What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1270643
leave [Peacemaker] feeling the collective positive energy music can give us, and that they are a bit recharged and better able to face the uncertainties of this crazy year. I hope the shows provide some relief for those who have been feeling isolated, and that they are reminded of the good that exists all around us, and inspired to change things for the better when they can from wherever they are." In addition, festival organizers are excited to welcome The Band of Heathens, also performing on Saturday, back to Fort Smith for the first time in nearly a decade. The group is preparing for the release of their new album "Stranger" in September, but if you only saw the video for recently released single "Today Is Our Last Tomorrow" (June 11), you might think the album is solely in response to the state of the world facing the covid outbreak and tensions over racial injustice. "'Today Is Our Last Tomorrow' was written before the world fell apart, but I think at different times over the past few years, we've all had a passing feeling that the world was falling apart. I just don't think anyone could have predicted the level and magnitude of the earthquake that we're still experiencing," reflects Ed Jurdi (vocals/guitar/keyboard). "It's impossible for the weight of the world to not have an impact on your smaller circle of family and friends. It's inevitable for that to end up in our music," he goes on. "Sometimes it manifests itself in an outward way, where there's observation and commentary, like in the case of 'Today Is Our Last Tomorrow.' Other times, it works into things on a cellular level. "There's an interesting relationship between how the big 'outside world' creates introspection and self-assessment of all of the smaller sort of day-to- day things that we're going through as individuals," Jurdi adds. "As a songwriter and an artist, the goal is to present my perspective, whether that's macro or micro." Similarly, Jonathan Tyler of Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights was also preparing to release new music this summer before the virus brought the music industry to a halt along with everything else. When he realized how prescient his song "Underground Forever" — a song written sometime in the summer of 2018 — had become, he threw a video together for the single to tie the lyrics to the weirdness we're all living in at the moment. "The initial inspiration came from what I like to call a self-inflicted 'media burn,'" Tyler shares. "I'd been so mentally fatigued by all the political pundits pushing agendas through news, social media and propaganda. I felt like turning it all off and going off the grid. But when the whole world shut down, I felt it was particularly poignant. So we quickly made an esoteric music video where, dressed as Uncle Sam, I rode a bicycle through the empty streets of Austin with a golden shovel strapped to my back. It's pretty fantastic, if I may say so myself!" Most of the artists in the Peacemaker lineup of nine can't speak to what's next. Some have consistent virtual programs they've developed — like The Band of Heathens' Good Time Supper Club and their virtual Lifeline Tour — and others, like Tyler, have done a livestream or two, but after their appearance at JULY 19-25, 2020 WHAT'S UP! 9 FYI Peacemaker Lineup July 24 Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights Read Southall Band Hold My Beer & Watch This (with Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen) Headliner: TBD July 25 Kaitlin Butts Kody West Paul Cauthen The Band of Heathens Koe Wetzel FAQ Peacemaker Festival WHEN — July 24-25 WHERE — Riverfront Amphi- theater in Fort Smith COST — The festival is sold out, but stay tuned to the website and festival social feeds for info on possible day-of openings or addi- tional ticket drops. INFO — peacemakerfest.com "We enjoy the collaborations 'cause we are friends first," says Wade Bowen of his side project Hold My Beer & Watch This with friend and fellow musician Randy Rogers. "That's where this all started. And why it continues. These projects are different because of the focus on fun, beer drinking, dancehall country music. We take our careers and albums very serious. And with these, as with anything with friends, it's way more lighthearted and relaxed." (Courtesy Photo/Joshua Black Wilkins) "It's been pretty tough to find the metaphoric light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel," reflects Jonathan Tyler, who is looking forward to his return to Fort Smith. "On one hand, it makes the idea of a big gathering seem pretty irresponsible. On the other hand, I don't want to cower in fear and watch myself and the people I love succumb to all the other negative side effects of isolation. I'd rather find a middle ground where we safely experience community." (Courtesy Photo) See Peacemaker Page 10