Upcoming Event: Koinonea's 10th "2012" Party, Yellow Cosmic Sun, Saturday June 2

It doesn't get much more old-skool than this: Koinonea, a collective that was founded by Lorin Ashton (Bassnectar) and others, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their annual Koinonea party this Saturday, June 2. That's right, they've been at it since 1997. I've had some great times at this event in the past, and though psytrance is not my thing these days, I've got my two tickets already ordered because this is one of THOSE events. One room, starting off with some lush dowtempo and then accelerating into uplifting psytrance for your journey into the cosmic realms. The location is strictly underground (though I think I can guess where it will be) and will be emailed to ticket-holders in advance of the event. These folks know how to put on an excellent underground, so if you want something that will really have the flava of the old-skool, hit the link below and get your tickets now because they will sell out.

Update: Just got the word at 10.00AM Friday morning that tickets are SOLD OUT. Sorry if you didn't get yours, keep your eyes open same time next year for the 11th installment.

Upcoming Event: Bassnectar at Mighty, Friday May 11

Hometown hero Lorin Ashton, aka Bassnectar, shakes his dreads and moves the crowd of babes and boys. After reading the recent profile of him in the East Bay Express I wonder if he'll be dropping a more hip-hop inflected set or sticking with his tried-and-true breakbeat. Either way I'm sure it will be very playalicious.

Freqo de Mayo
Friday, May 11, 2007, 10pm doors
Mighty | 119 Utah St, San Francisco CA | 415.626.7001
Bassnectar (AKA DJ Lorin – www.bassnectar.net)
Soulsalaam (www.soulsalaam.com)
El Papachango (el Circo)
Motion Potion (www.myspace.com/motionpotion)
Vanka (Misturada)
Jayo & Kevin (Seismic)
Evinrude (Space Cowboys)
Mycho Cocoa, Victor Vega, Tim Dietz (the Fringe)
VIDEO: Kaia Jacobi
LIVE PAINTING: Fringe Arts Collective: Nicole Andris, Micah Circe, Trav Kohler
FIRE PERFORMANCE: Krissi, Noelski and Aileen
GENERAL INFO: www.sunsetpromotions.net
TICKETS: $20 advance available at www.sunsettickets.com or 415-256-8499
PRESS INFO: Scott Simoneaux | scott@infectiouspublicity.com | 323.969.04041

East Bay Express Interview with Bassnectar

The most recent East Bay Express has a long profile and interview of Lorin Ashton, aka Bass Nectar. Seems like Lorin is trying to break into the big-time by going hip-hop. *Sigh,* I can't think of of anything more stereotypical. There are some interesting bits here; I didn't realize that Lorin grew up in a Santa Cruz commune called Koinonea, which is what led to the creation of the Koinonea party crew (who are having their annual 2012 party coming up June, btw, details to follow as available), and his musical history is interesting as well, from death-metal to psytrance to breaks and now hip-hop. I'm a little put off by both his and the writer's playing into typical rock critic themes (music made by black people is more authentic and sexy and political than music made by white people, the assertation that "rave" is now a dirty word, the backlash against electronic music in favor of guitar music), as well as Lorin's urge to shed his burner image to go mainstream, but it's an interesting profile nonetheless.