Pickathon 2012 . Indie Roots Music Festival . Pendarvis Farm . Portland, Oregon

Pickathon Weekly Update: Pickathon gets some press, Ty Segall, Kurt Vile, JD McPherson and more.

Pickathon — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:46:12 -0700

It's Friday and today we've decided to give a smattering of Pickathon news from around the web...

First, The Bay Bridged points out in their fine writeup of Pickathon that "If the idea of festival juggernauts like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo stresses you out despite your appetite for the elongated thrill of a three-day party, Pickathon is a perfect alternative." And then just today Travel Oregon tells us how they feel ... "I’ve gone two years in a row now and it’s by far the most family-friendly, intimate, sustainable, low-hassle, musically diverse and beautifully executed festival I have ever been to. We couldn't agree more!

Also this week, a few of the artists from this years lineup have been making noise of their own; JD McPherson for his AMA nominations, Kurt Vile in Portland and tonight on Letterman, and now Ty Segall has announced a new release titled Sleepers, due out August 20 on Drag City. Ty will have his Sleepers band with him at Pickathon, and we'll most certainly see the new album live.

So that's all we have this week. We hope you are making Pickathon part of the plan for this summer, 2013 looks to be yet another amazing once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. Not to be missed.

If you have not already, please make sure to pick up your tickets now.

...see you on Monday.

Thinking about biking out to Pickathon?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Since it's officially Bike to Work week, we figured a good time to start the conversation for those that have interest in biking to Pickathon.

We've always tried to champion this idea and have worked to help make it easier for those that want to give it a shot.

That said...

Who's up for organized group rides and camping gear transport ideas for folks that want to bike out to Pickathon 2013?

From most anywhere in Portland, Pendarvis Farm is around a 16.5-17 mile bike ride and would be expected to take +/- 1.5-2 hours.

Bike Parking is provided by BikeRacker when you get to the festival, so there is a secure place to park and lockup the steed that you can keep tabs on all weekend.

It would be great to hear from anyone that has Pickathon biking experiences they'd like to share from the past few years. Also, we'd love to pool thoughts for best routes and group ride suggestions from both east and west Portland.

Thanks for biking!

Venue improvements are afoot out at Pendarvis Farm...

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

One of the areas that we're dedicated to putting new energy towards in 2013 is the Mountain View / Main Venue Amphitheater. This is an incredibly busy part of the farm and as many of you already know, it is the official 'center' of the Pickathon weekend.

There are already a few big ideas being worked out that will drastically improve the look and feel of this area in 2013, which very soon we will begin to share these details with you. In the meantime, we felt this was a good juncture to ask for your ideas in regards to the attendee experience within this part of Pendarvis Farm.

Are there ideas, suggestions, or thoughts that you feel we should consider?

Although we've already compiled your feedback from the past year, we wanted to open this up one more time during these final months of preparation.

Let us know what you think as it is our goal to continually tweak, improve, and introduce new ideas that help shape the Pickathon experience.

Happy Mothers Day

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It's Moms day this Sunday, so make sure to give her a bit of extra love and attention all weekend.

Better yet, maybe you want to show that love by bringing her to this years Pickathon...? What a gift!

Have a great weekend.

This new Pickathon playlist is perfect for a sunny day.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

We love pre-Summer, and if you're anywhere that is having this amazing weather, you likely do too.

Today's playlist features a small group of artists who are all new to Pickathon in 2013.

Another 18 minute jaunt through a few of the reasons why we are excited about this years lineup...

Pickathon Sound Poem 2 brings you tunes from Yellowbirds, Divine Fits, JD McPherson, Foxygen, and Cedric Watson Bijou Creole.

Enjoy!

Camping at Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Lets face it, camping at any festival can at times be a complete drag. Either your neighbors tents are too close, there is not enough shade, uneven ground, too hot, too dusty, too noisy, and who could leave out the ridiculously long hike to the nearest honey bucket...

Believe us when we say that we've seen our fair share of these issues come up over the past 15 years, all of which we've tried to tackle and fix with a thoughtful approach. Our goals are to keep Pickathon clean, comfortable, and accessible to all. Whether you need family camping, quiet camping, or rowdy camping...we feel that you're covered while at Pickathon.

If you are planning on camping at Pickathon, please check out the Camping Info Section. There you will find a complete rundown of amenities and services that will be provided at this years festival; custom built showers, ample porto-potties that are serviced daily, free drinking water and designated areas for rinsing and washing dishes, delicious and local vendors, $4 Oregon beer, cider wine, food and coffee vendors that are open at 7am, and of course... stuff for the kids to do as soon as they wake up.

Rarely is camping at a music festival this good...

Don't miss year 15 of Pickathon! Weekend Tickets are available with the complete stage schedule set to be announced later in the month.

Pickathon Ticket Reminders

Pickathon — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:04:05 -0700

Given we're officially on the downhill slide, it's time to remind everyone that now is the time to get your tickets to this years Pickathon, August 2-4 at the famous Pendarvis Farm. That's right, in less than 100 days the gates will be swung wide open... will you be there with bells on?

Pickathon is a 'limited capacity' festival, which for this caliber of talent and setting, it's a true diamond in the ruff. The idea here is to limit the overall number of folks onsite, provide intimate performance spaces for artists and attendees, and create a comfortable and accessible experience for everyone that is there.

Currently there are only Weekend Tickets being sold, which comes with camping (if you choose) and access to three full days of music from close to 50 artists, on seven different stages (that's right, SEVEN... a new little stage is being added in 2013). All-in that's over 100 hours of live performances to choose from during your 72 hour stay! ... and that's not even including all the amazing kids camps, shows, classes, workshops, and activities. Where will you find the time?

There WILL be a very-very small amount of Single Day Tickets released ($130 each day), but these will not be available until later in June - after the completed daily stage schedule has been announced.

Our advice is to make sure you're not waiting too long.. Pickathon will sell-out in 2013, and there will only be but a few 'emergency reserve' tickets available at the gate.

Find your Tickets to Pickathon 2013 HERE.

So why choose Pickathon?

With so many choices to make for your upcoming summer, one needs to ask... why choose Pickathon?

This answer does not easily fit in a single paragraph (or even four paragraphs), but we'll give it our best shot to provide a few good reasons.... First of all, Pickathon is all about the music. We are a festival that does not get hung-up on big names with lots of buzz. Nor do we stay confined within any one genre. For fans that appreciate 'good and original' artists, we can safely say that Pickathon is the place for you. A music lovers paradise, an aficionados retreat. Need more convincing?... let the 2013 Lineup speak for itself.

Pendarvis Farm is an oddity in that where else can you find 80 wild and forested acres so close to a major U.S. city? Within biking distance, yet so far removed from the bustle, a visit to Pickathon will feel like you've traveled to another planet. A perfect mix of over 3.5 miles of hiking trails (all lit at night by led's) and tent camping space amongst the big trees. Pickathon is ideal for families who want to get away, without going to far... a stay-cation if you will.

Being different by design has allowed us to take huge strides in providing attention to every detail imaginable. First of all, as many of you know - Pickathon is a zero-single-use event; which means no plastic cups in the beer gardens, and no throw away dishes/utensils in the vending area. The outcome benefits us all... in the short term you see that Pickathon stays super clean with very little effort, with the long term benefit being that we help divert tons of unnecessary garbage from entering the one-way waste cycle. This years food vendor and beer/cider/wine garden menus are entering the final stages of completion, so expect that mouth watering news to be released within the next few weeks. We'll say it now, and we'll say it again later... show up hungry and thirsty as not only are our vendors the cream of the crop, but they are also super affordable.

