Live Review: Pickathon 2009 @ Pendarvis Farm
Photos by Vivian Johnson. Words by Mark Stock.
“We’ve played a lot of festivals, it’s kind of our thing. But this is the prettiest festival I’ve ever seen.”
So were the words of Dr. Dog’s Flea-like, raspy bassist, Toby Leaman. And he’d know. The Philadelphia band has done a number on musical gatherings lately, but perhaps none as fulfilling as this one.
“This place makes me feel better about being a person,” band mate Scott McMicken chimed in. The Pickathon crowd hooted and hollered, several in overalls kicking up dust in appreciation. Meanwhile, local beer came cascading down nearby taps, horses chomped grass and a fire pit was taking shape one hill away. And before I could search for the appropriate adjective—utopian, serene, blissful, fictional?—I was asked if I wanted my picture taken before a giant old-timey Pickathon sign. Of course I would.
Dr. Dog
Now in it’s eleventh year, Pickathon has settled into a force to be reckoned with. Not that you’d want to, as its style is so fixed you’d be hard pressed to find competition. Somewhere between a tiny Sasquatch! and an enormous pastoral party, with a sturdy musical theme running through it all like a big fat artery. Smaller and folkier than most, P-thon truly embraces the core of music, the same roots our beloved bands of today continue to suckle from.
The scene is something out of Sawdust and Tinsel, albeit brighter and unmistakably welcoming. The fences are lined with Christmas lights and every shanty is vending something cool. All of the doors probably creak and the sound is surprisingly good. Even better, the steep slope affords ideal band viewing from all corners.
Local audio aficionado Dave Allen is gleaming, having helped put together another sturdy lineup. We exchange a few words and I thank him for his work. What Pickathon was able to do this year is three-fold: First, it proved itself to be a true festival. More than just a gathering of music hungry bodies, Pickathon is set in a location tailored perfectly to both the size and style of the bands playing. Being just far enough way, the short drive to Pendarvis Farm makes you feel like you’re off to something special.
Hippie shake!
Secondly, it’s accommodating. Rarely do sacrifices have to be made in terms of band viewing. Nobody is fighting for a spot in the pit. People are sedated by the tranquil landscape. Everything is within a few paces while the organization is still just loose enough it maintains its farmy feel.
Lastly, it’s one more big reason Portland kicks all kinds of ass. Roots music has nearly been confined entirely to the elder and more remote parts of the country. For it to be celebrated in this magnitude is testament to the area’s love of Americana, the widening niche it has carved in the Willamette Valley, and Portland’s ever-growing musical versatility.
It was a barnyard gathering unlike any other.
Links:
Pickathon
Bonus video! Thanks, YouTube!
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Tony Fuentes
says:Pickathon rocked this year as it always does. Some highlights for us were seeing Alela Diane again(a fav from last year), Jaymay on the starlight stage, Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers rocking the house, and the traditional bluegrass of Alex Leach on the Wood Stage.
As noted in the review, there were more folks then ever this year but the venue and overall feel remains comfortable and friendly – and give where I am in life, refreshingly family-friendly.
Congrats to Zale and everyone involved on another amazing event. “One more big reason Portland kicks all kinds of ass” – I couldn’t agree more.
Posted @ August 5th, 2009 at 11:19 am (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari
says:Pickathon, please. Looks like a photo shoot for an Urban Outfitters catalog. Since when did old-timey musicians wear white Ray-Bans? A beard don’t make ya’ll know how to fiddle, but it does make you look dumb. You wanna be authentic pickers? Try picking some vegetables in one hundred degree heat in a field then sleeping in burlap tent under the shade of a cottonwood tree. I bet you don’t even know who the Jodes are you bunch of mama’s boys. You wake up outside Bakersfield and go “What, no Stumptown in the San Joaquin Valley? These biscuits and gravy aren’t vegan? I miss Pendarvis farm!” That’s real pickin’ ya’ll, cotton pickin’. Big Boss Man say get to work, or I guess the allowance your Upper East Side parents send means you don’t have to. Sure, my life blows, but that at least means I can authentically sing The Blues.
