Glover's Spotlight: Karma

We're bringing back the Glover's Spotlight, and this time, we're heading up north to MA, to speak with a talented glover with a fantastic outlook on what he does. Introducing, Karma.


What's up man?! Introduce yourself... What glover name do you go by and where did it come from?

What’s up Wish, in my daily life I go by my real name Mike but when the gloves get pulled on tight and the lights get turned on, I go by my glover name Karma. I’ve always been a believer in karma which in religions is the basic concept of an “action” or “deed” causing the cycle of cause and effect. When karma comes back around and bites you in the ass it hurts, so I try to make the right choices and stay true to myself to avoid it sneaking up on me.


How did you find out about gloving? 

I first found out about gloving in early 2011 when I went back to California to visit family and friends. I was at my friend Zach’s house and I remember him saying to me “I’m going to melt your face and mind by giving you a lightshow.” I was so hypnotized by the beautiful colors and this effortless flow he had... it took me a solid minute to pick my face up off the floor. He taught me a few basics like finger rolls, but I didn’t really get that into it until Camp Bisco 11. Since Camp Bisco I haven’t been able to stop learning new concepts therefore developing my own style.

Frank Dixon Photography

What got you to put on your first pair?

It was at Bisco where I got my first pair. Bought them from you Wish! At the booth you were working at (Electrik Graffiti)! I didn’t care what colors they were or how much I just wanted them. Once I had them I couldn’t take them off. Until I had to take them off and ended up losing them. Here's karma for you... a funny story. I recently became friends with a girl named Mia who also went to Bisco and found a pair of gloves that were the same kind as mine. If it just so happens they are mine, I'm glad they ended up in good hands, because she’s nasty at gloving.


Let's talk a little about the North Eastern scene. Everyone knows a Tight Crew party is what's up, but give everyone a little insight to what the people are like.

If you live in the North East and go to events frequently you have definitely heard and most likely attended a Tight Crew party. Everybody on that crew is wicked nice and kind hearted people who just want to have a good time with other good people. Ill definitely be attending their next event in Providence, Rhode Island “ Creatures of the Night 4.” I've noticed that its only at the Paladium that you get mostly bros and girls who want to show off their neon clothes. Events by Northern Lights, Mutiny, The White Rabbit... all of those events you get the nicest, most out-going, and caring people


What's the average reception of a glover in Massachusetts?

It really depends on where you go. For instance if you go to Throwed in Boston you don’t really get the best reception. I’ve actually been told by one of the guys that gloving has too much rave affiliation with it and that I should put them away. But at other places like RISE or the Palladium in Worcester people come up to me all the time asking nicely for a lightshow and there are always other glovers to trade with and learn new concepts from.


Tell us a bit about your team.

Well I have a gloving team and a gloving family. My gloving family is Northern Lights, its honestly the best gloving community there is. Everyone considers you family and they all just want to help one another grow as individuals and glovers. Someone is always willing to take the time to answer a question you have or show you some moves. I’m also part of the gloving team [CB] Cloud Busters headed by my friend in California Zach. We’ve been around for about a month now and I think having part of the crew in CA and the other part here in the east coast allows for not only recognition but also many different styles of gloving.

Dave Yang

How would you describe your gloving style. Are there certain moves you prefer to use in your shows?

I’d say my gloving style works best for trance type songs. I’ve spent a lot of hours developing a nice smooth liquid flow while at the same time incorporating mellow tunnels/whips and other rolls. For the most part I like to freestyle every show I give but I definitely have a few moves that I try to toss in at certain parts to make the viewer's jaw drop.


Awesome man, do you think that gloving has changed you at all?

Gloving has definitely changed me. I think it’s taught me about dedication, patience and has opened my eyes to new mediums for art. My finger dexterity has improved so much from the day I started gloving to now, I can bend my pinkies down while keeping my other fingers straight up!!!


I've got one last question for you I'm sure we're all dying to know: who do you look up to? Are there any Glovers that you try to learn from or influence you?

My favorite glover is Stunna from Team ayo? I love is style and musicality. Most of my influence comes from videos by team ayo? Or [PM]. If you ever watched a video of Fry… he’s beyond creative with his style and his moves, I have a lot of respect for how original he is.

Who's Playing at Camp Bisco 11

The days and names of people preforming n them has been released! This is ALPHABETICAL order, not the order in which they'll play or what stage [duh].

Get your tickets now before they sell out!!!Buy tickets HERE HERE HERE HERE HERE.

More details to come! I can't wait to get my feet wet in the festival circuit this weekend at Camp G.L.O.W. Coming soon, what to pack and how to prepare for a festival (with my brand new experience!)

Weekend Massive!

Everywhere you go to a rave scene, there are the people behind every party making it happen. Some production crews are bigger than others, and some have obtained a deserved notoriety behind their names. One of these companies is Tight Crew.

Tight Crew is based out of New England, throwing some of the biggest and best parties on the east coast. Four the past three years, they've graced New York with an amazing party known as Mario Party. Aside from the amazing marketing potential the name has, the event lives up to it's name. Here's a peek at how the party went down last year, photos by Sam Froond. This video also was the prime inspiration for the Pictorial Walkthroughs.

This year is number 4, and has gotten hype like none other. Costumes people are wearing will be epic. The lineup is fresh. Deco has been amazing years past, and will probably be equally if not more so awesome this year. You want to go to this party. Why? Because I knew about this party prior to coming onto the scene.

I'm looking forward to the DJs that they're bringing out, especially Subsonik. He lays out some awesome Drum and Bass, can't wait to catch the set. The rest of the lineup is sick, and there is really only one DJ that's a "resident BK DJ", Atom C. So what are you waiting for? Get your ticket now and save $10.

Purchase tickets HERE.
Find a ride HERE.

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

New Jersey Rave Broken Down by Police

Firstly, I apologize for the title, I want this article to be found and caught in SEO.

Now onto the interest: New Jersey has been coming up on their parties and events. Little by little, Jerseynites don't have to travel all the way into NYC to enjoy the scene. Early in the week, there was a small event (comparatively to what we are used to) held in Hopatcong. From what I've heard, the party was popping and a really good time.

Then the cops showed up. Did arrest anyone at first, claiming they were there for a noise complaint. They continued to hold everyone there, taking everyone's info, and onto finding illicit drugs on a few kids after searching a bunch of them. Now, Jersey laws are changing. People are upset about this happening and a lot of different commentary and controversy is coming out on the topic.

Make of it what you will. Ready the two local news articles written on the party:
Hopatcong, NJ Patch
Daily Record

And now the rub. Triple Threat Productions was there and captured the police coming in. These guys have a great message to all ravers and viewers alike, not to mention kick-ass videos and pictures. Here's the footage:

 

Jersey deserves good events. Hell, Electric Daisy Carnival is coming there soon and even Insomniac stripped them from the title. Aight, comment below and let me know what you think about all this.

Mad Weekend!!

This past weekend was completely unbelievably... mad. It all started on Friday as I made my way into Jersey in the early afternoon. From Jersey all day and night, and then back to the city to go down the rabbit hole in Brooklyn for Saturday night, I was basically in no-sleep non-stop mode. It was insane and well worth it. Here's what went down at Nightlight Neverland and MADworld.

The Jersey rave scene is kinda lacking is existent at all. The majority of ravers come to Brooklyn to rage, and they are dedicated to coming out to at least two events a month. There are groups that want to bring the Jersey scene to a new level, one where the parties get just as wild and crazy as the ones we have here in New York. One of these groups is Subground Promos. Constantly on the prowl to find spots that would accept parties with open arms, and grinding the pavement to promote, Subground is up and coming in Jersey. These was their second event (I believe) and it was held in a venue unlike any I've ever seen. It was a bar that was once a strip club. Low ceilings, checkered white and light brown tiles, a pool table, gumball machine, huge full bar, and a stripper pole; the spot was very interesting.

