#Z. Lupetin

[nonesuchrecords]

Lake Street Dive's Mike Calabrese and Akie Bermiss are on the podcast The Show on the Road to chat with host Z. Lupetin of Dustbowl Revival. "There are very few things in life that you can depend on," says Lupetin, "and yet since 2004, when they were founded ... the group has consistently put out virtuosic, heartfelt, harmony-laden, decadently delicious, nerdy dance music ..." You can hear their conversation here.

[musicveinuk]

Dustbowl Revival Share Lively Quarantine Video for 'Nobody Knows'

Dustbowl Revival Share Lively Quarantine Video for ‘Nobody Knows’

Los Angeles-based eclectic folk rock act Dustbowl Revival have produced a creative quarantine live performance video of a song entitled ‘Nobody Knows (Is It You)’, the original version of which is included on their recently released album, ‘Is It You, Is It Me’. The clip features the band members in their homes inter-cut with footage of dancing fans from around the globe. Speaking of the single Li…

[bluesdoodles]

Dustbowl Revival poses the question, Is It You, Is It Me

Dustbowl Revival poses the question, Is It You, Is It Me an album of sheer quality. If you like a quality folkish rock then look no further.

Dustbowl Revivalformed in 2007 when Chicago native Z. Lupetin moved to LA to be a playwright and screenwriter, grew disillusioned with his job in advertising and placed an ad on Craigslist seeking musicians who shared his love of Louis Armstrong, Bob Wills, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin and the brass bands of New Orleans…so says the band’s bio. And I cannot argue with any of…

[taycofftoadventure]

Travel Tips for Yosemite

Yosemite is a truly powerful place. It feels like hallowed ground as great granite cathedrals rise towards the sky. Perched high in the Sierras,  the park is packed with amazing sights and destinations for the adventurous traveler. In the words of John Muir, the park’s most ardent advocate, “It is easier to feel than to realize, or in any way explain, Yosemite grandeur. The magnitudes of the rocks and trees and streams are so delicately harmonized, they are mostly hidden.” 

I love Yosemite. It’s a vivid moment when you first see the Yosemite Valley. You emerge from the deep forest and the valley’s beauty will leave you gobsmacked. As you emerge the tunnel, you’re slapped in the face with utter beauty. There’s no place quite as majestic. If you go to Yosemite, don’t skip the iconic Yosemite Valley. It’s a visit you’ll never forget.

Before entering the park, get gas. There’s not a lot in the park (it’s pricey and none in the valley) and you may find yourself doing a good bit of driving. Otherwise, the park has a lot amenities. Plenty of places to eat, lodge, and pick up forgotten supplies. Also there’s a great free shuttle service in the valley which helps folks go to valley sites. 

The ultimate way to stay in Yosemite is by camping (plus it’s a great affordable option). Staying at the Pines Campgrounds in the Valley is the best spot for campers. The sites are well situated along the Merced and tucked beneath iconic Half Dome. They are tricky to score and you really have to register for them six months before you want to camp. Acquiring camping in the valley is a lot like getting Radiohead tickets. You really have to plan ahead and keep an eye on the dates. If you fail at getting a spot in the valley, Hodgden Meadows usually has sites free. It’s outside the valley but you can drive in and it’s not far from Hetch Hetchy. Also try for a tent cabin in Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village). Beware to prep for bears- no food or items that smell like food should be left in your car or in your tent. I’ve had a run in with a hungry bear. They are best to be avoided with precautions. 

There are some great hotels in Yosemite as well. If you find yourself confused looking for the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, it’s due to name changes after a trademark problem. It’s dumb and petty but oh well- the Ahwahnee is the Majestic Yosemite Hotel. It’s worth stopping in to walk through and snag a bite in the bar. The architecture fits in well with the granite walls of the valley. Don’t miss kicking your feet up in the bar and enjoying a delicious bite. There are some other spots to grab a meal throughout the valley and in the park. Every hotel has a dining room, so when you want a break from cooking over a fire there are a few options for you. Outside the valley, food is more scarce but definitely options exist if you plan ahead.

