FOX FEST 22'

Walljasper Compound - Canton Illinois | July 9th, 2022

Written by: Edie Wester and Brandi Lyn

Photographed by: Brandi Lyn, Gage Walljasper, Tim Garber, and Ryan Cooper

FOX FEST

During the summer, the year COVID hit, Gage Walljasper and Tim Garber of Formerly the Fox decided to gather their closest friends and put on a show - creating Fox Fest. With more and more people gathering each year to watch artists perform their music. Creating a place for people to come and hang out with friends, play outdoor yard games, buy from small local businesses, and jam out to some groovy music.

This is their 3rd annual Fox Fest show that takes place in Canton, Illinois at the “Walljasper Compound” — Welcoming anyone to come out and have fun. Tim explains that they want Fox Fest to become a place for people to create music. Hoping to be able to keep Fox Fest going for years and to become as big as Summer Camp has — with a place for people to perform and be creative.

Fox Fest provides a space for people to sit and gather together and a place for people to enjoy outdoor games. They also welcome people to set up their own vendors and sell their art/products as well as a merch table for the bands. This year they invited out Canton's Eats on the Streets to serve food and lemonade Shakeups.

Before kicking off a full day of music and socializing — anyone who wanted to come out early could arrive at 12:30 PM and hang out with Sammy Conrad as she teaches people how to relax their body and mind with some yoga.

Sammy is a yoga instructor who is based in Colorado. Starting out in College she was drawn to "yoga’s forgiveness and mindfulness." Completing over 200 hours worth of Yoga Teacher Training in College at Yoga Six in Chicago, Illinois. Stating she made "wonderful connections with other yogi’s alongside changing the trajectory of her life."

"Sammy's favorite kinds of classes to teach are Vinyasa-based yoga and powerful, challenging flows to challenge the body and build resiliency — Sammy’s goal is to safely guide students in a way that allows them to explore their own practice more deeply and heal through the power of yoga." - Samantha Rose Wellness

Cherry Vinyl

At 1:00 PM Cherry Vinyl hit the stage for their first performance debut at Fox Fest, starting the day off performing their original songs. An emerging indie band from Hancock County — consisting of members; Singer Christian Halverson, Guitarist Nathan Rawly, and Drummer Noah Walljasper.

Their demanding presence created an energetic set filled with essences of post-rock, Midwest emo, and even reggae. The set started with some stanky groove to get the audience hype right before Christian broke through with his gravely vocals. While some of the lyrics with desperate and filled with emotion, many songs like "Hanging On My Line" remained sturdy with fast-paced beats as Christian belted “I’m sorry”.

Each song felt personal and had a strong motif of strife and passion. "Heavy Lullaby" was introduced to be a memoir about life without their friend Tyler. The guitar melody remained innocent right after a crunchy Jack White intro. The band then let loose a little with a sloppy & slidey bass sound reminiscent of a basement party. Each band member was wearing a bright Haiwain shit, but it felt like they could be causing trouble in New Orleans.

Despite this being Cherry Vinyl’s first live set, each song really fell into place and you could really hear the sound the group was looking to create. "Chasing Pavements" remained very buoyant throughout the heavy rock solos, and the group pleased & shocked the audience with "Still D.R.E" as an outro. All original songs will be recorded and released soon, but the energy of Cherry Vinyl’s live presence is very pleasing.

Lime Forest

Next was Lime Forest, a Chicago-based group consisting of six members; Lead Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist Rick Sniegowski, Backup Vocalists and Aux Percussionist Nick Arger, Drummer Nate Hockenberry, Bassist Larry Sheridan, Guitarist Giovanni Marrari, and Keyboardist Drew Stump.

As the band warmed up, the audience’s ear lit up to the sound checks of synth, Garcia-like guitar, and cowbells. Lime Forest immediately jumped into a classic from their ‘Welcome to Lime Forest’ album, "Another Back Nine Square". Tuned just right, the heavy synth beat and wubby guitar lead right up to the vocals. This song is groovy, wavy, and the whole ensemble added some extra fun to the classic chorus melody. With Rick and Larry pushing the riff forward, Gio came in and threw down a funky solo in the style of The Kid. The bluesy organ tones in the background make the whole stage sing like an aged harmonica.

