Today, “To The Future” announces its lineup, showcasing some of the biggest names in electronic music. Leading the bill is iconic production duo Ganja White Night and rising bass star Wooli, alongside special guest performances from the legendary Apashe and beloved EDM acts Trivecta and ATLiens. The lineup also features a heavy-hitting roster of support from underground electronic favorites, including Chee, Ivy Lab (DNB Set), Mary Droppinz, Smoakland, Trivecta, YDG, Meduso, and Zen Selekta.

Renowned for its dynamic event productions, BLNK CNVS is poised to bring its unique flair to Nashville’s vibrant scene, marking a significant milestone by introducing a new celebration format within an industrial, raw setting, promising an unmatched atmosphere.

Comments from the Founders: Paul Reed, Co-Founder of BLNK CNVS, shared his excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “We could not be more excited to bring our warehouse parties to Nashville. We have been curating these epic warehouse parties in Miami for a few years now and it’s time to share that with Nashville.” 

“Nashville is our second home and we have so much love for this city, it just makes perfect sense to launch our first ever NYE event here.” 

Cameron Inniss, Talent Buyer at BLNK CNVS, added, “We have been manifesting this event for a couple of years now so we’re all very excited to see it finally come to fruition. This project was always something that we didn’t want to rush as there are so many minor details that go into producing an event like this. We also wanted to make sure we were able to bring some of the best talent that electronic music had to offer for our first warehouse style event in Nashville. This market seems to be growing every week and has honestly exceeded our expectations so we felt this was the perfect time to push some boundaries and launch a new innovative brand for NYE. We can’t wait to share with everyone what we have in store.”

ABOUT BLNK CNVS: BLNK CNVS is a pioneering event production company based in Miami, Florida, renowned for transforming the landscape of live entertainment in the Southeast since its inception in 2017. Specializing in electronic music events, BLNK CNVS has made its mark by hosting an array of unforgettable experiences across a variety of venues, from intimate clubs to large-scale festivals.

With a passion for music and culture at its core, BLNK CNVS aims to connect audiences with innovative performances and immersive atmospheres. As the largest event promoter during Miami Music Week, the company showcased an unparalleled lineup of talent across multiple venues, including Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach, Surfcomber, Strawberry Moon, Oasis, MAD Club, MAD Live, Mana 320, and Mana warehouse in the Wynwood Arts District.

In 2024, BLNK CNVS continued to set the standard with its monumental Miami Music Week events, hosting over 35 shows and selling over 40,000 tickets. The event series featured standout moments like the first-ever DEF x Miami Music Week show, an electrifying B2B set with Martin Garrix, and surprise appearances by Alison Wonderland and Kaskade. These achievements underscore BLNK CNVS’s commitment to delivering world-class events and expanding its footprint in new markets.

Beyond Miami Music Week, BLNK CNVS is expanding its reach through partnerships with Celine in Orlando and Decca Live in Jacksonville, further solidifying its position as a leader in the entertainment industry. The company’s dedication to quality, creativity, and cultural enrichment has established BLNK CNVS as a beloved brand among fans and artists alike, poised to continue its legacy of crafting unique experiences and contributing to cultural enrichment.

Visit their website and follow their social media platforms on  Instagram, Facebook and X. Science is real.

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Of course she was still living in the front seat of the Oldsmobuick but this was nothing knew. It had come down to choices, mostly bad ones and while she’d certainly made her bed, she was now crumpled up in the front seat of the car, missing hers. The chickens had come home to roost. When it came to work destinations the last few years, she’d used this vehicle surgically, finding her way into the heart of the city, only to disappear into the sea of soccer moms and street cleaners. Now she was buried deep the heart of New Orleans, nestled inside a constant hum of activity and potential. Laissez les bons temps rouler. Throw me something mister. For Lent, she’d given up self-control and guilt. Thanks to Pig Out BBQ and The Saddle Bar for welcoming the wranglers into their house. Relax. This is “Sans Souci”. Dispatches from the Quarter.

Things were going finer than frog’s hair as she’d found her parking/living spot a few blocks from one of the several dive bars open twenty-four hours. Except for a few errant drunks falling into the hood and someone crashing into the front bumper, amidst a hasty parallel parking exit, things were coming up roses. She had it better than most hippies on the block just because she could sleep in the wagon, as borderline miserable as it was, it was better than the sidewalk. Everywhere she looked, people were falling down drunk. If her vehicle was going to break down, this was as good a place as any. Sure, everyone knew about Sarah Fortier and her ground glitter, (the dirt/moss blend that could be found in her hair at Suwannee), but here in the womb of the French Quarter they had something called gutter glitter and while she wasn’t sure what it was, she knew she’d worn the scent.

Lucy understood there wouldn’t be enough days or money to get to all of the food she wanted to embrace. Red beans and rice, shrimp po boys, etouffee, gumbo filé. It was Mexican Monday in Boone but how could she eat that here with all the Creole fare? By the time it was over, she would alone, consume a metric ton of beignets. Relax Mr. stage manager, I can assure you this is powdered sugar all over me. The Veux Carre was alive with all manner of tourists, homeless, hustlers and an army of patrons waiting to take the order. For days, she’d been planning on taking a shower at the nearest truck stop but life and continued questionable choices had kept that from happening…and things were going south. She was definitely dirty but it didn’t appear as if anyone else noticed. She wondered if she smelled like a goat and was just unaware. Wherever she went, a swarm of fruit flies circled her vaginal area. Occasionally she would “wipe up” in a restroom or anoint herself with groundscored medicated powder from Hulaween and Dollar Tree deodorant. Indeed, these were the times to be thrifty.

There were always lots of people carrying guitars in this town. And how is it homeless folks always run with dogs? That seems like a expensive hassle. She definitely understood the idea of companionship but dogs, like kids, women and potted plants required attention and money. She always felt like a noob when it came to the ways of the street. How savage could she be when she’d never even hopped a train?

As usual, Lucy was making money just about as fast as it took to spend it. But she was on the skreets and it took money to make money. And it took money to buy oysters and draft beer but from 2-5pm daily the Desire Bar made it easy. Just take it all.

She was close to the edge and for a while she considered busking. After watching how much the hippies made panhandling in Boone, she figured a few hours of busking would hopefully pay for some cheap whiskey and absinthe. But the truth was, almost every back in town appeared to be hauling a guitar. She stayed on the hustle, working when she could and exploring the Quarter when she was loose.

What kind of establishment makes deals with the wranglers? Innovators to be sure. Merchandise for promotional consideration? Networking had replaced traditional commercials and now they were presented as friends to the audience. The worm had finally turned for Lucy.

