On May 13 and 14, eight local bands will play the music of other local bands as part of A Louisville Music Tribute to Louisville Music at Zanzabar. The event is a fundraiser associated with Poorcastle; each band will play a set of songs written and recorded by Louisville-based artists which each participating musician has found most influential. Expect to hear songs by artists ranging from Tim Krekel to Slint to My Morning Jacket. Poorcastle is a local music festival which will take place July 8 - July 10 at Apocalypse Brew Works. We caught up with the festival's co-founder and Director of Operations, Shaina Wagner, to find out more about these upcoming shows.
WFPK: Please describe for us what 'A Louisville Music Tribute to Louisville Music' is?
Shaina Wagner: The idea behind 'A Louisville Music Tribute to Louisville Music' stemmed from how supportive our local music community is of each other. Our goal for this event is to bring together staples in the Louisville music scene who represent diverse genres to perform their own version of songs by fellow local artists who have most influenced them (or who they just really like a lot!). Howell Dawdy, Justin Paul Lewis and Soft Self Portraits are just a few of the local performers to be found at the two-part event, taking place Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 for $5/night at Zanzabar; a portion of the door will benefit our annual music festival fundraiser, Poorcastle Festival 2016.
WFPK: What is "Poorcastle" and how did it begin?
SW: To be honest, Poorcastle Festival began as a joke among friends before we realized the need for such a festival, and that our involvement as on-air hosts at community radio station Crescent Hill Radio, 100.9 WCHQ FM, put us in direct communication with so many talented local musicians who were more than willing to get involved! Poorcastle is a showcase of the incredible local music we have in Louisville, while raising funds to benefit various non-profit charities such as Musician's Emergency Resource Foundation and Crescent Hill Radio. Now in its fourth year, Poorcastle has grown from one day featuring thirteen acts, to three full days of live, local music and over thirty bands and musicians. Poorcastle weekend is so special because it truly brings together all facets within the local community, and you can definitely feel that positive energy at the festival. The festival also incorporates locally crafted beer by Apocalypse Brew Works, food trucks, vendors, artists, and more. Poorcastle Festival 2016 will take place at Apocalypse Brew Works, 1612 Mellwood Ave., Friday, July 8 through Sunday July 10 for just $5/day or $10 for a 3-day pass.
WFPK: What is your personal involvement in these events?
SW: As Poorcastle Festival has continued to grow over the last four years, we've found that each of the "co-founders" as we call ourselves, definitely bring something necessary to the group for it to function. I mainly handle overall operations such as musician, sponsor, and vendor communication, web design, creative and social media, as well as on-site activation. I basically just make sure the fest runs as smoothly as possible for everyone involved! I've been referred to as Poorcastle's mom before, but I don't want to make my dogs jealous.
WFPK: How can folks find out more about these shows and about Poorcastle?
SW: More information on the festival can be found at our website, www.poorcastle.com, our social media platforms listed below, or by emailing info@poorcastle.com.
www.facebook.com/poorcastle
www.instagram.com/poorcastlefest
www.twitter.com/poorcastlefest
