I knew that even before the schedule rolled out for Newport this past week it didn’t matter the time, it didn’t matter who was playing on other stages, my behind would be parked in the cozy confines of the Museum and I would be taking in all that WILDWOOD Revival had to offer. A couple old friends, some new ones, and a few I haven’t even met yet will take turns, swapping a few songs, playing a few songs together, and really encompassing the community aspect of the Newport Folk Festival in an incredibly wonderful and special way. I was lucky enough to steal a few moments from Libby Rose and her brother Jesse Collier as they plan for WILDWOOD in late August, but also for this coming Friday as a pre-party of sorts. Great people, curating great events, hosting great music. Check it and I will see you front and center in the Museum on Friday at 2:29 PM.
I have not attended the WILDWOOD Revival myself, but have seen photos and video of last year’s event, and without fear of sounding too cheesy, it looks like absolute magic. How did you come up with the idea for this event?
Libby Rose: We’ve always had a strong passion for music and talked about the dream of producing a unique music festival of our own. Perhaps serendipitously, our family acquired what is now Cloverleaf Farm and we knew it was the ideal setting. We had attended so many festivals across the country, but we felt there was something missing and much about them we wanted to leave behind. We wanted to create a festival atmosphere without the unpleasantries of high-dollar bottled water and food, folks crammed mercilessly into a cattle-call like environment with hundreds of thousands of people and trash everywhere. That is what so much of festival culture has become. Less about the experience, more about the mighty dollar. So we took some of the things we liked about the others and rolled in some ideas that we thought would create a more communal environment. We serve food from local farmers, partner with small craft beer, wine and liquor companies, and even throw some wiffle ball and yoga in there too. Our artisan market features vintage clothing, antiques, printmakers, wood workers, 1800’s era tintype photography, leather makers, handmade crafts and more. Guests get all that AND amazing music.
Jesse Collier: Our goal was to “revive community.” Over the past several decades, we’ve all seen how suburban sprawl has disintegrated individual communities and created the ubiquitous and homogenized “burbs” that we see today. Having grown up as the quintessential suburbanites until we were early teenagers, we have that firsthand experience of what was lacking and we felt like we knew what those voids were. We wanted to take the feeling you get from visiting places like small town juke joints, honky tonks, farmers markets, swap meets, front porch parties and supper clubs and bring those elements to the farm in the form of a festival. We’re excited to be a part of Newport Folk Fest because they’re all about atmosphere, community and guest experience as well.
It seems unique in that its half traditional music festival and half music family reunion…needless to say, I want to be there.
So, with that being said, how have you set out to harness the vibe and feeling that you have at the actual event into the Museum curated stage at Newport Folk this summer?
Libby Rose: We feel that the Newport Folk family and the Wildwood Revival family are of the same spirit. It’s a natural endeavor to partner together and host this showcase on the Museum Stage. Since we’re cut from the same cloth so to speak, in a sense we already harness a very similar vibe and so it’s not necessary for a lot of effort to go into trying to duplicate a feeling. We’re both not only set in a picturesque environment, but exceptionally produced with attention to detail and guest experience. We’re here to contribute to history and preserve that. We share the same magic that brings people back. Above all else, it’s the music that makes that happen.
How did you come across the acts that you have invited to play your stage? It seems like a lot of the community around East Nashville, Joe and extends outward a bit.
Libby Rose: East Nashville is mine and Joe’s home and one of the reasons we chose that is the tight-knit community of hard-working, exceptional musicians we’re blessed enough to call our friends. Most of us are transients to this city and with finding a home away from home, we’ve really created a family here that supports one another’s dreams and try to involve each other in our creative efforts. I’m grateful they’ve travelled with us to Wildwood Revival in Georgia and up to Newport too. Joe introduced me to Newport Folk Festival a couple years ago shortly after we met. I came to the festival and saw his ‘Nashville to Newport’ set on the Museum Stage and was blown away by the energy and excitement created in that room. He curated an impeccable line-up, with all the artists creating a palpable mood with each song. When the song was tender, the crowd was quiet. When it became loud and soulful, the crowd reflected that and got into it. It was incredibly successful and talked about all weekend. People were buzzing when they left the room. It’s the same vibe we try to embody with Wildwood Revival and I knew right away he would get what I was trying to do when we were beginning the festival in Georgia. Joe and his music were so instrumental in creating that experience, we of course wanted him to headline the Wildwood showcase. We’ve also pulled in some other favorites we’ve met in our travels.
I personally plan on spending most of my time in the Museum on Friday. Each year, it truly ends up being my favorite place to be at Newport, but with this announcement in particular I was absolutely floored and it gave me even more of a reason to get there early and stay put. How would you sum up the overall plan for this collection of music?
Libby Rose: The WILDWOOD showcase is an intimate series of sets featuring a handful of songs from each artist and mixing some collaboration in there too. The point isn’t to pop in and only check out someone you’re familiar with. It’s to hang for the afternoon and look to walk away with a new favorite artist. If someone is playing a particular sound you don’t dig, it’s just a few songs before we’re on to the next. Think of it as a live compilation cd we’re making for you to hear some new stuff, from one music nut to another. One thing’s for sure, you don’t want to miss the fun of the finale.
Anything else you want to promote about Wildwood and events later on this year for the whole thing?
Libby Rose: For the full Wildwood Revival experience, it’s worth the road trip down to Georgia. It’s all of the good stuff you love about music festivals and none of the stuff you don’t. Check out www.wildwoodrevival.com and see why.