Nicholas The Gnome from Weregnome Records went to Dungeon Siege West as a performer (Earthen Shield) but also as a Synth Digest reporter and wrote the following dispatch. The lead polaroid was taken by Frostgard and the photos in the article were taken by Nicholas on an iPhone “something” since he refused to actually look at what model his phone was. He told me he was bird watching during the entire event well “before he started drinking literally 50 beers” and saw a Stellar’s Jay, American Robin, Black-Headed Grossbeak, Northern Flicker, and Chestnut-Backed Chickadee. Everything in this article has been left in for authenticity. Thank you so much to Nick for taking the time to document this in his own personal way.
-KAP
The morning drive took us south with Seattle fading in the distance. Onward! Yelled no one in the vehicle and I had wished it were so, it would’ve been a much more dramatic time opposed to sleep stained eyes and knowing you left the last shower for the weekend on Thursday night. While the night prior was a decent one filled with some craft beers and west coast pizza, I was happy to rid myself of the uneasiness of an unknown city. I’m sure Seattle is a booming metropolis filled with much culture and enough activities to make your head spin, but I wasn’t having any of it. Instead my sights were set upon a place deep into the forest filled with magic, mystery and a convergence of friends. We found ourselves in a Walmart somewhere along the interstate and anxiety cut deep into my chest. Unable to focus clearly and the list we made might has well been chucked right into a lake for its purpose at that time. As we stocked up on the simple meals we planned and a ridiculous amount of rolling rock beer for myself, I worried I wouldn’t have enough alcohol the whole time, this wasn’t the case as the story unfolds, I did indeed have enough. After seemed like an eternity, we pointed our cars nose southwest after the escape from Walmart onto a two lane highway that cut between breathtaking views and small farms. The sharp turns around corners with a few markers letting the driver know, at one time, someone took this turn all wrong, leaving this realm with a series of bad happenings. My heart sunk seeing one just before a small bridge, a small memorial with a few wildflowers, taking my focus out of the adventure waiting in the woods and the realization the time here we have is limited. Perhaps that’s what made the entrance into Red Hawk Avalon magical. With the mindset that life is fleeting and my remaining minutes unknown, this was how I wanted to spend them. A sharp turn took you into the entrance itself, an unassuming dirt driveway that any passerby wouldn’t think to double check, spare a sign with a sword that said DSW. You took the one lane drive back and found a small table with a few known folks and unknown commanding it. After pleasantries and high fives were exchanged we signed a few waivers to relinquish all dumb ideas I may have as an individual knowing that the organizers and owners of the land are in no way responsible for my antics. Someone asked for a ride to base camp after all of this legal stuff where we all piled into an already packed small rental car and drove deeper into the woods. Passing folks pushing carts of their camping gear, we finally reached an opening exposing the main camping grounds. We had arrived pretty early, as was my intention to maximize the time spent with friends and no longer in normal society, which was clearly a wise choice. After unloading our vehicle next to the space where Fernmage and their partner had set up camp, we borrowed gear from them due to flying from Rochester and it would’ve been too difficult for our travel without. My anxiety was put to rest thankfully from some herbal medicine hitting my chest out of a glass water pipe. All the trappings of the world known yesterday faded and I finally heard the calls of the native birds in the area. By time the festivities began, I was already maybe 5-6 beers in. The sun pressing down upon us with its oppressive radiant heat, but no complaints on that. We were all welcomed at the main fire pit, a place many folks would sit around all weekend sharing stories and I assume other forms of small talks. One of the festival organizers, Brendan held aloft a flaming sword and called upon us to all take notice. Following Tirith led the group in a lovely written and inspiring letter that focused on the impact of DSW returning, the closeness of our community and the sieges themselves. I cannot replicate what was written, but I remember somewhere lost in my beginnings of a beer drunkenness a warm series of emotions began to build as I felt tears fill these old sad eyes. The camaraderie found at these events is unmatched. For years I wandered in between various music scenes and communities seeking somewhere I feel complete, myself among many others found that same place here in dungeon synth. There isn’t an expectation for your personal aesthetic as a fan, nor your incredible knowledge of various albums and artists. You are welcomed in as folks excitedly explain unheard of albums, the passionate words flowing between breathing as they explain what a particular album is like or what makes it so damn special. I suppose following that actual performances took place. So let’s just leave it at that and music was good.
End of article.
…..Well, synth digest operators would be very grumpy at me if I actually didn’t talk about the whole reason we attended this fest. Fine, I guess let’s just talk about it a little bit.The festival kicked off day one with the project Forewyrd and I was excited to finally catch a full set after only hearing it for moments at TXDS due to my late arrival. A proper performance from them that really set a positive mood for the weekends festivities. At this point I had chugged a few more beers to maintain my level of enjoyment and social engagement. Each act seemed to bring a strong commanding presence with a few either unknown to myself or haven’t the chance to see perform live due to the logistical nightmare the size of the United States really is. In between my stumblings about in the heat and at least 7-8 more beers, the rest of the day followed with offerings of my loose box I filled with beer to other friends along the way. Making sure they were adequately satisfied in drink with my preferred cheap beer of choice. One point my partner Selena found me and made me eat veggie dogs to make sure I had something in my stomach. The weekend that followed was an absolute blur. I kept finding more drink and gifts of drink from friends old and new. At one point I found myself deep in the woods sharing scotch with Malfet, Peter Beste, & Erang. That moment will be locked in my memory forever, even the point Malfet was so kind to take the rest of my scotch from me and finish it because scotch fucking sucks. I cannot truly put to words how fantastic this festival really was to witness. It captured the spirit of this music and community in a perfect setting. Each of the organizers and volunteers did an astounding job and high fives to all of you. I really can’t take apart each set, but only say you should’ve been there. If it happens again, be sure to find yourself in those woods. So until we siege again my friends. Keep your heart in the woods and I’m done writing. I don’t want to write anymore.
The end
Sent from my iPhone (leave this in)
