The Books Return March 11, 2009

The Books (appeared in 2006) will return on March 11th to share material from a soon to be released album. The duo, Paul de Jong and Nick Zammuto have recorded a number of records that feature their unique combination of found sounds and live performance. CMJ describes the Books:  ”sensitive folkies with machine hearts … that make inscrutable music for scrutable people.”

MusicNOW 2009 March 11th & 12th

 MusicNOW 2009 features a two evening residency with the Kronos Quartet and the return of the Karl Jensen installation from 2008.  The first evening will open with a set from the festival alums The Books.  Kronos Quartet will present an evening of music that includes  a new work written for the festival by Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre.  The second evening features an appearance by African kora player, Toumani Diabatè and the Kronos Quartet.   The two will collaborate for the first time as well. Both concerts will be held at Memorial Hall, doors will open at 7pm.Tickets are on-sale now.  Buy online or call 1-800-838-3006 to order.$20 per evening or $35 for a 2 day pass

Another year …

Thank you to everyone who joined us for another magical festival. There are photos and many kind words. Each Note Secure offers a review of the festival complete with photos of his own.  City Beat’s Spill It music blog offers a night by night review: Introductions, Heartbeats and Sufjan! and  An Evening of American GuitarFest Gets More “Traditional” (Relatively) We are especially thankful to everyone at Memorial Hall and the many volunteers who helped make it happen.  WOXY has been a partner from the start and a great archive too.

You can still stream Bryce’s chat about 2008 here or read an interview from 2007 here.

2008 Opening Night

Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire and Bell Orchestre), an experimental multi-instrumentalist composer returns to the festival to participate in the first evening. Contemporary composer, Nico Muhly will make a rare appearance between engagements in New York and Europe to perform.

Inspired by his participation (with Clogs) in the Filmmaker’s Coop Benefit, in April 2007, Dessner has chosen to open the festival with a selection of films to be accompanied by Parry, Muhly, Thomas Bartlett, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Padma Newsome, Rachel Elliott (and more added daily) at Memorial Hall.

Dessner will perform three pieces that made their debut at the Kitchen in New York on March 13th, including one that accompanies a new film by Matthew Ritichie. More on the new work can be found here.

MusicNOW 2008 April 2nd - 5th

Update: Saturday evening with Grizzly Bear and Andrew Bird is SOLD OUT!

The 2008 festival will feature contemporary music pioneers Bang on a Can All-Stars; and Bill Frisell, alongside three of the world’s most creative rock bands, Grizzly Bear, The Dirty Projectors, and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird. Visual artist Karl Jensen will create a large installation in Memorial Hall, and Glenn Kotche; (WILCO) and Bryce Dessner (The National) will perform as special guests with Bang on a Can.

Festival Schedule:

Wednesday, April 2nd
An evening of music and film featuring vintage experimental films from the New York Filmmaker’s Cooperative by Robert Breer, Marie Menken, and Harry Smith along with contemporary artists Matthew Ritchie and Bill Morrisson accompanied by Richard Reed Parry, Nico Muhly, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Padma Newsome, Rachel Elliott and special guests at the Memorial Hall. More details below. Performance begins 7pm.

Thursday, April 3rd
An evening of American Guitar with classical guitarist Benjamin Verdery and Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet, featuring Eyvind Kang, Hank Roberts & Jenny Scheinman, at Memorial Hall. Performance begin 8 pm (doors at 7pm).
Friday, April 4th
Dirty Projectors and Bang on a Can featuring Glenn Kotche and Bryce Dessner at Memorial Hall. Performance begin 8 pm (doors at 7pm)

Saturday, April 5th
Andrew Bird and Grizzly Bear at Memorial Hall. Performance begin 8 pm (doors at 7pm)

Tickets are $15 for individual concerts, $40 for 3 nights at Memorial Hall and available to purchase online.

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Grizzly Bear

Brooklyn’s Grizzly Bear recently released, Friend, a set of covers, re-workings and collaborations that highlight the breadth of their sound and also place them within a group of prolific musicians that perform and celebrate together. The band offers a gorgeous take on pop music with lovely harmonies and thoughtful arrangements.