Electrik Graffiti with Gloves and Schoodiez

Dancing on a Pole... Yes.

Gum Ball Machine FTW

After the lights were in place, DJ's booth was set up, and Electrik Graffiti was all set up, people started to slowly make their way to the spot. It started off small, with about five locals at the bar and 10 glovers jamming to the music. As the night went on, more ravers came out, and so did more locals, about 300 people came in to party with us that night. It seemed that everyone was digging the music, but there were a bunch of technical problems that forced the music off a couple times. That's when I noticed the dudes (bros) at the bar. It was a weird mix of people, considered that it was a rave held in an open bar helped with that. I was extremely happy to hear Rockman spin again, that was a treat, as well as meet the boys from Triple Threat Productions. They are similar to 314 Media here in NY, and their work is amazing! Check them out and show them some love!

After driving home at 5am on no sleep and onto a full work day, I didn't know if I'd survive the next event at night. I've been waiting for MADworld to happen since D3b told me of it's conception. DJs from all over the country. Brand new Brooklyn spot. A rave by ravers for ravers. I was pumped and needed the be awake for this. As the night crept closer, I began to get more tired. This wasn't good...I would not let me body shut off on me for this. I got to the spot fairly quickly after getting off the Williamsburg Bridge. Not sure if I was at the right place, I walked inside and BA-BAM... I was in the right place. About 9,000 square feet, an enormous stage, second floor and roof the same size as the whole building, VIP area nicely secluded overlooking the dance floor, full bar... this spot is awesome! There were a bunch of people there already and once I got to shmoozing I was awake again with excitement. Only problem was my brain had become so cloudy I had the hardest time remembering names... no matter, time to do this!

Alice is Not Home Right Now

Mad for the Mad Hatter!

The Queen's Personal...er...Rabbit.

This was D3bst3p's first party, and you can tell there was a lot of effort put into making her vision a reality. The deco was awesome. They lined the entire second floor with cut up sheets and trippy tapestries to hang from the balconies. The lighting was pretty good with a nice boost from Morgan Freeman working on the projectors.  With all the white walls, and sheets, he had a lot to play with, and was a big help in making the room come alive. With Electrik Graffiti in the house, you know there were tons of glovers, and a nice addition for this party was fire spinning (rooftop FTW)!

DJ Conduktor!

Epic Cloud Strife (sick set!!) BY: Sam Froond

All the Way from LA, iNexus BY: Sam Froond

The music was AMAZING. The set-up was all sorts of jimmy-rigged, but it didn't really seem to matter. Haters gonna hate and everyone is going to dance. There was mixing off an ipad at one point, I heard an ipod came into play at another point... the fact of the matter is that there was hardly any technical issues, which is amazing considering the gear they had to set it all up. Huge kudos to you guys, seriously, I had such a blast with everyone's sets. And big shoot out to the dudes coming in and showing NY what they got! (iNexus, Trigga Happy, DJ Conduktor [Dirty Nitrous])

Melting Face by the Couches BY: Sam Froond

DJ and Poi Extraordinaire, Sprite BY: Sam Froond

Liiiiights BY: Yaz

For all you glow freaks out there, a two-tiered gloving competition sponsored by Electrik Graffiti went down, beginners and advanced. This was new and worked out really well! Beginners tier was taken by Sammy, and Sick Noley took the title for advanced. Mad skills were being thrown down, it's insane to watch so many new glovers come on the scene and how quickly they are getting better. Keep practicing guys! I want to shake the west coast, killing it!

Here's all my pics from the night, with a little spice of video!!

Once the night was over (at 7am), I got my well deserved 2 hours of sleep, and went to work the next day a zombie. It was well worth it. Thank you so much to Subground and D3bst3p for doing what you do, I can't wait until the next ones!!

