Jolie Holland live at Pickathon 2008 from Dave Allen on Vimeo.
Jolie Holland at Pickathon. Video by Dave Allen of Pampelmoose. Lots more video over at pickathon.com

The first day of Pickathon turned out to be even more fun than I was expecting. It's a festival without any of the stress (and crowds of douchebags) that larger festivals bring; it's the perfect size and at the perfect location. Pendarvis Farm is a (functioning? probably not) old farm opened up to special events (the horses seemed nonplussed by the music and the crowds) and there are five stages of music, and trails throughout the woods. Currently, there's a small city of tents threaded all along the pathways, as weekend campers have taken over the woods.

Most of the action takes place on the main field, alternating between a big stage and smaller stage--there's never a lull in the action. There are white shade-sail-thingys stretched out above the crowd, to protect from the sun and rain, I guess. Whatever they're for, they look cool--and futuristic, which is neatly at odds with the rustic setting. There are also these space-age chandelier-type things suspended over the rear part of the field in day-glo colors. The music at Pickathon is pretty much all folk-based but if you have the slightest stomach for roots music, it's worth the trip. There's no heavy rock or electronic dance music, but pretty much every other taste is catered to.

Some highlights:
- Langhorne Slim's first set getting the crowd amped up, and seeing the red-skinned, gray-haired middle-aged dude in the crowd shaking his arms like gummi worms.
- Tom Heinl's hilarious comedy songs. Personal favorites are the one about the three-way and the one about pissing in an empty bottle while driving.
- Jolie Holland's surprisingly rocking set(s). The records I have of hers are much jazzier, but her new material is leaning straight into Lucinda Williams territory. She was backed by members of Norfolk & Western; in particular, slug-photographer extraordinaire Dave Depper, and his consummate bass and piano playing. (Thanks for the cookies, Dave!)
- The crowd during Sean Hayes' white-boy-reggae schtick. Hayes actually isn't as bad as he sounds; he's more politico than partyboy. (He seems kinda old, too.) But the girls in the crowd were digging it, shaking and rocking their hips even during a song about the 1906 earthquake in San Francis-zzzzzzzzzsnoooze. (Why do hot-ish girls always like lame-ish music?)
- Free beer and wine for the taking backstage. And a masseuse! (Ah, the joys of having a press pass.)
- Late-night bonfire.
- Super friendly volunteers! The dickheads at Roseland and Hawthorne Theatre could certainly take a tip from these crowd wranglers. Honestly, the best staff I've ever encountered at a festival.
- Looking for the stage that was rumored to be somewhere deep in the woods, but getting distracted by a cool-looking snail.
- The best quesedilla we'd ever eaten, courtesy of Canby Asparagus Farm.

Anyway, if you're not sure about Pickathon, I'd recommend giving it a shot unless you HATE everything about roots music. And I'll be honest: While it's not a hippie fest, it's not NOT a hippie fest... does that make sense? (Did I mention we got distracted by a pretty snail?) But it's still super fun, and I'm really glad I went. I'll be back later today and tomorrow too. With any luck, I'll have some pics to share.

Pickathon, today & tomorrow, Pendarvis Farm, 16581 SE Hagen, Happy Valley