(Writer: Shado Congalton)

Over the weekend of August 8-11, Harry Brown’s Farm aka Harry’s Hill, in Starks Maine hosted Trichomania Music and Arts Festival. Lead by New Hampshire- based progressive rock jam band, The Trichomes, the festival included twenty-five regional New England-based bands.  The headliners included acts such as Octave Cat, The Breakfast, Swimmer, Barika, and SixFoxWhiskey. Sprawled out over the hilly terrain of northern Maine an estimated 700 lovers of funk and jam music came together and celebrated music and art. At the bottom of the regionally beloved hill that the festival ground is named after, two stages were surrounded by a ring of food and art vendors. Music was able to continue until the early hours of each morning and only stopped between the times of 5 A.M-11am. The energy on the grounds was palpable by everyone in attendance.

The Trichomes, who have a tight knit local fan base carefully crafted their line up with bands that they not only knew on a personal level but were known well within the local New England jam scene. This attention to detail and hospitality lead to a connection between artists and fans. Breaking down this barrier allowed an open dialogue between all lovers of music to occur and created a space where collaboration was encouraged, and improvisation was king. Multiple performances that were made up of all stars from different bands, including a moe. cover set. Rob Compa, the lead guitarist of Dopapod sat in with multiple different groups throughout the weekend, as well as members of Good Tree River Band, Lee Ross, and Trichome’s own Umanand Kovvuri sitting in with several bands.

(Photo: Shado Congalton)

Local artists also made their impact throughout the weekend; a troupe of fire spinners preformed each night, wooden boards spray painted by fans and artists alike, creating a communal, artistic vibe.  Cy Lagrassa worked around the clock to put on a light show during each main stage act, and as night hit fans bonded together to gather wood and have a bonfire. Unlike most festivals the staff was made up of almost entirely band members so when the Trichomes were not playing you would see them running around the grounds taking care of maintenance, interacting with fans, or making meals for artists.

The Trichomes did not feel the need to have themselves portrayed as the headliner either night, instead put the focus on others, allowing there to be a familial feeling to the flow of the weekend’s performances. All of this combined to create an atmosphere in which community was pushed to the forefront and each person felt responsible in cultivating the experience together. Needless to say, The Trichomania Music & Arts Festival was incredibly community based, regionally focused and a heartbeat of the local music scene, showing no signs of slowing down.

Gallery: