I never realized when I got into creating and performing electronic music that I was choosing a whole lifestyle that goes along with it. When I first got into it, I was suspicious of all those party kids that stay up late having fun and getting into trouble. But I loved the music and couldn’t help feeling drawn to it. Before I knew it, I was one of those party kids. And now ten years have gone by since then, and I am reflecting on where this choice has gotten me.

On one hand, I find myself very grateful and thankful. There is much to love about it. It is thrilling and fun and exciting. I am part of a community. By and large, this community is very supportive. I love the people in it. No other group of people in the world are such experts at having a good time. And there is much to be said for having fun and enjoying life to the fullest. Even if there are some side effects, it’s usually worth it. The daily routine can be quite intense, and even though I haven’t had a day job since 2006, I still remember very clearly how not fun it was. There are better ways to live, to be sure. Having fun and being creative are what makes life worth living, at least to me. Day jobs drain my soul.

On the other hand, I sometimes wonder where it’s all going. I mean, is this what the rest of my life is going to be like? There are those who have chosen more conventional lifestyles – more practical ones perhaps. They decided to be doctors or lawyers or something a bit more normal than a nomadic mad wizard. They got married and had families and focused on building a life that would interface with society more. I have thought about that road. I have wondered if it was the right choice to go on the other one and taken the blue pill, not the red pill.

There are some definite cons to living the lifestyle of an entertainer:

First off, it is a very transient existence, filled with illusions everywhere. Each place you play in, you meet all kinds of people. Some of them are awesome, some are not. If they’re coming to see you play, they probably want to make a good impression, so all of them appear to be awesome at first. But you don’t know them well, so it’s hard to tell who they really are – how they might treat someone they did not want to impress. Sometimes they just want something from you. And they don’t know you well either, so real connections that go beneath the surface of your reputation are no easier for them to make either. Harder even, perhaps, since a musician’s value to the market is based almost solely on his reputation, and reputation counts for so much beyond that as well. Few people can see past it and see you for who you are. You have to learn the hard way – go into the trenches and spend some time with them. Only then can you really know who people are. It’s no different than real life. No easier to make real friends. Just because people know of you does not mean they know you, and just because people love your music or your image doesn’t mean they love you. But then, after taking all that time and effort to know them, off you go to your next gig! And by the time you come back, if you ever do, they may be completely different people than how you remembered them. It is exceedingly difficult to create any sort of stability, familiarity or consistency. It is not easy to have a relationship, a family, a home or anything that requires maintenance and regular attention. The nature of the work makes it far easier to drop the ball with those kinds of things, and the consequences can be devastating not just to you, but to the people close to you as well.

Secondly, it’s some of the hardest work you can do, and a lot of it you never get paid anything for. Calling promoters every day, doing paperwork for your record label, moving speakers around, packing suitcases, trying to make new connections that actually bear fruit, having people back out on you or not follow through on things. It wears on you. And that’s when the party isn’t going on. When the party comes, then it’s even more work! So much, oftentimes, that it’s not easy to just kick back and enjoy yourself. This is why I insist on getting paid and have no problem paying admission, even if I know that I could probably get in for free if I tried. I am not just in it for the experience of busting my butt. I do enjoy it immensely, but it is definitely a lot of hard work.

Thirdly, it doesn’t leave much time for anything else. It is more or less all consuming. If you want to be as successful as possible, you have to take the time to really get to know not just the people you do business with, but your audience as well. This takes a lot of time. And I mean a lot. You have to go outside your comfort zone. Music is a social art form – communities form around it. As a musician, communities form around not just the music, but the musicians that create it. You cannot just show up, play your show, and then disappear. People expect you to entertain them, whether you are on stage or not. You have to constantly socialize in order to grow your reputation. The more people you have real connections with, the more shows you will play. But there always comes a point when you just can’t do it anymore. You have to take a break. But you have to be careful, because if you take too long of a break, you risk being forgotten.

The pros are pretty obvious. Fame and popularity alone are highly seductive things, desired by many and attained by few. Hold onto them for long enough, play your cards right, and fortune follows. It feels good. But the costs are high. A more conventional existence is definitely simpler and easier on the soul.

The ideal thing would be to strike a good balance, if it is at all possible, between the extremes. The challenge striking that balance is particularly difficult because it has nothing to do with earning more money, making better art, getting more famous, moving to a better place, or anything like that. It requires constantly walking back and forth between the planes – between your inner soul and the outer world, between heaven and hell, and between your mind and your heart. Stay too long in any one of those places and you wreck your dream. I guess that’s why I picked the name I did, so that I am constantly reminded about what it takes to achieve this balance. Let’s hope I can actually live up to it!

Looks like the Boise kids want me back.
Seriously can’t wait for this!
Hope you can make it!

From the outer reaches of the galaxy come the waves of the future. Hurtling through space at the speed of sound, the Bassstar Galactica is coming! Are you ready? An event of wobble, whaumpf, and zipper bubbles, featuring cutting-edge decoration, mind-bending visuals, great sound, and northern New Mexico’s very best DJ talent, how could you miss it?

Come and get Galactivated!

Featuring:

Sablazo (a.k.a. Chris Klein)

[Dead Dub Society]

Another mainstay in the Northern Mew Mexico scene, Sablazo never disappoints. Well known as one of the most talented broken beat DJs in New Mexico, Sablazo will be bringing a dubstep and breakbeat set guaranteed to tickle your fancy with those wacky whomps and wobbles.

DJ Oliver

With ten years of experience in the pioneering field of DJ culture and sound design, Oliver will be throwing down some great new techno tracks to transition from dubstep into psy-trance.

Planewalker

[Astral Force/Waveguild/Geomagnetic/Metacrew]

http://planewalker.ca

With his many musical styles and hyper-creative stage performances, Planewalker is a true wizard of audio alchemy. In his 16th year as a music producer and 10th year as a DJ, Planewalker has produced over seven albums of electronic music ranging from psytrance to hip-hop. As a live act and radio DJ, he has played for audiences in over 20 countries. His name been mentioned in The Psychedelic Traveler, Computer Music Magazine, and Future Music Magazine, and his tracks have found their way to major music hubs like Beatport and Psyshop. Best known for his original melodic psychedelic trance compositions, he has shared the stage with some of the most recognized performers in electronic music, including Rabbit in the Moon, Electric Skychurch, Dylan Rhymes and Sirius Isness. This is a serious artist with an altered sound that insists you listen. Do.

Therion

[Godpsy]

A key organizer and mainstay DJ in the Northern New Mexico psytrance scene, Therion has been rocking the dancefloor of the high desert in Taos since the year 2000, organizing dozens of outdoor events and putting his heart (and back) into every single one of them. He’s a great drummer too! Without his continued effort and generosity, this event could not have happened.

Geo

A new arrival to the Northern New Mexico scene, Geo is throwing himself wholeheartedly into assistance with underground events like this one. We all look forward with great anticipation to seeing what sort of dancefloor mayhem he can conjure from the turntables!

Saturday . July 10, 2010 . 5:30pm – 10:30pm
At The Seco Pearl . Arroyo Seco, NM

Instrumental Alchemy is the debut full-length album from Chaos Control, a collaborative ambient electronic music project formed by Mister Chill’R and Planewalker, published by RDG Music with support by Astral Force and Waveguild. Their musical focus is a deeply entrancing variety of ambient psy-lounge, lovingly flavoured with electric guitar and luscious natural sounds. Dubby grooves and mystic melodies will blissfully carry you away on an otherworldly trip into relaxation and total contentment.

To listen to the album or download it, please visit:
http://ccon.bandcamp.com

LINEUP:

CHAOS CONTROL [Live PA]
RDG Music / Astral Force / Waveguild . Portland, OR
http://reverbnation.com/chaoscontrol

SVENGALI PROJECT [Live PA]
Unison Media / Family Moons . Albuquerque, NM
http://familymoons.com

AUDIOBUDDHA [DJ Set]
Dead Dub Society . Santa Fe, NM
http://myspace.com/audiobuddha

CHEVIS [Special Psychill DJ Set]
Godpsy . El Rito, NM
http://www.reverbnation.com/eyenok

PLANEWALKER [Live PA]
Astral Force / Waveguild . Portland, OR
http://planewalker.ca

Limited attendance of 100!
Please buy a presale ticket or come early to guarantee admission.

