’ around the country. With diverse musical backgrounds, they feed off each other musically to break through traditional boundaries. They have earned University degrees studying, jazz guitar, vocals, classical guitar, and jazz bass. They have worked hard to get to where they are today and it is clearly paying off.
Sake of the Sound
Album Credits: Released 16 September 2014. Mandolin by Adam Roszkiewicz, Guitar and Vocals by Jacob Groopman, Guitar and Vocals by Melody Walker, Banjo and Vocals by Jordan Klein, Violin by Leif Karlstrom, Stand-up Bass by Zach Sharpe. Produced by Kai Welch. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom. Engineered by Scott Bergstrom at 25th Street Recording – Oakland, CA. Mixed by Erick Jaskowiak at J Studio – Nashville, TN. Mastered by Eric Conn at Independent Mastering – Nashville, TN. All songs arranged by Front Country. Photography by Robert Perry. Album Art by Danielle Diessner
They dedicated 10 consecutive (16+ hour) days to the recording of their debut album, Sake of the Sound. While many bands struggle to find a collective sound due to their individualistic desires, Front Country is a band of stars, shining together. Their collaborative spirit is revealed as they dynamically alter their music for maximum impact.
If you enjoy acoustical harmonies with some fast pick’n solos, this band is not one to miss. If you missed the show, the good news is that Front Country will be back in Colorado and touring the country once again in a few weeks. With stops at festivals, such as Campout for the Cause and Meadow Grass, this band is only getting started. They won a place on the main stage at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and they are on their way to a city near you.
To check the latest Front Country tour info: click here
To listen to the FreioMusic interview with Front Country: click here
Front Country – Interview
In this exclusive artist interview, FreioMusic sat down with three members of the up and coming Bay Area band, Front Country. Front Country’s Adam Roszkiewicz, Jacob Groopman, and Melody Walker generously shared their time and stories prior to their first ever performance in Denver, Colorado at Swallow Hill Music Hall.
To Listen, Click on the Track Below:
Front Country – Exclusive FreioMusic Interview 5/9/2015
Click to read more about the band
Click to listen to Front Country’s new album, Sake of the Sound
Envision Festival 2015
Envision Festival 2015
Vive La Experiencia!!
The fifth annual Envision Festival returns to the breathtaking shores of Uvita, Costa Rica,
February 26 through March 1, 2015 with the release of their Official 2015 Video and first music headliner announcement.
Get inspired. Watch the video here.
The festival just announced the first musical headliner, The Polish Ambassador, the world’s funkiest diplomat, with the rest of the lineup to be released soon. Past Envision headliners include Beats Antique, Tipper, Alex Grey, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Emancipator, Rising Appalachia, Papadosio, Rootz Underground, Midnite, The Lucent Dossier Experience, Quixotic, Random Rab, and Costa Rican favorite Sonámbulo.
Now in its fifth year, the magic of previous incarnations of Envision Festival has driven travelers of all types to the scenic beaches and exotic jungles of Costa Rica each February for world-class music, adventure tours, stimulating education, meeting new friends — and one epic party. In this little slice of paradise, explorers find more than a music and art festival, with an abundance of life-changing experiences that enrich the senses and open the mind. Globally-renowned performance artists create whimsical environments, along with interactive art installations and live painters. Yoga teachers from around the world teach rapturous classes for all levels, from those looking to expand their existing master practice to those stepping onto the mat for the first time.
Dance under the stars all night and play all day — swimming, surfing, cliff diving and more. Hike to an enchanted waterfall and make lifelong connections in the Village. As the sun dips below the rim of the Pacific, hundreds of beautiful smiling faces glow in the remaining crimson rays on the beach, gathering to grow, celebrate and create together, to implement permaculture principles, and manifest plans that have been years in the works.
Keep your eyes peeled for the initial lineup coming soon. Discount Early Bird tickets are on sale now. Please sign up for the newsletter, read more about previous Envision Festivals on the website, and visit the links below. Pura Vida!
Envision Media Links:
About Envision Festival:
Envision festival is an annual gathering in Costa Rica that seeks to provide a platform for different cultures to inspire one another to co-create sustainable community and practice yoga, spirituality, art, music, dance performance, education, and acknowledge our fundamental connection with nature.
At the festival’s core, the Envision organizers are leaders of a sustainable permaculture movement that is blossoming throughout Costa Rica. With initiatives such as banning single use tableware in lieu of bamboo and banana leaf alternatives, a festival wide composting system, green building and multiple spaces dedicated entirely to environmental education, it is clear that the intention runs deep. Costa Rica, a world leader in eco-local awareness, serves as the perfect backdrop for such initiatives and the festival itself is designed to provide an example of a style of communal living that is more attainable than ever in an impressively hospitable and lush growing environment.
The Confluence – TheConfluenceGroup.com
If you’re not convinced on going…check out these shots from the amazing photographers who attended previous Envision Festivals.
Arise 2014 Video
Official FreioMusic Arise Festival 2014 Video
Arise Festival 2014 in Loveland, Colorado. Freio Music’s talented team captures the cultural gathering with energy with style. Arise Festival features artists from across the musical spectrum. Share it. Enjoy it. See you next year!
Credits:
Produced by Freio Music
Directed by Joe Morahan & Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
DP by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
Editing by Daniel “Buddy” Thomas
Time-Lapse Photography by
Melissa Harrison, Isaiah ‘Scott’ Brown, & Michael Morahan
Music by
Polish Ambassador