Ultra Sound
Friday, Sept. 26, 7 – 11 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.
Cole Pulice (Oakland) / White Boy Scream (LA) / Fritz Pape
Saturday, Sept. 27, 7 – 11 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St.
Moor Mother (NYC) / Nadah El Shazly (Cairo, Egypt) / Sarah Davachi / Victoria Lekson
Sunday, Sept. 28, 7 – 11 p.m.
Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St.
In partnership with the Longworth Anderson Series
clipping. (LA) / Kelly Moran (NYC) / concertnova + Why? (Cincinnati)
For tickets and information visit talklowfest.com.
“Our mission views the Contemporary Arts Center as a lab for understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us through the creation and experience of all contemporary art forms,” says Elizabeth Hardin-Klink, CAC’s director of education. “While many people see museums as champions of fine art, the CAC has long been a supporter of music and the performing arts through our Black Box Theater.
The Talk Low Music Festival, set to return to the CAC and other venues Sept. 26 and 27, will bring world-class musicians to the region, claiming space between multiple disciplines, genres and identities. The festival is designed to create unique contexts that foster deep listening and develop opportunities for collaboration and education.
“Just as the CAC galleries highlight the important contemporary artists of our time, the Talk Low Music Festival connects us with award-winning musicians who are paving the way with boundary-pushing performances,” says Hardin-Klink.
Whited Sepulchre Records presents the second annual Talk Low Music Festival, bringing three days of experimental music from around the world to Cincinnati, The festival is organized by Ryan Hall, founder and executive director of Cincinnati-based record label Whited Sepulchre Records, Britni Bicknaver, and Brianna Matzke, executive director of concertnova.
“We are really excited about bringing in some high-caliber performances to the CAC. including award-winning performers Moor Mother, Joy Guidry and Cole Pulice,” says Hall. “We are pulling from artists at the top of their game in genres between jazz, electronic and experimental music. Our budget is bigger, our team is bigger and we have included a variety of free performances along side our ticketed events.”
This year’s lineup features LA experimental-rap group clipping, featuring stage and film star Daveed Diggs (Hamilton); Moor Mother pianist Kelly Moran; Cairo-based experimental electronic Nadah El Shazly; White Boy Scream; Cole Pulice; organist Sarah Davachi; and a special collaborative performance between Yoni Wolf and concertnova.
“People should not miss Cole Pulice's soothing and beautiful saxophone arrangements on Friday night, Moor Mother’s crushing electronics and spoken word on Saturday. They should also catch Joy Guidry's ambient bassoon performance, White Boy Scream's operatic delivery on Saturday and Friday respectively,” says Hall. “Also, it goes without saying that folks should see Kelly Moran, WHY? perform with concertnova and clipping. on Sunday night at Memorial Hall and Sarah Davachi perform a free organ performance at Christ Church Cathedral. “
Talk Low makes Cincinnati a destination for inspiring world-class experimental music, with the goal to rival festivals such Big Ears( Knoxville, Tenn.) or Time:Spans (New York City) and to contribute to Cincinnati's cultural fabric and economic development.
“We love partnering with, and supporting events that help to grow creative communities, and the Talk Low Music Festival provides an exciting opportunity for us to connect with experimental musicians from all over the world,” says Hardin-Klink.
Created by Whited Sepulchre Records in 2024, the inaugural Talk Low presented artists such as New Age legend Laraaji, Peruvian sound artist Maria Chavez, bassoonist Joy Guidry, and Kenyan electronic artist KMRU. With its return in September, the festival continues to grow, adding placemaking collaborations throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, educational workshops from established artists and educators, and a line-up of artists at the pinnacle of their craft.
“Collaborating with CAC is important to us because when people think of contemporary art we want them to think of music and sound-art as part of the broader conversation, especially when it comes to boundary-pushing mutli-media presentation,” says Hall. “Having the CAC as a partner brings in this conversation about the sounds that make up our environment and how contemporary music both embodies and provides rest from a very cluttered and anxiety-laden aural environment. The Black Box Theater gives the audience a chance to truly let these sounds sink in. The mood for the festival will be minimal and stark, heavy blacks and bright whites - allowing music to be the front and center of attention.”
Talk Low festival pass holders can reserve a seat at this performance for just $10 (tickets normally $35). Talk Low individual ticket holders will also receive a discount for this event.
“As a noncollecting museum, the CAC is always bringing new artists and experiences to our community to engage with the important issues of our time. The Talk Low Music Fest is a wonderful addition to this continual drive for patrons to come back and experience something new and powerful with each visit,” says Hardin-Klink.
Talk Low is funded in part by a grant from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation. Sponsors are Kelly & Guy Vanesse; Feel It Records; Downbound Books; Conveyor Belt Books; Campbient; Fuse Studios; Sessions Vinyl; and Rhinegeist.