JayeL Audio

So, yeah. Somehow, I was allowed to interview Chad from Dispatch and he was real cool to talk to and I appreciate the time he took. These guys are going to kill it on Saturday at the Hangout Main Stage at 5:15. Here is a excerpt of our discussion:

Circles Around The Sun is the new album and comes out later this Summer? What can fans expect on the album?
It’s not far off from the EP in sense and sound. Both the EP and album were produced by Peter Katis, who worked with Interpol and the National, in Bridgeport, CT. It has a few hallmarks in its sound, but it has one song thats hip-hop, some Americana and folk, but not much reggae or ska like we had done in the past. The timing just wasn’t there for those types of songs. The album has more banjo…it was fun to be in the studio. Like you said, the its been so long before the EP and this album so we’re kind of catching up on our studio time.

Head to Atlanta Music Guide for the full interview with Chad from Dispatch

This will be it for the interviews prior to the festival. I’m hoping to do a couple on site interviews and a recap after the festival. I’m pretty sure when I applied to write for AMG, I never thought I would have these opportunities, but know that I greatly appreciate all of them. Be sure to follow AMG on Twitter for all the action.

I would be lying if I said I knew Archnemesis‘ music before I saw the Hangout Music Festival line-up. However, I became a quick fan after listening to their first full album, People’s Radio. The duo’s debut is filled with electronic tracks that balance hip-hop, jazz and soul influences (and samples) along the way. Oh and its available for free download here.

I was lucky enough to interview Curt from Archnemesis as part of a preview for this week’s Hangout Music Fest. Here is an exerpt:

Electronic music is bigger than it has been the past two years at Hangout. There has always been an EDM element, but I feel like electronic music has exploded at festivals across the country. What do you think that can be attributed to?
Skrillex? (laughs) Winning 3 Grammy’s is huge for the EDM scene. Bassnectar is another who has done a really good job of creating community and building a scene over time. I feel like even more mainstream stuff too has hints of electronic music in it. Even in Britney Spears songs you hear some of the same sounds that we’re using and Derek is using or Skrillex is using. Rusko helped produced that song with Britney Spears. In a lot of popular music, the people overseeing that are smart enough to see whats going on. Even creating pop songs with electronic elements in it. If anything, I would say its the last form of music that hadn’t really become mainstream and exploded the way that rock, country, pop and metal and all these genres that have had their phases in time. Over the course of musical history, I feel like the electronic scene hasn’t really achieved the level of notoriety of all these other genres have. I just think its time.

Read the entire Archnemesis interview on Atlanta Music Guide and look out for more coverage of the festival next weekend. Be sure to see their set at 11:30 on Sat. on the XBox Stage.

Happy Hangout Music Festival week! My crew and I won’t be lucky enough to arrive for the Thursday pre-party, but we’ll be there as early as possible on Friday morning. In celebration, check out Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros new video for “Mother” (from Every Mother Counts 2012 compilation CD) and their recent performance of “Man on Fire” on Letterman.

Catch Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros on Sunday, May 20 at 5:00 on the Hangout Main Stage.

One week to go until the 3rd annual Hangout Music Festival. Are you ready? Based on the great line-up last year and promises of overall improvement from organizers, expectations are high. Festival grounds are more expansive this year with the XBox Stage moving north and Beach Blvd. being part of the official site. More room should help alleviate last year’s overcrowding issues, especially since the 35,000 capacity limit hasn’t increased. Based on initial looks at the map, the much needed extra water stations and restrooms should help as well. Shuttles sound much improved with better service, more stops and possible artist appearances on buses. Personally, my group is about a mile closer to the festival, so I’m hoping for more flexibility if I feel the need to rest (yeah, right) and a nice walk home at the end of the night.