The Saddle Bar. 715 Bienville St.: With 2 stories of country fun, Saddle Bar is located in New Orlean’s French Quarter, just 60 paces from Bourbon St. With our upscale downstairs bar serving up classic favorites and premium whiskeys, have a seat in the special VIP area, or hang out on the dance floor while the DJ churns up country gold on the speakers! Venture upstairs to play games, visit our rustic bar, check out the extra-large balcony or Ride Randy, the biggest cock in New Orleans! Like a mechanical bull, but it’s a #bigassrooster.

Pig Out BBQ. 537 Toulouse St. (504) 224-2434. Fall off the bone ribs, duck and andouille gumbo was the bill of fare. Served up with slaw, smokin’ macaroni and cheese, pickled vegetables and more duck gumbo? Christ on a popsicle stick, things were finally going Lucienda’s way. This would be a regular stop on all her future trips to the Crescent City. Right down the street from Molly’s and Toulouse Dive Bar, two of her favorite night spots. Like their Instagram page and let Johnathan take care of you the next time you’re in town.

Her mother had warned her about visiting New Orleans. She received all of national information from Fox News so to listen to her explain it, all major cities were rearing from unchecked and rampant waves of criminals, homeless folks and immigrants and a very real combination of all three. Lucy, once again, did not find the hyperbole to be true. #fearmongers?

Usually when one actually visits these locales, the threat is very much exaggerated and otherwise unfounded. And naturally, like any other place, there are hard areas of town, neighborhoods best avoided. Don’t believe the fear-mongers. Don’t support the war-mongers. Hang out with fishmongers.

Monger in fish, not fear.

Enter Welmon Sharlhorn, New Orleans artist with works hanging in the Smithsonian, Collection de l’Art Brut,  and the American Visionary Art Museum. Wrongfully imprisoned in Angola for twenty-six years, it was there he honed his skills at ink art. He and Lucy visited several times at Igor’s, where he imparted his amazing story. Visit this article from Prospect New Orleans for more information.

By the time it was all over she just about broke even, ending up about where she started. Her guitar was still sitting in Salesury, North Carolina but she she still had a few hustles in mind. The hard weather had broken and the irises and morels were close to popping up. It was time to head back to the high country.

Ratonita Frita and Gutter Glitter. She’d seen about half a dozen mice in the last twenty-four hours. The first was in a trap in the kitchen of the Marriot. “Someone should get rid of that”, he said to no one in particular but no one gave any indication of hearing her or much less caring. She saw the rest after the all-night downpour. Two had been drowned, washed out from their gutters and the rest were noticed scurrying from overturned garbage cans. At five am she was headed back to Check Point Charlies. At the early hour, the mice seemed to exhibit a pronounced and eerily aggressive posture.

She was sitting in the bar at about 9am when the bartender broke out the Red Rider BB gun. His quary, a medium-sized mouse edging across the brass railing above the beer taps. Time froze as he proceeded to take aim and plug the varmint midsection. Nary a sound could be heard as the patrons watched the beast fall into the vat of hot grease below. The television broadcast “Invasion of the Bee Girls” as the bartender walked past the bubbling vermin and carefully hung up the wooden sign. “Kitchen Closed”.

Follow the wranglers as we roll south to the Florida spring festival season already under way with Suwannee Spring Reunion and a slew of furry, forest animals in Live Oak. Check out the schedule here. Look for the Kamp Happiness Wook Trap at your next feral adventure.   namaste y’all.

And now you know the rest of the story.

The post Dispatches from the Quarter appeared first on wook wranglers.

Suwannee Hulaween will celebrate its tenth-year anniversary from Thursday, October 26 – Sunday, October 29, 2023, returning home to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. As one of the last truly independent, large-scale music festivals thriving amongst today’s corporatized concert landscape and selling out its last five events, Hulaween will commemorate a decade of success with one of the most exciting editions yet. Headliners for the 2023 edition include six sets from festival founders The String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, John Summit, Elderbrook, Big Wild, Channel Tres, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Smino, Dispatch, and an exclusive East Coast festival appearance from Pretty Lights with 2 sets.

Hulaween’s coveted Spirit Lake is heralded as one of the leading immersive art experiences across American festivals, brimming with talented sculptors, fire/metal workers, painters, thespians, and lighting designers. Attendees can revel in lakefront projection mapping, hypnotizing light shows, interactive installations with both visual and performance art, and catch performances at Spirit Lake’s four stages.

To celebrate the decade milestone, Spirit Lake has unveiled a comprehensive list of art programming for the first time in Hulaween’s history. While the festival would typically keep all art programming a secret for attendees until they arrived on-site, this year each artist and art collective will be credited across the festival app, website, onsite signage, and more. There are a number of Spirit Lake classics that will be returning for Hulaween’s 2023 edition including the highly-anticipated daily projection mapping from professionals Jasper & Shelby Mosher.

Hulaween fan-favorite and highly recognized art stage concept Incendia from Cory Glenn will return to once again ignite the dance floor. Serving as one of the stages of Spirit Lake, Incendia’s unique design utilizes a proprietary fire-capturing technique to create an illuminating glow that provides an unparalleled ambiance for the crowd.

The infamous Frick Frack Black Jack led by Marvelous Marv will once again return to Hulaween as the no cash, no limit blackjack game. The Frick Frack brand has grown to land across various festivals across the United States and continues to provide an enthralling and quirky experience for attendees.

The Mural Maze collection originated at the debut edition of Hulaween and has continued to grow in size over the past decade. Sprawling across 15,000 square feet, this installation provides an immersive experience for attendees and exposure and growth for visual artists. This year’s Mural Maze will be led by Ania Amador. This year The Mural Maze is expanding to include lounge and workshop space Deliberate Creation Station, The Gallery displaying artwork, and the Hydration Station.

Paul Kuhn aka Twelve Limbs Art Studio will bring back the highly-captured large-scale sculptural pieces including the Witch, Ogres, The Ferryman, and more.

Duende Builds will bring back the sustainability-built Birdhouses to Hulaween which are crafted from locally harvested natural materials to create something organically beautiful for the festival’s vast art installation display.

Additional returning installations include Thomas Dambo’s The Spider, Efren Rebugio Jr & Chris Robertson’s Haunted House, Ashley Spero’s Spero Totems, Lost Creations’ House of Lost, and Spirit Lake deco design by RÜTS.

This year will feature a selection of 10 brand-new art installations and concepts that will contribute to making this the largest Spirit Lake ever.

Tyler Schrader will debut a double-sided, interactive, wooden LED sculpture known as The Cosmic Portal which will feature 5,000 LEDs with the other side projection-mapped. It is equipped with a device that detects electrical variations of plants, translating them into vibrations, audio, and visual experiences that encourage attendees to reconnect with nature through the use of technology.

Considered ambassadors of Mexico abroad, the monumental Alebrijes are created by mixing pictorial and sculptural elements of contemporary art by the artist Emanuel Zarate Ortiz. These breathtaking installations are meant to honor tales of traditional Mexican storytelling, and inspire spiritually expansive messages to the Hulaween attendees.

