April Video a Day Bonus: John Wesley Satterfield, “Father’s Son”

If this past month of posting videos I’ve shot mostly locally in the Columbia, South Carolina area has done anything, it has reminded me of the talented musicians and bands that come from here–whether they stick around or not. John Wesley Satterfield first came here via his band Woodwork Roadshow, his solo work has been equally memorable. This ‘bonus’ clip for the April Video a Day series features a new song he debuted at this year’s St. Pat’s in Five Points only a handful of weeks ago, “Father’s Son.”

April Video a Day: Josh and Leslie Roberts, “Buzzard”

With his rock ‘n’ roll band the Hinges, Columbia’s Josh Roberts puts on a tremendous paint-peeling, roof-raising live show, but he has also released acoustic music. Whatever way he delivers it, Roberts includes vivid if sometimes head-scratchingly obtuse imagery, as on this version of the Hinges classic “Buzzard”:

April Video a Day: Those Lavender Whales, “Buckling”

One of the more unique and endearingly talented bunch of musicians to come out of Columbia has to be Aaron Graves and his cohorts in Those Lavender Whales. What sound like kid’s songs from some alternate dimension pass for normal in their world, and today’s video (shot at the Columbia Museum of Art during an event called Arts & Draughts) showcases a typical example, “Buckling”:

Confessions and Observations of a MerleFest Rookie, Part III

Saturday’s biggest issue was the weather, but after a cold Friday night I’d planned ahead and took some warm pants to put on when I needed them. The day overall was overcast and chilly throughout, with the sweatshirt being necessary pretty much all day.

Saturday’s discovery was the Snyder Family Band, who put on a great set at the Creekside stage. They’re a true family act with thirteen year old Samantha on fiddle and vocals and her sixteen year old brother Zeb on guitar and vocals. Most impressively, they played a number of original songs, gospel and instrumentals as well, that had them sounding like a young Nickel Creek.

The Hillside Album Hour was all it was built up to be by my friends I’m here with, and the Waybacks and guests take on Jimi Hendrix’ Are You Experienced album was phenomenal.

Today’s going to be fun but bittersweet since it’s the final day of music here; between the camping, the music, and the friendly people I’ve met inbetween, it has been the kind of experience that proves why people come back here year after year.

See you next year, when I’ll have to rename this blog series…