So there you go, just a few of the many reasons why Pickathon could be the right choice for you.

Hope to see you at the farm this August as we once again celebrate our favorite weekend of the year!

Here's to turning 15,

- Pickathon

A new Pickathon playlist. Have 18 minutes to spare?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Today we've decided to put together and post a few of the tunes we're listening to these days. A very May day mix featuring 2013 Pickathon artists Foghorn Stringband, Parquet Courts, LADY, and Kurt Vile.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the first installment of the what we like to call a Pickathon Sound Poem.

LISTEN TO PICKATHON SOUND POEM ONE AT THIS LINK

Oh, and one more thing.. we are currently working out bugs for the Firefox version of this playlist, so do not use that browser as it will not work. Do use either Safari, Chrome, Explorer, etc..

95 days and counting down..

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Less than 100 days to wait until the kickoff of this years Pickathon! We already know that this time is going to fly by, so let's begin to get ready shall we?

Where else can you see each of these artists twice over the course of a single weekend at one of the most beautiful venues in the Northwest ...all within 20 minutes of downtown Portland, Oregon?

Feist, Divine Fits, Andrew Bird, The Devil Makes Three, SharonVanEtten, Kurt Vile, Ty Segall, and so many more...

The complete stage schedule (featuring seven stages in 2013) is taking shape and we expect to see this appear on the website within the next couple weeks.

There are still some Weekend Tickets (includes camping) available at the tickets page, but don't count on them being available at the gate. Tell your friends, bring the family, and don't forget to get a sitter for the dog...

Keep an eye on the blog and make sure you're signed up on the Pickathon email list, over the next few months there is a lot of news and a few surprises headed our way.

See you this summer!

It's National Volunteer Week!

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

That's right, it's National Volunteer Week and we want to take today to thank every single Pickathon Volunteer that has been with the festival over the last 15 years. You all are awesome!

So far 2013 has been a great year for P-farm work parties, with this past weekend bringing record crowds out on Saturday and Sunday. Over the next few months we're looking forward to other work parties out at the farm and encourage folks to check 'em out if having never volunteered at Pickathon. For all returning volunteers from Pickathon 2012... expect to see the 2013 volunteer application in your inbox sometime next month. For all other prospective Pickathon Volunteers, the 2013 volunteer application will be posted on the website in June.

By the way, did we hear that Pickathon work parties are for the birds? .... Way to go Sherry, you are a true land champ.

Lineup Additions + Premier of Pickathon TV Episode 1 on KEXP

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

We're thrilled to announce the addition of Ty Segall, The Relatives, and Jessica Pratt to the 2013 Pickathon lineup!

Where else but Pickathon can you find the crown prince of California garage rock on the same bill as Dallas gospel legends and a tranquil folk chanteuse? These artists, alongside forty-four others will spread out for two sets each amongst seven dreamlike stages over three unbelievable days.

Also, today we're pleased to present the first episode from PICKATHON TV! Highlighting what one could expect to encounter while at this years Pickathon, episode one is packed with amazing footage culled from the efforts of over 200 volunteers, artists, directors, and producers. A peek at the 2012 festival with a variety of artist interviews, shorts, and performances by Heartless Bastards, Blitzen Trapper, Thee Oh Sees, Lake Street Dive, Y La Bamba, Los Cojolites, and more!

Watch episode one, premiered today on KEXP.

Weekend Tickets for 2013 Pickathon are limited but still available with no more than 3500 being sold... get yours today!

Vieux Farka Toure makes his way to Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

When we first got word last spring that Vieux Farka Touré was going to have to cancel their 2012 Pickathon appearance, we were heartbroken. The pain was twofold.. First we felt a great deal of sympathy for Vieux, his family, and the peace keeping individuals in his homeland of Mali. Knowing that they were going trough a hostile and dangerous time make our problems seem imaginary. Sure, we were disappointed to lose him as part of the lineup, but we knew he'd be back...

So here we are, exactly one year later and Vieux Farka Touré and his 'power trio' are ready to make this years Pickathon a special experience.

Although very little information is currently available on this, we do know that a new record is complete and set for a tent. May 2013 release date. The only description available is on the Vieux Farka Touré facebook, which describes it as 'solo'. So we can guess this means more focus on traditional Malian blues?

We are looking forward to the new album and anticipate seeing these songs live while they are with us at Pendarvis Farm.

More pinatas at Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Today's video choice tells us two things:

1. Andrew Bird is coming to this years Pickathon and will be on The Woods Stage Friday night and on The Mountain View Stage Saturday night. Two sets, two stages, two days!

2. We need more pinatas at Pickathon.

Also, just a reminder and quick ticket update - 2013 Pickathon Weekend Tickets are available but selling fast, do not wait until it's too late...

What to say about Record Store Day?

Pickathon — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:02:54 -0700

This upcoming Saturday many of us may find ourselves amongst the rest of the 'artifact' hunters out there in the music universe. Going to our favorite local record store(s) and picking up one or a few special releases that found their way on our lists. It's April, and this can only mean we're getting that much closer to yet another Record Store Day.

I am not going to get into reasons why you would or would not come out, and for today I merely want to make a 'wish list', one that if I had my way without any financial limitations... this is what I'd try to come home with. Many old favorites being repressed as well as several new one-off collaborations. The one thing I will say is that beyond all else, Record Store Day has allowed a new form of creativity with releases and the listeners/collectors out there are certainly the ones that benefit.

Here's my list, share yours if you'd like.

See you out there...
Marco Benevento - Invisible Baby, 12" vinyl
Big Star - Nothing Can Hurt Me, 12" vinyl
Blind Melon - Blind Melon + Sipping Time EP, 12" vinyl
Blitzen Trapper - Blitzen Trapper, 12" vinyl
Buffalo Killers - Ohio Grass, 12" vinyl
Charlie Poole with The Highlanders - Complete Paramount and Brunswick Recordings, 12" vinyl
The Doors / X - Side By Side / Soul Kitchen, 7" vinyl
Herman Dune - Monument Park, 10" vinyl
Justin Townes Earle - Yuma, 10" vinyl
Giant Giant Sand - Return To Tuscon, 12" vinyl
Gil Scott Heron Brian Jackson - The Bottle, 7" vinyl
Grateful Dead - Rare Cuts Oddities 1966, 12" vinyl
Daniel Johnston - FUN, 12" vinyl
J.D. McPherson - Fire Bug, 7" vinyl
Tift Merritt - Markings, 12" vinyl
Mercury Rev - Deserted Songs, 12" vinyl
Willie Nelson - Crazy: The Demo Sessions, 12" vinyl
The Notorious B.I.G - Ready To Die, 12" vinyl
Gram Parsons - Gram Parsons The Fallen Angels LIVE, 7" vinyl
Phosphorescent - Aw Come Aw Wry, 12" vinyl
Porno For Pyros - Porno For Pyros, 12" vinyl
Ty Segall - Ty Rex 2, 7" vinyl
Shearwater and Sharon Van Etten - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around / A Wake For The Minotaur, 7" vinyl
Sharon Van Etten - We Are Fine b/w Hotel 2 Tango, 7" vinyl
Sly The Family Stone - I Want To Take You Higher, 10" vinyl
Sonny The Sunsets - Imagine, 7" vinyl
Sonny The Sunsets - Tomorrow Is Alright, 12" vinyl
Various Artists - The Taste Of Burger Records, Cassette
Various Artists - The Newport Folk Festival 1965, 12" vinyl
Various Artists - Dazed and Confused, 12" vinyl

A big week ahead

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

This week is going to be a busy one... ending with a big weekend out at Pendarvis Farm for the annual Spring Cleanup Work Party. Which, as of right now it looks like the weather wants to cooperate and that's always a good sign. Maybe we'll see you there...
And as far as what's in store for the rest of the week?

