March 21, 2010
Big Ears Festival = Brasslandapalooza
This weekend, the Big Ears Festival will take place in Knoxville, TN. Now in its second year, Big Ears aims "to offer an exciting and dynamic platform of musical and artistic discovery by artists possessed of singular and unique visions that stand apart from the mainstream." Such a goal leads to "considerably dope" lineups (according to Stereogum) and, when you think of "dope," you inevitably think of Brassland. Accordingly, the lineup - which features, among others, Nico Muhly, Doveman, Clogs, The National, and our latest roster addition (to be revealed Thursday) - is Brassland-heavy.
Leading up to the festival, Pitchfork wrote a couple of news stories, from which we've condensed the pertinent information for your convenience below:
The National's Bryce Dessner curated some parts of the fest, which is spread out over at least eight Knoxville venues. Minimalist composer Terry Riley is this year's Big Ears artist in residence; several of his compositions will be performed.
Along with sets from Vampire Weekend, Joanna Newsom, the National, Dirty Projectors, St. Vincent, the xx, the Books, and more, this year's Big Ears Festival will host a special performance of the new Clogs album The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton in its entirety. In the only currently scheduled performance of the album with all of its guest vocalists, Clogs will be joined by Sufjan Stevens, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner of the National, and Shara Worden aka My Brightest Diamond.
Other new and noteworthy Big Ears events: electronic artist Tim Hecker will collaborate for the first time with composer Ben Frost, and chamber ensemble Bang on a Can All-Stars will perform pieces written for them by Dirty Projectors' Dave Longstreth and Thurston Moore, and play Brian Eno's classic ambient LP Music for Airports. Adrian Belew, William Basinski, Liturgy, and Abe Vigoda have all been added to the Big Ears lineup, too. Go to the fest's official site for more. The whole shindig goes down March 26-28 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Big Ears website mentioned above can be visited from this link. And that new member of the Brassland family? Be patient.
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