Henry Flynt

Henry Flynt is a philosopher, anti-art activist, exhibited artist, and for the purposes of tonights episode of A DIfferent Nature, a former avant-guard musician  in the Cage tradition who melds his native hillbilly music and garage rock with minimalism. 

Here is a passage from  Henry Flynt's essay The Meaning of My Avant-Garde Hillbilly and Blues Music:

Let me continue defining the beauty to which I aspire.  The music should be intellectually fascinating because the listener can perceive and participate in its rhythmic and melodic intricacies, audacity of organization, etc.  At the same time, the music should be kinesthetic, that is, it should encourage dancing.  [I choreographed club dances to many of my compositions.  By the way, I consider early break dancing to have opened up important possibilities.  Then the commercial, hysterical environment of New York turned break dancing frantic and labored, and it disappeared.]  Most of all, the music should have an emotional profundity which comes from specificity of sentiment and passion.  What is more, intellectual and emotional interest cannot be in competition with one another, because cleverness cannot captivate unless it is displayed in an emotionally appealing context.  Then, to be emotionally profound, music must be fiery, but at the same time it must have charming surprises and encourage intimacy.

What better way to celebrate April 20 than to strap on your headphones, turn the volume  up to 11, and let your mind go with Henry Flynt's "charming suprises"?  Grace is hosting.