"Commentary on Make Music NY..."

By: Jon Berger

In the AntiFolk community, several groups are taking part in Make Music New York, the all-day affair on Thursday, June 21, where literally trillions of artists will play in figuratively dozens of places.

Scott Alexander, ethnomusicologist, is playing at five in front of the Village Voice worldwide headquarters.

The Olive Juice collective, in association with Boog City, is playing an all-day garden party at Suffolk Street Garden, featuring what will no doubt be a list of acts as varied as Schwervon!, Major Matt Mason USA, Pantsuit, Kansas State Flower, Nan Turner and the One-Night Stands, and the Leader.

Newbies Annie Crane and Elizabeth Devlin are teaming up to take over Central Park. These chicks are playing unamplified at Wagner's Cove, promising, "it will be more like a picnic than show."

Crane, with guitar, and Devlin, with autoharp, will play their original material as well as invite a variety of guests to join them in the Park. Though the artists don't play together, they have certain characteristics in common. They both mine the past - but different pasts.

Crane's sound is a mild Celtic folk found on Shanachie releases and 60s forebears like Joan Baez.

Devlin, another Mick, delves into the world of Old Timey sounds, playing an ancient autoharp over a voice that crackles and spits like a forgotten 78.

These explorers of musical pasts have chosen the hidden and intimate Wagner's Cove as their performance spot. The directions to get there are complex indeed. Showing pictures of the location, Crane agrees it's a beautiful, secluded space.

For more information:

myspace.com/anniecrane

myspace.com/elizabethdevlin

makemusicny.org

olivejuicemusic.com

scottalexandermusic.com