by Sophie Block
The Austin Reggae Festival (known as Marley Fest in years past) took place this past weekend. It was three smokin’ hot days and chill nights at Auditorium Shores on the banks of Town Lake. There were concerts on the main stage, a Dub corner, vendors of Bob Marley memorabilia and such, and fields of tents that concert goers made their homes for a few days. Walking the grounds also meant walking through a cloud of smoke the entire length of the festival. A very diverse gathering of people--hippies to club hoppers, young and old, seemed to gravitate to the festival not just for its music, but to smoke grass out in the open. There were a lot of distractions that made the festival what it was--hula-hooping, dancing, people watching... and did I mention Bob Marley t-shirts? So many Bob Marley t-shirts.
But all marijuana prevalence and scattered trash and turkey legs aside, I’m here to talk about music. Due to other responsibilities I only got to participate in the festivities on Saturday and Sunday night, but one day was eventful enough in itself! The first band I caught was Don Chani, an Austin Latin/dub/reggae band. Lead singer Mark Shaddock was deeply influenced by reggae music when he spent time in Jamaica as a teenager. Other members of the band come from a Latin music background. This blend of musical influences makes for a unique sound. Both genres are apparent in their songs. Shaddock’s voice is reminiscent of Nick Hexum from 311. The show was in the afternoon, and the number of people walking the grounds and watching the show was about equal. Many concert goers ambled around the booths and a good number more were hanging out in tent villages.
The Austin Reggae Festival (known as Marley Fest in years past) took place this past weekend. It was three smokin’ hot days and chill nights at Auditorium Shores on the banks of Town Lake. There were concerts on the main stage, a Dub corner, vendors of Bob Marley memorabilia and such, and fields of tents that concert goers made their homes for a few days. Walking the grounds also meant walking through a cloud of smoke the entire length of the festival. A very diverse gathering of people--hippies to club hoppers, young and old, seemed to gravitate to the festival not just for its music, but to smoke grass out in the open. There were a lot of distractions that made the festival what it was--hula-hooping, dancing, people watching... and did I mention Bob Marley t-shirts? So many Bob Marley t-shirts.
But all marijuana prevalence and scattered trash and turkey legs aside, I’m here to talk about music. Due to other responsibilities I only got to participate in the festivities on Saturday and Sunday night, but one day was eventful enough in itself! The first band I caught was Don Chani, an Austin Latin/dub/reggae band. Lead singer Mark Shaddock was deeply influenced by reggae music when he spent time in Jamaica as a teenager. Other members of the band come from a Latin music background. This blend of musical influences makes for a unique sound. Both genres are apparent in their songs. Shaddock’s voice is reminiscent of Nick Hexum from 311. The show was in the afternoon, and the number of people walking the grounds and watching the show was about equal. Many concert goers ambled around the booths and a good number more were hanging out in tent villages.
Next, I saw Az One. The band, fronted by Elisha Israel, is based out of Kansas City. Israel fine tuned his reggae skills working with musicians when they passed through his home town. Az One is more roots-based than Don Chani, which is the kind of reggae I tend to like more. Az One rocked. The songs have a more classic reggae beat, thicker bass lines and altogether beachier feel than Don Chani. More people began to focus more on the stage as the night progressed.
The last band I caught that night was Taj Weekes, who drew the Saturday night to a close. His thoughtful lyrics, along with the chill atmosphere of the evening allowed me to return home at 11:30pm feeling full of good music and ready for sleep. Visit Taj Weeke’s website for a free download of “Drill” through next week to mark the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill.
Israel Vibration closed out the festival Sunday night with a full band whose singers harmonize in many of their songs. Cecil Spence (Skelly) and Lascelle Bulgin (Wiss) met when they were in a rehabilitation center for polio as children in Jamaica. They formed a roots group in the 70s and continue to produce new music today. They killed it. Not only is their music strong, but the band is inspiring for overcoming their physical challenges. They were the highlight of the festival and the perfect note to end on.
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