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Thursday, January 04, 2007 Knob Twiddlin’ Hindsight 20/06 By Image Mag Staff @ 4:09 PM :: 686 Views :: 8 Comments :: :: Music: Reviews, Image Mag Editorial wordplay by Bryan Matthew (Twenty40) images by Justin Ferguson & James Bates In early October of this year, I overheard a young man talking about a warehouse party he had been invited to last August by a friend. I listened to him tell a genuine story about the good time he had had meeting people and experiencing something he had never known existed. Throughout the telling of the story, he never mentioned a specific DJ but talked about the event using the word “vibe” quite a bit. A conversation like this is something that catches my ear frequently- but what he said at the end took me by surprise. He asked a rhetorical question; “I wonder who threw that party?” Denver has a well respected electronic music scene that most cherish and some take for granted. One of my first thoughts as I began this article was a question; how many states in America have an old Gothic church as a venue to host the best electronic music talent in the world? Whether or not you respect or even patronize the venue is up to you, but The Church has been a mainstay for many years. The helm is still under the guidance of Brad, co-owner of BEATPORT.com and Ha Hau of the TRIAD DRAGONS as they host everything from local production companies to international superstar DJs every week. I could talk about the most established Colorado promoters in detail. I should let you know that Global Dance Fest and Skylab 06’ were the two largest electronic music events ever to be held in CO, but the true heart of my thoughts as I digested our new dance music fan’s question was how many notable Colorado promoters there are who pour their blood, sweat, tears and wallet in to the Colorado massive–promoters like “Crazy” Larry, who now has grey hair from his efforts packing the warehouse above TWO AM on October 28th. Larry says, “The fact that Denver has such variety all in one spot makes us very unique. There really is something for everyone in Denver.” From jaded old fart house to educated breaks and D&B, most would agree that Denver is a melting pot of electronic music. My first compliments go to Soundpharmacy for bringing us “Headrush Wednesdays” at the Shelter with educated breaks and D&B that don’t make me run screaming from the building. Kaya, Kaisa Star, Ishe and eeekay displayed relentless promotion of breaks in 06’. With breaks in mind, we should also compliment Ben Hook and Conor Nasty, as 06’ is the year that put them on the map as notable promoters IMO. With the Shelter in mind, a major acknowledgement is due to the GM of the Shelter, Phil G, as his efforts to bring the jaded elder house lovers talent they won’t complain about is second to none.  I also tip my hat to the dance music after-hours venues and promoters like AMA and the newly opened SPA After-Hours (formerly known as Moscow Underground). What else would we all do with ourselves at 2AM when the club closes and we are left with a sack full of energy and a swagger? Preston Douglas of AMA and a newly formed group of promoters called “Thin Air” thinks after hours events are essential and are, in his words, "...more enjoyable than a typical night at the club because people loosen their inhibitions after the clubs close down." After-hours events like AMA that aren’t held at venues like SPA or TWO AM are a bit more challenging legally, so I give those who accept that challenge their due recognition. If warehouse after-hours events are a challenge, what can be said about the efforts necessary for throwing a successful all night warehouse event?    Having lost money myself in the past throwing all night events with Ryan Dykstra, a healthy respect must be paid to any group of promoters or DJs who take the monetary risk of throwing one-off events.  Placing Skylab 06’aside for now, DJ Trajikk and Phunk E Elements have been bringing some of the most successful all night events back to reality in 2006.  These parties are particularly risky to even the most established and seasoned promoter, as they require a lot of money up front, a tap dance around and through city and county laws and, lest we forget, the “Rave” Act of 2002.    Yet another tip of the hat must be given to Dave “Big” Johnson, who put himself on the map in 'O6.  It is Big Johnson’s event, “Get Laid, Again,” that I’m certain our new electronic music/event enthusiast, from the beginning of this article, was describing.   “Working on my event, United, was the biggest project of the year,” says Johnson.  “When have you seen a member of every promotional crew get together for a worthy cause?”     There are so many DJs and promoters in Colorado who have done amazing work in '06. The most difficult challenge to a writer is to put such great pains, passion and effort in to perspective. One of my favorite mottos is, “Good people, Good times.” As I look back on '06, I’m reminded that very few times is an event’s DJ what new scene recruits truly remember. Most often, newbies remember the good feelings they walked away with, inspired by a promoter and his buddies standing on a sub-zero street corner spreading the word for their event with a pile of flyers and a sense of dedication to the Colorado Dance Music Massive.

Comments By Matt @ Tuesday, January 09, 2007 6:42 PM RAVE TILL DAWN! By Chris CrumB @ Tuesday, January 09, 2007 7:42 PM Watch out shakespeare, here comes Bryan! lol.....very nice read Bryan, groovy article. For me it was always about the vibe that kept me coming back to the best annual events out in cali. The best party ever was nocturnal wonderland in 2002 at the empire polo fields in Indio, CA. The outdoor venue and decor of the event was imaculate, and it truly felt like you were transported to another world while you were there....over 100,000 people experienced that unforgetable groovin' night! The producers went out of their way with all the extra's that made it so special, never seen anything like it since. Someone needs to check out that venue and find something like it here in colorado! By panos @ Tuesday, January 09, 2007 8:20 PM nice B By poppy @ Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:01 PM everyone mentioned in that article is a tool taking advantage of dance culture for the wrong reasons By brandonb@$$ @ Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:21 PM awesome article bryan!! way to big up the lesser known heroes of the colorado scene. By Karissa @ Wednesday, January 10, 2007 3:08 PM Nice article! I've had the pleasure of working with Phunk-E & Floorbangrs for about a year & they do so much to make shows happen, it's unbelievable. Sounds like you're trying to shed some light on the peeps that make it happen! Thanks! By Precariousleigh @ Thursday, January 11, 2007 9:50 AM Thanks for writing this article, and giving credit where credit's due (finally!) By EeeKay @ Thursday, May 03, 2007 12:39 PM Thanks for the props. I have also had the pleasure of working with Dave Johnson, and he definitely has his heart in the right place to make it happen for this scene. I have seen what he goes through to throw these events, and he is definitely one of the hardest working promoters I know. Click here to post a comment