This is a place for everything related to Electronic Dance Music! Tracks, DJs, light shows, festivals, news, entertainment, reviews, interviews...this is about Electronic Dance Music Culture and Community.
Sup everybody? Wish yonder! Not even a full week after EvolveFest was the next stop on our festival tour, Catskill Chill. The Chill took us up north into the Catskill Mountains in New York. Placed in a quaint and quiet camp ground, this festival felt more intimate than any of the other one's we've been to prior. As the festival moved forward, the Electric Ghost Punk team had some of the most memorable moments and eye opening experiences than ever before. And it was all thanks to the team over at Velour Music, Brotherly Love Productions, the team at Catskill Chill, and of course, Break Science.
Before you continue, relax, push the play button, and carry on.
The following is what went down at Catskill Chill.
Although not the biggest music festival we were attending (just around 5,000 people), all the EGPunks were very excited to be going to this event. It was the first time the main players would all be together in one place, and to top that off, I was getting to meet Brower for the first time as well.. Me and Fitz had headed there together, while Zodd and Brower came separately. This allowed us to settle in and figure out where we wanted to set up shop. After all Fitz has his ENO hammocks and it's always nice to find a relaxing area to set them up and catch some sleep or hang out. After walking around a bit with nothing but our backpacks on we sat down on a small hill overlooking a lake. As we sat there, I began to write a bunch of notes on who we wanted to see, and a basic game plan for the day. A few people came up to us just say hi and introduce themselves, the breeze was cool, and the scenery was perfect. It was "chill", and perfectly so.
As the day kept flying by, and there was no word on Zodd or Brower, so me and Fitz decided to go and check out the music as it began. After walking through the main camp grounds, there was a check point to approach the stages. It was past here where the stages were set up, as well as the main vending area. These grounds provided a central meeting area for people to eat, smoke hookah, enjoy music and be centralized to the middle of what's going on. After this first day of interaction with so many amazing people, my entire weekend had been put into motion to meet and connect with so many talented, intelligent, creative people.
Essentially, that's how The Chill felt. It was a small community, all surrounding the love of music, and how we all communicate with it. After watching Lettuce from the side stage and coming back with them afterwards, the band took a seat at the green room house. Even Adam Deitch was saying "I wish I could continue playing... I don't want to stop the music". If a drum set had been handy you can bet Deitch would jump right on it.
We actually had the opportunity to sit down with Adam to talk about his projects. He has been the drummer for Lettuce for many years, and like other members of the band (Kraz) he has a side project that's been popping for a couple of years now, Break Science. Currently releasing music under Pretty Lights Music, Adam and partner Borahm Lee break it down for you. Their live performance is so ridiculous. People in the crowd go nuts, with the beats breaking down from effervescent flows, to funky glitchy beats, right back down to the flow again. It kinda felt like the room went from jumping dance party to very sexy party in the drop of a beat.
Here's what down in the interview: (Push Paus3 above, and play below ;)
A few hour after that interview is when they went on, and they tore the house down. The set was intense, and ultimately packed out the stage area so much it spilled out into the common grounds. It was glorious. There were multiple sets that went down that weekend that I consider some of my personal favorites and bests. With so much talent, it only made sense they'd all bring it. The soul, the funk, the jam, and the heart pounding beats...
McLovins by Zodd
Crowd for SoulLive by Wish
Break Science by Zodd
And when you weren't checking out the music at one of the three stages, you could be eating some bbq, or some fresh oysters (might just be my favorite person ever), or hanging out by the lake, meeting new people, buying new wares, exchanging ideas, learning about crystals and healing... the list goes on. The point is, between seeing amazing talent like Break Science, The McLovins, SoulLive, Lettuce, Horizon Wireless... among many more, meeting all the incredible people from all over the world, and feeling at home every night wrapped up in a hammock or cuddled with my friends. If you didn't know, now you know. Catskill Chill is where you want to be.
Wassup ya'll it's Wish. I'm here to tell you where you want to be in NYC on Friday night. Consider this as an informative article if you have no clue about the New York rave scene and what you want to do with your Friday, October 19th, night. I'm not telling you where to be, but you won't want to be elsewhere. This is going to be the ultimate 90s themed party, Power Ravers 2: Rise of the Dragonzord. Click play on this and read on.
Before we get into the music playing right now, let's take a look at the the people throwing this party. [Space]Flux Productions, an awesome group of driven and motivated young adults that want to bring you the best party experience based on how they know you would enjoy a party. They focus on really pulled into a theme through decoration and energy. My first event was the precursor to this one, Power Ravers.
