Sonic Transmissions Festival 2 from Sonic Transmissions Festival on Vimeo.

(EDITOR’S NOTE : With the second edition of the Sonic Transmission Festival taking place September 23-25 at Austin’s North Door, Rio Rita and Central Presbyterian Church,featuring an amazing lineup including but not limited to Obnox, Chicago Underground Duo, Marshall Trammel, Shit & Shine, USA/Mexico, Gunvor Gustavsen, Paul Giallorenzo, Chad Taylor More Ease and many others, the time seemed rife to quiz festival organizer / onstage fixture Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (The Thing, Young Mothers, Close Erase) about the inspirations behind the event. Also, trying to set the stage for one of those worked feuds with a certain reality TV lynchpin, though Ingebrigt seems reluctant to play along! – GC)

Q: Was there a particular prior event or artist that provided the catalyst for the creation of the festival?

A: Yes, my band The Young Mothers was the whole reason I started this festival last year. TYM have members that as well as being great improvisers are as active in the Texas hip-hop, grindcore, indie rock and jazz scenes, and I wanted to create an event that showcased my band and at the same time represented music from all the different genres within the group.

Q: you’re wearing multiple hats here : curator, promoter, performer. And it’s not like you’ve got nothing else in your creative life going on. Any part of this feel overwhelming?

A: Yes, absolutely! It’s quite overwhelming and sometimes I’m asking my self why the heck I’m doing this. BUT, its extremely rewarding too. I’m learning a lot and it feels valuable to have this experience as a promoter and curator (It’s very easy for musicians to forget all the work that’s behind presenting concerts and it feels important to be experiencing all the different aspects of this!). And of course having to research a lot of new artists for future festivals is very inspiring, I find a lot of great music I probably wouldn’t have if i didn’t start this fest. But maybe the most important aspect is being part of (hopefully) creating a new community in Austin where a lot of presenters and musicians from different ‘scenes’ work together to present creative music!!

Q: Obviously there’s other music fests in and around the region — some more interesting than others — but this the only one I’m aware of that places equal importance towards genres most of the more commercial tests either pay scant attention to or ignore entirely. You’re aware there’s nothing else like this, right?

A: I am aware of this, and this is my whole vision and purpose of the festival! I want to put equal importance to multiple genres and my goal is that it will draw a mixed audience that’ll get new experiences! But, I do realise that it is an ambitious goal and that it might take a while for audiences (and musicians!) to understand what I’m trying to do… But I’m into it for the long haul!!

Q: who are you most looking forward to seeing at STII?

A: I am looking forward to see all the acts! But if I have to pick some; i can’t wait to see Chicago Underground and Rabit on Friday night and a specially Obnox on Saturday. But all the bands will kick ass, so stoked to have them all there!!!

Q: Jon Taffer visits the N.D. the day before the festival starts. Name a couple of the sweeping changes he’s responsible for by the time night one starts INCLUDING THE NEW NAME OF THE VENUE

A: Who (the f**k) is Jon Taffer? Sorry, I might not have experienced enough American popular culture to be able to answer this…sorry!

Q: Pains me to say this but “Sonic Transmissions”-the-name is the weakest thing about this glorious event. Do we have your permission to host a contest to rename the event for 2017 (with the grand prize being a Christian Laettner rookie card from the 1992-93 season)?

A: Hahah, you have my permission. would love to see the suggestions. and if you wanna know; the name was inspired by the book Sonic Transmission by Tim Mitchell about Tom Verlaine, Richard Hell and Television. an interesting read!