2012 Lineup Announced for Already Sold Out Doe Bay Fest

The Cave Singers (L) and Blitzen Trapper (R) headline the 2012 lineup for Doe Bay Festival (Aug. 9-12).

Last night at the Tractor Tavern, Artist Home's Kevin and Chad, with help from KEXP's Hannah Levin, announced this year's lineup for the event you can't get a ticket for. This summer marks the fifth Doe Bay Fest (August 9-12), and the lineup looks pretty hot from over here. And, if my sources can be reliable (when drunk, mind you), they still might not be done. There might be one more butterfly in the net (besides that hint, just know they've got several label mates in the lineup).

Playlist: Doe Bay 2012 (Spotify)

Meanwhile, SIFF is doing another screening of the Welcome to Doe Bay Fest documentary that achieved all the buzz for it's premiere last month. It's 8pm on Monday at the Uptown Theater, as part of a Best of SIFF offering, and it doubles as a benefit for Cafe Racer. Just like the festival, though, it seems you can't get a ticket. Oh, and to rub it in, Damien Jurado will be performing prior to the screening.

Without further ado, here's the goodies:

Cave Singers
Blitzen Trapper
THEESatisfaction
Bobby Bare, Jr.
Lemolo
Deep Sea Diver
Hey Marseilles
Noah Gunderson
Poor Moon
Portland Cello Project
Gold Leaves
The Maldives
Ivan & Alyosha
Motopony
Big Sur
Land of Pines
Kithkin
Kris Orlowski
Radiation City
Sons of Warren Oates
Kung Foo Grip
The Devil Whale
Birds & Batteries
Pretty Broken Things
Bison
Ben Fisher
Kingdom Crumbs
Tom Eddy
Adra Boo (of Fly Moon Royalty) performing tribute to Etta James with the Portland Cello Project

Previously: Two (or more) for One! Doe Bay Fest 2011 recap

2011 - The Year in Photos

Fan's dragon fly at Flaming Lips show, Sasquatch Music Festival in Memorial Day weekend.

It's no secret that I take a lot of pictures. What's becoming less of a secret, though, is that I'm becoming less bad at it.

Having spent so long as a photo editor, I'm naturally a bit more critical of photographs -- and especially my own. But thanks to lens upgrades (purchasing a 50mm prime, renting a 70-200mm) and software (Lightroom, Picknik), I'm getting awfully close to taking photos that I can hang a hat on (and I have a lot of hats, so...).

Anyway, here's some of my favorites from a great year of live music (note: In the Summer Bonfire series collage, half taken on Samsung Focus mobile phone.)

Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, Sasquatch Music Festival -- Memorial Day weekend.

TP flies over the Gorge in celebration of Black Joe Lewis at Sasquatch Music Festival -- Memorial Day weekend.

Robyn @ Sasquatch -- Memorial Day weekend.

Thurston Moore @ Capitol Hill Block Party -- July.

Les Savy Fav - AKA Tim Harrington's Wild Ride at Capitol Hill Block Party, July.

The Posies' Jon & Ken catching air at Capitol Hill Block Party -- July.

Mastodon opens for Soundgarden @ the Gorge, July.

Champagne Champagne at Doe Bay Fest -- August.

Pickwick gets some spiritual back up during "Hacienda Hotel" at Doe Bay Fest, August.

Tyler Williams (The Head & the Heart) lends a shovel to Kelli Schafer @ Doe Bay Fest, August.

Artist Home's Summer Bonfire Series -- All summer.

Mavis Staples summons a higher power at Bumbershoot, September.

Minus the Bear guitarist Dave Knudson at Bumbershoot, September.

Kaylee Cole in the spotlight at Bumbershoot, September.

Phantogram's Sarah Barthel illuminated at Bumbershoot, September.

Charles Bradley spreads the love around at Bumbershoot, September.

Previously: Favorite photos of 2009, if you don't mind looking through photos of my kids, you can find most my shots over at my Flickr site.

Doe Bay Fest 2011: Two (or More) for One

Leo tries to merge the two festivals during Fort Union's Sunday set.

I've really enjoyed reading all the posts that other photographers and writers have written about this year's Doe Bay Fest (the Full Moon Festival, as the subtitle goes). But it strikes me, as it did last year, that there's really a couple festivals going on that overlap. Much of it has to do with being a parent, as with only a few exceptions, parents with their kids missed out on a good 75% of the "magic" that others gush about in piece after piece (after piece, after piece -- all finely written, I might add).

Kids put on some shadow puppet theatre before Champagne Champagne's set.