The headliners have been announced for some time now, and the 15$ pre-sale (which is sold out) was totally worth it. You were getting to see Kraddy, Static Groove, Mux Mool, X-Dream, and just announced earlier today, Dysphemic and Miss Eliza.
Now Fitz has been telling us about Dysphemic and Miss Eliza, showing the difference between the two as a duo and Dysphemic solo. Originating from Australia, they had just begun their first ever North American tour, and they are making a stop here on Friday night. Check out some of their stuff, you'll likey.
This is a night that won't come around often in this fashion.
It's sure to be a good time with Morgan Freeman putting his work in, Paradox Productions, Red Balloon GoGo, raffles, Power Ranger Costume Contest... there's a lot going on and a great environment to experience it in. This is set up to be the party. With the night coming up, now is the time to get your tickets and save a few dollars for the train. Find your tickets HERE! Also, anyone with a birthday on October 19 or 20th gets in free (with valid ID).
Wassup ya'll, Wish[Paus3] here! A few weeks ago we were telling you about a yoga-arts-music festival in New Jersey called EvolveFest. Being a few years in existence already, this festival has a nice following, and the following is full of open minded, spiritual, and quite flexible people. It was here that the community aspect I always talk about really came to light, this festy really hit home for me.
When we first pulled up to the festival grounds, you could see the camp sites already popping up from the main road. Last year we heard it was at another more secluded location, so The Warren County Fairgrounds was a new spot for all the return Evolvers. It was a cozy size with multiple stages and locations for workshops. Everything was nicely set up, with the majority of campers set up in a field, a vendors' row, and more places to explore such as where the Green Bus was parked and the old barn houses.
This festival is known for it's yoga workshops and spiritual lifestyle attraction. It was interesting to see the combination of EDM and this part of the community. The music was diverse, featuring some awesome talent that really blew us away. We checked out Karmic Juggernaut, Telesma, Consider the Source, and Mercury Landing... just to name a few. The music wasn't only on stages, it was pretty much everywhere you walked. There were drum circles in the fields throughout the day and around bonfires at night. Guitars, didgeridoos, drums and other percussion instruments were no strangers to the festival grounds. Everywhere we walked there were different sounds and music playing.
Karmic Juggernaut
Mercury Landing
dude.
Telesma
Now the main reason I fell in love with this festival was how open people were. The sharing of energy, conversation, knowledge... it was truly awesome how close I felt to everyone. It was easy to walk up to any tent, hammock, workshop, vendor, really anybody at all and start talking. As we spoke to more people, we created many connections. I mean, the ability to get over initial judgements and see people for who they were was extremely refreshing. Zodd and I met healers, yoga teachers, musicians, promoters, dancers, singers, bakers, artists... all these different people with different skills and life experiences. It was pretty awesome to hear everyone's stories in this wholesome environment.
This was a first for us and 100% not the last. To be able to connect with our friends the way we did and meet and connect with so many other people was truly a beautiful thing. Check out the pictures on our Facebook, and see all of them fly by in our Pictorial Walkthrough's and even this crazy drink called AhhMigo, check it out below.
What's up guys, it's Fitz. We're a few days away from hitting up CounterPoint Music Festival in Atlanta, GA, this weekend and we're super excited to say the least. I've been passing the time listening to some new music and starting to plan out my weekend, because when you go to a festival with a lineup as crazy as this one you're going to need some prep-time if you want to miss as little as possible.
Thusday is a smaller day when looking at the rest of the festival, but of course CounterPoint cant let you have an easy time choosing between ten acts on two stages. Personally I plan on starting the day off with Nobody Beats The Drum at 6:15 in the evening, followed by Adventure Club at 7:15. My prediction is after that set my night is going to have alot of running cause I want to catch all of the following sets. 8:45 gives you the choice between Run Dmt's heavy hitting psychedelic dub or Beats Antique's unique mix of world music and electronica. The real choice is between Colorado's best saxophone infused electronica with Big Gigantic, or check out Up Until Now, who brings a jamband sensibility to the world of electronic music, and are playing with STS9's David Murphy. Then I'm going to try and split time wisely there, but I wouldn't doubt Dom and Jeremy trapping me over at the beat tent.
