BIG EARS 2018 [Knoxville, TN]: Diamanda Galas, Wolfgang. Voigt, Milford Graves, ICE, Jaga Jazzist, GYBE, Tyshawn Sorey, Kid Koala, etc etc hype hype

perhaps most importantly -- if you have a chance to see the doc MILFORD GRAVES FULL MANTIS you should definitely do so. no talking heads, artful editing and quality information about milford graves, who is completely awesome
it made me want to move more like an insect. his experiments making music with the nervous system/heartbeat were super interesting too. he said everyone who comes into his house has to have their heartbeat recorded
<3 <3 <3

my bud made this movie, it was a labor of love and is utterly captivating

it was really well done
i saw ilxor tarfumes' name in the credits too!!!

western mass power. jake and neil are tops. neil is an AMAZING editor. jake's set before the tal national show here in town a couple of weeks ago was amazing. lots of talent in so many arenas. tarfumes is an amazing percussionist in his own right, by the way. i still need to see the film. amherst showing is sold out. might have to sneak in the back.

ilxor geeta wrote a great thing on the film that i linked to on a music doc thread.

this knoxville fest seems so nice. would love to go to one.

it is so exactly what we are saying too -- i do not exaggerate! you should try to make it. every time i go i feel like i am ready to face the world again when i come home. the musical performances are that invigorating!

i could tell that the people who made the doc have solid sensibilities. they made interesting and good choices (like to make the film in the first place -- i really admire the archival footage being collected)

i also had an excellent time touring the highlander folk school -- it's an important and historical place and not far out of town. would recommend to anyone interested in education, civil rights, appalachia. bonus: my guide was an absolute delight.

Evan Parker Ensemble – so much energy. a whirlwind of sound but it was all so perfectly coordinated, violating all laws of entropy. I was standing there in complete and utter awe. I have no idea how these people do it.

lmao I meant the Peter Evans ensemble. I am constantly getting their names confused.

There a book coming out about the festival.

https://mailchi.mp/hatandbeard.com/ten-years-of-big-ears?e=cc35b368fe

This was the first one I went to. So much fun…