Rambling on Down the Road to Darlington

By Karin McLaughlin / September 25, 2023

The road to Ramble is getting shorter by the day and while the DMV is just starting to experience the break in temperatures to let us know that Fall is on its way, one of our most anticipated events of the season is on the horizon! The Ramble Festival, now in its second year, is gearing up to be even better than the first and the vibes are sure to remain high, in part, thanks to the unforgettable Vibe Tribe itself.

What the Ramble Family is doing in order to build a sustainable and all-inclusive festival, is exactly why it will continue to be one on the bucket-list of festival goers for years to come. At Camp Ramblewood, it's all about connection and community and ensuring that is the core reason for the gathering where strangers become family. Founders of the festival wanted to do something different with this one and they have undoubtably succeeded in doing just that.

From the Naptown Brass Band rousing the campers and starting each day off each day with a second line parade through the festival grounds, to the fact that there is not a VIP ticket option because “everyone is VIP at Ramble”, this festival is unique and you can see it in every nook and cranny. Being music lovers themselves, co- founders Brandon 'Brick' Lohr and Jason Hubert, know what it's like to attend a multi-day music event and therefore know what they want to see as an attendee. It seems to be just that leading the charge on what exactly the experience in Darlington is like and why people enjoy it so much. Not only that, but both Jason and Brick are also able to boast a knack for finding great artists that might not be on a lot of folks' radar just yet. Yet another skill that belongs on a much sought after resume for fun seekers. Their vision of what this festival is, and will continue to grow to be, is something that will make attendees want to return to year and year again.

When asked about the curation of the lineup specifically, Brick shared something that further shows the level of thoughtfulness that is put into the overall hope for what the festival is as an experience. “We spend an extensive amount of time seeking out musically talented and energetic entertainers that elevate the vibe of the experience for everyone in attendance. While much can be said from listening to the music, we much prefer to get out and experience the show live and in person so that we can understand the vibe and how the musicians interact with the attendees as well. When we have extraordinary experiences that speak to us, we feel that others frequently enjoy those experiences as well. Each of the emerging artists at the Ramble this year were discovered by someone on the team being in attendance at a live performance and getting excited for what these amazing musicians bring to the table to contribute to the vibe."

Ramblin On Underneath the Harvest Moon

With cooler temperatures sneaking in, hours of daylight getting fewer and fewer and holidays just over the horizon, we have[...]

This years lineup highlights several such artists that we are sure we’ll be seeing in lights for many moons to come and that we can’t wait to see shine bright on the stages at Camp Ramblewood. While big names and headliners are often what draw masses to festivals across the country, it’s the discovery of new sounds and faces that are what make these events such unique and worthwhile experiences for music fans. In anticipation of year two, DC Music Review got to chat with a few of the voices we are looking forward to seeing and hearing, some for the first time ever.

Isaac Hadden (Isaac Hadden Organ Trio)

A young, Asheville based guitarist that has done so much already, Isaac continues to grow his musical resume and will be a much valued addition to the Ramble Fam. Being in that area of the country, he is already familiar with the family feel in the music scene and will be more than happy adding more branches to that tree.

You're based in Asheville which is a great place for musicians, what's special and unique about the scene down there and why do you think it has such a draw?

Isaac Hadden: So, the super hippies will tell you it's because of all the quartz deposits in the soil, and while I kind of believe that, I really think it's just been such an art-centric community for such a long time that it's just drawn in a lot of amazing players and listeners over time. I think another thing that really helps is that most of the people that live there and the people in power work very hard to make sure that the arts and music scene can thrive in their community. It takes a ton of effort to maintain a healthy music scene and both the musicians and music supporters understand that. The scene itself, at least the community I've found there is really a great one. Everyone seems to push each other and there is a real drive among the musicians to put in the work and become as good as possible at what we do. At the same time, most people are super friendly, and we know that a high tide raises all ships, so everyone supports each other. The Asheville scene was super welcoming to me since I came down, and I've learned a ton from hanging and playing with the people here.

