Artist Spotlight: Adam Psybe

It's just about 5pm, and the last sliver of actual sunlight is disappearing from the sky as we get off the L train in Brooklyn. As we emerge to the streets, the neighborhood seems to all be housed except a select few young men with thick beards and glasses. It is getting pretty cold out already, freezing really; Our breath stands still for a moment in the air as we begin to venture towards an area of Brooklyn where community meets industry and art. This is Bushwick, and we are entering an open air gallery run by a group of artists known as The Bushwick Collective. This select group of artists paint the walls of the buildings in this area with incredible pieces of art, and in the midst of it all, a "new" artist is rising to the challenge of being recognized on these streets filled with artwork from well known visionaries like Buff Monster and Sexer. And with just a little push and a lot of talent, he would enter that mold.

Beau Stanton

Sexer

His name is Adam Psybe, or just Psybe for short. Since a young age he's been very artistic, but for the past three years he's been working on his craft with a canvas, and really expanding and working on it full time for the past year. His style of painting is extraordinarily surrealistically pleasing. One might call it 'abstract' art, but I'll refer to it as planetary portal geometry.

The first time we saw Psybe's work was up in Maine at The Great North Music and Arts Festival. Although there wasn't a lot of time spent talking to the man himself, his works really spoke out to everyone that came under the art tent. There were times I'd walk by just to admire his canvases again only to find people sitting in front of the paintings in a trance like state, getting lost within these gateways from his mind. It was very appropriate to have him working alongside other amazing artists, including Alex and Allyson Grey.

Now back in NY, Psybe was looking to get involved with more artists as well as to expand his horizons with his art. That is where the Bushwick Collective came into play. Originally, Psybe approached them to get a spot to paint a mural and become part of the collective. At that time, the Bushwick Collective was apprehensive to giving Psybe the wall space due to him only working on two murals in the past, and most of his work being on canvas. As I'm sure this was a let down for Psybe, he did not let it get in the way of building his street cred.

Entrance to Cypress Studios // The Art Space

Down the Hallway Lined with Art

Recently a new art studio opened up in Bushwick called Cypress Studios aka The Art Space. It's a pretty well hidden spot, with a large black gate blocking off the entrance. Inside the studio there are hallways and rooms, a lot of space an artist could rent out as a studio. It was in this space that Erika Bansen, another very talented artist, rented out a room to launch her very own dreadlocks studio, Make Me Dreadful.

While fixing up the room, Adam spoke to the building's owner about possibly being able to use the black gate in front to paint a portal. The permission was given and Psybe went to work. He was adding a mural to the area that he was just denied from. "I was told it was a bad move to do a mural right in their area, but I decided to go ahead with it anyway given I did not think I'll be working with them." Some my consider this a ballsy move, I see it as freedom of speech. After all, this building may be in the same area, but the Bushwick Collective do not own the streets.

His mural began to take shape, and a small portal to a whole new galaxy came to life. He worked on it for full days, from the brisk mornings till the extreme temperature drop at night fall. Little by little his piece came together to create an original painting for the neighborhood. It is truly incredible to look at, and even more so original compared to all the other works in the vicinity. Psybe has added a new flare on Cypress Ave. After his work was finished, he contacted the Bushwick Collective again to show them his piece. They told him that they were watching him the whole week as he worked, and they were happy to have him be a part of them.

Almost completed...

Finished Product "Public Portal One" - Photo by Bushwick Collective

Moral of the story? Don't give up. Don't give in. If you love something, and are passionate about it, just do it and keep on doing it. Psybe didn't step on any toes in doing what he did, and in the end got where he wanted to be. So what's next for Psybe? Well so far he will be working on another portal with the Bushwick Collective and he's also been contacted to paint a building in Brooklyn. The building will be a collaborative piece featuring Psybe and other geometric and abstract artists from the Bushwick Collective. He will also be doing a new acrylic series for a solo show in Denver called The Knew Conscience Gallery in June. There are many great things to come from this artist, and we are excited to see what's next!!

Check out Psybe Visual Arts to see more of Psybe's work and buy some art!! See his work with your own eyes on Troutman and Cypress, a half block west on Cypress, only a short walk from the Jefferson Street Station on the L line.

Cinco De Mayo!!

Seems like the majority of parties lately have been at the newest welcome addition to the BK underground rave scene, the 12 Spot (aka The Hindsdale). You've read about it in previous reviews (Mad World, Sugar Rush), but this time around, the party was predominately on the roof.

Caaaaaaandy BY: Paus3

The 5th of May, a day immortalized in drowning in beer and partying it up. Why? Well other than the historical significance, to party! What better way than to stomp around in the early summer weather? This party was pretty cray, although when I first got there it seemed almost dead. Party starts at 2pm? Yea a lot of people aren't coming out that early. But, my eyes were deceiving me. You see, the party was on the roof. About 50-60 people were inside while close to 300 (when I got there) were jamming upstairs.

Chillin BY: Paus3

Party Up in Here! BY: Paus3

Sweetsauce BY: Ronnie C.

The place was alive! This event brought forward some new twists. In the house was The Brooklyn Salsa Company! The guys that run the company are all artists themselves. Playing in bands, spinning records, being themselves. Since they are all such vibrant personalities, these spicy connoisseurs are making a documentary about their company and themselves. Why were they at a BK rave? Simple, they are artists and want to reach the artistic people. Genius. So not only did they have an enormous box of chips and all different flavors of their salsa, Rob Behnke was on stage spinning some of his trancealicious tracks. It was great meeting them, and the salsa's pretty damn good too.
 

Mmmmm Salsa BY: Paus3

Rob Behnke BY: Paus3

Although there weren't many people downstairs, Morgan Freeman had the place looking like light wonderland. His visuals never cease to amaze me, you need to check out his work. He is a very talented individual and we are lucky to be able to experience his work first hand the way we do. HOMAGE!! Also on lighting was Paradox Productions (pew pew). Greeting all the people as they came upstairs was the one and only Kevin Carpet. Always active with the crowd, this living piece of art even got a chance to squeeze in an interview with the Triple Threat Production team!

Triple Threat has been on the NYC scene for a little over a month now, and their videos are pretty kick ass (check out this one HERE). It's great to see more than just party videos going up. HOMAGE. They had set up shop with Electrik Graffiti the back right corner of the roof, offering a place to chill, get a light show, and buy rave goodies. Some interviews went down there, including one with the owners of Satellite Records. Their very own DJ Bill was spinning and TTP and EG were lucky enough to have them hanging out. I even saw them enjoying a couple light shows!

Far Right, DJ Bill! BY: Ronnie C.

Deranged Electrik BY: Triple Threat

Throw Them! BY: Ronnie C.

Helen Spinning Staff BY: Triple Threat

 

Colors!! BY: Triple Threat

As for food, there was a BBQ and... Thai Food! Why, I don't know, but it smelled hella good! Another great party brought to you by Morgan Freeman, Biggie Stardust, Helen Pyre and Duke Live!

PHOTOS:

Triple Threat Productions - SET
Ronnie C. - SET
Paus3 - SET
Reptar - COMING SOON

Sugar High!

This past weekend was perhaps one of the best events I have been to this year. Yea I said it. I said it not only because I love Tara, Sue and Sacha, but because this party had the most upbeat music, energetic vibes, and crazy amount of people that had only been to a few raves. In one word, this event was uberfantasticsome.

So Many People and Lights BY: Ronnie C.

Sugar Rush, presented by Tara Tiger, Sasha Alexandra and Sue Sarcastic. Held at the same spot as Madworld, the 12 spot. It seems that party by party this spot gets cooler and cooler. The theme was sugar [duh], so there was a ton of color everywhere! They had a huge gumball machine with cup cakes on layered tiers. Talent that flew in from all over the states. DJs spinning their sets on the rooftop. Electrik Graffiti introducing a new banner signing and snow cones, as well as bringing in Defective Albino to draw Mooker Commissions (GET ONE). Dudes bbqing chicken. Fire Poi... glovers galore... not to mention some amazing visuals from Morgan Freeman and everyone's favorite living piece of art, Kevin Carpet.

Chilling with Kevin Carpet BY: Yaz

Electrik Graffiti BY: Yaz

Cuppy Cakes! BY: Yaz

When I first got there it was already 9pm, three hours into the party. The 12 spot is fairly large, and although there were about 400 people already in the house, it felt kinda spread out. I had never seen the DJs on the roof before, so I shot up there to see how it was going. Some people were dancing while the majority of people were partying and chilling. This presented the great opportunity to meet a ton of new people. What amazed me the most is how many people were there for their first rave, or even the ones that could count how many events they went to on one hand. These kids are basically the future of the scene here, and of course should all be welcomed with open arms and a kick ass light show.

Fire Poi BY: Ronnie C.

They Call Him... Gimmiks BY: Reptar

And light shows were given. So many glovers had come out to this. If you stood on the balcony and looked out into the crowd, you'd see show after show, ten feet away from the next. Seeing so much color from up top was pretty awesome. Morgan had killer visuals too, my personal favorite being that of Biggie Stardust as the digital hostess. Awesomesauce and kudos! That adds so much to the vibes in the room, loved it.

Dance Dance BY: Yaz

@.........@ BY: Yaz

YEEEE Buddy! BY: Triple Threat Productions

By the time the clock hit 11, the whole building was shaking. This was the party to be at, even if you've never raved before, this is where you wanted to be. The music was all hard-style and happy hardcore. It was just.... happy pumped up music! There were a lot of local DJs performing sets, but there were a few out-of-towners that came to grace us with new twists to going hard on the 1s and 2s. One of which was the headliner of the night, Jimni Cricket. She was awesome on the main stage! I actually ran into her randomly on the rooftop and struck up a convo about music and traveling. She was so cool and down to earth, and really cute too! Check her out on Facebook (fan page literally) and Soundcloud.

Bizarre BY: Ronnie C.

Jimni Cricket BY: Yaz

Chris Carnage BY: Yaz

Basically, this party was awesome. Don't miss out on the next one they throw. Seriously, you are shooting yourself in the foot. Check out the pictures, and the videos put up by Triple Threat Productions.

Photos:

Paus3 - SOON
Reptar - SOON
Ronnie C. - SET
Delineation Digital Media - SET 1//SET 2
Triple Threat Productions - SET
Justin Santiago - SET
Steve Jungle Man - SET 

Video:

Triple Threat Productions - HERE
666 Lights - HERE

Weekend Review, and a Colorful One

Last weekend was a different kind of weekend, and refreshingly so. First on Friday night unexpectedly at The Festival of Color: NYC Holi and then Saturday at Raver's Fantasy. Both nights were lived up to their names and pulled through really awesome parties.

Bizarre Killing It @ Raver's Fantasy

Friday came around and I was going to decide were to head for the night, and when I got the message about Holi I got really excited. You see, in order to promote this party, there was a video used from actual the actual Indian festival. People are having an awesome time...I kinda fell in love. Check it out:

So I went in there to a new warehouse very close to The Cage and recognized only a few faces. There were so many different kinds of people. Some coming in large groups, some with parents (and grandparents), it was quite awesome to see how many different people came in. Among the few faces that I did recognize included Morgan Freeman (Bluecrash) and he was working on the visuals for the place. The faces that I didn't recognize were covered in the colored powder everyone was throwing around. It was awesome to see everyone partying together.

 

 

The music was different from the raves I've been writing about. You had a DJ playing beats from vinyl, a live trance musician known as The Cosmal Show (with a live painter), a live jam band, and a nice lineup of DJs. People were digging it for the most part, the party kept getting more and more populated as the night continued. I had to put the camera down because it was getting too rowdy, but this was a horrible environment for a camera without protective gear. The party kept raging on throughout the night and from all the smiling faces and positive feedback on the event, I'd say this was yet another very successful one for Helen Pyre and Morgan!

 

Saturday night was an event at one of my favorite venues, Raver's Fantasy at Amazura Lounge. This was an Audiophiles' event, and DJ Bizarre's biggest one. I got to this one bright and early to watch the venue get ready for the show. For this event, there was some pretty cool stuff involved including an amazing lineup including straight from the UK, DJ Sc@r and Pikey!

