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welcome Welcome 5 Special Thanks 6 About Grassroots 7 Sustainability 8 Making a Splash 11 Marco Benevento 12 Schedule 15 Performers 17 We Love Our Tribe 21 See & Do 22 TICKETS & CAMPING -Day Tickets: $10/advance, $15/gate -Weekend Tickets: $20/advance, $25/gate -Gates open to the general public at 8am on Saturday May 28th. Tickets purchased online will be available for pick-up at Will Call at the main entrance to the festival. -Advance Tix @ grassrootsbigsplash.com -Camping Passes: $25
On behalf of The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Organization, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the Susquehanna River Big Splash Sustainability Fair! This event is a community wide celebration that brings people together to talk about combating climate change, renewable energy, wellness, and being mindful to the bigger picture. For a number of years, the lovely Village of Owego has been our gracious host. Please take some time while you’re here to stop by some of the local restaurants and shops in the Historic Owego Marketplace and support this beautiful community. Our staff will be serving up the finest local beer and wine at our garden; please stop by and sample what we have to offer! A continuing tradition is our Farm-toTable Café, where we’ll be serving up locally sourced produce and meats. All of our food vendors will serve with completely compostable materials- that’s plates, cups, flatware, napkins… all of it! Check for compost and recycling bins and separate your disposable items correctly; it goes a long way! In years past, our composting crew and your mindfulness have resulted in a whole weekend long festival that produces just one- that’s ONE- bag of actual garbage! We would like to keep working towards a zero waste event, and we need your help to make this a reality. While enjoying the great music all weekend long, we hope that you will visit our exhibitors and non-profit tables to educate yourselves on the newest technologies available in renewable energy and ways that you can combat climate change in your own homes, year round. Please respect our staff, security, local and town officials and spaces, and each other. We hope you enjoy the program. We welcome your thoughts and feedback and look forward to another amazing event! Kindest Regards, Selena Hodom Event Co-Coordinator selena@grassrootsfest.org
-Camping Passes are good for an RV, camper, or tent (up to 4 people). Please display your camping passes on your vehicle or tent. This is not per person, so bring some friends! -Camping is allowed on Saturday and Sunday night. Campers should pack up by noon on Monday so we can clean up the site -Kids 12 and under are Free.
General Rules -No Outside Alcohol will be allowed at the event or in the camping areas. We will have local beer, wine, and cider available for purchase with proper ID. -No Fires. Please no grills, open flames, or fires of any kind. -No Pets. Service animals are allowed and required to wear their vests and have their paperwork. -No Glass Bottles. -No Fireworks. -Respect Each Other. Please help us keep the environment safe and positive. This is a family friendly event. -Please help us toward our goal of ZERO Waste. Compost, Trash and Recycling bins will be located on the site. Please sort your discarded items. All of the service products from our food vendors will be compostable. Please do not bring anything that can’t be recycled or composted. Program compiled by Chris “Rummy” Bodnarczuk. Photos by Selena Hodem.
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
In 1990 we held a benefit concert to support a local AIDS organization in Ithaca, New York. Encouraged by the success of that night, we decided to create an annual festival dedicated to raising money for the fight against AIDS while supporting arts and education. With the help of countless volunteers, the Fingerlakes GrassRoots Festival has become an internationally recognized event with a focus on traditional and contemporary
roots music and dance from all over the world. For four days every July the festival hosts over 60 performing groups on four stages at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in Central New York near the university town of Ithaca.Twelve years later we started the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival on a 75-acre farm in rural North Carolina near the triangle cities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Twice a year, in May and October, thousands of people attend our event to revel in great music, sweat it out on the dance floor, celebrate the arts, and build community. The site has since become the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization created to strengthen the community through music, arts and education.
our organization found a winter home in Miami, FL, at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. The Virginia Key Grassroots Festival now takes place each February, in support of the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust non-profit.