Pretty Lights
Adventure Club
Friday is when the festival really starts to come alive as 32 acts come on the four stages. The day looks like its starting with Dr. Fameus, who you may remember as the drummer from the Disco Biscuits at 2:45 in the afternoon on the Blackbeat Stage. ill probably then make my way over to new york rapper Theophilous London before chilling out with chillwave artist Washed Out. after that things seem to be getting a little tight as im trying to catch Mimosa, Tokimonsta and Atmosphere all within an hour and a half, before turning down Crystal Castles and heading over to Archnemesis, which is quickly becoming one of my most anticipated sets and a good way to start off the craziness of friday night. 7:30 youll find me at Feed Me, rocking out to his high energy electro before letting Excision drop one of the most agressive sets of the weekend, with his signiture brand of heavy metal influenced dubstep, but be wary because youre going to need your energy to make it back over to the point stage for the king of festival dubstep, Bassnectar then I hope I have enough energy to make it to R3hab and A-trak afterwards before preparing for Saturday's non-stop party
Com Truise starts things off early in the afternoon at 12:30, but come 1:15 your going to have to choose between jam and electronica heavyweights Zoogma, the heavy hitting deathstep duo Mantis, and trap superstar and ATL native Herobust. Whatever time you have after, enjoy, that because your going to be hard pressed to find time to stand still after 3:30 because saturdays lineup is packed. 3:45 brings you Paper Diamond followed by 12th Planet at the Beat Stage, while Toro Y Moi rocks the Counterpoint Main Stage. Emancipator will tear it up at 5 at the Blackbeat and half of ATL's own outkast, Big Boi on the Point Stage. Conspirator starts at 6, and though I'll be jamming hard for the first half hour, im going to have to move over to the Blackbeat for the Pretty Lights Music showcase (minus Elliot Lipp and Break Science) and Paul Basic at 6:15 and will probably stay there through Supervision, Michal Menert and Gramatik. though you may want to go check out such massive names as Steve Angello, Zeds Dead, Lotus, or Skrillex, i dont think i can turn down six hours of pretty lights music, because come 10:15 Pretty Lights brings counterpoint to its climax. Seeing 20,000+ people groove to such funky futuristic bass mixed with just about any style of music you can think of at summer camp and electric zoo are some of my favorite memories of the summer and I can't wait to be there again. If pretty lights isnt your scene, Porter Robinson and The M Machine are on call at the other end of the park to keep you moving until the late night sets start, but no matter what makes you move, you'll find something Saturday night. Ghostland Observatory and Laidback Luke keep things grooving on the beat stage while Alvin Risk and Zedd end the weekend with a bang of high energy electrohouse.
So that's what my music schedule is looking like two days before the festi. There's sure to so much to do on the festival grounds. I can't even begin to cover all the vendors, the forest, and the potential surprises around every corner. Make your schedule, get a good nights rest and come say hi in Georgia. You can follow us a little moar on Twitter/Facebook @EGPunkOfficial/ElectricGhostPunk!!
This weekend will mark one the busiest weekends for NYC this summer, especially because Electric Zoo will be bringing in the a-c names in electronic music. It is because of that festival that I am making sure to trek to Jersey and experience an entirely different festival that is one of the biggest of it's kind, Evolvefest.
Evolvefest is a four day festival running this Labor Day weekend, August 31 - September 3, 2012, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. It looks to be very spiritualistic and quite majestic, that's split between music, nature, meditation, art and education. It is hailed as one of the top ten yoga festivals in the world, it's family friendly, and it's very close to New York City and Philadelphia. Let's take a look into what you can expect at Evolvefest and the top three reasons I'm most excited for this weekend!
We are so used to there being music pounding out the beats almost 24 hours a day, and in some cases this was true to an extent (Camp Bisco 11). However, there are multiple stages of multiple activities. There are two music stages, with some awesome acts performing both live bands and DJ/producers, such as Telesma, Bad Buka, Outersect, or Consider the Source. The music plays pretty much all day, 9am-11ishpm.
Then There's the Yoga Stage. There you can not only participate in what might be the largest yoga pool of people you've ever been in, but you will also be learning and involved in sessions with seasoned instructors such as Sara Gallmann, Stephanie Sirico, and Beth Filla. Oh, what's this?! It's a music stage as well! You can catch acts like DJ Inanna, and DJ Knowledge!
That for the stages, don't forget about all of the workshops that are being offered as well. A few that caught my eye include Beekeeping, Kung Fu Movement, and Sacred Geometry. All the workshops are held at one of four different camp ground locations, to give you an idea of the size, in fact check out this nifty map!
Made Extra Large for those Hard of Sight
The Community Aspect:
The fact that this environment is family friendly says a lot. To be able to bring your kids and have a safe place for them to enjoy themselves, as well as being exposed to so much art and culture is really a wonderful thing. There are sure to be many vendors as well. I'm hoping to see more on the side of homemade items, as well as certain specialties, and less of the main line of merchandise. There is also going to be a ton of art and art of all forms. Whether it's paint or dance, I can't wait to see all the live art, the opportunity to sit down and take a minute to actually write, fire spinning, drum circles, story telling and so much more... it's all very exciting to see how everything will pan out.
