May 2013

I’m coming up on my fourth Wakarusa, and it’s hard to put into words exactly what I’m the most excited about because I just come into the festival KNOWING I’m going to have a great time. Each and every year the festival grows, and I can’t wait to see what all is on-site for the 10th festival, taking place on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Ark. May 30 to June 2.

Here are the top five things you can expect from the festival:

1. Classics from your favorite artists

Avid Beatles fans have been blaming Yoko Ono for the break-up of the Beatles for over 40 years.

Studio album purists might have a sound argument when it comes to certain rock acts, but few Deadheads would ever argue that the quality of the Grateful Dead's studio work superseded their live recordings. Most of their studio albums we’re muddled down by the likes of Warner Brothers, big time L.A. record executives that wanted a four minute track, or just poor planning and execution. Only the Terrapin Station studio suite superseded its live performance.

Umphrey's McGee is proud to unveil their latest live video offering for your sensory enjoyment. The first ever four-night New Year's celebration at the legendary Tabernacle in Atlanta is now available for pre-order on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download.

BottleRock held its inaugural festival last weekend at Napa Valley’s Expo Fairgrounds under a scorching sun, but the heat wasn’t enough to keep the crowds away. Downtown Napa Valley became BottleRock Central, swarming with crossing guard-policemen and retailers pushing their goods, and in many cases, their parking lots. Nearby neighbors set up pizza and lemonade stands and signs dissuading BottleRockers from urinating on their lawns.

VER LA LUZ, Scott Tournet's first solo album since 2006's Everyone You Meet Is Fighting A Hard Battle, hits streets today. The self-produced and independently released effort was recorded and engineered by Mike Kamoo (The Stereotypes, The Loons, Lights On), who engineered and mixed VER LA LUZ at his Earthling Studios in San Diego.