Pack Your Bags, It’s Time for Camp

© Dave Vann

The Camp Bisco crowd loves a party.

If you're looking for a fiesta that unites like-minded bands and an army of dedicated followers, you'll feel right at home pitching a tent at Camp Bisco 8 - the eighth edition of the fest headlined and curated by The Disco Biscuits.

The three-day festival will kick off July 16th in Mariaville, New York - 20 minutes outside of Albany and far enough away from reality to remind you of nostalgic summers away from home. The scenic Indian Lookout Country Club will welcome The Disco Biscuits for a whopping three nights of shows, bringing around 10,000 Bisco boys and babes together at last.

"For some people, it's hard to catch a band that does not make it to certain areas of the country on the regular," returning festgoer Chad Cohen explains. "This is a time when people who absolutely love The Biscuits cram in as much of a fix as they can in a short span."

One Big Happy Bisco Family

Camp Bisco is not just another summer music fest. It's about bringing together an extended family of fans for an annual escape into an incomparable musical dimension. "The Biscuits bring in a very laid-back and welcoming group. The community is very close and after seeing a handful of shows, you can guarantee you'll have made new lifelong friends to share common interest with," Cohen says.

Perhaps it's the 200 acres of freedom that makes Camp Bisco so unique. The venue comes complete with rolling grass fields, hiking trails and lake lookouts. It's like a family vacation for the music-loving young and young at heart.

Camp Bisco is not just about The Disco Biscuits either. Rather, it's a  marriage of electronic jam bands and DJs who are making strides in today's synth-and-bass-infused scene. Two performance stages and a late-night dance tent invite campers to sway and rage to more than 50 performers day and night.

The Camp Bisco 8 Lineup

The Camp Bisco 8 lineup includes: The Disco Biscuits (all 3 nights); Nas & Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley; Asher Roth; STS9 (2 nights); Kid Cudi; Tractorbeam vs. The Perfume; DFA Disco Tent; Twisted Records All Star Tent; Chromeo; Bonobo Live; Dr. Dog; K'Naan; The Orb; Younger Brother; Special Disco Version James Murphy & Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem; Brothers Past; Pnuma Trio; Flying Lotus; Pretty Lights; Shpongle; EOTO; Holy Ghost; Orchard Lounge; John Brown's Body; Telepath; Boombox; Martyn, BioDiesel with KJ Sawka; AC Slater; Phantogram; MO2; DJ Haitian; Fort Knox Five; Dr. Fameus vs. DJ Drizno; Kill the Noise; Prometheus; Ott; Starkey; Bluetech; Indobox; BLVD; Two Fresh; Mixed Bag's Superjam; The Chavy Boys of London; Chronicles of the Landsquid; Roots of Creation; Joe Nice; Tuphace; Otherwise; Synewave; and Dirty Paris.

Bisco Bound? Don't Miss These Sandouts

Returning camp 'counselors' include Telepath, who's been touring the fest circuit with new tracks from recent release "Contact." The refreshing atmospheric cacophony will lure listeners with influences from far away lands like the Middle East, injected with a taste of Jamaican Dub, a flavor that is gaining more attention in the Electro circuit. A mix of relaxation and invigoration will either lead you to light the hookah or twirl in circles until you're dizzy with delight.

Campers are also excited by the return of Shpongle, Orchard Lounge and Pnuma Trio, but anticipation is stronger for certain artists. "Brothers Past is a band that cannot be missed, I've never seen these guys and I've been waiting for the chance. If you're going to CB8, it's a must-see," Cohen says. "Also check out Younger Brother Live, Tractorbeam vs. The Perfume, DFA Disco Tent and the boys from LCD Soundsystem."

Fans will be happy to see Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley reunite with legendary lyricist Nas after their smooth collaboration on 'Road to Zion' from 2005's Welcome to Jamrock. The duo will take to the stage to showcase their collaboration on the new release "Distant Relative" and bring a dose of Jam/Reggae/Funk/Hip-Hop hot sauce to a hungry sea of groovers.

As if That Weren't Enough...

In an effort to aid in the passing of the daylight 'rest' hours, Camp Bisco 8 is bringing back the Color Wars. This year, as in past years, Green, Purple, Orange and Yellow teams will face off in events like tug-o-war, scavenger hunts, a spelling bee, volleyball and tetherball in what Bisco says makes "the Olympics look like a geriatric game of musical chairs played to slow polka music."

Cohen's advice to new campers - "Go in with no expectations, inhibitions or rules, and you will have the time of your life. For three days - just friends, music, drinks and dancing."

So, what are you waiting for - the bugle to blow? Stuff your duffle with some bug spray, camp costumes and your favorite pair of dancing shoes, and you'll have plenty to write home about later.