PITCHFORK'S 21
How, when, and where did we find ourselves celebrating the 21st anniversary of Pitchfork? Well, it was a happy accident that brought us to New York, driven by our insatiable curiosity. They say curiosity killed the cat, but no one ever explained to us the nature of its demise or the multitude of experiences that cat enjoyed before meeting its fate.
So, we set out in search of curiosity itself, eager to unravel its mysteries. Along the way, fate led us to a captivating talk by the one and only Björk. In the midst of a conversation that touched on everything and nothing, we found ourselves invited to the anniversary celebration of this iconic American publication. Swiftly accepting the invitation, we embarked on a journey that unfolded as a delightful mishmash of experiences, just like that talk we had with Björk. Ah, the wonders of serendipity!
Björk, a true embodiment of curiosity, has fearlessly explored the boundaries of music. Every time she speaks, she enchants us. If you're yearning to know more, we delve into the topic in another post, so stay tuned.
Without much thought, we found ourselves celebrating the 21st anniversary of Pitchfork, from a regular Tuesday to an extraordinary Saturday. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the publication for the kind invitation. The night was nothing short of spectacular, and the hospitality we received was beyond compare.
For those unacquainted with Pitchfork, let us give you a brief overview. Born in 1995 in Minneapolis under the name Turntable, it later migrated to Chicago and adopted the moniker Pitchfork. Today, it stands as a venerated online publication and a pinnacle of independent music journalism. Some even attribute the success of mainstream artists like Arcade Fire and Bon Iver, in part, to the articles published by Pitchfork. But we'll save the discourse on the power of media for another day, as that's a topic deserving of its own exploration.
The festivities took place at the Knockdown Center, nestled in Queens, New York. Once a humble door factory, it has transformed into a space dedicated to innovative projects encompassing visual arts, performance, music, and experimental programming. Like many cities, New York revitalizes old buildings in neglected neighborhoods, breathing new life into these areas by attracting people through engaging events.
During the celebration, we stumbled upon an exhibition that showcased the year's most remarkable album covers according to the magazine. Additionally, there was a collaboration with Asics that examined the albums with significant social impact over the past 21 years. Notable artists such as Vampire Weekend, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, and Bon Iver were among those honored. The night was filled with captivating conversations, endless fun, and, of course, an abundance of music. The stellar lineup featured Animal Collective, Alex G, Mosses Summey, and Topaz Jones. While eagerly awaiting the Baltimore duo's performance, Mosses Summey, a talented young artist hailing from San Bernardino, captivated our hearts and ears with his profound sensitivity and ability to create sonic atmospheres like few others. Although he has just released his debut album, we have a hunch that it's only the beginning of an extraordinary musical journey. We strongly urge you to give his music a listen.
And thus concludes our account of a serendipitous anniversary celebration, a fortuitous encounter that we hope to repeat in the years to come.
Congratulations, Pitchfork!