The opening night of Get Weird will present two pioneering figures in the world of downtown music. Hisham Bharoocha and Telepathe have established themselves as true mavericks, each creating experimental music that takes equally from hardcore, tribal rhythms, hip-hop and new wave. Their performances—though at once very different—share the common threads of multilayered sounds and vibrant sonic palates. Expect an evening of unpredictable, spirit-cleansing, powerful jams. Get weird! Hisham Akira Bharoocha was born in Nidata, Japan and is an ex-member of the Providence, Rhode Island bands Lightning Bolt and Black Dice. Currently, Bharoocha is involved in his solo band Soft Circle and as an artist in New York City. Telepathe is a process-oriented band centered on Busy Gangnes and Melissa Livaudais. It would be fair to describe Busy Gangnes as a percussionist, a songwriter, a composer and as a modern dancer. She has played music for years underground outfits Wikkid, Blood Lines & Greenstreets and as a modern dancer she has worked with Katie Eastburn with her work appearing on the Starter Set Dance DVD which was recently released by Kill Rock Stars. Melissa Livaudais is originally from New Orleans and was also in Wikkid. In Telepathe she functions as a guitarist/percussionist/composer/beat-maker. In addition to her work in Telepathe she plays in First Nation (aka Rings), which will be releasing a 7” on Animal Collective’s Paw Tracks early this year.