| Author
|
Generic Formula Trance Party or The Trance Terrorist Who Stepped on My Toes
|
Nasos Tantrumm
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
29
Posted : Oct 18, 2005 19:34
|
The following statements represent the opinions of a single individual whose only goal in life is to achieve unity among like minded people in order to evoke the dormant forces of the earth and travel to the next level of existence as a species
These days, my trip to a trance party can be closely compared with my recent trips to the movie theater. A Hollywood blockbuster is synonymous to a trance party; the formula is contrived and brings no novelty or surprise.
The “typical” trance party starts off with local DJ talent playing for the gathering crowd; the “Trance Tourists” snap photos and interact in anticipation of the main act. The “rock star” performance is played somewhere between 1 and 3 AM followed by more local talent. The End. And repeat.
The path to enlightenment is narrow and steep; this wisdom is evident as I watch the dream that is the global trance community suffer under constant feudal record label squabbles and scheduling battles among party organizers.
Throughout the years I have witnessed the inevitable decay of the "psychedelic trance scene". This once raw and untamed phenomenon has been roughly man-handled and de-flowered, conformed and whittled down to a basic formula. Mass DJ fandom and substance use as a means to escape rather than progress, what has happened to the dream that was the Trance movement? Where are the relentless seekers of more? Where are the untamed warriors of spirit and freedom?
Marcus Aurelius: There was a dream that was Psy-Trance. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile.
Delusional fantasies of a bitter trance veteran
1. Imagine a large room with no apparent DJ booth or source of sound, the crowd gathers and interacts, baffled by the lack of the usual attention focus that is the “Stage”. The lights dim until the space is pitch black; the tension mounts as the silence is cut with a rising rumble of thunderous beats. The room is lit up and the decorations are unrolled, the crowd goes crazy.
2. The DJ looks up from the mixer and makes eye contact with the people he/she is playing for. OMG! The bard who is presented with the incredible opportunity to lead us on a musical journey has enough confidence and wisdom to connect with the people.
3. The DJ brings in a successful mix and instead of standing hunched over the mixer pretending to be extremely busy tweaking the base, they place the headphones down and step onto the dance floor and dance to the music they love to play, they dance along with the crowd and return to mix in the next track.
|
|
|
Psycosmo
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
42
Posts :
787
Posted : Oct 18, 2005 19:38
|
Ive seen #2 and #3 happen within the past month.
Cheer up. 
|
|
|
|
paradigm
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
54
Posts :
1098
Posted : Oct 18, 2005 20:42
|
indeed 2 and 3 do happen, but probably not as much as they should....
alongside good clean mixing and decent taste, crowd interaction should be the next point of dj behavior.
I hate the "concentrated im mixing , dont bother me this is serious work look " you can only be mixing for so long...
I call bullshit on that
If you listen hard, those dj that seem so serious in the booth or on stage, are also usually the bad ones. Too worried about their next track, or what they are doing. Not the ones that are comfortable and feeding off the energy of the crowd. The ones that smile, and jump around on stage are also probably the ones that are really mixing, the ones that are pulling tricks and enjoying it., the ones that are comfortable and confident
though i worry that when i see a dj come out and dance in the middle of his set, he's either just playing a really long track, or neglecting something he should working on...
the exception is of course coming out to dance to your last track
there are always exceptions to everything as well.
I say this because there are also some good dj's out there, that do the "serious surgeon" thing, but by and large i think youll find my above assesment preety true
|
|
|
|
Skeeve
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
427
Posted : Oct 18, 2005 20:55
|
|
I have to say, my favorite part of spook's sets is at the end when throws the tracks on, comes out and dances, and then runs back, throws on another track, and does it all again. More people should do that. |
|
|
|
Nasos Tantrumm
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
29
Posted : Oct 18, 2005 21:13
|
there are obviously exeptions to all of the above, but the overall theme of the post is to bring up less technical issues and aspects of trance and shed some light on them. Perhaps this type of discussion will generate a chain reaction of open discourse and productive banter, as it usualy does. Because this is a comunity and the people who organize, decorate, and play at these very special events are representatives of the people and some of these important aspects need to be addressed because they play a key factor in the overall direction and growth of the movement.
|
|
|
|
Mistress of Evil
Mistress Of Evil Records
Started Topics :
101
Posts :
961
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 01:22
|
can't say i often experience what you are talking about, most of the parties i attend don't have that "rock star" element you refer to. and i've been lucky enough i guess to almost always dance to dj's/acts that are really engaging, rather than seperate from the crowd.
try some different parties, they are out there things are ever evolving!
 Bringing Dreams to Life!
www.encantadaproductions.com |
|
|
|
crackerjap
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
46
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 03:19
|
Quote:
|
On 2005-10-19 01:22, Mistress of Evil wrote:
can't say i often experience what you are talking about,
|
|
ya. come to the west coast. |
|
|
|
crackerjap
Started Topics :
7
Posts :
46
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 03:30
|
I know what your talking about though. a very unfortunate situation.
