The CuppingEars Festival

I have conducted no research, proven no hypothesis, and have lived little life. I know this; I am young and have a lot to learn. With that being said, it doesn't take the brain of a genius to grasp and understand the capability of attractions; and why people are drawn to certain objects, notions, or ideas. I could list a million examples which encompass forms of attraction, but none are quite as prominent as music.

What is so holy about music for each individual is the reliability that melody offers. Everytime you play a track, you receive exactly what your soul is in need of. Personally, when I feel sorrow, I put on some Luke Bell - my late cousin, who in my opinion, was the best singer/ songwriter of this lifetime - along with Troubles, Heartaches & Sadness, by Ann Peebles (take notes); and although it doesn't cure the anguish, it gives me comfort and teaches me acceptance. Which has proven to be more beneficial than a solution. I grow and learn with music, and I wouldn't change that for an easy out of any of my moral complications. In life, death, happiness or despair music has always been, and will continue to be a pillar in humanity.

Regardless of genre or preference, people have consistently shown that they will trade time and money in return for an experience with rhythm. I believe the mass of shared attention towards one subject produces a feeling quite like no other. It is the vulnerabilities music exposes which loads worth onto the subject. To dance, sing, and most importantly, feel in front of complete strangers is something very rare and special. It is that trust and confidence given to a complete alien which makes music so interesting and predominant.

I could write a million words on how important music is individually and culturally, but I don't think anyone is disagreeing. So here is where I introduce you to CuppingEars' first event: the festival.

With culture comes attractions; and with attractions comes music. Unfortunately, what also follows culture is division. But this division doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing; the authenticity of the people and their practices in each culture are what make culture, culture. This shouldn't mean outsiders cannot participate and absorb aspects of cultures other than their own. But there has to be a measure between appreciation and theft. This has become very difficult to pinpoint; and lays on a blurry line.

I believe this confusion comes from people's defiance to learn and on the other hand, people's refusal to teach. But if two divergent groups find themselves attracted to the same event, then they will be forced to mingle. That is exactly what the CuppingEars festival aims to do. By inviting one Latino artist and one Country artist, the two groups will find themselves subjects to the same stage. And then, the music will showcase its influence. So those among the crowd can both observe and participate, learn and teach, accept and be accepted. Hopefully, at the end of the night, participants will walk away with a new appreciation for a culture they previously hadn't bothered to look in too.

I don't want to give this event an exact date, but I promise you, it is in the future.

https://youtu.be/TFjRViiH5nY