In this final issue of the Festivarian, we will profile Poor Man's Whiskey, Flowmotion and Brent Alan. We also invite you read our band schedule and a recent feature article about 4 Peaks. This is a long issue but surely worth the read!
With a mere seven days to go before the music begins, we are wishing you good vibes and happy trails as you make your way. For those of you who plan to camp, you'll be thrilled to know we are allowing car camping this year!
While on festival grounds and off, please keep in mind that our venue is located in a quiet and peaceful farming community. We invite you to have a great time but please be safe and respectful of our neighbors and the environment.
If you know anyone who might be interested in hearing about 4 Peaks, please spread the word.
To forward this to your friends, click here!
For feedback from last years festival, to inquire about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities or for any other questions, please feel free to email the following 4 Peaks organizers:
Eric Walton: Booking Inquiries; Venue Questions; Website
Stacy Totland: Marketing;Advertising;PR & Sponsorships
Will Nash: Vending; Green Ideas, Volunteering
Paul Brown: Sound; Security, Sponsorships
Jason Beard: Staging; Ticketing Questions
Thanks again for your interest in
4 Peaks and we look forward to seeing you in July!
Yours in music,
4 Peaks Organizers
We love our sponsors and are happy to share their names with you. Please join us in thanking these great folk for helping us keep the music going!
OUR SECOND YEAR IS CRITCAL AND WE NEED YOU HERE! That is why we have decided to roll back to our early bird ticket prices for those of you who need funds to cover gas or simply a little extra incentive to check out the festival. Don't miss what
some are calling one of the coolest new festivals on the West Coast!
Call 382-8064 or visit us online for the following tickets offers: $76.50 full weekend including camping, $25 Friday only, $35 Saturday only and $20 camping pass.
Poor Man's Whiskey
Called "a sudden Bend Favorite" by The Source Weekly's Mike Bookey, Poor Man's Whiskey emerged from a rich and vibrant musical scene north of the Golden Gate. What began as a fun side project playing "bluegrass instruments" quickly evolved into a full time endeavour, winning over audiences with their upbeat performances, zany stage antics, and infectious songs.
Through the years Poor Man's Whiskey has developed a sound
that is eclectic and engaging. It is a musical tapestry influenced by American music. Rooted in acoustic music, PMW's sound spills into rock, funk, pop, blues, and even disco. Their songs range the gambit of emotions, inviting the audience to dance, laugh, sing, ponder and reflect. At their core they are story tellers. Weaving tales of everyday life that are easily accessible their songs will have you singing and dancing right along. Not bound by the rules
of bluegrass tradition, PMW uses all the tools available to engage the crowd and themselves (from banjos and mandolins to screaming electric guitars and drums, from everyday casual wear to flashy and elaborate costumes). Read more about PMW...
Reviews and articles for Poor Man's Whiskey:
Poor Man's Whiskey :: 01.11.08 :: Great American Music Hall :: San Francisco, CA
Dark Side of the Moonshine Article
Dark Side of the Moonshine: Money: You Tube
Flowmotion
Hidden beneath the bows of the Northwest evergreens is found Flowmotion, one of Seattle’s most distinctly diverse rock bands. This is an act that fails to fall into an easily packaged genre, succeeds in defying stereotypes, and throws one hell of a party no matter what city, town or festival the five-piece band happens to land in.
Flowmotion is a name well known in the Seattle live music scene and becoming increasingly familiar up and down the West Coast, yet largely unheard of throughout much of the country. The band has managed to remain in the “best-kept-secret” vault of the live music scene, all the while honing a live show that often exceeds the size of the stage they might find themselves performing on. A Flowmotion show is a swooping ride through the fingers of rock fueled solely on the expert musicianship of its five parts, producing a sound that’s unmistakably huge. More about Flowmotion...
Praise for Flowmotion:
"Energetic Jimi Hendrix guitar bravado, driving funk bass lines and Clauson's gruff vocals help ground the songs within the rock genre, while the band's tendency to break into unscheduled improv keeps the live shows fun and flamboyant."
- SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
"The band unifies crowds with its vocal melodies, harmonies and stellar rhythm section. It moves seamlessly through original compositions with a liberating mixture of world-funk, jam-rock and sweet ballads that beg total abandonment of self."
- TACOMA WEEKLY
"Something happens in the air when Flowmotion play. Even people like me who don't have on rhythmic bone in their body can't resist moving to the music."
