Justin Vernon
My second foray into the Eaux Claires experience begins. Once a year I ride on a school bus to satisfy my cravings for a Wisconsin-based independent music festival.
London, New York, Los Angeles and Madison? Yes, Madison was chosen to host Pitchfork Radio's week-long broadcast originating from the High Noon Saloon. The live stream was billed as a flashback to the days of free-form radio shining a spotlight on the local music scene. It wasn't quite clear how Pitchfork did their music research but there was no doubt who was footing the bill for the free Twin Peaks show on Monday night.
DUSK in Madison at the Frequency
DUSK is the new project from Amos Pitsch who is best known as the guitarist and songsmith for punkish Appleton, Wisconsin DIY rockers Tenement. We’ve been listening to the Bandcamp demo sessions from Dusk since January. Pitsch has always been a prolific songwriter as evidenced by Tenement’s recent critically acclaimed double LP. Dusk leans more soulful alternative country with a Byrds\Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers vibe. “Stones in your Casserole” is our favorite track from the demos and could be the kissin’ cousin of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards‘ “Dead Flowers.”
Hypatia, the Greek mathematician/philosopher and Trichotillomania, the hair pulling disorder are not the usual subjects of a college indie-rock band song repertoire. Leave it to Madison upstarts Trophy Dad to keep the lyrics intriguing and the melodies accessible.
The inaugural Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival will put Wisconsin on the alternative leaning map Friday and Saturday. The two day extravaganza featuring headliners Bon Iver, The National, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens and 38 other artists is one of the largest independent music festivals to ever grace the Badger State.