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that's what mattbot's been making me call it. i called him from the airport to tell him we'd arrived. he told me that the first thing i had to learn if i was going to "fit in" was that all the natives call it "Frisco!" that only TOURTISTS call it san francisco. so i was supposed to say it loud, say it proud and say it often. now every single freaking time i try to use the words "san francisco" he yells "WHAT was that TOURIST?" jackass. we have had far too much fun. last night's psychedelic-trance party had a lot to do with it. if you haven't been to this kind of thing before, it is truly an experience. my lame description isn't going to do justice. these parties are held in warehouse style buildings and organized into several different theme rooms based on the syle of music being spun in each. the "candy raver" room, as richard called it, was full of tiny girls with glow sticks and enormous hula hoops. pretty obvious what's being played in there. the "break" room had my favorite music but the worst dj. break beat/hip-hop style. the requisite chill-out room was really gorgeous. in the center of the room was a large tree covered in glowing paint with incense sticks sticking out of it various spots. couches lined the room on all sides except the side with the chill-out dj. she was pretty good and had lots of gorgeous tattoos. and now, on to the "trance" room, the whole reason for the party's existence, where it's dark as hell. from what i know about trance, it seems the goal is to make it look and feel like a cave. from what i know about psytrance (goa-psy, goa-trance, whatever you wanna call it), the goal is to let the atmosphere, the dj (and the drugs, let's be honest) induce you to dance yourself into a semitrance-like, meditative state. here's part of a funny description i found on some dude's web site: -In the music there's a constant use of strange and psychedelic sounds, and that gives a strange atmosphere. Sometimes those sounds are frogs, barking dogs, crying babys, but mostly you can't describe it... You simply have to hear it!! Also used are the famous acid or 303 sounds, and even guitars, who drive people completely crazy! -Most Goa (but NOT all) is also very melodic. -The music is mostly very full on, good to dance... -The basslines are mostly harder and deeper than normal Trance or Techno. -The combination of all those things make this music very good for dancing, tripping and listening...! obviously the whole experience rises and falls on the dj. a few of the ones we heard last night were good ... but one guy had the crowd completely at his mercy, completely succumbing to his will, and completely tripping out. this guy would work it up pretty quickly then sustain and back off just a little before he worked it up even further. it grew really steadily and built quickly until it felt nearly unbearable ... unbearably amazing ... giving over that way, letting the dj, the music and the drugs lead you out of yourself is undescribable joy ... more news from the underground tomorrow ladies and gentlemen, bc tonight we see nina hagen at dna lounge...
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