Well, there's more to come, so stay tuned...
Welcome to Monday and Happy April 15th.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole KEXP Session

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Thank the powers that be for the one and only KEXP.

Their studio sessions consistently consume many of our viewing hours during the week and it is almost daily that we are reminded of how great their taste is.

Today, our taste is for Louisiana, and right now there is nothing as hot as Cedric Watson Bijou Creole.

Pickathon has always tried to bring up the best within the creole and cajun communities, bands like Lost Bayou Ramblers, Cajun Country Revival, Pine Leaf Boys, Dirk Powell, and who could forget The Red Stick Ramblers. Many hot and sweaty shows in the Galaxy Barn with these bands over the past few years...

Please help us welcome Cedric and his great band to their first Pickathon.

A new Lightning Dust album is being released this summer

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It's absolutely spring, no doubt about it. We know this from the seasonal spike in releases and release news... which, over the next few months many of us will discover what ends up being this years 'soundtrack to summer'.

Today we have news of an upcoming release from Lightning Dust, who have just posted Diamonds, the first single from Fantasy, which will be out 6/25 on Jagjaguwar. Got it?

We'd expect the band is going to tour in some fashion this summer, however, as of right now Pickathon is the only date they have on the calendar.

They'll be living on the farm, with the rest of us, for all three days.

Don't miss this.

Listen to the new record from White Fence

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Cyclops Reap is the most recent release from S.F. psychedelic pop project White Fence. Tim Presley gives us 4-track recordings and a sound that makes obvious influences ranging from Syd Barrett to George Harrison to California.

Listen to the album in it's entirety at Pitchfork Advance, and buy it today via John Dwyer's (Thee Oh Sees) Castle Face Records.

Oh, and this video gets both psychedelic and weird, so be prepared.

Get ready for I Draw Slow...

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Coming all the way from Ireland, the band I Draw Slow will be making their Pickathon debut in 2013.

For us, it's always a great feeling to bring in bands such as this as we know that for many that attend Pickathon, this is the sweet spot...

Since discovering their 2011 release Redhills, and listening on and off for the past couple years, we have found that their sound is best fit for fans of Crooked Still, Black Prairie, Joy Kills Sorrow, Abigail Washburn, amongst others.

Need more?

Check out the gorgeous video for Goldmine, then let us know what you think.

Thirty minutes of live Parquet Courts

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

The cream always rises to the top, and such is the case with Brooklyn band Parquet Courts.

Enjoy this full performance from KEXP at SXSW... and if this is your sort of thing, we suggest you not only get Pickathon Tickets (where they will destroy all expectations in the Galaxy Barn), but also catch them when in Portland next at The Doug Fir on June 12.

This band is on fire and we're witnessing their rise in real time...

No frills, cheap guitars, and nine songs in 30 minutes.

Would you describe Howe Gelb as prolific?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Over the past 35 years Howe Gelb has remained an isolated yet active artist, consistently releasing new material, and always going his own way while forging a path as a recognized American composer and songwriter. Whether it be solo (with or without Piano), as Giant Sand (or Giant Giant Sand, Giant Sandworms), with The Band of Gypsies, The Band of... Blacky Ranchette, Arizona Amp and Alternator, Melted Wires, or any of the other official or unofficial collaborations.. It is easy to see that Howe has put out more recordings than any other songwriter within the last 40 or so years. For evidence, just look at his catalog at the Howe Gelb Website.

Seriously, you could start listening today, beginning in the late '70's, and work your way to present and it is likely that you'd not make it through his entire catalog by the time we see him at this years festival.

Lucky for us, we'll see Howe and band on both Saturday and Sunday at this years Pickathon, expected at this time to land on The Woods Stage and Starlight Stage. That's 120 minutes of Howe, which for new fans will be a great start...

Get your Tickets today before they're all gone!

East Texas Rust, West Texas Dust

Pickathon — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:09:19 -0700

Shinyribs is the hypothetical outcome of what happens when Stevie Wonder meets Jerry Reed.

Texas funk at it's finest mixed with a little hillbilly genius.

Anything else you need to know before seeing them again at Pickathon?

How about this, as Kevin states it best himself in regards to his own influences while growing up... "Smokey The Bandit was my Star Wars, Sanford and Son was my Sesame Street".

Yes, that's exactly right.

Pure Bathing Culture give a glimpse of what the future holds

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Off of the 2012 EP from Pure Bathing Culture, this video for Ivory Coast gives us as human beings a lot to consider... Guitar Induced Crushes, Trailer Park Romance, Overnight Alien Pregnancies, Oregon Scenery, Hologram Sharks, Saturns Return, and.. Dan Hindman in a wetsuit. Makes you think about things doesn't it? Video directed by Sean Pecknold with the song produced by Richard Swift.

The core sound and vibe of Pure Bathing Culture is the combination of catchy songwriting, guitar work, and vocals of Portland couple Sara Versprille and Dan Hindman. This past February they've just wrapped up the recording portion of their upcoming LP, recorded and produced again with Richard Swift. Release date and label are all unknown to us at this time. We do know however, that we're not alone when saying that we are really looking forward to their next release.

See them at Pickathon on both Friday and Saturday of this years festival.

Listen to the new album from Kurt Vile

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Here's the big (non-foolish) news of the day.. Kurt 'The Philadelphia Hit Maker' Vile will be releasing Wakin On A Pretty Daze next week via Matador Records. This will be the follow up to 2011's Smoke Ring For My Halo LP and 2012's So Outta Reach EP. Both of which are great additions to any record collection. What have we learned so far from our initial listen of Wakin On A Pretty Daze? Vile is older, fond of songs over six minutes, and now has kids...

So go ahead, take your first crack at the double LP slow-burner via NPR's First Listen.

NPR loves The Lone Bellow

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

The Lone Bellow are another one of the bands on this years lineup that we are certain will gain a lot of momentum and widespread attention during the year 2013. From what we hear and have seen already, the sound and show is for fans that go between bands like The Avett Brothers and Swell Season, The Civil Wars and The Lumineers, and of course this list wouldn't be complete without including The Head and the Heart and Mumford Sons.

A lot of emotion, great harmonies, and captivating live performance. Case closed.

Watch the Tiny Desk Concert, and you tell us... The Lone Bellow on The Woods Stage?

Enjoy the weekend. See you in April.

Old Light's new tape is called NO

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

NO is first release in a series of tapes (5 total) that Old Light will be putting out in 2013. You can listen to and purchase the digital version for both AB sides, in their entirety, at the Old Light Bandcamp. Or, you can go analog and order NO for $5 directly from Curly Cassettes.

We're excited for the band and look forward to hearing these songs live at Pickathon.

Sturgill Simpson will give Nashville a kick in the ass

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It was the year 2011 and not many people knew of the band Sunday Valley, well o.k., we did, but that's kinda our thing here at Pickathon... One step further, even fewer had heard of the man behind it all, Kentucky native Sturgill Simpson.

After the dust settled that year we heard a lot of folks wondering who the hell that band was and where the hell did they come from... For those of us that want to catch up, watch today's video from their 2011 Pumphouse Session to get an idea of why the band surprised so many.

Alright, so now step into the future a couple years and it's time for the world to find out what Sturgill Simpson has been up to. We've said it once already and we'll say it again... Sturgill Simpson is going to give Nashville country a big kick in the ass.

Today's post is a real twofer as we're getting a glimpse of their 2011 debut with the Pumphouse Session video of Let Me Know, AND we can listen to (and pre-order) his upcoming release High Top Mountain, out 6/11 on Thirty Tigers, in it's entirety at Sturgill's Bandcamp page.

Listen now, get your Pickathon Tickets (while still available), and see this honky-tonk hero while still on the rise.

That's the magic of Pickathon!

2012 was a great year for JD McPherson

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

2012 was indeed a great year for Oklahoma artist/musician JD McPherson. Since releasing Signs Signifiers with Rounder Records last April, his name has been thrown around a good deal, even finding himself at the top of many 'Best Of' lists. In fact, this was the most played album on Americana radio in 2012 and he even wound up playing for the Conan, Letterman, and Leno audiences. That's right, we've know it for a while, but it is clear that Americana is in the limelight and we couldn't be happier for artists of this ilk who are coming out at this time.

As you know from the past several years of Pickathon lineups, we love the early rock n' roll, soul and traditional country sounds...

2013 will be the first time having JD and his band at Pickathon, and we want to make sure you're on board to help show him what Pendarvis Farm is made of. Expect to see them on both Friday and Saturday, and as it stands now - look for a late-night debut in the Galaxy Barn late Friday night.

Thinking about Spring...

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

...and that pretty much sums it all up.

For those of you that are on some type of Spring Break, be sure to enjoy it. Yet another sign that we're getting that much closer to this years 15th Annual Pickathon.

And, for those of you that are not on some type of Spring Break, let this new video from Marco Benevento give you a bit of distraction this fine Monday morning.

This Is How It Goes.

Foxygen: Ambassadors of the here and now

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Reviews of the new Foxygen LP (We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace Magic out 1/22 on Jagjaguwar) have been unanimously in favor of the bands ability to have essentially constructed a love letter to some of our favorite records of the past. With that description alone, it makes sense that they would have paired up with the famed Oregon recording institution National Freedom, and it's fearless leader/producer, Richard Swift.

Reports of the Foxygen live show have not been nearly as unanimous. In the past two weeks alone we've seen both praise for sold out shows and the bands onstage genius (antics), as well as ample criticism for their occasional derailment (SXSW is a hard judge though). Certainly it can be agreed that the line between these two is thin and often what makes a performer great is the art of the unexpected. We've seen this time and time again and look forward to encouraging the best in everyone while at Pickathon..

For those lucky enough to be in Oregon this weekend, you get a chance to see for yourself at Holocene in Portland this Sunday, or at Axe Fiddle in Cottage Grove on Monday.

See you there?

Clear some space for Lake Street Dive.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Lake Street Dive is one of those unique groups that exudes natural talent, a band that is a true sum of its parts with each individual bringing something amazing and powerful to the table.

Those that were at Pickathon last year should already know they were the undisputed champions of positive feedback. For most, this was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

Tonight, they are in Portland at The Crystal Ballroom while on tour with Josh Ritter. Don't miss your chance to see them now as they won't be back until August and that my friends is a long 130-something days away...

While we wait, enjoy this stripped down version of Clear A Space recoded in the Bunny Glade at last years Pickathon by our buds at KEXP.

So now this leaves us with only one nagging question that remains...

Who will you discover at Pickathon this year?

Rain on Wednesday, Cardboard Songsters on Saturday.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

For the past few years, and again in 2013, Pickathon will have the annual Saturday Morning show on The Woods Stage. Transforming the meadow into a land of brilliant props, costumes, and clever songs. Felix Hatfield and Huck Notari conduct performers and musicians both on stage and in the pit that all contribute to the spectacle that has become known as the Cardboard Songsters 'Cardboard Cartoons'.

If you're coming to Pickathon with kids (which so many of you do), this is one of the absolute best ways to start your Saturday.

...well, that and also making sure to get breakfast beforehand at the Pine State Biscuits booth, if you're into that sort of thing...

Happy Spring!

Pharis & Jason Romero: Makers of Banjos, Singers of Songs.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Pharis Jason Romero create a sound that many of us could listen to for days upon days. American Folk music inspired by yesterday (1930's), adapted to today. A sound for those that look for, and appreciate that special duo sound; most commonly compared to the harmonies and instrumentation of contemporaries such as Gillian Welch David Rawlings. We love this sound.

The bands latest release, Long Gone Out West (out 2/5/2013 on their own label) is doing very well within the folk and roots listener communities. Once again the Romero's give us what we'd anticipate and expect - really great harmonies with amazingly clear and bright banjo.

On top of the music, the couple also make up the core of J. Romero Banjos, which are undoubtedly some of the finest handmade banjos built today. Don't believe me? Check this review and video out, and then just try and see if you can get your hands on one.

Meet them at this years Pickathon!

Divine Fits at Pickathon... Playing in Oregon for the very first time.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Oddly enough, the much talked about so called 'super group', Divine Fits, have not yet played Portland since the release of their 2012 Merge Records debut, A Thing Called Divine Fits.

In the spirit of making up for the lost time - we'll have them at Pendarvis Farm on both Saturday AND Sunday as part of this years Pickathon. One of these sets will definitely be a Galaxy Barn show for the ages...

Would that not be nice?

The Felice Brothers continue the sibling tradition at Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Pickathon has always had a special place in our heart for awesome 'sibling bands'... Lets recap a little shall we? The Avett Brothers, The Wood Brothers, The Barr Brothers, The Sadies, Kitty, Daisy Lewis, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, Loch Lomond, The Earl Brothers... (forgetting anyone?)

Continuing with that tradition, we have The Felice Brothers finally making their way to Pickathon. A longtime favorite of ours, but yet another that somehow has yet to end up on the lineup (how can that be?)... Well, 2013 is s different story and we are indeed looking forward to spending both Saturday and Sunday with this band. Get yourself ready... and while we wait, enjoy this spooky as hell video for Fire at the Pageant from their 2011 release, Celebration, Florida.

Enjoy the St. Patrick's weekend.

That is all.

Feistodon is collaborative genius at the highest level

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Originally imagined for a special one-off release for Record Store Day 2012, this Feist + Mastodon collaboration is an epic flex of both bands creative muscles.

One of the more entertaining parts being that they have given us the ability to listen and adjust the mix of the two versions (being played together simultaneously)... It's really not that easy to explain, but absolutely worth visiting the Feistodon Website to see what I am talking about.

We look forward to introducing Feist to the Pickathon site and audience as this is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Enjoy!

Sam Cohen is Yellowbirds: You should get to know his music

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

First of all, if you have not yet listened to The Color by Yellowbirds, you are sorely missing out. This is a remarkable debut which even two years later is easy to listen to from start to finish. For those that like a little more psychedelia (insert Apollo Sunshine) mixed in with their Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly.. this is definitely for you.

