The wooden boat located in Petersburg that has become a fixture of the local, tight-knit music scene. The town’s musicians can find a variety of venues to pick from, most are in bar. But the crew from the Roedda bring a different alternative whenever they arrive in town, transforming the fish tank of the boat into a sound stage that can be improvised.
It was a hot evening on a Thursday in the month of September at the city of Petersburg’s South Harbor. The chill was already beginning to creep in and people were beginning to move out from the town. Alex Deacon is the captain of the Roedda. However, tonight she’s the host to host an open mic aboard which is the last event of the season.
“We had all sorts of accommodations, a lot of fun — but we’re good heathens, and that’s what we can be!” Deacon called out to the crowd around the decks on the Roedda. “We don’t have amplifiers but we do have music and folks who want to play, so be comfortable. And there are instruments to be found down there. There is no way to be perfect. I’d love to help anyone who is brave enough to offer their services. Anybody…?”
At Deacon’s suggestion at Deacon’s invitation, a few people began tuning their banjos, guitars and mandolins. The Roedda is a wooden tender boat that measures 80 feet with a black and white paint job. It’s used for transporting seafood as well as ice between fishing locations and local processors, OBI Seafoods. Fish is stored in huge holds beneath the deck. However, this evening the space is primarily used to be used for sound production.
The husband and couple Robyn along with Daniel Cardenas were the first to descend into the hold by using the narrow ladder made of steel. On deck, spectators could look up at what was on top of their heads. It bounced around the walls of steel with a reverberation that echoed up toward the spectators.
Its rest is full of plenty of personality too. Roedda crew Aaron Gore-Rife, a member of the crew whom is Deacon’s spouse and a member of the crew is convinced that the many creaks and pops the old vessel creates, it’s just the result of her “putting the two-cents” into the discussion.
“Sometimes you’ll make an argument and she’ll take off,” said Gore-Rife. “And according to me the boat will agree to me!”
“She purrs!” said Deacon.
The Roedda was constructed in 1931. Apart from fish, she also carried mail and freight throughout her entire existence. According to Deacon the report, she also started a fire in a home in Sitka at some point in the late 30s using an hose from her deck.
Deacon stated that being part of this tradition is important for her.
“You’re speaking about the 96-year history worth of people who have maintained this piece of machine,” said Deacon. “We are determined to make our company as well as the tradition of the vessel proud by continuing the same practices.”
The Roeddda of the present is modernizing the past in certain ways. Deacon is happy to be among only a handful of female captains of our local fleet of fishermen. The crew is establishing new traditions, such as the fish holding open mic. And they’re not just hosting the music, they’re creating it as well.
“There’s an amalgamation of country music, of jazz and of ragtime,” …” stated Deacon. “The enjoyable part is being a part of a band can transform into something new.”
Gore-Rife has said that the group is very resourcefulThey like to make use of the resources they have available.
“What we love to do is to create a variety of discarded instruments,” said Gore-Rife. “Just instruments, which can be just random items that you could put in the hands of someone else, and then anyone could take it home similar to. It’s like that gut bucket!”
As per its name the gut bucket is can be used to store actual fish’s intestines.
“Yeah it was an occupation,” said Deacon. “Now it’s on a different job.”
It’s now an instrument that is played by a lot of people who are interested in joining.
“I’m certain that it’s originated from the washtub guitar,” said Gore-Rife. “It’s an instrument to put music into the hands of others and it’s not a fancy instrument.”
“It’s extremely easy to build,” Deacon added.
“All you require is a bucket that holds five gallons and a washer, as well as any string that has some stretch and a stickall you need is that,” said Gore-Rife. “And you just pick the spot where you are at ease pulling it, and then tweaking it, and you’ll get this wonderful… THOOM.”
In keeping with Roeddda’s DIY concept, the Gore-Rife makes use of an old lighter from a cigarette to pull the string.
Deacon stated that the gut bucket is one example of the crew’s imagination inspired by their time at sea. They’re all practicing on wheel watch. This is the period of time during which they’re bringing their product through town, which normally lasts between 12 and 24 hours.
“Alaska provides a lot of inspiration from the landscape and therefore it is a great place to assist in creating art,” said Deacon. “I believe that my greatest music comes from being in a boat over a long time.”
The space of creativity Deacon and her group have created is an interim one. The group is hanging their guitars as well as their buckets to mark the start of the season. They’re also told by guests that they’ll miss the squawky community that surrounds the Roedda’s fishing pond.
“Well singing in a fishing hold for an open mic evening is pretty special,” said visiting musician Tonia Whitethorn who is also the singer for the local band Rockfish. “[Itisn’t something that it’s happening in many places, doesn’t it? You’re welcome here to Alaska.”
Bubba Schill is a regular at the Roedda.
“I would like to let you know how grateful I am to perform music with the people who are on this vessel,” said Schill. “[I visit] here every time they have opening mics! The music is at. I am awestruck by the idea it’s… you don’t always just and be in an artistic, musical and creative space. Here, you have the chance to. So, accolades.”
Deacon stated that there’s no room for the practical. They and Aaron will be spending the season in Washington state, retrofitting a small bus to be a homecoming vehicle. The Roedda will lie on the docks, untuned, until the summer comes back.
