The way the folks at Pickathon do their booking is really kind of unique. Everyone involved brings music to regular get-togethers in co-founder Zale Schoenborn's basement and, over beers, they just sit around listening. The talk isn't about draw or demographics—though, obviously, the question "will folks like it?" comes up a lot—it's about whether the songs the group just heard blew them away or not.
The truth is, this year's Pickathon (Aug. 3-5) was going to be a sold-out affair whether or not the festival booked an impressive headliner (which it did in the incomparable Neko Case). Pickathon is really more of an experience than a music festival, thanks to the fabulous Pendarvis farm, and really the fest has built its reputation by booking bands you've probably never heard ofâbut bands that will make you dance, holler and generally freak the fuck out. This year those bands should include British throwback rock act Kitty, Daisy & Lewis and polyrhythmic Mexican dance act Los Cojolites. It will almost certainly include the slightly psychedelic Canadian country act Petunia and the Vipers and Ted Jones and the Tarheel Boys (who sound kind of like the Louvin Brothers).
So, given the fact that Pickathon doesn't have to book bigtime acts like Neko Case and Dr. Dog, it's nice that they do (and, you know, the thing ain't cheap...). Here's the complete lineup thus far, in handy alphabetical order:
AA Bondy
Abigail Washburn
Alela Diane
Blitzen Trapper
Bowerbirds
Bruce Molksy Band
Cajun Country Revival, ft. Jesse Lége and Joel Savoy
Captain Bogg & Salty
Cass McCombs
CW Stoneking
Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
Doug Paisley
Dr. Dog
Foghorn Stringband
Genticorum
Handsome Furs
Heartless Bastards
Hot 8 Brass Band
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Lake Street Dive
Langhorne Slim
Laura Gibson
Lonnie Walker
Los Cojolites
Lost Bayou Ramblers, ft. Gordon Gano
Midtown Dickens
Neko Case
Petunia & The Vipers
Phosphorescent
Reverend KM Williams
Robert Ellis
Shovels & Rope
Sonny & The Sunsets
Southeast Engine
Ted Jones and the Tarheel Boys
The Barr Brothers
The Cave Singers
The Mynabirds
The Wood Brothers
Two Man Gentlemen Band
Typhoon
Vieux Farka Touré
White Denim
Whitey Morgan & The 78âs
Y La Bamba
Here's a video (in case you have no idea what I'm talking about) and a bit of press release:
The 2012 Pickathon Music Festival, which will be happening August 3rd through August 5th at Pendarvis Farm near Portland, Oregon, is thrilled to announce this yearâs line-up! PIckathon welcomes Neko Case, Dr. Dog, Blitzen Trapper, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Heartless Bastards, Vieux Farka Touré, The Wood Brothers, Phosphorescent, The Cave Singers, Abigail Washburn, Cass McCombs, Bowerbirds, Handsome Furs, Langhorne Slim, Lost Bayou Ramblers featuring Gordon Gano, and so much more! .
Furthermore, three-day passes have gone on sale today. Be sure to pick them up at the introductory price for $175. Single-day tickets will be available for sale closer to the event date, but the countryâs most inviting music festival has made it clear with their line-up and unbeatable attendee experience that the whole weekend is the way to go. Purchase tickets at www.pickathon.com.
WWeek 2015
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