R

oundup of my favorite things this week…
From HOUS to a (Sensation White House
Follow it, don’t judge it!  

Festival. Sensation White, America 2012.
Because all we need is another festival. But if there’s one to add to the books, it’s the all-white bash from across the pond. Sensation White is the original OG fest, so get your glowsticks ready for Cirque de Soleil ala Ultra. Good thing @Austyntatiouss has been there, we’re gonna need all the prep we can get.  

Fashion. HOUS.
HOUS is here to fill a fashion void — edgy styles that appreciate the scene and the people who wear them. As clothes become a part of the person, HOUS is a part of the music scene. The company has partnered with elite DJs like ATB, Bob Sinclair, Erick Morillo, Robbie Rivera, Sander van Doorn, and Sasha to create specially designed T-shirts for their fans. Other established names spotted in HOUS gear include Calvin Harris, Chuckie, Congorock, Dada Life, Darren Emerson, Drek Martinez, DJ Paulette, DJ Reach, EC Twins, Jeremy Carr, Junior Sanchez, Fareoh, Max Vangeli, Rony Seikaly, Sharam (Deep Dish), and Steve Aoki. Scoop it up. 

Event. DJ’s in The Sky, Nepal.
What’s that you see? The spot for the first ever outdoor musical event in Nepal. Ok, so maybe that’s Everest, but jump over a mountain or two to the district of Rasuwa, next to Tibet and you’re in the right spot. Think of a picturesque plateau, complete with pristine forests and traditional mountain villages.  Then, layer on three full days of comprehensive music across three stages. DJ’s from Nepal, India, Turkey, UAE, Macedonia, Lebanon, Israel, Italy, Russia, Pakistan, USA, and more are flying in, so why shouldn’t you? Tribal vibes, groovy beats and evocative styles, up in the clouds. Chillin’ 

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I’ve been to a lot of festivals this year. I’ve interviewed a lot of artists, I’ve downloaded a lot of sets, I’ve planned out my get-a-reaction-from-the-crowd outfits and I’ve mapped out my recovery. So post Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Snowball, Mad Decent, Escape to New York and a stint in Myknonos, I was expecting a whole lot of the same. Except for the usual can’t eat, can’t sleep, can’t stop tapping my feet cycle, this year’s Electric Zoo proved me, and many other festival fanatics, delightfully wrong.  

The three-day dance party on Randall’s Island had no shortage of new; new acts, new tracks and new grass (really!) filled the 24-acre island for 12-hours-a-day over Labor Day Weekend. The festival grounds had an upgrade too: a well thought out floor-plan made the trek from the Sunday School Grove Tent (packed with acts like Luciano, Gui Boratto, Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin) to the Mainstage (Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren and David Guetta) surprisingly do-able. And with over 100 DJ’s to decide between, the well thought out plan made set hopping an unusually fun part of the gig. 

Despite the record number of attendees (over 85,000 fans), Electric Zoo didn’t lose its sense of ease and comfort. Thanks to an increased number of restrooms, a variety of food vendors and use of RFID wristband technology, which minimized entrance time, there were no lines to be found. And when you wanted to dance deep inside the tent, there was an actual dance floor and ample space to do so. When you’re talking about music marathons, these are small details that many festival producers overlook, the small details that can make a great event into an exceptional one.  

Zoo-goers wasted no time arriving on Friday for Josh Wink and High Contrast. The Dutch duo, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, came with a serious set full of hard beats and high energy. The post-work crowd came in time to catch Gareth Emery, Europe’s favorite dance party producer, and Feed Me, a new dub-stepper on the Mau5trap label. Carl Cox (and his infectious smile) brought some Miami techno to the Sunday School Grove tent, while Max Vangeli and Antoine brought the Size Matter’s sound to the Mainstage. But it was Moby who caused the most mayhem during his show at sundown, and Tiesto, who ended Day 1 with a flood of confetti into the dark night sky. 