$5 Presale Tickets (Ticket Includes Free 18×24″ Poster – $10 Value)
Limited to 50 tickets only.
Buy a presale ticket online here:
http://bit.ly/bpSdMX

$7 At the Door (Cash Only)

Chaos Control and Planewalker CDs available at event for $10 per copy.
Posters also available at event for $10 per print.

Please forward this message to anyone who you think may be interested in attending.

“Cast away your shadows; move your spirits forward. May this resonate deeply and come to light.”

:: RESONANCE ::
::{ A Metacrew Formation }::
:: Saturday – May 8th, 2010 ::
Portland, OR

9:00pm – 5:30am or later

Metacrew invites you to our first journey through sound, light, dance, and experience. We are providing two rooms of electronic music, deco, visuals, a full kitchen, and a raffle with amazing prizes. This all night celebration will be a benefit for future events. Please join us!

The audio from the main stage of this event will be broadcast worldwide on Astral Force Radio. Visit http://astralforce.net during the event and you can tune and listen to the entire event, even if you live nowhere near Oregon!

Opening ceremony at 9pm sharp! Please arrive early to experience the magic and connect with the other attendants before the fun begins.

::o:: Musical Transistors ::o::

BLUE SPECTRAL MONKEY (Metacrew / Interchill / Touch Samadhi)
http://www.bluespectralmonkey.com – http://www.interchill.com – http://www.touchsamadhi.com

Blue Spectral Monkey has been on the scene for over fifteen years, bringing trance festivals through other worlds and downtempo areas with deep vibes. Here we are now, making it happen, one movement at a time. A special downbeat set is soon to commence.

AUREI (Phantom Hertz)
http://www.djaurei.com

Aurei is one of the most versatile female DJ’s in the Northwest. She’s been rockin’ the club and underground scene for over 8 years She is Indiscriminate of genre’s, and is consistently exploring new sounds. Her DJ sets would often be described as tech minimalism infused with pop & drop style breaks, but ventures far beyond any set style. We welcome her bright spirit and embrace her willingness to explore beyond traditional boundaries.

PLANEWALKER LIVE (Geomagnetic / Astral Force / Metacrew)
http://planewalker.ca | http://soundcloud.com/planewalker | http://geomagnetic.tv | http://astralforce.net

With his many musical styles and hyper-creative stage performances, Planewalker is a true wizard of audio alchemy. In his 16th year as a music producer and 10th year as a DJ, Planewalker has produced over seven albums of electronic music ranging from psytrance to hip-hop. As a live act and radio DJ, he has played for audiences in over 20 countries. His name has been mentioned in The Psychedelic Traveler, Computer Music Magazine, and Future Music Magazine, and his tracks have found their way to major music hubs like Beatport and Psyshop. Best known for his original melodic psychedelic trance compositions, he has shared the stage with some of the most recognized performers in electronic music, including Rabbit in the Moon, Electric Skychurch, Dylan Rhymes and Sirius Isness. This is a serious artist with an altered sound that insists you listen. Do.

RAKU (Metacrew / N.E.T. Events)
http://www.metacrew.com

Pierre Lazarus has been involved in the underground scene for over fifteen years. Prepared to set the dance floor on fire, he is back to deliver an elemental shakedown. This will be our resident alchemists debut behind the decks after his long awaited return to Portland. He brings a full-on psychedelic trance sound with influences from genres such as progressive, breaks, techno, and glitch.

DJ WAATER MAARK (Metacrew / Triplag Music / Molecular)
http://www.waater.org – http://www.triplag.com – http://www.molecular.cc

An avid activist and motivator, who seeks to open the hearts and minds of the people. With over ten years working throughout the communities, tuning the special groove we may have all been looking for. The ground will shake, as you dance and quake.