The GrassRoots Festivals in New York, North Carolina and Florida have hosted over 2500 musical groups performing to more than 800,000 people to date. The GrassRoots Festival features music, arts, dance, workshops, a kids’ area, healing arts, yoga, crafts, a sustainability fair, camping and great food-- for four days, in three states, and four seasons. GrassRoots has built community, raised funds for non-profits, brought music and art workshops into schools, and exposed audiences to multiple genres of music inIn 2011, we partnered with Fingerlakes cluding: Folk, Roots Rock, Cajun, Zydeco, Clean Water Initiative to begin present- African, Bluegrass, Latin, Native American ing the Big Splash Festivals, and in 2012, and World. Susquehanna River Big Splash 7
Sustainability
Live music calendar
So what is sustainability, anyway? This is a tricky subject, and we are hoping to dispel some common misconceptions about this movement. First off, this is about you. It is about supporting healthy lifestyles. It is about growing and supporting the communities we live in. It is about preserving the planet that you live in for future generations. It is about creating a stable economy for local business to survive and thrive. It is about protecting our farmland and our ability to feed ourselves. It’s about protecting our land and water from all kinds of pollution. There are so many things that we can do to make our world a better place. We are hoping to introduce you to some new forward thinking ideas, and invite you to educate yourselves to make the best choices for you and your families. Our events are a celebration of community. We look for local and regional talent to bring people together.We look for family friendly activities that will help make our communities stronger. We offer our crafters and local businesses a low cost way to demonstrate their talents and products. We look for innovators that are developing new technology all of the time that will benefit you financially, and preserve our planet.We want to help you learn the steps you can take to live a healthier life.We look to educate you about some of the dangers that face our planet and our civilization as a whole. 8 grassrootsbigsplash.com
6/1 Open Mic 6/2 Mel and the Boys 6/3 The Gunpoets & The Blind Spots 6/4 Gravelding Brothers w/ Randy McStine &John Kanazawich 6/8 Cruise In w/ Fifth Gear 6/9 Watts on Tap 6/10 Pages of Paul & Escuela 6/11 Beard of Bees & Voodoo Highway 6/15 Open Mic 6/16 Triple Down 6/17 Driftwood & the Crawdiddies 6/18 Driftwood & Merkley and Morgan 6/22 Gerard Burke 6/23 Claire Byrne and Brian Vollmer 6/24 Still Hand String Band w/ Serene Green, & Chris Mollo 6/25 Travis Rocco Duo w/ Quona Hudson & Adam Gates 6/30 Humble Beginnings Band
est. 1831
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APALACHIN ny do some dancin with ransom!
45 minutes from ithaca 15 minutes from binghamton ransomsteeletavern.com
-22 Beers On Tap -Live Music Most Nights -A Binghamton Institution Since 1997
176 MAIN STREET, BINGHAMTON CYBERCAFEWEST.COM
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making a splash In 2011 the Finger Lakes Clean Waters Initiative partnered with Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival to present the first Big Splash Concert as a one day event in Binghamton’s Rec. Park. The purpose was to bring attention to the dangers of hydraulic fracturing-- commonly known as fracking-- in New York State. The first event featured presenters from both sides of the issue. A local line-up of musicians gathered for the cause and all came out in support of the anti-fracking movement. We showcased a number of organizations that were all focused on the same fight. The plan was to ban fracking in New York State. The event was a huge success, with an estimated 3000 people attending. We then hosted similar events in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor and Hector, hosting regional music and non-profit organizations to get the word out about unsafe drilling practices. The Hector event played host to hometown hero Willie Watson, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, twotime Grammy award winner Jim Lauderdale, and a slew of regional favorites. A number of noted scientists-- including Dr. Bob Howarth and Sandra Steingraber-- were there to educate the public on the dangers of fracking. We returned to Binghamton in March 2012 with a sold-out concert event featuring Natalie Merchant and her band with New York favorites The Horseflies. Prior to the concert, a Mayor’s reception was held for author, biologist, and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, who was celebrated for winning the prestigious Heinz Award. She announced that she was donating the entire amount of her Heinz Award money to the fight against fracking. A part of her award was given to support events-based activism that Finger Lakes Clean Water’s was doing. In May 2012, a concert and rally was held in Albany that would become the basis of the film Dear Governor Cuomo. FLCW, with New Yorkers Against Fracking and a number of non-profits, led the charge. Natalie Merchant helped organize the concert, which featured Mark Ruffalo and Melissa Leo as emcees. Medeski Martin & Wood, Natalie Merchant, Citizen Cope, The Felice Brothers, Joan Osborne, Tracy Bonham, Toshi Reagon, Dan Zanes, Ida, The Horse Flies, and The Ahkwesasne Women Singers-- plus a host of other talented artists, speakers, and activists-- took the fight to the capital with one message to Governor Andrew Cuomo: Ban Fracking Now! The momentum continued throughout 2012, with events held in Binghamton, Ithaca, and Hector. These events were crucial ways to connect with every day citizens about the environmental effects of fracking and how to stop it. And it worked! With a moratorium in effect against fracking in NY, and fracking being banned in several counties and communities across the state, it seemed that we were winning the fight. But, there was more work to be done! We started to focus not just on the environmental damage that fracking does, but rather, on sustainable energy alternatives and solutions. In 2013, the events continued-- to support and provide a platform against fracking and dangerous LPG storage in nearby Seneca Lake. We wanted to offer solutions and education about how to remedy these problems as well. In the Summer of 2013, Big Splash was reborn as a sustainability fair: a platform for renewable and sustainable business that was accessible to everyone. The events were transformed into two-day, family oriented festivals focusing on solutions based activism… and of course, music! There were solar and wind exhibits, up-cycled jewelry and clothing, local and farm fresh food and produce. The two day events allowed people a little more of a getaway-- a lot like sustainability summer camp! This is where we are today. We are growing and learning all of the time. Basically, we will continue to support local economy, the communities we visit and live in, and the environment. Susquehanna River Big Splash 11
SPOTLIGHT
Checking in with Marco Benevento We’re beyond thrilled to welcome experimental pianist Marco Benevento to Big Splash.The Woodstock- based musician is a familiar name on the festival circuit: he’s best known as half of the experimental Benevento/Russo Duo, but he’s also done stints with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and 12 grassrootsbigsplash.com
with various members of Phish. He’s recorded with pretty much everybody, including, notably, an album, Tigerface (in 2012) with Rubblebucket’s Annakalmia Traver. His newest solo album, The Story of Fred Short, was released on April 1st. Benevento takes the stage in the Dance Tent at 8pm
on Sunday evening, alongside bandmates Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and Andy Borger (Norah Jones). Our friends at Triple Cities Carousel interviewed Benevento for their May 2016 edition, and were gracious enough to let us
SPOTLIGHT reprint the conversation below: TRIPLE CITIES CAROUSEL:You hosted a tribute to the late NOLA pianist James Booker last night at the Blue Nile in New Orleans. How was the show?
I have time off, otherwise they’re like, ‘where’s daddy, who’s daddy?’ It’s all good.
than writing a piano part?