Now that the schedule has been released, festival maps have been scoured and checklists have been made, whats the game plan? Below is my plan of attack with not as many conflicts as I initially thought:

Fri
It would be nice if we arrived in time for Sleeper Agent, but Alabama Shakes will likely be the kickoff to the weekend.
12:15 – Sleeper Agent
1:15 – -Rebelution
2:15 – Alabama Shakes – Um, yes. In fact, I might even suggest skipping Rebelution for the Shakes
3:15 – Yelawolf – Trunk Muzik from Catfish Billy
4:30 – M. Ward vs. Dawes – a tough one, but I lean towards Dawes
5:45 – Chris Cornell vs. Paul Oakenfold – Since I doubt I’ll be in the tent much this weekend, I choose the EDM of Paul instead of reliving “Black Hole Sun” glory
7:00 – Wilco vs. Umphrey’s – Last time I saw Wilco, they were a bit sleepy. However that was 10 minutes after I watch Rage Against the Machine. A good friend loves Umphrey’s live and I tend to trust his judgement.
8:30 – Jack White – Yeaaahhhhhhhhhh, I like this fella and Blunderbuss exceeded my expectations.

Sat
11:30 – Givers vs. Archnemisis – A tough call. I’ve been listening to People’s Radio a lot lately, but I’d also like to give Givers another shot
No one is a must from 12:30 – 2:15, so we could get lunch or go for a dip in the ocean!
12:15 – Devil Makes Three
1:15 – Julian Marley
2:15 – Heartless Bastards
3:15 – Gary Clark Jr. – “Bright lights big city goin thru my head…” hell.yes.
4:15 – Dr. Dog vs. Gogol Bordello- Don’t really have a preference here. I’ve heard rave reviews of Gogol Bordello’s live show, even if I don’t love their album material.
5:15 – Dispatch vs. Kaskade – Toss up. Maybe start with Dispatch and maybe catch some Kaskade dance party?
7:00 – Flogging Molly – yup.
9:00 – RHCP – double yup.

Sun
11:45 – Lumineers – A crappy time slot, but I’m a fan.
12:30 – Delta Spriit – Yes.
1:45 – Young the Giant – Missed them at Music Midtown last year and their ATL stop this year. I’m due.
2:45 – Michael Franti – The only artist thats been at Hangout all three years. This will be the year I see him.
3:45 – Steve Winwood vs. Cage – no preference
5:00 – Ed Sharpe vs. Skrillex – Ed Sharpe, maybe end of Skrillex?
6:30 – G. Love
8:00 – DMB

Be on the lookout at Atlanta Music Guide’s page and Twitter as I’ll be covering the festival all weekend.

I know not everyone will be at the beach for the 3rd annual Hangout Music Fest, but you may still enjoy three playlists worth of music. The daily schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but I did my best to guess (thanks to HOF Proboards). I’m highly looking forward to Jack White, the Peppers, Sleeper Agent, Givers, Wilco, Alabama Shakes and Gary Clark Jr. Download or Spotify below. Spotify doesn’t have all the songs, but thats another story….

Thanks to Jenny, Payton, Kacie, Drew and Scott G. for the song suggestions.

Hangout Music Fest – Disc 1 (link)
1. Jack White – Love Interruption
2. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
3. Jack White – Sixteen Saltines
4. Wilco – A Shot In The Arm
5. Wilco – I Might
6. Chris Cornell – Doesn’t Remind Me
7. Audioslave – I Am The Highway
8. Dispatch – Broken American
9. Dispatch – The General
10. Alabama Shakes – Hang Loose
11. Alabama Shakes – Hold On
12. M. Ward – Never Had Nobody Like You
13. Rebelution – Sky Is The Limit
14. Dawes – When My Time Comes
15. Dawes – Time Spent In Los Angeles
16. Sleeper Agent – Get Burned
17. Dr. Dog – Lonesome
18. Allen Stone – Satisfaction
19. Hey Rosetta! – Seeds
20. Rich Aucoin – It
21. Archnemesis – Helicopter Mack
22. Paul Oakenfold – Surrender

