KBCZ Music Festival Rocks Boulder Creek
By Julie Horner
The KBCZ Music Festival celebrates its 8th anniversary Saturday, August 9 from 1 to 7pm in Boulder Creek! An idea sparked by KBCZ alum Matt Buchanan (DJ Matt Slayershoes, now of Balefire Brewing fame), this year the event moves from Junction Park downtown to the larger Garrahan Park, on Highway 9 two miles north of town. There will be ample parking in the lot next to The Sawmill Restaurant & Ale House. The Sawmill is also providing some of the tasty food available for purchase during the festival. Expect plenty of room to twirl to great music and sample local eats and drink. Enjoy the lively merchant market and you can even have your voice professionally recorded at the festival for airplay on KBCZ 89.3 FM locally, streaming globally at kbcz.org.
This is a major fundraiser for the community radio station operated by the Boulder Creek Parks and Recreation District. Station manager Tina Davey said, “The station is powered by all of our own DJs and volunteers. The funds collected from this event help our station grow and help pay for all of our equipment and things that seem to always be in need of repair, from mixing boards and microphones to replacing doors and windows.” The station also just opened a second broadcast space for the public to use for podcasting or live acoustic sessions.
The KBCZ Music Fest lineup has the San Lorenzo Valley buzzing: The Swag Tones, Billy Reese and The Rig, Ripattit Rose Band, and Ancestree.
The Swag Tones
“We wanted the Swag Tones because they are a very fun dance band and they will be opening up the festival,” Tina said. The Swag Tones originated in Boulder Creek six years ago with founding member Jeff Brough, owner of the downtown shop Swag, the Eclectic Collective. Jeff said, “After much growing, shuffling (and kerfluffling!), this current version of The Swag Tones has really solidified and has been gigging (and giggling) more regularly since early 2024.” Delivering genre-fluid funky and fun takes on familiar rockin’ covers, Jeff (vocals, percussion) is joined by Diana Crawford (vocals), Alex Bahler (guitar), Franco Tandoi (drums), Sue Marvin/Kurt Eberhardt (keys), James Fredrickson (bass), and Bob Turner (sax). Jeff said, “I absolutely love KBCZ and support them in any way I can. It is one of the many gems to be found here in the treasure trove that is the SLV community — that I’ve been a part of since the mid-1970s. I’m also super pleased to be on the same bill as all the other pro bands that will grace the stage and send good vibes into our Boulder Creek multiverse. The lineup speaks for itself! The people have spoken! Best station, best festival! What more could you want?
Billy Reese
Long-time Santa Cruz local, Billy Reese is a multi-instrumentalist who plays an eclectic mix of rock, folk, Americana, country, and blues. “I was very excited when offered the opportunity to play at the KBCZ music fest,” Billy said. “I love playing up in Boulder Creek and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The people are so receptive and supportive of music, and it’s been a pleasure sharing my solo act with them over the years. I was lucky enough to be part of the Redwood Mountain Faire in 2024 as a solo act, so I couldn’t be more excited to debut my new full band, Billy Reese and The Rig, at the KBCZ Music Fest this year.” Joined by Scotty Wilson (drums), Matty Wilson (guitar), and Mitch Crews (bass), Billy said, “We are stoked to share the stage with some other amazing musicians and to do our part in supporting such an awesome and welcoming community! Can’t wait to rock for y’all soon!”
Ripatti Rose Band
Next up at the KBCZ Music Fest is the Ripattit Rose Band, five talented local musicians with a dynamic front-man/front-woman presence and powerhouse harmonies. Formed in 2020 yearning to fill the artistic void of the pandemic era, the members exalt timeless rock n’ roll songwriting. Covering a broad spectrum of classic sing- and rock-along hits from Fleetwood Mac to Heart to Led Zeppelin, Ripattit Rose Band is in high demand on stages throughout Santa Cruz County. Founding members Alisha Ripatti (vocals, guitar) and Dylan Rose (guitar, vocals) are joined by David DeSilva (bass), Jocelyn Olson (vocals, keys, percussion), and Keith Wieland (drums). Dylan said, “The RRB is so excited to rock this awesome festival event! Big love to KBCZ for inviting us to perform alongside some great acts. We can’t wait to see everyone come together for a righteous cause through the shared joy of music. See ya’ soon Boulder Creek!”
Ancestree headlines at the KBCZ Music Fest
Headliners Ancestree deliver the sun-drenched reggae groove. “They just brought such a great vibe last time they played on our stage,” Tina said, “so we are super excited.” Celebrating 15 years creating original music together and their 9th studio album with more on the way, bassist Christopher Carr (KBCZ DJ Smiley Green) said, “We’ve grown up together as a family of players.” The band includes Tomás Gomez (vocals, guitar), Eiji Nakagawa (drums), Richard Kassab (trumpet, keys), and Andreas Correal (trombone). “Now we have a new generation of children sharing the stage with us at times and bringing new life and inspiration to the sound behind our band.” Becoming a father, he said, has reinvigorated his passion for performing and doing his best work in the community, helping the band find its way to speak truth to power through the music. “We are honored to headline and will bring the medicine and message of love & unity to the community on the green. In many ways, this represents a significant step forward for both the band and the music festival. Ancestree will continue to serve the community first and appreciates the continued support. Every smile, every dancing body, and every opportunity to share our music and make magic together keeps our fires burning bright, shedding light and love in these challenging times. Give thanks, KBCZ, and give thanks to all those branches of the tree in our community. We love you!”
8th Annual KBCZ Music Festival
Saturday, August 9 | 1:00 – 7:00 pm
Garrahan Park, 15520 Highway 9, Boulder Creek
$10 at the door, $5 kids.
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