Oscillation Electronic Music Festival

oscillation 2008 review

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:20:06 -0600

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.

oscillation workshop info updated! PLEASE READ!

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:09:07 -0600

http://oscillationfestival.com/workshops.html

please read this if you plan on attending our workshops this weekend!

Seeking sponsors

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:25:00 -0600

The Oscillation Festival is seeking sponsors.

Reserving space on our flyers (over 5,000 throughout New Mexico) is easy and cost-effective.

Specifically seeking sponsors in the realm of music, art, film, instruments and technology, but are not limited. Please contact botkiller at oscillation dot info for more information. Thanks!!

Planning for 2008

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:09:13 -0600

Brian here. I met with The Cell yesterday, and it’s official; Oscillation 2008 will take place October 10th and 11th at the Cell Theatre. Acts are to be confirmed, as well as workshops. Here’s to another year!

Oscillation Promo video

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:07:27 -0600

new video on oscillation youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FprT5jt5fAs

Just revamped the hell outta the website. I’m tired. http://www.oscillation.info

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:53:41 -0700

Just revamped the hell outta the website. I’m tired.

http://www.oscillation.info

Video goodness

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 11:55:13 -0700

Finally getting around to uploading a lot of old videos of Oscillation performances to our Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/oscillationfestival

Going all the way back to Oscillation 3!

Met with the production crew yesterday, went over what we feel we need to change for next year, and...

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:25:41 -0600

Met with the production crew yesterday, went over what we feel we need to change for next year, and what went well this year. Costs were figured out, we lost money, but we did a great show. Thanks to everyone who came out - here’s looking forward to next time.

-Brian

Pictures of both days

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:15:49 -0600

Thanks to Jason Andrews (Alphawolf) for these amazing pictures:

http://www.wolfnetarchives.com/OSC7/

Lots of giveaways so far, plenty of people, things are rolling. Dirty Birdies are up next, then me,...

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:37:24 -0600

Lots of giveaways so far, plenty of people, things are rolling. Dirty Birdies are up next, then me, so I won’t be updating then.

night 1

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:43:55 -0600

… is officially over. That was amazing. At some point in the night apparently someone stole my ipod, a blue mini. I’m a little dismayed that there would actually be someone who’d take my ipod at this show, because the crowd it entertains isn’t really the kind that steals shit. That’s kinda fucked up. That led to the Diverje set being delayed, because I had to work backing track up off my laptop. However, the set was fucking amazing, the best we’ve ever done. The crowd was off the hook. I am truly happy with how it went down. I hope that more people show up tomorrow. Either way, we kicked ass. I’m fucking tired.

Web streaming broke at some point. I had to run a crap-ton of ethernet AGAIN, and we are back up. ...

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:02:22 -0600

Web streaming broke at some point. I had to run a crap-ton of ethernet AGAIN, and we are back up. That sucked - but now we’re on it.

Things are going well! We’re live streaming:...

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:08:05 -0600

Things are going well! We’re live streaming:

http://shoutcast.com/directory/?s=oscillation

The crowd is building.

The Red Bull girls just got here. RED BULL!

We’re here, setting up, cables everywhere, madness. Sweet.

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:37:46 -0600

We’re here, setting up, cables everywhere, madness. Sweet.

Less than 20 hours

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:09:21 -0600

Until Oscillation opens. Where will you be?

Our Net-radio is streaming!

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:53:42 -0600

Giant big up thanks to Clint for getting this up for us. We’re streaming Oscillation artists right now, you can tune in here:

(low quality)

(high quality)

Tune in, let’s get our numbers up! We will be taking the stream down at some point tomorrow to get set up for live streaming from the Cell, so if the stream drops out don’t be dismayed :)

Nice media coverage

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:22:11 -0600

Got a great spread on Oscillation in today’s Albuquerque Alibi. Nice.

Did an interview with http://www.solipsisticnation.com yesterday about Oscillation. Very cool, it...

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:18:14 -0600

Did an interview with http://www.solipsisticnation.com yesterday about Oscillation. Very cool, it will broadcast this coming friday (the first day of the fest)!

friday 9/28

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:26:09 -0600

Myself (brian), Kent and Kenny went to the Cell Theatre to meet with Dennis, the owner, and Jen, who will be working with us during the fest. The Cell is so awesome. They treat us great, they have LCD screens for us to run visuals on, they’re going to give us a direct line into their Internet, just everything. The Cell Rules. This fest is going to rule.

Event info

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:13:42 -0600

OSCILLATION 2007, October 5th and 6th - Live Electronic music Festival

Brought to you by Fwank!Productions, Dark Beat, Ohmni, DSBP Records, Music Go Round, Red Bull and KeyToSound -

New Mexico’s Electronic music festival, Celebrating Seven Years of Sonic Independence!

This year we will feature LIVE ELECTRONIC performances by:

Friday Night, October 5th:

Cyrkos - http://www.myspace.com/wurmidm - IDM/AMBIENT/BREAKS - WURM originally started in 1995 under Neurocycle this project has evolved from a drum machine and tape recorder to Laptops, FX Processors, Keyboards and Samplers, with other live and improvised elements. Guest members always welcome for collaboration.

