By Priya Hutner
New Monsoon | p. Ron Richman
July 11| Noon
Hard Rock Casino | 50 Hwy 50 Stateline, Nev.
$45 general admission | $90 VIP | $10 12 and younger
The Hard Rock Casino hosts its first Tahoe Bluegrass Festival on July 11 bringing an outstanding lineup to Stateline. This festival promises to be a fun, foot stomping, dancing time with music from old-school bluegrass pickers, Grammy award-winning musicians and bands that offer more subtle shades of bluegrass threaded throughout their eclectic fusion of sound.
Headliners for the all-day festival include The Greensky Bluegrass, who will be serving up some classic string band Americana. Brining a fusion of rock and bluegrass to the festival is the Del McCoury Band, who will bring a more traditional bluegrass sound to the lineup, and music veteran and mandolin picker David Grisman, recognized as the pioneer of jamgrass, who will perform with his band the David Grisman Sextet.
Also performing is world-renowned Dobro master Jerry Douglas with his band the Earls of Leicester. They’ll offer up a sound that is upbeat and deeply rooted in both bluegrass and country. The band won a Grammy for best bluegrass album this year.
San Francisco’s New Monsoon will be on hand to treat the audience to a taste of music that blends numerous genres to create their exclusive sound.
“We are not a typical bluegrass band. We don’t necessarily fit any one genre; we are a rock band, and a jam band that borrows from bluegrass, funk and rock, which we meld together to create our own distinctive sound,” says Jeff Miller of New Monsoon.
Each song on their newest album, “Diamonds and Clay,” is unique. Miller, one of the founding members of the band explains, “every song is different and a creation of what each band member brings to the table.”
“We put a lot of thought into the order of our songs on our new album. Every song aims to take the listener on a journey and lead into the next experience. It’s reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ with each song playing off the next,” Miller says.
The band has gone through many incarnations over the last 20 years. Miller, who plays electric guitar, and Bo Carper initially performed as a duo and along the way teamed up with keyboardist Phil Ferlino to become New Monsoon. Originally touring with a seven-piece band and large percussion section transitioned to a smaller band over the past few years. With a heavy Santana influence, the tour now hosts a five-piece band.
Carper plays acoustic guitar and banjo, through which he blends a love of classical Indian music with his West Virginia roots. Rounding out the quintet is Marshall Harrell, who offers up vocals, acoustic and electric bass, and percussionist Michael Pinkham.
“It is the lyrics and music that makes our audience feel something and is a byproduct of the art. Everyone that listens to music is affected.” Miller says. “We are boundless and don’t deal with boundaries or categories,” he adds.
“Rest assured that with attending one of our shows, the audience will be entertained and can’t help but dance. They’ll experience a variety of vibes,” Millers says to folks heading out to the Tahoe Bluegrass Festival.
The Tahoe Bluegrass Festival will host a number of other bands, as well, throughout the day including Tahoe’s own Dead Winter Carpenters.
So strap on your boots as the Hard Rock Casino heats up for what will be amazing day of music, dance and good vibrations.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com.