PHOTOS:

Nightlight Neverland:

Triple Threat Productions: SET
Paus3: SET

MADworld:


D3bst3p: SET
Blue Raven Images: SET
Delineation Digital Media: SET
Paus3: SET
Sam Froond: SET

Get Your Art On!

A big part of the rave community that always strikes me as unique and extremely interesting is the artistic side of everything. Between the dancing, gloving, face painting, mask making, painting, decoration design, hitting the decks...there's a lot going on with the art. Why? I think the answer is quite simple, there are a lot of artistically talented people that are in the scene.

Want to get your artsy side on? I got great news for you! There is a monthly event, a gallery event, held at Hi-5. For the first Friday of every month, there is a newly themed art gallery! So far I've personally only been to the photography event and the comic/cartoon event. They also had a UV reactive art, and an art-punk show! It's definitely a different event, but with all the right vibes. A lot of good familiar faces come out to these, and there is always great music, and great drinks! With two floors to play on, and plenty to see, I suggest you check at least one of these shows!

The next one coming up is a Black and White event! It's coming up the first Friday of April, the 6th! Get all your EVENT DETAILS. This is going to be an awesome event featuring DJs like Rainey, Gabbie Giftsz, Spaceman, and Colossal Mantis! If you are an artist make 100% sure you speak with Rael about being part of the show! Thank me for going down later :) 

OK, now you have the opportunity to go see art and maybe even get your art seen in a gallery setting. How about getting some art to be seen on a global setting? I'm not just talking about setting about a Deviant Art page.  Right now for another couple days, you will be able to enter an awesome contest with the new and quickly budding Production/Promotion group, Blue Star Productions NYC. They are currently holding a logo design contest! Winner of the competition receives the logo on Blue Star's homepage, as well as a years worth of comps to every single one of their events for you and a friend!

Get to the drawing board!! This is the group that brought you the absolutely amazing Pokeball and Heartless Valentine, and the very soon Sith vs Jedi (a charity rave for the Susan G Komen Fund!!) So get your ass down to these events, and make sure to enter the contest to get some exposure and free raving in!!

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]

This Weekend, Nintendo Party!!

If you're still wondering what to do this weekend, you are out of your mind! You should be reliving your favorite video games from Nintendo in real time. You should be out with your friends raging to some of the coolest DJs on the scene! You should be at When World's Collide on Saturday!!

Brought to you by the same team that brought me my first rave (Power Ravers!), [Space] Flux is going to transform the Electric Warehouse again into a completely new party experience! As you already know, The Lab is cut into two parts, the larger main floor, and the upstairs "side" room. They will be decked out accordingly, with the main room themed after Hyrule (Zelda [duh]), and upstairs will be Kirby's Dreamland! I'm very excited to see what exactly will be there for deco, but the inside scoop tells me that it will blow your mind.

Cloud Strife

Rockman!!

The lineup is awesome. You have:


Rockman
Galvatron
Animus
Wink-E
DJ Beast
DJ Syncere
W@X
Addicted Penguin
DJ Bizzare
Cloud Strife
Alex Dragonov
Johnny J
DJ Hannibal
Kid Royale
Project EXP
Rich Green

Along with this sick music that's going to be on fire all night, you will have several other attractions! There will be fire spinning, UV body painting, Kevin Carpet, Nintendo games to play (crossing my fingers for some super smashed brothers), visuals by Morgan Freeman, a costume contest sponsored by Heart of Brooklyn Tattoo, Scoodies and LED Gloves/toys by Electrik Graffiti (including the first ever glovers tent!!), LED shirts by Underground Lights, Paradox on the lights and sound, and "GLOWSTICKS FALLING FROM THE SKY LIKE NEON RAIN"... so much is going on at this event!

Hell Yeah Awesome Flier!

I'm pumped to be there with the family, I can't wait for this event. Make sure to check out the event page on FB, and go 'LIKE' everyone's pages. The support helps everyone keep going, so help them out! I'll see you guys there [duh]!!


Get your tickets now!! BUY HERE!