oscillation 2008 review
Oscillation 2008 came to a close this weekend, and left me with the usual feeling of some postpartum depression that usually comes with doing something huge and then seeing it finish up. While this was the most challenging Oscillation in years, it was also my favorite, I’d have to say.
I arrived at the Cell Theatre around 1 on friday, along with Markus, our sound master. I had already been to two Walmarts earlier, and been loading gear out into my car for the whole morning. Upon getting into the Cell, I found that we had a stage, but it was too long and shallow to accommodate what we do - so I had to bug the Cell’s stage man, Jared, to add another riser on. Then it was onto the sound load-in, which was not as magnanimous this year as it was last, but still a lot of gear. We were finally throwing speakers and cable up around 3pm or so, and then dealing with the usual, “Where is that AC hum coming from?” and “Is this cable broken?” issues that always happen when you’re busy like this.
Sound got set up nicely, our plasma screens went up for visuals, Basement Films set up shop to broadcast propaganda, and we were rolling. The night opened with Chem.Star, whose set I actually missed entirely, because I was dealing with many other things (as is par for the course with this production). As the night went on, things went well, but I’ve never seen so many tech issues back to back to back - sound issues, cables lost or forgotten, mics that wouldn’t work, all manner of things - and we ended up about 20 minutes behind schedule. Luckily things got back to where they should later in the night, and the Diverje set went well. The Echoing Green closed the night with a PHENOMENAL set, it is a real pleasure to have them out playing.
After friday’s end, Kenny and I went to the Agency to check out the DJ sets going down, and even at 1:45am, were pleased to find a HUGE crowd at the Agency. Things were going off, people were having fun, and it was going quite well. I spent some time there, and didn’t get into bed until around 4am - so, I slept about three hours.
Woke up saturday morning and had to go to three Radio Shacks and one Walmart to pick up the gear needed for our circuit bending and contact mic workshops, as well as a charger for my phone, as I couldn’t find mine, and my phone was dead. Not good when you’re the Director of a festival, and likely to get calls all day.
I finally got to the Agency at about 11:30, meeting Kenny and Jim of 512 software, and began the setup of tables, sound, projector and etc. for the workshops. The workshops were great, lightly attended, but seriously awesome. A group of people got to make their own Contact Mic instruments with Raven Chacon, and then got a look at Circuit Bending (which was great, nothing like glitching out a speak n’ spell), and finally everyone got a look at Numerology by 512.
I was near to passing out by the end of these workshops, so I was forced to get something to eat and sit down for a few at The Cell. Luckily, everything was already set up from the previous night.
Saturday started off much better, with an awesome set by Mala In Se - it sounded so good I thought a CD was playing at first - a testament to Markus and this awesome band. Geoff’s guitar added some wonderful range to Mala’s sound, and with some Drums and Steve’s Keyboards, this was one of my favorite acts of the night. Things progressed well, and on time, from there. I didn’t get to see everyone, but I did catch Tripping Dogs, Kenny’s Industrial act from over 15 years ago - this was the most amazing set of the night. True, old-school industrial sound, Guitars, noise, and a drum machine, and two guys dressed up in military Regalia and masks kicking ass. I cannot tell you how great this was.
The night closed up with Vertigo Venus (and one of our best sets yet), and the venerable Industrial powerhouse The Strand from Arizona - closing things off right. The house was packed, the room was hot as hell from everyone, and the energy was great. I could not have asked for more.
We loaded out sound and everything else, and finished around 3:30am. Not too bad, for a giant production such as this.
Inbetween sets, Keif from Basement Films dropped some knowledge on the crowd with obscure film on 16mm and educational bits on music. It was wonderful. Truly something I liked adding to the festival.
Dr. Thunder (Trace) dropped awesome visuals all night, with some lovely content he worked up for the bands. He has a very good future in visuals for himself, I have to say.
DJs Verablue and Xibabalola dropped old and new school industrial inbetween, keeping the heads interested.
Nancy of Burlesque Noir and Krissy kicked ass stage managing, keeping things on time. Thank you!
Kentifyr MC’d the whole event and actually got to see bands, for once. You my friend are a lovely person - thank you for your Kind words to Kenny and Myself, and for doing all you do.
Bethany watched merch, and kicked ass on that. We had a lot of volunteers who ruled their jobs as well, especially my lovely GF Molly on door and the lovely Rachill, without whom our door would not have been as solid as it was.
Thank you to Adam of Spork Films, Adric for taking pictures and promoting, Betty for promoting like crazy, Sparky, Jess, Sara, Geoff, Jason (Alphawolf), Jason Wolf, all the bands, DJS, all the volunteers, and anyone I am forgetting. Without you, we could not have made this happen.
I’m probably still forgetting a lot, but I have to say; this Oscillation was the best yet. It had the most challenges, whether is was dealing with drama due to our website, or losing people scheduled to do things, etc. - but it came together and went off. We made it happen no matter what, and it was due to the fact that so many people helped make it happen. The Agency, The Cell, and all our friends, thank you! We got out nearly 5,000 flyers in less than a month, and the promotion went off - we didn’t even have a very big spread in the Alibi, or any other publication, this time - but it proved that you just have to be persistent and say, “This is going to go off, dammit”.
There’s a lot of photos, video, and such out there, so we’re not done yet. I think I want to take some of Oscillation (with the blessing of those involved) in the direction of being slightly more educational - the Workshops showed me that there are people interested in learning what this music is, and how it actually has shaped much of the world they see. I think that I could do some great things with more workshops inbetween, and work that into Oscillation over the years.
Wow, I just said years. Well, what can I say? We have a hard time giving up on anything… it’s why, no matter what, I still love so much of what I have here in New Mexico.
