As seemingly everyone in Kentuckiana prepared for the “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” freak pop musical artist ÅNGEL 004 prepared for a series of free pop-up performances on the streets of Louisville. From dive bars to decadent parties, her experimental sounds and fashions embodied the ethos of “Keep Louisville Weird” all Derby weekend long.
Jared EdenDriving the streets of Derby City in a rented box truck with a spray painted banner on its side walls, each stop on her improvised tour combined the aesthetic decadence of experiential art with the renegade debauchery of DIY culture. Part installation, part protest, and all about community, ÅNGEL 004 provided a vibrant counterpoint to the traditional Kentucky Derby narrative. The project served as a metaphorical — and literal — vehicle for new sonic futures coming out of Louisville. Mosaa AlyasseriThe mobile stage pulled up near Churchill Downs, Headliners Music Hall, Whirling Tiger, The MerryWeather, Big Four Bridge, Galaxie Bar, and an exclusive estate owned by a renowned socialites. ÅNGEL 004 created a contrast between Louisville’s rawest dive bars and its most esteemed cultural centers. Each stop on the tour featured a performance of “HORSE TORNÅDO,” a country-informed folktronica bop that calls for the liberation of horses and humans alike. Mosaa AlyasseriThe lineup for the activation was a full spectrum of Louisville-based talent, including AHC, Lady Laveaux, Michael Vettraino, Dizzy Dreamer, Arte Chambers, DJ and Trombonist Alli, and DJs Pharmacy Girl, DEB, Forajinn, Velvet Kentuckian, among others. Jaymin Kumar“I’m grateful that local musicians and artists got to do something outside of the race track this year,” ÅNGEL 004 said. “I believe there are creative ideas we still need to explore, ideas that rise above horse racing culture.” Jaymin KumarÅNGEL 004 feels that Louisville is still a budding city and for the city to fully blossom, “we need new traditions and other ways to increase the vibrancy of the city.” Jaymin KumarThe mobile stage itself was a work of art — reminiscent of a set design from “Lisa Frankenstein” or “I Saw the TV Glow” — fabricated and co-produced by Eden Jade Lyra Otis with rigging and production assistance by Shepherd Ahlers. Jaymin KumarÅNGEL 004 said this project would not have been possible without the support and the unbridled spirit of COCOSHOUSË (Mosaa Alyasseri), A Worth Joint (Benjamin Miller), Eleanor Bingham Miller, Larry Shapin and Ladonna Nicolas, Doo Wop Shop, Artist and Craftsman Supply, and “the entire community of believers” who helped bring her vision to life. Jaymin Kumar“I invite and challenge locals to think of ways they can creatively contribute to this ideology next year!” she said. “I can’t wait to see what creative ventures might arise.” Mosaa Alyasseri
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Aria Baci is a writer and critic who has been working in print and digital media since 2015 for outlets as varied as Design*Sponge, Geeks OUT, Flame Con, and The Mary Sue. She is passionate about literature,...
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