Trampled on Palomino: Band members' guide to Saturday's festival

So much for it being all twang music played by men with beards.

Actually, last year's inaugural Festival Palomino did break out of the mold cast by the event's host band Trampled by Turtles (most notably with soul man extraordinaire Charles Bradley). In its second year, though, the daylong music fest inside Canterbury Park boasts a lot more variety, from Dr. Dog's psychedelic soul-pop and Calexico's orchestral border sounds to Laura Marling's stark folk and Benjamin Booker's raw garage-rock.

Co-organized by First Avenue and Soundset fest promoter Rose Presents, Palomino was built around the growing popularity of Trampled by Turtles gigs in outdoor venues locally and nationally. Case in point: The band just sold out Red Rocks Amphitheater outside Denver for the second summer in a row three weekends ago.

As with last year's Palomino, Trampled's members sounded off and signed off on the lineup.

"Last year had sort of a family reunion aspect with a lot of acts we had played shows with over the prior year," said Trampled bassist Tim Saxhaug. "This year, it's more acts we'd like to play with and get to know."

Here's what the hosts had to say about all the other acts invited to the festival:

The Lowest Pair (1:30 p.m.): The half-Minnesotan, boy/girl bluegrass/folk duo has been earning a buzz in roots music circles with its Dave Simonett-produced recordings. Said TBT fiddler Ryan Young, "Honestly, they're one of my favorites. Just really good songs. We've played a lot of shows together, and I think it's only a matter of time before they're well-known."

Calexico (2:45): Nearly two decades in, the Arizona band continues to blend burning desert-rock with lush borderland sounds on its new "Edge of the Sun" album. Said Saxhaug, "We had a night off in L.A. when we were there to play 'Conan,' so we went to El Rey Theatre to see them, and it was a great night. They really have an amazing blend of musical styles." Laura Marling (3:35): One of England's most acclaimed singer/songwriters is touring with a band for the first time after going electric on "Short Movie," her fifth record. "To me, she fits in with that cool David Lynch vibe you hear in people like Low or Chris Isaak, sort of a dark but also beautiful sound," Saxhaug said.

Shakey Graves (4:25): Former Austin, Texas, street busker Alejandro Rose-Garcia plays an intimate brand of bluesy folk. He opened for TBT at Red Rocks and was part of an all-star bluegrass jam with them hosted by actor Ed Helms at Bonnaroo. Young said, "He played this version of 'Little Red Corvette' that blew everyone away. He has that kind of immediate charm, and writes catchy and smart songs, too."

Benjamin Booker (5:15): The New Orleans garage-rocker packed First Ave in March after landing "Violent Shiver" on 89.3 the Current. "He has a real raw, punky sound that to me sounds like he could be a kid from Duluth," Saxhaug said. A ringing endorsement.

Father John Misty (6:05): It will be Los Angeles' mystic song man Josh Tillman's third local gig since his surprisingly elegant and romantic second FJM album "I Love You, Honeybear" dropped in February. "We've seen him a lot at festivals, and I'm personally a big fan," said Young, who enjoys Tillman's often dubious stage banter. "We wouldn't want to put on a boring festival."

Dr. Dog (7:10): The Beatles- and soul-infused Philly rock sextet probably needs no introduction after its jubilant three-night local stand this past winter. Said Saxhaug, "We've never actually played with them, but we're really hoping to do something down the line. I've been listening to their new live album a lot ['Live at the Flamingo Hotel'], and it's just so fun. If they're even half as fun as that at Palomino, the crowd is in for a real treat."

Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658