Launched as a grassroots channel for local musicians to display their talent, The Train Tracks is the most innovative outlet for live music to ever hit Phoenix. Once a week, Valley artists ranging from single performers to entire bands, rockers to opera singers, perform acoustically live on the Metro Light Rail. Their raw, uncut performances are posted to thetraintracks.org where the general public votes for their favorite.
“Amazing music is being written and performed all over the Valley by extremely talented musicians,” commented Kimber Lanning, Director of local first Arizona and driving force behind SilverPlatter.info. “The Train Tracks is a weekly foray into the freshest sounds from the local music scene via Metro Light Rail and a great way to explore a thriving aspect of Phoenix’s cultural identity.”
The first of four Train Tracks Quarter Finals will be held on Friday, May 1 at Phoenix Art Museum. Part of the Museum’s First Friday festivities, the top three most popular acts as voted on via thetraintracks.org will perform live and free of charge. The winner, determined by popular vote, from each quarter final will advance the semi-finals with the ultimate prize being a slot at the 2010 Tempe Music Festival.
“The first of its kind, The Train Tracks is a tremendous way to build civic pride by combining the arts with public transportation. The Train Tracks is creating a buzz about the amazing and diverse musical talent in the valley, and even better, it’s all happening on our new light rail system,” commented Vice Mayor, Tom Simplot. “It’s terrific that the public has embraced this program and now has even more access to the performers via the Quarter Finals at Phoenix Art Museum.”
Phoenix Art Museum offers free general admission to everyone on the first Friday of every month from 6pm to 10pm. as part of First Fridays, a program initiated by Artlink Phoenix. In addition to enjoying The Train Tracks performances and party, First Friday participants have access to all of the Museum’s galleries, special exhibitions and collections.
The Train Tracks is made possible by Metro Light Rail, SilverPlatter.info, Tempe Music Festival, Havice Design, Provis Media Group, Creative Television, Phoenix New Times and Cox. Each performing musician will get one song, one take only, no exceptions. The musicians are selected from enormously different backgrounds, must perform acoustically and must reside and perform in the Greater Phoenix area.
The Phoenix Art Museum is located at 1625 N. Central Ave.
For more information about The Train Tracks visit thetraintracks.org.
