The Dead Winter Carpenters is the High Sierra Music Festival’s answer to Woodstock’s Richie Havens.
The only Lake Tahoe band to perform at the July 3-6 festival in Quincy, the Dead Winter Carpenters will be the first band to go onstage (2:15 p.m. Thursday) at the Grandstand, the largest of the three main venues.
It will be the band’s third High Sierra appearance in four years, and second time on the Grandstand.
About playing on the big stage, DWC singer and fiddle player Jenny Charles said, “It’s hot.”
Temperature are expected to reach triple digits, so festivalgoers are advised to bring plenty of water and catch as much shade as possible. Many will be from the Tahoe area.
“It’s really great for us because we get to have our home crowd in the audience,” Charles said. “We definitely feel hometown support and vibe, and it’s really fun.”
The band also plays a 11:45 p.m. Friday late show, opening for the Mother Hips in the Funk and Jam House.
Summertime festivals allow musicians to be fans, too. They often don’t get to see other bands because they are on tour. Charles said she is looking forward to seeing three fellow females who front their groups: Lauren Hill, Sierra Hull and the T Sisters.
Hill, of course, is listed as on of the 24th annual festival’s headliners, along with Widespread Panic and STS9.
“Sierra Hull is an Alison Krauss prodigy who plays mandolin and has an amazing voice,” Charles said. “I am doing a Troubadour set with her along with (DWC bassist) Dave Lockhart.
“The T Sisters are from Tennessee and sing beautiful three-part harmonies. And one of my favorites is Sturgill Simpson. He’s on my guy list.”
The Dead Winter Carpenters continue to build its fan base, recently completing a Southeast tour which included a dual concert with Railroad Earth in Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse.
The low light was having its bus breakdown in the Mojave Desert. The bus has been out of commission for weeks and the band is traveling in its own vehicles. Charles is driving her dad’s truck.
Tickets remain on sale for the High Sierra Music Festival. For information, visit http://www.highsierramusic.com/
For the second year, Tahoe Onstage will cover all four days of the festival with photos, videos and stories.