MB: I’ve always kind of come up with the music first, and then come up with TCC: Let’s talk about the new the melody second, and thirdly come up album. It’s your second album with with the vocals and the lyrics. It doesn’t vocals. How does learning to sing really change much. My tunes are very compare to learning piano? singable melodies, even going back to MARCO BENEVENTO: Great. I’ve my first record, Invisible Baby. There’s been here since Friday, playing every MB: Well, you know, on piano you can a couple of tunes on there where the night. I’ve got one more night here. play a lot of notes at one time, singing melodies are on a synth or an organ, but you can only get one note at a time, so could easily be sung. But I didn’t have TCC:That yearly gig has become uhh-- It’s pretty focused. I really get to that in the forefront of my mind. I never a staple of the New Orleans Jazz learn how to figure out to be, sort of really decided to sing those melodies. Festival. Did they initially approach way more in tune with my body with But nothing changed that much except you, or was it your idea? the singing. I’ve been doing a lot of vocal for the fact that now I have to think warmups and stuff, figuring out how to about words and writing lyrics- getting MB: No, it definitely wasn’t my idea, dial it in. It’s a new instrument that I’m imagery or poetry together with my although I am a huge Booker fan. But, learning how to play, and I really enjoy it. words. That’s the only tricky part about you know, I never really thought I’d have The crowd really seems to be connect- it: writing lyrics. I didn’t really do much to take on that task, really learning all ed to it as well. of that. But I’m sort of over the beginthat. My friends actually hired me to play ning hump with that, which is good. I’m Booker for their wedding, so I learned a TCC: Did you grow up singing? feeling more confident with storytelling, bunch of Booker tunes and played them figuring out how to use words to my for their wedding. Ever since then, word MB: I did, actually. I grew up singing in advantage. got out and people were like ‘oh you do bands in high school, and I did chorus the Booker thing, let’s do it at Jazz Fest!’ in high school. I did a lot of singing in TCC: So who is Fred Short? What’s So it just sort of happened organically high school. And then I got really into his story? like that. I guess the last three- or four jazz and improvisational music in college years maybe we’ve been doing it every and sort of put all that singing and stuff MB: The story of Fred Short is that he Monday night in between weekends of to the side. Over the last three years was a Zuni Native American Indian that Jazz fest. It’s fun, it went real great! I’ve been singing a ton more, and now I came from New Mexico to the Catskills find it’s a very useful sort of weapon on and was renamed Fred Short by the TCC: And then you meet up with stage. It’s a nice addition to our band. settlers- by Henry Hudson. He renamed the Arcs [a side project of The We have a lot of instrumental songs, and every Native American, because they Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach] tomor- now we’re sort of balancing them out had really long names like Bear Runs row. Have you played with them with tunes that are easy to get, singing, Through Forest Chasing Fish. So the yet? and more in that sort of rock/pop style story is, Henry Hudson renamed all the versus the jammy improvisational style. I Native American people very common MB: I haven’t played live with them. did a gig here at Jazz Fest two years ago, English names like Fred Short, or John Tomorrow’s like a rehearsal slash gig. and I sang a tune, and Charlie Hunter Joy. John Carl.Very common names. This The keyboard player’s still there, but I’ll was there, and he was like ‘oh man, it is about his travels from the West Coast be there to ghost, like check it out. Then sounds good! I like your stuff with the to the East Coast, his predictions that I play with them for the next five dates. vocals, but you know, it took you thirty the world was going to end. He’s kept years to learn how to play the piano, it’s on telling people that the sun is almost TCC: All this on top of touring in going to take you thirty years to learn over, and we need to not destroy the support of your newest release, how to sing.’ I was like ‘oh sh*t, it’s true.’ earth. But he was also a partier and a The Story of Fred Short. Do you ever I’m cool with it, though. It doesn’t seem shaman, doing vision quests on the land get a day off? so daunting anymore. I don’t feel so that I live on. I live on Fred Short Road, self-conscious about my voice anymore. so I was always wondering who the guy MB: Yeah, I do, I do. I definitely have So now I’m just singing, uhh, I’m a singer. was. It opened a can of worms, finding chunks of super busy times, but I have the meaning here in the Woodstock kids and a wife, so I’ve got to make sure TCC: Is writing lyrics any different area. [CONTINUED ON PAGE 14] Susquehanna River Big Splash 13