This being my fourth year, you'd think I'd consider myself a veteran, but in many respects, this was almost a kind of first year. It was the first year that the kids were old enough to leave in the tent after they fell asleep (running back consistently to check on them, surrounded by other families in tents as well -- don't go calling CPS on us). As such, once the kids passed out around 11PM, the wife and I were able to venture out in short spurts to friends' cabins, (outside) the yoga studio, the campfire, to the unscheduled midnight by torchlight performance by John Vanderslice and Damien Jurado, and even make it as far as Scott & Jenny's Two Bar at the beach at Otter Cove.

And yet, much of the fun of Doe Bay that others gush about still eludes us. Sure, we had fun hanging out and drinking in front of our tent while the kids played on the playground and did arts & crafts at the table set up nearby, but it it still feels that part of the festival is still out of our reach. It's still a vacation with my family, though, so I'm perfectly fine with it -- that's just part of the trade off. Find me another festival where a family with small children can find something for everyone to enjoy for as much time as we did. Sunday went a long way in that regard, with us making it to the Slip n' Slide this year.

Because I was with the family, I considered myself off the clock as far as the camera goes, but I still had it with me for use, and use it I did.

Off to Doe Bay Fest 2011!

Zane enjoys himself some late night Fruit Bats at last year's Doe Bay Fest.

It's about time to catch a ferry for the little festival that couldwould. Doe Bay Fest has a soft launch tonight with a special open mic night which will several artists who will be appearing later on in the festival. Of the scheduled performances, I'm most looking forward to John Vanderslice, Pickwick, The Builders and the Buthers, Damien Jurado, Lemolo, Tea Cozies, Bryan John Appleby, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, Campfire OK and the Mash Hall / Don't Talk to the Cops mashup. Sunday promises to have some unlisted (surprise!) performances as well, so don't hop on that ferry too soon...

Thursday, August 11th
Conor Byrne Open Mic at Doe Bay
Hosted by Tony Kevin, Jr
5:30pm - Sign Up
6:00pm - Late - Performances

Friday, August 12th
Otter Cove Stage
12:00 - 12:45 - Sean Flinn
1:00 - 1:45 - GoldfinchTony Kevin, Jr. (get well soon, Aaron!)
2:00 - 3:00 - Damien Jurado

Main Stage
3:15 - 4:00 - Bryan John Appleby
4:15 - 5:00 - Shelby Earl
5:15 - 6:00 - OK Sweetheart
6:20 - 7:05 - The Maldives
7:35 - 8:20 - Ravenna Woods
8:40 - 9:30 - Champagne Champagne

Yoga Studio
10:00 - 10:45 - Lemolo
11:00pm - 11:45 - Tea Cozies

Cafe
10:15 - 11:00 - Frank Fairfield

Saturday, August 13th
Main Stage
12:00 - 12:45 - Frank Fairfield
1:05 - 1:50 - Cobirds Unite
2:10 - 2:55 - Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside
3:05 - 3:50 - John Vanderslice
4:00 - 4:45 - Kelli Schaefer
5:05 - 5:50 - Campfire OK
6:10 - 6:55 - The Builders and the Butchers
7:15 - 8:00 - Pickwick
8:30 - 9:30 - Head & the Heart

Otter Cove
10:45 - 11:45 - Sera Cahoone
12:15 - 1:00 - Elk & Boar
2:15 - 3:00 - Hannalee
3:15 - 4:00 - String Trio
4:15 - 5:00 - Dust Bunnies

Cafe
10:15 - 11pm - Matt & Mike Gervais (Curtains for You)
11:15 - 12midnight - Matt Bishop (Hey Marsellies)

Yoga Studio
10:00 - 10:45pm - Fly Moon Royalty
11:00 - 11:45pm - Mash Hall / Don't Talk to the Cops

Sunday, August 14
SURPRISE!!

MTV's $5 Cover Launched Today

18 months after shooting, MTV's 2nd edition of the Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow) creation $5 Cover is finally live on their site. Lynn Shelton (Humpday, Mad Men) directed the 12 mini episode season featuring several Doe Bay Fest veterans -- The Maldives, The Moondoggies, Thee Satisfaction -- along with other local acts like The Lights, Thee Emergency, The Tea Cozies and more.

In the span of time it's taken to make it on the web (appears to be a web-only project this time out, and all the episodes are available at once), a lot has changed in the Seattle music scene, so it kind of feels like a cool time capsule for 2009. And really, regardless of whether it encapsulates the Seattle scene or not, there's a definite passion about the locales and the music that is immediately evident in Lynn Shelton's work here.

Besides the wonderful performances by the bands mentioned, and seeing The Tractor Tavern, Blue Moon and Chop Suey locales, you should watch if only to listen to Sean Nelson (Harvey Danger) and Jason Dodson (The Maldives) shoot the shit outside a show. They could really film a spin-off of them just waxing about beards and pop culture and I'd watch.

