The Ladies of 10k

With around 100 artists playing this years 10,000 Lakes Festival, the first thing you may notice — well, if you’re like me and read way more into things than needed — is the minimal amount of female artists performing.

It’s really not that surprising that there’s a tilt in the line-up, as male artists in popular music have always been more abundant, but compared to other festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella it’s even more obvious. Why there are so few in the jam scene is hard to say, luckily the three main female artists at this year’s festival are quite good.

At first it seems unfortunate that all three artists are playing Saturday, but they’re scattered throughout the day, so you can catch all three and still have time to scamper over and catch DMB — if that’s your thing.

Kathleen Edwards

Singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards will be the first to perform on Saturday. One of the more undervalued female songwriters working today, Kathleen has gone mostly unnoticed in the States, but is very well established in Canada and has received numerous Juno nominations.

Kathleen’s debut, “Failer,” was released in 2003 and is one of the most confident debuts in recent memory. Vocally, she’s a dead-ringer for Lucinda Williams and lyrically similar to Neko Case, although on songs like “Westby,” she gives Liz Phair a run for her money on blush factor: “You begged me to stay and sing you a song / I dance dirty for you cause it turns you on / and I’m a little bleeder with white pants on.”

Her most recent release, “Asking for the Flowers,” was released in 2008 and is maybe her finest to date. After recording her previous two discs with her touring band, Kathleen employed respected session musicians like Benmont Tench and Greg Leisz.

http://www.kathleenedwards.com

7/25 Barn Stage 4 p.m.

Paper Bird

The second act, and the one you’re most likely do develop a crush on, is one of Denver’s hottest acts, Paper Bird. Not to be confused with the Paper Bird from Austria, this sextet is comprised of Sarah Anderson, vocals/trumpet; sisters Esme and Genny Patterson, vocals, Paul DeHaven, guitar; Caleb Summeril, banjo; Tyler Archuletta, trombone; and Macon Terry, upright bass.

Paper Bird’s fine debut, “Anything Nameless and Joymaking,” was released in 2007. Blending old-time bluegrass and folk with female harmonies, the album is full of songs that would fit well on either the soundtracks of “Weeds” or “O Brother, Where Art Thou.”

And not only do they look like wild hippies, they also practice what they preach as one of the more eco-friendly bands out there: They’ll be making their way across the US in their veggie-fueled bus Schoolie and making pit stops at restaurants to refuel.

http://www.paperbirdband.com

7/25 Saloon Stage 7:30pm

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Last is Brooklyn-based soul singer Sharon Jones and her band the Dap-Kings. With the re-emergence of soul, or at least wanna-be soul, Sharon seems to be the most authentic. Not to take anything away from Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Joss Stone and the rest of that lot, but they’re mostly just competent singers that are heavily helped by professional songwriters, musicians and producers.

Starting as a session singer in the 70s, she also worked as a corrections officer at a prison as well as an armored car guard before getting her big break in the mid-90s. In 2002 she released her first disc, “Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings” and followed it up with 2005’s wonderful “Naturally.” Their most recent release, “100 Days, 100 Nights,” is another solid release and received tons of critical acclaim in 2007.

While Sharon’s names run first, the Dap-Kings are not to be taken lightly. Among the best musicians in the game, the Dap-Kings and have worked with producer Mark Ronson on various projects, most famously as Amy Winehouse’s band on her album “Back to Black,” including her hit single “Rehab.”

http://www.daptonerecords.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings.html

7/25 Field Stage 11:30pm