Two things that are (unfortunately) rarely experienced together: experimental tunes and delicious brunch treats.



Luckily, we live in Worcester, where there are enthusiastic individuals more than willing to turn expectations on their head. Which is precisely what we�re looking at with the Third Annual Noise Brunch at The Firehouse Saturday, Jan. 30.



What started as a New Year�s Day tradition in 2014 has branched out and eexpanded since its inception. While the date has changed, the purpose of experience has remained, largely, the same.



�The idea is that we get a bunch of friends together, make a bunch of nice food and drinks and all relax to some weird sounds,� said Joe Bastardo, part of the amalgam of folks putting on the event. �It might have something to do with�vibrating the hangover away with blasts of noise. To me, there�s something special about ringing in the New Year with some of the most intense, �next level,� sounds possible.�



Mickey O�Hara, who also helped assemble the collection of musicians, friends and food that make up Noise Brunch explained there have been similar events in other cities, including Detroit, Michigan and San Francisco, California.



�Most shows, unfortunately, don�t have food, yet everyone�s gotta eat, especially noise musicians who are kind of notorious for not taking care of themselves,� said O�Hara. �Also, it rules to go to an early afternoon show with great food and it�s not 2 a.m. when you get home.�



With over 20 acts involved, it is impossible to boil down what exactly makes the acts cohesive, aside from the genre, which perhaps can explain the vast and boisterous range of sounds. Still, the musician�s hearts are in the event and that is at least half the battle.



�Let�s put it this way, there�s never any money involved and no one gets paid to play, so rock stars and divas have already been weeded out,� said O�Hara. �You have to be cool with playing to a receptive audience for food. And, it�s quality, Jeff Hartford [Noise Nomads-played last year�s event] recently said that the foods have the reason to come, so there you go.�



Bastardo, who runs a small label that focuses on electronic music on tape and is a graphic designer and print shop operator by day, explained the feel of the show in a well-rounded presentation.



�The whole vibe is relatively laid back,� he said. �It�s a little different than most usual shows. For starters, it�s a daytime event and it�s in a room with some beautiful, huge windows, so the sun beams in and warms the place up. The lineup is loose and the sets are somewhat carefree. You get a lot of friends playing with and for each other.�



�I think the ethos of noise shows in general is the idea of approaching this art with the most open mind,� added Bastardo. �So to me, a day like this can be sort of expanding for your consciousness. The brunch adds that extra level of warmth and comfort. It�s really about bringing together this community of artists and like-minded individuals and hopefully introducing some people to this concept that isn�t really as scary as it seems. Anyone can come and enjoy themselves.�



To check out the Third Annual Noise Brunch, head to the Firehouse Saturday, Jan. 30. If you don�t know where the Firehouse is, click your way over to Facebook to find the event page, or call 978-424-6173 and ask the�mysterious voice for directions. Bring a dish to share and some drinks (for yourself, or to share if you�re feeling frisky) to check out over 20 acts from New England and Beyond. The event kicks off at noon and will likely be one to remember.



Reporter Joshua Lyford can be reached at 508-749-3166, ext. 325, or by email at Jlyford@worcestermagazine.com. Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshachusetts.