Elkfest 5

Day 1: Friday May 29th
The Booze Fighters, Silian Rail, Yarn Owl and The Globes

I Love Corn Pasta

Elkfest along with Artfest took over Brownes Addition in Spokane for the weekend. Filling the streets with people of all ages and sorts. It was Spokane's very own mixing pot of chatter, eating, drinking, dancing, and everything in-between. You got to see your old friends, new friends, and probably even make some friends... it was great to meet you John Blakesley! 

The weekend was three bright days of music, art, and yummy food/drinks. The whole food and drinks would be the Elks BBQ Quesadilla with a side of Corn Pasta and a New Castle. Delish. Other then the fact that Elkfest is pretty much the coolest free festival I have ever been to in Spokane; its cool to be able to bounce in-between Artfest and Elkfest.

While bands were switching sets Matt and I were able to catch some beginning and talented street musicians on our walk over to Coeur d'Alene Park. We met Donnie who was 8 years old and had been playing the guitar for a little over a year and a half. He made a sign promoting that he would play for money and that his dad had a room for rent.

Then there was Ben Mancke who was on the corner of Second & Chestnutt. He plucked the hell of out a guitar creating this beautifully slightly distorted new sound. I loved it. We also met Jon & Erik who played us their favorite song. And, last but not least we met 14 year old Godwin and 12 year old Cameron who rocked irish music in the park on the mandolin and vilion. We also got to catch a few live bands on the Artfest stage. There was always something going on.

However, we went to Elkfest to see great live music from all over. Because we both had to work Friday night started out with Silian Rail. Sorry we missed you The Booze Fighters, kind of bummed we couldn't see you but we will make it to another one of your shows - you guys are blues badasses.

Silian Rail is from California and they were a surprise to see because we have never heard or seen them before. It was cool to see one guy and one girl just rock out together on the drums and guitar with no vocals. It was deeply fearful music, the two went for it and it was cool. I am excited to check them out on their Myspace!

Yarn Owl took the stage next, Elkfest being their first time playing outside. They opened with a new song they wrote two weeks ago and their second song was our Song of the Day. We couldn't of enjoyed it anymore. Yarn Owl had never played in Brownes before and they liked the neighborhood. During their set I noticed they had a yarn owl hanging off an amp but it was actually a macrame owl - anyhow it was lovely.

The Globes closed out the night with fun indie rock tunes. It was fun to have everyone "la la la" during their song Hide. They got the crowd dancing and kids were excited to see them play, as was I.

Check out all the pics from day 1 HERE!

Day 2: Saturday May 30th
Kaylee Cole w/band feat. Adam David, Dane Ueland, Kevin Long, & Kim Wescott, Joel Smith & The Hands of Plenty, Whiskey Dick Mountain, La Cha Cha, The Maldives and Shim!

Mr Tambourine Man

Saturday started early at two in the afternoon. I was so bewildered that Kaylee Cole had a band, it was great. Kaylee Cole was joined be her husband Adam David and friends Dane Ueland, Kim Wescott, and Kevin Long (on the drums). Who knew Kevin was a drummer. Together these local musicians, sound-board runners and concert-goers sounded very clever. The drums and bass guitar added a whole other level of sound and darkness to Kaylee Cole. I hope we get to see this group together again.

Joel Smith & the Hands of Plenty was a hint of western, a hit of a whistle, and a hint of indie magic. It was tuneful beauty from Spokane. Joel had his new album for sale that hadn't even been released yet for $10 or best offer. He would even trade for it. Whiskey Dick Mountain looked like the Presidents and preached to me the good sounds of the lord. Well maybe not the lord but the good sounds of punk or them... Whiskey Dick Mountain. It was gospel punk that was a blast to see, can't wait to do it again!

La Cha Cha rocked it! They sounded great, I caught them once at the Empyrean - towards the end of their set and it was cool to see them play a full set outside. I like their energy and it is still fun to say their name over and over! They didn't make me do the Cha-Cha but I defiantly danced to their rockin' set.

The 8 people consisting of the Maldives took over Elkfest with their folkly alt-country Americana sound. Pleasuring your ear buds with multiple guitars, drums, banjo, and a steel guitar how could you not bend your knee and tap your feet to their sound? It was cool to see them pluck and play away on their instruments super fast and then bring them back down a little bit. A very talented group of musicians.

