Rave Culture and Religion

(Wang) #1

And this is from a DJ to the sfraves list:


I hope to be joining the Gamelan Anak Swarasanti in the ambient area for a
special marathon sunset performance If you’ve been looking for music
historically associated with hypnotic mental states, this is the real stuff...all
presented with great reverence for the culture from which it came (and a gong
that I love sitting next to ‘cause it just goes
BBBBAAAAAAAAAHAHHHHHHnnnnnHnnnHHHHHHHHHMMM
M mmmmmmmmmmnnnnnmmmmmm...).
I’ll be joining them with a notebook running some bizarre german [sic.]
sound design software and digital effects on some instruments in the
ensemble...so expect a collage of audio textures that balances somewhere
between futuristic electronic experimental works with the awe inspiring
interlocking cyclical progressions from across the pacific [sic].
(DJ Andy W, posted 15 August 2000)

Comments posted to the sfraves discussion list, along with repeat invitations to
perform at raves in the Bay area, underscore the successful appropriation of the
gamelan by the San Francisco rave scene:


as I melted through the visible sound atmosphere plastic polyester neon
vibrant flower piece, my soul radiating from my eyes and every other inch of
my joyful physical and spiritual being...then I reached a nirvana/euphoric
state sitting right in front of the gamelan orchestra, absorbing their message
and sending it back with equal love.
(posted 26 March 2000)

i [sic.] must say that it is rare these days for parties to be thrown for the right
reason at all...lately the parties seem to be all about getting fucked on 3 hits
of e and running around yelling PLUR (which most people don’t live by to
begin with)...i especially enjoyed dancing to the space of the gamelan...i
hope this time is a turning point within the scene...and that the events will
return to their spiritual roots.
(posted 26 March 2000)

Overall I thought the party rocked. I definitely loved the gamelan...I danced
a bit toward the end of the gamelan set, but wished more folks were dancing
so I wouldn’t feel so self conscious :-) But maybe ya shouldn’t dance when
folks is prayin :-) I also wished they had orchestrated the switch from gamelan
back to dj’s a bit better so that there could have been more of a
connection....It just kinda felt like BAM! back from ecstatic music to THUMP
THUMP THUMP.
(posted 27 March 2000)

200 GINA ANDREA FATONE

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