SPOTLIGHT TCC: We’ve seen you perform live a few times, but we’ve never really been able to wrap our heads Yeah, Fred Short Road, man, that’s where around how you do what you do. I live, come visit any time! We know you’re big into circuit bending- can you explain that a TCC:The Woodstock/Saugerties little bit? scene you’ve come to call home: it’s definitely a lot quieter than MB: A friend of mine came to my gig your former home in Brooklyn. in Chicago and he had a duffel bag full Does that help the creative process of all these children’s toys that had all at all? these extra knobs on them. And lights. They were spray painted all these MB: Absolutely, yeah. I have a little really cool colors, like something out studio right next to my house, like a of Wayne Coyne’s old toy chest or 20’x20’ little square studio. I have a lot something. When I fired them up, I more space now to create. I can work was really intrigued- it’s like all your whenever I want to work, and I’m favorite Casio keyboards that you mess surrounded by trees and mountains and with when you’re a kid, but they had all animals. I have so much more room to these tweaked out knobs and overdrive create! In Brooklyn it’s really hard to do switches on them, and I was immediately anything. Even just going grocery shopdrawn to the sort of ear candy of all ping or going to the post office; it takes these toys. I use the circuit bending toys a lot out of you. The city: there’s a lot of to help me compose music, instead of traffic and a lot of people around. And standing in front of a piano and running I have kids and I collect pianos, so the chord after chord, melody line after apartment was slowly shrinking. I had melody line. The circuit bent toys give to get out. I didn’t feel connected to the you quick sort of inspirational beats. land at all, so I just moved everybody Then before you know it, you’ve got an up. It’s so much better. I was in Brooklyn A section written in, and a B section. for ten years. I did my city time, I did And live they’re really fun, too. They’re the rat race for a while. Now it’s really cool to look at, people are intrigued by nice to just be connected to the land; them. They’re basically lo-fi 8-bit little plant seeds in early spring, have a big sound boxes.You open up the back of garden, get connected to that sort of them and you rewire them: add switches thing. And I live about a mile from Levon where switches don’t belong. It creates Helm’s place, so I go there and record a whole new sound. It’s a whole new with people when they come to town- I line of instruments I guess.You can go just recorded with Shakey Graves over on eBay now and get a lot of circuit there. I recorded on Amy Helm’s record. bent toys. They’re out there. And playing over there- they still do the Midnight Rambles every once in a TCC: Do you remember your first while. There’s a scene up there. There’s festival experience, either playing a lot of recording studios up there, too. or attending? I get called to play on people’s records in various recording studios. I just did MB: I think maybe High Sierra in three days with Rich Robinson. So I’m California was one of the first ones I busy, even though it’s the country. It’s a did, in 2002. I drove out there with my music town. Woodstock is a total music buddy Joe Russo, and at the time we had town. There’s gigs at the Bearsville The- a Hammond organ and drum duo [the ater, which is a wonderful place to play. wildly acclaimed, wildly experimental Kingston is a really cool town as well. Benevento/Russo Duo], and we threw [MARCO BENEVENTO, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13]
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a Hammond organ and a Leslie and a drum kit into the back of my Subaru station wagon, and drove out to the west coast to play that festival. Super fun, small little hippie festival. I’ll never forget it. It was one of my first experiences breaking into the festival scene, and people knowing who I am TCC: Are there any plans of a Benevento/Russo Duo reunion? MB: Not yet. Not yet, but who knows? TCC: So you’re coming up to Owego for the Big Splash Sustainability Fair, and then you’re straight down to Mountain Jam to play a Bowie tribute with Superhuman Happiness. How did that come about? MB: I love all that Bowie stuff. We did Hunky Dorey, the whole record in its entirety, last July, and ever since then people sort of ask us to throw things together here and there. It’s my band-Dave and Andy-- and some guys from Superhuman. We’ll probably do some of my tunes as well, but mostly probably the stuff off of Hunky Dorey. TCC: Prince died last week. Was he a big influence on you? MB: Oh, hell yeah. Especially recently-- I’ve been starting to collect a lot of his records, actually. I’m all about the dance party. Our band has been playing for crowds that have been standing up dancing, and listening to Prince is just a reminder of the importance of dancing, of how to let loose and have a good time.Yeah, huge fan. TCC: Marco, thanks so much, We’ll see you at Big Splash. Enjoy the tour! MB: Right on! For more information on Marco Benevento, check out marcobenevento.com.
schedule SAT. 5/28
SUN. 5/29
MARVIN PARK OWEGO,NY Susquehanna River Big Splash 15
Carousel Presents...
6/17 & 6/18 Driftwood at the Ransom Steele Tavern
7/19 Telekinetic Walrus at the Belmar Pub
8/28 Binghamton Porchfest
Your source for Greater Binghamton area arts and culture news, since 2013. Be sure to visit our booth at Big Splash!