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The past several years for Hadden have resulted in countless opportunity that only stokes the fire blazing in his young artist soul. “The past few years of music have been amazing, and honestly, things have gotten to a point beyond what I could have imagined when I was a middle-school kid trying to learn Grateful Dead songs in my bedroom. I've gotten to play a lot of great gigs and definitely have been able to hit some new markets and meet some amazing new friends” says Hadden with a full heart and much gratitude.

Experience and experiences just keep coming for the guitar player and singer and he shows no signs of slowing down. “I've also gotten to play with some bands I really love. Big Something, Roosevelt Collier Band, Jeff Sipe, and Brandon "Taz" Niederaurer. There have been so many highlights, but there are too many fun ones to mention.”

Creating has been another activity that fills his days while in the mountains of the south and we all get to reap the benefits of that. “I also dropped an album with my band, Isaac Hadden Organ Trio, which I'm super proud of. It's 8-tracks of really fun spacey groove music that's different from anything I've heard or played before. We also have some serious guest musicians on there, including a few members of Snarky Puppy. I'm just really grateful for the support that's allowed me to do what I love and do it sustainably.”

Rebekah Todd

Rebekah Todd is a North Carolina based artist with an EP and three full length albums already under her belt. Not only is she a musical powerhouse, but also has a podcast and forthcoming wellness retreat on her resume as well. Taking a holistic approach to her music and self is what keeps the energy (both internal and external) high for the southern-born artist. Not only has she learned what she wants out of the music industry, but she has also learned what she doesn't want and what she absolutely will not accept, which in this day and age for women is imperative.

Todd has received countless awards and recognitions including 2013 Carolina Music Awards “Best Female Musician,” 2016 winner of Floyd Fest “On The Rise” Competition, 2017 Wilma Magazine’s “Woman to Watch,” 2018 Encore Magazine’s “Best Female Musician” and much more. Rebekah is known for exhilarating performances with acts such as Keller Williams, Big Something, Vince Herman, Andy Frasco, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, The Fritz and has been billed alongside acts such as Karl Denson, Mavis Staples, Dr Dog, Dumpstaphunk, Artimus Pyle, Shovels & Rope, Hiss Golden Messenger, Citizen Cope, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers and Rusted Root. A wide range of musical influences is in part what makes seeing Rebekah truly entrancing and allows endless possibilities onstage.

So let's talk a wee bit about you and what you feel are some of the artists you want to highlight as influences on you musically.

Rebekah Todd: "So I am originally from a tiny town in North Carolina and I grew up listening to quite a lot of blues, rock, Delta Blues, and I also really loved a lot of R&B. So all of that plus being in the south here in North Carolina, there are a lot of churches. I went to a Pentecostal Holiness Church, not through my family - my family was not religious - I just found this church when I was really young, and they made a lot of big noise. They flap their tambourines and they sang really loud and bold and I love it so much! So yeah, my musical background kind of comes from the depths of this Pentecostal vibrancy in the music side of things and then you add in all the different R&B - especially artists like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu so, I'm sort of a blend of that. I'm also just a girl from the country too so there are still some folk influences int there and I'm still just a little white girl on her guitar. I guess I'm like a weird blend of all these things." (laughs)

The past few years have unfortunately showed a bit of their ugly side in regard to some of the things that women all over the world still have to deal with. The music industry is no exception to that and many have seen some surprising behavior from those we thought were allies. This is another way in which, many may not get to see, but that Ramble Festival truly holds itself to a higher standard. Having not just one, but two women as the emcees for the festival and making sure that artists such as Rebekah have their boundaries and standards respected is something that you would hope is par for the course, however, sadly is not always the case.

With several of the accolades Todd has under her belt, she holds space for herself and other women artists and takes this role as one very important to existing in the music community as a female artist.

