Orcas Island boasts many things: a beautiful ferry ride, Native American History, gigantic purple and orange starfish, occasional whale spotting and now, an upstart music festival.

The second annual Doe Bay Music Festival is scheduled for August 14th and 15th 2009 at Doe Bay on Orcas Island, and although it might seem to aspire to the ranks of a Capitol Hill Block Party or a Bumbershoot, the little festival that could also prides itself on being different.

“This is a family owned and operated event,” says Kevin Sur, whose company Artist Home Booking is organizing the event, “We're taking a very grassroots approach to everything, from the promotion to the catering.”

Whereas most Summer Festivals in the Northwest boast attendance upwards of 150,000, Kevin is actually excited that Doe Bay won’t be nearly that large. A musician himself (who formerly toured with Luckie Strike and currently fronts Indian Valley Line), he laments the “overcrowding” that can sometimes get in the way of enjoying a favorite band at a festival. Doe Bay will be capping attendance this year at 750.

The 2009 lineup is heavy on the alt country and indie rock, currently boasting The Long Winters, David Bazan, The Maldives, Hey Marseilles, The Lonely Forest, Friday Mile and The Moondoggies — and don’t expect completely traditional performances, either.

“People who come shouldn't be surprised to find that they'll be able to catch the different artists performing impromptu sets aside from their scheduled times in random tucked away places around the retreat,” says Kevin. Last year, for example, the Maldives performed an unscheduled morning set on the beach that many attendees trickled out of their tents and cabins to catch.

I asked Kevin what in particular he was looking forward to this year. “I'm especially excited to see The Long Winters, as well as David Bazan, who used to front Pedro the Lion. I've seen them both, but there is just something about seeing all these amazing bands in this beautiful, pristine setting that will make it unlike any time I have seen them before.”

Doe Bay Music Festival tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets and accommodation information is available via Doe Bay (360) 376-2291 or www.doebay.com