Jazz and Grooves to present Dan Deacon

Baltimore-based electronic artist Dan Deacon will headline a campus concert on Oct. 28, Student Planning and Events Jazz and Grooves Committee announced Monday.

The critically acclaimed one-man act, who performs shows on a keyboard, computer, vocoder and other gadgets, got his start as a solo artist in 2003 with Meetle Mice and Silly Hat vs Eagle Hat. His 2009 album Bromst was named Best New Music by music blog Pitchfork.com.

Jazz and Grooves co-Director and College senior David Saginur said that students can expect a sound similar to MGMT and Ratatat.

“It’s really an honor that we can bring him to Penn,” he said, calling Deacon “a premier electric artist.”

Also playing are New York-based pop punk band DOM and techno artist Lawrence Grey.

Saginur said the committee’s main criterion is to bring performers that “reflect the musical taste and interests of the students.” Until recent years, Jazz and Grooves brought several jazz artists to campus. However, the two most recent Jazz and Grooves shows have featured indie rock bands Dr. Dog and The Antlers.

“We try and fill that niche — more alternative, less well known, less mainstream,” Saginur said.

Students had mixed reactions.

College junior Jeremy Levenson applauded SPEC’s selection as “a plus — I would love to see Dan Deacon.”

College sophomore Audrey Boles said that while she hasn’t heard of the performer, she can “see it being fun” based on the genre of music.

Wharton freshman Catherine Coult said she’d consider going because she is “always on the lookout for new things.”

Others were less enthusiastic. College juniors Amaris Cuchanski and Sarah Darwiche said that they’re fans of the genre but don’t necessarily plan on attending.

College sophomore Zach Carduner said he’s "not very into techno music.”

“Sorry, who is he?” asked Wharton sophomore Erica Jang.

Tickets for Deacon’s performance, which will take place in the Rotunda, will go on sale Oct. 21 on Locust Walk for $5. The event is open exclusively to the Penn community.

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