Sounds Like Now Festival in NYC

[September 2004.]

Dear La Folians:

We are writing to alert your readers to the Sounds Like Now Festival in New York City at La Ma Ma E.T.C., from October 14 to 17, 2004. The festival celebrates 15 years of the Interpretations Series of new music.

The artists have one significant thing in common — they all are attempting to have as little in common with each other (or anyone else) as possible. The goal is not about being contrary or cantankerous — though many of them have more than a touch of each in their makeup. It is rather about an elusive personal language — the creation of music that would not have been considered music prior to its invention. Though, no doubt, they are in part trying to reflect their experience of an often ugly and painful world, they are also looking to better it through their work.

Festival artists include Muhal Richard Abrams, Robert Ashley, David Behrman, Thomas Buckner, Douglas Ewart, Joan La Barbara, Alvin Lucier, Roscoe Mitchell, Phill Niblock, Pauline Oliveros, George Lewis, and “Blue” Gene Tyranny. The six-concert festival features 36 artists and over a hundred musicians.

We invite you to look in at www.interpretations.info for details and updates. Tickets are available from the La MaMa box office, either singly or as a festival pass.

David First and Tom Hamilton Sounds Like Now Festival Directors