The Alaska Folk Festival, a notable event in the state’s cultural calendar, celebrated its 50th anniversary this month in Juneau, attracting musicians and folk enthusiasts from across the state and beyond.
Pickers and folk fanatics packed Centennial Hall and various bars around the Capital City, soaking in the rich tapestry of music that defines this annual gathering.
Andrew Heist, president of the festival’s board of directors, noted during the closing night festivities that merchandise sales hit an all-time high, showcasing the event’s popularity.
Ketchikan’s own Dude Mtn, a psychedelic rock trio, headlined performances at the Crystal Saloon and The Alaskan bar, breaking previous alcohol sales records at both venues.
The band, composed of frontman Cullen McCormick, bassist Chazz Gist, and drummer Kalijah LeCornu, has had an exciting year thus far.
Aside from their record-breaking performances at Folk Fest, they are in the midst of recording a live album from a show at the Mean Queen pub in Sitka and preparing for a headlining gig at the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines this summer.
KRBD’s Jack Darrell sat down with the members of Dude Mtn to discuss their recent experiences at Folk Fest, the evolution of the Alaska music scene, and the challenges of touring in Southeast Alaska.
Reflecting on the festival, Cullen McCormick expressed how legendary the 50th edition of Folk Fest was, emphasizing the sense of community it fosters among musicians.
“We got to hang out with all of our music homies from around Southeast Alaska and the Interior—everyone converging in one city,” he said.
As the conversation turned to their record-breaking beer sales at the shows, McCormick noted that it wasn’t just about high sales but more about the vibe the band creates during performances.
“One would think it’s maybe ‘tearing down the house,’ but I think a lot of it has to do with just the vibe that’s going on in the room,” he remarked.
Kalijah LeCornu chimed in, noting that the atmosphere encourages attendees to enjoy drinks while maintaining a comfortable environment for everyone.
With several performances under their belt at the annual Folk Fest, the trio discussed how they have observed changes in the festival and music scene over the years.
Chazz Gist highlighted the diversity of sounds emerging in Juneau, mentioning how their unique rock sound contrasts with the prevalent folk music.
“Us coming up there and having just a vastly different kind of sound has always been part of the draw,” he stated.
This year, Dude Mtn achieved not only their own sales records at The Alaskan but also set new records at the Crystal Saloon—traditionally held by another band during Folk Fest.
Their rising popularity is indicative of a larger trend they’ve witnessed in Southeast Alaska’s music scene, with more artists gaining recognition.
LeCornu noted, “People are paying more attention to it now… it’s been such a rich environment for people to create.”
The pandemic, according to McCormick, played a crucial role in the current surge of artists.
“Everybody was like, ‘As soon as this is over, we’re gonna get out and do this,’” he explained.
“There’s been this bloom of artists who have just been waiting,” he added, highlighting how many musicians are now stepping into the spotlight after having honed their craft during the lockdown.
The band’s origin story is also notable, as they initially performed under the name Dude Mountain Boys, a title they felt didn’t fully represent their seriousness as musicians.
“We dropped the ‘boys’ because we wanted to take ourselves more seriously,” McCormick reflected.
They ultimately made this choice to rebrand themselves and differentiate from a more traditional folk sound, even as they participated in the Folk Festival.
LeCornu recalled how they found themselves performing at the festival by chance, mainly due to a volcanic eruption that affected other bands’ travel.
The conversation also touched on their partnership with Denali Brewing, which led to the creation of the “Dude Mountain Hazy IPA.”
McCormick shared that the inspiration came from a playful tweet directed at Alaskan Brewing, suggesting it would be cool for a band to have its own beer.
After some engaging interactions, Denali Brewing reached out to the band to create the beer, leading to a fun collaboration.
Touring in Southeast Alaska presents unique challenges, especially concerning logistics and equipment transport.
McCormick emphasized the difficulties of coordinating flights, as well as the challenges of bringing their own gear, which can lead to extra fees with airlines.
“It can be a pain because a lot of it is overweight… So that can be a hard part, especially for other bands who are just starting out,” he explained.
Despite these hurdles, Gist noted that Southeast Alaska is the only home he has known, offering a sense of familiarity even with the challenges of travel.
“If you’re on the road system, it’s just nothing to pack up your gear in the van,” he stated, highlighting the need to factor travel costs into their pricing.
The band members shared advice for aspiring young bands, emphasizing the importance of hard work, camaraderie, and building connections within the music community.
“Practice hard. Love your homies,” McCormick advised.
LeCornu humorously added, “Kiss your homies. They need it.”
Gist encouraged bands to seize opportunities to meet others in the industry, noting that connecting with fellow musicians can lead to valuable collaborations and friendships.
“Whenever bands are coming through, try and hang out a little bit,” he suggested.
Looking ahead, the future seems bright for Dude Mtn.
While McCormick hopes the band will continue to grow and play music together, he also dreams of expanding their reach beyond Alaska.
“If I can make music with my friends and make some money while doing it, that is a dream I could have never imagined,” he stated, reiterating their shared passion for music.
As they move forward, the support of Southeast Alaska’s vibrant music scene and their ever-growing fan base will surely play a crucial role in their journey ahead.
image source from：https://www.krbd.org/2025/04/25/ketchikan-band-dude-mtn-on-alaska-folk-festival-and-the-sound-of-southeast-alaska/