Bliss on the Moon: Doe Bay Fest 2010

Drew Grow & the Pastor Wives

Like Mt. Everest (in reverse?), Doe Bay Fest can take awhile to get to, and even more so to leave, but when you're there and it's on, boy, talk about breathtaking bliss. If it weren't for the difficult process in getting to and from, it would be hands down the best festival. But really, the festival's success owes a lot to the journey, as it's a great deterrent for the douchebags. Works even better than security and heavy duty fences (hear that CHBP?).

I've held back from writing this up in part because we were in Victoria for a couple days after the festival (one way to beat the retreat) and also because as a parent of two, my festival experience was far different than the Yoga Studio and after-hours highlighted pieces. And it's been that way from the start, back in 2008 where it was more like a hootenanny amongst friends. As it's grown, instead of there just being more strangers, it's seemed like more potential friends (and our Facebook friend corrals grow exponentially as a result).

I haven't even talked about the music, which in the rear view mirror can sometimes feel like sweet dessert to go with a healthy meal. Fruit Bats, Drew Grow and Hey Marseilles were all highlights for me, but again, with a five and three-year old in tow, the joys and expectations are far different. The Yoga Studio, bonfire and after-hours entertainment kind of get missed, but to see your kids enjoy and participate in the music is more than enough for me. That goes for taking photos, though, as well... with the responsibility of kids, I don't have as much time to take photos, but here's a few that felt like they were worth the kid-juggling effort to pull the camera out.

Hey Marseilles headlining Friday night

The Maldives

Zane dances to Fruit Bats headlining Saturday night

Doe Bay owner Joe with co-organizer Chad

Favorite Photos of 2009

This was my first full year with an SLR at my disposal, so when you combine that with a couple passes into 'the pit' and it was a decent year for this amateur. Oddly enough, most of the shots below were taken when I was denied access and had to 'earn it.' Got a few bruises to show for it, but it was worth it.

I'm still learning, so 2010 should be an even better year. (Cue vanity parade:)

"Air Whelan" - The Wrens @ Sasquatch, Day 2 on May 24, 2009.
Fitting that the band that has my album of the decade leads off my photos of the year post. From one of my favorite sets of the year, the Wrens' Kevin Whelan jumps off of his bass cabinet to the lower riser. No wires... all air (kind how i felt trying to capture him, moving from sun to shade and back to sun so quickly). (More photos as recap from event)

"Storm Troopin'" - Audience at Animal Collective, Day 1 on May 23, 2009.
Trapped in a sea of head-bobbing fans... desperately trying to find something to photograph. (More photos and recap from event)

"Show Off" - Cole Alexander of Black Lips @ Capitol Hill Block Party, July 24, 2009.
The Lips put on quite a show, as evidenced by Alexander's acrobatic antics. (More photos and recap from event)

"No Encore" - Andy Falkous of Future of the Left @ Capitol Hill Block Party, Day 2 on July 25, 2009.
Darkest set I've ever attempted to photograph. Was just too damn hot in Neumo's for stage lights.(More photos and recap from event)

"Lean Back" - Brian King & David Prowse of Japandroids @ Capitol Hill Block Party, Day 2 on July 25, 2009.
Taken before I started getting crushed against the barricade. (video) (More photos and recap from event)


"Z, my Hat, Friday Mile" - Friday Mile @ Doe Bay Fest, Day 2 on August 15, 2009.
You knew I'd figure out a way to get one of my kids on this list.
(More photos and recap from event)

"Having a Ball" - Matt of Matt & Kim @ Bumbershoot, Day 1 on September 5, 2009.
Their set was like unicorns and cotton candy coming out of their amps... the kids lapped it up. (More photos and recap from event)

"Grapes of Wrath" - RA Scion of Common Market, Day 2, September 6, 2009.
Workers unite! Common Market performs a theme of worker oppression, and what do you know -- it works. (More photos and recap from event)

"Keep it Dark" - Mark Lanegan with Soulsavers @ Bumbershoot Day 3 on September 7, 2009.
Lanegan ask them to cut the lights on him, making it difficult to capture him. Got this one right before the last bit of light on him was shut down. Dude likes it dark. (More photos and recap from event)

Sasquatch coverage
Capitol Hill Block Party
Doe Bay Festival coverage
Bumbershoot coverage

Doe Bay Fest: Ferry Gods were Smilin'

While I'm not sure how much of it can be attributed directly, having great luck with the ferries this weekend for Doe Bay Fest started and ended our trips if fine fashion. The weather was great, the lineup was perfect (capped by The Long Winters fine evening performance), and the crowd was laid back. Kids were played near the stage while band after band played with the great outdoor backdrop at Doe Bay. There was some worry that growing the festival too fast would prove too much for the resort to handle, but it really was the perfect amount of people to be enjoyable and not require any real security.

Here's a few photos from the festivities:

The Maldives

Hey Marseilles

Friday Mile

Z enjoys the music

The Long Winters

Full gallery on flickr