NL premiere

The songs of self-taught visual artist and musician Lonnie Holley chisel a sombre and hopeful figure out of the stone of time. It’s no surprise that he makes sculptural work in his visual practice, as a sense of space and shape courses thoroughly through his songs – morphing into unforeseen textures and feel as they unfold. His music is imbued also with visuality by the vibrant colours of its grooves, the synesthetic milieu of its ambience, and the poetic storytelling of its lyrics. From the funky uptempo fantasy of “I Am Part of the Wonder” to the solemn, quiet wisdom of “Kindness Will Follow Your Dreams,” although the sounds on Oh Me Oh My (2023) – recently released on label Jagjaguar – may flow and jump in different directions, the essence of the music remains stable: Holley’s perpetually captivating voice. It soothes and confronts. There is an undeniable warmth and pain in what bellows from his throat; one can almost hear the wind snagging on memories and experience as it hurtles up out of his lungs and into the microphone. It is with immense generosity that Holley brings listeners into his 73-year-long history. He speaks to trauma and abuse through a gentle, restorative, energetic, and healing approach that centres his experience amidst a blooming bouquet of jazz instrumentation. Holley performs live at the festival with Nelson Patton – an instrumental duo, formed by musicians Dave Nelson and Marlon Patton, who layer trombone, electronics, and drums into evolving improvisational soundscapes.

*This is a seated concert