- SPOKANE PRESS
Brent Alan
Brent Alan, a local Bend favorite, has been playing solo gigs since the age of 19. In 1994 he recorded his debut record, “First Light”, at Soundsmith Studios in Bend, Oregon. Around this time he spent his summers playing
gigs and working as a whitewater raft guide, saving money to travel in the winter months to Europe and Mexico. Recorded in 1997, “Rhythm in the Trees” reveals an inspired poetic writer, diverse musicianship, and a uniquely soothing vibe. Brent has continued to expand his musical career opening for such renowned acts as The Subdudes, Marc Cohn, Robben Ford, Los Lobos, John Gorka and others. Along the way he has been picking up new instruments like they were fallen leaves.
Brent’s ever-expanding instrumental prowess now encompasses acoustic and electric guitars, piano, mandolin, banjo, dobro, percussion and bass. Recently he decided to commit time each day to learning the violin. According to Brent, “That little sucker sure is pesky." Perhaps his greatest asset of all is his voice, which is simultaneously filled with soul and tender…both powerful and sensitive. Read more about Brent Alan...
FRIDAY, 7/25
Main Stage
12:35 - 1:25: State of Jefferson
2:25 - 3:05: Brent Alan
4:45 - 6:15: Blue Turtle Seduction
7:35 - 9:20: Hot Buttered Rum
9:45 - 11:00: Zilla
Tumalo Stage
12:00 - 12:25: North Channel
1:35 - 2:15: The Mostest
3:15- 4:35: Acorn Project
6:25 - 7:25: Poor Man's Whiskey
9:20 - 9:35: Poor Man's Whiskey
SATURDAY, 7/26
Main Stage
10:00 - 10:45: Blackstrap
11:55 - 12:55: Moon Mountain Ramblers
2:15 - 3:30: Flowmotion
5:00 - 6:25: Poor Man's Whiskey
8:05 - 10:00: Tea Leaf Green
10:30 - 11:30: Everyone Orchestra
Tumalo Stage
10:55 - 11:45: Rising Tide
1:05 - 2:05: The Grain
3:40 - 4:55: Izabella
6:35 - 7:55: Delta Nove
10:05 - 10:25: Delta Nove
Up-And-Coming 4 Peaks Music Festival One For the Generations: Two Days of Music, Camping & Family Fun in Sunny Central Oregon
by Amy A. Clark
While we hate to admit it, someday the following words are certain to escape from our lips: “I remember when I was your age…” And what better story for your future grandkids than telling them about your weekend at the soon-to-be-legendary 4Peaks Music Festival? Located near Bend, Oregon on a secluded farmer’s pasture with stellar mountain views of Mt. Jefferson and the peaks of the Three Sisters, the second annual festival returns this year on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26. Event organizers have added more acts to the line-up that includes more than 20 bands national touring and local bands, as well as a family camping area, kids activities, artist exhibits and food vendors.
From the Dead Headers Tea Leaf Green to the bio-diesel bluegrass boys of Hot Buttered Rum, the musical flavors are sure to tantalize even the pickiest taste buds. Take for instance, Zilla – veteran members of the String Cheese Incident – who formed their own musical collaboration and now bring listeners electronic-induced musical motion. And from electronic motion to Flowmotion, the Seattle-based band has been busy jamming the music festival scene with a recent visit to California’s Joshua Tree Music Festival, but will be rested and refreshed just in time for a 4Peaks visit.
With local favorites Moon Mountain Ramblers returning to promote their upcoming release “Let It All Be Good,” the countdown has begun. Festival newbies from the Bay Area include the entertaining stage antics of Poor Man’s Whiskey. Blue Turtle Seduction, a Lake Tahoe band that spans the nation with their tours and musical talent, will also make their debut at the festival, along with The Everyone Orchestra, Izabella, State of Jefferson, Rising Tide and more.
4Peaks has also acquired an additional 60 acres for the event, allowing extra accommodations for those who wish to pitch a tent. One of the unique offerings at 4Peaks is a Kid’s Area that will offer entertainment for the little ones with storytelling, juggling, water balloons, musicology and more. And for parents in desperate need of a cold beverage while the kids play, The Dragon Lounge will serve mate, iced coffee, soda, beer, wine and more under the shelter of its 28-foot wingspan.
Artists featured at the two-day event include Portlander Chris Crank. Crank performs a 2D interpretation of 4D music, and just completed a 50 state tour with his collaborative partner, Vort, by painting live music (yes, painting) – 50 paintings in 50 states in 50 days. Local artist, Buffalo Folsom will also be creating a metal sculpture throughout the duration of the festival.
Organizers of the event are adding single-day passes because the two-day passes are selling fast, and early bird tickets are already gone. A two-day music festival that’s kid-friendly, offers room for snoozing and has a breathtaking backdrop is rare these days, and I’m looking forward to telling the grandkids all about it.
Amy Clark is a freelance writer living in Bend. She writes for Outsideonline.com and runs on Bend’s numerous trails while dreaming up story ideas.
