Most folks need a good couple days of heavy sleep and electrolytes to recover from a weekend-long music festival binge. But after a two-day visit to Cloverleaf Farm outside Athens, GA, for the second summer installment of Wildwood Revival, we're feeling more refreshed, replenished and inspired than ever. And even through the rain (BOY, did it rain,) the festival was the event of the season.

Above all else, Wildwood Revival focuses on community. Serving locally grown and prepared meals alongside cold Georgia-brewed beer, inviting local artisans to set up shop displaying handmade leather goods, jewelry and vintage clothing, and procuring a solid musical lineup including several Southeastern favorites, the farm was buzzing with positivity and patronage. With only a few hundred attendees, guests were able to avoid lengthy lines, meander through common areas with ease and always find a good spot for enjoying the live entertainment. Keeping the festival relatively small (and friendly for all ages) also encouraged environmental conscientiousness, as drinks were served in mason jars and other reusable containers and food on biodegradable plates, and each guest made an effort to keep the farm as pleasant as it was when ze arrived.

Nashville was well represented, with Electric Western (the guys behind KEEP ON MOVIN' Mondays at The 5 Spot) spinning the records at the Saturday night dance party, Hot Yoga of East Nashville instructing a Saturday morning class and hometown heroes Blackfoot Gypsies supplying the bluesy rock 'n' roll.

Other standout bluegrass/Americana acts included Darnell Boys, Lindi Ortega, Water Liars, Tall Tall Trees, Strung Like a Horse and American Aquarium, although honestly, there wasn't a weak link in the entire lineup.

This review wouldn't be complete without mention of the scenic campsite, tintype photography, Gospel brunch (complete with biscuit bar and Bloody Marys,) wiffle ball tournament and communal bonfire under a full moon. And our plans for next summer won't be complete without a revisit to Wildwood Revival. -Caroline Bowman

At The Deli, we define “Alt Rootsy” or "Alt Folk" those artists that have a basis in American roots music yet manage to somehow veer off its traditional ways - hence the picture above.

Total submissions in this category: 38

Artists Qualified to the Poll's Next Stage (starting around 01.15):

1. Great Elk - 7.833 (out of 10)
2. Sorcha Richardson - 7.33
3. Derrick and the Black Sea - 7.16

Honorable Mentions (scores about 6.5):

Ben Pagano, Howth, Robin's Egg Blue, Tall Tall Trees, Everest Cale, Cole Williams, Nightmare River Band, XNY, Tess, Dan and Rachel, Erez and The End, Philip Lynch.

Jurors: Chrissy Prisco (Deli New England), Lucy Sherman (Deli Contributor), QD Tran (Deli Philadelphia)

The Deli's Staff

The Hollows, you may remember as recent(-ish) winners of our 'Artist of the Month' poll. Just about a year after a debut album, this Brooklyn-based six-piece ensemble of multi-instrumentalists released in June a self-titled EP, where textural guitars and grand harmonies brought a new depth, drawn from roots rock influences, to their multi-layered folk jams. 

The Bottom Dollars - who from the start pulled together a wide range of sounds from southern rock to blues, mixing-up an all-American high-impact burst of indie rock - dropped yesterday a new single, with which they're introducing the louder road they went down for their new album 'Good News Everyone' (due September 18th). In the first stages of a forthcoming tour, they'll be playing three dates with The Hollows, the second of which will be here in Bushwick at Paper Box (9.15) where they'll be sharing the bill with the high-energy performers of Mike Savino's brainchild Tall Tall Trees and Saint-Louis' Water Liars.

Tall Tall Trees (who placed at #12 in our latest Best of NYC for Emerging Artists Poll) may have long hair, beards, and a natural, earthly charm, but they also have the musical chops to back it up. With jazz, bluegrass, and world music backgrounds, the band began with a scattered sound than their recent, more focused work. Their sophomore album “Moment,” recorded in a church, sets the band on their path of refined, banjo-heavy folk rock. Still showing some quirky elements of their debut release, however, “Moment” conjures the image of a giant glowing moon over the Alaskan woods the band claims as inspiration for much of the album. - Read Devon Antonetti's interview with the band here.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The musical menu for The Deli's 4th NYC B.E.A.F. (Best of Emerging Artists Fest) is right in front of you - I know, the font is a little small there (too many bands!!!) check out the details here, you'll find all the bands links under the poster).

This festival is linked to our latest year end Best of NYC Emerging Artists Poll, a contest influenced by many NYC scene makers, bloggers and venue promoters, and to our Spring 2012 "Best of NYC" printed issue of The Deli, which highlights all the bands in the "Best of 2012" list.

Today is the last day of the fest, with our flagship show at Cameo, check out this outrageous lineup:

CAMEO - $8/10
MIXED INDIE STAGE

10:50 Lucius
10:00 Snowmine
9:10 Arms
8:20 Starlight Girls
7:30 New Myths

The Deli's Staff