Virtual NON-COMMvention Kicks Off

Excellent interviews with Brandi Carlile and Japanese Breakfast among the many highlights…

By Paul Marszalek
TheTop22.com

Father of the NON-COMMvention, WXPN’s Dan Reed, opened the event by welcoming participants to “The first – and hopefully the last – Virtual NON-COMMvention.”

Things started off strong with a World Cafe taping with Japanese Breakfast before heading into a session focusing on how and when to use social media metrics and streams to assist with musical decision-making.

The NON-COMMversation with the brilliant Brandi Carlile followed, with Dan Reed drawing out stories and perspective from Carlile, who broke out from Triple A Radio.

Carlile appeared in support of her new book Broken Horses: A Memoir, but also dropped news that her new album is complete, and the release timeline is currently under discussion.

After a great Zoom “Lobby” hangout, it was time for the evening music showcases, which started with an impeccable-sounding performance from Neal Francis.

Valerie June and Tune-Yards followed, before closing out with an acoustic set from Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall, who release an album, The Marfa Tapes, on Friday.

The NON-COMMvention continues Thursday, May 6 with an 11:30 Zoom Lobby hangout prior to a Free At Noon concert with Mali’s Songhoy Blues, and Tel Aviv’s Tamar Aphek.

Sessions will follow before another evening of musical showcases.