I think the only thing you can do is keep digging furthur underground. |
|
|
|
furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
45
Posts :
1383
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 04:08
|
Quote:
|
On 2005-10-19 03:30, crackerjap wrote:
I think the only thing you can do is keep digging furthur underground.
|
|
keep digging me
Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.
www.ganesha.ca |
|
|
|
rachel
Started Topics :
1
Posts :
73
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 14:41
|
Ultimately a "good" party depends more on who is organizing it than anything else.
Nasos, I have certainly shared your disappointment at some parties in the last year... i whined about NYC and how fractured the trance community is here.... and i marveled that there are so many promoters for only about 1500 real tranceheads in NYC....(and i will certainly continue to do so... sorry to warn you all.... ;-) )
But basically i've learned not to go to parties organized by non-"community-minded" people.
Or if i do, it's because i really want to see/hear a certain artist who is performing, so I just try to block out the rest.... Not an ideal situation, but that's reality. For me, I do love the "party" feel - but the most important thing for me is the music. If there's bad music, or just a happy dj who is a nice person but can't mix, then the party is over.
And I can definitely say that after being starved for international talent in bombay the last four years, I definitely get excited when i hear someone like Hujaboy is in town... even if, god save us, he's playing at avalon....
So, Nasos, while i understand your sadness, and I appreciate what you wrote here - I would say two things. One is that we shouldn't be so hard on the artists. I also love to see them enjoy their own music, jump up and down and smile and rock out - that's something that always speaks to me. But everyone has his or her own style... Just because someone is concentrating on the mix doesn't mean he or she is being a 'rock star' and disrespecting us...
And the other thing: stick to TDC parties in NYC ;-) .. They saved my life when i discovered them last spring, after having been in NY for a few months. All the elements are "right" in their parties....
.... and lucky us: there's the TDC Wizack Twizack party on Friday!! I doubt you'll find it formulaic......
|
|
|
|
vishwatma
Inactive User
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
9
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 16:14
|
I have to say I could'nt agree more....after being in goa for all these years for parties where Dj's just loved doing for they are known for- entrall crowds with their styles :wowwow: I have been searching for the same in NY. And boom after searching for a while I found TDC- same energy and vibe just in a different place...but they would easily fit in GOA  and honestly, it is about formula there too but it is a simple one unbelievable energy with unbelievable music in the perfect setting..so formulas when kept simple do work. And at the end of the day, I just want to hear more and more artists to expand my horizan and Wizack Twizack is one of them that I am waiting for on the 21st.....see you there! 
ViShyatmaaaaaa....
" Destroy & Rejuvenate" |
|
|
|
Nasos Tantrumm
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
29
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 17:18
|
|
Yes, TDC parties do carry the signature of community oriented events. They are young and possessed by the scene and have that fresh perspective and drive that comes with the excitement of novelty. I've seen and worked with many organizers who start up strong with all the right ideals and values. As popularity grows and the parties evolve into larger gatherings it becomes increasingly difficult to stay true to the cause. But for the time being, TDC and their antics have my attention and will continue to receive my patronage as long as they remain diligent and committed to psychedelic excellence. |
|
|
|
David(KIVA)
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
36
Posts :
487
Posted : Oct 19, 2005 21:53
|
Diligent and committed to psychedelic excellence!
AMEN
nasos,
it is people like you who inspire me to be better at what I do.
Expect The Best!
http://soundcloud.com/djkiva |
|
|
|
Maska
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
27
Posts :
869
Posted : Oct 20, 2005 02:39
|
One thing that was definitely left out in all of this, is to each their own!! You don't like it, don't go....But to say one style or way of experience or reaching trance is the correct way, is selfish, IMHO.......
I can enjoy someone who is pure and from the heart more than someone who is trying to impress people....The reason I was attracted to this scene is because each and everytime I've went to a gathering, in the begining, there was something new and each and every DJ/artists brought themselves and their personality to the table..and through their music, I went to meet them and connect with them...Not to expect something I had to hear or see only to be disappointed by the result......Over time, I saw the ones I wasn't so interested in for whatever reason, and those I chose not to be apart of......And the ones I felt were pure and were opening up to give something of themselves to the dance floor and the fellow trancers that were there, are the ones I wanted to connect with....Even if their mixing or whatever wasn't as perfect.....I could still have the greatest time with that person playing their soul to us.....And I have heard techinically perfect mixers that just didn't seem true and genuine, who honestly, did nothing for me......But each and everytime I listened to what they had to say and respected the way they said it........and honestly, never in the beginning did I even notice that the DJ wasn't going off dancing crazy, or sitting there like an evil thought consumed scientists....To each their own style...Why msut there only be one? I was more consumed in my state of trance rather than expecting the trance god to acknowledge me..........
Remember, as Obi wan said...."Only a Sith Lord deals in absolute"......Remain open minded and you will enjoy it more.
assumption is the mother of all fuckups. |
|
|
|
DiMiTry
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
70
Posts :
2299
Posted : Oct 20, 2005 02:50
|
there's no absolute.. i've seen amazing DJs who are working and busy all the time - selecting tracks, mixing, listening, etc. I've seen rock-star DJs who fuck around and dance and play the worst selection of pop tunes. it's nice to have some interaction, but i'd rather hear good music than to see somebody trying to get the audience all hyped up about nothing.
..it's just another party.. |
|
|
|