Essi Rhodes’ installation titled Chatterpillars will consist of two human-size caterpillars meant to inspire a change in perspective. Fans can interact with the installation by talking into the caterpillar’s mouth so that a friend or stranger on the other side can hear their thoughts, creating a sort of childhood playground nostalgia.

In an effort to recycle those old style tube televisions, Save the TV’s Irregular Scheduled Programming will utilize these electronics to breathe life into a new display that strives to make people think twice before discarding junk and old electronics.

Subloominal & Voxeleyes will showcase interactive bioluminescent mushrooms in their Bioshroom display which are created by growing and foraging real mushrooms that are 3D scanned and digitally sculpted to be 3D printed. The artists then add LEDs and proximity sensors that will lend a unique visual component to Spirit Lake for Hulaween patrons.

Fans can look forward to more installations such as Daniel Shields’ UV reactive Portal Prism, Charlie BlackCat Smith’s flame-infused interactive steel sculpture, The Fleeble Flobbler, Tyson Ayers’ The Sound Cave, Gnome Village Minis from John Grillo, a unique Campground Stage Design from Hannah Miller and Justin Bolognino, and brand design + illustration from Young & Sick.
At the helm of this new era for Spirit Lake is the new Creative Director, Justin Bolognino who is the CEO and co-founder of META. The company creates live, multi-sensory experiences that use technology, design, and storytelling to ignite the human senses and spirit. Bolognino’s previous work consists of designing immersive artistic experiences in collaboration with artists such as Skrillex, Phish, Questlove, Porter Robinson, Tiësto, and many more. In addition to working with musical acts, META also has various brand clients such as Google, Spotify, Samsung, Vimeo, and more. Gearing up for his first Hulaween edition as Spirit Lake’s Creative Director, Bolognino has fortified the classic installations that fans have come to know and love as well as curating 10 additional installations and experiences.

Spirit Lake has become such a vital part of Hulaween’s identity with its staggering list of art installations and activities that keep fans mesmerized year after year.

The post Spirit Lake Announcements for Hulaween “23 appeared first on wook wranglers.

Destructo, known for nearly 30 years of producing events and helping pioneer sea-bound electronic festivals, unveils his magnum opus: Friendship 2024. At the heart of this unique musical journey is Skrillex, poised to perform a special set during the 24-hour island party at Harvest Caye. The lineup is a harmonious blend of world-renowned artists and emerging talents, with heavyweights like Chris Lake, Bob Moses, Boys Noize, and Chris Lorenzo leading the pack.

Friendship 2024 offers more than just music. It’s a convergence of various entertainment forms. With a commitment to diversity and exploration, the cruise invites attendees to a holistic community-driven experience, bringing together a diverse range of artists and performers intermingled amongst fans and friends alike.

Exclusive to Harvest Caye, Skrillex promises an unforgettable island show. Adding to this, Destructo will present his signature Sunrise Sermon on the island, the first time-ever for of one of his sailings. A cherished tradition of the cruise, the Sunrise Sermon draws in everyone for a unified musical celebration led by Destructo, accompanied by live acts and surprise collaborations.

Setting sail from Miami on January 6th, 2024, the voyage will offer attendees a picturesque journey through the Caribbean, making a stop in Belize for the 24-hour island party at Harvest Caye, before culminating back in Miami on January 11th, 2024.

The event also features iconic acts such as Chris Lake, the trailblazing duo Bob Moses, visionary Chris Lorenzo, and the dynamic beats of Boys Noize, ensuring attendees a rich and immersive musical narrative.

Destructo, a master at scouting emerging talent, has enriched the lineup with a selection of stars on the rise that enhance the depth of the event. VTSS, recognized by Mixmag as an artist who defies any box, promises an unparalleled dance floor experience with her electrifying DJ sets. Meanwhile, Sun-El Musician, who epitomizes the vibrant rhythms of South Africa’s Kwazulu Natal Highlands, is set to head Friendship’s exclusive takeover from the afro-house label, AFRODISIAC. 

Showcasing soulful Amapiano beats, Vigro Deep emerges as a modern beacon, revolutionizing the genre with his distinctive production skills. Berlin’s Raven embodies transformation, bringing a blend of DJing, production, and vocals that resonates with the mystique of her namesake. Nitepunk, with roots in Georgia’s rave scene, showcases a genre-defying sound that mirrors his journey from passionate newcomer to an established name in the industry. Together, these artists, including the likes of Safety Trance, illustrate the diversity and dynamism Destructo consistently brings to the stage, ensuring that this event stands out in the annals of electronic music.

Renowned for his transformative influence on the garage house genre, Todd Edwards is more than just a trailblazer; he’s a legend. Beyond his innovative sampling techniques and hits like “Saved My Life”, Edwards’ collaborations with Daft Punk, particularly on tracks such as “Face to Face” and the Grammy-winning “Fragments of Time”, solidify his esteemed status in the world of electronic music.

The event celebrates bass music with artists such as Mr Carmack and A Hundred Drums, recognized by Forbes for her captivating style. Additionally, beloved dubstep legend Rusko will perform, as will North American sensation Mersiv, the latter offering a preview of his anticipated album, Out of Bounds. 

Spotlighting the dynamism of women in the electronic scene, NALA has ignited the Dirtybird community with her indie house touch. QRTR, backed by acclaim from Mixmag and DJ Mag, is on tour with ODESZA, while Mary Droppinz delivers standout global performances, sharing stages with icons like SOFI TUKKER. Internationally, Flava D dominates the UK garage, grime, and bassline scenes, and Australia’s Nina Las Vegas has championed the underground dance sound with a decade at triple j and her pioneering label, NLV Records. Together, these women underscore the depth and diversity of female talent in electronic music.

Spanning the globe with a pulsating heartbeat of electronic music, this event promises a spectacular international lineup. From the rhythmic beats of Brazil’s DJ Glen, the energetic vibes of New Zealand’s Sin & Brook, the raw intensity of Russia’s Volac, to the innovative soundscapes from Berlin’s Patrick Mason — it’s a worldwide journey on our ship, celebrating the universal language of music.

The curation for Friendship 2024 showcases a diverse tapestry of sound, spotlighting an endless list of rising acts that span the vast spectrum of electronic music. Among these are Honeycomb, J Phlip, Nitepunk, Meduso, G-Rex, Option4, Raven, Subset, Downlo, Smalltown DJs, Volac, and Vigro Deep, each set to bring their distinct sonic signatures, ensuring attendees experience the vibrant future of the electronic scene.

Adding a vintage flair, Dita Von Teese pays tribute to the Golden Age of Cinema with her celebrated cabaret. Adventure enthusiasts can witness the breathtaking stunts by the Friendship Pro Skate Team, including Aaron ‘Jaws’ Homoki and David Loy. Meanwhile, onboard comedians Nick Thune and Martin Urbano promise a dose of humor.

