In beautiful southern Colorado, June 18th-21st, Sonic Bloom reunited for it’s 10 year anniversary. The festival is a combination of music, art, workshops, and yoga. Aside from a stacked music lineup, the festival grounds themselves were worth the trip to experience. Sonic Bloom is so much more than just a music festival, more like an art-music festival with nothing but good vibes.
The lineup of visual artists spanned from colorado locals, to festival regulars. Android Jones, Amanda Sage, Morgan Mandala, Randal Roberts, DELA, David Heskin, Aloria Weaver, P.L.A.A.N.T, 84 PAGES, Mike Fudge, and many more. Here is a video recap from the crew at "The Station" (P.L.A.A.N.T and friends)
The sonic bloom crew brought a legend from Boulder, Gravity Glue. If you haven't seen what this guy does, seriously go check him out. He stacks boulders in impossible formations with extreme focus and patience. I was impressed that none of his stacks fell over from the bass pounding the foothills. Check out his website here: http://http://www.gravityglue.com/
Workshops were held on a variety of topics. Workshops on how to unlock your true potential, yoga gatherings, meditation practice, painting workshops, along with a workshop that Gravity Glue gave on how to balance rocks. (I still don't understand how he does it!)
Let's not forget the music artists who make us dance. STS9, Shpongle, CASPA, The Motet, Chali 2na, Thriftworks, Russ Liquid, Vibesquad, JPOD, Clozee, Random Rab, Emancipator, Bluetech...and many many more. Here is a full list of who the Sonic Bloom crew brought out: http://http://sonicbloomfestival.com/music-lineup/
My favorite set of the whole weekend was Clozee. With a silent disco set the first night, then her 90% original set the second day, I was hooked from the first drop. Her trill vibes, lo-fi beats, and french twist has me shook up. Clozee brought the heat, check out her new remix on soundcloud:http://https://soundcloud.com/clozee/barbatuques-baiana-clozee-remix
My second favorite set was The Trancident. This is a side project of The String Cheese Incident. Instead of the jam band sound I was expecting, their set was a fusion of electronic, EOTO, and going straight ape. They seriously threw down and drummer Jason Hann almost kicked over his drum kit a few times from playing so hard. I was impressed to see a group of guys who were still pushing boundaries with their sound.
Third on my list was JPOD. This is a producer who has an arsenal of remixes and energy. His 2 hour set was straight fire and I was glad I missed STS9 to see him. He is a master of remixes with his break beat and new school funk. He specializes in remixes of old tunes from the 60's and 70's. Hailing from B.C. Canada, you can't help from dancing with whoever is next to you. Here is a track he produced but be sure to check out his remixes on Soundclound: http://https://soundcloud.com/vokabkompany/kaleidoscope
Sonic Bloom was incredible. Being an artist myself, I enjoyed how integrated the festival was with art. Music and visual art have such amazing chemistry and seeing the hard work of many hands to put it together was inspiring to say the least. I left the festival with my heart wide open and my legs sore, Sonic Bloom is much more than just a festival. Its a gathering of like minded individuals to party, laugh, and learn together.
All photos taken by Alina Hokanson, check out her website: www.alinahokanson.com