Camelfest 2011 Recap
Since we’re in the process of organizing Camelfest 2012 (yes, we’re having a Camelfest 2012), I thought it would be cool to recap the awesomeness that was Camelfest 2011.
With photographic help from James Damion and Sandy C., here’s the basics (in a long-ass post).
We kicked things off on Friday night with a brilliant solo performance by Hoboken legend Richard Barone, with his longtime accompanist Nick Celeste. The consummate pro, Richard (of the 1980s MTV staple The Bongos) was kind enough to donate his time despite being scheduled to perform at a different benefit later in the evening, down the shore. Richard performed a number of favorites for the quickly swelling crowd.
Richard Barone and Nick Celeste
Closing out their performance, the members of The Mommyheads jumped onstage and launched into an ominous version of The Bongos’ classic “Numbers With Wings.” Then, Richard and Nick jumped into their waiting car to make the two-hour drive south, so they could perform a second set in a different part of the state.
The Mommyheads and Richard Barone perform "Numbers With Wings"
Robbers on High Street, courtesy James Damion
Brooklyn’s Robbers on High Street were next, performing a stunning set (including the night’s show-stopper, “Hollow Hill,” from their recently-released album Hey There, Golden Hair). We were proud to welcome the band to their first Hoboken performance – we hope they’ll come back often, because they were great.
The Mommyheads played a rousing set, including tracks from their recently released Dromedary album Delicate Friction, while digging deep into their catalog with tracks from their 1994 album Flying Suit and 1996′s Bingham’s Hole. The evening concluded with a stirring performance from South Jersey power pop favorites Readymade Breakup, singer Paul Rosevear ending the evening serenading a thankful crowd on acoustic guitar.
Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day with temps in the 80s and no humidity, which definitely put a damper on crowd size for Charlotte Sometimes’ opening set. Still, her passion for the Roots & Wings organization and her love of performing resulted in an inspired set.
Shortly thereafter, we were treated to three incredible sets in a row – from Wild Carnation, Speed The Plough, and the great Yung Wu. Wild Carnation is an excellent live band, performing one gorgeous pop masterpiece after another, recalling great 90′s indie pop bands like Velocity Girl and Small Factory.
Speed the Plough at Camelfest
Next, New Jersey indie royalty Speed the Plough (celebrating the release of their Dromedary CD Shine) played an absolutely fantastic set to an adoring crowd (several of whom I saw moved to near tears at various points during the band’s set).
The afternoon set was closed out with a rousing performance from Yung Wu (featuring Dave Weckerman, Stan Demeski, Brenda Sauter and Glenn Mercer of The Feelies, along with John Baumgartner and Ed Seifert of Speed the Plough). A fan captured some of their performance on video.
Saturday afternoon’s performances were sublime, but we switched into super-high gear on Saturday night, with some volume.
First, The 65′s tore the roof off Maxwell’s, performing largely to a crowd that was unfamiliar with their music and instantly winning them over. They set the stage for a monster night.
Next came a devastating performance by Brooklyn’s The Library is On Fire. Delivering a knockout punch that included songs from their soon-to-be-released LP Works On Paper, this was also the band’s first Hoboken performance.
Then, we were treated to an outstanding performance by Boston’s Varsity Drag. Featuring Lemonheads’ founding member Ben Deily, the band have become good friends of Dromedary and turned in their typical powerful dose of rock, including the great “Billy Ruane.”
Varsity Drag, courtesy James Damion
The show’s headliner, Stuyvesant, delivered their typical kickass performance, knocking the Maxwell’s crowd out, performing songs from their just (then) released Dromedary CD, Fret Sounds. And while the band’s popular single “Duly Noted” was a crowd pleaser, it was the show’s closing song, a cover of The Monroes’ classic “What Do All the People Know?” that was the evening’s highlight.
Stuyvesant
The best part of Camelfest, however, is the friendship and comraderie that we have with all the Dromedary bands and friends. We all worked together to create a weekend of outstanding music – in my biased opinion, the best mini-festival the area had to offer in 2011 – and I’m thrilled to call Camelfest 2011 a success.
