BIG EARS PODCAST DEBUT EPISODE!!! + INITIAL TALKS LINEUP ANNOUNCED + MORE
Podcast Debut
Today marks the premiere of our new podcast, Big Ears: Conversations About Music. We hope you enjoy this conversation between critic, author, and WRTI Editorial Director Nate Chinen and Big Ears Founder and Artistic Director Ashley Capps, who shares his life experiences and inspirations that led to Big Ears’ creation. Chinen also chats with three artists who are intimately familiar with the Big Ears vibe and aesthetic: guitar legend Bill Frisell, banjo wizard Béla Fleck, and the ever-adventurous electronic explorer Yuka Honda.
Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Pocketcast!
New Artist Addition: Larry & Joe
Larry & Joe is the duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín and Grammy-nominated bluegrass and oldtime star Joe Troop. These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists return to the festival after their 2023 appearance to fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions proving that music has no borders. Performing Sunday, March 30 at the Knoxville Museum of Art, their engaging, bilingual program will include storytelling, humor, singalongs, dancing, and more.
Sound & Vision: Talks, Panels & Conversations
| Big Ears is about more than just music—it’s a place for ideas, stories, and deep dives into the creative process. This year’s lineup of talks, panels, and conversations brings together visionary artists, thinkers, and innovators for illuminating discussions on music, art, and culture. Today, we begin sharing details about these exciting, not-to-be-missed programs. Stay tuned for more additions over the coming weeks! |
Critics’ Picks Panel (Ann Powers, Nate Chinen, Ashley Kahn, and Marcus J. Moore)
Thursday, March 27
Join renowned music journalists Ann Powers, Nate Chinen, Ashley Kahn, and Marcus J. Moore as they preview the festival weekend, sharing insights on must-see performances, hidden gems, and unexpected collaborations. A perfect guide to navigating Big Ears’ rich and deep musical offerings.
Barry Altschul & Ashley Kahn
Friday, March 28
Legendary drummer Barry Altschul joins music historian Ashley Kahn for a wide-ranging discussion on his storied career, jazz innovation, and the ever-evolving state of music today.
Steve Roach, Linda Kohanov & John Diliberto
Friday, March 28
Steve Roach and author / journalist Linda Kohanov join Echoes host John Diliberto to explore the evolution of ambient music, from New Age and Space Music to the eternal drone. Diliberto and Kohanov, who have both been chronicling this music for 5 decades, dig deep into this transformative world sound with one of its leading avatars.
At Big Ears, Across the Horizon will extend beyond performance into conversation, exploring the evolving intersections of the ambient, Americana, and cinematic musical universes. Bob Holmes (SUSS), Chuck Johnson, and Stephen Brower (Amazon Music), will answer the question: What is Ambient Country?, while Michael Rother (Neu!, Harmonia), Holmes, Mary Lattimore, and John Diliberto (Echoes) map the Third Wave of Ambient. In Music for Film & TV, Randall Poster (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Blake Leyh (The Wire), and Pat Irwin (SUSS, Dexter: New Blood) offer a behind-the-scenes look at the art of scoring. Join the dialogue and discover the sonic landscapes shaping the future.
What is Ambient Country? (Bob Holmes, Chuck Johnson & Stephen Brower)
Friday, March 28
The Third Wave of Ambient (Michael Rother, Bob Holmes, Mary Lattimore & John Diliberto)
Saturday, March 29
Music for Film & TV (Randall Poster, Blake Leyh & Pat Irwin)
Sunday, March 30
