Arthur Russell, the avant-garde composer, musician and DJ, responsible for producing some of the most compelling electronic music of the late 70s and 80s, with collaborators and contemporaries including Robert Wilson, Allen Ginsberg, David Byrne, Bob Dylan, Larry Levan, and Francois Kevorkian, will be celebrated on Saturday 25th May, in the Motor city of Detroit.
Russell’s disco tracks debuted at the famous Paradise Garage and Loft parties in New York, however the musician’s work was largely unknown in his own time. His untimely death due to AIDS related illness in the 90s, left his position in the history of music in obscurity. It is a fitting tribute that Circoloco, the promoters of arguably the most cutting edge underground parties on the planet, help pay homage to Russell.
Dancefloor music on the night will come from Circoloco favourites including Detroit’s own king-pins Carl Craig, Ryan Crosson, Lee Curtiss and many more, who will, true to their own and Circoloco form, be playing the best in underground techno and house music.
Circoloco and Go Bang will also transform the entire venue of TV Bar Detroit, conceptually making use of the unique spaces to include live art performances from local Detroit artists, as well as Paradise garage inspired dancers, and video projections for a completely immersive experience for the eyes and ears.
“Arthur Russell is an artist that continually begs to be re examined, a visionary who never received true recognition in his own lifetime. To us he represents all that is good in dance music – the early days where dance and art met, and what mattered was not the money, or the fame, but the party” – John Connell, award winning writer, producer, curator of international art shows and the man behind the Go Bang! concept.
For the exhibition, Go Bang will present a number of never before heard or released songs by Russell which include an alternate recording of Pyscho Killer by the Talking Heads featuring Russell on cello, alternate Japanese takes of some of his classic dance tracks, and demo recordings with Ernie Brooks of the Modern Lovers, as well as photography some of which have been previously unseen of Arthur during his lifetime.
“Arthur Russell represents, for us, the essence of an underground artist and a very true person to his passions, he is a reference to all of us in the music scene. “Hold on to your dreams” was Arthur’s lesson and we should all engrave that in our hearts. He taught us that the destination is not important as the journey and his music and life have inspired so many people, and will continue to do so. Making this party in Detroit is an incredible occasion to expose a new generation to his talent and his motivations.” – Circoloco
You can buy your tickets for this Movement after-party on Resident Advisor here.
