Lightning Bolt and Sun Ra Arkestra: Cosmic Connection
- Words: Shawn Reynaldo
We turned this episode of XLR8R TV over to filmmaker Peter Glantz, who went to Providence, Rhode Island's Foo Fest to take a closer look at the festival's two main attractions—Lightning Bolt and Sun Ra Arkestra. Lightning Bolt, Providence's epic noise duo headed up by Brian Chippendale and Brian Gibson, is known for surprising, chaotic, and often transcendent performances. Sun Ra Arkestra became legendary in the jazz world under the leadership of cosmic philosopher and organist Sun Ra from the mid-1950s until his death in 1993. Today, the Arkestra continues to flourish and promote the cosmic philosophy of Sun Ra under the direction of alto saxophonist Marshall Allen. Here, Glantz captures both their live performances and meditates on the spiritual alliance between these two far-flung musical compatriots.
10 comments Lightning Bolt and Sun Ra Arkestra: Cosmic Connection
Anonymous (not verified) Wrote
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 16:40
that weird insane clown mask thing the drummer dude wears is kinda wack though. Makes it like some kind of mental freak show/ nightmare instead of the dreamy interstellar greatness of the Sun Ra fashion.. IdK just somthings kinda off..
His Royal Anonymousness (not verified) Wrote
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 10:31
Dude, don't knock the I.C.P., brohamius... Seriously insane circus style crazy posse, not that boring Atlantis-ass Disco 9000 heliocentric hoo-hocky. I.C.P. fo real tho. THAT's deep cosmic communion rap right there.
Shit, man (not verified) Wrote
Sun, 10/04/2009 - 12:24
What the FUCK are you talking about. How did ICP get brought into this even a little bit?
Anonymous (not verified) Wrote
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 19:05
Neither are records I'd reccomend to my mom
Anonymous (not verified) Wrote
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 19:56
well the mask has got his microphone in it, plus if you check out other bands lightning bolt was hanging out with when they started I think it comes from kind of a shared aesthetic, it's more imaginative than scary
Blarghhh (not verified) Wrote
Wed, 10/14/2009 - 10:47
A HAHAHAHAAAAA!
Comade Doctor General Anonime (not verified) Wrote
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 13:08
Watch the movie and the shared aesthetic is obvious. Marshall Allan from the Arkestra even says it out loud: "The audience is part of the band."
Anonymous (not verified) Wrote
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 12:12
wait, are you actually saying that lightning bolt is "too weird" for SUN RA. think about this.
i'm obsessed with this fucking video they are both so good
LOVE AND CHAOS (not verified) Wrote
Tue, 12/22/2009 - 16:08
it's more than a shared aesthetic, aesthetics are one dimensional. lightning bolt and sun ra share an essence, an essence transcends dimensions.
Ham Radio (not verified) Wrote
Thu, 01/14/2010 - 22:11
I think it school that they're aware of this cosmic connection. Both bands. I wonder if others such as Led Zeppelin were too.
This video makes me happy. Thanks
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