Saxsquatch, the alter ego of Dean Mitchell, a musician and producer from North Carolina, is a saxophonist playing Bigfoot who has gained millions of online followers. He collaborates with John Oates on an electronic-reggae re-interpretation of Hall & Oates' Maneater and will perform at BottleRock Napa Valley.
Saxsquatch , a saxophone-playing Bigfoot , has millions of online followers and has collaborated with John Oates on an electronic-reggae reinterpretation of Hall & Oates’ “Maneater. ” This weekend, Saxsquatch will take the stage at BottleRock Napa Valley.
drawn to his smooth saxophone riffs, electronic dance beats, Pit Viper sunglasses and tongue-in-cheek mystique. Part performance artist, part jam-band oddity, Saxsquatch has become a social-media-era folk hero. This weekend marks his first appearance in the North Bay. He is scheduled to perform Saturday at 2:45 p.m. onFor Saxsquatch, the trip represents the fulfillment of a longtime ambition.
“One of my favorite things about this part of California is that you all have really great forests,” he said. “I hear the music fans are pretty good, too. ” Saxsquatch, a saxophone-playing Bigfoot, has millions of online followers and has collaborated with John Oates on an electronic-reggae reinterpretation of Hall & Oates’ "Maneater.
" This weekend, Saxsquatch will take the stage at BottleRock Napa Valley. Ordinarily, this might be the point in the story where the man behind the costume steps forward and explains how a novelty act became a career. Online biographies identify him as the alter ego of Dean Mitchell, a North Carolina musician and producer. Saxsquatch rejects the connection outright.
As far as he is concerned, he is simply Saxsquatch — a woodland creature with a tenor saxophone and a surprisingly detailed origin story. According to that mythology, the story began roughly a decade ago in the woods outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when Saxsquatch heard Foreigner’s “Urgent” on a transistor radio and became entranced by its saxophone solo. Soon afterward, he wandered into a pawn shop and discovered a 1922 C.G. Conn New Wonder tenor saxophone.
Over time, Saxsquatch taught himself to play by listening to musicians including John Coltrane, Clarence Clemons and Kenny G. Eventually, he incorporated electronic music into his performances, complete with synchronized lights and lasers. The mythology extends to his family. He speaks fondly of relatives with names like Gigfoot and Bigflute, describing them as a kind of cryptid folk ensemble.
Like many musicians, Saxsquatch began with small audiences. Early performances in the woods attracted mostly animals, he said, before he started busking on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and building a human fan base.
, where his combination of deadpan humor and earnest musicianship found a wide audience. One breakthrough video featured a collaboration with John Oates on an electronic-reggae reinterpretation of Hall & Oates’ “ The video, which shows the pair dancing and performing in the woods, has drawn more than 10 million views online.
“That is one of my all-time favorite saxophone songs,” Saxsquatch said. “To have the chance to remake it, play it with and create a video that so many people seem to love — it was all pretty squatchy. ”” with Jimmy Fallon and on “Tosh.0. ” Later this month, he is scheduled to perform at a Kansas City Royals-New York Yankees game in Missouri.
Still, Saxsquatch said he is especially excited about BottleRock, which he described as an “iconic” festival. He declined to reveal many details about the performance but hinted at an elaborate production, possible renditions of his rock-influenced single “Get Saxy” and audience-participation moments involving Bigfoot howls. He also suggested that his fiancée, Thiccfoot, or even Oates himself might make an appearance.
When he is not performing, Saxsquatch said he hopes to explore the festival grounds and sample some of the food offerings, though he acknowledged his tastes remain shaped by years in the forest. After the weekend, Saxsquatch and Thiccfoot plan to head north toward the redwood forests of Humboldt County before resuming touring later this year.
“Even if you don’t believe in me, I believe in you,” Saxsquatch said. “Sometimes you have to believe in yourself, even when nobody else does. ”
Saxsquatch Musician Producer Bigfoot Tenor Saxophone Electronic Music Forest Capilooln Hill Funny Amused Performances Audience October Bottlerock Napa Valley
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sold-out BottleRock to bring 120,000 to Napa for weekend of food, pop icons, local DJsFrom Friday to Sunday, 120,000-plus music lovers and partiers are expected to turn up at BottleRock Napa Valley festival and afterparties around Napa.
Read more »
BottleRock, Carnaval: Bay Area events on Memorial Day weekendThe Bay Area is shaping up to be warm and sunny this Memorial Day weekend, offering residents and visitors plenty of outdoor options stretching from San Francisco to the North Bay.
Read more »
Rebecca Lovell Performances at BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival After DarkRebecca Lovell performed at the Uptown Theatre in Napa as part of the BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival After Dark show. She played guitar with Larkin Poe and received positive feedback for her music.
Read more »
BottleRock Napa Valley: The Ultimate Hourly Guide to the big festivalLorde, Backstreet Boys, Foo Fighters, Kool & The Gang, Chaka Khan and Sombr are among the top attractions
Read more »