Saturday was all about the tents: SBTRKT, Guti Live, and 19-year-old wonder, Porter Robinson, proved why they’re three of the hottest new acts on the scene. Beardyman (Darren Foreman) beat-boxed some Bob Marley, and played one of the weekend’s most innovative sets. Sander Van Doorn set the mood with his impeccable, technical trance followed by a night of big-room sound with back-to-back Dirty South (who covered for Martin Solveig on Friday), ATB and Ferry Corsten. 

The heavy bass from 12th Planet, Skrillex and Bloody Beetroots could be felt from the FDR. 12th Planet stood backstage as Skrillex, who describes his sound “a mix of dubstep, electro and glitch all thrown together,” took over the minds and bodies of thousands of fans who turned the tent into a nineties mosh pit. 12th Planet’s set followed suit, with screeching sounds and screeching fans as dove head first into the crowd. Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77, the Italian trio of Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo, Tommy Tea and drummer Battle, mixed the madness of their most famous track “Warped,” with the surprise of live guitar, drums and punk-rock vocals. While the masks may have scared some fans away, it was easily one of the most electric shows in Zoo history.

On Sunday, Gramatik, Alesso and EDX rocked out to a packed house, despite their early time slots on Day 3. Calvin Harris, Afrojack and Armin Van Buuren took over the Mainstage and while the sounds were a bit all over the place — let’s not forget the adorable yet odd open-format performance by Snoop Dog, and the out-of-place yet delightful performance by Chromeo — the A-listers pulled it off, and kept the massive crowd in one place for most of the day. Those who wandered off hit up Diplo, Boyz Noize, Infected Mushroom, Fake Blood and Richie Hawtin, but the cult-chords of Armin Van Buuren brought the festival to a final close.

There’s a stigma that comes with electronic music — and in some cases, it may be appropriate — but there are also many reasons why thousands are flocking to bass boot camps like Electric Zoo. It’s not the first or the largest electronic dance event in the United States, but it’s certainly one of the most exhilarating. Standing in the middle of Bloody Beetroots during “Warped” was an adrenaline rush on par with my first skydive in South Africa… (and we all know how I feel about a good ol’ skydive).

The duality of exhaustion and energy, and the challenge of fighting through the fatigue and heat for something you love is part of the appeal. And in the end, the fans who stand are the ones who believe in the escape of electronic dance music, the power of letting go and the chance to dance it all away. Screaming, jumping, fighting to catch that one, last drop with 30,000 like-minded people? Well that’s what Electric Zoo is all about.

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Paint by numbers. Last year, over 50,000 fans descended upon New York City’s Randall’s Island as over 67 DJ’s, producers and live acts banded together for Electric Zoo, New York’s Electronic Music Festival. Now in its third year, the fan favorite is back and bigger than ever with more than 100 (yes, 100) acts including Afrojack, David Guetta, Tiesto, Chromeo and more. 

From the heavy hitting house of Boyz Noize to the trance tunes of Armin Van Buuren, the new sounds of Guti to the classic beats of Moby, there’s something for the dance fiend in us all. While loyalist are mapping out their plan of attack, here’s the scoop on the DJ’s must play track….

JetsetFarryn: “If you could drop just one track at this year’s Electric Zoo, what would it be?”

Amin Van Buuren (Farryn + Armin = Farmin).
Sunday. 9:15PM. Main Stage.
Track: “In And Out Of Love” Bootleg
Why: “I did a special bootleg version of my single “In And Out Of Love” for my summer sets. People really still seem to love that song. Plus, the video just went over 100 million views on youtube making it the 12th most watched video on youtube ever! Crazy!!”

Tiesto. 
Friday. 9pm. Main Stage.
Track: Maximal Crazy by Tiesto
Why: “My new tune Maximal Crazy. Because its a festival banger!”

Max Vangeli.
Friday. 2:20 PM. Main Stage. 
Track: Whisper by Vangelli
Why: “I would drop our up coming single called “Whisper”. It’s a track Antoine and I did which features vocals from Example. This record really describes our sound - it has a lot of meaning and emotions. It’s a record I am most proud of to this day. It was magical, we finished the vocal cut in one take. It was just bound to happen.”

