"Unrest" inspires local beetle kill documentary, benefit

Night of fun to finance local film
by Cyndi McCoy

"There's unrest in the forest, there is trouble with the trees (lyrics from "The Trees," by band Rush)." For Amaurante Montez, the song's first line was a pretty "powerful statement."

Hillsides of stumps, scattered among hillsides with log piles waiting to be burned, surrounded by more red trees than some may know what to do with. The heartfelt loss Grand Countians most likely feel driving along the county's beloved beetle-kill landscape, as well as the hope to find solutions, has been captured in a surfacing local documentary.

After two years working on the project, due out February of 2010, the Winter Park resident and producer known in the local entertainment scene as DJ A-Mon has gathered his talented posse together to celebrate the film's neared completion.

Joining Montez for the Evening of Music and Film, "Unrest in the Forest" benefit will be artisans and musicians to include Cyn Whitworth, Miguel Medina, Jeremy Farmer, Nectaflow, Joe McDonald, and Ernie Roybal. Businesspersons and craftsmen using beetle-kill product are expected and encouraged to attend as well.

The documentary and evening's entertainment has been brought together to get people thinking about their connection to nature and solutions toward healing Colorado's devastated pine forests. Guests will be treated to a dance performance with Medina and the Street Sweepers, as well as a special screening of 16-mm film "Arrow to the Sun." The work is a 10-minute-long Native American animation about a child in search of his father, who, A-Mon says, "discovers himself and his power."

Medina started producing small films and documentaries for Free Speech TV in 1995. With his influences from his Native American (Ute, Southern Ute, Apache, Yaqui, and Aztec) and Spanish ancestry, and his use of modern technology for his storytelling, he called his company Ancient Future Films.

After voicing his idea for a beetle-kill documentary, as well as his longtime dream to teach children filmmaking, a friend suggested he apply for a scholarship opportunity to attend a free press convention on independent film. He won the scholarship trip and last June he headed to Minneapolis, Minn. where he had a chance to meet with other independent filmmakers. The convention platform focused on avenues to expose local issues to larger audiences.

Montez had been thinking about his beetle-kill documentary for some time and said he feels an urgency to share his message. Witnessing the infestation which expands through the county, Montez "could just see that there was ... a big picture going on ... that (the problem) was growing. ... The trees and the people, the wild life, it affects everyone."

Friends of Montez have come together in support of his dedication to finish the project, a digital film. Its creator estimates it will be a half-hour piece, "but I'd like to expand it as well." He estimates he's invested about $3,000 into the production of the work, whose title was inspired by song "The Trees" by Rush, and that "anything" he collects from the event will be appreciated.

Montez said he's already gained some interest to view the work. The Xican Indie Film Festival will be the first ones to air the film next spring. There's also interest from Dish Network to show the film on Free Speech TV, which would give Montez, and Grand County, national exposure.

How to get there: The 490 Steak House is located in the Silverado II Resort and Event Center, sponsor. To get there head west at Cooper Creek Square off U.S. Highway 40 on Vasquez Road in Winter Park. Cross the railroad tracks and take a right onto Forest Trail. Signs are posted and underground parking is available.

Compilation CD

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Cyndi McCoy
Sky-Hi News

A new compilation of original music by Grand County artists is creating a buzz.
Titled "This Side of Berthoud," the collection is being put together by Teresa "Tree" Hill and Slopeside Productions in association with other independent producers. It features some of the latest work of more than 18 local musicians and bands.

Volume 1 will be available to the public starting this Sunday at a release event and party, with additional volumes to follow.

The purpose of the project is to expose Grand County music to a wider audience, said Hill, who has recorded and produced bands, including her own music, for five years. She realized that her "passion is to give songwriters the ability to record their music, and share their talents with audiences outside their own" and her company Sacred Herb co-produced four of the tracks on the first album (Mickey Sandora of band 3rd Time Lucky has been helping produce some of the work).