10/28 The 4th Annual Triple Cities Scareousel Fantasmagorical Freakshow Ball
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PERFORMERS live knows that their performances are among the heaviest and the sweatiest. Those familiar with BMSM studio releases also know that they can refine the complex sonic force of over a dozen individuals with style and clarity. The Big Mean Sound Machine maintains a busy performance schedule, captivating cities all over the United States. SUN 10PM, DANCE TENT
Adam Ate the Apple
Adam Ate the Apple is an energetic folk/blues/rock band from Binghamton, known for their whiskey-soaked Thursday night residency at the Belmar Pub. Their current set list is comprised of songs written by Daniel Pokorak. The current lineup is Kali Cornwell (vocals), Daniel Pokorak (guitar and vocals), Stephen Schweitzer (bass), Taze Yanick (lead guitar), Phil Westcott (saxophone), Greg DeAngelo (percussion), and Tony Sulzynski (drums). SUN NOON, DANCE TENT
Big Mean Sound Machine
Big Mean Sound Machine formed in 2009 in Ithaca with one goal: to create music that stimulates both body AND mind. Today, BMSM’s collective of over 15 analog artists spread out over the East Coast United States bring together musical languages of West Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and North America to create a lush bed of rhythm and harmony that embraces even the most hardcore fans of both traditional funk and avant-garde jazz… and everyone in between! Anyone who has witnessed Big Mean Sound Machine
vocals. With a set featuring a mix of trademark originals and favorite covers, Ryder’s style channels Ani, Janis, and a whole lot more. SUN 11AM, FRESH AIR STAGE
Cha Cha & the Ndor Band
The sounds of America and Africa combine onstage into a frenzied fusion of high life, funk, afrobeat, and love. Forged in Ghana and the Fingerlakes and featuring an all-star lineup including members of Mosaic Foundation, Big Mean Sound Machine, and more. SUN 4PM, DANCE TENT
Bobby Henrie & Aaron Lipp
Bobby Henrie has long been known as one of the best guitarists in Upstate NY, playing everything from rockabilly with the Goners and Western swing with Paris Texas to bluegrass with Cornerstone and hot jazz with the Djangoners. At Big Splash, his talents will again align with another prodigy, Aaron Lipp, known locally for his current projects Outland Country, The Cabin Killers and The Rigs, and his contributions to past projects including Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Bobby and Aaron will bring their bluegrass flat picking and banjo/fiddle old time duo sounds and work you into a flat picking frenzy that you have never seen before. SAT 2PM, DANCE TENT
CC Ryder
This Geneva- based one woman band has been making quite a stir on the Southern Tier as of late, with her folky mix of acoustic guitar and salty/sweet
Donna the Buffalo
We wouldn’t even think of pitching the Dance Tent without GrassRoots Festival founders and host band Donna the Buffalo. Touring America continuously since 1989, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music. Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people that is accessible, positive, and memorable. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country, Donna’s music often contains social and moral responsibility as core beliefs, and they are just simply fun to get out and celebrate life with. SAT 8PM, DANCE TENT Susquehanna River Big Splash 17
PERFORMERS Elliot Jacob New on electric bass. With tight vocal harmonies, soulful lyrics and unique compositions, Jatoba is a force of music to be reckoned with. And they plan to stay around for some time to come. SAT 4PM, DANCE TENT
Jeb & Friends
Hot Beer
Echos of country, reggae, folk, and bluegrass culminate to form a sound that just feels right. The musicians’ different styles swirl in and out of each other, allowing songs to shift shapes and create a sense of familiarity. By not fitting into any specific genre, the music appeals to all fans of music. SAT MIDNIGHT, DANCE TENT
Join Donna the Buffalo’s Jeb Puryear and some very special guests for a stripped down set of favorites old and new. SUN 5PM, FRESH AIR STAGE
Jimkata
