The Road to 'Roo 2013 | Buying the tickets & finding what's good (JD McPherson)

It is official! I am going to Bonnaroo again this year! This will be my second time on the farm, the first being in 2011 (which still remains the best four days of my life). Greg and I bought our tickets today moments after them going on sale, and are now in full on preparation mode.

Deciding to go to Bonnaroo is not a light hearted choice. Especially when you are heading down from the great white north (even though in June, there is nothing cold about Ottawa, Canada). It shall be stated that Bonnaroo is not like the other (also awesome) music festivals out there. Bonnaroo kicks your ass, and somehow leaves you wanting more. Roo is the Christian Grey to your Anna Steele.

There are some things you should know about Bonnaroo.

1.) This is not some "vacation". OK, OK I guess yeah, it is a vacation but it's not going to be like a summertime concert on a beach under the stars. No no. There is heat. Scolding heat from that mean Tennessee sunshine, that will ruin your day if you do not take the proper precautions. Meaning, stay hydrated, find shade between shows, sunscreen up, and equip yourself with a hat and sunglasses. As explained on the website when thinking of Bonnaroo think "Survivorman rather than Sandals" (the resort).

2.) Bonnaroo is dirty. You are camping but no, it's not like your regular camping experience in the woods where you can go swimming and canoeing and make s'mores. No sir. If you are lucky you will get a spot under a tree (we were so happy to have that tree last time), but this is a long shot. Camping at Bonnaroo means you need to accept being sweaty, and covered in dust and dirt for four days. You will wake up with a spider crawling over your body, but you will be too exhausted to care. This is the level of acceptance you need to be on from day one. Bring baby wipes! They were my best friend (and water, my mistress). Don't try to stay perfectly clean because your efforts will be futile.

3.) It is the most fun you will ever have (probably). In the course of the four days on the farm you will feel uncomfortable, tired, dirty, and sore. To offset the bad, you will witness some of the best performances the musicians will ever perform. It is clear that every musician playing is honored to be at Roo, and wants to show you just how much. It is worth everything you are putting your body through and more. Bonnaroo is the best! Not to mention the very cool people you will meet there. Everyone is there for the music. Bonnaroo is just one massive love fest. People are too dehydrated and sun stroked to be mean.

Being that step one of Bonnaroo preparation is complete (buying the ticket) onto the next steps of prep. The first includes making a Bonnaroo playlist!

Sure, you have bought a ticket to Bonnaroo to see some of your favorite artists perform. But there are a lot (!!) of other fantastic musicians, comedians, and artists who show up on the Bonnaroo roster, who you might not know. It is worth checking them out. This is how I found out about the Head and the Heart, who are one of my favorites. You don't want to miss an opportunity to see someone great because you didn't feel like doing some research pre-Roo.

The first artist I have chosen to check out (under Greg's influence) is a musician named J.D McPherson. JD is a singer-songwriter, guitarist from Oaklahoma. The retro style, rockabilly blues boy released his first major album in 2012 titled, Signs and Signifiers. Listening to S&S makes you forget what year, what decade it is! JD rock n' rolls like it's the 1950's. No, not in the way musicians take inspiration from an era and use it in their music. He is actually playing like he was put in a time machine and is rockin' with Fats Domino and Chuck Berry. Johnny be great.

The artist claims the album is "not a time machine record" but I wholly beg to differ. It is. And it is fantastic! JD says he draws inspiration from a slew of varying genres though, including Wu-Tang Clan and Led Zeppelin making for an interesting mix.

JD McPherson seems not to want to pigeonhole himself to the "retro" identifier. S&S does portray his onslaught of stimuli and how he has made it his own. Given that the heat can handle JC McPherson, he is one act I so don't want to miss. What a great start to my Roolist (Bonnaroo playlist).

Week 06: Feb 12- Feb 19, 2013

+ Happenings in Jack Whiteville: Owner of Third Man Records and being a clear vinyl connoisseur JW was named Record Store Day Ambassador for 2013. The superhuman, White, has also partnered with Nashvilles Belcourt Theatre for a monthly film series called 'Light and Sound Machine'.

+Gaslight Anthems 'Every Word Handwritten'  is a 15 minute short that is ultimately based on the lifespan of a record and the effect it can have on generations. Interesting? We'll see.

+ Rilo Kiley is releasing a special album this year, 'RKives'. The album is said to feature past B-sides, demos, and other gems unheard by the public. This week RK released a somewhat sweet and dreamy "Let Me Back In"

+ Prince releases a new track 'That Girl Thang'. The track strays from the flamboyant singers usual style, being acoustic. He does however stay true to his signature high, androgynous vocals.