I recommend getting in a good hike while you’re in the park. Not every site is accessible from a road, but your two feet will take you somewhere magical.  My favorite hike is the Mist Trail or Half Dome trail. It’s the same trail essentially. For first timers to the park, I recommend hiking up Vernal Falls, stopping for a snack, and then Nevada Falls, eating a picnic lunch on top, then heading back on the John Muir Trail down to the foot bridge at Vernal Falls. It’s a strenuous hike with a 2000 ft gain, but by starting early and taking your time- It’s very doable. If you keep going on the trail and not over Nevada Falls, you’ll hit Little Yosemite Valley. You’ll find camping and bathrooms there. Beyond that,  the Half Dome hike continues into the forest for a few hours before you emerge high above the valley. If you intend to go as far as a switchbacks, I hope you have gloves and a permit. You won’t be able to reach the top without navigating cables that are not up all year and require a permit when they are- but even getting this far feels incredible. Do watch the clock and bring a headlamp- Half Dome is a 14 hour hike. 

Other favorite hikes include : 

Four Mile Trail- Catch a ride to Glacier Point and hike down to the valley floor for three/four hours with amazing valley views. Strenuous.

Sentinel Dome/Taft Point- Two hour hike to stellar view off Glacier Point Rd. I’d combine it with a stop at Glacier Point. Not a hard hike with maximum sights! Moderate.

Wapama Falls- Hetch Hetchy is like Yosemite Valley if someone dammed up the river to create a large reservoir (much to Muir’s chagrin). It’s mighty picturesque and this hike begins at the dam and is a two hour walk that skirts along the side of the water for five miles round trip. Moderate.

Lembert Dome- A lovely three hour stroll through the woods to the top of Tuolumne Meadow’s granite jewel. Moderate.

If you’re looking for easy hikes, head to the base of Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Falls in the valley. 

Yosemite changes drastically with the season. The Yosemite Falls is full force in the Spring and a trickle by Autumn. In Spring, water comes off the side of granite creating waterfalls every where. However, be prepared to encounter swollen water on hikes so bring extra socks. Around Memorial Day, Glacier Point typically opens up as well as the High Country where Tuolumne Meadows is located. In the Summer and Autumn, try to trek into this area to the north because it’s not accessible all year. Tenaya Lake is one of my favorite spots on Earth. It's what heaven must look like- a pristine lake in the sky. Swim in the calm cold water and bask on the sunny shores before or after a hike in Tuolumne.  Nearby stop at Olmstead Point and take a gander down the treacherously beautiful Tenaya Canyon for a view of the north side of Half Dome. In 2018, Mariposa Grove and it’s great trees re-opens again and it’s a great stop on the way out of the park as you head south. Check the website for updates and road closures.

Additionally there are a ton of other activities in the park like fishing, swimming (be cautious when swimming- more people drown in the park than dying in any other activity- use caution and swim in shallow, calm water), horseback riding, climbing, biking, Winter sports (when there is snow), and stargazing. If you’re out at night, peer at the granite walls for tiny lights of climbers sleeping perched off the walls. El Capitan takes about three days to climb, so you’ll be sure to see them there. 

Three nights are ideal in Yosemite. One night to relax, a day of a hike in the Valley, another day for a driving destination (like Tuolumne Meadows or Hetch Hetchy) and short hike, and i recommend fitting in one last hike or site before your drive out. More days are better but you’ll feel pretty satisfied with three nights at the very least.

Yosemite is a place that changes you. It’s an elemental power. Every time I’m in Yosemite, I feel like I’ve return to a potent source. The landscape is alive and open. My joyful inner dialogue is “That’s BEAUTIFUL, That’s AMAZING, That’s MAJESTIC...”- you get the idea. Ansel Adams said, “Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space.” The mountains are calling. Go, go, go.

Photos by Reyana Wright, Becca Murray, Z Lupetin, and myself. 

[nonesuchrecords]

"She has had a gift from a very young age, with a voice that is both light as a summer breeze and sharp as a knife in a lovers quarrel." —Z. Lupetin on Gaby Moreno, his guest on The Bluegrass Situation's The Show on the Road podcast, which you can hear here.