Take note: Jimkata is not a cool electronic rock band. Well, actually, yes they are. The band’s new album, In Motion, is a triumph of swirling analog synths and breezy pop hooks. It’ll make your body groove. But dig deeper.You’ll be rewarded with something more... personal. “There’s a lot of great music out there that makes you move, but you don’t remember it afterwards,” says frontman Evan Friedell. “We’re OK with embracing our emotional side. I think we have a little bit of soul. We’re embracing all the things that make classic songs.” SUN 6PM, DANCE TENT
Marco Benevento
For more than a decade, pianist Marco Benevento has been amassing an extensive resume of composition and collaboration. His albums set forth a vision that connects the dots between Explosions In The Sky and Tortoise on one side, Brian Eno and Brad Mehldau on the other. “Benevento jams with a concentration on the textures and colors available in his keyboards and arsenal of manipulated pedals and effects. His songs feature deceptively rich, catchy melodies and straight-ahead grooves that expand with subtle mounting gestures.” -Rolling Stone SUN 8PM, DANCE TENT
Laila Belle
Laila Belle plays all original, sweet and classic country songs, written by Amy and Ward Puryear, and they’re thrilled to have recently released their debut, self-titled record. Recorded in Nashville, TN and produced by Bill Reynolds, the Jatoba true sound of their music shines thru Since their inception in 2009, Jatoba on every track. These days, Laila Belle has been playing their unique music for has been joined for live shows by Brian delighted ears all over the Northeast. Ja- Williams on stand-up bass (from Bobby toba started as an acoustic trio, howev- Henrie and the Goners & The Djangoner, these days they are an ever changing ers). McKenzie Jones Rounds has been beast, with founding members John gracing the songs with her beautiful Jamison and Jason Scaggs firmly planted background vocals. And as a special in the center. For most of their career treat, Jeb Puryear and Mark Raudabaugh they’ve used the term “groovegrass” (both from Donna the Buffalo) have to describe their bluegrass/newgrass been known to sit in on rhythm at the electronic sounding compositions and occasional festival appearance. Laila Belle improvisations. These days, they’ve looks forward to more and more shows, perfected their craft while branching and to sharing their songs, both live and in new directions, with the addition on their record, with you! SUN 3PM, of the Marcel LeClaire on drums and FRESH AIR STAGE 18 grassrootsbigsplash.com
Milkweed
Milkweed is a group from Binghamton’s tightly-knit folk scene. Their love for each other permeates their songs and drifts into the crowd, who lose themselves in the group’s intricately orchestrated original songs. The band and music is an ever growing, ever changing thing, just like life. They draw inspiration from folk, bluegrass, straight country,
PERFORMERS blues, world and pretty much anything else you can think of. If it came down to it you’d say they are an Americana string band... but what’s in a name? Welcome to their shared dreams. SUN 2PM, DANCE TENT
try songs and unique arrangements of some old classics. SAT 6PM, DANCE TENT
New Roots School Rock Band
The New Roots Rock Band is a performance ensemble of students from Ithaca’s New Roots Charter School Rock Band course, which focuses on ensemble performance skills, popular music literature, arranging for a rock ensemble, live sound reinforcement, studio recording, and marketing and promotions related to booking and management. SAT 3PM, FRESH AIR STAGE
Next to Kin
Next to Kin is truly a family affair. The band is comprised of Ryan Cirbus on the bass, his sister Mallory Evans on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, “adopted” sister Mary Tewksbury on lead guitar and vocals, and might-as-well-be-theirbrother, Andy Thomas on the drums. Ryan, Mallory, and Mary played as a trio for close to a year before Andy decided to join the group in what has been a magical experience. With a wide array of covers and originals there is a little something for everybody. From Salt-N-Pepa to Joe Cocker, The Band to Blackstreet, you’ll be sure to be move your feet. Originals that are heart felt and sweet, you’ll have the hooks stuck in your head for weeks. They will be releasing their first EP, Next to Kin Live at The Ransom Steele Tavern on May 27th (that’s Big Splash Eve!) at the Ransom Steele Tavern. SAT NOON, DANCE TENT
Outland Country
