Photos: Frankie Cavone
Annie in the Water will be taking the stage once again in beautiful Lake George, NY this Memorial Day weekend (Sunday May 26) at Charles R Wood Park for Memorial Meltdown 2024. We got the chance to have a quick chat with Michael Lashomb (Lead guitar/Vocals), Josh West (Drums/Vocals) and Chris Meier (Bass/Vocals) in regards to preparation for this holiday epic weekend!
Mirth Films: What is your favorite Memorial Meltdown memory, and why is it so special to be back in Lake George?
Michael Lashomb: Last year was our first time playing the memorial meltdown. From a performance standpoint, we rehearsed our set right to the minute and being able to hit our marks and goals as a band is always great for our sense of accomplishment. And having played so early in the day, we had the chance to hang out the rest of the day and catch up with old friends from the other bands and meet new ones. We hadn’t played with giant panda for years so being able to connect with their team and vibe was great. We also were able to connect with the guys in Tauk for the first time which was great. We have also had a great relationship with the Twiddle fam for a long time so it always feels like a big fam reunion whenever we play with them. Plus, they all live close to Lake George, just over the border in Vermont, so their whole family comes out and it’s a comradery and energy that always feels welcoming and fun. Plus we have been able to befriend a lot of the production crew since we have played that festival and ADK fest multiple times. There’s just a special energy that Dave Ehman and Jarret Hartstone & the rest of the team has curated that is special. Words don’t describe it but that energy is clean and comfortable which harbors a healthy environment for our bands to connect with our fans and all the people who make the boat float.
Mirth Films: Is there a particular show this year you’re most excited to play?
Michael Lashomb: Our Summer 2024 schedule is our busiest to date along with bigger bills. We are most excited (& grateful) for all the festivals that have brought us on board. We are excited to have opportunities to play with international touring artists and everything in between. We also have a handful of other big bills that we are yet to announce so there’s many things to be stoked about. That being said, borderlands is one of our last festivals of the summer which also has one of the most unique bills we have ever played on with bands like The Black Crowes, Caamp, Corey Wong, Dark Star Orchestra, etc. It ranges from mainstream and jam band which we feel is a good fit for our style of music.
Josh West: We’ve had some great shows already in 2024 with a Colorado run and Shakori Hills being standouts but 2 I’m really excited for currently are Memorial Meltdown with one of our big influences, Dispatch, and our first time playing Northlands music festival as well. The lineups are incredible for both festivals and we can’t wait to be a part of them, make new friends and fans and see a bunch of musicians we love do their thing!
Chris Meier: Not to sound cliche but I’m excited for all of them.
Mirth Films: Are there any pre show rituals that get everyone ready for play?
Michael Lashomb: Before we step on stage, we bring it together as a group to show gratitude for where we are at and set an intention to bring on stage. We will wrap up the huddle with some sort of theme or intention that is pertinent at the time. We also have our own individual rituals that continue to mold and evolve with each show we play.
Josh West: We each have our own little rituals that put us in our proper individual headspace. For me it’s getting on the practice pad at least a half hour before stage hit so I don’t start cold, warming up vocals and harmonies with Mike and Brad and visualizing the execution of the setlist beforehand. We each do our thing for a bit then collectively come together to set an intention, give thanks and gratitude for the opportunity and space we’re about to perform in, then all hands in, 1..2..3.. Ok, Let’s Go!
Chris Meier: Our lead guitarist Mike is great about gathering us all together for a huddle before we go on. They can be silly or serious but they are always grounding. It’s a great practice in meditation and listening.
Mirth Films: How is it traveling on tour and what’s everyone’s gas station order?
Michael Lashomb: Traveling around the country in this band is an interesting “group think” experience. It’s like an amoeba sometimes. Most of the time, our schedule calls for a particular travel & loading schedule, making sure we get from one city to another in a certain window of time. But sometimes we might stick around if the vibe is right. Everyone in this band is so dedicated to the journey that it sometimes can feel like a wormhole, as if time doesn’t exist and you sometimes have no idea where you are, but you know you are traveling forward and that’s what’s important. Whether it’s musically or physically, our focus is always forward.
As for the food choices, we like to pack our own food and cook on the road when we can. It’s nice to share food together and take some time out to cook/prep a meal and chill out. Obviously there’s always the pit-stop snack game that happens when we are on a tight travel schedule. But we also are very fortunate to have Old Saratoga Mercantile as a resource of organic food to bring on the road. They are supporters of the band and provide the community with clean food so we are grateful to be affiliated with the farm and what they have done to support our band’s journey.
Mirth Films: Who are you most excited to see at Memorial Meltdown?
Michael Lashomb: Performing alongside Dispatch is very exciting for us as well. Speaking for myself, I learned how to play rhythm by learning Dispatch songs. I had gotten their Bang bang album in 8th grade from an elementary school friend whose sister picked it up at one of their Java barn shows at St Lawrence university. All of us in the band respect them as a group and what they stand for & write about. To be playing on the same bill as Dispatch feels like a milestone for this band. We look forward to connecting with them and sharing in the joy that they bring with their music.
Josh West: Scott Hannay. He plays keys for Mihali band and I hear he has a really sweet video game collection. Also, Dispatch will be cool too.
Chris Meier: I’m a sucker for good harmony so I’m stoked to check out The Revivalists for the first time!
Mirth Films: Is there anyone special you guys are remembering this Memorial day?
Michael Lashomb: Each year, myself (Michael) and Brad would perform In Lake Placid for Carry the Load which is an event for not only veterans but also all the families Impacted by war and how to move forward. It’s a beautiful event where participants walk around the lake, carrying flags, memorabilia, and also share memories of their loved ones and those impacted by war. The event would conclude with us performing at the lakefront amphitheater. Unfortunately we will not be able to perform at the Carry the load event this year because we will be on stage at the memorial meltdown so my intention is to keep the spirit of that event going and dedicate my performance to the veterans, their families and anyone impacted by war. Being able to perform music and bring people together is the best way of honoring that I can contribute at this time.
Mirth Films: Does Annie ever get out of the Water?
Michael Lashomb: Annie is a conspiracy
Josh West: Yes, Annie is an amphibious creature that can thrive both on land and in water, from the depths of the St. Lawrence to the peaks of the Adirondacks.
Chris Meier: I really hope so. Could you imagine if she hadn’t yet? Prune City
