Big Ears 2019 Recap: Ben Neill / Mimi Goese

While they might not be household names, both Ben Neill and Mimi Goese (pronounced as “hazy”) have solid back catalogs stretching all the way back to the 80s.

Ben is an inventor of mutantrumpet, a heavily modified trumpet that is being controlled by computer variables. His ultra-futuristic music earned him a spot on the roster of legendary labels like Verve and Astralwerks in the 90s and he collaborated with the likes of DJ Spooky and Page Hamilton (Helmet).

Mimi Goese was a member of Hugo Largo, a band that got signed to Brian Eno’s label Opal in the late 80s. As a solo artist she released Soak on Luaka Bop/Warner in 1998 and her collaborators included Moby and Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland).

It wasn’t until 2011, however, that the two finally collaborated with the result being Songs for Persephone LP. Fast forward to 2019 and said collaboration was taken even further with elaborate visuals and a performance that earned Ben and Mimi a standing ovation.

And here’s what others had to say about their set:

Mimi #Goese and Ben #Neill Engrossing deep beat and vocals. Fantastic!@BigEarsFestival #BigEarsKnox pic.twitter.com/kdOxO6Npm1

— Janet Borgerson (@jlouiseErle) March 23, 2019

.@BigEarsFestival … also the only place you can meet a guy in line, mention that you want to see Mimi Goese from Hugo Largo, and he knows Hugo Largo. #BigEarsKnox

— A Spot on the Hill (@ASpotontheHill) March 22, 2019

Amazing set of all new music by Mimi Goese and Ben Neill. Mimi is possessed and Ben, well, he does play mutantrumpet. @ben_neill @BigEarsFestival pic.twitter.com/n0uNzb69li

— Echoes (@EchoesRadio) March 23, 2019

Your set was a highlight. I assume you have a new album coming? I hope it includes the lovely “Ocean Rain” cover.

— Bruce Levenstein (@BruceLevenstein) April 9, 2019