Musings on the scene in 2K7

Some thoughts, predictions, and musings on the scene in 2007

by Syd Gris

It's typical to read musings from pundits and wanna be experts in a given genre of pop culture in the new year. Whether it be sports, politics, art, or science, it's a fun mental masturbatory exercise to wax analysis on things. So, this little Syd blog is my version of that. Off the cuff and perhaps full of shit, let's discuss where we are and perhaps, where we're going.... **Disclaimer** This is just one guy's late night opinion, not intended to be any scale of grand statement, state of the scene address, etc. It's supposed to be light hearted and in fun. Please dont' take any of this too seriously, I don't.**

As a long time student of the scene as dancer, promoter and dj I have windows into some worlds and of course am ignorant of others. I would dare to say I walk in more worlds than many of my peers who are a bit more tied to genre or community. With that in mind, let's talk bidness.

Context
Of course, the SF EDM (electronic dance music) scene is among the strongest in the world. No doubt. I dare to hope 2007 might be a year of positive transition. After the hey day of the late 90's crashed with the dot com bust and ecstasy frenzy and the Rave Act, things didn't look so hot. There was a great retraction, trance wasn't cool anymore, the underground crept back into greater relevance as the clubs sucked, and we adjusted. Few parties, or even venues still survive from those days. Wicked and Come Unity are of course quiet. Spundae has carried on despite taking some lumps by staying at 1015 for too long. But through tenacity and wisdom have positioned themselves in the world of big name dj's quite well by moving to the only consistent venue left for the big boys with any credibility - Ruby Skye. With their Thursday night in Vegas, Friday night option in SF, and Saturdays in LA (now at former rival Avalon), they'll be just fine. Release, another former heavy weight party, (Martel & Nabiel's) only do parties when their dwindled pool of dj talent comes around and they can stick their name on it. They seem fine focusing on their restaurants and perhaps a new lounge in the future...

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January 18, 2007 12:13 AM, by Syd Gris

Man Burns Himself Alive - No one hears about it

Mission Statement / Suicide Note of Malachi Ritscher

mission statement

My actions should be self-explanatory, and since in our self-obsessed culture words seldom match the deed, writing a mission statement would seem questionable. So judge me by my actions. Maybe some will be scared enough to wake from their walking dream state - am I therefore a martyr or terrorist? I would prefer to be thought of as a 'spiritual warrior'. Our so-called leaders are the real terrorists in the world today, responsible for more deaths than Osama bin Laden.

I have had a wonderful life, both full and full of wonder. I have experienced love and the joy and heartache of raising a child. I have jumped out of an airplane, and escaped a burning building. I have spent the night in jail, and dropped acid during the sixties. I have been privileged to have met many supremely talented musicians and writers, most of whom were extremely generous and gracious. Even during the hard times, I felt charmed. Even the difficult lessons have been like blessed gifts. When I hear about our young men and women who are sent off to war in the name of God and Country, and who give up their lives for no rational cause at all, my heart is crushed. What has happened to my country? we have become worse than the imagined enemy - killing civilians and calling it 'collateral damage', torturing and trampling human rights inside and outside our own borders, violating our own Constitution whenever it seems convenient, lying and stealing right and left, more concerned with sports on television and ring-tones on cell-phones than the future of the world.... half the population is taking medication because they cannot face the daily stress of living in the richest nation in the world.

"Man Burns Himself Alive - No one hears about it" perma-link , or continue reading...

January 17, 2007 10:12 PM, by Syd Gris