For twenty-five years High Sierra Music Festival has paired the picturesque locale of Quincy, Calif., with some of the world’s most lauded bluegrass, folk, funk and rock artists. In that time, HSMF has helped create a culture that is the highlight of many artist’s festival-packed summer schedules.
When asked what makes this event so different from others, Brothers Comatose lead singer Ben Morrison was quick to mention the laid-back attitude that HSMF harnesses “The main difference is when you’re here, you see a ton of musicians just hanging out.” Morrison said. “Even if they’re not playing, they’ll just come to get weird.”
“It’s like a retreat for the musicians,” Morrison continued, noting that the seclusion of the festival offers a sense of freedom from the hustle and bustle of life on the road and as Brother Comatose gears up for a six-week tour across the country, the retreat is a welcome way to get in the festival spirit. With their first album in three years due out in the fall, the group is excited to hit the road and share the new material with its fan base.
“Every album that we’ve written has just been a snapshot of what’s going on in our lives at the time,” Morrison said, “and this is the same sort of deal.” The new album deals with break-ups and a return to the past for Morrison, “I moved back into the old Haight street house that we wrote all of our old songs in,” Morrison mentions when discussing inspiration for the new songs. Morrison’s conversational song-writing style has been key to their success and offers a window into the minds of the perpetually busy Brothers Comatose.
After successful tours with The Devil Makes Three and Lake Street Dive, Brothers Comatose has built a strong following among festival goers and musicians alike.
Many bands at High Sierra cross paths multiple times each summer and through late-night jams and backstage parties often become one big family. High Sierra’s ability to nurture this outlook has been crucial in making this event a favorite among the country’s most promising acts.