Embodying the Friendship ethos: “There’s a place my friends and I go to do fun things—the kind of fun that creates everlasting memories, moments that are priceless and irreplaceable. When I look back and reminisce about the experiences that shaped me, I’ll think about all the friends I made along the way. They are more than ALL MY FRIENDS; they are my family!” The Friendship legacy is an evolving symphony of music and camaraderie, each year adding a distinct rhythm, always centered around unforgettable experiences and enduring bonds. For more details on visit the Friendship 2024 website. 

More on Destructo aka Gary Richards: Dance Music’s Renaissance Man:

Gary Richards, known to Dance Music fans as Destructo, has been a monumental force in the music industry. Growing up in LA with a concert promoter father, he was soon booking his own shows by 18. Influenced by rock legends like Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath, he chose the name Destructo, aiming to produce bass-heavy tracks that ‘destroyed’ speakers.

But Destructo isn’t just a name; it’s an empire. Richards co-created the iconic Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in the ’90s, which became a cornerstone of U.S. Dance culture. He further shaped the scene with his HARD events, taking electronic beats from Miami to Australia. And, as the helm of LiveStyle, he’s the genius behind global events like Spring Awakening and Electric Zoo.

Destructo isn’t just behind the scenes. He’s collaborated with rap titans like E-40 and Busta Rhymes, blending genres seamlessly. His latest venture? Friendship, a Dance music cruise, setting sail to give fans an unforgettable musical voyage.

The cruise takes place aboard the Norwegian Joy, a symbol of luxury and innovation and the largest vessel in Destructo’s esteemed promotion career. Following its $50 million revamp in 2019, the ship boasts features like a state-of-the-art racetrack, VR pavilion, and the scenic Waterfront promenade.

More on Friendship:

Renowned as a landmark event in the music calendar, Friendship has consistently showcased the future of music. Born from a passion for rhythm, melody, and connection, Friendship has grown, not just in scale but in significance. Each year, thousands gather, not just as fans but as a family, united in their love for music and community. From its inception, Friendship’s goal has been to provide a platform for both iconic legends and rising stars, ensuring that music remains ever-evolving and always surprising.

Follow Friendship at their website and their social media sites on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

FRIENDSHIP 2024 LINEUP (ABC):

SKRILLEX (Special Island Set), A HUNDRED DRUMS, BOB MOSES, BONES, BOYS NOIZE, BRUNCH LIFE, CHARLES MEYER, CHRIS LAKE, CHRIS LORENZO, CRAZE, DEFIED, DESERT HEARTS, DEVON JAMES, DITA VON TEESE, DJ GLEN, DJ SOUP, DOORLY, DOWNLO, DR FRESCH, ENOO NAPA, FLAVA D, FRANSIS DERELLE, G-REX, HONEYCOMB, ITALOBROS, J KEY, J.PHLIP, JOANNA MAGIK, JUSTIN MARTIN, LEDET, LEE REYNOLDS, LEE WELLS, MARBS, MARTIN URBANO, MARY DROPPINZ, MEDUSO, MERSIV, MIKEY LION, MR CARMACK, MR KOOL AID, NALA, NICK THUNE, NINA LAS VEGAS, NITEPUNK, OPTION4, PATRICK MASON, PORKY, QRTR, RAVEN, RUSKO, SAFETY TRANCE, SIN & BROOK, SIVZ, SKATERS, SKIITOUR, SMALLTOWN DJS, SUBSET, SUN-EL MUSICIAN, SWEET LIKE CHOCOLATE, T3MPR, TODD EDWARDS, TEAM EZY, TEEBEE, THE SPONGES, VIGRO DEEP, VOLAC, VTSS.

Keep up with the Kamp Happiness and the wook wranglers as we look to expand our festival circle southward. Thanks for making us your number source for festival tripe and wookish delights.       Namaste y’all.

The post The Friendship Island Party appeared first on wook wranglers.

Due March 3, 2023

Watch the Music Video for the Title Track Today

Stream “CREATURES OF CULTURE” Here

Nashville based psych-rock explosions The Minks are set to release their highly anticipated sophomore album, Creatures of Culture on March 3, 2023. The smoldering, ten-track collection highlights the group’s distinct talent for storylines, esoteric humor, and undeniable rock n’roll grit. The music video for the raucous title track, directed and shot by Houston Mathews of Slowhand Films, is available today – watch and share here. The Minks will support the album with an extensive U.S. tour, which includes stops at SXSW, Treefort Festival, and more.

With Creatures of Culture, The Minks, composed of Nikki Barber, Ben Giesecke, Dylan Sevey, and Henri Young, offer their boldest work to date. On the heels of their 2019 debut album, Light and Sweet, the forthcoming collection swells with punchy, 90s-inspired grunge hits, nostalgic ballads, and fierce statements about love and the collective human experience.

On the album, Barber shares, “This album is about love and all the many forms it takes – the fast kind of love, the white hot heat love, the soothing love, the grueling love. It’s love for the family; for the romance; for the self. Love and all that comes with it.”

Hailing from the eccentric community of East Nashville, The Minks boast an impenetrable creative chemistry that continues to ripen with time. On their latest opus, the group comes together as a unified force, recording many of the songs live in a standing room together. The result is a cohesive collection that captures the spirit of The Minks through raw song craft, blazing production, and Barber’s signature moody vocal work.

Standouts among the album include the sharp-witted title track “Creatures of Culture,” which addresses society’s addiction to technology, imploring listeners to “turn off your TV and find out who you really are.” “Motorbike” is a fast paced head banger about the first feelings of love, when everything feels possible and fun, while the waltzy “Sweet Treat” is a swirling rollercoaster ride about the reality of love and all its ups and downs. The dreamy arrangement on “Another Trip” sucks listeners into another dimension as sparkly piano notes and melodic harmonies combine to create a warm escape from the hustle and bustle of life. “Feelin’ Good” is a funky, self-empowered anthem about not letting anyone steal your shine. On “I’ve Gotta Fly,” Barber sings of taking flight from situations that no longer serve us.

Drawing the curtain on the collection is “Lavender,” which was written in response to the pandemic as a mantra for getting through tough times. “Lavender is a cure for anxiety, and a little dose on your head may just be able to do the trick, or at least get you on the right path. Same goes for music,” adds Barber.

Such is the lesson that makes up The Minks’ Creatures of Culture. Amidst challenging times, sometimes all you need is a little love, friendship, and music to help cure your soul.

