September 2009

For the September edition of Track By Track, keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth tells us all about his second release since String Cheese Incident took a break from regular touring in 2007, Then There’s Now.

Due one week from today, Then There’s Now shows off Kyle’s penchant for writing catchy melodies, deep grooves and his ability to mix and match genres from song to song. Also, Hollingsworth welcomes friends Dar Williams, Speech and DJ Logic to add their talents to the new release. Let’s see what Kyle has to say about each Then There’s Now’s nine tracks…

Way That It Goes:
It’s written from the perspective of a bystander, by my wife and myself—she lived in Seattle for a long time and I was living in Boulder, both are kind of freaky towns with some unique individuals. So each verse is speaking about the quirkiness of that moment.

Musically it is intriguing with lots of little sonic treats.

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She:
This tune was created around a groove and a bass line.

Lyrically it is about trying to find inspiration. Sometimes when you’re not ready you can experience the most inspirational moment of your life, and when you sit down and try to make it happen, it can take forever.

READ ON for more from Kyle on Then There’s Now…

Initially created as part of a class project by Appalachian State University student Jimmy Hunt, Music on the Mountaintop has surpassed everyone’s expectations in just two years of existence. Held on a perfectly-angled hillside at an old fairground just outside the charming mountain town of Boone, NC, the one-day music and green living smorgasbord is on the verge of becoming a local institution and another feather in North Carolina’s musical cap.

The efficient, earth-conscious event requires relatively little land space, and the organizers strive and succeeded in making the festival one of the most environmentally considerate in the country. Volunteers combed the grounds all day encouraging garbage gathering and recycling, while a village of eco-conscious organizations and companies greeted the nearly 4,200 attendees upon entry.

Music on the Mountaintop has an impressive musical history for such a young event, and there’s already a legacy of artistry being established via repeat performances from headliners and local favorites alike. Luminaries like Sam Bush, Acoustic Syndicate and Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band have performed at both iterations, helping give the event an air of tradition waiting to take hold. READ ON for more from Bryan on Music On The Mountaintop…

Recently, Phish announced pre-order details for one of the most ambitious merch products they’ve ever created – the Joy Box. This monstrous limited edition box set includes the CD plus