Front row, L-R: Lisa and Ben of Varsity Drag. Middle row, L-R: Tom of No Pasaran! (filling in for Stuyvesant), Sean of Stuyvesant, Josh of Varsity Drag, Ralph and Brian of Stuyvesant, and Al Dromedary. Back row, L-R: Dan and Cindi of The 65's
All in all, we raised over a thousand dollars and generated tons of press for Roots & Wings. As follow-ons to our own efforts, south Jersey’s Charlotte Sometimes has continued her great work with the organization. And even more incredibly, we were thrilled to learn that the incredible Yo La Tengo donated the proceeds from one of their sold-out 2011 Hanukkah shows to Roots & Wings as well.
So we’re pleased to let you know that we’re beginning plans for Camelfest 2012, which will also be held at the incredible Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ, this August. Stay tuned for more details, and for info on the lineup – we expect some special bands this year!
The Day After
The Day After Camelfest, we all rested. Two consecutive nights til 4AM are bad enough for my creaky old bones; throw in some (well, okay, more than some) good beer and it’s a surefire recipe for keeping me on the couch for an entire Sunday.
There are too many highlights from the event to mention, every single artist brought their A game and delivered inspired, inspiring performances. I saw a guitar smashed at Maxwell’s for the first time ever. I saw a drummer wreck his snare out of pure intensity. I saw what seemed like every musician from the “Haledon scene” share with an adoring, intimate crowd the utter joy they get out of playing music. And I saw an entire weekend-long celebration launched with a single cowbell. Among other things.
But I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw out a bunch of public thank-yous on behalf of Dromedary Records, as well as on behalf of me alone, for an excellent weekend of fantastic music.
First, I’d like to thank Todd, Carson, Karl and the staff at Maxwell’s for facilitating such a great event and once again proving why there is no better venue for live indie music in the area. I’m unaware of anyone that’s more artist-friendly, more accommodating, or more professional – and it’s been that way for years.
Thanks to James Damion of Damion Photo for documenting the entire weekend with his outstanding photography. If you need a photographer, James is top notch.
Thanks must go out to the gentleman who solved our drum hardware crisis on Friday (who’s name, unfortunately, I do not recall), as well as to Paul and Jim from Readymade Breakup, who raced out of the bar into the night just as Richard Barone took the stage, and returned with cymbal stands galore.
Thanks to the wonderful people at Roots & Wings, for doing so much work to accomplish such a noble goal; it was our pleasure to be able to impact it for just a bit.
Thanks to the Saturday artists for not forcing me to stand up and speak to the audience.
Thanks to Brian Musikoff, for going above and beyond by designing not one, but TWO amazing show posters. Brian’s art is surpassed only by his generosity and friendship.
Thanks to the guys in Stuyvesant, who never say no, and particularly to Ralph Malanga, who has been not saying no for nearly 20 years now. If I had to choose a person who would be more fun to have been with us since nearly Day One, I couldn’t do better than Ralph.
Thanks to Glenn Morrow of the incomparable Bar/None Records, for hooking us up with Richard Barone, and thanks to Richard himself for finding time in the evening to play not one, but TWO benefit shows. For those who are unaware, Richard opened Camelfest in Hoboken, and as soon as he (and his accompanist Nick Celeste) were finished, they rocketed down to the Jersey Shore to play a SECOND benefit at the Brighton Bar. That’s dedication.
Thanks to John, Stan, Glenn, Brenda, Ed, and Dave for reuniting Yung Wu and thrilling me (and the audience) to no end.
To the members of The 65′s, for opening up the next stage of our relationship with a set that scrambled my brain.
Thanks to our friends and family for putting up with all the work leading up to this.
Thanks to the absolutely incredible artists that donated their time and effort to performing, who passed up paying gigs in favor of playing a benefit, who took time away from their families, who traveled in from out of town, and who delivered one sparkling set after another. It truly is our pleasure to be fortunate enough to be associated with so many talented people.
Of course, thanks to anyone I may have inadvertently forgotten to thank; when you’re surrounded by so many great people who are so generous with their help, its easy to lose track and miss someone – but please understand that your help is truly appreciated.
And most importantly, thank you – SO much – to everyone who attended the event over the weekend. We are a tiny, tiny company, and we absolutely depend on the support and friendship of people like you who take time out of your schedules to pay attention to what we’re doing and to share it with your friends. We do our best to bring you great music, and we’re so appreciative when you like it.