With little break, Rick introduced the next tune "Your Love" as “this was once a waltz and now it’s a country tune” with Drew Stump immediately throwing down some harmony on the keys that sounded like it came from a wild wild west saloon. With Nate Hockenberry creating a giddy-up beat on the drums and an additional heavy bass entry and cowbell. Even Lime Forest’s Facebook states that "No genre is off limits", which is proven as the genre shifts into a bluesy/reggae rendition of "Vacation". The conga along with tambourine and spacey guitar sending the audience to an ethereal destination.

After the psychedelic journey through "Vacation" and "Go For a Ride", the band toned it down for "Making Pancakes"—this calmer jam provided for a great montage of solos and persuasive guitar passages. The low-driving drum beat leads the audience through a dead-esque transition straight into an upbeat jam you would expect to hear in a grungey basement. Lime Forest ended on "Power" — A heavy ballad-like song with a psychedelic organ and a heavy guitar sound.

“Fox Fest was the first show Lime Forest has played together in over a year. We were able to run through the set individually, but, collectively, we went in cold…and we played great! If we were to pick one word to describe our set, we’d say “exhilarating”. It was a real treat.” - Lime Forest

Nova Sunshine

As Nova Sunshine warmed up, the energy was driven sky high with buzzing guitar and bright snare. Each jam that Nova Sunshine put on settled into very welcoming guitar riffs with a deep echo. Their sultry tones and driving beat reminded the listener of Tame Impala’s "Elephant", where you pause and wonder if this came from the Velvet Underground or the 21st Century.

Amongst their originals, Nova Sunshine broke out into a rad cover of "Johnny Says Stay Cool" by Babe Rainbow. The pace was fast as the whole ensemble rocked back and forth. Despite being slightly hidden on the porch stage, Luke McCoy’s bass sang out over the crown and held the groove tight. Singer Dylan Schumacher captured the energy of this underground Australian group in the disco-esque lyrics, enticing the audience to dance and “breathe in, breathe out” — allowing for the talents of each instrumentalist to sing out.

Next, Nova Sunshine introduced their new song "Sleep" — which they have yet to record. The velvety tones turned psychedelic with a slower thumping drum and repetitive bass line. The vocals of Dylan Schumacher were spacey and far away, sending the listener on a psychedelic journey once they closed their eyes. Between each melody, Nova Sunshine left room to jam in and out of hypnotic drones.

After the original, soothing and hypnotic tune, the psychedelic drive turned crunchy as Dylan broke down into a whiny/screaming solo. With Kyle Wass on keys and Matt Filarski on drums, they held the synth-like drone and crunchy beat through an all-American melody. Dylan hit a bright Zepplin note before flying into a spacey Tame Impale melody before shapeshifting into The Beatles' "Come Together". By the looks of this ensemble, Nova Sunshine could have originated this tune. Their modest sounds blend together and create a deep and wholesome buzz during this rock original. The hardcore and buzzing transition into this Beatles classic had everyone in the crowd singing along with goosebumps on the backs of their arms.

The psychedelic set that Nova Sunshine conjured for this outdoor event pleased the Dead Heads and Rock lovers in the crowd with such a directional jam style. Their recorded originals take their listener on a wild ride. Ending their set they finished with a groovy cover of Tame Impala’s "Half Glass Full of Wine".

“Fox Fest is always a great event packed with amazing music. This was the 3rd year of the event. We’re lucky to be invited to play with such a welcoming group of musicians where everyone is treated like family. Not much else you can ask from a summer weekend than great music, friends, food, and a swim in the pool. Not to mention the stellar lighting once the sun sets beyond the trees. Good times had by all!” - Nova Sunshine

LOST PYRAMIDS

The space age jam of Phish’s song “2001” brought all attention to the stage as Lost Pyramids opened. "2001" allows for so much experimental jams that introduce what the ensemble is all about. The high tones and synth melodies with quick changing beats and interjecting tones drove the beat forward as everyone in the open yard started to groove. The great thing about this jam is that each member of Lost Pyramids was able to gracefully enter with their own tones and fortes. The upbeat and enlightening refrains and ethereal tones wrapped up the first jam as Lost Pyramids began surfacing originals from their new album, 'Monsters Under my Bed'.

"Party in the Rain", the opening of their new studio album, began as a spacey blur before busting into an acoustic and dancey reggae beat. As the set progressed, the songs got bluesier. “The Fool” brought some Daddy-like, Black Crowes sounds with a friendly and welcoming party vibe.

