Out the Other's 2009 Bonnaroo Artist Previews

Grizzly Bear

I woke up this morning with Grizzly Bear stuck in my head.  Actually, "stuck" isn't quite the right word, because the experience was far from unpleasant, and it's more like I woke up and the song that was soundtracking my dreams was still floating around in my head, carrying over like just another symptom of the first ten minutes of wakefulness, like a heavy head and the imprint of a pillow on your cheek and long, lingering yawns.

It's weird to think that I lived a life without Grizzly Bear up until four months ago or so - a world where Grizzly Bear was around, but we seemed to run in parallel circles (their music, my taste) that didn't seem to cross.  But intersection was in the cards, and it came in the form of Veckatimest.  I pressed play that day knowing that I never loved Yellow House and that I never quite got the band, but my wall of un-anticipation crumbled the very first moment "Southern Point" began.  "Where have I been? How have I not loved this from the beginning? How has Grizzly Bear not changed my life before this moment?"

Because, cliched as it may sound, Grizzly Bear has changed my life a little bit this year.  They've made me fall back in love with music, for one thing - of course I'll always love music but I hadn't felt the kind of giddy butterflies and quiet, adoring appreciation that comes with true love (as opposed to just musical infatuation) in what seems like a long time. There were weeks that went by where I barely even looked at another record, I just sat, rapt and attentive, listening and wondering how the band could achieve this kind of art-bordering-on-perfection that seemed light years beyond anything I could even imagine. I would listen and be thankful that something like this exists in my lifetime, when the well of beautiful surprises was long drained by the Beach Boys and the Beatles and a thousand other bands that came before. And if it sounds like I'm waxing poetic, it's because I am - I'm in love. 

And as we all know, love is all about timing.  For some reason I wasn't ready for Yellow House when it was released (although now when I revisit that record, I wonder how that's possible, because it's so stunning I think I must have been in a coma), but somehow, the stars aligned just in time for me to meet up with Veckatimest.  And aligned just in time for me to go to SXSW, where I saw one of the most breathtaking performances in my life when Grizzly Bear performed in the Central Presbyterian Church. I'm going into Bonnaroo knowing that the magic of that evening can never really be matched - perfect setting, perfect acoustics, my first live taste of the band - but Grizzly Bear is still one of the top bands I'm looking forward to seeing at this week's festival.  No wonder I'm dreaming about them.

"While You Wait For the Others"
"All We Ask"

Grizzly Bear will play the this tent on Friday from 5-6:15 p.m. Check out the full Bonnaroo schedule on the official Bonnaroo website.

Tobacco

Editor's note:  This is a lightning-round guest preview from Ryan Bruce, a contributor to the Deli Nashville who will be helping the local web magazine cover this year's festival.

While the procrastinating stragglers are making their way into the gates of Bonnaroo on Thursday night, a lucky few will be watching Tobacco. Based out of Philadelphia, PA Tobacco has created what seems to be a genre of his own. The relentless jagged beats cushioned by elements of psychedelic pop and mind-numbing melodies test the boundaries of hip hop, rock and music in general. Usually with his band Black Moth Super Rainbow, Tobacco will be showing us how heavily BMSR relies on his presence. His latest album Fucked Up Friends, which was released back in October ’08 on Anticon, is his first solo project and will most likely be the point of focus. You can catch this performance at The Troo Music Lounge at 1am Thursday night/Friday morning.

"Dirt (ft. Aesop Rock)"
"Truck Sweat"

Merle Haggard

Editor's note:  This is a guest preview from Jason Bullock of Lake Fever Productions, a former Out the Other guest DJ who offered up his writing services the other night when he happened to hear I needed someone to preview Merle Haggard. And I am very, very glad that he did.

I can’t say that my parents raised me on a healthy diet of music. That being said, I distinctly remember my father playing some Merle Haggard every so often. Song like “Someday When Things are Good” and Workin’ Man’s Blues” are faintly tucked away in my memory. I’d stop playing with legos long enough to try sitting around with my dad and listening to music like a grownup. Lyrically, the songs didn’t resonate, but musically, they were undeniably fun. Along with stray Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash tunes (which I always thought were a little rebellious for my dad) the rest of the time all I can remember is Anne Murray and the Grease Soundtrack. So, suffice to say, I feel lucky to have a more diverse palette of music to enjoy nowadays.

Haggard seems to embody a more genuine sense of that diversity spirit that Bonnaroo is shooting for. Though his country persona is legendary, he has never been afraid to add whatever musical style will make a song what it needs to be. The simple fact that he is at the festival mixing it up with Phishheads and Public Enemy is a testament that a truly great artist endures. The idea that a mob of 20 year old kids will be able to witness a true artist of this magnitude and carry that vibe to check out Band of Horses is inspiring.

I have no doubt that there will be a few special guests during the set; and I’m sure some festival goers will simply be curious about this 70 plus year old man playing real country music (in Tennessee no less) but I think the songs themselves will be enough to make people stop and listen. I know my dad would be mortified to stand within 50 miles of Bonnaroo but if there were a way to teleport him there for this one set, I think he’d be happy. Subdued, but happy.

"Warm Red Wine"
"Mama Tried"

Merle Haggard will play the This Tent on Sunday from 5-6:15 p.m. Check out the Full Bonnaroo schedule on the official Bonnaroo website.

Gov't Mule

Editor's note:  This is a lightning-round guest preview from John Conger, a contributor to the Deli Nashville who will be helping the local web magazine cover this year's festival.

If you've been looking at the Bonnaroo line up and wondering where will I get my fix for southern jam power rock, may I suggest checking out Gov't Mule. Originally spawned as an Allman Brother's side project, the band has had time to mature into their own brand of awesome. You can count on them for some sweet solos, extended songs, and a whole lot of down home rock'n. Gov't Mule plays from 5:00-6:30pm on Saturday at the Which Stage.

Femi Kuti and the Positive Force

Editor's note:  This is a lightning-round guest preview from John Conger, a contributor to the Deli Nashville who will be helping the local web magazine cover this year's festival. 

Femi Kuti and the Positive Force really kick ass. Femi, picks up right where his father, famed afrobeat musician and political activist Fela Kuti, left off, with music simultaneously conveying the plight of Africa whilst causing you to groove uncontrolably.His act features a full band including awesome back up dancers who are sure to make you sweat. Go catch the start of this show and you will find yourself so entranced by the rythym of the band that you will be powerless to leave. Make sure to catch this amazing act at the Other Stage on Friday from 12:00-1:15pm.