Nightmare Noise Machine - http://www.myspace.com/nightmarenoisemachine - INDUSTRIAL/TECHNO/BREAKS/ - one of the longest standing industrial producers in the NM scene, NIGHTMARE NOISE MACHINE makes it’s return to the live stage at Oscillation. If you like some hard hitting industrial (very KMFDM, NIN, Sisters of Mercy) Do not miss this one - it does not happen often!

Erogenous - A noise/ambient textures project. Experimentalism at its best.

The Booty Green - http://www.myspace.com/meilongelectro - ELECTRO/TECHNO/80
S RETRO DANCE- very lo-fi, quite fun to dance to, the Booy Green will get you going with a great light show and awesome synth lines.

Potential Ghost - http://www.myspace.com/potentialghost IDM/BREAKBEATS/ELECTRO/TECHNO - deep hitting breaks with tons of texture. Wonderful programming - great to hear live.

Taiji Pole - Ambient/noise textures project from members of the late Severa wires - http://www.myspace.com/thelateseverawires

Diverje - http://www.myspace.com/diverje - IDM/INDUSTRIAL/ELECTRO/DANCE - One of Albuquerque’s longest standing industrial acts, and one of the most known in the underground industrial scene. Headed up by Tommy T of DSBP records, which happens to be one of the biggest underground electro and industrial labels in the world, right here in Albuquerque.

VERTIGO VENUS - http://www.myspace.com/vertigovenus - PUNK/ELECTRO/INDUSTRIAL/ROCK - Albuquerque’s own Punktronica/electro/dance band. Super fun to see live, great energy, comedy and awesome lyrics. You won’t be let down.

Saturday Night, October 6th:

Alan George Ledergerber - http://www.myspace.com/alangeorgeledergerber - AMBIENT/EXPERIMENTAL/CLASSICAL/IDM - Alan has been making experimental music for quite a long time now, and doing it quite well. Known for playing his bass guitar thru a variety of stomp box pedals and making some devilish sound textures with it, you will have your mind blown by this guy.

Autopoesis - http://autopoesis.burque.info/ - IDM/D&B/BREAKS/AMBIENT - Autopoesis is known for dropping some wonderful breaks and ambience along with making his OWN VISUALS while playing. Not something to be missed.

Audio Buddha - http://www.myspace.com/audiobuddha - TRANCE/BREAKS/ELECTRO/IDM - Audio Buddha has been steadily coming up in the NM scene with a great mix of Trance and breaks, and now with the addition of the lovely live female vocals of Ishtar and the live violin of Nathaniel backed by the heavy beats of Steve, you won’t forget Audiobuddha. If you like trance, SEE THEM.

Raine Vivian - http://www.myspace.com/rainevivian - BREAKS/ELECTRO/INDUSTRIAL/IDM - Raine has been making intelligent dance music forever now, and it shows. A well rounded sound of breaks, dance and some industrial, the live show incorporates Raine and Kelly on keyboards and botkiller’s brother PJ Phlip on turntables and scratching. This is a sound that no one else is doing right now - hard hitting, great vocals and dance heavy.

Dirty Birdies - http://www.myspace.com/cobragroup - AMBIENT/EXPERIMENTAL/BREAKS - A side project of COBRA group, which incorporates experimentalism and some very original composition, in that one person pulls a card from a stack telling members of the group what to do and play. Not one performance is the same as the last.

brian botkiller - http://www.myspace.com/brianbotkiller - BREAKS/PROGRESSIVE/DANCE/ELECTRO-it’s me, I put on the show that is Oscillation. Breaks, vocal progressive, very UNDERWORLD influenced. I bring the party. (I do!)

Nanocrack - http://www.myspace.com/nanocrack - ELECTRO/BREAKS/EXPERIMENTAL/IDM - Nanocrack makes breaks and sound textures to rip right to your core. Live incorporates many members, each dropping heavy beats and sounds.

zRAM - http://www.myspace.com/randomaccessmemory - SYNTHPOP/BREAKS/ELECTRO - zRAM is one of NM’s finest synthpop acts, fronted by KGB’s DJ Kentifyr on vocals and programming, live incorporates TWO live drummers, and a plethora of dance. Political/hard hitting lyrics and synth lines to get you moving. You won’t be let down in the dancing with zRAM.

RED BULL will be there, giving away Red Bull and information on the RED BULL MUSIC ACADEMY!

Doors will be at 6pm both days, $10 a night and $15 for both.

We will be throwing down at The Cell Theatre, 700 1st St. NW.

All Ages! Visuals by Panopticon (KGB/brian botkiller).

We will be streaming audio and video live on http://www.oscillation.info

Software giveaways from KeyToSound, DSBP, Music Go Round, merch and more.

Please support your local live electronic acts!

Members of the press and bloggers - please contact me if you are interested in passes to the fest for press coverage.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for those interested - our flyer run will be 5,000 4x6 fyers distributed all throughout NM, as well as promoted on the internet and radio. Please contact me via pm or at brian at fwank dot net for more info.

Thank you as always for your support, we look forward to making this the best Oscillation ever! The scene is strong as ever, and I want nothing more than to see it stronger!

Myspace it up at http://www.myspace.com/oscillationfest
Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/oscillationfest
Twitter it up at http://www.twitter.com/oscillationfest
Blogging at http://oscillation.tumblr.com