Spring Break
Space rock lands on Tasty World terrain
JOHN BARRETT
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Out & About
Avant-garde musical groups. Lengthy, atmospheric songs and soundscapes. A musical aesthetic that can only be described as "space rock."
All of these are positive attributes, but not ones one would expect to discover in the music scene of a small town such as Cullman, Al.
and many more
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Tasty World
Cost: $10
Since 2000, the underground music festival known as Space Rock Con has been held each year in Cullman. But Space Rock Con 2008 marks a pivotal evolution.
"Due to low turnouts in past years, we've decided to hold it in Athens this year," said Carlo DeShouten, curator of the event. "I can't afford to make any more sacrifices, and there are more musicians in the Atlanta-Athens area."
Local experimental band Unus Mundus will headline the inaugural affair, with another local group, Dharma Son Collective, opening.
Rather than limiting itself to strictly "space rock," the day-long festival includes styles as disparate as progressive, punk, psychedelic, industrial and noise rock.
"Any bands who express interest in playing can come play; I'll permit any style of music," DeShouten said. "It doesn't need to be 'space rock' to me, as long as the music is played well and has a good feeling to it."
DeShouten described Space Rock Con as a musician's convention, where artists can meet each other and play music together.
"I think the term 'space rock' comes from [DeShouten's] love for [space rock group] Hawkwind," said Steve Fitzpatrick, guitarist and founding member of Unus Mundus. "To me, the name represents art rock - any kind of creative, dynamic, heartfelt music."
DeShouten mentioned that former Hawkwind members Nik Turner and Harvey Bainbridge were among the artists who participated in the first Space Rock Con. As such, the tag "Space Rock Con" felt appropriate.
Unus Mundus, who previously played Space Rock Con in 2003, has been a driving force in drumming up local publicity.
All of these are positive attributes, but not ones one would expect to discover in the music scene of a small town such as Cullman, Al.
SPACE ROCK CON
featuring Unus Mundusand many more
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Tasty World
Cost: $10
Since 2000, the underground music festival known as Space Rock Con has been held each year in Cullman. But Space Rock Con 2008 marks a pivotal evolution.
"Due to low turnouts in past years, we've decided to hold it in Athens this year," said Carlo DeShouten, curator of the event. "I can't afford to make any more sacrifices, and there are more musicians in the Atlanta-Athens area."
Local experimental band Unus Mundus will headline the inaugural affair, with another local group, Dharma Son Collective, opening.
Rather than limiting itself to strictly "space rock," the day-long festival includes styles as disparate as progressive, punk, psychedelic, industrial and noise rock.
"Any bands who express interest in playing can come play; I'll permit any style of music," DeShouten said. "It doesn't need to be 'space rock' to me, as long as the music is played well and has a good feeling to it."
DeShouten described Space Rock Con as a musician's convention, where artists can meet each other and play music together.
"I think the term 'space rock' comes from [DeShouten's] love for [space rock group] Hawkwind," said Steve Fitzpatrick, guitarist and founding member of Unus Mundus. "To me, the name represents art rock - any kind of creative, dynamic, heartfelt music."
DeShouten mentioned that former Hawkwind members Nik Turner and Harvey Bainbridge were among the artists who participated in the first Space Rock Con. As such, the tag "Space Rock Con" felt appropriate.
Unus Mundus, who previously played Space Rock Con in 2003, has been a driving force in drumming up local publicity.
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