Halcyon Magazine

For those who haven’t attended the event, the three day festival takes place in the truly stunning terrain of Joshua Tree National Monument– a sweeping wilderness Gram Parsons and Keith Richards would go to to get high, pray to strange rock formations, and watch UFO’s sail by in the ethereally bright desert sky. Two decades earlier, the landscape’s tumblin’ tumbleweeds also served as a backdrop to the likes of Roy Rogers’ sharp-shootouts and other classic Western dramas.  In a third wave of interpretation, Dietrick appropriately situated this one of a kind gathering in a place a little bit country, a little rock n’ roll–making Clean Air Clear Stars the scene to a next generation of creative expression.     

 

 

 

CACS Founder Tommy Dietrick performing with Sky Parade

 

 

Sasha Lee: Can you talk a little bit about your inspiration behind founding the annual Clean Air Clear Stars benefit show?

Tommy Dietrick: Our inspiration was truly one of concern for the very real problem of climate change. Our goal with CACS has been to bring people together so we can all begin to shift our habits and recognize that denial is no way to solve anything.

Many of us were alarmed by the Sawtooth fires that swept through Joshua Tree region 2 Years ago burning some 61,000 acres. Due to the increased prevalence of a ground cover weed called Red Brome the fire was able to spread furiously across the desert plains. As green house gasses elevate so too does the presence of the Red Brome weed. As a destination point for escaping the L.A. city life, I was shocked to see just how bad the devastation was.

Unearthly Joshua Tree

SL: The festival is not just a showcase for great bands—but also all of your proceeds go to the company Global Inheritence, an organization that inspires activism in the youth. Can you talk a little bit about why you chose this company, and some projects that last year’s benefit money may have gone towards?

TD: Global Inheritance is a unique organization. They find creative ways to solve real problems – whether it is using a bicycle to charge your cell phone or spreading awareness throughout the community with recycling programs, these are the kinds of activities that inspire people into making rational and thoughtful decisions.

SL: The inaugural show featured some 30 bands spread across three days. How did you go about orchestrating the event—and what were some of the logistical hurdles you had to overcome to organize a huge group of musicians, a three-day festival, and the crowds descending upon the desert?

TD: I’ve been a musician a long time and I must say that the L.A. underground scene represented by the bands from last year and this year is very supportive of each other. While there were certainly hurdles last year and this year, those challenges fade away as the excitement of the festival takes over. The biggest challenge for us is taking this idea of people – not a corporate entity or production company – putting on a fairly large scale event and then asking a proper media outlet like KCRW or Indie 103 to get behind it. I am not a promoter by profession (though some may beg to differ now). Both myself and Jason Anchondo – my partner on CACS are just a couple of guys with a lot talented friends and the drive to actually put words into action. What we have found with this event is that
the major press publications and major radio are willing to get behind an event like this and I think that this says something important about the social awareness that is resonating louder and louder in all communities. People are concerned and people want changes to be made. This is why they support efforts to raise awareness and inspire responsibility.

Spindrift performing at 2007- photo by CraSH

SL: Speaking of the inaugural show, the line up featured a really stellar grouping of some of LA’s best emerging and established bands- such as Entrance, Gram Rabbit, Spindrift, and your band, Sky Parade. In general, I would say a certain musical aesthetic pervades through the Clean Air Clear Stars—typically psychedelic influenced bands. Can you describe how you went about assembling the musicians, and why you chose the people you did?

TD: It was kind of whimsical really. We started with the idea of having an all night show in the desert where we would raise money and donate it to Global Inheritance. And so we began to ask some of our friends if they would like to take part. Within less than a week bands were calling us to get involved. The next thing we knew Jason and I had literally about 40 bands who wanted to do it. In fact there were so many bands that we had to make it a 3 day festival and still couldn’t fit all those bands in! I think though, to answer your question, we represent somewhat of a genre of L.A. underground bands who have both psychedelic and for lack of a better phrase - “Indie” rock roots. All of us know each other very well and things seemed to naturally fall in line.

SL: How would you describe your musical taste, and what you look for in a band to participate in the festival?

TD: I think both Jason and I are looking for bands that are truly inspired in doing what they do. It doesn’t have to be a big band or a known band always. Sometimes it’s the band you just discovered who you happen to catch their set and it was amazing. For me, I like melody and mood and bits of dark parts mixed with triumphant parts mixed with chaos mixed with dreamy elements. I’ve never
been one to be pretentious about what music I like or even being in a band for that matter.

The Black Angels- performing at 2008's CACS

SL: How did you go about assembling this year’s line up?

TD: This year I have to say I definitely called out some favors. It helps to have friends in bands that are much bigger than your own band. I’ve sat back and watched a number of my friends bands become big drawing national acts. Having bands like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Black Angels and Dead Meadow on the bill is really something for us and while it is an amazing thing, what you don’t know is that I’ve had to promise to do things like mow lawns, wax cars and baby sit to get us here. No,no - I’m only kidding. The truth is that they believe in the cause as I do and fortunately that was enough to get them on board. Keep in mind that none of these bands are paid. These bands believe in the prospect of a sustainable future just as all of us concerned with the fate of our planet. For them, if that means lending their clout to the cause, then fortunately for us these bands have.

SL: Can you give a quick list of a few bands that you recommend, their sound, and why you can’t miss them?

TD: There are so many good bands playing this year! I am going to say don’t miss Swoon 23 – a grand Shoegaze collective, Don’t miss Hopewell and don’t miss Sundown Machine. I am of course assuming you will not miss The Black Angels and BRMC. Don’t think that because a band is on earlier than another band that this somehow says something about them. ALL these bands are great. In fact, Cuchillo (from Barcelona) opened for Radiohead this year in Spain. They go on at 5PM on Saturday. Come early, soak in the desert vibe and see some really great bands. Oh and stay late too. We have an amazing late night acoustic lineup with performers like Miranda Lee Richards who most recently performed with The Jesus and Mary Chain or my friend Jeff Davies who is an original member of the ill-famed Brian Jonestown Massacre… Don’t miss this. Last year was amazing.

Tags: Black Angels, BRMC, Clean Air Clear Stars, Entrance, Joshua Tree, Tommy Dietrick

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm and is filed under Interview. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.