Hudson, N.Y. will this weekend welcome hundreds more visitors to experience firsthand Basilica SoundScape, a unique sound experience curated by a famous musician.
The brainchild of bassist Melissa Auf der Maur and her husband, filmmaker Tony Stone, the two-day event will take place at Basilica Hudson, a spectacular reclaimed waterfront factory in Hudson.
The festival will showcase dozens of emerging artists handpicked because of their popularity among fellow artists.
“Each SoundScape performer is highly regarded, a deeply understood artist in their niche,” Auf der Maur says.
“We’re creating an experience that is diverse in unexpected ways.
“It’s not about a headliner. You go to discover, I discover.”
Get your SoundScape tickets here.
Hudson Valley’s cultural resurgence
When Auf der Maur opened Basilica Hudson in 2010, employees were hard to find.
Less than a decade later, the event space is thriving with the help of new recruits who are relocating to Hudson Valley in increasing numbers.
Their attraction to the area is no surprise she says, given the unique combination of Hudson’s rich cultural history and favorable standard of living.
“This is a historic part of the country. The Hudson Valley has a deep tradition of remarkable agriculture and remarkable arts. There’s an old connection between those two worlds; they’re united by a love of beauty.
“The way of the artist and the way of the farmer is very, very similar.
“There’s a beauty to the area that commands people to serve.”
Local Hudson Valley economies and arts thrive, together
In her years of living and presenting public programs in Hudson, N.Y., Auf der Maur is encouraged that the arts have become an economic driver for an area.
But, she cautions the growth doesn’t reflect a sustainable evolution.
“There’s still a lot of difficulty,” she says, referring to the longer-term economic impact of struggling upstate municipalities.
“Hudson, N.Y. is the gateway to the region where there are blossoming of towns, like Catskill, N.Y.” she says.
“How can we align and thrive and improve the region?
“Arts and culture save lives and bring people together.
“It’s the people of the Hudson Valley who are changing things.”
Basilica SoundScape 2017 lineup
In its 6th year, Auf der Maur, who played with Hole and later Smashing Pumpkins, is grateful for the input of co-curator Brandon Stosuy of The Creative Independent.
The former Pitchfork editor’s combined knowledge of music history and must-see emerging performers has been central to the creation of Basilica SoundScape’s memorable lineups.
Without intending to, many of the 2017 selections consider politics, Auf der Maur says.
“It’s our most eclectic bill yet – based on how badly we need other people to be heard.
“We’re bringing people together in the power of a beautiful building, the power of being together, the power of sound.
“It’s about finding your clan.”
This weekend’s crowd can expect to see:
- live concerts, including performances by John Maus and Zola Jesus
- conceptual visual art performances including those by Marianne Vitale, Emma Kohlmann and Taeyoon Choi
- author readings, including Eileen Myles and Patty Schemel
- installations, collaborations
- a marketplace of curated local vendors and artisans
