In the era of mega music fests, Hipnic keeps it intimate – and thoroughly rocking.

A couple of years back Hipnic organizer Britt Govea of (((folkYEAH!))) Presents described the three-day boutique music festival as “good times with close friends with unbeatable camping in a truly family-friendly place.” To the uninitiated that can sound falsely humble or like promoter’s spin primed for an era in which every hipster wants a unique and personal experience. 
But in its seventh iteration, Hipnic rolls out as an antithesis to gargantuan endurance tests like Coachella and Bonnaroo.

But it still goes deep. Hipnic VII boasts Flamin’ Groovies, Elvis Perkins, Sensations, The Brothers Comatose,Marc & The Casuals andLight Fantastic along with Hipnic veterans, from Jonathan Wilson and Little Wings to Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers and – true to form – a whole lot of The Mother Hips, who co-founded and continue to curate the festival. (Beach Boy Al Jardine will also be on hand.)

Beyond the advertised lineup, anything can happen. Midnight North, who’ll make their second Hipnic appearance, apply that same approach to Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, home of their weekly residency. Guitarist Grahame Lesh says it’s been like that ever since his father, Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, opened the bar/music club a few years ago. Ordinary jam sessions turn into viral spectacles regularly. Recently Grahame found himself on stage with his father and Phish frontman Trey Anastasio jamming on Dead mainstays “Bertha” and “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad.” In a week, the circulated footage hit over 60,000 views on YouTube. Grahame may have been born into a Deadhead’s fantasy, but he never takes it for granted.

“[Opportunities] to jam with people like Trey are always special,” Lesh says. “It’s amazing playing with the bassist of the Grateful Dead, but it’s even more special because he’s my dad. I’m also honored that greats like Jackie Greene, the Bluhms and Chris Robinson Brotherhood want to play at the bar where we hang out.”

Lesh’s musical chops, along with those of Elliott Peck (guitar, keys, vocals), Alex Jordan (guitar, organ, vocals), Connor Jon O’Sullivan (bass) and Eric Saar (drums), have helped Midnight North grow their fanbase and book more festival gigs. They followed up their 2013 California country rock debut End of the Night with the stellar 2015 EP Stayin’ Single Drinkin’ Doubles EP, which includes three songs previously only heard at shows. “Find A Way,” penned by Lesh, is highlighted by fertile three-part harmonies, fiddle and pedal steel, which becomes like a fourth voice.

The band plans to release its follow-up Scarlet Skies sometime in June. Lesh describes it as “a side journey of psych-country that we’ve always wanted to take.” They also scored Betty Cantor-Jackson, a recording and engineering pioneer known for her brilliant navigation of the Dead’s storied soundboards.

Midnight North will continue to play every Sunday at Terrapin – if they’re not on the road. This summer, they’ll be on the road a lot. On June 28, they play the Monterey BaconFest 2015 (formerly Monterey Bay Americana Festival) at the Fairgrounds. The band is planning to hightail it to Chicago after their High Sierra Festival performance, so they can catch the final two nights of the Dead’s Fare Thee Well shows at Soldier Field.

The Easy Leaves, meanwhile, drop American roots music that inspires foot-stomping, whisky-drinking, laughing, crying and moneymaker-shaking. About seven years ago, Kevin Carducci (upright bass and vocals) and Sage Fifield (guitar and vocals) were brought together by a mutual admiration for everything American roots – folk, country, blues and old school R&B, and song themes like heartache, gasoline and solitude.

“I’ve been writing [songs] since I was young and it’s become an addiction,” Fifield says. “I give up other things because of it, but I do it because it’s satisfying in a way that other things aren’t.”

Carducci adds, “One of us will bring a song to the table and we’ll play it together in a relaxed atmosphere where we’re just jamming. If it develops and goes somewhere, then great. Sometimes we’ll play it once and forget about it.”

Multi-instrumental pedal steel whiz Farmer Dave Scher and his All Star Jams in the Tavern have become a late-night Hipnic tradition. Known for his work with Beachwood Sparks and All Night Radio, the L.A.-based talent is the go-to musician of the hipster music scene: Scher’s performed with everyone from Jenny Lewis to Interpol. He recently collaborated with jazz duo Mattson 2 on their album and is working with Kurt Vile on his forthcoming record.

“It’s a constant struggle to try and do justice to all these projects and have a focus and a proper dedication,” he admits. “Surfing and coffee keeps me focused. There’s something nice about living, struggling and figuring out what you do.”

Scher’s always willing to take a leap and let his talents ride the waves. The Hipnic is a good match. “I think there’s a lot of good vibes surrounding [the Hipnic] and that’s why I’m going back,” he says.

A portion of ticket sales go to the volunteer Big Sur Fire Brigade.

HIPNIC VIIsets start 3pm Friday; 11am Saturday; noon Sunday (May 15-17), at Fernwood Tavern and Campgrounds, 47200 Highway 1, Big Sur. $310/three-day camping pass. Tickets available at 667-2422 or www.folkyeah.com