Whether you’re performer or audience member, can carry a tune or not, can play an instrument or just stare at it in befuddlement, Norwescon’s music programming is sure to have something for you! Check out our concert lineup, or scroll down to see how you can get involved in our music programming!
Concerts
Once again, Norwescon is proud to present a stellar music lineup! Filk, chiptune, geek folk, and all sorts of gloriously geeky beats to get you moving!
Thursday
MC Firedrill
Firedrill has waded through digital hell. He resides deep in the forest, a hidden treasure dreaming up the tunes of his heart using outdated software, hardware, anything he can get his paws on, exploring as many chiptune styles as possible.
Rai Kamishiro
Rai Kamishiro: J-pop nerdcore. I’m sorry, didn’t you hear me? J-POP NERDCORE. How awesome is that?
Kräken-Röhl
Kräken-Röhl: The Steam & SeaPunk “SaltRock” Sing-a-Long Band! We take a lot of Latitude, with a lot of Attitude, so let’s get kraken!
Friday
Alexander James Adams
The Faerie Tale Minstrel performs the music of Heather Alexander adding his own dark un-seelie touch.
Alexander James Adams (photo by Jenrose via Wikipedia)
Creede Lambard
Singer, songwriter, banjo player, storyteller, entertainer, just another Perl hacker.
Creede Lambard
The Doubleclicks
The Doubleclicks are a nerdfolk sister band who sing about dungeons, dinosaurs and heartbreak while strumming a ukulele and cello. Paul and Storm have called them “face-meltingly wry” and Wil Wheaton once called them “my favorite.”
A Little Knight Music
Songs of mirth, madness, mayhem, and merriment from literature’s favorite fantasy realms.
A Little Knight Music
Saturday
Electric Children
Electric Children: Electro-House made with Nintendo Gameboys
Ultraklystron
Ultraklystron: Nerdcore’s foremost anime enthusiast reveals enough new tricks to keep the listener guessing at all times.
Vixy & Tony
Vixy & Tony: Smart, delightful, high-energy geek folk, with a spectacular string section.
Kirby Krackle
Kirby Krackle: “Geek Rock Perfection” –Wired’s Geek Dad
Workshops and Major Events
Cascadia’s Got Talent – Saturday, 3pm
Welcome to the second annual Cascadia’s Got Talent!, otherwise known as Cascadia’s Got a Gong Show, the most fun you’ll have making a fool of yourself while still sober at Norwescon!
Do you have what it takes to gain the appreciation of our audience and panel of fan and celebrity drunks judges? FIND OUT! Bring your song, your work-in-progress, your shtick, your standup act, your freak show, your whatever — bring your talent (alleged) to this, our free-form talent show! You have eight minutes, two songs, or until the gong gongs, whichever is shorter. Show us what you got!
If you’re still confused on the concept: it’s like the Muppet Show, only Statler and Waldorf are judging you. Oh wait, no, it’s exactly like the Muppet Show. Only with prizes.
Did we mention prizes? Terrible, terrible prizes. Last year we gave away an all-expenses-paid bus tour of beautiful downtown Kent and its historic commercial warehouse district. Gods only know what we’ll find this year as people vie for the coveted Science Olympics Trophy for Entertainment!
Introduction to the Irish Session – Saturday, Noon
Come learn about and participate in a traditional Irish Session, the foundation of participatory music in fandom’s oldest form of geekmusic! For centuries, this cooperative, everyone-plays gathering of players in public houses and inns was the primary means of keeping traditional Irish music alive, and it continues to this day.
Sounds like something from D&D, or other fantasy game? It is — this is where they got it!
We’ll have a couple of local Session regulars helping lead, and local Session artist Matt Haverly has kindly put together a PDF of popular traditional tunes to work from, which you can download here (1.3MB .pdf).
ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! Come, bring an instrument, play if you like — or just listen, as a punter. That’s okay too.
Norwescon and nwcMUSIC thank Matt Haverly/Sultan Irish Music for compilation of and permission to use this tune collection.
Introduction to Participatory Geekmusic (Filk Circle Workshop) – Friday, 2pm
The oldest form of geekmusic at SF conventions is a branch-off from folk called “filk,” and is a branch off the traditional Irish Session in many ways. It has an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture, and ALL forms of geekmusic are welcome!
This year, we’re hosting a two-hour workshop. We’re setting up up a moderated circle to give everyone not only an introduction to filk circle etiquette, but also a turn at playing or singing should they so desire.
ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! Bring your instruments, your voice, or just your curiosity and watch what happens!
The Open Mic – Friday, 10pm
Does what it says on the can! Follow the final Friday Filkfest act with YOU! on the very same stage! ALL GENRES WELCOME; 1-2 songs or eight minutes, whichever is shorter and upon how many people are queued up. No prizes here; just a chance in front of a supportive audience and see what it’s like to take your turn on stage. Maybe it’ll scare you. Maybe you’ll fall in love with it. Find out.
The Open Filk – Nightly, Overnight
The oldest form of geekmusic participation at SF conventions the overnight “open filk,” where anyone and everyone can and should bring voice or instrument or both and come play their geekiest/filkiest/silliest hearts out. We’re all peers here, and everybody takes turns and plays if they want, or passes if they don’t.
It’s an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture, and ALL forms of geekmusic are welcome. You don’t have to play, but we hope you will. C’mon up and get Screeched in!
If you’re extra nervous about the whole idea, check out the Introduction to Participatory Geekmusic panel above – it’s a hand-held/training-wheels introduction to the form and function of the Open Filk.
Find Your Instrument – Saturday, 2pm
Many musicians will tell you that the best way to figure out what instrument you should be playing is to mess around with a whole bunch of them and see if any reach back. Several of our Attending Professionals have volunteered to bring their more unusual instruments together in a single room and help you try them.
Questions, comments, or suggestions are always welcome! Contact the Music department through our contact page.
