(With great respect and greater apologies to Bert Vincent)
Spring is here and with it comes one of the city’s most anticipated events of the year. No, I’m not talking about March Madness or the Knoxville Marathon, although this Knoxville-based music festival can feel both a little mad and like an endurance test. It’s time once again for Big Ears!
One of the great things about the festival is you always run into people you haven’t seen in months, or even since last year’s festival, even though you live in the same city.
Moments after lighting out for Thursday’s series of concerts, stepping onto the Clinch Avenue sidewalk as I left my job at the East Tennessee History Center, I saw Regina Greene of booking agency to the avant stars, Front Porch Productions. She was walking with Oren Ambarchi and Stephen O’Malley, headed to the former’s gig at the Knoxville Museum of Art. We chatted a bit, and I mentioned to O’Malley that I would be attending his band Sunn O)))’s April performance at the underground Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee. “A lot of people are asking if it’s safe,” I said, referring to the heavy sound the band is known for, a low-end sound so heavy it shook the back rows of the Tennessee Theatre and did unspeakable things to The Bijou. “That’s the first thing we asked, too,” O’Malley replied. He seemed satisfied the Caverns folk knew what they were doing, and I really don’t think they’d do anything that would jeopardize the Mayberry Memories show in May. Before parting, I did mention that we’d had a few earthquakes around here recently—which, we all sort of laughed about—but in hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up.
Stopping by Suttree’s for a pre-show beverage, none other than Mr. Matthew Morelock came walking down the sidewalk. He was in town to lead a Big Ears-style old-time jam. With him were two of his neighbors from his current home in Hawaii. Talk turned to the weather, and the Hawaiians were not overly thrilled with the chilly, drizzly day. The coldest it had been in Hawaii last year, which they led me to believe was some sort of historic event, was 53 degrees Fahrenheit. But they were bundled up, somewhat tickled to be wearing long pants for a change, and looking forward to the weekend. Morelock ducked in Downtown Wine and Spirits for a moment, then headed to the back of Pioneer House, where it seems a little pre-show party was brewing.
Over at the The Bijou, waiting for Rachel Grimes’s show to star, Bob Deck and I talked about who we were looking forward to seeing in the next few days. We also talked of planning our schedule in part based on proximity of venues and which one had seating. Veterans of every Big Ears, we know it’s too easy to burn yourself out early walking and standing so much.
The woman I sat next to during the show, maybe sixty-ish, had also attended each year of Big Ears. She talked of how the festival had changed, and noted it is so much more crowded now than when it began, which she attributed to it being more accessible, with more melody and “not all drone and drum and bass.”
On the way out of The Bijou, I passed David Drews, who had been volunteering for the festival earlier in the day, greeting artists at the airport. He relayed an anecdote of going to the baggage claim with Richard Thompson, and the legendary guitarist asking if there was a separate area for oversized baggage. When informed there was not, a look of concern momentarily crossed Thompson’s face. His guitar soon appeared, of course, and he went on to deliver a memorable performance at Barley’s for Wayne Bledsoe’s WDVX Six O’Clock Swerve radio show. David also reports that Thompson is a nice guy, and the members of Kukandgendai are really sweet.
Always a pleasure to see Smiling Scott Murrin, though the fact that it seems to happen only at Big Ears any more is a shame. The good news is we have similar taste, so I see a lot of him over the weekend.
Lee Gardner returns to Knoxville for Big Ears every year. Now based in Baltimore, I never knew Lee when he lived here, but his legend looms large. Former Raven Records employee, Metro Pulse writer, and by all accounts all around great guy. We initially became “friends” via social media, as one does these days, but it was nice to meet him in person a few Big Ears back. We inevitably see each other at a few shows over the weekend and compare notes. Lee has impeccable taste in music, frequently recommending new and exciting records, so his show recommendations are always welcome.
That imaginatively-dressed dancing guy is back. Love to see him doing his thing at shows.
I really enjoyed Earwig Deluxe at the Pilot Light, my first time seeing the Oak Ridge native perform. But it was very crowded and I was in the back of the room, where people tend to be more chatty. The comments on the performance were choice, however, and Earwig’s surreal incantations really seemed to be making an impression on the out-of-towners. One drunken fellow behind me commented, “This is really wild. It’s like the kind of shit I say to myself in the mirror!” I left before the show ended and was collared by doorman Brad Fowler who insisted I go back in because I needed to see the show. I was about to explain I just needed some air, then realized there was a line and it was a one-in-one-out situation. Brad just wanted to make sure I saw one of his favorite performers, and couldn’t let me back in unless I stood in the long line. I told him thanks, but as a local I would see Earwig some other time, let some of the out-of-towners see the show. Brad, vigilant with clipboard in hand, tallying up the in and outs, wasn’t even going to let Will Fist back in. That is until a young lady in the front of the line offered to let Will go back in front of her. Some guys have all the luck.