Creatures of Culture by The Minks is available for preorder now on Kickstarter, and will be released to all digital streaming platforms on Friday, March 3, 2023.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

THE MINKS ON TOUR

03/10 – 03/19 – Austin, TX – SXSW

04/29 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East

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TOUR KICKS OFF APRIL 22 AT BACKWOODS MUSIC FESTIVAL IN OZARK, AR

The iconic experimental rock band, The String Cheese Incident has announced dates for their Spring Tour 2023. The run will kick off at the Backwoods Music Festival in Ozark, Arkansas, before the band heads through the Midwest in Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and St. Paul, before wrapping up in the Southeast in Asheville, at Salvage Station.

Artist pre-sale tickets will be available this Thursday, February 2, at 11am MT, followed by public on-sale Friday, February 3. All news and up-to-date tour information is available at stringcheeseincident.com.

The String Cheese Incident Spring Tour 2023

April 22 @ Backwoods Music Festival | Ozark, OR

April 26 @ The Riverside Theater | Milwaukee, WI

April 27 @ The Sylvee | Madison, WI

April 28, 29 @ Rivera Theatre | Chicago, IL

April 30 @ Palace Theatre | St. Paul, MN

May 4, 5, 6 @ Salvage Station | Asheville, NC

The past three decades have written a story packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. The String Cheese Incident has been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.

When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum in the 1990s, as the Internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.

Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely unique approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the Internet as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information online, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” SCI put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On The Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the Internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to build their brand.

The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance and HeadCount. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Electric Forest and Hulaween, and holiday shows such as New Year’s Eve, have helped redefine the concert experience and have garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.

CONNECT WITH SCI

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

Look for the wranglers and Kamp Happiness at Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain for more Cheese, Floozies and assorted nonsense.

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Other than a few moderate wrinkles the road was mostly going as planned. It was an ambitious plan but the Oldsmowagon was still moving forward even if all the warning lights looked like the dashboard of a space shuttle. Lila mused that if her body came with warning lights, they would certainly be blinking. But they were moving too fast and loose to get bogged down in classic themes such as caution and responsibility. It had already been a Florida spring festival season straight from the forgotten pages of the lost scrolls. Kamp Happiness had represented at Maddox Ranch Medicine Show, Spring Fling, Suwannee Rising, Orange Blossom Jamboree and lord knows the stink from Fool’s Engagement wasn’t going to come off for some time. Molly was pretty sure somewhere in there she lost third grade.

They ended up in south Florida ready to get real jobs for a change. The coffers were empty and all the music equipment was still in Boone. Where would they land? Whether bartenders, tour guides or flesh merchants, it really didn’t matter. To Lucy it all sounded pretty crappy. It looked like they were really ready to go straight, work fifty hours a week for a $600 room in someone else’s place and still be broke. While that sounded like solid thinking for a change Fort Myers just wasn’t ready to cooperate and after a balmy and extended spring it was finally starting to get warm in the tropics. Sleeping on the couch of the last angry cellist and admitted toad killer, Lucy was getting antsy and not interested in a real job anyway. She would soon be turning fifty and and as she saw it, her hardest days of hustling for the man were behind her.

As the wells were drying up on Fort Myers Beach the hard truth remained that the very next weekend they had two media tickets to Mountain Music Festival in New River George, WV and that was impossible to ignore. Sometimes the pulp just writes itself. It seemed prudent to load Big Betty into the passenger seat of the Oldsmowagon and set off in search of Appalachian adventure with Brood X.. The weather would be reasonable in the mountains this time of year and eventually they were hoping to get seasonal in the right direction.

Bell’s Palsy is no excuse for bad behavior.

After the Mountain Music Festival in West Virginia, which could only be described as an O-ring blow out, they headed straight down 311 to Field and Furrow Farms in New Castle, VA with its the lightning bugs and frog ponds high in the Appalachian Mountains. Their organic vegetable gardens and mobile chicken coop would offer safe haven and a place to paint rocks while they licked their wounds. Lucy’s mother, who’d been concerned with her ability to shower on the road would be fascinated to find that now they were working strictly with creek baths and hippy shampoo.

On the banks of Craig’s Creek, New Castle is a a rural hamlet on the Virginia-West Virginia border. With three cops (one trooper, one county and one city) two restaurants and zero bars, save for the Moose Lodge ten miles away which Bucket was seriously considering joining, they figured it was a good place to lay low. Lucy was still sipping off Emmitt’s Gummy Bear moonshine and had managed to procure a little Virginia weed, which was supposedly going to be legal in that state as of July 1st but supplies were ever dwindling and rationing had become necessary.

Summer is the season to build stages, clear brush and drink rum. Bri the hillbilly princess, drove the party down to Spirit Haven where they helped build the new main stage at Front Porch Fest. Molly was under the impression that a little volunteer time would get her in the line-up the following year. They were both very excited to see Katie’s Butthole and its potential was obvious. People were still working at Floydfest almost every weekend, getting ready for that party later in the month. It was all coming together. The summer festival season in Virginia is interactive and completely time consuming. Molly couldn’t understand how people could have real jobs and live the summer festival season. Virginia is for thugs. Like a freight train of stinking funky fun steaming straight into the middle of the brain hole. Splooshness.

Their next stop on the tour was to be Red Wing Roots Festival. They hadn’t been picked up for media so they weren’t yet sure how they were going to get in. It had been a while since either had to pay for a festival ticket and as usual neither of them had any money. But how now brown cow? Tamiami’s solution had always been to wear a tool belt and carry a clipboard and of course neither of them were above crawling in through the woods but these were serious times, festivals needed all the help they could get and Lila really didn’t have the energy for those kinds of childish shenanigans. Besides she still had scars on her leg from sneaking into Lockn’.

Were they going to have to volunteer? Like common street thugs? Ye screaming Gods it might end up like Hulaween and fighting off diarrhea Monday morning while sifting through soggy trash bins for aluminum cans. This time it would have to be better. “Oh don’t worry” they said, “You’ll both get to work under the Pickle.” Whatever the hell that meant. Molly had been in desperate foxholes with creatures like him before and knew better than to trust the words of a deranged man-beast. In the long run, everything was going to be lemon squeezy. Unlike many, Lucy was able to work effectively and comfortably within the framework of the traditional acid high. Promoters often provided her with a daily ration just to keep her at an “even-keel”.

Follow Molly, Lila and the wranglers as they drive the Kamp Happiness conestoga wagon broke and blind through the Virginia mountains in search of epic adventure; music and fun. Red Wing Roots awaits, with Floydfest just around the corner. And next month it doesn’t get any easier. Summer Camp and Mi Kulture straight into Backwoods. Oh the humanity. Molly’s advice, “Skip the job interview and spend the day at Cascades Fall Trailhead.”

Check out the Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain  preview article and revisit the inane gibberish of Mountain Music Festival. Lyme disease is no excuse for bad behavior.

“Walk before they make you run”, Keith Richards

The post The Summer Mountain Festival Lyme Disease Tour appeared first on wook wranglers.

