The Sound Podcast with Ira Haberman has released a special Quarantine Comes Alive preview episode ahead of the virtual festival set to take place this Saturday, May 30th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. In addition to a primer playlist of artists featured on the lineup, Haberman also spoke with QCA organizer, Kunj Shah of Live For Live Music, who talked about the inspiration and organization behind the event, as well as what viewers can expect.

Related: Quarantine Comes Alive: A Virtual Music Festival

Following an opening tune from Circles Around the Sun, Haberman introduced the Quarantine Comes Alive partners, which include Sweet Relief, MusiCares, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, World Central Kitchen, Partners in Health, Trans Lifeline, Backline, and Nugs.tv, before welcoming Shah onto the podcast.

Shah wasted no time discussing the inspiration for QCA, noting that the idea came after the postponement of Brooklyn Comes Alive amid the COVID-19 crisis which saw countless musicians and music-related professionals out of work.

“After a month or so I kind of felt like it was my responsibility to do something, anything that we could try to come up with to try to help the artists that we were supposed to have on the [Brooklyn Comes Alive] festival, the 15 Jazz Fest late-night shows we were supposed to have, our company, and then just a ton of amazing organizations” like MusiCares, Backline, and Headcount, said Shah.

Though it started small, QCA now boasts a lineup of over 75 artists who will perform throughout Saturday and into the early Sunday morning hours. Haberman expressed curiosity about Everyone Orchestra, which is known for one-0f-a-kind improvisational sets with a rotating cast of musicians. He asked Shah how conductor Matt Butler would be able to pull off such an improv set with musicians recording from their homes around the country.

“I’m psyched! I’m also extremely confused,” exclaimed Shah. “Some of these artists are just getting so innovative with how they’re doing this, and I’m pretty sure [Butler] is recording a drum track to a bass line with George [Geekas] from The Revivalists, and then conducting himself while giving cues to all the various artists.”

Throughout the interview, Shah discussed other unique components of the event, like SPAGA simulating a live experience and surprises one can expect.

Listen to the podcast below for more insight into Quarantine Comes Alive and visit the website to donate and receive a stream link.

The Sound Podcast with Ira Haberman – Quarantine Comes Alive Preview

The full-day virtual music marathon will predominantly feature new “live” performances captured during the ongoing lockdown, with a few gems from the archives sprinkled in. The new content will be created by the artists in a variety of ways, from socially distant studio sessions to remote video collaborations. While each band and artist on the bill will take their own, unique approach for their Quarantine Comes Alive content, the goal is the same across the board: To create something new and special for fans everywhere to enjoy—together—while they remain physically distant for the foreseeable future.

Modeled after Brooklyn Comes Alive and Denver Comes Alive, Quarantine Comes Alive was conceived as a way to celebrate and support musicians, provide fans with unique musical experiences from the comfort of their couches, and raise money for comprehensive COVID-19 relief during this time of uncertainty. All funds raised from the donation-based event will be split evenly between the artists on the bill and the PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund.

As the music industry began to experience the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, PLUS1 launched its PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund to coordinate musicians’ efforts to support those in our community most at risk from the pandemic. Working directly with leading non-profit organizations like Sweet Relief, MusiCares, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, World Central Kitchen, Partners In Health, Trans Lifeline, and Backline, the PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund’s goal is to provide aid where it’s needed most.

Ari Fink of SiriusXM JamOn, Phish Radio, and Dave Matthews Band Radio will serve as the host of the event, which will also include exclusive set break interviews with artists from across the lineup as well as the minds behind Quarantine Comes Alive’s various non-profit partners.

The full bands and individual artists that comprise the Quarantine Comes Alive lineup span a vast stylistic spectrum, from bluegrass to singer-songwriters, jam bands to indie rock, electronic music to funk, soul to Americana and more. Just like any good festival, Quarantine Comes Alive has something for everyone—and, in all likelihood, something new and surprising for you.

In partnership with D’Angelico Guitars and Propeller, Quarantine Comes Alive will give away a brand new D’Angelico Premier Bedford guitar to one lucky viewer. For more information on how to enter the guitar giveaway contest and boost your chances of winning, head here.