Outback "Festival" 2008

Hit up the latest Summer Lake hot springs gathering ... good to see everyone. Gorgeous spot ... even despite the cold and rain ... nothing like some cold wind and hot water to invigorate ya. Feels good to be outside. The party was underattended ... but we still had a good time. Well, except for Saturday night.

The party had a chance on Saturday ... and stuff was primed and ready. People were ready to get down. And then ... a deafening ... nothing ... happened. First up, Eleven Eyes ... acid jazz fusion ... went on for a little too long and were a little underwhelming ... followed by an hour of setup while DJ Trademark tried to set up his DJ-wizardry setup ... while the sound guys played really sleepy non-party music. Trademark couldn't get his gimmicky shit to work, so he just did his thing on his laptop. And it was unspeakably stupid ... bad ... stupid stuff. Mashups ... yeah we get it ... and bad ones. And really wierd ones ... and a little too much circus on acid. Not good. If you're going to be all "DJ theatre" you better be good.

Most people hid outside by the fire, which was a good fire. Especially compared to the terrible music.

After Trademark came a cavalcade of ... strangeness and ... alientation. First up was MUD/Lacuna who rocked a set of super custom urban shit from all over the globe ... which was awesome, but totally not what the bulk of the crowd could connect with. The people that were left over were subjected to a harsh set by Red Eye of cheesy hard trance and techno and bad mixing that was just kinda bad. It was like the soundtrack to a hyperviolent video game. When that was over, the handfull of stalwarts that were left were perked by a couple of smooth opening tracks by Mark Rada ... but that idea was sidelined by Defekt who came on after three or so records to again hammer us again with hard rave shit that was again totally impossible to fit with the vibe of the party. The remaining people stumbled off to bed ... confused.

In Rada We Trust

Look ... there's a couple kinds of DJs out there ... there's DJs that can vibe on the vibe of the party ... and play stuff that fits ... and that are flexible. These are the good DJs. There are other DJs who just play what they play no matter what the setting. These types can be fun, but only if they're put into appropriate parties by someone who gets it. Cuz these guys don't seem to be able to get that they just shouldn't play a party in a barn with a bunch of hippies if they're going to play hard German techno. DJs that do that shit should be ashamed, basically. In fact, DJs in general are really very guilty of just wanting to play ... regardless of whether they'll actually help the situation.

Music is powerful ... it's very influential on the emotional tone of a gathering ... and DJs who aren't at all concerned about the vibe that people are or want to enjoy and just play whatever the fuck they want are ... interesting. Ego comes to mind, really. Or stupidity. And when you play an entire set and you notice that even though there's a PARTY going on, or supposedly going on ... that everyone has run away from you and is hiding outside in the cold ... do you GET that you aren't jiving? DJs need to seriously consider the responsibility it is to be in control of the music at a party. It's not just about you. Get it? If you play rave shit or hyper industrial shit ... u perhaps should limit yourself to gigs where people are going to appreciate that sort of thing.

So yeah, whatever. I'm not trying to hate for hate's sake ... and I certainly support artistic freedom ... and I don't think the crowd should be calling all the shots ... but come on ... a little sense and sensibility maybe? It's not like it was just me who wasn't into it. Nobody danced ALL NIGHT!

Rant rant. Sorry.

It was still a fun weekend with friends so whatever. And the long slow toodle back to Bend through gray skies and rain was super nice ... just listening to some Beta Band and zoning the hell out. Looking forward to some good shows around here and Halloween!