Outside Lands Festival 2012

We decided to give Outside Lands another chance after they announced a fairly good lineup this year. We went the first year of the festival to see Radiohead and what I remembered from that year was no parking, walking miles, and a ton of people. Very much the same deal this year, attendance being about 60,000 and there wasn't one dedicated parking lot and some of the crowds for certain sets just were ridiculous. Over the first two days we saw three full sets and pieces of a few others, Beck, the Kills and an incredible set by Foo Fighters highlighted the first 2 days. The third day had a certain mystic to it from the beginning. The Third Man Records Rolling Record Store had made it's way from the home base in Nashville to various spots like Indy, Chicago, Omaha, Denver, LA and they had tweeted overnight being near the Pacific Ocean. We hoped they'd be inside the gates but couldn't be too sure, and once we were inside the venue we were stuck inside. They mentioned they'd be at Outside Lands around 9:30, however with the gates not opening until 11 we were in limbo for about an hour and a half. We found parking, walked towards the gates but of course were abruptly told, 'you can't stand here' go figure. Quickly I replied, 'we're waiting for a friend,' as the crowd began to thicken around us the security inquired 'how long before they show up?' which at that point we had absolutely no idea. We were asked to stand across the street with another couple who had the same answers to the usher's questions so I didn't hesitate to inquire if we were waiting for the same thing, which we were. So the four of us waited until the announcement of the Rolling Record Store being open and then we ran inside! It really started a sense of panic and we hoped we wouldn't be too late to get the Jack White Lightning Bolt Blunderbuss. It was a surreal scene, a bright yellow truck in the middle of the forest selling vinyl rarities and above anything else on the west coast. So with the task of tracking down our vinyl completed we were ready to enjoy some music! We caught one act and then returned to the RRS where we noticed a huge gathering, we knew there was probably a Jack White secret show in the works but we just hoped we weren't too late! We found spots behind an amp which turned out to be ok but not a terrific spot for us to see Jack and the full band, however after a brief 3 song set Jack wrapped up and passed the mic to Tom Morello which we did have a better spot for the one man act. This saved the weekend from being a total disappointment. Stevie Wonder closed out the festival and played all kinds of hits, from his own and even a song by the King of Pop, a perfect way to top off the festival.

Camping

After the Fourth we took a few days to head up to Coloma to camp along the American River. Doing a little research I quickly found out that Coloma was the birthplace of the gold rush. The water was really the only way to stay cool in the heat. Floating down the river with the river banks lined with gold diggers, literally, was almost a bit nostalgic. It took 3 or 4 trips down the river before I realized the river banks still were full of gold, or fool's gold. The Coloma Resort which had entrances to the river all along the site, and just an FYI life jackets are required for everyone even if the signs say eighteen and up. Even with the heat and the the park being packed to the brim it was a very relaxing few days away.

RSD '12

We found out about Record Store Day back in 2008 and have participated a great deal in the event the past 3 years. We've followed it quite closely since Nashville based, Detroit founded, Third Man Records started pumping out some insane Vinyl. What started as a novelty quickly turned into an obsession that has had us standing in line in random cities waiting for most of the time Rarities only available from that location. Sometimes we're 1 of hundreds and other times we've been 1 of 5 lucky customers. This year Third Man pulled out all the stops and released two items that were only available in Nashville, we had 2 choices, go and experience Third Man and Nashville or pay the same amount for the items on eBay. I can't say what we did is recommended, sitting 18 hours in the rain, but the experience is only as good as the company you're with. Seeing friends from San Francisco, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, DC and even a guy from Australia make the cold and wet times enjoyable and bearable. With us being literally at the House that Jack White built it only made sense to go see where Jack get's his records pressed. Our tour at United Record Pressing was one of the first things we did while in Nashville and little did we know that the same people we were on the tour with, we'd be huddling together with for warmth later on the next day. Unfortunately due to RSD and Jack White's Liquid Filled Record being constructed we only were able to tour the pressing factory and couldn't tour the upstairs which has been named the 'Motown Suite'. In a segregated south in the 60's the upstairs would play refuge for many artists passing through town who were unwelcome to stay in local hotels. When we're back in Nashville, as long as there's no top secret shenanigans going on upstairs, we'll do the tour again just to see the Motown Suite.

A video of one of TMR's most sought out 45's being made, a hand painted test pressing by The Dead Weather.