Well, I’m back. (i.e. Hippie Family Reunion Highlights)

I wasn't able to get an interview with The Herbivores like I wanted, but I did come away with some good stories. Not only were The Herbivores playing, there were two other artists there, Olivia De La Cruz and State of Jefferson.

Herbivores frontman Jim Matthieson and his natty dreads

The Herbivores have a reggaeton/experimental/rock sound, and are led by frontman Jim Matthieson, who provides vocals and electric guitar. Jim is hard to miss because he has the longest dreadlocks I have ever seen, they drag on the ground wherever he walks. The lead guitarist is the talented Jay Roberts, son of the legendary jazz guitarist Howard Roberts, who recorded the eerie theme to the Twilight Zone television show. Roberts is the founder of Roberts Music Institute (RMI) in Seattle where he teaches classes and ensembles. In 1992, he won the Jimi Hendrix National Electric Guitar Competition in addition to being named Seattle’s Best Guitarist for 1992 and 1993.

Along with electric guitar, The Herbivores also experiment with brass, keyboards, an upright electric base, and an assortment of unusual instruments from mandolins to cowbells. The resulting sound was surprisingly well-blended and intuitive, even though I didn’t really appreciate the lyrics in one of their tracks, “Roll Me A Spliff” (haha).

Opening for The Herbivores was the very talented vocalist and guitarist Olivia De La Cruz from Chelan, WA. She has an innocent, folky sound and a writes all her own songs. Her best tracks were “So Sweet” and “Happy”. Following Olivia was The State of Jefferson, an indie/reggae fusion band from Ashland, OR. The State of Jefferson frequently travels with The Herbivores, raising awareness about the Seattle Hempfest and other social causes.

The State of Jefferson

Cool things: Seeing my numerous cousins and tons of family members at my family reunion, the grilled rib-eye steak (Wow! Not all hippies are vegetarian!), swimming in the pool, the amazing weather in NorCal, good music, homemade peach cobbler, dancing barefoot on the lawn, and good stories to tell.

Not-so-cool things: Big clouds of toker smoke everywhere, stereotypical rants about conspiracy theories, huge scary june beetles, and sand everywhere.