In 2013, Yellowbirds will release Songs from the Vanished Frontier on 5/28 via Royal Potato Family. The first single Young Men of Promise, can now be heard over at Pitchfork. Add it to your 2013 release lists...

Oh, one other thing, which is actually what originally brought Yellowbirds into our 2013 psyche (well, and also thanks to Eric D. Johnson from Fruit Bats) - this modern day all-star tribute concert that happened late last year at The Warfield in S.F... Sam was the musical director and he assembled a group of contributors that literally could be taken as a who's-who from the Pickathon playbook.

Summer can't come soon enough.

Back it up to 2012, The Cactus Blossoms and The Pickathon Pumphouse.

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

A swingin' brother-duet midday break courtesy of The Cactus Blossoms. From their 2012 visit to the Pickathon Pumphouse with Live Breathing.

This King Tuff video is totally nuts

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

We simply cannot think of a better song to help start a long week of non-stop insanity and SXSW industry chatter...

Keep On Moving (in 3-D!) from King Tuff's 2012 Sub Pop debut, King Tuff.

Now go ahead get this daylight-savings-Monday moving!

A Good Day For Celebrating The Ladies Of Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Today we'd like to recognize and give our thanks to the leading women that have helped shape this years Pickathon lineup.

Thank You... Feist, Sharon Van Etten, Lucia Turino, Terri Walker, Nicole Wray, Sallie Ford, Tift Merritt, Ginny Hawker, Kanene Pipkin, Amber Weber, Andréa Moreno-Beals, Bridget Kearney, Rachael Price, Nadine Landry, Reeb Willms, Sarah Versprille, Louise Holden, Pharis Romero, Diane Ferlatte, and Julianna Bright.

Three cheers for the women in all of our lives!

Happy International Women's Day.

...now pass it around.

Sharon Van Etten Will Fit Right In

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Sharon Van Etten will be making her first visit to Pickathon this summer (some of us are really over the moon excited about this one). Her two day stay will likely bring different shows for both Friday and Saturday. At the moment, we are not sure where or when, but do know her voice is going to sound amazing no matter where we hear it.. Starlight Stage? Woods Stage?

Later this month and through early April Sharon will be on the tour with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, which as it looks right now is mostly sold out. In honor of this, we found a video from earlier this year when Sharon was in Australia, here, covering a Nick Cave song People Ain't No Good.

What Took Us So Long To Bring The Devil Makes Three To Pickathon?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It is an odd thing when you know about (and like) a band for close to 10 years, but still somehow never end up bringing them out to the party. For reasons unknown to us, that my friends is the case of The Devil Makes Three, and boy are we glad to finally have them make their Pickathon debut.

We've waited long enough don't you think?

For anyone that has managed to see them over the last couple years (last time in Portland was a Sold-Out Crystal Ballroom), you know exactly what we're in for...

While at Pickathon we will be seeing them on both Friday and Saturday, and my guess is that for one of those sets they will absolutely kill it late-night in the Galaxy Barn, so get ready. And for the other set? We'll see...

While we wait for the schedule, enjoy this mid-week anthem, Old Number 7... a song that invokes the sing-a-long with footage of the band on stage dating all the way back to 2007.

Oh, and get your Tickets now if you have not already! This year is going to be incredible and once again will enforce the many reasons why Pickathon has become know as the best weekend of the year.

Kurt Vile is coming to Pickathon and we're pretty excited about it.

Pickathon — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:23:37 -0800

We've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the 2013 artists and the days and stages that they will be performing. It is mind-boggling that there are so many unique opportunities at our fingertips, in fact it is absolutely crazy. We can't wait.

Today there is a bit of recognized excitement when thinking that Kurt Vile The Violators will be at Pendarvis Farm this summer. At this time we are not sure what stages, but we do know that they will be with us for two days so expect to see them around.

Kurt co. are also releasing a new album this spring, Wakin On A Pretty Daze, which is out April 9 on Matador Records. Today's video is for Wakin On A Pretty Day, a 9 minute long vile-jam put to a timelapse of a billboard-mural being put up by artist Steven Powers (ESPO). Intrigued? Watch the video.

And.. for those of us that can't wait to see them until Pickathon, there is an earlier opportunity as with the release they will be touring and at the Doug Fir on May 10.

Collaborations Are A Given

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

To help assure we start the month of March off on the right foot.. here is a "Pickathon x 2" collaboration between Andrew Bird and Tift Merritt. 'If I Needed You', originally by the late Townes Van Zandt, played for an eerily quiet and basically empty Late Show with David Letterman (Hurricane Sandy edition).

Bird has also put this song on his most recent 2012 release, Hands Of Glory. This album is a 'musical companion' to Break It Yourself (the other 2012 Andrew Bird release), which comes strongly suggested and positively reviewed.

Any votes for Andrew Bird at The Woods Stage?

We should all know more about Malcolm Holcombe

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

For those that know him, it should not be a surprise to hear that Malcolm Holcombe has lived many different lives over the past 50 some-odd years that he's been around. If you listen to enough of his music it will tell you everything you'd want to know about how a hard life and good music go hand-in-hand.

Simply put, this is one of the great American songwriters that continues to chip away and add to an immensely dense catalog of deeply felt material.

My first time seeing Malcolm was around 2004, and it happened to be at one of his favorite places to play (i think), The Town Pump in Black Mountain, NC. To this day i have yet to see an artist put out what Malcolm did that evening. Equal parts sad, spooky, and captivating. Was it the lyrics? Was it the tuning and everything being played with a first fret capo? Was it the screaming, drooling, and turning his back to the crowd? I still don't know, but that memory has never faded and it's a true honor to be able to finally bring him to Pickathon.

In 2008, Wall Street Journal writer Jim Fusilli did a pretty good job of getting at what makes him tick and where he's come from. If interested in a little more back story, you can find that article HERE.

Take a listen and make sure to seek him out at this years festival.

The Best of Pickathon... Galaxy Barn Mayhem

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Of all the venues at Pickathon, The Galaxy Barn has to be the most chameleon like. Starting its days with the more kid-friendly Family Squaredance, moving into a block of more traditional or 'sit-down' type listening shows, then kicking things into high gear with it's continually epic Late-Night (21+) shows.

Without a doubt, life at Pickathon gets crazy when the heat turns up and the bands get loud...

A lot of late-night favorites in the 'ol barn come to mind since we first moved to Pendarvis Farm in 2006... The Avett Brothers (2006, 2007), Thee Oh Sees (2012), Lee Fields The Expressions (2011), Dale Watson (2007, 2009), The Gourds (2007, 2008), The Cave Singers (2008), Wayne Hancock (2008), The Wilders (2006), Dr. Dog (2009, 2010, 2012), Heartless Bastards (2010, 2012), John Doe The Sadies (2009), Thao With The Get Down Stay Down (2009), Hot 8 Brass Band (2012), Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band w/ Jason Webley (2007), Jolie Holland (2008), The War On Drugs (2012), Black Mountain (2011), Langhorne Slim (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012), and who could forget Blitzen Trapper (2009).

So I now see that this list could go on and on.. Who am I missing that have stood out to you?

Expect to be blown away again in 2013 as we've got a handful of great shows planned and can't wait to share this epic schedule to be.

Until then, enjoy this video of Borrowed Time from a new Pickathon favorite, Parquet Courts.

