Day two of Interstellar Rodeo saw Janis, Erin, Cuz and I make our way down to the venue early as the first band of the day was one I really wanted to see.
SATURDAY, JULY 23
Noon Gates open
1:00 pm Fantastic Negrito
1:55 pm Sykamore
2:35 pm Sam Outlaw
3:50 pm Cat Power
5:15 pm The Mariachi Ghost
6:20 pm Nuela Charles
7:00 pm Whitehorse
8:05 pm Faith Healer (solo)
8:45 pm Lord Huron
So we got to the venue and got a good place in front of the stage for first band of the day a band out of Oakland, California called Fantastic Negrito. Fantastci Negrito is led by front man Xavier Dphrepaulezz who produced and wrote all the songs on his album "The Last Days Of Oakland". I had seen a little footage of them playing a while ago and thought they would be interesting to see. Well, I sure was right on that account. Fantastic Negrito came out firing on all cylinders, their music is a mash up of rock n' roll soul music with some funk too, but live heavier on the rock side. Xavier not only can sing like a motherfucker and his band kicks ass too, but he is entertaining as well. Lots of energy, great songs with a political slant to it, he commands the stage like James Brown/Jimi Hendrix did back in their hey days. He had the crowd in the palm of his hands right from the get go. Him and his band looked to be having a lot of fun which is something I always like to see. An awesome set and a band I will be following closely from here on in. If you look into the history of Xavier, he has had an interesting life to say the least. This was going to be a hard act to follow. What a great way to start day two.
Fantastic Negrito.
I missed Sykamore as I was in the line up to buy merch and meet Fantastic Negrito. So next band I caught was Sam Outlaw an artist originally from South Dakota now based in California. Sam's music is Americana country music through and through, but good country music not like the shit they play on commercial country stations. Sam mentioned that half his band couldn't get across the border so this was a stripped down version of his band with just him and a lady by the name of Molly Jensen. Their harmonies together reminded me of Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris. Great southern California country music vibe. Sam Outlaw is also a Six Shooter Records artist with one album out called "Angeleneo" which was produced by Ry Cooder. I enjoyed the set, good stuff if you like country.
Sam Outlaw.
Next up was Cat Power. I have heard the name lots before but really knew very little about her. I can see why now too, not my thing at all. I watched about half her set and just couldn't get in to it. Time to step out for a smoke.
Cat Power.
The Mariachi Ghost from Winnipeg of all places was next. I was looking forward to hearing these guys as some Mariachi music is always fun uplifting dance music. Well I have to say I was disappointed with their set, it wasn't uplifting mariachi music at all, not what I was expecting. Though the lady dancing about through out their set was mesmerizing and fun to watch.
The Mariachi Ghost.
Missed Nuela Charles as it was time to get a bite to eat, can't survive all day in the sun drinking without food. So it was off to the food trucks for food. They had a decent selection of food trucks too with some good eats. Looking at you Sailin' On, great vegan food and I am far from a vegan.
After some food and getting a second wind it was time to catch Whitehorse another band on Six Shooter Records who are on the road in support of their latest release an EP called "The Northern South Vol.1" an all covers album, covering some old blues songs.
This was my second time seeing Whitehorse in concert. Whitehorse is a husband and wife team of Luke Doucet and Melissa McLelland. I really enjoyed their set again, they sounded good and looked to be having fun performing.
Whitehorse.
After Whitehorse was Edmonton musician Jessica Jalbert of Faith Healer doing a solo set between acts, it was only a three song set. I had never seen her play live before but have heard her music a lot as she gets a lot of air play on CKUA. This was her first time playing Faith Healer songs solo, so she had a drum machine working in the background. She sounded good but seemed to be struggling maybe a touch with this being fairly new to her. Didn't help that there was a sound check on drums going on behind her, that's gotta be tough. Nonetheless, not bad.
Jessica Jalbert of Faith Healer.
Closing out the show was Lord Huron from Los Angeles an indie folk band. Again another band I knew very little about was pleasantly surprised by their set. Not what I was expecting at all. A great set by the closer, good beer, beautiful weather and good company. Good times!!!
Lord Huron.
Favorite bands of day two were Fantastic Negrito, Sam Outlaw and Lord Huron.
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