Anyone who's ever experienced Pop-Up Magazine knows that the live literary jam, which most recently graced the stages at Davies Symphony Hall, is exactly that—an experience. Next weekend, Pop-Up's mix masters are taking their game to another level thanks to a much-anticipated collaboration with the other Pop...Noise Pop, that is.
"The driving philosophy behind Noise Pop has always been to build unique events," says Noise Pop co-owner Jordan Kurland. "We never could have dreamt up something as unique as Pop-Up Magazine, and have been in awe of what they've been able to create. This event, The Golden State Record, allows us to work with musicians in a whole new way, but more importantly to present a show to the audience like none they've ever seen."
The Golden State Record, a first-of-its-kind performance to be held at Berkeley's Greek Theatre on Friday, September 30th, will celebrate the music, ideas, nature, science, politics, and culture of California and the West Coast with a lineup, partially announced this week, to include musicians (Berkeley-raised rapper Lil B, Best Coast singer Bethany Cosentino, and producer Nosaj Thing); writers (Guggenheim Fellow Janna Levin, Animal Madness author Laurel Braitman); radio types (Reveal host Al Letson, dublab's Mark "Frosty" McNeill); filmmakers (The Regulars creator Tim Hussin), and more.
If the concept sounds out of this world, it is: Inspired by NASA's Golden Record—which was put on interstellar missions so that other spacefarers might one day understand the story of Earth—Golden State Record looks to be a somewhat extraordinary and multifaceted deep dive into the sounds of our home state.
Derek Fagerstrom, cofounder and executive editor of Pop-Up Magazine, explains, "The prism of sound was a challenge that intrigued all of us. What does the West sound like in 2016? Musically, yes, but also what do the politics sound like? The social issues? The environment? The technology? The culture? We're excited to find out."
The Pop peeps promise more special surprises to come, but here's the partial lineup so far:
Lil B: TheBerkeley-raised musician has been called "the most important rapper of the decade so far."
Bethany Cosentino: Lead singer of Best Coast, "a lo-fi '60s garage rock and surfing band."
Al Letson: Host of Reveal, a news radio show from the Center for Investigative Reporting
Naomi Zeichner: Editor in Chief, The Fader
Janna Levin: A theoretical cosmologist and author of the book, Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space
Nosaj Thing: A DJ and musician who has produced tracks for Kendrick Lamar, Kid Cudi, and Chance the Rapper.
Jon Mooallem: A wickedly funny Pop-Up regular and contributing writer for California Sunday Magazine
Shamir: Singer and songwriter.
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir: Of MC Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit" fame.
Josh Kun: A USC communications prof, journalist, and a curator—currently a commissioned artist in SFMOMA's "Public Knowledge" series,
Georgia Anne Muldrow: "She's like Flack, Nina Simone, Ella, she's something else." —Mos Def
Mark Kozelek: singer and songwriter of Sun Kill Moon and Red House Painters
Mark "Frosty" McNeill: Founder of dublab, one of the first 24-hour radio stations to broadcast on the internet.
Jace Clayton: Also known as DJ Rupture.
Laurel Braitman: Her debut book, Animal Madness, is a NYT bestseller.
Magik*Magik Orchestra: The Bay Area's own made-to-order orchestra.
// Tickets on the floor ($60) and in the stands ($52) are still available for The Golden State Record, which goes down on Friday, Sept. 30 at The Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Rd. (Berkeley), goldenstaterecord.com.
