Artists Talk Dromfest 2026

Now in its fourth year, Al Crisafulli’s Dromfest continues to be the premiere festival for fans of classic college radio with a lineup that will make any underground rock fan giddy with anticipation.

A concert showcase extension of Crisafulli’s Kingston, New York-based imprint Dromedary Records, the 2026 edition of the event will take place once again at the Avalon Lounge in Catskill, New York, on the weekend of Sept. 4, and is stacked to the max with acts anyone still holding onto their Homestead Records swag making travel plans for upstate as we speak.

Just check out this lineup:

Friday, Sept. 4:

Dumptruck
Consonant
Karen Schoemer and her “August” Band

Saturday, Sept. 5:

Wussy
Antietam
Doug Gillard
Moviola
Via
Martha’s Vineyard Ferries
Barbara Manning
Stuyvesant
The Human Hearts
Tiny Blue Ghost
P.G. Six

* Readings by Erica Fletcher, Scott Seward and Tim Sommer

Sunday, Sept. 6:

Come
Scrawl
Nice Strong Arm
Hypnolovewheel
Sleepyhead
Beth Kaplan
French/Cell
Purple Ivy Shadows
R.B. Korbet
Creative Writing
Sweet Harm

* Plus a screening of the Mike Galinsky/Suki Hawley film “Radiation”

Rock & Roll Globe reached out to several of the artists who are playing Dromfest this Labor Day weekend to get their insight into playing the festival and who they are most looking forward to see.

For more info on Dromfest, visit dromedary-records.com/its-time-dromfest-26/.

 

Marissa Carroll from Tiny Blue Ghost

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

We’re super excited to be a part of a core Hudson Valley music festival that we always see people buzzing about year to year. It’s really important to keep the scene alive by bringing back bands that haven’t played in a long time, mixed with newer groups.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing and why?

There isn’t any one particular group that we’re excited to see, rather just looking forward to experiencing Dromfest as a whole. I think because there are many artists on the lineup that we are unfamiliar with, we’re just excited to discover new music (both new and old) in the moment without any expectation.

 

 

Pat Gubler from PG Six

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

I’m really excited to play — Catskill is only a 30 minute drive from where I live in Columbia County. And I love coming over here to see music. I love Avalon and I love that Dromfest is happening!

 

Who are you most looking forward to seeing, and why?

I think Moviola because I haven’t seen them play in many years. Also, I used to be practice roommates with Antietam in NYC and I always love seeing them perform. Honestly, I can’t pick just one—I recall one time seeing Come play at a festival in Spain and being utterly shattered by “Saints Around My Neck.” It was just one of those unforgettable performances.

 

Seth Tiven of Dumptruck

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

We’re really looking forward to being able to play with so many bands we were friends with decades ago, and the opportunity to see a whole lot of people we haven’t seen in years. It’s rare for us to be able to get back & play the East Coast, but this is the perfect excuse.

 

Who are you most looking forward to seeing, and why?

I moved away from the Northeast in 1991, so I missed out on seeing a lot of bands that came up in the ’90s. Consonant, Come and Wussy to name a few. It’ll be cool to see Antietam, Nice Strong Arm, Scrawl, Barbara Manning, and Beth Kaplan (who I haven’t seen since Salem 66 days).

 

Sue Harshe of Scrawl

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

Dromfest is one of Marcy’s and my favorite weekends of the year, and to be asked to play again this year was an awesome surprise. What makes Dromfest so special is seeing like-minded (and like-aged) creatives playing music. Especially in today’s bonkers political climate, it feels really important to reinforce each other’s commitment to playing (or painting or sculpting or filming or dancing or acting). It’s a pretty magical weekend and always kind of feels like a class reunion.

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

We enthusiastically support the Ohio 3C contingent — Wussy (Cincinnati), Moviola (Columbus), and Doug Gillard (Cleveland). Scrawl did our first tour with Nice Strong Arm, so we’re excited to see them play. But damn! Antietam, Dumptruck, Barbara Manning, Come, Hypnolovewheel, Beth Kaplan, Karen Schoemer, Sleepyhead, Martha’s Vineyard Ferries… everyone’s living at the Avalon Lounge for three days!

 

Thalia Zedek of Via

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

In addition to reuniting with Arthur, Chris and Sean in Come, I can’t wait to play the Dromfest with my old friends in Via, a band that has only played 3 shows previously, the last one at the old Pyramid Club in NYC in 1988.

There had been bootlegs of this band, which includes Jerry di Rienzo from Cell/Ugly Beauty, James Apt from Six Finger Satellite, Phil Milstein from Uzi and Adam Gaynor, circulating for years and the resurfacing of one of these bootlegs, led Jerry to search his basement yet again for the home recordings that we made in our rehearsal space back in Somerville, MA.

It turns out that they were pretty good, Dromedary released them as a 6 song EP last year and now we are about to do our 4th ever show at Dromfest!

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

There are so many amazing bands playing the festival this year (as usual!) but Dumptruck and Nice Strong Arm are at the top of my list for personal reasons!

 

Chris O’Rourke and Rachael McNally from Sleepyhead

Chris:

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

We love playing Dromfest. Not only is the lineup filled with bands I know and love, but unlike some music festivals, you can actually catch all the sets without getting too frantic. The audience each time we’ve played has been very supportive and kind. The people who work at the venues are wonderful, too. And there’s great food and good cheer everywhere you go. Labor Day weekend in Catskill – what’s not to love?

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

This time I am most looking forward to seeing Hypnolovewheel. They formed in the same NYU dorm as Sleepyhead just a year or two before us, and we’ve been friends and fans since then. I love the post Hypnolovewheel bands just as much (The Special Pillow, Dew Claw, etc.), but it will be fun to see and hear those great Hypnolovewheel tunes! Dan Cuddy played bass in Sleepyhead for a few years after Mike left the band, too.

 

Rachael:

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest, and which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

I love playing Dromfest for many reasons. First, it’s like a family reunion! The musical community that began in NYC in the ’90s is revived each Labor Day weekend when we have the chance to play with favorite bands once again. Second, there are so many new bands to enjoy for the first time. And finally, it’s so important for everyone to see proof that it is possible to create something new with dreams and determination. While no one can replicate what Al and Sandy have created, everyone can be inspired to create community wherever they live and in whatever way they can – it’s important and it’s fun!

 

Chris Brokaw playing Friday night with Consonant, Saturday with the Martha’s Vineyard Ferries, Sunday afternoon with Beth Kaplan and Sunday night with Come.

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

1) I have a lot to do
2) psyched to see people and catch up
3) I’m finally going to go to that BBQ place

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

1) Via. Personal fave I thought I’d never see.
2) Nice Strong Arm. Excellent band I never thought I’d see again!
3) Dumptruck. Band I’m pretty sure I never saw.

 

Doug Gillard

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

I’m psyched to play Dromfest and fill (pollute?) the magical upstate NY with song. Lots of folks on the bill i’ve known or played with, so my band (w/Tom Beaujour and Ray Kubian) and I are looking forward to playing Saturday!

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

Barbara Manning. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her either solo or with SF Seals (Euclid Tavern daze!) so, it’s a treat to be able to see her set at Dromfest. Also looking forward to seeing Chris Brokaw behind the kit in Martha’s Vineyard Ferries.

 

Wussy

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

Lisa: We’re looking forward to it so much. It’s a festival I’ve followed for years from afar, and have never gotten to attend. So being able to play it is a huge thrill!

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

Chuck: We’re honored to play with a roster like this — so many great bands that we’ve loved for years!

Lisa: We’re excited about each and every one of these acts. But especially looking forward to seeing Come, Scrawl, Doug Gillard, and Antietam again!

 

ANTIETAM’s Tara L. Key

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

Having played Dromfest two of the last three years, I can tell you it’s like the best high school reunion you could imagine, but it has the feel of discovery and future as well. Many of us playing the event have put a few rings around the tree no doubt, but there is a vibrancy to the fellowship between the performers and between bands and fans that feels open-ended — that is, memory-stirring, yes, but without having a door-slamming effect of being solely nostalgic.

We have made new fans, but both previous times we played I have had the experience of people who heard us in the ‘90s and lost track of us be excited to hear us again. They become a different type of “new fan.”

These days it can be challenging to corral a pool of appreciative folks (age, change in audience lifestyles, difficulties of touring in today’s environment…etc) so Dromfest has developed into a magnet for a good vibe crowd ready and eager to listen. That’s absolute catnip to us!

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

This is almost impossible to answer (who am I NOT excited to see) but I will cite four in particular.

I am very excited to see Beth Kaplan (with Chris Brokaw and Franklin Bruno). I am so inspired by her decision not only to return to performing after last year at Dromfest but to hear she is writing again—- perfection! Never say never!

I am also excited to see Barbara Manning, as she has provided me with songs that stick like glue to my soul and remain on my internal playlist to this day.

Hypnolovewheel (RIP with much love Peter Walsh) — I never thought I would see this return and could not be more stoked.

Any day I get to see and hear Marcy and Sue from Scrawl is a very very good day. Their show two years ago lit me up like a roman candle. Electric and current (and I DO intend “current” both ways).

The fellowship of all the performers as we keep on keeping on (or return to what we love) is like a big hug. A reminder of the why’s of why we do what we do.

 

Nice Strong Arm (Jason)

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

Nice Strong Arm are excited to play at Dromfest 2026 with so many bands and friends that we haven’t done shows with in decades! Having attended last year, it was almost impossible for me to think of another situation where there were over 8 bands that I really wanted to see play on one day in one venue.

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

I think that we are really looking forward to playing with Scrawl again. We had done many gigs together back around 1988-91 and always had great shows with them. Also, playing on the same bill as Come will be excellent, we loved those guys in that band and all of other various groups that they were/ are in.

 

Barbara Manning

What are your thoughts on playing Dromfest?

I’m thrilled to be asked to play! The timing of the fest is difficult for me as a teacher in California, so I quit my job to be able to participate in Drom Fest 4! It will be worth it. My husband is coming with me, and I know we all will have 24 hour fun times.

 

Which Dromfest artist are you most looking forward to seeing this year, and why?

I’m most excited to see Scrawl! Why? You need to ask why?!