But then I got my work schedule for the weekend. I was scheduled to work at the Canopy Bar on Friday night, and without a chance of getting a coworker to cover for me, I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t get to throw down in the biggest womp pit I would ever lay my eyes on. Honestly, I was bummed. It’s hard to stay in high spirits when you can hear the bass line thumping just a few stages away. I served drinks halfheartedly and tried not to think about all the fun I was missing out on. After all, I WAS at Summer Camp and I was making money working with kick-ass people. I wanted to be happy, but all I could think about was the womp.

But then, with the voice of an angel, my boss said the best thing I’ve ever heard: “We’re going to throw you on Starshine for the Bassnectar set. You cool with that?” Was I cool with that? Is the Pope Catholic? Of course I was cool with that! I nearly knocked over some hula hooping hippies as I bolted over to the Starshine Stage. Thankfully, I made it just in time, and my view from behind the bar was perfect to catch all the action.

The sky faded to pitch black and the glow sticks, glow wands, glow staffs and countless neon objects lit up the field like a thousand cosmic stars fallen to Earth. I saw giant umbrellas bobbing above the crowd, green sheep, inflatable killer whales, and what looked to be somebody’s air mattress floating above the sea of kids getting down and dirty to the bass. Lorin kept the crowd hyped as his hair whipped around his head in a frenzy, “How you doing Summer Camp?!?!” Each call to the crowd elicited a roar of approval until my ears were ringing from the screams and the vibrating bass.

Behind the bar, you’d think that I felt like I was missing out on the action, but not so mon frère. If you stopped by the bar for a shot or a beer, you would have seen me and my fellow bartenders losing our shit and bringing the true womp to the field. We got low; we got funky; and we did it all with a smile on our faces. The whole evening was a psychedelic wonder of neon and bass, and I can’t believe that I almost missed it! Thank you, Killa Babysistagirl for being the coolest boss ever (seriously, that’s her name). Without your savvy scheduling skills, I would have missed out on all the womp, and that would have made for one sad little Summer Camp bartender indeed.

Until Scamp 2011, Lorin (next year, I’ll bring my inflatable unicorn AND enough glow sticks to go around).

-Sam

What is your favorite festival moment?

There was a time in like 1996 at High Sierra and I had stayed up all night jamming with a group of percussionists. It was coming into the dawn hours and I was just surrounded by a bunch of friends having a wonderful time. For some reason it just really sticks out.

How are EOTO fans different than the String Cheese crowd?

They have a whole different profile. The age group is very different. They are much younger…a lot from 17-21. SCI was always older, more in their 30’s. Also, these kids are less hippies and more free-thinking ragers.

What do you like most about improv performances?

The thing I think about improv is that everyone can jump into the performance and be part of it. I talked to a guy once during the Grateful Dead era who was so high on the music (and whatever else) that he thought that he was playing Jerry’s guitar. I like it when people are on the precipice of being in it and a part of it.

Is there a style of music you want to try that you haven’t already?

I’m really intrigued with classical stuff. It is the root of a lot of stuff. Trey wouldn’t be Trey without classical music.

What’s your favorite thing to do on tour?

Play music and cuddle.

If you had a festival prop, what would it be?

A unicorn outfit.

When are you the most inspired to make music?

At home, really early as it turns out.

Who are you excited to see at Summer Camp this year?

I’m always excited to see Umphrey’s McGee. I think they are really talented. I also always love Bassnectar sets. How he changes it up. That is great.

What music are you listening to right now?

The whole down tempo smooth dubstep thing. DJ G is pretty awesome.

Once the shows outside slowed down, everyone crammed into the VIP tent and danced like crazy. After sweating some beer out, we moved the party over to the barn for STS9 to close out the night.

It was ridiculous…

-Holly

I kept busy this afternoon checking out some really cool performances, and playing in the VIP area and backstage. ALO was wonderful, and did an amazing rendition of “Eye of the Tiger”…bringing full enthusiasm and energy. Shortly after their set, Deb Amico, Vinnie from moe.’s wife, put together a wine tasting behind the Moonshine Stage. It was quite a spread with food and a variety of both red and white wine.

After that, I moved over to the VIP area and learned how to play bags with Felix from Future Rock. He totally kicked my ass.

Right now, I’m loading up on some food before a crazy night of Umphrey’s, moe., more Umphrey’s, more moe., Boombox, Pretty Lights and STS9 wrapping up the night. On top of all that, there is also set to be a raging dance party in the VIP tent once the bar closes, and a kickball game at sunrise. Things will surely get interesting…

-Holly

After the outdoor festivities wound down, everyone headed to the barn, and the party just kept on going. The New Mastersounds started off big, and moe. played a uniquely intimate late night performance to top the night off. Ian and Jay Goldberg came up on stage to celebrate moe.’s 20th anniversary, and even sang them happy birthday!

