Electronic rockers Papadosio's success story is about as grassroots as it gets — since their inception in 2006, the once small band from Athens, Ohio has managed to cultivate a legion of fans across America, self-produce and record three full-length albums and create a hugely successful regional music and arts festival in the Rootwire Festival, now in its 4th year. Comprised of members Anthony Thogmartin, Billy Brouse, Sam Brouse, Mike Healy, and Rob McConnell, Papadosio crafts live electronic rock music by utilizing traditional live instrumentation in combination with computer samples and effects. Their performances are extended sonic journeys that take listeners on a trip through intense soundscapes, anchored by their tight musicianship and personalized with their use of computer-made beats.
2013 has been a big year for Papadosio — they recently relocated their home-base to Asheville, North Carolina and have spent the past year touring extensively in support of their 2012 double-disc album – 'To End The Illusion Of Separation (T.E.T.I.O.S.). The peak of their summer tour is the Rootwire Music and Arts Festival, which takes place at Kaeppner's Woods in Logan, Ohio from August 15th – 18th. The camping festival, which was created by Papadosio in 2010, features an extensive line-up of over 30 established musicians and live bands — all of which are hand-picked by the members of Papadosio. In addition, attendees can participate in multi-practice yoga exercises, sacred spaces, meditation, ceremonies and more with other festival-goers.
Rootwire also showcases the talents of many regional and national artists who create art installations on the grounds of the festival and live paintings on-stage during musical performances. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own artwork and contribute to the festival.
'We kind of had a collective vision of a bunch of people with easels in the field painting while we played music," says Papadosio guitarist Anthony Thogmartin. "There were dancers, acrobats, fire spinners, artists of all kinds creating with us. Your run of the mill music festival consists of people going to a full day of music programming, without getting involved themselves in the creation of the scene. At Rootwire, we now have basically created an "open source circus" in which most people in attendance are creating something along side of us."
The music line-up for this year features three nights of Papadosio, a performance by renowned Indian American tabla musician Karsh Kale, Berklee College of Music graduates Dopapod, and innovative electronic producer ESKMO alongside a slew of other acts. In Rootwires past, Papadosio has performed special acoustic sets and DJ sets as a special treat for attendees.
"We may have some tricks up our sleeves," says Thogmartin. "These different sets allow us to express ourselves in new ways and challenge ourselves to open up so that we and the crowd are kind of in the same boat creatively."
One of the key advantages Rootwire has over larger, more commercial festivals is its intimate size and vibe. The smaller atmosphere allows for attendees to miss less music, make more friends and get more involved in the shared experience of the festival.
"You don't have to feel lost in a big crowd," Thogmartin says when asked what separates Rootwire from other festivals. "The money you spend there is going directly back to the artists, musicians, and presenters. Its going directly to people not companies. Its kind of like buying locally — giving back to the community you believe in and contributing directly to it, instead of being advertised to by corporations and filling the pockets of suits behind the curtains."
Tickets for Rootwire Festival are $140 at the gate and include all music and camping for the weekend. For full information on the line-up, tickets, and the rules of the festival, visit www.rootwirefestival.com. Kaeppner's Woods, Logan, Ohio, August 15-18.
Photos by Brian-Hockensmith
Here are the Top 5 acts TCP is excited to catch at this years Rootwire Music and Arts Festival.
1.) Papadosio — Of course we are most excited for Papadosio. An Ohio band on the rise that combines virtuoso musicianship with rowdy electronic beats? Sign us up. We can't wait to see what surprises the band has for us over the course of their three performances.
Papadosio performing 'All I Knew' at Rootwire 2012 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXJSk5P7hRI
2.) Karsh Kale Live Band — Renowned tabla player Karsh Kale is a pioneer of global fusion and electronica music. His compositions have traveled far past the underground club scene they were born in and are now featured on stages from the Hollywood Bowl to the Burning Man Festival. A live band performance by Kale is extremely rare, so don't miss out!
Karsh Kale performing 'Sacred Science' at York Live Fest 2012 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoWRlb_pjtA
3.) Dopapod — Berklee College of Music graduates Dopapod play progressive rock with a funky, electronic edge — it's really not even fair to try and classify their music into one genre. Their insanely complex songs showcase shredding guitar alongside danceable rhythms and pulsating bass. Their set has a high probability of melting your face — don't say you weren't warned.
Dopapod performing "Trapper Keeper' at Rootwire 2012 -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egOzu3BDJko
4.) Bluetech — Bluetech, the first DJ on our list, is one of the best Psy-Dub producers in the game — if you didn't know, psy-dub is an electronically produced form of dub reggae that is also influenced by techno and world music. Real name Evan Bartholomew, Bluetech creates downtempo beats that are both mind-expanding and deeply psychedelic. His set is sure to make things get weird in the forest — get up front and get ready to dance.
Bluetech performing at Lucidity Festival -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1DAud-pdvQ
5.) The Egg — This British electronic dance music band is known for their high energy sets that weave songs together through improvisational jams. The quartet formed in Oxford, England in the early 1990s, and rarely get the chance to play here in America. Their set is going to be a guaranteed throw-down dance party — we'll see you on the dance floor.
The Egg performing 'Something To Do' at the Cowshed Studio in Glastonbury -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92CUdqh41nY