+ A project requiring the use of 170 musicians, Beck has completed his rendition of David Bowie's 'Sound and Vision'. The finished product is BEYOND awesome. Extremely well done. It is my current favorite thing. If I do anything for you, reader, let it be me showing you this video. Click on the link! Don't be shy.

+ Tame Impala made their TV debut back in 2011 on Fallon and return to the set this week. The Aussie outfit is so unfazed and so wonderful; Elephant.

+ So, Michael Jacksons son, Prince, becomes a celebrity journalist on Entertainment Tonight? Irony, I think so.

+ Phoenix debut 'Entertainment' which will appear on their album set to be released April 23rd titled Bankrupt. The band has also released the album art work. Think, peaches.

+ VIDEOS: Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake release video for 'Suit and Tie' and the world continues to talk about and love 'Mirrors'. Suit and Tie is as classy as JT's new persona. So happy to have JT back. Passion Pit cast a crazy/beautiful Sophia Bush in their latest music video for 'Carried Away'. Lana Del Rey keeps up her diva, sultry songstress character in 'Burning Desire'. Yeah Yeah Yeahs give teaser to new track 'Always' that will appear on their album 'Mosquito'. Canada's west coast wonders, Yukon Blonde, release their video for 'Guns'.

+ Word on the street is that Black Sabbath is hanging up their regular heavy metal style for a blues album on their LP set to be released this year.

+ JUNO Awards nominees are announced!! And The Sheepdogs are up for a slew of awards. I was also happy to see that Yukon Blonde was nominated as well as Grimes and Bahamas! For the Americans reading this.. it's the Grammys in Canada for Canada and with much less sparkle.

+ The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival line-up has been announced!!! Today Weird Al helped in announcing the line-up in a Bonnaroo Lineup Announcement Megathon. Which just made the fest blow all other festivals out of the water in getting fans hyped up. **

**stay tuned for 'Road to 'Roo 2013' and 'A Peek into 'Roo '13' posts on the blog.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

FUNK! Growing up with a dad like mine, it is no wonder that I have such a love for funk music. Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears is my generations James Brown meets Wilson Pickett meets Muddy Waters meets Howlin' Wolf. The grit and the raw funkability resembles that of 1960's/ 1970's musician. Black Joe Lewis' recent album Scandalous is down right dirty. It is raw using exquisite melding of instruments. This album is so much fun! That stinkin' sweet bass line alone is enough to have you hooked. Lewis truly delivers along with all the musicians, in fact. Every song is played as though it is the last song anyone will ever hear. There is a rock element in a good majority of the tunes that works as a tremendous balance. Though it may be rock n' roll, there is still a righteous amount of funk. It is so, so funkin' sweet to know that funk will live on through artists like Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears. Can't wait to get my mash potato on at Bonnaroo.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Robert Plant & Band of Joy

Bowing down from the clouds, the universe greets its favorite package parading rock god, Robert Plant. Years after the majesty of Led Zeppelin, and having worked as a solo artist for some time, Plant has found a new voice to claim. Choosing to no longer divulge in the telling of mythological pros, Robert Plant has steered in another direction in his most recent musical conquest, Band of Joy. His latest attest of brilliance samples sounds inwhich are familiar to the west. In my opinion may be described as, cowboy blues. Although, Plant's newest tunes don't quite necessarily constitute as blues in the traditional sense. There are so many sounds that come from Band of Joy... rockabilly, doo wop, and some hard hitting rock tracks.Robert Plant has shown the world, yet again, just how bloody proficient he is as a musician. While I would die to be front and centre at a Zeppelin show about 35 years ago alongside Pamela Des Barres swooning and grooving to the mystical sounds- given the chance that I were alive, or time travel were an option- I will gladly settle for seeing Robert Plant the weekend of June 9th at Bonnaroo.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

I hadn't heard of the wonderful Grace Potter until this spring while perusing Bonnaroo options. Grace has this tremendous energy, she really does. You can feel said energy pouring, just gushing, into every song. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals most recent album titled, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is truly such an eclectic, soulful piece of work. The bluesy songstress that is Grace Potter shares an overwhelming vigor and liveliness through the music in which she creates. Grace and the Nocturnals embody a sometimes bluesy, slightly country, a little grungy even,  sound full of sentiment. Not to mention the hint of Joplin in Grace's vocals is to-die-for. The music is extraordinarily well put together. There is a distinct functional balance that is really working for the group. If this capacity of zest can be launched through the speakers of my MacBook, I can't even imagine the vitality of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals live on stage at Great Stage Park.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: The Head and the Heart

