Hempstalk - September 11-12, 2010

Who I'd like to meet:

John Trudell
Born of mixed tribal blood, John Trudell grew up in and around the Santee Sioux reservation near his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. The struggle against economic and cultural deprivation would, in time, become the raw material for his uncompromising artistic vision.

Trudell, a Vietnam Veteran, served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1967, attended college for a while and then dropped out. In 1969, Trudell participated in the occupation of Alcatraz Island by Indians of All Tribes, becoming a spokesman for Indians of All Tribes. After the Indians of All Tribes occupation ended in 1971, Trudell worked with the American Indian Movement, becoming national Chairman of AIM in 1973. Trudell was chairman of AIM from 1973 until 1979. In February of 1979, Trudell's mother-in-law, wife and three children were killed in a fire of unknown origin.

It was through this horrific tragedy, that Trudell began to find his voice as an artist and poet, writing, in his words, "to stay connected to this reality. The lines were my bombs," he continues, "my explosions, my tears." Source: JohnTrudell.com


Folk Uke
is an eclectic acoustic folk duo comprised of Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson featuring perfectly melded harmonies and sharp, often biting wit.

We were inspired by many of the agreeable greats of the Folk, Country, and Americana genres. Our favorite chords are C, F, and G. So, if you’d like to play along, well, it’s that easy. Of our infamous families, the two of us had been the musical holdouts until we gave into the force and began writing and playing music together. Armed with a ukulele and a guitar, we penned songs such as ‘Shit Makes the Flowers Grow’, ‘Knock Me Up’, and ‘Motherfucker Got Fucked Up’ and we thought, “What a crime it would be to keep these national treasures to ourselves. How can we keep silent when we are the voice of a nation?” You may not hear us on the radio, since our songs have been described as “inappropriate”, “off-color”, “not ready for mainstream” and “NSFW”(Not Safe For Work). Our debut EP, ‘Folk Uke’, is self-titled, as are we. It was produced by Abe Guthrie and ourselves. “Family values” would be the common chord in this unprecedented collection of songs, since we let our Dads take the solos and chime in when they were compelled to do so. It was the least we could do for our executive producers. It made them feel good and that made us feel good; so we took the chance that it would make thousands of people feel good and we printed thousands of copies. - Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson.


The Human Revolution
is a group of multi-talented musicians who perform original music featuring positive lyrics and body-shakin’ grooves. With a cast of players that reads like an atlas, this multi-cultural group plays songs in a variety of styles and genres. From roots reggae to original rock, Island to country and Latin to bluegrass, the songs transition beautifully from one to another always highlighting the common theme of togetherness and self-awareness.


Jack Herer
If all fossil fuels and their derivatives, as well as trees for paper and construction, were banned in order to save the planet, reverse the greenhouse effect and stop deforestation; then there is only one known annually renewable natural resource that is capable of providing the overall majority of the world's paper and textiles; meet all of the world's transportation, industrial and home energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution, rebuilding the soil and cleaning the atmosphere all at the same time... and that substance is the same one that has done it before . . . CANNABIS/HEMP/MARIJUANA! Author of the "The Emperor Wears No Clothes"


The State of Jefferson
is a versatile group of multi-instrumentalists that came together through a mutual need to heal the world with booty-shakin’. Over the past six years a cast of sonic sorcerers has kept the SOJ militia alive and well. Yes the lineup has been varied. At the heart of this "right now" orchestra are corps membeers Ryan "Beavs" Redding(Bass, Uke), Joey Ginet(Strings, Harps,vox), Mikey Stevens(Trumpet, Guitar), Easy Vestnys (Keys, Vocals) and Duke Davis(Reeds, Percussion). With these soldiers at the helm, you never know who will be onboard as we chant down babylon with our positive minds riding to ZION on the grooves that make your body move. Standing Room Only, or a ten piece band playin to a five piece audience, WE WILL REPRESENT!


Herbivores
The Seattle Hempfest house band, the Herbivores, remain active in the political scene in order to effect changes in policies from the drug laws to the W.T.O. I don't mind putting my ass on the line and my mouth on the mic to sing out against the kinds of policies that led to the Battle of Seattle. Love, human rights, environmental protections, and a good party, is what we're all about.


Los Marijuanos
are modern Day Hemp Freedom Fighters. Preaching the legalization vibe everywhere they go! their music can be defined as "good get high music" by their legions of fans world wide. Their music is for the patients, the growers, the care givers, hemp believers, as well as the smokers and the tokers. They have quite an impressive resume; including;Three time Hightimes Cannabis Cup players in Amsterdam. Five time Windy City Weed Fest players. Five time Million Marijuana Marchers in Chicago, IL. Five time Seattle Hempfest players. Five time Ed Rosenthal's Wonders of Cannabis players. Five time Portland, OR Hempstalk players. Five time Million Marijuana Marchers Portland, OR. Five time Eddy Lepp event players. Norml Convention '08 players. Madison, WI Weedstock players, and many more countless cups and benefits. Featured in Hightimes Magazine, Skunk Magazine, Treating Yourself Magazine, Las Vegas Weekly, I Network Magazine, The Source Magazine, XXL Magazine, Murderdog Magazine, and featured in Eddy Lepp's, Shit I Think About. They are also mentioned in Jack Herer's new edition of The Holy Hemp book.....The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Need we say more? We are spreading the word world wide. Hemp will save the world. Act like you know.