Various Artists – OneBeat 2013

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/8697052″ params=”show_artwork=false&show_comments=false” width=”100%” height=”325″ iframe=”true” /]

Following the success of OneBeat 2012, Found Sound Nation has put together a new ensemble of promising artists from around the world for OneBeat 2013. Produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation (FSN) program in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, OneBeat organizes musical workshops for eager participants of all ages who come from different cultures and backgrounds.

The fellows focus on creating original music with one another by coming up with new compositions or reinventing traditional tunes during a two-week residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The majestic space is the perfect vehicle for collaborations as the artists form ensembles and hone their performance skills in a comfortable setting.

While the participants develop their projects and perform, they will be assisted by established collaborating artists with experience in a variety of musical genres. After their residency, they will travel up the East Coast, making stops in Charleston, SC; Durham, NC; Floyd, VA; Washington, DC; and New York, NY. During the tour they will work with local artists, organize public music-making events and workshop / record with young musicians.

This year’s edition has brought 25 young musicians from 16 countries to the U.S. to work with American artists. Included is an oud player from Nazareth, a hip Nigerian guitarist, a Russian beatboxer among many other up-and-coming artists hailing from Burma to Venezuela. Some are traditional while others are contemporary, but they all share a common understanding that music is a universal language with many different dialects.

To get a taste for this inspired take on “world music,” listen to the OneBeat 2012 Mixtape above or download it for your listening pleasure, courtesy of OneBeat. Don’t miss the OneBeat 2013 tour dates. The troupe arrives in Brooklyn on October 3rd for a show at BRIC before they close the festivities on October 5th at Irondale in collaboration with NBNY.