Ready …
Set …
FUNK!
The inaugural Volcanic Funk Festival kicks off with a free party tonight at McMenamins before oozing over to the Century Center on Saturday and Sunday. I spoke with founder Gabe Johnson about the origins of the event.
A trip to New Orleans’ famous Jazz & Heritage Festival a few years ago provided the “spiritual inspiration” for Volcanic Funk, he said.
“I said to myself at some point in the next couple of years I have to put on an event in Bend that at least begins to scratch the surface of that vibe,” Johnson said. “Something that features funky, dirty music, basically. Swampy music. And music that’s really inspired, too.
“When you go to (some shows in the Northwest), you get a lot of that shoe-gazing, ‘I’m too cool to dance’ quality,” he continued. “Whereas New Orleans is essentially ‘Let’s party. No holds barred. No inhibitions. This is about having fun.’ I can’t get (there) as much as I’d like so we’re trying to bring some of that spirit home.”
This is looking like it’s going to be a pretty rad, rump-shakin’ time. Click here to read the whole thing, including a full schedule and more about the bands.
One other show I want to highlight this week is The David Mayfield Parade’s free Summer Sunday concert at Les Schwab Amphitheater. Mayfield’s debut album has been dominating my ears lately, and his live show is supposed to be awesome. I’ll blog more about him before the show, but in the meantime, read my story by clicking here.
Elsewhere in this week’s music section: the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band brings its country-rock legacy to the Tower Theatre, local singer-songwriter Jared Delaney celebrates his new album, Sisters Art Works gets some upgrades and hosts The Whiskey Rebellion, The Guess Who and Clay Walker kick off the Deschutes County Fair, and next week brings free, outdoor shows by David Lindley and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Tags: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Clay Walker, David Lindley, Deschutes County fair, Gabe Johnson, Jared Delaney, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Orgone, Sisters Art Works, The David Mayfield Parade, The Guess Who, The Whiskey Rebellion, Volcanic Funk Festival
