Short circuit

Once a year, experimental electronic artists from across the globe convene in the heart of D.C. for the Sonic Circuit Festival. In its ninth season, the Sonic Circuit Festival (which started this past Tuesday and runs until September 27) showcases the world’s greatest experimental and avant-garde electronic music.
D.C. is host to a thriving underground electronic music scene—one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Festival Director Jeff Surak says that the festival’s strength derives from musicians’ open-mindedness and support of one another. Over the years, the festival has grown to incorporate more genres, ranging from electro-acoustic to experimental folk. The music centers on the artistic value of new technology and improvisation. Past festivals have been received with critical praise, particularly for their assorted programming.
This year’s festival will be no exception. The festival kicked off with performances by Elliott Sharp and Fern Knight. Highlights later this week include Saturday’s concert at the Velvet Lounge with Jandek and Kotra headlining, as well as Sunday’s Black Cat show with Faust and HEALTH on the lineup.
The Sonic Circuit Festival offers a unique experience for both performers and audiences to engage in an artistic musical exchange. Surak says that the Festival is “for anyone who is open to expanding their horizons and are tired of bland entertainment.” Who isn’t?