Usually, the middle of summer sucks. But this time around, wandering event space the end/SPRING BREAK has saved us from July by inviting crazy people with all sorts of audio agendas into its current squatting spot (155 NE 38 St., Miami) for some Summer Ear Conditioning.
Of course, no Miami music month would be legit without a performance and a lecture by noise legend Rat Bastard, AKA Frank Falestra. The Rat has been leading an international pack of noisemakers for over two decades. And there's even a rock opera dedicated to him.
He describes Ear Conditioning as a "six-week exploration of sound, noise, and music." And this week alone, the end will be hosting a Motown Brunch, ambient art sounds, and ear-popping noise acts.
"There will be a Q&A on the benefit of understanding the importance of experimenting with sound, conducting and performing in a real-time freeform state, and how to recognize and search for outstanding musicians that are not observed by the general public," Rat says.
He believes that due to social networking and video websites like YouTube and Vimeo, more people are getting turned on by experimental sounds "because it's usually associated with some visual characteristic."
There's no doubt the performances are half the fun of attending experimental music shows. And The End is demonstrating that point left and right, here and there.
Rat Bastard with Jay Hines and Viking Funeral as part of Summer Ear Conditioning. Saturday, July 16. the end/SPRING BREAK, 155 NE 38th St., Miami. The event begins at 10 p.m. Visit end-springbreak.com.
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