Wow. A story about missing a festival? Everyone’s got that yarn and it never sounds like fun. No one would really be interested in hearing that tale of woe. But the truth is that the road isn’t always open. Sometimes it shuts down like a bad daycare. On the wrong day It can get downright weird. But that’s part of the delicious whisper that is the wild and uncharted trail. Get ready to sell expensive fishing poles for twenty-five dollars worth of gas. Almost useless in overgrown truck stops like Rawlins, Wyoming.

Even with ample funds, strange things happen on the road. If you have no money be assured your trapeze act isn’t using a net. When one travels with limited funds they set themselves up to be in a venerable position. There’s less margin for error in an environment where hurdles and consequences can quickly mount.

He was having the dream again. Always the same. It was the long road. Mesas off in the distance. Driving through some arid landscape in Utah, outside of Green River and reeking of Indica and Coors. Some sort of police car directly behind. Not sure what faction of the enforcement branch but, to be sure, a redneck with a gun. Muy peligroso. Mix him up with a poor person and an angry judge. See where that gets you. Falkenburg Road Jail. For dabs? Give me a fucking break. And he thought Shrimphead would be the last guy in Florida to go to jail for grass. Nope. It really never ends.

But what’s a citizen to do? It was time to take what could hardly be called a strongbox and head south for the Florida festival season. Lucienda in tow, they would soon be leaving for a shotgun tour of Florida and all the strange fun that comes with March and April.

Baitbucket was getting a mite riled up as things were starting to get funky down south. He’d taken time off work schleping beers and was headed out for a couple months of festivals and fishing. All the things. With all the “winter-mix” fun North Carolina had to offer in February it would serve as a seriously much-needed reprieve. They would soon be heading down the mountain, stars in the sky (Caprisun rising), Chihuahua in the lap, tunes blasting and a car crammed with blankets, guitars and dead cats. It still wasn’t certain whether Big Betty was going to fit but many in the logistics department were cautiously optimistic.

“Money had exchanged hands. Promises were made”. “Yeah it sucks but in this case we’re just going to have take lemons and make mushroom tea.”

The road is a beautiful, fickle bitch. Weird things happen out there and with each trial comes experience and wisdom. There was Longmont, Colorado and the busted Adventurewagon in the Walmart parking lot. No money and a lost Chihuahua. Good times. Sleeping in the front seat of a Nissan Xterra. Good times indeed. Rockygrass in Lyons and Tim O’Brien showing up in the strangest places. Then there was free camping in Green River, Utah and the “wrath of God” sandstorm that would show up everyday around three and blow the ez-up into the ionosphere. It’s to be expected and it comes with the territory.

The Night the Oldsmowagon Died

B.B left the bar at a reasonable time. They could now stay open until 11:00 pm in North Carolina (Thanks Roy) so it seemed everyone was being responsible all the time. The Oldsmowagon came to rest in the parking lot of Mountaineer Hall at Appalachian State. Exactly one week later he was still in Boone. Sitting in the darkened office, listening to “A Song Before I go” on headphones. Crosby, Stills and Nash. A boy band of superstars. He would need good music to stay sane today. And more whiskey. Yesterday’s George Dickle was already in the trash. Once again he hadn’t heard from the mechanic in two days. Last they spoke, the team was confounded by the Oldsmowagon’s security system which when the juice went out, apparently engaged like some kind of advanced computer weapon.

He put on Captured Angel by Dan Folgergerg. This would all prove to be an important ongoing meditation. Trying not to be apprehensive or bummed-out by not being at the Maddox Ranch Medicine Show. They had passed around the narcotics collection plate and they were making bets on when he would get there. The good money was on suicide. The news kept coming out of the show. Bonnie Blue and Firewater Tent Revival had slayed it. Chase Holiday had been seen running naked through the field screaming, “viva revolucion!” and Tim proposed to Sunnie Ray. Plenty of action for a crowd that was more than ready for it.

Friday Part II

Exactly a week later he was still sitting on pre-launch, plied with liquor, painting rocks and clothespins in the slim chance that he might ever make it back to a festival. The Oldsmowagon had been towed from Bill’s Automotive to Team Chevrolette and had sat there for a few more days. Finally, thankfully and fifteen hundred dollars later they would be on the road again. That being said, after this expense the coffers would surely dry. It would make more sense to stick around, work for two weeks and gather a little coin for the adventure, but…

La Rosanostra, Moonshine and the rest of the fam were already at Suwannee for Spring Fling. They would be there dancing their tits off in Live Oak. Once again the strategy was the same. Immediately head south and figure out the rest later.

The Road.

He was excited to get on the road. If needed they would sleep in the car at a rest stop. They would sustain themselves on bad food and cheap beer. The way God meant for it to be. Lucy might have to survive completely on the cheese-laden foil burger wrappers that would litter the vehicle. As he got closer to the park, the tinglies started and he was forced to engage the cruise control so he wouldn’t push too hard and fast.

Suwnnee Spring Fling: Mind if we dance with your podmates?

Kuddos to Beth Judy and Spirit of Suwannee Music Park for hosting the much-needed festival with safe and responsible fun. There’s nothing better than solo Keller on a Saturday night. Not sure where I’m supposed to be. Mind if I share your pod? I brought treats.

Consequences shmonsequences.

In their absence it seemed everyone in Florida had acquired PTSD and a medical marijuana card. Legal coffee and a dab? Well now. He wondered what the Suwannee County sheriffs would be doing now that they didn’t need to hassle kids smoking a little reefer around the fire. The days of bail money, magistrates and missed shows would hopefully be coming to an end.

Onward and upward. Next they were headed to Fool’s Engagement with Spacebug and Mott Guilty and then to Suwannee Rising with a group of involuntary nudists. Things were getting real, real fast. There was funk on the horizon. Enough to go around. For now the car was still running and one can’t ask for more than that. The wranglers are thrilled to have been picked up by FloydFest and Mountain Music Festival. Check us out for tickets and information and keep up if you can. Thanks for continuing to enjoy the iconic style and bold sophistication of the incomparable wook wranglers.

“You bought a ticket, you might as well see the show.” -C.W. Roanoke Mafia

#freebritney

The post The Spring Road: Part 1 appeared first on wook wranglers.

You know how it is. We’re why we can’t have nice things. We are the wookies of the Fifth Order. The Watusi incarnate. If one beat is allowed to cop a squat and hang their dirty laundry from the white cedars then soon to follow there will be a whole bevy of hippies tweaked on moonshine and washing their socks in the creek.

But what’s a walkin’ man to do? Haggard and worn, the flight from Colorado deputies can eventually leave a mark on both man and beast. As much as Thatcher wanted to complain about the gestapo this time, they probably saved lives. Thank God for the acid from Boulder. It was the only thing that counter-acted the Coors and moonshine offering some semblance of balance and making the operation of a motor vehicle at least a sliver of a possibility. He was so bent, driving south along the Sangre de Cristo range that he had to close one eye to keep the passing lanes in view. At one point he had to turn the radio off just to stop the hallucinations. Why were there giraffes standing on mushrooms in the middle of the sidewalk and why was he driving on it at unsafe speeds? Thank ye gods for the police.

