Sixteen years after his death, the influence of avant garde composer, disco pioneer, and buddhist cello player Arthur Russell can still be heard in the dusty reverb-laden pop of Animal Collective and the four-to-the floor pulse of DFA Disco revivalists Holy Ghost! Sadly, as is the case with many avant garde artists, notoriety didn’t befall Russell until after his 1994 death from AIDS – an illness that claimed his life at just forty years of age. Since that time however, Russell’s eclectic and extensive back catalogue of work (comprised of fractured, intensely personal cello compositions, infectious club tracks and obtuse echo experiments) has attracted a near mythological reverence.
Through candid interviews with his NYC contemporaries as well as his partner Tom Lee, the life of this modern music icon is explored in “Arthur Russell: Tapes of Thought” a radio documentary by Irish born, Sydney-residing writer, documentary maker and broadcaster John Connell. To help celebrate the upcoming release of the documentary an Arthur Russell event will take place this Saturday the 20th March on Cockatoo Island and feature Arthur Russell covers from the likes of Kirin J Callinan, Daniel Stricker and Mark Bradshaw among others.
The line up includes:
Kirin J Callinan
Daniel Stricker of Midnight Juggernauts
Mark Bradshaw of Jane Campion’s Bright Star
Lovely Head
Luke Bacon
The event will also include DJ sets from Ron Radge, Strickmachine, Jaguar Paw and Indian Ocean.
The event will take place on 20th March on Cockatoo island.
Starting at 2pm and running until late.
Entry is free.