The Great Pickathon Circus Camp

Pickathon — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:17:06 -0800

"We're heading up to Pickathon and going back to Circus Camp..."

Pickathon alumni Circus Cascadia are returning in 2013 and will once again provide a full weekend of their ever-evolving, always entertaining, non-stop Circus Camps.

An annual favorite for kids and adults alike, and for good reason... Where else can you walk on stilts, balance on giant balls, and train to be apart of the Greatest Show On Earth! In fact I distinctly remember UK band Kitty, Daisy Lewis spending most of a day on the circus court, training hard and aspiring for circus greatness at last years festival.

This is just one of the many-many reasons why Pickathon is a great festival for the entire family, and one of the many all-day activities that you can look forward to in 2013.

We have a lot planned for all of our Pickathon-Jr's out there... Stay tuned and we'll keep rolling out the good news!

Who Is Lady?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Lady is the combo of Nicole Wray and Terri Walker and the latest from NYC sould purveyors Truth Soul Records. They are backed by the unbelievably talented Expressions (band behind Lee Fields), and for those that remember 2011 Pickathon - you know we're in for something special (ahem.. maybe the most talented bass player on the planet at this time).

They are just now making their live debut, as support for Lee Fields, and this is one of the only videos available on the internet at this time.

Lady will be one of the many gems you can expect to discover at this years Pickathon.

People better get ready.

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside have a great new record..

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

...and the name is Untamed Beast.

Congrats to Sallie Ford The Sound Outside and Partisan Records for releasing such an awesome record this past week.

Video for Party Kids here, find the record there

Weekend Tickets And Specialty Parking Pass Updates

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It has been a long and busy week in our ticketing office (Ned has the blisters to prove this). Orders coming in... confirmed tickets going out.

Today is an update for everyone that has not yet picked up their 2013 Pickathon Weekend Tickets...

First of all, 2013 Pickathon Weekend Tickets are on pace to sell out prior to the gate (there is no doubt about that). At this time we've sold around one-third of the total amount that will be available, which for 2013 we have limited this to no more than 3,500 weekend tickets. These tickets will most definitely sell fast, so don't wait too long...

In addition to Pickathon Weekend Tickets, we also have an update for the various types of 'Specialty' Parking Passes...

All Car Camping Lot Weekend Parking, Camp Near Your Car Weekend Parking, and RV Parking Passes are currently sold-out.

For everyone that feels they missed the boat.. We have decided to start a wait list for each of these parking passes. If interested in this, please email info @ pickathon.com as we will be contacting folks if/when more become available - in the order of when they signed up on the wait list.

Only five more months to wait...

Artists Worth Discovering... Shakey Graves

Pickathon — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:23:44 -0800

It's Monday and we want to start the week with a bit of artist discovery... Introducing Shakey Graves, a one-man spectacle who currently calls Texas his home (but also cites New York, LA, and Chicago as recent residencies).

For fans of anything between The Devil Makes Three to Frank Fairfield to Langhorne Slim to The Tallest Man On Earth.

Enjoy this recent session video of 'Built To Roam' from our buds at Live Breathing.

Thank You

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Well, It has been a big week indeed!

We wanted to take time today and say thanks to everyone in the Pickathon community that have picked up their tickets (WOW!), given their feedback, and shown their support. Today is all about saying Thank You.

So now that we've made it through this first big hump, lets change gears and start to get excited about what's in store for this years Pickathon... The Lineup! Pendarvis Farm! Site Additions and Improvements! All of this will be talked about in great detail over the next several weeks and we look forward to sharing with you what's new in 2013.

Enjoy the weekend, see you on Monday.

2013 Lineup Announced and Tickets Now On Sale

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

The 2013 Pickathon Lineup has finally arrived.

Weekend Tickets and Parking Passes are now available.

Summer is coming...

2013 TICKETS and Lineup Announcement Info

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

First thing first... The 2013 Lineup curtain will be raised next Wednesday February 20 and that's the day we will finally get to show you the many reasons why we are so excited about 2013. There will be several surprises and we just can't wait to share this news.

We also have important info about buying tickets and vehicle passes for 2013 Pickathon, but before we dive into the details, we wanted to reaffirm our commitment to capping our audience size in order to give everybody the elbow room they've come to enjoy. For those of you who have been following the dialogue about keeping our crowd size small, you know to expect some price increases this year. But considering the musical lineup and enhancements to the overall experience, we think the value, especially when compared to other festivals around the country, is one heck of a bargain.

Ok, now on to ticket details for 2013....

We have three notable changes from how tickets and vehicle passes have been sold in the past:

1. We were concerned about tickets and special vehicle passes selling out quickly, and so we have made a decision to give first priority for 2013 tickets and vehicles passes to our 2012 paying audience, followed by our wider email list and newsletter community. What this means is that those who bought tickets last year will receive an early one-day email opportunity to purchase weekend tickets and vehicle passes starting Monday February 18. Next, on Tuesday February 19 we will send another notice to our wider email list and newsletter community for a second early opportunity to buy tickets and vehicle passes. After that we will be opening our tickets up to the general public on Wednesday February 20 when the lineup is announced.

2. The very limited "specialty" vehicle passes are always the first items to sell out. We will make 50% of the RV, Car Camping, and Camp Near Your Car Parking passes available to those early-opportunity folks, starting on Monday. Then we will offer the other 50% that remains available when tickets and vehicle passes go on sale to the general public on Wednesday.

3. There will be no early prices for the first tickets sold this year and we will not have any type of tiered pricing in 2013. Instead, there will be one consistent price for each ticket type (admission and vehicle passes) that will stay the same for as long as tickets remain available.

Providing early access to tickets and specialty vehicle passes is our way of honoring those of you who come to Pickathon year after year. While we can't guarantee that these items won't sell out quickly, we do want to ensure that festival veterans are the ones getting the first shot at what's available.

Stay tuned and get ready folks... Summer is coming and the big news is just days away.

Kicking off year 15!

Pickathon — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:47:11 -0800

Are you ready? Here we go...

Pickathon is turning 15 and we think this is going to be the best year yet! In the coming weeks we're going to have a series of announcements about when tickets go on sale and a sneak peek at our lineup; so sign up on our mailing list and keep checking this web site for updates. In the meantime make sure you have August 2nd, 3rd, 4th reserved on your calendar.

Turning 15 is a great milestone for us. For those of you who have been with Pickathon since the early days you have witnessed our evolution from a small music gathering run by friends, family and volunteers to one of the more notable festivals in the country - still independent and run by friends, family and volunteers.

As we look ahead to the next 15 years we intend to continue to present the most inspiring and unique musical lineups imaginable spread out over multiple dream-like venues, remaining a leader in environmental sustainability, continuing to be truly family friendly, partnering with the best craft food and drink vendors, listening to your feedback, saying no to in-your-face sponsorships, limiting our ticket sales to continue to remain at one-half to one-fifth of the crowd size of most comparable festivals and continuing to pay attention to all the little improvements that make Pickathon special.

As always, we strive to be the favorite weekend of the year for music lovers of all ages.

Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming days....

To those that arrive first...

Pickathon — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:35:35 -0700

Taking time today to give a little recognition to the fine folks that are always within the first to land at Pendarvis Farm.

Portable toilet service men and women of the world.

Thank you very much.

The Clean Air Initiative of 2012 Pickathon

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Go ahead, take a :29 second break and enjoy some of the freshest air around.