Colorado makes it easier than most states to camp on the cheap. For scenic vistas of the Collegiate Peaks and pro bono camping, look no further than Buena Vista and Turtle Rock.

Turtle Rock is a campground in the Four Mile Recreation Area of Buena Vista, Colorado. This is one of several campsites in the area that allow a stay of up to 14 days. Slightly up above the Arkansas River, Turtle Rock is a secluded campsite that is several miles from the nearest paved road and offers tons of privacy. There are many opportunities for hiking, biking, climbing, and kayaking in the area, and Turtle Rock campground is only a few miles from downtown Buena Vista.

The various aspects of this nifty granite outcrop feature bouldering, climbing routes and a cool “two-pitch” scramble. The scramble to the top of this neat little rock takes only minutes, but the trip to the top is quite a joy. From the summit, enjoy views of the Arkansas River valley to the north and the south. The twin humps of the Buffalo Peaks thirteeners rise in the near northeastern distance. The views up and down the mighty Sawatch range will leave your mouth hole gaping.

There is little mystery as to how this peak got its name. For certain, when viewed from the east, the shape of a large turtle, head pointing southward down the Arkansas Valley emerges. The summit area is wide-open, a bare granite viewing platform. Enjoy your stay here in nice weather. Avoid the sheer drops, especially on the east side, in high winds. Kick back, be stunned by the views, and bask in the beauty all around you.

Colorado Rank: Unranked

Prominence: 160 feet

USGS Quad: Harvard Lakes

YDS Rating: Class 4

THINGS TO DO IN BUENA VISTA:

Mount Princeton Hot Springs: A must do at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort are the hot springs pools located right in midst of the cool rushing waters of Chalk Creek. Each pool is fed by its own natural geothermal hot spring that bubbles up into the actual creek bed and into majestic circles of stones that create natural pools of warmth and rejuvenation.

Brown’s Canyon Rafting: The Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas River is the most popular whitewater section in the U.S., because it is challenging enough for experienced rafters, yet forgiving enough for first-timers. This boulder-strewn canyon sports large, exciting rapids, each followed by a calm pool that allows time to recover and prepare for the next big rapid. It is this pool-drop character that makes Browns Canyon suitable for a wide range of ability levels. Be sure to check out Brown’s Canyon Rafting for some world class rapids on the Arkansas River. Visit Byron in early summer for some “sporting” rafting as the snow melt turns the river intro a frothy mess. Big fun, here in River City.

Free camping area on BLM land with free porta-potties. There are beautiful overlooks of the valley from Turtle Rock and about 20-30 sites. The road to the campground isn’t bad at all, just a little washboarding, but the campground itself is somewhat challenging to get around with low clearance or extra long rigs.

The summit of Turtle Rock sits just 3 miles north-northwest as the crow flies from the town of Buena Vista [BYOOnah Vistuh], Colorado. From the traffic light on U.S. 24 in Buena Vista, turn east onto Main Street. After.2 miles, in the center of old town, turn north (left) onto Colorado Avenue (which becomes Chaffee County Road 371). After about 2.2 miles, CR 371 turns into a graded dirt-road suitable to all passenger cars.

From this point, there are two options for parking and approach:

From the east (turn before the Midland Tunnels and park in the campground)

After traveling 2.7 miles on CR 371, turn east (right) on CR 375 just before the Midland Tunnels. Following this twisting, graded dirt road for 0.8 miles to the entrance for the Turtle Rock Campground. Limited day use parking may be found near the back (western edge) of the campground.

From the west (continue through the Midland Tunnels and park in a pullout on the east side of the road)
After traveling 2.7 miles on CR 371, pass CR 375. Proceed through the narrow, one-lane series of tunnels. Immediately after exiting the northern-most tunnel, there will be a pull-out on the right-side of the road.

Four Mile Rd

Buena Vista, Colorado

GPS: 38.881945, -106.145212

Elevation: 8286′

Keep up with nailtravels as we continue the Summer “Low-Brow” Tour with an occasional stop the next few months. Continuing with Purple Hatter’s Ball in Live Oak, the Moonpies then head to the North Plains, Oregon and Northwest String Summit Kids and Family Tent. Then it’s on to hillbilly heaven and LOCKN’ in Virginia. This is about as low-brow as it gets. Thanks for showing up.

The post Free Camping in Buena Vista appeared first on wook wranglers.

“It was coming right at me.”

“Massive yet graceful. Unclear as to whether its intent was dangerous or one of mere curiosity. By the time I figured it out it would be too late. It’s yellow pentagon shaped eyes were locked wide and from the corners of its mouth ran a foamy dribble. I remember being very afraid but at the same time strangely calm. If the end was to come in a frenzied slather of pickle juice and blood then so be it. I was ready.”      -high country journal 9/20

Welcome back beautiful people. It’s been a hot minute since we met at the water cooler to catch up on hyperbole and fake news. With the absence of festival gibberish the wranglers have settled into new fusion recipes and trips around Grandfather Mountain. In the party interim many folks have had to fall back on old jobs. Some have had to learn new crafts and others have kept on slingin’ and hustlin’.

In an effort to be caught up in the very vortex of the party season Lucy was beginning to relive old habits and say “heck yes” to every invitation. The weather was still perfect in the Appalachians but the clock was ticking. In the forth quarter of the pandemic folks were trying to slide one more camping trip in before the witch of October showed up. For a few more weeks, the Piedmont would still be where the climate suits your clothes so it was time to make things happen. The following nonsense is a round-up dance card of the recent entanglements in the grassy knolls of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Welcome to the High Country Journal: Trampled By Pickles.

It had already been an interesting summer. Lucy had seen some weird things in her travels but this had been a different version of weird. Or rather the lack of a certain kind of weird. She was missing her extended family during the summer drought and the weekly phone alerts were constant reminders that she was supposed to be mud camping somewhere. Where was the crazy uncle from Massachusetts that all the girls swooned over? Where were the cousins from Michigan and Salem, Columbia and Deland? She was missing the late night cajon solos and wook trap glow sticks. How was she supposed to witness and chronicle the accounts of life around the fire with no scene to follow? There was a palpable guff with the absence of episodic forest gatherings. It had gotten pretty weird.

The last parties she could actually remember were The Everglades Roots Festival, Okeechobee and Brainquility. Florida and Guatemala were still the best places for winter festivals. Delta Lot and a few others towed the line but since then the summer had become a desert void of both live music and outdoor camping venues. No Floozies breakfast, no Greensky lunch and no camping with the Mimosa Sisters. What the absolute hell? Always remember dear reader that the darkest hour is just before dawn. As bizarre as things had gotten Lucy could see signs that the worm was finally beginning to turn.

