On the evening of Friday April 8, we are proud to present the Nelson/Araim duo (GA), the Kouns/Miller/Weckman trio (CMH), and Troy Kunkler (CMH). Doors 7:00pm, show begins at 7:30pm. Performance will take place in the Cultural Arts Center 3rd floor classroom. $6.19 prepaid ($5 + $1.19 TicketTailor processing fee), $8 at the door.
Covid protocols: All attendees must wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. We will provide K95 masks at the door. We kindly request that audience members refrain from bringing food and drinks into the space.
About the artists:
For years Matt Nelson has been the hinge pin of the experimental improv scene in Knoxville, TN. His weekly Out Series at the Pilot Light, which brings together local improv stalwarts with outsider musicians from disparate corners of the creative woodwork, is a jewel and well kept secret of Knoxville’s underground scene. Nelson appears everywhere, playing with classical ensembles, jazz combos, and rock bands—but where Nelson’s artistry shines most is in solo performance. His lyrical improvisations are brought out of the instrument with a near supernatural touch and a masterfully expressive timbral vocabulary; in one moment pulling the air from the room with uncomfortable tension, then bursting forth in beautifully warm, unexpected colors.
Majid Araim, born 1985, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, curator, and a fixture of the Atlanta improvisation and new music communities. Majid’s prolific work as a composer focuses on resonance and dynamics, experimental approaches, and is oriented towards the natural world and fantasy realms. Since 2014 he has presented over 95 concerts through his series The Magic Lantern; connecting people from all over the world through thought engaging performance. In addition to his creative work as a musician, he is a dedicated father, gardener, animal lover and painter.
The Kouns/Miller/Weckman trio is built around the common connections of story telling and nebulous song writing. During the summer of 2021 Zack Kouns (Scream Culture, Kouns/Weaver), Caleb Miller (Sun Trash, Here Here) and Nick Weckman (Worms Rise Up) began playing together apart of Zack’s new songs-project “Zack Kouns and His Insatiable Orchestra”. The group was assembled to provide a live-band for Zack’s extremely large/diverse collection of songs and stories. Subjects range from The Portsmouth Flood of 1937, war, corn prices and Alanis Morissette (all in equal measure). Recently the three have been playing as an off-shoot of Zack’s “Insatiable Orchestra” and are having a ball doing it. The music is filled with horns, piercing chords, “doomy synths” and a feeling that things aren’t always going that well. Links to their other projects are below. Keep an eye out for a full release of “the orchestra”… soon.
Troy Kunkler, a self-described unabashed dilettante, specializes in mallet percussion and drum set. He performs with a lot of different bands, leads his own band, and performs as a soloist. His other interests include nature, running, travel and food.