Courtesy of this years Pickathon.

Sponsorship Suggestions for Pickathon?

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Over the past several years, we've heard numerous comments and have had many of you tell us directly that it is appreciated how our sponsors and partners are integrated and functionally involved, most commonly in comparison to other festivals and events. It has always been important to us to pursue creative relationships with those who understand that Pickathon can build an environment that emphasizes this unique dynamic. We are also aware that these partnerships can directly impact the look and feel of Pickathon, and most importantly affect your experience as attendees. So far, this has been an incredibly successful process and we’ve been thankfully rewarded with superb partners.

As we begin planning our 15th year in 2013 we look to the Pickathon community to field new suggestions for potential well-aligned partners and sponsors. Is there a local, regional or national business that you think would be a good partner for Pickathon?

We’ll look into every idea, and as always, appreciate the thoughtfulness.

The 2012 Pickathon Lost & Found

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

A much overdue post on the state of all things lost and found at this years Pickathon.

You lost it or left it at Pickathon? Come get it!

Watch the video and see if anything looks familiar, as we would love to see it all go (without getting rid of it some other way). So many hats, shoes/sandals, blankets, bottles, cords, coolers, chairs, stuffed animals, sweatshirts... goodness, this stuff needs a home.

Other important and valuable items have also been found, which are not in the video - phones, credit cards, I.D.'s, passports, jewelery.

We will work with Pendarvis Farm on times that can be arranged for pick ups, in the meantime it would be best to contact us by email (info [at] pickathon.com) and we'll help make arrangements.

*Lost and Found slideshow put together by Tim LaBarge, music by Langhorne Slim.

Pickathon is turning 15

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

As we happily move into the early planning phases for next years festival, we wanted to point out that 2013 will mark the next significant milestone for the Pickathon community... we're turning 15.

In festival age - it is an eternity. We've traveled through time together - a decade and a half - from toddler to teenager, and all points in between. Think about it.... before iTunes, smartphones, facebook, countless other festivals and cultural staples - there was Pickathon.

We feel that there is no better time to reflect, and look forward to taking the next 10 months in being able to share with you the rich history and magical moments from Pickathons' past.

This first moment, captured by Tim LaBarge at Pendarvis Farm in 2006, is the memorable Galaxy Barn free-for-all with The Wilders, Darol Anger, Trevor Travis Stuart, and of course Martha Scanlan. This show has gone down in the Pickathon history books as the first real 'barn burner' and has yet to be repeated.

Do you have memories to share?

Want to suggest a particular moment from the archives?

Let us know and we'll do our best to share.

How Did Our Camping Host And Car Camping Improvements Work?

Pickathon — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:09:30 -0700

Last year after Pickathon we received feedback that led us us realize two possible areas of needed improvement around helping everyone secure a good weekend tent or car camping site.

We tried to address both of these improvements in 2012, and want to know how each of them worked and how each can be made better for 2013 and beyond.

Questions for you…

If you purchased a “Camp In Your Car” or “Camp Near Your Car” pass you likely noticed there were far less cars present and it felt liked it was far less crowded and contentious this year vs. last year. Was this your experience too?

If you Tent Camped In The Woods, you hopefully encountered our newly formed Camp Host Crew. This was set up kind of like a Pickathon front desk service for campers where you could get advice on where to camp before you entered the woods, then get escorted to spots with the help of our roaming camping scouts, then potentially check out a shovel or rake to help improve your campsite. There are a ton of amazing internal stories of how the Camp Host helped a number of people when arriving at Pickathon, but what we would like to know is what experiences you had if willing to share with the greater Pickathon community.

The camping component of Pickathon is an important piece of the experience and as organizers we take this very seriously. It is important to reassess each year and strive for the right kinds of improvements and adjustments that come with each new mix of circumstances.

Thoughts on Music

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Pickathon is first and foremost a music festival. Our yearly goal is to curate the most amazing contemporary snap shot of music one can find across a non-typical range of musical genres. We search long and wide and within our subjective choices put together a yearly lineup that tries to focus on showcasing critical substance over more financial perspectives; like what band draws the most audience. The end result is an artistic process that everyone involved is excited to repeat each year, and is likely to also leave each audience member with a different mix of new/old favorite artists (both expected and unexpected).

Early on, 'Indie Roots' was used to be a convenient way to describe what one could expect musically at Pickathon. However, with every year that passes, musical labels seem less and less appropriate as great music should simply speaks for itself.

This does not mean Pickathon is changing its musical focus.

Pickathon will always feature what's new and relevant across various traditional, roots, and indie music scenes. One can also expect a degree of boundary pushing to keep ideas fresh and vital.

Will all music at Pickathon be loved by everyone?

No, but that’s part of the point. We expect if you came to Pickathon it is easy to walk away liking music that you did not anticipate before arriving. This sense of discovery is one of many great life moments that Pickathon looks to sustainably provide for a long time to come.

Questions for you (about music)…
What did you love this year?
What surprised you?
What would you like to hear next year?
Did you catch any of the 12th night performances and what did you think?

As always, we sincerely appreciate the input.

Thanks for a wonderful Pickathon XIV, now tell us what you really think

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

First we want to give a big thank you to everyone as Pickathon 2012 was a huge success.

Magic seemed to blossom everywhere during the weekend, and the post festival cultural wake was felt far and wide.

We fundamentally realize that Pickathon is truly a group effort that involves the audience, musicians, staff, and vendors all working together to create something incredibly special and rare in the world of music festivals.

We also realize that year to year our challenges are different from other music festivals and thus we love to start off our post Pickathon blogs with a chance to collect your feedback on how we did and how you want us to proceed going forward.

Over the next days and weeks we will present some of the specific areas we want to share our thoughts as well as hear yours too (and we apologize for the possible overuse of sustainable as it is a word we like to sling around a lot).

Availability of walk-up tickets, prices and livestream info

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Hey friends, early entry Pickathoners are streaming in as we speak and Pendarvis Farm is buzzing with activity. For those of you who already have tickets for the 14th annual Pickathon tomorrow, we really look forward to having you here at what we think will be the best Pickathon yet. For those of you who still want to come out and buy your tickets on site, here is the breakdown ticket availability and prices:

Parking for Friday only - $25
Parking for Saturday only - $25
Parking for Sunday only - $25
Weekend parking - $55
Friday tickets - $105
Saturday tickets - $110
Sunday tickets - $110
Weekend ticket - $200

If you absolutely cannot make it out the farm this weekend, we have an amazing live broadcast, being led by local livestream masterminds, Stumptown Bliss. The best places to catch the stream will be at KEXP.org or with our good friends at Paste Magazine. You'll be able to tune in beginning Friday, August 3, at 12pm Pacific and we'll be shutting it around noon on Monday.

We really hope you will join us any way you can. Either way, be ready for some amazing music.

See y'all soon!

2012 Pickathon Survival Guide

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

It’s crazy to be saying that we're down to the final few minutes of 2012 Pickathon Tickets being sold online. After tonight, the only tickets that remain for Pickathon will be available at the gate.

For everyone that we’ll be seeing this weekend... here are a few helpful tips and links to help with your overall quality-of-life at this years Pickathon.

Pickathon Camping Host: Home of the newly redesigned Campground Host spot to help all find their new home in the woods of Pendarvis Farm. The blog post from last week pretty much says it all.

