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sound experience LEAF’s 37th Festival October 17-20 A range of world performers: funk, rhythm & blues; psychedelic rock and Creole roots; Belgian polyphonic Afrobeat queen Zap Mama; and Western North Carolina’s own folk rockers, Acoustic Syndicate, perform a record release show. The twice-annual four-day cultural music and arts festival takes place at Camp Rockmont, in Black Mountain, NC. For more information phone (828) 68-MUSIC (828-686-8742) or visit www.theLEAF.org.
‘CD’s’ continued from page 32
Even as you marvel at the unbridled talent that Baker so boundlessly exudes, you’re equally saddened by his ability to so casually toss it all aside, doing him and his loved ones irreparable harm. Director Jay Bulger manages to gain almost unheard of access into Baker’s notoriously private life, visiting him on his South African compound (whose grim warning sign gives the film its title), and interviewing former wives (of which there are four) and aggrieved children (of which there are three). Beware of Mr. Baker is an alternately haunted and hysterical portrait of rock’s first truly great drummer, and Bulger wisely lets his subject tell his own story, even when that story results in Baker bloodying Bulger with a sharp right to the snout. Footage of his amazing journey, from bombed out London to continent hopping superstar, adorns the film with an authenticity that makes the viewer almost feel as if they know the man: Except you wouldn’t want to. Interviews with Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Johnny Rotten, Charlie Watts, Carlos Santana, and others paint a portrait of a gigantic talent whose personal demons, fueled by four decades of heroin addiction, have made him both revered and reviled. “I’d love to work with him again” says Jack Bruce, who Baker seems to despise with intensity well into wickedness. “But I wouldn’t want to be in the room with him for more than a few minutes.” ****
The Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit
I
INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEY CAPPS
In the weeks following the 2012 edition of MoogFest rumors began swirling that big changes were in store for what had, in three short years, become one of Asheville’s premiere music events. While attendance for the two day festival had been down — exact numbers are difficult to come by — MoogFest 2012, with headliners Primus 3-D, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and The Magnetic Fields, clearly delivered the goods. I certainly heard grumblings along the lines of “last year was better,” but such comments are part and parcel of any such large scale event. You’re not going to satisfy everyone’s tastes, and by catering to the masses you’ll likely alienate those that really do care about the music. Still, when MoogFest and AC Entertainment, who has shepherded the Asheville version of MoogFest since its inception, parted ways, many were blindsided. Within weeks, Ashley Capps, whose initials adorn the Knoxville based management company he founded, announced plans for a three day event largely akin to MoogFest. Same time of year, many of the same venues, and the same types of artists MoogFest attracted. To further complicate matters, MoogFest has announced it will return, sans AC Entertainment, in 2014. How that will shape out is anyone’s guess. To his credit Mr. Capps has been upfront regarding the division between MoogFest and AC Entertainment, and has remained an unfailing professional. So, while anyone looking for an “inside scoop” of dirt might be disappointed, Rapid River Magazine greatly appreciates his willingness to answer a few of our questions.
James Cassara: Thanks for taking some
time to talk about the Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit. I fully appreciate if you’d rather not discuss the split that occurred between MoogFest and AC Entertainment. However, if there’s a side of the story you’d like to make known, feel free to do so.
Ashley Capps: It’s pretty simple really.
When we started exploring the idea of presenting a festival in downtown Asheville, we wanted to honor the creative legacy of Bob Moog. Our discussions with the Bob Moog Foundation and Moog Music led to our agreement to license the name “MoogFest” for the event. We programmed, booked, marketed, produced and staffed all aspects of the festi-
BY JAMES
CASSARA
be many fun surprises during the weekend for everyone.
JC: The list of performers is pretty
far reaching and diverse. Stepping for a moment outside your industry shoes and into those of a rabid music fan: What are the “must see” acts for you?
val, and we were 100% financially responsible for it. After three years, Moog Music notified us that they did not want AC: This is always a tough question, to continue to license because we really work to curate our Ashley Capps, owner of the name to us. We festivals — carefully selecting each were very proud of what AC management company. act for artistic reasons, and offering Photo courtesy of WUOT 91.9 FM we had created and a variety of options and musical exwanted to build upon periences for the fans. So, all of the our years of work and effort, so we chose to artists have a special place in the festival mix. christen our festival, “Mountain Oasis ElecOf course certain things stand out tronic Music Summit,” and continue on. because they offer a rare opportunity to see an artist perform, or a band is returning JC: So let’s talk about this year’s event. In after an absence, or an artist has released an philosophical terms what do you anticiespecially captivating new record. pate for the Summit? Be it someone who Obviously, we’re honored to have Nine attended MoogFest or a newcomer, what Inch Nails headline our festival, (along with might they expect? Bassnectar and Pretty Lights), during their AC: We are continuing to develop the return this year. I believe Mountain Oasis concept that we produced for the past three will be the most intimate show that they will years. The core footprint of the festival is play this year, so it’s certain to be a standout. the same — we’re presenting concerts in the Then, having Neutral Milk Hotel on Arena, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, the the bill – with Jeff Mangum curating his Orange Peel, the Diana Wortham Theatre, evening – is a dream booking after their 15 and the Asheville Music Hall. And there will year absence from the music scene. And be panels and talks, along with educational having the reformed Deltron 3030 is amazand interactive experiences as well. ing… and then Tricky’s back… there’s so But we’re expanding further. Ashemuch that we couldn’t have predicted a ville is such a remarkable setting for this year ago. festival, and the local community has really We had Disclosure play in the Asheville embraced us. This year, there are so many Music Hall last year and they blew minds. exciting things happening outside the core So, as they’ve evolved and exploded this venues. Local entrepreneurs, like the Emeryear, we had to bring them back. And the ald Lounge, The Asheville Pizza and Brewfabulous chanteuse Jessie Ware, (a sometime ing Company and their new venue, The collaborator with Disclosure), released her Mill, the gallery space, Apothecary, the Lab, debut record this year that we can’t stop and others, are all offering exciting shows listening to. and events for Mountain Oasis attendees Darkside – the collaboration between and the community as a whole. Nicolar Jaar and Dave Harrington – has We’re working with many of the key rarely been heard in the USA and have just players in Asheville’s amazing and explodreleased their debut. Then there’s Godspeed ing food and brewery scene to highlight You! Black Emperor, and did I mention their offerings. The Asheville Brewing Gary Numan? Are you sorry you asked? I Company has also created an official festihave to stop now! val beer, the Electric Pale Ale. Plus, we’re JC: No apology needed, it’s great to know engaging with local artists and performyou’re a music lover first and foremost. Afers to create surprises for fans and others ter last year’s MoogFest there was some talk, throughout the weekend. and I’m not sure where it originated, that JC: It sounds like you’re integrating more of the event might be permanently abbreviated a down home feel. Logistically, are there any to two days. Obliviously that didn’t happen. changes we should know about? Are you pretty confident that the Asheville market can support this large an event? AC: In addition to expanding our festival footprint, there will be fun activities AC: Well, we did have to shorten last year’s throughout downtown Asheville during the festival from three to two days, but that was weekend, some of which will be free and primarily due to delays in planning that were open to the public. Others will be offered beyond our control. For a while, it looked for a small fee if you aren’t officially attendlike there might not be a festival in 2012. ing Mountain Oasis – pass holders will get continued on page 40 free or discounted admission. There will Vol. 17, No. 2 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — October 2013 33