Shim closed out the night with their pure rock music and one of a kind light show. Like before they were fun to see and put on a great set. The crowd was diggin' it and the tambourine man made it a little awkward for anyone around him but fun was being had by all. Back to Shim, I still want to see them in an arena some day, I think they would just kill it! Hopefully my dream will come true, I think they are talented enough to pull it off!

Check out all the pics from day 2 HERE!

Day 3: Sunday May 31st
Pickwick, David Dondero, The Moondoggies, James Pants & The Royal Zodiac and Velella Velella

More Cowbell!

Sunday began with Pickwick and their Brazilian front man, this Seattle group had great personalities and music to match them. They joked that the only thing new about them would be their recent haircuts. Asking the audience to join their mailing list and take a moment to write down what they thought of their hair. I have never heard of Pickwick and by the end of their set Dale from RAWK convinced Matt and I to buy an E.P., they are a great indie rock band. Plus their E.P. had the coolest environmentally packaging I have seen.

David Dondero is a very talented singer/songwriter who took the stage next. When he played it was cool to watch him tap his foot and tickle the strings on his guitar. He was very funny saying he was a different artist in-between songs here and there; once he was Bono from Ireland. David played the Elkfest crowd original pieces and covered a few songs, it was a good mix of music and great for a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Moondoggies were fun to see, it was my first time seeing them. Matt had seen them before and loved it. I liked their overall sound, but the harmonica struck my fancy. At first during their set only one or two people were dancing and by the end of it twelve or so people were dancing to their music. Which I must say will make you tap your feet at the least. I use the term Indie Rock a lot but this was Folk Rock with a hint of western. They were able to smoothly play a song and rock out the next one, it was cool.

James Pants and the Royal Zodiac turned Elkfest into a dance party next. Wearing a suit and a knitted hat he mixed beats, sang songs, and preached to the choir - or the crowd of Elkfest. In order to make sure no one was hurt and to loosen up the crowd we all got to do a giant stretching activity, to bring "mad flow throughout your appendages." James Pants even got a toe-toucher in the front row! James Pants and the Royal Zodiac made Spokane's Party People feel creepy and good all in one set. Like the main guy in Velelle Velella said "James Pants is a performer like no equal." The Royal Zodiac dropped some lyrics with James making it a even more fun with all sorts of musical instruments. As Matty said "It's a cowbell jam session."

Velella Velella is just as much fun to say as it is to watch. I was so surprised when they took the stage! Two girls and three boys all rockin' multiple instruments, at one point the girls switched their instruments. The five of them all sang and it was this candy pop vocals mixed with electronic noises and mixes. It was the first time I have heard dance music and a flute together. That was cool. They were a blast to see, their opening song talked about being happy in your own skin and it just set this happy, care-free tone for the rest of their set. They are now a must see band again! Wonderful.

Overall the weekend was perfect after Sasquatch, it really makes me want there to be an outdoor festival every weekend! Yes it gets hot and you get sun-burnt but it is so much fun. For being a free event I thought the turnout was really well. The Elk and surrounding restaurants did a great job keeping people fed and hydrated. The art added this unique touch to the trees and street the festival took place on. I loved seeing local artists come back on days they weren't even playing like Kevin Long, the front man from La Cha Cha, Zac from The Booze Fighters, and the front man from Whiskey Dick Mountain. Shim and some of Pickwick stuck around to see bands play on Sunday too.

You saw Patrick from Platform Booking and the Caterina Winery,the lovely girls from the Empyrean, Dale from R.A.W.K., Matthew Winters, Karli Fairbanks, Caroline from Mon Cheri - it was packed full of kids from the Spokane Music Scene and it was great to see their support. You also got to see Tambourine Man, I have no words to describe him. There were dogs and kids, dancers, and a guy with an incense in his hat. Like I mentioned earlier, it was a mixing pot of people and it was a lot of fun. Thank you John Blakesley, The Elk, Artfest, and everyone for putting on such a cool event. Can't wait for Elkfest VI next year!

Check out all the pics from day 3 HERE!

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com