Weekend Getaway: Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit
October 25-27, Asheville, NC
by guest contributor Sarah Sharp
October in Nashville is like an adult playground. But sometimes, you gotta get out of town. For all you electronic music enthusiasts, Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit (formerly Moogfest) is a damn good reason. Yeah, the name might be a mouthful, but the spirit of the AC Entertainment production as it’s been established in the past three years—that of intricate costumes, Thriller flash mobs, people who actually dance, panels and discussions, experimental art installations, and a shared appreciation for musical exploration—that all remains under the new name.
Electronic artists of all shades will perform at venues throughout downtown Asheville the weekend before Halloween. Artists that have played the festival in the past include: Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, Moby, Amon Tobin, St. Vincent, Brian Eno, Orbital, Richie Hawtin, and the list goes on. This year, headliners include NIN, Bassnectar, and Pretty Lights, and they threw in a wildcard (as they’re known to do), Neutral Milk Hotel. While those are sure to be attended, we’ve run down our top smaller acts that you have to catch this year.
Disclosure
UK-based brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, 22 and 19, make UK garage and house music, and their live setup will employ instrumentation (synth, bass, drums, percussion, drum pad), triggering samples, and utilizing improvisation. Settle, their official debut, was released in late May and reached no. 1 on the UK Album Charts and no. 2 on Billboard’s US Dance/Electronic Chart. Watch the video for “White Noise,” featuring AlunaGeorge, from Settle.
Chromatics
A marriage of Pacific Northwest indie rock (that’s their Portland roots you’re hearing) and post-punk synth pop with warm, lazy vocals and a sexy, emotive tone. Watch the video for “Lady,” from their fourth studio release Kill for Love.
Cut Copy
Australian new wave/dance-punk indietronica band that debuted in 2001; about to release their fourth album in early November 2013, Free Your Mind. Watch the video for the new single “Free Your Mind,” featuring Swedish actor and True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard.
Deltron 3030
Underground abstract hip hop supergroup featuring Del the FunkyHomosapien (MC), Dan the Automator (producer), and Kid Koala (turntablist). Thirteen years after their self-titled debut album, the trio released a follow-up in September 2013, Deltron Event II. Watch the video for “City Rising from the Ashes,” featuring Mike Patton.
XXYYXX
(Just barely) Seventeen-year-old Marcel Everett (aka XXYYXX) makes spooky electronica from the depths of his bedroom in Orlando. He’s been compared to The Weeknd and Shlohmo (who’s also playing the festival). Watch the video for “About You,” directed by VASH.
You can check out a preview video for this year’s festival here (for those visually oriented buyers), and you can grab one of the few remaining weekend passes here.
Travel resources:
Distance between Nashville and Asheville: 293.7 miles
By car: 4 hours 27 minutes (2 tanks roundtrip)
By air: direct flights are rare, not cost efficient
Pitstop: pack some food and stop at the welcome center on I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge
Stay: www.airbnb.com, www.kayak.com
