Although local experimental or improvisational music has not received quite the same media coverage as the area’s singer-songwriters or indie rockers, there is a healthy underground scene located here. Luckily for music fans, arts group The Trummerflora Collective has made it their mission to expose San Diego’s residents to more challenging sounds than might typically be aired on radio.
The Collective will stage the latest installment of the fourth annual New Sounds Downtown Music Festival Thursday, Nov. 2, at Desi ‘n’ Friends, 2734 Lytton St. The night’s bill includes performances from free-form metal sextet Obscuricon and an acoustic trio, The Invisible 3, both of which include series curator and noted percussionist Nathan Hubbard.
“The event was started four years ago by fellow percussionist Curtis Glatter,” Hubbard explained. “I was helping him put things together, collaborating on ideas about the festival, when he relocated to the Midwest suddenly. Since we were already well into the process, it was decided that I just continue on with it and become the curator.”
In addition to his work on the event “” which Hubbard cites as including “everything from getting the sound system going to booking the performers” “” he is also a member of several different groups, including Cosomologic, The Skeleton Key Orchestra and Arc Trio. He also has dozens of recordings to his credit and a new album, Blind Orchid, on the way.
“The title comes from my wife,” he joked. “Actually, she said ‘Ghost Orchard,’ but when I needed the title, I couldn’t remember that. Just that it was two words. Still I like the fact that the first two initials are the same on this disc as on my last, Born on Tuesday.”
Although he is now the percussionist of choice when it comes to jazz and improvisational recordings, his beginnings were much more humble.
“It was the classic situation where band classes were taught in sixth grade,” Hubbard remembered. “You could pick what you wanted to play and I just randomly chose percussion. I wonder about that sometimes. I can play a variety of instruments and often compose on the piano, but I always come back to percussion.”
The festival will continue with shows through February, each hosting an eclectic line-up of both local and national acts.
“The idea behind this festival is to present artists that don’t usually get showcased in a club atmosphere into that setting,” he stated. “Desi ‘n’ Friends brings everything closer to the audience, and since much of what is performed is improvisational, that can add a different dimension to what’s being played.”
Hubbard said he hopes the festival expands next year and includes more touring acts, but notes there is one small problem with being located in San Diego.
“The city and its population are very transitory,” he said. “I think it’s why the local music scene hasn’t begun to coalesce until recently. On one hand, it’s kind of nice because the constant influx of new people brings new ideas and players into the community. But on the other hand, it can be difficult to get things together in this town because people move so much.”
Despite the odds, Hubbard said he feels the area has strong potential for more improvisational music concerts.
“Once people know that these sorts of things are happening, they come out,” he said. “But for now, we’re hoping to build up our audiences. Everything will grow from that.”