As a whole collective, their is a very large community behind these events. The biggest picture is covered under "EDM" with every event from Sensation to Camp Bisco, or Burning Man to Electric Daisy Carnival, the music is the initial focal point for gathering. In this festival, there is a much different focus aside from the music. The music comes into play with a higher sense of being. Yoga, meditation, art, these are all forms of expanding one's mind and using a more creative side of our brain. This festival garners more peaceful vibes, I don't think the getting pushed out of the way while dancing will happen here.
This is the 6th annual Evolvefest, there are sure to be many return campers as well as new comers such as myself and Z. It will be a different turn from the pounding dubstep and hardstyle nights spent in the warehouses and mainstream festivals. It is highly anticipated by us both.
Participate!!
Ticket prices aren't going to kill you, and fr what you get this will make for a great getaway from your average event. Get your tickets now, and come join us for what is going to be a beautiful weekend! Find more info here:
There's something about turning around to 15,000 people with their hands in the air.
It's already a month later, and I still wake up longing for the intense summer heat to hit my tent and motivate me to get up after a few hours of sleep to walk through the dust, get some grub, water, and have another full day of Camp Bisco XI.
Crowd Jumping to Zed's Dead
Camp Bisco 11. The largest and most organized Camp Bisco to date, brought to you by MCP Presents. It wasn't even two years ago that there were under 10,000 people in attendance. This years' numbers sore well over 20,000. Between everyone working the event, vendors, media, and all of the guests, the camp grounds were alive for every moment (waking or not) we were there. This was my first major music festival (read about the first small one HERE [disclaimer/spoiler the event gets broken up]) and it was way bigger and more intense than I could have ever imagined it to be. I could talk about it for days on end, but for the sake of your attention spans, I'll break it all down in three sections. The Camp/The People/The Music.
THE CAMP:
Last year the physical coming into Camp Bisco was a long experience for most. Waiting for hours in a line of cars blocking countless resident's driveways, some people relieving themselves on said lawns, garbage all over, noise levels... the kind folk who live in Mariaville were not too happy with all the neo-hippies coming into their territory and turning it upside down. This year things ran much differently thanks to the joining of hands with MCP Presents and the town. The line still existed, but the amount of cars in it were toned down a lot. They had shuttles running back and forth from the ski lodge to allow more space for parking off-site and more camping on-site.
Straight Chillin
Making Dogs!
There were so many tents everywhere! The grounds allowed for 20 different camping spots. The majority of which were the open fields, a couple were in wooded areas, VIP had their own sections as well, and there were the RV camping spot as well. Since you are not allowed to bring vehicles onto the grounds to get around, walking was the mode of transportation for most. To be able to walk to entire circumference of the camp grounds would take you close to an hour, that's how enormous it is!
2D Cut Outs
Power Crystals
One of my favorite parts about camp was how interactive it was. No matter where you headed to, there was always something to check out. Many of the sights to see were artistic installations. For example, in the middle on the field past the audio tent for the main stages, there was a garden of 2D statues featuring some very recognizable characters and imagery. A short walk away were a series of power crystals; Tall reflective pyramids that pointed up into the sky, these power crystals also created a circumference around the crowd at the main stage, focusing energy together. My favorite piece of art was the light tunnel. At night this walk was like walking through a tunnel of Christmas lights, but my favorite part was it's interactiveness. This was an area that clever people could come and charge cell phones or camera batteries. Beautiful, relative and a resource, those lights were good to many people.
Certain Carpoolers Won Free VIP Upgrades!
RV Art
Of course there were showers, fresh drinking water in huge tanks, mobile bathrooms, and the VIP's had it nicest with these amenities. You should get those tickets early, or get active in your favorite website and win tickets, but VIP means close access, star treatment, and being next to the stars. Of course there's the perks (which are totally worth it) but just being able to be at Camp Bisco is rewarding in of itself, a big thanks to that comes from the people that attend the event. THE PEOPLE:
So I have done a little research [#HeadstashHistoryLesson], trying to see what the past Camps were like. Dating as latest as three festivals ago, there were [only] ten thousand people in attendance. Three years later and it's just about triple that number. The thing I find most interesting about this exponential increase, even just from Camp Bisco I - II, is that with the more extreme jumps in numbers meant many more diverse people, and from more places. Some will argue that they don't want the dubheads and bros to come in and "ruin" the vibes, but I found that the mix of people made for an awesome time, one where everyone was vibing to everything. I saw very few aggravated people trying to start fights or just being douche-bags, most people were having the times of their lives.
