If you were at Electric Forest this year, you might have picked up one of the many phones scattered across the wooded wonderland that is Sherwood Forest to engage in an unsuspected conversation with a friendly stranger… But, what probably nobody was aware of until now, at times Lorin Ashton aka Bassnectar was at the other end of the line.
“Although Electric Forest is one of my favorite festivals to perform at, I noticed something unexpected this year,” Bassnectar shared in a touching Facebook post. “The highlight of my weekend was not being on stage, playing music, or even running around exploring: it was volunteering inside of this little treehouse in the middle of the woods.”
In conjunction with To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit organization that encourages mental health and suicide prevention, Nectar went undercover as one of the phone operators during Electric Forest 2017 to spark expressive and sincere conversations. The video below is so moving, it’s almost impossible to not tear up.
“I would see a button light up, which meant that there was someone at a phone, and I could ring a phone and see who answered. The idea was to engage people in a meaningful discussion, and I decided to interview people about friendship, philosophy, and the meaning of life,” Bassnectar explained.
In honor of World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th, Bassnectar released the video that not only showcases the magic of Forest, but has a much deeper meaning. Get the tissues ready before you watch.
To learn more about TWLOHA or give your support, visit: https://twloha.com. Also, read Lorin’s full account on this amazing experience here.
Bassnectar Talks to Unexpected Electric Forest Attendees
Your Story Is Important 💚 #WorldSuicidePreventionDay
Although Electric Forest is one of my favorite festivals to perform at, I noticed something unexpected this year:The highlight of my weekend was not being on stage, playing music, or even running around exploring: it was volunteering inside of this little treehouse in the middle of the woods… In conjunction with an amazing non-profit called To Write Love On Her Arms (who serve to encourage mental health, from light-hearted art projects to pro-active suicide prevention), the festival had set up little telephones, attached to trees in The Forest – like some kind of magical, mysterious phone booths. I was sat inside a little treehouse with an old-timey switchboard and headset, playing Operator to the network of phones placed throughout the forest. I would see a button light up, which meant that there was someone at a phone, and I could ring a phone and see who answered. The idea was to engage people in a meaningful discussion, and I decided to interview people about friendship, philosophy, and the meaning of life.Check out the video + read more here: http://www.bassnectar.net/2017/09/to-write-love-on-her-arms
Posted by Bassnectar on Monday, September 11, 2017
Photo via Electric Forest