Q&A with DEDE FLEMMING – Founder of LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE and THE DO LaB

All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa got to catch up with Dede Flemming, one of the 3 Flemming brothers that founded The Do Lab and created the one-of-a-kind festival experience that has come to be known as Lightning in a Bottle.

Lightning in a Bottle is an transformational festival that offers an eclectic mix of music, art, and culture. In addition to music performances, the event also features guest speakers, visual and interactive art installations, yoga classes, group meditation, and other attractions.

Lightning In A Bottle happens every May at the San Antonio Recreation Area in Bradley, the Central Coast region of California and is presented by The Do Lab. The Do LaB seeks to promote sustainability, social cohesion, personal health, and creative expression. They have also contributed art installations to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival as well as Burning Man. You can see more fantastical pictures from Nicole’s write up from The Do LaB at Coachella HERE

Nicole had the pleasure of catching up with Dede Flemming just after her first LiB and was able to gain a deeper understanding into the philosophy and direction of LiB and where things are heading for the future of LiB. Enjoy the interview below and we hope to see you at the next LiB!

The Lost Tea Party (as seen here at LiB) is the vision of artist Alex ‘Wreckage’ Wright & hard graft of the Camel Tow Battalion. Photo by: Andre Schnyder

Hi Dede! How are you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?

Back in the office wrapping up the final details of LIB and working with the team on Woogie Weekend. Usually we get a little break after LIB but we’re diving right back in… 🙂

For those that live under a rock, how did the fantastical festival Lightning In A Bottle come about? Who or what was the catalyst to making this wonderful world come alive?

LIB was started way back in 2000 as a birthday party for my brothers Jesse and Josh. It was a renegade mountain party in the Los Padres Forrest and was just meant for like minded people and friends to come together and dance and hang out. It obviously has evolved quite a bit. In 2006 we turned it into the art and music festival that you see today. The idea was to just bring people together to share their art, music and creativity and see what came out of it. That’s still the approach we take today.

What have you learned with each Lightning In A Bottle?

I learned that people are awesome and will always step up and be leaders and ambassadors when they have a lifestyle, a mission or a goal they believe in. Watching the event grow over the years has been interesting and exciting because no matter how big LIB gets it still doesn’t lose the vibe that makes it special and that’s because of the people that come.

What were the newest additions this year at LiB?

BRIDGES! They seem to have been a hit.

So many people feel transformed after Lightning In A Bottle. It’s not just music, its art, yoga, workshops, hugs and community and bringing people together. How do you think Lightning In A Bottle has changed people lives?

It’s hard to say how LIB has changed peoples lives because thats a very personal thing. That said I do observe people and how they interact with each other at LIB verses how they may interact with people outside of LIB. People feel safe and protected and free of judgement at LIB and that enables them to interact with people differently and in a more open and unguarded way. The result of that is inspiring.

If you were there this year and you walked across any of the bridges you, more then likely, dished out and received many hi fives. I’ve been on many escalators and foot bridges in my life and can’t recall any of those instances where people hi fived each other in passing. LIB brings that out in people and they feel as if they’re one and that they’re on the same journey and brings them closer together. This is a little thing but I think it’s all part of that transformation process.

How has Lightning In A Bottle changed your life?

The list is too long to write but the best thing it has done is introduce me to countless new friends and people that are so dear to me.

Lightning In A Bottle is a trailblazer and a leader in the transformational festival culture. How do you see LiB expanding over the next couple of years? Are their any plans to take LiB abroad and to other countries?

We’re not sure how LIB will expand in the future or if we’ll try and take it on the road. We’re just having fun trying to make it the best that it can be by constantly observing and listening to people to see how we can make it better. There’s never been a set plan as things are always changing.

Who is in your current playlist? What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?

I’m a Pandora guy and let the stations do the work for me. Right now I have Chet Faker, Flume and Stromae in heavy rotation.

What’s on tap next for you? What are you most excited about for this year?

Woogie Weekend which is July 17-19th in Silverado, CA! For tickets and more info about Woogie Weekend visit us here !

To learn more about Lightning In A Bottle , visit the festival website HERE .

To learn more about The Do LaB , visit them HERE .