We caught up with drummer Adam Deitch of Royal Family Record’s Break Science and Lettuce to talk about the label’s first festival experience.

Royal Family Affair
Stratton Mountain, VT
Aug. 12-14, 2011

There is something far more self-possessed and perpetually gratifying about attending a festival where the performers are just as involved and interested in the event they’re playing as you are. For the artists on Royal Family Records, this is a labor of love. “Gotta hand it to Eric Krasno,” says Deitch, explaining how the guitarist really stepped up to plate with putting The Royal Family Affair on. “He’s the official Royal Family organizer.”  From beer sampling, paintball, hikes with Jesus (bassist Erick Coomes), and workshops like “How To Avoid Smooth Jazz and Succeed In Life” with Skerik or “Songwriting & Music Compositon” with Neal Evans, it’s clear that The Royal Family is putting on an event they would want to attend.

It’s a musician’s festival. Daily workshops are specifically geared toward performers and those working in the music industry. “We wanted to offer [workshops] because we realize the importance of giving back,” says Deitch. “We are fully willing to give musical secrets away, which combined with hard work, open up doorways to sonic perception.” After the workshops, the main stages hosted music until nearly 3am. Artists included some of the best funk and electronic acts emerging from the music scene, as well as everyone’s Royal Family favorites, “We are throwing down those grooves designed to involuntarily shake every cell in your body,” says Deitch.

It’s true, the lineup isn’t stacked. It’s concentrated, thoughtful, and completely rage-able. “We take recording as seriously as we do playing,” says Deitch. “Which is why you can always count on quality versus quantity from us.” Headlining artists included Lettuce, Chromeo, Medeski, Deitch & Skerik, Big Gigantic, Chali 2na and Soulive. There was also a small number of bands that have been making big strides in the music scene, including lespecial, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Zach Deputy, The London Souls, and John Brown’s Body.

For musicians who wish to be more involved in Royal Family Records and their events, they implore you to call them up and email them. “We want to know about you,” says Deitch. “The label’s plan for the future is to put consistent, timeless, soulful music out that is free of the commercial mindset.” If that’s the type of music you want to create, that should be all you need to hear.

For more information about Royal Family Records and The Royal Family Affair visit www.royalfamilyrecords.com and www.royalfamilyaffair.com.

journalism by M E G A L O M A N D E E