At last, new opportunities began rearing their sexy heads. Pickle parties, private camp outs and small festivals would be the order of the day for the near future. And why not? Let’s just take it easy. We all know where this goes. Baby steps back into the elevator.

Craig’s Creek

The September tilt began at Eagle Rock Virginia, right on the banks of Craig’s Creek. Thanks go out to the Kamp Happiness Roanoke Mafia Annex for their preparation efforts. Salem is for thugs. Welcome to Microfest 2020. The small event covered a few wooded acres and included everything a solid festival needs, from drum circles to bluegrass jams, fire spinners to drywall spackling chili. Even the warm afternoons turned downtown perfect as participants found their way to the creek to stack rocks and spill cheap beer in the cool water.

Just another gathering of folks who camped next to each other in some earlier time. It was when two fires turned into one. But aren’t they all? Ceptin’ now everyone owned vans or Aerostreams. So fancy. Lucy realized they were van wooks to be sure but they were known on occasion throw down the low country boil and that was hard to argue with.

Family Reunions

She was reminded of growing up and attending large family reunions. From either side of the family they usually included music, food and fun. Memorial Day at Mama Lila’s house on Fort Morgan Beach rivaled them all. Cousins and fireworks, sand dunes and beer. Lucy loved her people and it was something she looked forward to all the time.

As she got older music festivals began to take the place of the family reunion. The parents and the children were already there and new friends showed up all the time. At some point it evolved from one particular festival to all of them. The same thing was happening every time. Family be everywhere and she was ready to camp, dance and sing with all of them, slowly adopted and assimilated over years of festivals and late night human groundscores.

Are you not going to eat that pickle?

“Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light. Tragedy is the most ridiculous thing.”       -Frida Kahol

The Great American Campout

And then there was that party on the mountain…

Sketchy recollections were all that could be mustered. Most of the banter and “hilarity” had been lost and forgotten in the depths of the nebula. The scattered shards of memory came together to form a hazy patchwork of idiot gibberish laced with curious epiphanies. The epoch that continued in the heavy mountain rain had been long overdue. Firewood sat soaking while beer cups filled back up with diluted PBR. They sang, danced and drank banana moonshine. Sure, they got run off the porch stage after Lucy insisted on “getting to the bottom of things” with someone else’s grease box but these things can be expected when agreeing to this brand of liberal behavior. It all starts in the home. Like pop always said, “Keep your pickle dry and your powder hard”.

The vending wooks at Spat By Kat made a bizarre yet pleasant addition to the frivolity. Their late-night fan popping clinic was a rousing success while their departure by hot air balloon was delayed when it was found that rather than helium, the balloon had been filled with nitrous oxide. At last report, they and several new friends were still camping on the mountain but the size of the balloon had dramatically decreased.

“Buy some stuff.” You didn’t think you were going home with that money did you?”

Visit the Spat By Kat website and check out their social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.

She considered the initial festival where two souls finally meet. The awakening where they find each other in a sea of hippies. They managed, across great odds and the vastness of the universe to find themselves siting next to each other in cheap beach chairs around the fire in some hidden camp. This is the acorn that becomes the oak. At this party new friends were falling out of the oaks like dead cats. Once again, things were happening exponentially. You know how it goes. If you build it they will come.

“Well, it’s either kiss me or kill me, that’s how I see it.”
― Tom Waits

Teepees and Pallets

Lucy was sleeping in the little bed that had been built in the back of the Subaru. High Country camouflage. After two days of rain she was ready for a warm pallet. One built with Grandma’s quilts, afghans and a bevy of big pillows. The best pallets use a feather mattress as their base and are filled with cousins.

What she had here in the small hatchback was similar to a pallet but she needed more space and it was still monsooning. Where was Clay’s Econoline when you needed it? The tent was leaking and the blankets in it were heavy and wet. It was sloppy business and she was close to the breaking point. Finally on Saturday she tried to take up residence in the ladies restroom and had it converted into a comfortable living space before she was ultimately discovered. She could be heard screaming, “I was right in the middle of doing the dishes!” as she was escorted out by park personnel. There were still vans and teepees everywhere she could sneak into. She wondered if it was possible lock the door on a teepee?

“Pickles in the rain. Raining on me”      -Hank Williams

“It’s not my fault you used a nebulous pronoun.”

Never miss a Tuesday show. Lucy was on to Butler, Tennessee and the post party on Watauga Lake. Dominated by pirate ships, Don Julio and leftover festival food it was obvious this think tank of festivarians would be able to solve some, if not all of the world’s problems. All they needed was Bojangles, cheap whiskey and time.

Watauga Lake

With the sad new that Toots Hibbert had passed the crew listened to the new album “Got to Be Tough” as they sailed in circles across the lake. They followed bear cubs that paddled ahead of them. After three days in Butler Lucy could no longer trust her eyes. She’d seen a heron with one foot, a portent of strange things to come. Maybe the prophecy was still unraveling. The marathon of abuse had taken its toll and she was obviously out of practice. The whole affair could be collectively labeled a “stretching exercise” with harder days to come. She’d be ready.

‘When life gives you pickles, make lemonade.”

Trampled by Pickles

Lucy was coming to terms with her current reality. The new “normal”. The pickle was everywhere and she was not going to be able to escape it. Days later, she could still smell its vinegar stink in her hair. From this moment forward she realized that she was going to be working within an entirely new and excitingly different framework. If that’s how it’s going to be? Fine. Sit up. Breathe. Wipe the pickle juice off on your jeans. Climb up out of the flotsam and jetsam and go kill it.

Together.

“Keep your friends close and your dabs closer.”

“Hey Magellan, you’re sailing in circles again. Yes that’s the same deck light. I’m no privateer, but I think that’s the bank just ahead. Maybe you should let me drive.” The post party is where weak brain cells start to run out of your ears and nose. Congratulations. For your effort the dogs left you something in the coach. Impossible to tell if it’s diarrhea or vomit, but it’s in your flip flop. You guys like jokes?

Life is all about change and growth. Use the proton splitter if you need to. Don’t be afraid. Walk into the light Carol Anne.

Visit more wook wranger articles including Covid 19 and the Eradication of Wook Flu.

Epilogue

You’ve made it dear reader into the fourth quarter. More small festivals are popping up everyday and next year’s beasts are constantly adding to their line-ups. The Florida crew is putting together Monster Mash and Floydfest sits out on the horizon like a shimmering star. The mother ship on a collision course with your face.

It’s raining today in the high country. There’s still time to string bracelets and paint signs.

You always knew the party would return and when it did, you would be ready. Ready for everything.

The post High Country Journal: Trampled By Pickles appeared first on wook wranglers.