Alesso.
Sunday. 1:15 PM. Mainstage. 
Track: Calling by Alesso & Ingrosso
Why: “That would be my new track “Calling,” with Sebastian Ingrosso because it’s one of the most emotional tracks I’ve ever done. I’m really looking forward to seeing the reaction of the crowd at Electric Zoo as it will be the first time I play it for an American crowd.” 

Moby.
Friday. 7:25PM. Main Stage. 
Track: “Playing With Knives” by Bizarre Inc. 
Why: “Even though it’s 20 years old, it’s still the best rave track ever recorded.”

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I love nothing more than dressing the part… especially when the part let’s me play a punk-rave princess. We’re no strangers to the bangers, but this year Electric Zoo is three days, four stages, three outfits. Let’s do this. 

What To Pack: Electric Zoo Festival in NYC by jetsetfarryn featuring patent leather sneakers

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I’m counting down for Electric Zoo with my must-have men….
For lunch today: Richie Hawtin
An electro-snack a day keeps the anticipation at bay….  

Richie Hawtin: artist, DJ, conceptualist and innovator. The one-man mogul behind Techno imprints Plus 8 & Minus sends signals out all over the world from his HQ in an old fire station in Windsor, Ontario – just across the border from Detroit, where he’s been channeling the electronic past. The signals are constantly evolving: his Plastikman persona gave Techno a unique face with a series of four minimal albums, while his  live sets at the Glastonbury festival and Tribal Gathering helped invent stadium techno. In 1995, Hawtin was invited to show his work in Canada, in an event for the new millenium, in which the sculptor Anish Kapoor was also showing work, and the rest is lucky for you. Today Richie Hawtin evolves and develops his music and performance skills by deploying new technology and bad ass art. 

But don’t expect to see Richie at the Zoo… say hello to his alter-ego (think Farryn VS. Jetsetfarryn) PLASTIKMAN. The Berlin-based artist will bring his one-hour live experience of audio and visual interactivity including live real-time generative visuals:

“I’m very excited to bring my PLASTIKMAN show to Electric Zoo,” states Hawtin.  “I am very energized by the incredible developments in the electronic scene in North America, and finally we’re seeing the underground movement that I represent with my label, artists, DJing and live shows being acknowledged by the big events and festivals. This is a great moment in American music history, and I am delighted to have a platform to present my take on where electronic music is today and my vision for its future.”

And to make me swoon more… there’s an app. So think on that. 

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Escape to New York had a lot on its plate… and I’m not just referring to the World’s Largest Festival Brunch, which was planned to kick off on Sunday. The first-year festival on the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton billed itself as more than just a three-day music event — like its sister festival in the UK, Secret Garden Party, Escape to New York promised an interactive experience of art, music, food, camping and culture (and by culture, I mean hipster culture)

The festival catered to a fancier crowd (after all, this is Southampton), one that expected on-site glamping with suped-up teepees, private performances and catered food by Fat Radish; while festival-goers expected an indie-happy lineup headlined by Edward Sharpe and Patti Smith, an off-the-radar dance tent and the convenience of raging the day away, in the comfort of their Hamptons ‘hood.

Although the 3-day party was cut short due to bad weather on the reservation (yes, I woke up in a soggy teepee with a soaked cell phone), Saturday proved successful enough for Escape to New York to announce that they’ll be back next year…. 

Next year, already? A bit soon, no? Clearly, this British bunch has a hold on the teammates-in-tank-tops who raided the empty lot off Route 27 for 3 days (did I feel like I was crashing a private party? Yes, yes I did), but a star-studded campsite does not a festival make. So let’s backtrack and face some facts…. [My HuffPo review]

Plus. 
Thank goodness for Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros who brought in an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday night. The stage, equipped with a busted NYC Taxi, was enough to impress the most cynical of cynics who compared this first-ever fiesta to Coachella. A calypso-inspired, steel-drum rendition of “Home” brought the creative set to a close. This was exactly the type of act that Escape to New York needs. One to keep your indie mantras, but draw a large crowd too. (Did their private performance on Sunday at the Mondrian diminish the importance of said show? Yeah, a bit). 

