![Both Kevin Blagg (shown) and Sam King say the Trillium Salon Series is a natural fit for their "Avant Garde" concert. "There is a community for avant garde or alternative forms of music, and Katy [Henriksen] has tapped into that," says Blagg. "I've gone to most of the Trillium events, and it's nice to see the robust community in Northwest Arkansas interested in different types of music." (Courtesy Photo)](https://wehco.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2020/06/05/195230263_Kevin-Blagg_ORIG_t800.jpg?90232451fbcadccc64a17de7521d859a8f88077d)
Musicians Sam King and Kevin Blagg, in partnership with the Trillium Salon Series, had an outside music concert planned at Mount Sequoyah for this weekend. The unusual venue was a nod to each of the musicians' experimental music style, as well as to concerns with gathering crowds in small, enclosed spaces while covid-19 is still a danger in Northwest Arkansas. Then, as final preparations were being made, the country erupted in protests and social unrest as a result of the tragic death of George Floyd.
"In solidarity with those who are mourning and demonstrating in response to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and in demand of equitable treatment of all persons by law enforcement, the live music performance by Kevin Blagg (Cellophane Garden) and Sam King (Untight) scheduled for June 6 at Mount Sequoyah is postponed to a later date, to be announced," read a statement released by King, Blagg and Trillium Salon Series founder Katy Henriksen.
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The Avant Garde concert featuring musicians Kevin Blagg and Sam King will be rescheduled at a later date, to be announced. Watch the Trillium Salon Series website at trilliumsalonseries… for more information.
"What's going on right now is such a painful thing," noted King. "I don't know how to add something to that discussion, other than to say it's such a terrible moment, presenting a lot of truths that people don't want to look at. The way I feel comfortable participating is to help get information out that's useful -- where you can donate money, how you can help make voices [that are] not heard [to be] heard better. This is an incredibly painful moment for people in this country."
When it's appropriate to reschedule the event, concertgoers will have the opportunity to experience the two musicians' distinct and unique musical styles -- in a safe environment where ample social distancing can be observed.
Blagg's music is described as ephemeral sounds, low frequency soft synths and ambient guitar soundscapes, while King's is experimental guitar, excursions of atonal resonance, sustained motion and cascading sonic layers.
"Sam and I both have an upbringing of playing in traditional rock bands," said Blagg in an interview before the cancellation was announced. "We came out of that school of indie rock, and all of that was great earlier in life. But as you get older and start to investigate further, you want to push your boundaries as to what's possible. You start to question 'What is the boundary of music? When does it become noise or sound or just soothing tones?'"
"The music I'm making veers between being a little distressing and maybe beautiful," said King. "It wavers between things that feel bracing or scary or ominous -- a big cloud gathering -- or feels euphoric or pretty. We're going for a different kind of experience than what you could deliver with a pop song. It's more sensory, more abstract."
Blagg commented that, once rescheduled, he hopes that their concert can be a comfort to those who need comfort.
"I'm so upset about what's going on right now," said Blagg. "I want the music to be a temporary escape from politics and social unrest. The whole point of music is to bring people together, and that's what we want this performance to do -- bring people together."
NAN What's Up on 06/05/2020