Over bubble tea, we were reminicing about our performance at charlestown farm 2 years ago.  every thing we try to do, we try to do with localism in mind.  and food is at the center of all local issues.  it’s the lynchpin of the local community.  this led to the idea for the harvest tour.

gears started turning and we drafted up the following outline:

HOOTS AND HELLMOUTH HARVEST TOUR 2008

the concept:

to further add credibility to our commitment to strengthening local communities and supporting local, sustainable agriculture by playing a string of dates on farms in our area (PA/MD/NY/VA/etc).

the tour would take place around the harvest… as the season is winding down.  it could also serve as a thank you to the members of a CSA or… just a reason to party!

the initial contact:

we would have to find these small, organic (or non-certified organic) farms that have the space and the interest.

the event:

rather basic: a performance by hoots and hellmouth (maybe a local act as well?) on the grounds of the farm; in the barn/sharehouse/field/wherever.  the show would, ideally, be preceded by some form of party/pot luck dinner/reception/etc. for community members/attendees/etc.  a good time for all.  the band loves to cook and prepare food and would love to be as involved in all this as we can.

the time surrounding the event:

spend some time on the farm and get to know the people.  the optimal situation would have us able to promote the show at a farmer’s market which would, again, enable us to engage even more of the community.  we’d be more than happy to help out in the fields, clean up after the party, set up for the show, wash the dishes, slop the pigs, etc etc.

the responsibility of the host:

obviously, a farmer is not a concert promoter.  we wouldn’t expect any form of monetary compensation, beyond what we make from CD sales to interested parties and a passin’ of the hat, where appropriate.  this is for the greater good… not financial gain.

we would bring our own sound and lighting system.  we’d basically need the grounds and the power.  we’d bring the rest.

we are also going to attempt to bring a local brewery on board, who would provide a keg for each party. this is all where appropriate, of course… we realize alcohol is not always tolerated or appreciated in every community. the BYOB concept goes a long way too.  (pot luck food, pot luck drink!)

the aftermath

we have a few filmmakers who are expressing interest in this project as well.  we would be filming a good deal of this and, hopefully, collecting enough footage, conversations and music to make a documentary film out of this tour.

this film would, among other things, present a portrait of a band on the road, the plight of the small farmer, and perhaps most importantly the strengh and vitality of these small communities that share, among other things, a common food source and landbase… in this time of global economic uncertainty, what could be more important?

this is the concept.  i trust that you have connections to a lot of these people are thinking that a few folks would pop into your head immediately.  we need to find these people.