Each original portrayed ranges in songwriting and instrumentation. 80s Waka Waka took over before a quick breakdown, gliding through the range of the bass and the guitar into the original “Nod to Jeff”. Each solo feature was calming and articulate. "Phases of the Moon" slowed things down following another Phish cover. The keys and slower, swinging rhythm guitar allowed for a fun sing-along. Lost Pyramids really pulled together an upbeat and enlightened set filled with jams leading through space and time, along with very vibey melodies. While they often present jams and groovy live sets, their studio album 'Monsters Under my Bed' is a must-listen for songs to bring you joy in your kitchen... Car... Everywhere.

“Fox Fest has been the highlight of our summer a couple years now for us. It’s a great community of people to be part of and we love playing music for music lovers.” - Lost Pyrammids

MagnetFunk

MagnetFunk started out hot and heavy with new vocals to their original “Criminal Convo”. The crowd warmed up quickly to the dirty and groovy guitar with a driving bass beat. This ensemble filled the stage and if it wasn’t for the brightly colored horns, you wouldn’t be able to tell where the sound was coming from.

The echoey drums of Nate Hockenberry and smooth vocals of Ryan Cooper accentuated the unique lead trombone and bold saxophone played by Joe VanBledel and Howard Shaw. The deep horn filled out the stage with a screaming keyboard from Aris Johnson that cut waves beneath the sultry tones. Each member of MagnetFunk did not hold back as they settled into a smooth bass from Lamonte Norwood and moved through a soulful saxophone solo. After their sultry and gravely introduction, the band ended on a strong clean cut — standing out from the other jam bands that afternoon.

“Viridian Hills”, their next original, transported the crowd to an entirely different world with long island beats in the cymbals and drums. As the ethereal guitar solo entered, the keys took over the reggae beat. In each number by MagnetFunk, the horns really drive the sequence and create immense depth that reached out past the stage, over the audience, and out into the field beyond. With a hit of the pedal, the keys and guitar enter into a chill psych vibe while the trombone wanes and waxes with a classic jazz tone. The audience is always kept on their feet because you never know if it’s going to be a smooth ballad, or a stanky beat to get down to.

Clean montages were presented during “Zenith” and “Diamonds from Jupiter”. The classic, clear, and desperate vocals draw you into their irresistible groove. The second half of their set really picked up the beat into a full soul head. Their real banger “Feel it Out” would impress anyone interested in dancing to a Pigeons Playing Ping Pong rhythm.

“Gosh what can I say about Fox Fest. The Fox boys are all stand up dudes with hearts of gold. I love what they’re building there and so glad to be a part of it. Their parents are saints. Certifies Vibes all day and night, we felt super welcome and excited to play our songs for the people who came out.” - MagnetFunk

Formerly the Fox

Ending the night with Formerly the Fox, a 4-piece Psychedelic Jam Band, as they take the stage for the last and final show of the night. The Central Illinois band consisted of Vocalist and Guitarist Gage Walljasper, Guitarist and Keyboardist Tim Garber, Bassist Wyatt Mulligan, and Drummer Parker Rose. While setting up Vocalist / Guitarist Gage Walljasper thanked everyone for coming out to their 3rd annual Fox Fest event and gave a shout-out to all of the bands that had performed before them.

The array of funk, psych, blues, and jam all culminated in this set filled with originals and classic covers. Much like at Summer Camp, Formerly the Fox started heavy and strong with “Cosmic Funk Ray” and into the groovy new tune “Dad Pants”. Many of Formerly the Fox’s new originals show the large collection of influences they draw from, and it is ever-growing. This evening Pink Floyd melodies were expected, and Phish-like jams with Khruangbin melodies and interludes. 

After firing off their homegrown jams, Formerly the Fox shifted into a light cover of “Soul to Squeeze” by Red Hot Chili Peppers. At this point in the evening, the crowd wasn’t afraid to bounce to the classic gateway band. You could hear the admiration for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the drums and from Gage’s voice. The cover complimented the age-old Fox original “Another Shade of Blue”. “Another Shade of Blue” has gone through many transformations both as a studio recording and a set necessity. 

For the remainder of the set, Gio Marrari of Lime Forest stood in on the guitar, allowing for some fiery interpretations of Phish’s “Birds of a Feather” and the “Daybreak/Shabadoo” mashup. With this original jam, the ensemble had really begun to play off of each other's improvisational riffs. Ending the night with the crowd cheering as Formerly the Fox performed their last song “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads along with the sounds and bright colors of fireworks being let off in the yard.

tags: Formerly the Fox, Nova Sunshine, MagnetFunk, Cherry Vinyl, Lost Pyramids, Lime Forest, Eats on the Streets, Sammy Conrad, Brandiilynphotography