Today’s line up is pretty ridiculous too, and there is a lot going on off stage as well. I’m off to check out all of the action, but I’m going to have Sam tell you all about Bassnectar later, and I’ll check back in to tell you how the afternoon unfolds.

-Holly

All day long, activities and events happened all over the festival. The VIP area had a competitive game of bags going on all afternoon, and is set to have a boatload of festivities for fans tomorrow!

Speaking of bags, the non-profit area was jumping with the USTORM booth hosting 2 amazing events for their organization. First, Brendan Bayliss of Umphrey’s McGee hosted a game of bags, aptly titled Bags with Bayliss. Then, Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s cleaned out his closet and donated a variety of cranium accessories during his event called “Lids for Kids”. His hats were in such high demand that was able to raise $900 for the organization.

Over in the barn, I’m not sure what they’re gearing up for this evening, but the entire place was filled with fog machine smoke all day long. I’m psyched to see what the New Mastersounds and moe. have in store for us late night.

I’ll tell you how it all plays out tomorrow. Right now, I’ve gotta run…Government Mule is on and I’m itching to get out there and dance.

-Holly

When did you decide you wanted to make music together?
Kendrick: We decided to do it full time about 2 years ago. We have been producing tracks with each other though since junior high.

What’s your music all about?
Sherwin: Experimenting with different sounds. Trying to go out there with whatever you can produce with the time you have and seeing what you can do with it live.

How are your live performances different than your work in the studio?
Sherwin: In the studio you’re trying to impress yourself. When you’re live, you get to see what you can do with it…so it is really the 2 different aspects of being a musician.

When did you decide to integrate live drums into your sound?
Kendrick: We all grew up together in Nashville (Colby and the brothers). So one day at a STS9 after party we thought we would try it out. It worked out really well, so we stuck with it.

What are you listening to right now?
Kendrick: This cat out of San Francisco B. Bravo.
Colby: I’ve been rocking a lot of 14kt. These kids got me into a lot of hip-hop.
Sherwin: I’ve been listening to a lot of main steam rap. TPayne, Gucci Man, dirty south shit.

And this is your second year at Summer Camp, first year playing. How is it different being here as a performer?
Kendrick: The playing part is what’s up. You look at it in a totally different aspect. To be able to work and see your friends at the same time in this environment is pretty cool.

Is there anyone here you’re excited to see?
Colby: I really want to check out Sound Tribe and Pretty Lights.

How is playing the festival scene different than live club shows?
Sherwin: This is our first summer really hitting the festival circuit hard. When you’re playing these, way more people get to see you than you expected to see, and even they expected to see. People can just walk up and check us out for a single song or an entire set. When we’re playing at a club, they bought a ticket to see us. It is great exposure for sure.

Two Fresh is gearing up to play the Campfire Stage this afternoon at 5pm. To see where they’re off to next or check out their music, visit http://www.myspace.com/twofreshbeats

Thursday night was, by far, the craziest pre-party night to date. Band after band took the 3 open stages to fill the air with a mix of sounds and start the weekend party off right. And the thousands of fans pouring into the grounds brought with them the biggest smiles and best dancing shoes to show the bands their appreciation and gratitude.

The Starshine stage brought us lots of Chicago favorites with Backyard Tire Fire, Family Groove Company, and Cornmeal, playing back to back. Family Groove Company delivered an exceptional performance, and while we didn’t get to see any MC-ing out of Janis, Kenny from the Bridge brought a little bounce into the mix by beat boxing during one of Cornmeal’s songs.

After the festivities wrapped up on the Sunshine Stage, Allie Kral of Cornmeal made a fiddle-shredding guest appearance at the end of 30db’s set, and Cornmeal woke up the campers in the woods by playing an impromptu late night set at the Camping Stage. As Summer Camp veteran, Rich said, “that was the price of admission right there.”

Back over in the barn, New Orleans’s export Dumpstaphunk was stirring up a totally different type of dance party, and getting fans riled up for Future Rock to close out the night.

But like any smart Summer Camp veteran, I didn’t want to “blow my load” on the first night, so I called it a night shortly after 3:30am. As I told my festival virgin, “it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Hope that gives you guys a glimpse of what you’re missing! Sam and I will post some pictures and check in with you later as the day’s festivities unfold.

-Holly

Start trending #scamp2010 on Facebook or Twitter to tell us about what you’re up to during the festival and we’ll do our best to incorporate your moments into the blog. We’re really excited to share our 10th Anniversary with all of you!

I’ll be on site tomorrow giving you a little sneak peak of what’s coming, but right now I’m sitting in the office chanting “one more day, one more day, one more day” and making mental lists of all the things that I still need to pack before tomorrow morning. It’s nearly impossible to sit still; this anticipation is killing me! How are you guys holding up?

Back to the grindstone, but I’ll be seeing all of you very soon at Three Sisters Park!

-Sam