SHADOWVEX (Shake Lasta)

Illuminating the scope times past to the divine moment, ‘Vex will leave nothing but trance-dance rhythm in his wake. Now back in action, Shadowvex comes to us, manipulating sound and light, twisting perceptions, and calling in the coming sun.

MISTER CHILL’R LIVE (RDG Music)
http://misterchill-r.com | http://soundcloud.com/misterchillr | http://misterchillr.bandcamp.com

Mister Chill’R is one of downtempo electronica’s most unusual personalities, releasing his debut album “Alien Unfolding” at the age of 68. He has since taken up performing at clubs in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, making a serious impression on crowds one-half to one-third his age. Any comments on his post-retirement choice of direction are generally answered with his signature mottos, “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood” and “I’ll act my age in my next life!” His music “jumps out of the speakers with a desire to be heard, but is chilled out at the same time,” says Computer Music Magazine.

Mister Chill’R will be the host, DJ, and MC of our upstairs chillout room, and will be drawing our raffle tickets and announcing the raffle winners throughout the night.

:::o::: :::o:::

We are asking an energy exchange of $7 to infinity at the door.

What’s more, we’re raffling off $366 worth of awesome prizes! Check ‘em out:

6-Hour “Ableton Live Magic” Music Producton Video Training Course ($150 value)
Reiki Session with Raku ($100 value)
Print of Blue Spectral Monkey’s Original Art ($25 value)
Print of Travis Wilson’s Original Art ($25 value)
Print of Jacob Cordova’s Original Art ($25 value)
Ticket to “Mayhem On the Mountain” ($11 value)
CD of “Alien Unfolding” Original Album by Mister Chill’R ($10 value)
CD of “Lunar Lounge” Original Album by Mister Chill’R ($10 value)
CD of “The Kaivalya Project” Original Album by Planewalker ($10 value)
7 Minutes in Heaven with Blue Spectral Monkey * (see note below)

*Actual value may vary.

Deco by Metacrew

Live painting by Trevor Wilson
http://www.trevzart.blogspot.com

Sacred dance by YOU!

:LOCATION:

Lents Commons
9201 SE Foster Ave
Portland, Oregon 97266
Directions via Google Maps

INFOLINE: 888-666-1492
URL: http://www.metacrew.com

PS: Kitchen will be included! Please, do not forget to bring your cup and spoon!
Many good foods will be had to fuel our evenings. We look forwards to your presence.

Dr. Spook at Geomagnetic Records has informed me that my first solo artist EP is coming out on Beatport next Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Mark your calendars! The EP will include the psybreaks song First Light followed by full power goa/psy trance songs Psychic Evolution, Vampire Hunter and Primary Ascender (Secondary Mix).

I’ll be sending out a bunch of special emails related to this release and will be making remix packs and some special new unreleased tracks available first to people who buy the EP and email me their Beatport receipt.

I am also happy to inform you that I have gotten permission to remix Jirah’s track “Altimetry” from the Psychic Chakra II compilation, as well as some ambient work from Cloudcycle. Stay tuned for more news on these exciting upcoming remixes!

Psychic Evolution by Planewalker

It’s official, my track “Psychic Evolution” was released on March 23, 2010 in the compilation “Psychic Chakra II: Family of the Phoenix”.

The compilation is available on Beatport and TrackItDown for those that like to purchase music digitally:
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/234427/psychic_chakra_ii_family_of_the_phoenix
http://www.trackitdown.net/genre/trance/track/2053034.html

And also on Psyshop for those that like physical CDs:
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/geo/geo1cd048.html

If you want to help me out, buy the release on Beatport for a couple bucks and help send the track into the top 10 for the psytrance charts. If I can get there, it will make a huge impact!

DJ Seraph – Sundays 7PM – 10PM PST
Planewalker – Mondays 7pm – 10PM PST
PsychoActive – Tuesdays 7pm – 10pm PST
CID 6.7 – Fridays 7PM – 10PM PST

So that means tonight, March 29, I will be broadcasting. See you in the metaverse!