Sigh. The Head and the Heart, ladies and gentlemen. I fell in love upon first listen. This group of twenty-somethings sings and plays as though they are of another time, an older time. With a seemingly clear influence of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young as well as Leonard Cohen whilst sounding quite Dylan-esque at times, this Seattle folk based group has my heart. There is an overpowering woeful element that is oozing from this bands pours. The Head and the Heart have the added contribution of being pop writers and having a somewhat pop-ish backbone, though I maintain they are a predominantly folk... soulfully folk. These genres fusing together with six brilliant musicians has generated an unerring arrangement of music. This video of Lost in My Mind is amazing. I am constantly drawn to the creative, artistic coups of others and this to me, this whopping pit of passion can not be described in any words, other than beautiful.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Gregg Allman

Are you a fan of the Allman Brothers Band? Yes? Then no need to read any further, you already know what's up (read further anyways). Gregg Allman, of the Allman Brothers, has one of the best voices in blues, and one of my personal favorite voices for country. Gregg Allman is an elite musical veteran. He recently released his first solo album since 1997, Low Country Blues, and good gracious it is to-die-for. The comfort and righteousness of the music created by Gregg Allman feels homegrown. What I love about Gregg Allman's music is, I feel as if there is nothing he is out to prove. He just is a top-notch musician, who fashions stinkin' sweet, growling blues. I would be honored to see Gregg Allman at Bonnaroo.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Chiddy Bang

Chiddy Bang is an electronic, hip hop, indie duo from Philly. Their sound is a whole lot of fun. Chiddy Bang's electro-indie-hop sound comes from the melding of many different musical elements. These two artists eclectic tastes are on display in much of their music. Chiddy Bang's music is beyond just a little bit tuneful. This is the type of music that makes you really move... every track is seemingly, unintentionally a dance jam. I have no doubt in my mind that Chiddy Bang will put on a rad show at Bonnaroo.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Florence + the Machine

Florence Welch or as we know her, Florence + the Machine is magical. Florence says: "I want my music to sound like throwing yourself out of a tree, or off a tall building, or as if you're being sucked down into the ocean and can't breathe....It's something overwhelming and all-encompassing that fills you up, and you're either going to explode with it, or you're just going to disappear". That is how her music makes you feel. The playful, and eccentricity of the music that Florence + the Machine creates is intoxicating. The progression in the majority of her songs is untouchable. Florence encompasses a certain creativity that is so rare and so special.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: The Black Keys

If you know me, or have even read what I have to say about The Black Keys. You will know that, my love runs deep. Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach are a super duo who create the loosest, bluseyest, rawest of music this decade has seen. From their recording style to the way they play their music, these two artistry intellects are the epitome of authenticity. Unlike their previous albums, The Black Keys most recent, Brothers explores a miscellaneous gaggle of music genres; blues, rock, soul, funk... Ah it is so incredible. I cannot comprehend whether they are either ahead of their time, or behind in the times (in the most evocative way). The Black Keys are the number one band I am looking forward to seeing in Bonnaroo. Nothing will be able to hold me back from their romp induced tunes.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Girl Talk

Greg Gillis aka Girl Talk is a seriously skilled musical visionary. He samples songs into compilations like never heard before. Any genre you can think of; rock, pop, blues, rap, hip-hop, soul, country, rockabilly, folk... chances are you will find a little piece of something you're digging in a track. The thinking that must go behind this dj'ing is mind boggling. Music by Girl Talk is layered, impressive, fun and well thought out. I cannot even begin to imagine the dance party that is going to go down with Girl Talk spinning his latest album, All Day. There is no other word to describe the music arrangements put together by Girl Talk than spectacular.

I have a total Bonnaroo for you...

It's been awhile, eh? I suppose I've been busy since December 21st. I mean, Greg and I went to Cuba, decided to become English teachers, watched a lot (and I mean a lot) of Lost...you know? Doin' thangs. But, I would have to say the most exciting thing we've done lately is buy tickets for Bonnaroo!! "Excited" does not even begin to describe how the two of us feel. Neither of us has gone to a festival of this caliber before, so we have a lot of preparing to do.

One way of preparing? Checking out some of the artists that will be at the festival. And, lucky for you... I was thinking we'd give ya a preview right here on the blog. You're welcome. There are a lot of artists so I may not get through all of them, but we will try our best. Well, I will try my best to try my best.

Anyways, this year is full of big things. I'm stoked, and fully amped on sharing them with you. Stay tuned fellow music lovers.

A Peek into 'Roo '11: Mumford & Sons

Ben Lovett, Ted Dwane, Winston Marshall, and Marcus Mumford are Mumford & Sons. They are an English folk group with an unheeding dose of bluegrass, and soul. We love Mumford & Sons whole heartedly over here. Such amazing passion, energy and all around talent coming out of this band. It's always incredible when every member of a group can and does contribute the playability of at least three instruments. These four lads exude a certain special balance of melancholy and whimsy. Their old time, much appreciated, genuine sound will make you question any sounds you have heard up until the moment you have heard Mumford & Sons. They create beautiful music.