Ukes at the EMP Pop Conference

March 26th, 2006

Every Spring, the Experience Music Project in Seattle hosts a “Pop Conference.” Here, academics, music critics and historians gather for a long weekend of discussions and presentations about all things music. Experts wax poetically about topics as diverse as lost disco tracks, pop producers and “why Jews have been attracted to American folk music” (that’s an actual topic this year). There are usually some critically acclaimed musicians present, as well, which helps balance out the geeky writer contingent. Happily, this year’s conference has at least two uke-related panels: Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields will be the keynote speaker on April 27 and on Friday, April 28, writer Steven Rosen will discuss his abstract entitled “Tiny Tim: The Harry Smith of Adult-Standard Singers.” No guarantees it’ll be more fun than staying at home and just playing a uke, but now you know … Here’s the schedule. -JV

Entry Filed under: Ukulele, Festivals