Our very warmest regards,
-Al/Dromedary
Great Article on Camelfest at NJ.com!
Jim Testa at NJ.com has written a fantastic article on Camelfest over at NJ.com. In it, he covers the purpose of Roots & Wings, the Camelfest show itself, and a brief description of each of the bands playing.
Jim does a fantastic job covering the NJ scene, and has for a long time – through his Jersey Beat zine, his podcasts, his website, and his articles for the Jersey Journal and NJ.com. He’s tireless in his support of New Jersey music, and we sincerely appreciate the help he’s giving us by getting behind our cause.
Thanks, Jim!
Al Crisafulli/Camelfest interview with United By Rocket Science
It’s really weird writing about myself in the third person like that.
James Damion of United By Rocket Science did an interview yesterday with, umm, Al, about Camelfest, Maxwell’s, and, umm, his neuroses with respect to attendance.
Check it: http://unitedbyrocketscience.blogspot.com/2011/08/maxwells-and-dromedary-records-to-host.html?spref=fb
Jersey Journal writes about Robbers on High Street
The Jersey Journal introduces us to Robbers On High Street, who have a brand-new record coming out next month – their first in a few years.
Check out this great band on Friday, August 12 at Maxwell’s.
http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2011/08/robbers_on_high_street_to_perf.html
New Shirk Circus Single!
It is our pleasure to present for you the latest single from Shirk Circus, “Desperate Time.” This single comes from the forthcoming CD This Band Will Destroy Your Life, which is due out this fall on Dromedary. It will also be available on Small But Mighty II, the FREE sampler we’ll be releasing on Thursday, August 11.
Sadly, Shirk Circus will not be performing at Camelfest this weekend, because singer/guitarist Josh Silverman passed away this past February. However, by all accounts, Josh was a loving father, husband and teacher, and surely the idea of helping kids in need would have been near and dear to him. That’s why it’s a no brainer that we’ll be donating a portion of the proceeds from This Band Will Destroy Your Life to Roots & Wings.
Please sit back and listen to “Desperate Time,” which, after more than a decade in storage, is finally seeing the light of day.
New Mommyheads Single/Video!
We’re proud to share with you “Another Crowded House,” the new single from our friends The Mommyheads. The Mommyheads will be performing at Camelfest on Friday, August 12 at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.
The song comes from Delicate Friction, the band’s first record of all-new material in a decade. The North American version of Delicate Friction will be released on Dromedary in the fall. But you can hear it now, and you can also download our 2011 sampler Small But Mighty II for FREE in just a few days!
Attend Camelfest, and you’ll be able to pick up a FREE CD-R of the sampler.
Enjoy!
New Speed the Plough Single!
Give a listen to “Sea of Tranquility,” the new single from Speed the Plough.
We’ll be releasing a new single every day for the next six days here, and on the Dromedary website and Facebook pages. Each single will appear on a digital compilation that you’ll be able to download free (or pick up a free CD at Camelfest for as long as supplies last).
“Sea of Tranquility” also appears on the forthcoming STP album Shine, which is out on August 16. A portion of the proceeds from Shine will be donated to Roots & Wings.
Helping Those Deserted by the Foster System
Here’s a nice piece on Camelfest and the Roots & Wings organization from Lisa Kintish of North Jersey Publishing, along with some quotes from Camelfest 2011 performer Charlotte Sometimes. Since jumping on board with Camelfest, Charlotte has become more involved with R&W by volunteering, helping raise awareness, and potentially holding her own benefit show.
Of course it’s John Baumgartner and not Glenn Mercer that pulls double-duty in Speed the Plough and Yung Wu (as does guitarist Ed Siefert).
http://www.northjersey.com/community/126818868_Helping_those__deserted__by_foster_system.html
The Jersey Journal Writes about Camelfest!
Summer Hortillosa was kind enough to interview John from Speed the Plough and Yung Wu for yesterday’s Jersey Journal. They spent some time talking about STP’s forthcoming CD, Shine, and also discussed the band’s record release show at Camelfest on August 13.
Check it out at this link! And thanks to our friends at the Jersey Journal!
