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spotlight |
EKOOSTIK HOOKAHArticle and photos by Taylor Swope(editor's note: Taylor begins her spotlight of Ekoostik Hookah with a review of their recent performance in NYC at the Knitting Factory. I recently received a preview copy of Ekoostik's new CD "Seahorse" from Ariel Publicity. Several of the songs in Taylor's review were from the new CD: "Ridgeway Sky," "Bone," and "Silver Train." Hookah heads will love this new album, by the way) Knitting Factory, NYC 1/12/2002 Set 1
Set 2- This was the better set. The boys must have been warmed up by now...
Encore: I Am the Walrus- Sweeney rocked it like he always does (The Beatles would be proud). It was fun to see the boys in NYC, good crowd, pretty packed, but enough space to dance. The stage was way too small for six people, but they managed. Not too much else to say, really. Just another great Hookah show. Now let's talk about festivals. Ekoostik Hookah's own festival, Hookahville , is different from most festivals in that it only features six or seven bands, no side stage, and no small bands. Two solid nights of Hookah, and other headliners which have included Bob Weir + Ratdog (Bobby even joined them on stage two years in a row), Arlo Guthrie (he joined them for Easy Chair), Wille Nelson, Little Feat, CPR with David Crosby, David Grisman, Dickey Betts, Dr. John, and more. The crowds range from seven to twelve thousand strong. Another thing that's different from other festivals is that almost everyone's there to see Hookah, and the other bands are just a plus. So you end up with thousands of fans of one band, whereas at other festivals there are so many bands and everyone likes a different bunch of them. As a result of everyone being there for one band, it's a pretty tight knit family. By the end of the weekend I usually think I'll be sick if I see one more schwa. (Note: the schwa is the upside down small e used by dictionaries to denote the "uh" sound in the spelling of ekoostik hookah- editor) They're everywhere. Everyone's wearing their schwa shirts, they project them onto the stage during their sets, there are schwa flags flying from campsites, I mean, it's just too much. But these kids love their band. Hookahville is a great time, schwa freaks included. It's a good size and they manage the grounds very well, taking care of the basic amenities- more than most festivals can say. And when it rains, they even put down hay. Oh, and the music continues even in the rain (Gathering of the Vibes, what?). Bonfires and drum circles rage till dawn. The organic Ohio greenery alone is reason enough to go to Hookahville, not to mention the kind Ohio folk. Schlepping your gear from the parking lot to tent city is a drag, but at least it's not so far as to require a shuttle. Locations change, and some are better than others, but it's always well organized. Now if they'd only stop playing that damn Come to Hookahville song. Better than Hookahville though is to see them headline someone else's festival. Jerry's Birthday Bash (www.sunshinedreams.com ) is one of the best festivals going at one of the best festival campgrounds going. Sunshine Daydream is serious family, such good people. Nestled into the West Virginia hills, it has cabins, showers (cold for now but hot showers coming), toilets, woodsy or open camping, bonfires, a renovated barn for late night, wild flowers, a pond, you get the idea... Totally remote. Great people and always great bands. Trip does a fantastic job booking both known and new bands. Has a pretty substantial loyal and local crowd. Most people come from Ohio or the Baltimore/Washington area where Trip used to throw parties in his Potomac County backyard. Best festival family I've ever seen. This place is one of a kind, truly a sacred spot of land. Hookah has also headlined there for Danksgiving (probably some other stuff too) and they played for Trip and Emily's wedding. Hope that about covers what I wanted to say... Here are a few pics of the band in the last year... |
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