Posted @ August 7th, 2009 at 7:02 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkBabydol
says:Woooee, i can smell the armpit juice and petchuli from here in SE. Pickathon? Looks more like Pseudo-Oldtimey fest to me.
Posted @ August 9th, 2009 at 1:47 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkmike r
says:WOW, Kari and Babydol! were you even at the festival? Bitter much? get caught up in semantics much? i’m sure the founder of Pickathon who is from Kentucky doesn’t know anything about old-timey music or the growth and influence of old-time music on the bands selected for this years festival. You wanna spout spiel about work ethics and picking veggies in 100 degrees? sounds easy. been there, done that and in the south..try being part of the pre and post-production crew building the festival’s architecture in 106 degree heat waking up at 5am…yeah they aint got nothing on you…the 1930’s are over Tom Joads a ghost dont ya know. everything changes dont be afraid. try not to dis the most wholehearted non-commercial festival available in the country. Its a festival based on solid, non-stop, DIY work ethic for the greater good – that’s as old timey as it gets.
Posted @ August 13th, 2009 at 3:16 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari
says:mike r: say “much” much? Shut your piehole and go stiffly pick a fiddle you phoney old timey roots imposter.
Oops! Sorry! Supposed to be constructive here and not name call. Ok lets see: um, well, Mr. r, the only thing old timey is your evocation of the “DIY work ethic.” Zzzzzzz. That’s so 2003. Oh, you woke up at 5am too and once picked a turnip green in your granny’s suburban Atlanta garden as a child? Guess you’re qualified to talk about Joad’s ghost and say “ain’t,” but that doesn’t diminish the truth of my assessment, because nothing diminishes the Good Lord’s opinions on earthly matters. Tell me there’s not roots rot bandwagon and that 1/3 of local musicians are riding it to Trendtown, then i’ll be quiet. Until then you’ll have to ’scuse me. i have to put some more ‘taters in the deep fat fryer. These oinkers at Burgerville will not rest until they’ve filled every cylindrical inch of their arteries with plaque. But what do you care? You set up lights at Pendarvis farm once and have a beard! kisses.
Posted @ August 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkmike r
says:Wow, Kari, you have outdone yourself here. Real proud of you. Uh, all I can say is you are wrong on all your bizarre fantasies about who i am or what my point was in defending P-thon. no beard really, no lights setting. never been to atlanta. i barely like old timey music and dont care about “roots rot bandwagon trendtown” jibberish. THE ONLY point I will make, again, is that P-thon staff, volunteers and musicians are all honest, nice, and hard working as represented in the outcome of the festival. so, take the train back to crazy town and spend your energy doing something a little more worthwhile than judgefest. ’nuff said.
Posted @ August 13th, 2009 at 4:03 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari
says:mike r, i know you’re right. i am a bitter troll and believe you when you say that “P-thon staff, volunteers and musicians are all honest, nice, and hard working.” my mom might have quit breastfeeding me too early or put gin in the formula or something, because i am so hateful i fear i might incinerate myself.
You, though, i know are a good person. Forgive my sin, and know that i am a waste of time and mean no disrespect in real life. If life were a Pickathon, they would deny me attendance. ’nuff said indeed.
Posted @ August 13th, 2009 at 4:47 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkMandingo Fandango Last Tango Not Django in Durango, that Gringo, Where's Paris, Esq.
says:Being from “the south” and a reformed hillbilly myself, I can say this: the “Pickathon” look and sound is to “old timey” what Dolly Parton is to fashion.
Listen up folks–it’s a music festival, headlined by a couple of the latest pop stars, and a moneymaking venture. The folks providing the farm do quite well–they’ve been wanting to make money off the land for years. The founders? Aw shucks. just good old boys who love music–and money.
