Discogs is a fantastic resource for anyone seeking to explore the wide world of psychedelic trance music. Although the recent upgrade to version 4 has alienated many veterans, Discogs has introduced some new features that might interest those listeners still in the process of figuring what this music is all about. Now when you visit the entry for any major release you will find a set of recommendations immediately below the track listing. Click on any cover and you will be whisked away to another release with a fresh set of recommendations to peruse. The system derives these recommendations from patterns of ownership so the results aren’t always useful–you will invariably return to big hits like Radio, The Lone Deranger, Converting Vegetarians, and Eye To Eye if you keep going. Still, it is interesting to navigate through the music history in this fashion; if nothing else, these automated recommendations might give you an idea of key releases you may have overlooked. Combine this with my own recommendations (many of which are directly linked to Discogs) and you’ve got yourself a rather meaty guide to the complete history of psytrance music. Happy hunting!

Andrew Dubber writes about “fresh approaches for online music businesses” on his blog, New Music Strategies. For newcomers to digital music sales and marketing, few things could be more useful than Dubber’s relatively succinct list of The 20 Things You Must Know About Music Online, which is also available as a downloadable PDF “ebook” here.

These are concepts that inform and direct my own approach to promoting music online. Although some of Dubber’s points don’t exactly correlate with the realities of dealing in an underground niche market like the psytrance industry, the vast majority of his arguments and observations are right on the money. Label owners and forward-thinking artists need to be thinking about this kind of thing–and many of them aren’t. Time to do your homework! Continue reading the rest of this post »

Synops Effect is a Russian deco crew based in Moscow specializing in elaborate multi-dimensional string art and mirror installations. Have a look at some of their work:

View more of their work on MySpace. Thanks to Damon on Chilluminati for the find!

It is winter again, and that means 3rd edition of Shakti Collective’s annual blizzard party is here! Come spend the deep-freeze night of February 6th with us to warm up to the special line up we have in store.

MAIN ROOM:

NOMOLOS -DJ Set ( Zenon Records, Australia/Israel)
Currently based in NYC, is the Zenon Records representation in Israel. He specializes in the Zenon style of dark mystical minimal to grinding, experimental progressive. Some of his favorite acts include Krumleur, Sensient, Cujorius One, Mantik, Opsis and Igneous Sauria to name a few. He has performed in the UK, Australia, India and of course Israel, supporting many fine acts including Sun Control Species, Perfect Stranger, Ticon, Pena, Koxbox, Hujaboy and many more. Lately Nomolos has been exploring Dubstep, and the more abstract sides of the Minimal Techno world and is incorporating these fresh sounds in to his DJ sets enhancing these deep musical journeys.
http://www.myspace.com/thenomolos

CQDX (www.Teknoturtle.ca/ Ottawa) ~ LIVE!
Born in hills of England in 1964, Simon leads a gypsy lifestyle with deep roots in electronic music. Being a professional musician and sound engineer, Simon has travelled the world, presenting his one of a kind live and DJ sets. Simon truly enjoys the psychedelic music scene and the life it brings… You may have encountered him dancing or playing at a Canadian summer festival, or heard him on CHUO.FM Fridays midnight till 6am… “MIND WARP to my set as i set to your mind warp” – CQDX

BASILISK (Ektoplazm.com/ Toronto)

MACHINELF (OYA Collective/ Peterborough)

SHANKAR (Tribal Vision, Shakti Collective/ Toronto)

PLAN 2B (Shakti Colective/ Toronto)

CHILLOUT:

MANDELBROT (BLA/ Toronto)

DAVEY BOOM (Omfestival.com/ Toronto)

MARS (BLA/ Toronto)

GNOSYS (OYA Collective/ Peterborough)

FEVER (OYA Collective/ Peterborough)

VISUALS:
Ivygrrl

ART:

Neil Gibson (Toronto, Canada)
After spending the holiday season touring the exotic fractal forests of Japan, he is back to present us his new, never before seen collection!

VENUE:

812 Dundas St W, Toronto

February 6, 2009

10 pm – 6am

15$ only at the door

19+ ROAR