We see that you got all these recognitions - Best Female Musician in 2013 for Carolina, winner of the FloydFest 'On the Rise' competition, a 'Woman to Watch' nod and more. How do you feel about being in that role not only a musician to watch, but a woman to watch? Because over the past few years, that's taken quite a turn as far as just what it means to be a woman in this industry and especially to be having the power that now women are given - it's so much more than just a musician I think. It's something that is regarded in such a different way than maybe even it was a few years ago and now where we're having a whole re-kindling of the whole women's empowerment movement and the 'Me Too' movement as well that we experienced. Being able to be a known influence as not only a musician, but a female and a strong female presence at that, a force to be reckoned with, what place does that hold in your persona and day-to-day?

RT: "Thank you. Um, gosh, yeah, so you're so right. We have had this huge resurgence in past years and as we all know, as a nation, unfortunately, when there's a resurgence in one direction, there's also a backlash right? I have lately, this year specifically, been feeling a very heavy backlash on me personally, and I've seen a lot of my fellow female colleagues in the music world experiencing this as well. It's been an interesting thing to navigate. I think every time I get on stage lately, I stand up and say, I'm here to make space for women and I'm here to take up space, if nothing else. And I do think that there's a lot of power in that. I think that specifically for me, in the south, it's a much more red area and people don't like it, people do not like seeing a female feeling empowered. There's a ton of subtle backlash that cuts us down in a lot of ways, so I think for me, it means a lot. Every time I hear that someone, especially a female, has felt inspired by anything I've put my life into, you know, that's why I do this is in hopes of inspiring someone else."

"I'm just here to take up space for myself and for all women, and I'm here to support all women, especially female musicians, because there's a lot going on behind the big curtain of the music industry and it's really yucky behind the scenes. I've been really grateful for Brick, and this whole festival, they've made me feel very respected as a female artist, and very taken care of. I expressed my need for safe boundaries in the beginning, and it was immediately met with understanding and respect and grace. You would think that would be a standard, but it sadly isn't and even recently had a very bad experience that would shock most so that's something that's very fresh on my mind. So yeah, I'm so grateful and I'm ecstatic to be able to share this poster lineup, you know, I look up to Kanika Moore very much as a fellow female artist, she is a powerhouse! I also know that she has gone through a lot, especially this past year has been incredibly difficult for her and she's still out there. She's remaining positive and graceful, which I don't really know how she's doing that and I almost envy that of her. I look up to her a lot and I am excited to just be able to watch her perform. But also, you know, hope to connect a little further with her. So sharing space with other female artists is also very important."

Even though it's only the second iteration of the festival, the buzz has made its way around the music world and artists as well as attendees. Ramble was born out of a desire to create a festival that goes beyond the music. Its founders, passionate music lovers and advocates of genuine human interaction, envisioned an event where attendees not only enjoy great music but also forge lasting connections with one another. This groundbreaking festival is designed to break down barriers, encourage meaningful conversations, and inspire unity and DCMR cannot wait to be a part of it again.

What else might be a draw for you for ramble on why you might be so excited about that festival in particular?

RT: Yeah, well, it's, I've heard a lot of good things from last year. I had some friends that played it. I think the lineup this year is stellar. And I am so honored to be on it. And this is a silly little thing, but a lot of people last year just kept going on and on and on about some cereal bar.

IH: A ton of my friends played it last year and had nothing but great things to say about the experience. It seems like Brick and the crew are doing a lot of things right there and creating a space where artists are comfortable. When artists are comfortable and happy, that's where the best music comes from. I know it's not always easy and we appreciate it immensely. They've also just crushed it with the lineup two years in a row. Most bands definitely don't have lineups like this in their second year, so they've gotta be doing something right. It's the kind of festival that I'd buy a ticket for and just go hang out, so I'm really excited to be part of it. I'm really looking forward to the "artist-at-large" element because that ordinarily means I get to sit in with bands that I love and play music constantly, which is what I love to do.