Hangout Music Fest – Disc 2 (link)
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Higher Ground
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Otherside
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
5. Gary Clark Jr. – Bright Lights
6. Gary Clark Jr. – Don’t Owe You A Thang
7. Flogging Molly – Requiem For A Dying Song
8. Flogging Molly – Salty Dog
9. Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies
10. Heartless Bastards – Got To Have Rock & Roll
11. Umphrey’s McGee – Miami Virtue
12. Julian Marley – Boom Draw
13. Tribal Seeds – Run The Show
14. The Devil Makes Three – For Good Again
15. Futurebirds – Breathe For Days
16. Futurebirds – Megachills
17. Mac Miller – Best Day Ever
18. Mac Miller – In The Air
19. Mac Miller – Donald Trump
20. STS9 – When The Dust Settles
21. Skrillex – Rock N Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain)
22. Skrillex – Bangarang
23. Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Hangout Music Fest – Disc 3 (link)
1. Dave Matthews Band – Two Step
2. Dave Matthews Band – Grey Street
3. Dave Matthews Band – #41
4. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Janglin
5. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Thats Whats Up
6. Michael Franti & Spearhead – 652 Say Hey (I Love You)
7. Young the Giant – Apartment
8. Young the Giant – My Body
9. G. Love & The Special Sauce – Baby’s Got Sauce
10. G. Love & The Special Sauce – Rodeo Clowns ft Jack Johnson
11. Cage the Elephant – Shake Me Down
12. Cage the Elephant – Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked
13. Gogol Bordello – Pala Tute
14. The Flaming Lips – Eclipse ft Henry Rollins
15. Yelawolf – Trunk Muzik
16. Yelawolf – Lets Roll
17. Delta Spirit – People C’Mon
18. Delta Spirit – Golden State
19. Givers – Saw You First
20. Givers – Ceiling of Plankton
21. The Lumineers – Ho Hey
22. Greyboy Allstars – How Glad I Am
23. Zeds Dead – Rucks the Jam
24. Paper Diamond – Levitate
25. Kaskade – Fire In Your New Shoes

So while I wasn’t overly enthused with the initial line-up for this edition of Hangout:
A) I must have been in the minority, since 3day passes sold out lightning quick
B) Additions organizers have made are pretty much what I hoped for (Big Gigantic on Thursday was like a kick in the nuts though…)
C) The rumors of Kid Cudi and Avicii are certainly great (if they happen)
D) Its still a great fest with considerably smaller crowds at 35,000 max
E) ITS ON THE BEACH

Similar to last year, I could use some assistance in selecting songs for artists that I don’t know, or know well enough to decide on a decent song or two to include. Comment below:
String Cheese Incident
Dispatch
G Love & the Special Sauce
Kaskade
M Ward
Shpongle
Hey Rosetta!
Julian Marley
Rebeloution
Archnemesis
Big Freedia
Mavis Staples
Allen Stone
Tribal Seeds
Jamie Bergeron
Paul Oakenfold
…and for shits, Logan feel free to leave your favorite Steve Winwood and Randy Newman joints. They might make the cut.

P.S. – If you enjoy combing message boards and reading everything possible about the festival before attending, check out these fine resources.
Hangout Proboards
Interview with AJ Niland (founder of Huka Entertainment)
CoS Hangout Music Fest page – duh

No preamble, lets just get to my own breakdown of the 2012 Hangout Music Fest initial line-up:

Yay
Jack White
Red Hot Chili Peppers (*added 2/8)
Alabama Shakes
Gary Clark Jr
Wilco
Dr. Dog
The Devil Makes Three
Flogging Molly
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Mac Miller
Dispatch
Young the Giant
G. Love & the Special Sauce
M. Ward
Futurebirds
Paul Oakenhold
Steve Winwood (haha)
Dawes
Paper Diamond
Rich Aucoin

Meh
Dave Matthews Band
Cage the Elephant
The Flaming Lips – Performing Dark Side Of The Moon
Skrillex
Randy Newman
STS9
Yelawolf
Chris Cornell
Zed’s Dead

Nay
Switchfoot
Gogol Bordello
Coheed and Cambria

?
String Cheese Incident
Mavis Staples
Allen Stone
Tribal Seeds
Jamie Bergeron
The Lumineers
Julian Marley
Rebeloution
Archnemesis
Big Freedia
Sleeper Agent
Shpongle
Hey Rosetta!