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Profits generated from CD sales will not only benefit the musicians (many who perform free shows throughout the area year-round), but will also form the foundation of the Grand County Recording Fund.

The fund will be used to subsidize recording cost for any musician living in Grand County. Availability starts a year from the release date and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

"The facilitation and encouragement of producing and recording artists living in this area," Hill said, "will enable a larger listening audience and will highlight the Fraser Valley area as a destination to enjoy music."

Volume 1 artists include Ali Grayson, One Time, Stereomaid and Mary Hemme — each who submitted one original song and retain the rights. A year after the album's release, Hill will calculate royalties to be split evenly among the artists (minus the cost of the CD and retailer commission) and at that point the artists can donate to the fund.

It includes One Time's "Long Shot" hit (featuring the late, great "Craigy T" Thompson ..s and Cecil "Peanut" Daniels MIDI horn), "Hello" from Stereomaid's anxiously awaited album, Grayson's joyous and reflective "Just a Glimpse," Hunker Down's perfected "Winter Waltz," and a pleasant surprise with nitty gritty "Travelin' Man" by Hemme and her son Boy Elroy.

"I'm really psyched at the way it turned out," said guitarist Matt Brown of Hunker Down.

"It's really cool to have a nice representation of what's going on in the valley (musically)," added Greg Travis, Hunker Down washboard player.

Stereomaid singer and songwriter Eric "Oly" Olson said he's very happy to be a part of it.

"The whole idea is a good one. It is cool that Tree took the time and initiative to make it happen and put it all together (kudos to her) and all the hard work I'm sure it took," he said. "We have a lot of talented musicians here in Grand County and it's great that someone took an interest and the time to let it be known."

Future artists to be featured in the series include the Sofa Kings, the Andy Irvine Blues Collective, Franklin Brown, Gaia Blue, Royall, Hendrix, Osborne and Key; Yaniv Salzberg, The Hot Jalopys, The Neighborhood Heroes, Simon Nicol, Claddagh, Jed Henry, 3rd Time Lucky, Adam Lynam, Moby, and Lynnea Godfriaux and Brad Pregeant. "As the seeds of this project grow, so does all of our music," Hill said. "We help each other grow, which is the nature of this community already."

The music of participating artists will be widely distributed and CDs will be available at retail stores this fall. CDs will be discounted from $15 to $10 for the release party and albums may also be purchased from the musicians featured on the album, who will have their copies by December.

The party features live music (by Hunker Down, Jake Royall, the Sofa Kings, Henry, Stony Credenza, Lynam, MC3D, the Empty Suits, and Salzberg), guest speakers, buffet and drink specials, and mail-in ballot information in support of the Rock the Vote campaign.

This Side of Berthoud

by: Cyndi McCoy
This side of Berthoud (Pass) is rocking these days.

It was rocking before, but I’m talking about the 20 different Grand County musical ensembles that appear on Volume One of the “This Side of Berthoud” CD, and the many more (CDs and musicians) to look forward to thanks to the new project.

Hostess Tree Hill and Mackinaw’s threw a mighty fine shindig at the release party and it was good to see so many community members showing their support. Artists from the area interested in submitting an original song for future volumes are encouraged to contact Hill through www.myspace.com/sacredherb.

Best line of the night had to be from Andy Straus of Hunker Down, who termed a new genre of music for one of their songs: “Y’alternative.” Very catchy.

Andy, Greggy, Matty, Yaniv, Mickey, Willy, Oly, Tom, Jake, Gary, Kay and Andy, Ali, Robbie, Jed (and those I’ve failed to mention) — you rock. Thank you. CDs are $15, available at Singin’ Dog, Rise & Shine Cafe, and at 7 Sisters. Musicians should have them available.

The festive atmosphere and creative camaraderie was symbolic of what All Access is about. I’m pleased to say the Sky-Hi Daily News’ arts and entertainment section (and the daily) celebrates its one-year anniversary this week. For All Access, it has been an exciting 52 issues.