Ultimate Ears’ Artists to Watch: Old Town School and Goapele

Re-Imagine How Music Slides Through Time

With the start of the new year, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on time-shifting nature of music. A record is both fixed in time and yet immortal. It records a particular feeling of the moment yet it is listened to from generation to generation — knowing no time or space limitations. Nothing can highlight this phenomenon better than the 2 artists being showcased in this month’s Artists to Watch program.

This month we feature a box-set compilation from the Old Town School in Chicago. This venerable stage has hosted the who’s who of folk music throughout the world for over 55 years. From Joan Baez and Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy and Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, Martin Carthy and Steve Earle, Doc Watson and Mahalia Jackson to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco — everyone has performed at the Old Town School. But their performances were one-night events; impromptu jam sessions and musical dialogs between artists and crowds.  They were never intended to be part of a record. But thanks to archivists Colby Maddox and Paul Tyler, history becomes our present and listening to this amazing compilation is an adventure in time and space travel. Are we, the listeners, transported back to Chicago in the 60’s or are the artists forwarded to us?

The same blur happens when we look at our second feature, Goapele’s Play Remixed By Josh One. Both Goapele and Josh One are individual artists who are renown in their own spheres. Goapele recorded Play for her Break of Dawn album and then asked Josh One with Boomnote to re-envision what it could sound like. Josh turned her song into his and brought both of their pasts and futures together into a fusion of time and space. Once again, art seems to know no limits.

Until next month…

Author

Senior Manager, Internet Properties & Artist Partnerships for Ultimate Ears