On The Electric Bus

Jimi Hendrix asks, "Have you ever been experienced?"\nPaul Allen certainly has. Not only the co-founder of Microsoft, he also owns the world's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia and provides the financial back-bone behind the Experience Music Project, Seattle's newest and most technologically advanced museum.\nThe Experience Music Project, which originated from the casual idea of displaying Allen's prized Hendrix collection, has since evolved into a fully-interactive museum committed to the preservation and celebration of American popular music. \nIn order to share the experience with people across the country, EMP has since hit the road with a mobile extension of the museum, the Electric Bus. An 18-wheeler that transforms into a 10,000 square-foot music extravaganza, the Electric Bus features interactive exhibits celebrating some of popular music's greatest songwriters, while exploring the role of song in American society. The Electric Bus will be at IU Sept. 24-27 in Orange Lot No. 4 at Memorial Stadium. Visiting the bus is free and open to the public.\nAccording to a press release from EMP, the Electric Bus embarks upon "a journey to enhance awareness of, and appreciation for, the art and craft of songwriting." EMP "strives to capture and reflect the essence of rock and roll" and provides a unique perspective that focuses on the influence of music on our culture, contrary to the intent of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which seeks to acknowledge historically significant artists. \nRobert Santelli, deputy director of EMP, says he's excited to have the opportunity to bring the exhibit to people around the country with the new creation of the Electric Bus.\n"Through creativity, innovation and inspiration, the Electric Bus seeks to immerse visitors in the exhibits by providing a hands-on and personalized experience for each individual," Santelli says. \nThe bus features two enormous tents, dealing with the impact and origins of American popular song, while exploring the themes of the historical significance and cultural impact of song on our society. The tents examine songs that reflect unity during times of war and rally people during struggles of social change.\nThe Electric Bus also features Song Lab, a travel-size version of EMP's Sound Lab, a fully-interactive exploration of the tools and processes involved in songwriting. Visitors learn about the basics of song structure and advances in technology that are revolutionizing the field, and take an in-depth look at the song-writing process Hendrix practiced.\nFinally, the Artists and Artifacts portion of the bus features memorabilia from the legendary Brill Building in New York City's music district, where many of rock and roll's best songwriters worked. The exhibit also displays many artifacts from well-known songwriters, most notably hand-written lyrics from the likes of Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Chuck D of Public Enemy. \nSantelli says the Electric Bus seeks to aid academic institutions in the incorporation of elements of popular music into the classroom.\n"The Electric Bus is like the educational outreach of the EMP that employs many of the same concepts," he says. "American popular music is an art form that helps to shape culture and needs to be explored in order to create a better understanding and identification with youth culture."\nSantelli isn't the only person who believes in the importance of musical education -- courtesy of a co-sponsorship of Union Board and the School of Music, the Bus is stopping in Bloomington. \nGlenn Gass, who teaches History of Rock and Roll and History of the Beatles, says he is thrilled the University is welcoming the unique event to campus.\n"Rock and roll provides a great sense of history and is completely intertwined in our culture," Gass says. "Because (the Bus) comes from the educational wing of the EMP, it captures that component and attempts to be an exhibit that's both informative and fun. It's perfectly appropriate for a university."\nVisiting Assistant Professor of Music Andy Hollinden will host a guest lecturer from the Experience Music Project to speak to one of his rock and roll studies classes. \n"Radio and television don't educate people," Hollinden says. "Music is merely used as a filler to keep people hooked between commercials. (I'm happy) that rock and roll is being taken seriously by a segment of society that possess the capabilities through various means to honor rock music as an art form."\nAs someone who has worked closely with those in Seattle, Santelli has seen firsthand those involved with the creation of the bus and museum take music seriously. He says the EMP is not just a collection of music and memorabilia, but also encompasses a broader mission.\n"Allen looks upon Hendrix as a main inspiration in life," Santelli says, "and has applied that inspiration and creativity to the world of technology."\nThe Electric Bus comes to Bloomington Sept. 24 to 27 in Orange Lot No. 4 of the Stadium. For more information, check out www.emplive.com.