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I used to go to raves and clubs for a few years and always enjoyed it. People always question if its really music and the sincerity of people who went to them. True, lots of shitty scenesters attended raves, but lots of genuine, decent people went to them as well. Lots of creativity and intelligence goes into electronica and raves which seems to be overlooked by some of my better friends. But college came around and I found I was doing other things. Unfortunately, the best club in DC and one of the best in America (Buzz), got shut down because marines were selling drugs at their parties. I haven't been to a party in a few years, partly because I don't know where to begin and partly because no one seems to be interested in going with me to one anymore.
Anyhow, I still love electronica but find it hard to discover new artists. I've considered buying tables for a while but its an expensive hobby and have never had the balls to go through with it. Plus, my love for too many clashing electronica styles (psyTrance, house, jungle) would probably make me a terrible DJ.
It seems that electronica was bound to be a commodified counter culture trend in America. A good scene for insecure people who can mask their love for drugs by claiming love for a music, and an even better scene for the Right to demonize. The peak of it to me came when I watched Paul Oakenfold spinning on MTV with a panned shot to some kid who looked like he got lost going to the Dave Matthews show trying to dance to Sandstorm or whatever the fuck was being spun. In fact, I was bychance watching a Sabrina, Teenage Witch where Sabrina tells her guardian she's been invited to a rave, which is reponded to by "a rave, isnt that one of those crazy parties that gets busted by the police?".
From what I hear the parties still go on strong in Europe. I'm hoping to get to a Love Parade or some similar event (but no Ibiza) in the near future.
-alec
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