And Michael, if you’ve got some free time and want to write some reviews, send me a writing sample: jim @ kexp.org

My question is, why in the hell would someone that doesn’t like electronic music cover an electronic music festival? Did someone make you do it or where you merely trying to voice your obviously biased opinions out to KEXP blog readers. Either way, I find it deplorable that KEXP couldn’t find a writer to cover one of North America’s premier electronic music festival’s by someone that actually enjoys and understands the music. It would be the equivalent of having someone that doesn’t like hip hop cover the “Rock the Bells fest” which took place at the Gorge this past September.

I know over a dozen highly qualified writers that were in attendance at the past year’s Decibel Festival and they all had an entire different experience because THEY ACTUALLY LIKE THE MUSIC.

For an non-biased account, I would recommend reading these festival reviews:
http://blog.culturemob.com/decibel-festival-2008-a-review-a-reawakening
http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature-read.aspx?id=973
http://lineout.thestranger.com/2008/09/decibel_in_the_park

This festival effected me in a different way than I expected it would. My enthusiasm for the event was based on what I came away with. Naturally, I want to share that enthusiasm.

I think it’s great we have a forum to like this to express our opinions and views in.

Nathan Howard

For what it’s worth, the Supermayer set was definately to be consumed as a whole, not in parts. It started off funky, minimal, and got darker and more intense as it went along. Static if taken in small doses, but Michael Mayer tends to pull you in gradually. Similar to the way Audion operates, but on a less aggressive scale. It’s the Kompakt cross-breed between minimal techno and pop/funk. I thought it worked. As for Flying Lotus, only 2 or 3 tracks were actually his, so I was disappointed, but at least the energy was there. And the Bug was absolutely awful imo. Way too many rewinds.

And by the way, we’re not always able to send multiple people to these events, especially on a busy weekend like that. If you or anyone else with some writing experience would like to volunteer your time, please send me a writing sample!

:)

P.S. I think that sending someone who isn’t quite as knowledgeable about the genre is just as valid as sending someone who is in that both opinions will be skewed. Discuss.

It’s kind of like walking into a Terrence Malick film for 5 minutes, and walking out and talking about that particular shot having no substance. I at least appreciate the disclosure, but was there no one else that could have done this review for the KEXP sponsored event? Someone at least familiar with the genre would suffice.

-jeff

Well written review. I grew a little frustrated with all the laptops in between my camera and the artists. I get where you’re coming from in general, but I have to disagree with you.

The decibel sound engineers were extremely skilled at what they pulled off. Neumo’s usually sounds a little hollow to me. On the night of the finale, the sound was so solid and booming I had to swim through it. My eyeballs were vibrating in my head. It was hard to focus through the lens of my camera.

What about those lights?!? That was something of a minor miracle compared to the usual array of the handfull of canned hot lights with wrinkled gel coverings. The colored, mirrored, rotating spot lights were sick sick sick. Way too much smoke though. I still smell it in my hair days later.

Each of these artists on the finale night represented a vastly different genre of “Electronic” music, as different as Americana is from Rockabilly. It’s unfortunate you missed the first artist, Fax. His guitar work was ethereal and perfectly blended with his laptop constructed beats and rhythms.

The Supermayer set was insanely good. Being close to the stage made all the difference. Their minimalistic techno set was positively entertaining. It was great fun to watch Aksel Schaufler aka Superpitcher and Michael Mayer shuffle through their collection of vinyl. No laptops. Two DJs working more in sync than a 2 man gold medal volleyball team.

I was nervous taking this assignment considering my lack of knowledge of the large umbrella that this genre covers. Honestly I was completely unfamiliar with most of these artists prior to this festival. I came away from it with a deeper appreciation for music and the incredible amount of talent it takes to structure and execute.

I don’t think it will take you five or ten years for this music to do something for you. I think it’ll take a pair of headphones and half an afternoon in a cafe finding the artists tracks online that speak to you. I know headphones and a live show at Neumo’s are worlds apart, but this entire experience made a world of difference to me. Give it another chance. Earplugs on me.

Nathan Howard