Techno and 420
I guess we’ve all got our own style, our own vibe, our own sound we call our own. For some, it’s this, and for others, it’s that. No matter where I go, that seems to be what I notice most. We are all doing our own thing. We are each following our own path.
For me, I suppose, my style can best be described by what’s happening this weekend. A convergence of the two sides of my brain. Techno and Cannabis. The two things that help me get through this life the best I can. Well, techno, Cannabis, and the 505, of course.
That isn’t to say techno is all that’s happening, though, since right off the bat, I wish to admit I am amazed at what is happening now in this, my dear city.
In every corner, at every turn, in so many different ways, the 505 is alive with the sounds of electronic music. And I feel so good to be able to see this moment.
To start, we have House Proud on the 19th over at Insideout, where Vettaluv and the Rev host local house DJs for a night of music and friendship.
This week, House Proud is hosting Illastr8 and Coco Medium for a jam session underneath the desert sky in the 505, as the roofless club will be busy this weekend.
Also up the road on Central is a group named Astrl Entertainment, which continues to grow with every show they throw, and I can’t help but notice how they seem to find that balance between house and dubstep so well.
Tickets to the show at Club 401
This time, they favor their dubstep side with headliner jykl & Hyde combined with a solid lineup of local favorites that include the very versatile Wyatt Lawson, and Lil Salsa, a DJ whose sound interests me immensely. I love that they are helping expand a community for the next generation of ravers.
At the Electric Playhouse, the legend known as Rusko will make a stop in town, and people of all styles can hear a dubstep legend in person. This one is extra special as it will be a 360-style setup, causing all the DJs, including Rusko himself, to be on the floor with the dancers. I dig that so much.
The next day, however, is the day I’m looking forward to the most, as not only is it a holiday celebrating my favorite plant but also a day filled with music everywhere.
Starting up in Santa Fe, the crew known as Up All Nite will be having a free event at Nuckolls Brewery with a great lineup of DJs that includes two of my favorites, Ana M and Chris Losack, who I think is doing an all-vinyl set in the lounge.
If house music isn’t your style, the dubstep crowd has another night to dance as the Sub.Marine crew is doing a takeover with what they call the Smoke Out at the El Baile Event Center right off of Nob Hill.
I’ll admit I’m barely starting to understand dubstep now, even as an old raver, and yet, the passion they show just can’t be denied. They believe in what they’re doing. And I can’t help but be happy for them and what they’re building.
Lastly, though, there’s honestly only one show I know I’ll be at this weekend, and that’s back at Insideout on Saturday night as weed smoke fills the air and techno bumps through the sound system.
No matter where I go or what I do, techno seems to be, and I know that it is the life of a techno panda for me.
This time Mr. Afterhours Presents welcomes Atlanta’s own Sam Wolfe for another edition of his Saturday Night Techno Affair. It’s a chance for us techno heads to have control of the dancefloor.
And that isn’t to say one event, or one sound, or even one night is better, but rather that we all deserve our chance to follow what we love.
And no matter where I go or what I see, I seem to come back to the truth that I love weed, I love techno, and I love New Mexico. So, join me in celebrating a sound we usually have to catch a flight to hear.
And, as I’ve said before, and I’ll say for the rest of my years, whatever dancefloor you decide to bop on this green weekend, promise me it’s where you want to be, and that’s enough for me.
See you on the dancefloor, dear friends. You know where I’ll be, dancing and celebrating techno and 420.
I’d also like to add a special note acknowledging the passing of a beloved member of our New Mexico community, Chris Duran. Chris was larger than life, both in personality and stature and although it hurts to hear news of his passing, I can’t help but smile at how happy he made so many for so long. He was the person to dance with and make us laugh or even stick around, if only for a little bit.
Link to the gofundme in support of Chris Duran
The New Mexico dancefloor will never be the same without him, and I will never forget being a teenage raver, seeing him wearing those Mickey Mouse gloves we knew him so well for, and dancing with love and joy for what this culture can do for us. That image inspired me profoundly. I thank him for that. Chris, you are missed but not forgotten. Rest In Power. Get the dancefloor in the next life ready for us.
Ourdancefloor.net 