So that was interesting, eh? That makes my grand total of correct guesses….2. I wondered last week what angle organizers would take: jam band-centric? more electronic artists? a spice of indie? At first glance, I would say they went with…I have no idea. A little bit of everything? I didn’t expect a lot on the hip-hop front, but Hangout’s selection of only white rappers every year is a bit disheartening. Plenty of artists that I need a 101 on (SCI I’ve been hearing about for years, but haven’t checked out yet), a few I could do without and a lot that are fine, but I’m not in love with. I would assume that the next headliner to be announced is either Eddie Vedder or Red Hot Chili Peppers, but after the initial announcement, who really knows. This initial wave of acts certainly didn’t wow me. The acts in the “yay” section are great (Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr, Dawes and Wilco in particular). I’m hoping a lot of contracts just aren’t finalized yet, because there seem to be a lot of gaps so far. Obviously, Bonnaroo doesn’t have the beach, proximity to a pool or the 35K attendance cap, but the line-up rumors already seem like more of a win.

Thoughts?

Hangout Music Fest is doing what they and most festivals do when it comes to line-up announcements: make you wait. I have faith organizers will top the past two years in creating a sun filled beach weekend with great artists all weekend, but it is a tad excruciating. Especially since I’m already committed (basically) with a ticket and reserved beach condo (on the beach, btw).

So what should I do until the line-up announcement? Probably make a wish list. Here is what I sent fellow HOF veteran Brian P as my predictions for the 3rd Annual Hangout Music Fest:
The Black Keys
The Beach Boys
Pearl Jam
Big Gigantic
Pretty Lights
Mumford & Sons
Big Boi
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Childish Gambino
Fitz and the Tantrums
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Avett Brothers
Passion Pit
RJD2
Girl Talk
Edward Sharpe
Railroad Earth
Trombone Shorty
Janelle Monae
Tom Petty
Givers
Gary Clark Jr
Gomez
Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Alabama Shakes
Primus
Walk the Moon

Obviously, there will be more acts than I guessed, but any thoughts? Comments? My list is a tad on the indie side, so its certainly more of a wish list than actual expectations, but I can dream right? In fact, Hangout hasn’t really dove into hip-hop acts (AT ALL), so Big Boi and/or Childish Gambino are essentially a pipedream. The rumor I heard about Dave Matthews Band seems logical, but time will tell.

Based on the past 2 years of line-up release dates, I’m betting next Friday, February 3rd will be the day. Leave your guesses in the comments!

One of my new found friends who writes for Paste, Consequence of Sound and other music outlets was able to interview Girl Talk at Hangout Music Festival. Pretty cool interview and just shows how down to Earth Gregg Gillis is. Nice work Scotty.

Also, if you’re need of some quality PR, check out Greenberg Palmer – Boutique Public Relations.

Look for my rundown of the second annual Hangout Music Festival soon…

Tickets and shuttle pass are printed, bags are packed, Jen has arrived, and the route has been mapped out. I think that means its almost May 20th. If I had an away reply for this website, it would probably read: I’ll be out of the office from Friday, May 20th until Monday, May 23rd enjoying the hell out of the 2nd annual Hangout Music Festival. Yes, I will be on the beach in Gulf Shores, AL listening to the likes of Cee-Lo, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Girl Talk and Foo Fighters with my feet in the sand and a cold Coors Light in my hand (with a koozie, of course).

If you aren’t able to attend, but still would like to be part of the festivities, you can download the mixtapes and watch the streaming video provided by iClips.

Talk to you Tuesday,
JayeL