Theoretical Music: UT + Talk Normal November 5, 2010

“Theoretical Music: No Wave, New Music, and the New York Art Scene, 1978-1983” is a three-day event organized by art historian Branden W. Joseph and musician David Grubbs to take place at ISSUE Project Room. Its purpose is to examine the intersections as well as the failed encounters of art, music, and cinema in downtown Manhattan from 1978-1983. In addition to an evening of panel discussions (Thursday, Nov. 4) among some of the most notable figures to emerge from the art, music, and film scenes of the time, the event will include a rare screening of James Nares’s no wave epic, Rome ’78 (Wednesday, Nov. 3) and conclude with a concert performance headlined by the first New York appearance in years by the fearless, crucial downtown band, Ut (Friday, Nov. 5).

Ut returns for its first U.S. concert since 1991. Sprung from the downtown No Wave scene, Ut (Nina Canal, Jacqui Ham, Sally Young) originated in New York City in December 1978. They were joined by filmmaker Karen Achenbach in February 1979 before resuming as a three-piece with the original members in May 1980. Migrating to London in ’81, they released records on their own label, Out Records, and then on Blast First/Mute. Ut played what was thought to be their last gig in Paris in March 1990; their next performance was an announced set in London in July 2010. “The raw power and sheer drive of Ut is quite straightforward and unmistakable. This is a true threatening guitar band.” (New York Rocker)

Since their lightning-strike first appearance, Brooklyn-based noise duo Talk Normal’s sound has stormed upward and outward, a jarringly songful gale of rhythm and noise supporting pleas and plaints, signal-calls, and marching orders. Andrya Ambro and Sarah Register started Talk Normal in 2007, and Rare Book Room released their debut, Sugarland, in 2009.

Official Website: http://www.issueprojectroom.org/2010/09/26/theoretical-music-concert/