The What Doth Life DIY Music Festival returns for its fourth year on September 9th, 2023. From 1-11 PM at the Windsor Exchange (30 Depot Ave) in Windsor, VT, the festival will feature a whopping 17 local bands on two stages playing original music as well as local vendors and artisans. Admission is by donation and all proceeds will go to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont’s (NOFA-VT) Farmer Emergency Fund to help farms affected by this summer’s flood damage.
The NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund is available to assist Vermont certified organic and NOFA-VT member commercial farmers who are in financial need after having been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters. Farmers may request up to $5,000 in grants that do not need to be repaid. As the community continues to provide aid through this fund, we will disperse money directly to farmers. More information can be found at their website, https://www.nofavt.org
We call it the DIY Music Festival to highlight the independent spirit of artists and entrepreneurs. We are not sponsored by any large organization and our resources are community donated. The success of this festival will shine a light on our community’s ability to support each other and emphasize the Upper Valley’s Do-It-Yourself attitude.
Our Musical Lineup:
- Sputnik The Band – NYC-based Alt Rock with catchy pop hooks, intelligently thought-out song structures and sultry, compelling vocals from frontwoman Genie Morrow[1]
- Ali T – This Royalton, VT musician embodies the DIY spirit by self-producing her most recent album, “Pancakes at Midnight.” Voted Best Pop Act in Vermont by readers of Seven Days[2]
- Magic User – Montpelier-based synth indie act
- Shy Husky – Lebanon’s own power-pop rock group
- McAsh – The Upper Valley’s ska legends back with new music, 20 years in the making
- Phrogs – Claremont, NH’s newest indie rock group
- Trevor Robinson – Idiosyncratic songs about the inner lives and outward dilemmas of regular and not-so-regular folks
- Ethan Lawrence – Windsor-based latin folk
- Wicked Louder – Draws influence from 80’s college rock, 90’s alternative, and various bands from the 00’s
- Non Prophets – Windsor-based freak folk
- Johnny Gifford – The Brattleboro musician’s work feature’s dense sonic landscapes on top of sweet songs saturated with cassette tape warmth
- Blair Mt – Windsor’s newest music
- Derek and the Demons – Windsor, VT based “jangly blues-rock bruisers.”[3]
- Chodus – Earnest indie rock from Claremont, NH in the vein of Built to Spill.
- Time Life Magazines – Pop-punk darlings from White River Junction, VT.
- Carton – Windsor, VT Alternative rock features on NPR [4]and listed at #2 in Paste Magazine’s list “10 Vermont Bands You Should Listen to Right Now.” [5]
- The Pilgrims – Windsor, VT 5-piece “American Rock” invoking comparisons to the Replacements. [6]
Check out our festival Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/42i5b534E9PhVYFP8uoErY?si=64lGuzJ9TLebBmGmn6oPtA
Our Vendors and Sponsors:
- The Town of Windsor has generously supported the What Doth Life DIY Festival since its inception.
- Bistro Midva – Windsor’s Select Dining Experience.
- Hanover Strings – The Upper Valley’s premiere music shop offering supplies for musicians as well as lessons and instrument repairs.
- Bloom and Book – Eclectic and bohemian decor for all creative households. Based in Lowell, Massachusetts.
- Short and Sweet – The Windsor-based bakery will be on hand serving confectionary treats.
- Covered Bridge Cookies – This long-established and beloved bakery will sell their classic cookies.
- Stage 33 Live – A live recording venue that frequently partners with What Doth Life to produce live audio/video recordings of local music acts.
- What’s Missing Records – A popup record shop collaboration between indie music label “Case of the Missing Records” and What Doth Life.
- Crystal Witch – Windsor-based Bath and Beauty artisan specializing in crystal infused bath-bombs.
- Dean Ferland Flores Tarot – Tarot reader’s whose mission is to aid others in their walks through life through tarot.
For more information, email inquiries to info@whatdothlife.com or send a message to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WhatDothLifeVT/ or visit our website www.whatdothlife.com. The festival event Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/events/163197176641482/
What Doth Life was founded in 2010 in Windsor, Vermont adhering to the strength in numbers philosophy. We’re here to help. We’re not a label, more of a co-op; a brand with nothing to sell. Feel free to contact us with ideas, comments, your material or harsh criticisms. info@whatdothlife.com
[1] “Sputnik Review.” Trifecta New York Music City News. Alan Young
[2] “Best pop artist or group – Ali T” 2023. Seven Days https://sevendaysvt.com/vermont/best-pop-artist-or-group/BestOf?oid=38662982
[3] “Album Review: Derek and the Demons’ Rite of Passage” 2016. J. Boland, Seven Days https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/derek-and-the-demons-rite-of-passage/Content?oid=3431311
[4] “Live Sessions” 2016. NPR https://livesessions.npr.org/artists/carton
[5] “10 Vermont Bands You Should Listen To Now” 2015. C. Palermino, PASTE Magazine https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2015/02/ten-vermont-bands-you-should-listen-to-now.html
[6] “Album Review: The Pilgrims’ No Focus” 2017. C Farnsworth, Seven Days https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-pilgrims-no-focus/Content?oid=4376710