Vendor Menu: Oregon’s bounty at its finest. Three Beer, Wine Cider Gardens, and more delicious food choices than most anyone can manage. Meat, Veggie, Vegan, and Gluten-Free options for everyone.

No-Single-Use At Pickathon: Although our dishware system is almost identical to last year there are a couple changes that were needed to ensure our no single use system remains sustainable. We’re trying to get rid of the pesky compostable cups, lids, and straws in the vending areas which have become the single largest source of waste by volume at the festival, particularly around the non-alcoholic drinks.

Showers: A new shower location is just what the doctor ordered. A new space that hosts showers, massage, a cafe and coffee. Check out these newly built showers and let us know what you think.

Pickathon Stage Schedule: Don’t forget that while at Pickathon you will not be able to pick up printed schedules while onsite, they are simply just not printed to help save the resources. In lieu of this we have setup a schedule on the website that can be used on phones, as well as fourteen huge stage schedules that are dispersed around site (those locations are on the map). Also, we have news of the last (we hope) schedule change... AA Bondy will not be joining us this year at Pickathon, and in their place we have enlisted local ‘closers’, Denver. The Schedule is up to date and we’re stoked how things look.

Gate Times: If you have a ‘Early Thursday Entry’ pass then the gates for you will be open on Thursday from Noon to 8pm. Here are the hours for the other days as well: Friday - 9am-11pm, Saturday - 9am-11pm, Sunday - 9am-11pm

The Weather: If you’ve been privy to the weather this week, you should already know that things are warming up a bit this weekend - looking at daytime temps in the high-80’s into mid-90’s, and nights dipping as low as 60. So... bring your sunscreen, sun hats, flip flops/shoes, shorts/pants, t-shirts/sweaters. And of course... remember your refillable water bottle to fill all weekend with that free Pickathon water.

Getting to Pickathon: We strongly suggest that everyone consider these alternative transportation options.. The EcoShuttle (Schedule is HERE), Carpooling, and even Ride Your Bike. If you are driving to Pickathon, remember that you will be responsible for purchasing a parking pass (if not already), and also that Camp In Your Car and Camp Near Your Car Parking Passes are Sold Out. Only a very small number of RV Parking Passes will be available at that gate, so please plan ahead.

The Pickathon Map: Check out the new camping, trails, and shower locations. The map says it all folks!

Our map has been converted into a mobile map accessible via your smartphone by longtime Pickathon friend and fan, Greg Abernathy. The mobile map enables you to locate yourself on the festival grounds and can be especially useful when wandering the miles of trails at beautiful Pendarvis Farm. We are excited to test out the map this year and to hear what folks think. Please realize this is a bit of a beta test. To view the map you’ll need to download a free app – ArcGIS by ESRI – Use your phone’s App Store or the links: iPhone,
Android: Google play, or Amazon appstore, Windows Phone 7. Once app is installed click "Pickathon Map 2012" (it will take a moment to load). If you do not have the ArcGIS application, you can download it for free from Apple's App Store. More information can be found on the ArcGIS for iOS Resource Center. If that is too confusing, please check out the one-pager.

We really hope you all will be joining us. We're putting the finishing touches on everything right now, and it looks like it is going to be the best Pick yet. See you soon!

Introducing the new shower, massage, cafe, bakery, and coffee area at Pickathon 2012

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Let's just face it, showers at a festival are an essential part of life.

For those camping at Pickathon in 2012, you should know that we've built a new shower and cafe location. This project has happened from the help of the good folks from Oasis Express, City Repair, and the rock star carpenters that we've got on loan from Green Hammer Builders (Jesse is awesome).

This will be year one of what will be a newly dedicated, and vastly improved area during Pickathon, hosting: showers, massage, cafe, bakery, and coffee.

When we started the new design there were three major elements that shaped our approach:

We're thrilled to not only have this really amazing new shower area, but to have delicious baked goods available from Tula Bakery as well as coffee from Spunky Monkey Coffee Roasters.

We're looking forward to seeing them in action just two days from now.

Guildworks, Architects of the Air, send greetings from above Pickathon

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Editors note: Your dedicated GuildWorks: Architects of the Air team is thousands of man hours closer to ensuring their iconic tension fabric sculptures are as inspiring as ever when the 2012 Pickathon kicks of Friday at the one-and-only Pendarvis Farm. Despite a ridiculously grueling schedule, they took the time to drop us all a line to let us know what to expect this year.

GuildWorks is back for its 8th year of helping make Pickathon the amazing festival experience that so many thousands of you have come to love. We are at this very moment preparing new pieces and refining the designs of the years past to create an even more dynamic, functional, and visually stunning addition to this years event. Our crew has been out at Pendarvis Farms for two weeks already getting the area prepped for the 3 FULL WEEKS it takes to install over 175,000 square feet of fabrics throughout Pickathon Festival Grounds!

We are honored to have been a part of this festival since its move to Pendarvis Farm in 2005, this is our biggest event to date and it is our pleasure to help create an experience you're likely to always remember. GuildWorks is based in SE Portland and we've also been delighted to provide installations for several people who live in the area who have expressed their desire to have a little piece of the festival feel that they loved at Pickathon at their own home. We have the capability to provide custom rain and shade fabric installations for private residences in almost any capacity.

We encourage you to come check out our website and the Guildworks Blog for pictures of Pickathon from years past as well as a look at the many different projects we've been up to lately. We are grateful to be doing what we are doing and if this is something you are interested in having in your life then feel free to connect with us and we'll be happy to start turning your dreams into a reality!

Thank you!

GuildWorks

Lineup Additions! Beer, Wine, Cider, Coffee, and Food Vendor Preview!

Pickathon — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Pickathon is pleased to announce the addition of five new performers to the 2012 lineup: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Bombino, Todd Snider, Casey MacGill, and The Cactus Blossoms. With that, we're sitting at a cool 51 total artists for 2012 Pickathon. That's one big, full weekend - Tickets are now available and won't last long as we hit the homestretch.

Regretfully, with the additions, also comes a couple cancellations... C.W. Stoneking because of unresolvable visa issues, and Vieux Farka Touré due to a war-torn homeland that is having significant impact on close family and friends. We'll miss them both and hope they can return in the future.

Beer! Wine! Cider!

Amongst the six stages spread out over 80 acres, Pickathon also hosts three unique beer, wine, and cider gardens. The Mountain View, Woods Stage, and Galaxy Barn Gardens will all serve a variety of either Widmer Brothers Brewing or Hopworks Urban Breweries' finest suds, while all three will carry Evolution Red and White Wines and Wandering Aengus Ciders. Non-alcoholic beverages will include Townshend’s Tea Company , Kure Fresh Juices, and Spunky Monkey Coffee. Additionally, all three gardens will feature unique handmade bars produced from locally harvested lumber and created by collaboration between Green Hammer and Urban Timberworks.

Food!

As for food, this year’s lineup is shaping up to be as tasty as the roll call of performers!

Below is a list of only some of the delicious delicacies the festival has to offer.

Al Forno Ferruzza
Bunk Sandwiches
Feastworks

Fifty Licks
Lauretta Jean’s Pies
Pine State Biscuits
Nourishment
Zuppa Soups

More gustational sensations are sure to come, so we’ll keep you apprised of tasty new morsels as the festival approaches!

Tickets for 2012 Pickathon are becoming increasingly limited in quantity and only available at www.pickathon.com/tickets

Hope to see you there!