Founder Freddie Fellowes’ creative vision was brilliant. The festival was in fact full of surprises, pop-up performances and secret stages. This Midsummer’s Night Dream was a delightful change from the standard three-stage triangle formation we are used to finding during festival season. I loved the bicycle-driven musical Toad who played some of the best music I heard all weekend and the dance-off ring (and by ring, I mean an actual wrestling ring aka wedding ring) hidden deep inside the foggy forest.

Xaphoon Jones (of Chiddy Bang) spun an electric set on Saturday night. There’s nothing better than an out-of-nowhere, out-of-this-world DJ set, especially when most of the festivals this seasons have been on a recycling binge. Heilbronn, Duvall and Alex English rocked out too. 

Teepees and safari tents are winners, in theory…. 

The Minus. 
When you say glamping, I expect glamping. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some mud, but when someone shouts “G” for glamorous, I leave my supplies at home. Sans the bed, mirror, lights, bug spray and amenities of our promised “package,” these were just teepee shaped tents. Good thing I’m always Amazing Race ready. 

Asia Dogs, Standard Hotels, Milk Studios, Soho House, Veuve Clicquot, Fat Radish, Urban Daddy — there were super sponsors everywhere. And yes, there were some great acts (The Vaccines, Au Revoire Simone, Edward Sharpe) but put your money where the cash is. If E2NY had put just one art installation or chic-boutique on hold, they could have brought in a big name; and a big name draws a big crowd, and a big crowd brings energy. And energy was the one thing this clan forgot to buy. On Friday, they expected 5,000 people and according to The Guardian, 1,000 attended at max. (Side note: I lived for the low-key, well mannered and easy-going staff. If their attitudes were a result of the small crowd, it was still a great result.)

Despite the cheap cigarettes, Shinnecock proved to be a poor location choice. We weren’t really wanted there, as evident by the quick cancellation of the event on Sunday, and by the odd placement of the campsite off of 27. Second, the standard Native American-inspired garb found at fests (I’m 100% guilty of it) suddenly seemed inappropriate. While there was major space to roam free in the art-filled forest, the late-night ride to the grounds felt a bit like the start of a scary movie — and not even a good one.

Oh, and did I mention there was no liquor? 

I’ll never turn my back on innovation, and in that department Escape to New York wins. Winkel & Balktick produced a forest full of fantasy from the Panda Pit to the robotic Gamelan Orchestra. But what E2NY really needs is to get out of their own way. We get it, you’re the cool kids (I mean, Alexander Skarsgård probably stayed in your teepee — we saw him roaming the campsite during a surprise set from Gary Clark Jr.), but cool kids won’t fill acres. We will. Fans like me who love to fest, be it with Best Coast or Boyz Noize, will fill your field with fire.
And some fire is exactly what you need.

R

oundup of my favorite things this week…
Escape to New York Style.
Let’s get glamping! 

Festival. Escape to New York.
Any fest with a manifesto is alright by me, and Escape to New York has one for the books. What makes a good party? What you do, not what you see; Who you meet, not who you see; and what you make happen, not what you watch happen…. Born out of the Secret Garden Party in the UK, the quirky Escape to New York Festival is taking over the ancient lands of the Schinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton this weekend. The mystical music includes Patti Smith, Best Coast, The Vaccines, Alex English, Rich Medina, VHS or Beta and of course, Edward Sharpe. There’s stages and tents and art and teepees and creation galore. Yes, I said teepees, but more on that later.  

Music. Au Revoir Simone.
There’s something about Au Revoir Simone. Three girls from Brooklyn, two vocalists, two keyboards and one drum machine makes for melancholic melodies. There’s a Corner store sound to the instruments and a Middle school garage band sound to the vocals. It’s like the Cranberries met the Juno Soundtrack…. but I like them, I really like them, and their synthy sweetness. So take off from your teepee for this trifecta. 

Paris Remix ft. Au Revoir Simone; Shadows

Eat. World’s Largest Brunch. 
Escape to New York is making big moves on Sunday… moves towards a record breaking brunch. They’ll be attempting to knock the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s biggest brunch at a live music event. The menu, by Silkstone, will include fresh fruit, yogurt and granola, avocado toast with 6-minute eggs and the traditional English dish, Bubble and Squeak. Of course OJ, Bloody Marys and Champagne will be on hand… just in case this brunch bunch gets rowdy.