Outland County is a new, fully electric project fronted by Big Splash favorite Aaron Lipp. Lipp (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica) joins Jimmy Grillo (drums, percussion), Gabe Schliffer (fiddle, cello, vocals), and Ryan Yarmel (upright bass) onstage to present lively original coun-
quits a handful of years ago (members have gone on to form Dutch Bucket System, Tumbleweed Highway, Bok Choy, and the Zydeco Po’ Boys, to name just a few projects). But they’re reuniting (if only for one night) and it feels so good! SAT 10PM, DANCE TENT
Triple Down
Pasty White & Doublewide
Adhering to the notion that the best rock & roll has always been simple, danceable and a little on the dangerous side, Pasty White & Doublewide deliver the goods stripped of the all-too-common fluff plaguing much of modern music. Rockabilly, surf and honky-tonk music performed with an old-school sensibility that reminds you how much fun rock & roll was and still is. Christian Sezenias (Pasty White) is a noted local guitar picker who also sings and encourages audience revelry whenever possible. Andy Troshan (bass, vocal) and John Seeley (drums, vocal) are collectively and affectionately known as Doublewide. Perhaps you may recognize these three upstanding Tioga County residents from their previous positions in renowned musical outfits like The Is, The Touch, The New Rockefellers, Mona Lott & The Lovedogs and others too numerous to list here. SUN 1PM, FRESH AIR STAGE
Second Class Citizens
Risen from the dead, like a heady, funky phoenix! If you spent any time seeing live music in the Southern Tier in the first decade of the 21st Century, you already know the Second Class Citizens. Their legendary live shows and late night festival performances were a staple on the scene before they called it
Formed in the Spring of 2013, Triple Down has brought a steady stream of jazz, R&B, and funk to the forefront of the music scene in the Greater Binghamton region. Covering jazz music from all eras of the art, Triple Down has become known for their funked-up interpretations of classic tunes with explosive improvisation and a truly energetic live show. Triple Down also has many of the area’s top jazz players as guests at their shows to showcase the amazing musicianship the region has to offer. SAT 1PM, FRESH AIR STAGE
Tumbleweed Highway
Inspired by everyone from Gram Parsons to W.C. Handy, Tumbleweed Highway brings a distinctly Mississippi sound with them wherever they play. There’s a hearty dose of Memphis shuffle, a little Muscle Shoals boogie-woogie, and at the delta, a good liberal sprinkling of creole zydeco powder. Sprinkle on a heavy dash of Outlaw Country and Southern Rock, and..... BAM!! You have Tumbleweed Highway, and a music genre we call Cosmic Country! Though the inspiration is the diminutive Chenango River in Upstate New York, not the Big Muddy, it’s still river music: laid back, welcoming, and a little bit wistful. You can’t step in the same river twice, after all. SAT 5PM, FRESH AIR STAGE Susquehanna River Big Splash 19
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SEE & DO
VENDORS -GrassRoots Farm to Table Cafe -We Are Seneca Lake -Pushing Green Foundation -Deanna Brodsky LMT -Head 2 Toe Organique Creaions -Spinnin’ Threads -Colleen’s Creative Outlet -WNY Wildlife Service -Golden Hand Design -Mondo Beads -Primitive Nature -The Laughing Place -McNamara Cast Iron -Melissa’s Bakery -Septembers Child -Riddle Luthier -Hemp to Change Our World -Can’t Stop Henna/The Royal Braiders 22 grassrootsbigsplash.com
EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS -Renovus Energy -ETM Solar Works -Ithaca Beer -Southern Tier Solar Works -Calvert -Taitem Engineering -Twin Tier Solar -Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY -Muckles Ink -Triple Cities Carousel -Sierra Club -George’s Pro Sound
HAPPENINGS -Kids craft workshops, utilizing recycled materials, will take place throughout the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday at both the Head 2 Toe Organique booth and the Triple Cities Carousel Booth. -Join us for morning yoga Saturday and Sunday at 10am under the Dance Tent. Bring your own mat! -Join Binghamton’s lucem picturae at the Triple Cities Carousel tent after dark each night for collaborative video light-painting, a hybrid artform blending traditional light painting techniques with the added dimension of time (and some really cool lights!).
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