Henna!
While walking around the camp sites you could meet people from anywhere, it's as easy as walking up and saying hi, and you may make friends for life. While partying in the dance tents with thousands of other people brings such energy to everyone, seldom are people sitting when the treble is high and the bass is dropping hard and nasty beats fill the air. Or after the music stopped playing and you find yourself searching for more, and in the RV sections DJs are set up and 45-60 people are dancing and still having a great time until all hours of the morning. And there is a time to chill to the music and enjoy a conversation, people all over are just really friendly. Like at Silent Disco, or in the shade, maybe on the line to get some tasty treats. And there were the people who at first were not as open to meeting someone new, but once the smile comes out it's always a pleasure. Whether people's love was for Skrillex or the long time and new fans of The Disco Biscuits, everyone seemed to get along very well. There were many people I met that were so down to earth and shared a lot of ideas and interested with each other, it was so great to be able to make those connections.
Thanks to all the amazing people I met, I have new appreciations for wide brimmed fitted hats (Grassroots California), a new appreciation for Monster Java, pins, crystal wrapping, as well as several DJs and producers I have never heard of before Camp Bisco, and now can't stop raving about them.
THE MUSIC:
[lol] Where to begin... first word(s) that comes to mind is non-stop. As mentioned before, there is always music somewhere. There are of course the stages, which are easy to walk to when going from one to the next. There were two main stages next to one another, a smaller label tent down the dusty road from there, and then through a small walkway with a circle and wooded ceiling was the main dance tent, aka the B.I.G. tent. In between and across the fields from this line of musical talent was the Showcase/Silent Bisco stage. Here were the lesser known artists whose skills on their instruments were worthy of being and lucky to be performing at an event such as Camp Bisco.
Jake Dukes at Silent Bisco
Zed's Dead
Being this was my first legitimate festival, I was more than excited to be able to run through the pit (small area in front of stage between performers and VIP. The first set I got to shoot photos there was for Zed's Dead. As soon as they dropped their first song, the crowd was on their toes. The energy flowing through all the people could be felt as it rippled through the mass of bodies. All I kept thinking was, "finally", as my memory was brought back to December sitting on Facebook talking to Jake Dukes about wanting to check out this festival in NY, and then he showed me a video and each time the crowd rose my heart fell and shiver went through my entire body. I had to be there... and there I was. The set was amazing, and it felt like the hour set rushed right on by. This was the beginning of my musical journey on Thursday. Later in the day included Crystal Castles, Skrillex, and The Disco Biscuits.
Skrillex Set
Disco Biscuits Nighttime Set
Visuals in the Label Tent
The Biscuits first set was amazing. I have never before seen them live, so to be entertained by them in their house was pretty incredible. From the lights and the music, listening to them play was a great way to watch the crowd come together. Their music and love of the fans is what started this festival, and it is apparent why it's been so successful. Throughout the weekend, The Biscuits would play six sets in total, both during the day time and at night. For the ones I went to, I fell more in love with their music. It is good to step away from the dubstep and harder genres... until you get to the dance tents.
That's Mr. Z! Zodd
Laser, Lights and Energy! B.I.G. Tent was always popping.
Waiting....
First night I also caught Kill The Noise, Zedd, and Porter Robinson. Throughout the weekend we caught Killabits, Break Science, Big Boi, Lotus, Fikus, Jake Dukes and Mad Panda, Mimosa, Alpha Data, Minnesota, Codes, Holy Fuck, Bassnectar, Dillon Francis, A-trak, and Gramatik. The sets always blew me away... Zedd and Minnesota's sets were two that will always stick out in my memory. Part of it were their amazing performances mixed together with their stage presence and visuals, and the other part were their audience. To be able to feel that surge of energy while listening to some of the most amazing productions you've heard up close and share that with thousands of other people is just incredible.
CONCLUSIONS:
After attending the rave scene for so many months, my views on the scene have been diluted in the empty warehouses' dirty floors. The people have always been awesome (mostly) but that greater feeling of togetherness is hard to come by. Going to Camp Bisco and experiencing the emotion of "PLURR" ten fold than I've ever felt it has brought my faith back into the community. Leaving Bisco was the last thing I wanted to do. Not knowing what time it was, to always having something to do and someone to talk to... just living with everyone, for that I have to say "Thank You!" to The Disco Biscuits and everyone that made this festival happen.
See You Around!!! <3 WishPaus3
PS: I could talk for days about Camp Bisco XI, but now I want to hear your stories! Hit me up in the comments, electricghostpunk@gmail.com, or on FACEbook.