Images via Escape2NY

This past weekend, Coachella counting down-teens and over-the-Zoo adults hoped aboard the ferry to Governors Island for this year’s Governors Ball. The one-day, two-stage event featured some of the biggest and best live acts in electronic, dance, hip-hop and indie music; Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit DJ Set, Das Racist, Neon Indian and Big Boi took over the isle (which is evidently the soon-to-be home of NYU Freshman) for twelve, straight, sunny hours. The idea of no overlapping sets was an initial game-changer – it made me, a Hamptonite at heart, skip the Sag to shoot the sets. However, as fantastic as it was in theory, it was bad in execution. They opted for two stages, set across the festival grounds which resulted in fans ping-ponging back and forth in 45 minute increments. Hearing all the acts – brilliant – but running back and forth all day – not so much. Despite that big boo-boo, the fest was extremely well run and organized; it’s got serious potential and is well on it’s way to being a summer staple in NYC.

My oh so serious thoughts….

• The fun-for-the-whole family vibe; Governor’s Ball skewed more classy than trashy as opposed to most of the festivals we’ve seen this year. 
• VIP being worth it! Hooray for skipping the ferry line and separate seating (kudos to the Fest makers for seriously well organized transportation)
• Airspace’s famous balloon chain which made me happy (not as happy as when I see it at Coachella, but happy) 
• Empire of the Sun channeled their inner theatre geeks with over the top costumes, and dancers that made their Coachella set look like a Coldplay concert. 
• It’s a good thing Girl Talk sprayed the crowd with toilet paper – he had something to clean up his mess of a set with… 
• Big Boi brought me back to 8th grade when I snuck into an Outkast Concert and lost my red Nokia cell phone. His set was a fun mix of tracks from his new album and old Outkast jams.
• We are not cattle, so next time, don’t herd us.  
• Electro-pop group Miami Horror, I like you. 
• Put a DJ on between sets - especially if you have two stages - have you ever heard of DJ Tanner?
• Beer Pong tent, great call. Just don’t tell anyone I said so, I went to NYU.

Ultra Music Festival 2011. Boo ya. 

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Summer is all about festivals, but you don’t have to travel far to listen to music, hang out with your friends and soak in the sun. The Governors Ball Music Festival is a one-day, two-stage event that features some of the biggest and best live acts in electronic, dance, hip-hop and indie music. Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Empire of the Sun, Passion Pit, Neon Indian and Big Boi will be taking over Governors Island, just a hop and a skip from Manhattan, on June 18. So forgot the Coachella or Bonnaroo fomo (I know, I don’t make it easy), because this time the tunes are coming to you… 

The Jetsetter package includes access to a VIP lounge with shade, seating, massage services (yes, massages), wine, beer and special food concessions, exclusive viewing areas at both stages, special restroom facilities, two drink tickets, access to the photo pit or sound board during selected performances and a two-night stay at Gild Hall. All you have to worry about is your endurance. 

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R

oundup of my favorite things this week… follow it, don’t judge it. 

Photographer. Ryan Holden Singer.
This week has been all about family, and as I sat in my Uncle’s library last night, I was fascinated by a new piece of art he had acquired at a charity event in NYC. So the story goes “We we’re outbid at the auction, but Uncle Kevin was persistent. He went right to the photographer, and he schmoozed. Next thing I knew, the photo was ours.” 

Photographer Ryan Holden Singer has a very personal approach to photography, one that was clear to my Aunt and Uncle immediately after meeting him. Through portraiture mixed with an anthropological quality to his work, Singer creates images that not only explore the honesty in his subjects but also presents a very real and personal perspective. Singer landed on the continent of Africa where he documented the San Bushmen tribes in Namibia. These powerful images resulted in the Ryan Holden Singer collection consisting of 52 images contained in the Smithsonian Institutes National Museum Of African Art in Washington DC. He gets the good stuff by making it personal, the results are uncompromising and direct… and from our side of the lens, he is one to watch, closely. 

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