There’s not much to see here. It’s a mishmash of hippie magical thinking, “folk” parody artists, earnest hipsters dressed down for a tourist trip, and People Who Like Weed.
And yeah–I saw it. I’d count over half the bands in the “should stick to playing at family picnics” category.
Posted @ August 20th, 2009 at 1:59 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari2.0
says:reprint: “Pickathon, please. Looks like a photo shoot for an Urban Outfitters catalog. Since when did old-timey musicians wear white Ray-Bans? A beard don’t make ya’ll know how to fiddle, but it does make you look dumb. You wanna be authentic pickers? Try picking some vegetables in one hundred degree heat in a field then sleeping in burlap tent under the shade of a cottonwood tree. I bet you don’t even know who the Jodes are you bunch of mama’s boys. You wake up outside Bakersfield and go “What, no Stumptown in the San Joaquin Valley? These biscuits and gravy aren’t vegan? I miss Pendarvis farm!” That’s real pickin’ ya’ll, cotton pickin’. Big Boss Man say get to work, or I guess the allowance your Upper East Side parents send means you don’t have to. Sure, my life blows, but that at least means I can authentically sing The Blues.”
Posted @ August 20th, 2009 at 5:01 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJoe J
says:While the name “pickathon” might be evocative of the “old-timey” style of music, the festival does not claim to be an old-time music festival. They generally call it a “roots-music” festival. So, while there are some “old-time” acts (e.g. Mike Compton-David Grier, the Freighthoppers, Frank Fairfield – kari’d like him; he even dresses the part), the festival also includes folkies, zydeco, bluegrass and what I would call “neo-acoustic pop” such as Blitzen Trapper, Langhorne Slim and the like. You object to Dr Dog’s sunglasses? Yeah, OK – your critique will be given the weight it deserves, because music IS about what the performers wear. I’d think about taking you seriously if you objected to the electric guitars in their hands, but realistically, I’d probably decide against it). Now personally, I’d rather see it be more old-timey, and I don’t like Dr Dog’s music, but I have no real opinion about his apparel. Are you out there “singin’ the blues”, Kari? Perhaps I can come review your clothes.
Posted @ August 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkArianna Buffington the Vampire Slayer
says:“the festival does not claim to be an old-time music festival.”
Actually, that’s exactly what one of the show’s promoters has said it is. Try again.
“So, while there are some “old-time” acts (e.g. Mike Compton-David Grier, the Freighthoppers, Frank Fairfield – kari’d like him; he even dresses the part), the festival also includes folkies, zydeco, bluegrass and what I would call “neo-acoustic pop” such as Blitzen Trapper, Langhorne Slim and the like.”
Oh, I get it. *you* get to define what “old-timey” means, not others.
Posted @ August 24th, 2009 at 8:51 am (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari
says:Joe J, thanks for your enlightening jibblejabble. Yes, i am singin’ the blues, every morning i wake up and suffer through 8-12 work days split between one rat hole job and another. And i hum to the Delta and Chicago bluesmen while doing it. Also, is Dr. Dog a real Doctor? Have the Freighthoppers ever lifted one leg onto a moving train and dealt with yard dogs? You want to ask me about my blues cred, then i’ll ask you about these band’s cred. And does the “J” in your name stand for Jackoff, because that’s what you sound like. Really, clothes aren’t music, i agree, but since, as you called them, musicians are “performers” they sure as hell will get their fake asses critiqued by people like me for looking like huge D’bags. Because they dress as consciouslyl as they perform, Dr. J. Excuse me, my order from American Apparel just arrived: neon green glasses and a banjo. Tata!
Posted @ August 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkKari
says:Dear Mandingo Fandango, esq, i like your new handle as “Arianna Buffington the Vampire Slayer.” Me dig.
Posted @ August 24th, 2009 at 12:57 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalinkJustin
says:I’m the one in the plaid, lol.
Posted @ September 1st, 2009 at 9:57 pm (August 4th, 2009) | Flag this Comment | permalink