Photo: Frankie Cavone
On June 21-22nd, the beautiful Lee’s Campground in Saratoga Springs New York is going to be home for the second installment of ‘Circus Of The Dead Presents: The Music Never Stopped.’ A weekend full of music attributed to the inspirational, Grateful Dead! We had the chance to chat with Dylan Kader (vocals, mandolin, guitar, percussion) of Creamery Station; A 7 piece jam bluegrass group based out of Connecticut.
Mirth Films: Creamery Station is an interesting name; is there a story on where it came from and whose idea it was?
Dylan Kader: It’s a name so weird you can’t understand it, but you also can’t forget it. I actually grew up on an old non operational dairy farm in Bethany, Connecticut and we used to hang out and throw a lot of parties in the stone(d) building where they would store the dairy products, known as “The Creamery Building.” We had all sorts of bands come through there for parties and festivals including Twiddle, Eggy, some members of Goose, and so many more. It was quite the experience growing up! And our name is a nod to that experience as well as being a fun destination on the train tracks of life.
Mirth Films: What are the pit and peaks of festival season?
Dylan Kader: Well during festival season, it’s hard to do your own shows as we are competing against big events every weekend. And you usually get a shorter amount of time to play at festivals since there are so many bands, which means objectively it’s harder to really get to that special spot in your set where you are all dialed in with the rest of the band, the sound guys, and the crowd.
But you also have the festival factor where the entire event’s vibe is so on point that you get lifted up on stage and can be sometimes brought to places where you may never get to indoors at a venue. Reciprocation between musician and music lover is the number one driving force behind our playing and these feelings at festivals are unmatched!
We also love that we get to see all of our friends play! Usually we are all at different venues in different states missing each other’s shows, but at festivals we get to catch a ton of our friend’s bands and we absolutely adore this. The community aspect of festivals is what really drew me in as a fan and now I am blessed to be able to play and enjoy these magical events and I couldn’t be happier to fill my summers with them! <3
Mirth Films: Is there a particular show coming up that you guys are most excited to play?
Dylan Kader: Honestly, I don’t think there is a specific event we put above others. We are just super excited to get out there and show everybody how much we have grown as a band. We have been working really hard to write new material, expand our improvisational jams, and develop a unique sound that is our own. I love what we are doing and hope everybody will come out to give us a listen and see what we are all about!
Mirth Films: How does the Grateful Dead impact your artistic style as a band?
Dylan Kader: I grew up on Ratdog, The Dead, and Furthur tour. So for me, the Grateful Dead was one of my biggest influences. Not only in music, but in life. I love the freedom and family aspects that they hold dear and I try to live my life in a way that embodies the kindness and love a deadhead gives those around them.
My favorite bands growing up and my biggest influences are the Dead, Allman Brothers, Little feat, Bob Dylan, and new riders. As a band, I feel like our influences can be easily heard and felt.
Mirth Films: If you were to join the circus what would your circus act be?
Dylan Kader: Haha ooh good question! I am also a black belt martial artist, so I would probably be letting people pay to try and hit me (and they get a prize if they can), showing off my balance, or demonstrating my martial arts techniques. I have a couple pretty cool moves where I can break 3 boards in the air with kicks in one jump. I feel like that would work! Or maybe I could be a clown because I’m silly and like to make people smile. You can decide!
Mirth Films: Describe your sound in 3 words
Dylan Kader: Bluesy, roots, jam.
Mirth Films: What is your favorite tour memory and where are you looking forward to touring most this year?
Dylan Kader: Oh another tough one! I really just love being out there on the road with the boys. I think my favorite may have been our first cross country tour a few years back. It took us from the upper point of Vermont on the Canada border out to Cali, through Utah, Colorado, down into the south east, and then back up north on a three week run. It felt great really rambling around the country and letting folks hear what we do. I feel like it helped us grow so much and really set the scene for where our music was going and where we are at musically now. Or one of our tours down on the Virgin Islands hahaha. It’s amazing down there! I’ll be hiking in a jungle, swimming with sea turtles, and then playing for hundreds of people on the beach or on a beautiful look out like The Windmill Bar all in the same day. How can you beat that?!