Lucky #7 for Souncheck Fest

(this piece was published by Planet JH Weekly)What has developed into one of the more diverse, low-key, free music fests in the area, the Soundcheck Music Fest in Pinedale is spearheaded by Tim Ruland and the Pinedale Fine Arts Council. The willingness to bring under-the-radar indie acts with cult followings to a one-off show in Pinedale is not an easy task, but with this being the seventh annual, persistence is the steady hand.“Soundcheck's unique in that we don't really adhere to any specific genres,” Ruland said, “so it's really fun to book a garage rock band or an indie rock band and watch them get a great reception in a rural mountain town.”Desolately beautiful songs via Portland, Oregon’s Laura Gibson will headline the day. She recently toured the area as vocalist for the Portland Cello Project. Gibson’s hushed, vintage voice is often dispensed with a simplistic music palette, textured only in support of her breezy songs. Perhaps think of it as melancholy, literary Portland folk, bringing to mind fellow Portlandia bands Horse Feathers, Fleet Foxes and M. Ward. NPR called her 2009 release, Beasts of the Season, “nothing short of a masterpiece.”The middle slot will be occupied by The Lowest Pair—the duo of banjo pickin’ songsters Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee of Olympia, WA and Minneapolis, respectively. Nestling somewhere in between their own compositions and a traditional, back porch vibe, it’s rare when two banjos are allowed on stage.Opening the early evening show is Austin duo Brennan Leigh and Noel McKay. Mashing country duets a la George Jones and Melba Montgomery with sophisticated songwriting, this female/male combo brings heart and humor.An after-party at Rock Rabbit with another Austin duo, Loves It!, will complete the ongoing Austin-Pinedale connection in fine form. Soundcheck VII featuring Laura Gibson, The Lowest Pair, and Brennan Leigh and Noel McKay, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Park in Pinedale. Free, all-ages. Pinedalefinearts.com, 307-367-7322.