Tucked away in the woods adjacent to the Chippewa River is a music festival like no other: Eaux Claires. Co-curated by Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner of The National, Eaux Claires is the next music festival you should be checking out this summer.
I was lucky enough to get an interview with Michael Brown, the creative director for Eaux Claires. Previously the production designer for both Bon Iver and The National, Brown now has control over every visual aspect of the festival.
How do you go about selecting artists for Eaux Claires?
Other music festivals are dependent upon whether or not an artists is on tour, but Eaux Claires is unique, explained Brown, because it’s a purely curated festival. “It’s basically a collection of all my favorite bands,” continued Brown.
Are there any acts that you are particular excited for this year?
Brown revealed that he is looking forward to having Cornelius perform “Fantasma” at the festival this year. Noting that Cornelius doesn’t perform in the U.S. very often, Brown mused about how exciting it is to have him as part of the lineup.
Is there a vibe or theme for this year’s festival?
Community and togetherness is the big idea behind the culture and the experience of Eaux Claires, according to Brown. He assured me that every single aspect of the festival is equally as important to cultivating and maintaining this culture.
What sets Eaux Claires apart from other music festivals?
“This isn’t a traditional festival,” said Brown. He also explained that the aim of Eaux Claires is to eventually become a celebrated arts festival, involving every art form instead of exclusively music.
Two day enhanced passes for Eaux Claires are already sold out, so make sure to get your ticket before they’re gone! To buy tickets and find out more about Eaux Claires visit: http://eauxclaires.com/.