 

The crowd slowly came in throughout the night, and the excitement continued to build. People kept coming in filling in the Amazura's space nicely.  It was so great to see everyone come out, it was also awesome seeing another gloving tourney go down. Electrik Graffiti hosts these competitions, and this time it was held in the gloving tent. Inside the tent a glover could go in to practice with a mirror, learn something new from more experienced glovers, and during the competition had the opportunity to win a brand new glove set. There were a surprising number of new glovers, some that had bought their gloves that day. In the end, Bagelz took the title for the night, with some fierce competition following in the top four.

 

 

 

The party went off without a hitch. Everybody was vibing well with each everybody, dancing, giving light shows, and a few cuddle puddles. The night was amazing and a great way to end my going out for the weekend. Big ups to all the promoters, producers, and the amazing people that help make everything happen in the scene.

PHOTOS:

HOLI NYC:

Paus3 - SET

Raver's Fantasy:

Ronnie C. - SET
Nate Valentine BlueRaven - SET
Delineation Digital Media - SET
Paus3 - SET

The end. [duh]

[Space] Flux Makes a Name for Itself with Nintendo Themed Rave

I know it's a little late now... but a couple Saturday night's ago was a night for many ravers here in NY that will not be forgotten anytime soon. From most of the same folks that put together my favorite party of all time (Power Ravers [duh]) brought us "When World's Collide", a Nintendo themed rave.

Once again, I made my way over to The Electric Warehouse (herein "The Lab"). I came a little late for this one, but I was extremely pumped about what I was about to walk into. I knew about some stuff in the background (that unfortunately I still cant talk about) that was going to make this rave BEAST compared to any other rave that's been there. However, when I came in half the stuff I heard about was not there. However, what was going on there blew my freaking mind!

 

 

First and foremost, I walked into Rockman's set. It felt like there were easily over a thousand people in the room, walking through a crowd had never been this hard for me. Rockman was tearing up the floor it was unbelievable. I headed over the Electrik Graffiti tent to say hey to everyone and see what was going on. As I walked up, I saw 30 (maybe more) glovers surrounding the side area and front of the tent. Mufasa came up to me and all rushed asked if I wanted to join the glover's competition.

 

 

Paus3. A glover's competition that is actually going down? Not even five minutes in the door and the DJ I couldn't wait to see is spinning AND there's a legit competition about to happen. I was glowing. I was not ready to start gloving, I had just gotten there and my camera wasn't even out yet, so I had to decline... this time. There were 22 glovers in total for the tourney and Raptor came out on top! He won himself a brand new pair of gloves with Genesis chips, an $80 value prize from Electrik Graffiti. He was pumped that he won, and let me tell you, this kid has major skills!

 

Another hug bonus to this party was having Morgan Freeman there. Morgan brought a ton of his game to the table, making some of the coolest digital mapping I've seen of his in person. Since this was a Nintendo themed party, the downstairs was Hyrule Castle. The walls were covers in flying Triforce symbols, sometimes it looked like someone was actually playing the Ocarina of Time, and my favorite was the stained glass windows from Hyrule Castle. Morgan made the room look absolutely amazing.

 

Of course [Space] Flux did their own decorations that looks wild! With Morgan and a little extra from Flux the downstairs portrayed the historical Zelda castle beautifully. Upstairs with Kirby's Dreamland was a little different, but very original. The walls were covers with hand painted sheets. They were very colorful, and very trippy! It was great to see the elbow grease they put into making the scene comes to life, both rooms were very colorful and delightful to be in. And don't forget everyone's favorite carpet, Kevin Carpet! He was by the door to step outside and get some fresh air, and some awesome pictures came out of that as well! People get really artsy with the living art!

 

 

The music was kicking all night and it all went off with very few hitches. There was a costume contest that went down, and the two top costumes were awesome! First place went to a Zentai cat suit Zentai Samus, and second place to a girl dressed up in a well-made home-made Charizard costume! The winner was supposed to get a free Nintendo tattoo from Eddie at Heart of Brooklyn Tattoo!

All in all, this party was a massive success. Great job to everyone at Flux, and I can't wait till the next one!! Check out all these awesome pictures!!

Paus3 - SET
Taylor Flash - SET
Ronnie C - SET
ThreeFourteen Media - SET
Jonathan R - SET
Reptar - SET
Pac-man - SET1 // SET2 //  SET3
D3bst3p - SET