Santa Babylon 8.20.10

Rounding out the summer in raw fashion, the Santa Babylon clique is back on tricks. There's just two weeks until Black Rock City, when the physically temporary, yet soul-everlasting, metropolis is erected once again in the Nevada desert... Burning Man. So one last party for all the SB locals before the Burn was deemed necessary. Friday, August 20th @ Statemynt club, Santa Babylon presents Burning Man "Pre-Compression". With an all-city line-up of DJ's, this event will hopefully relieve the exciting angst all my Playa people are feeling as the closing countdown to the Burn comes nigh. Though I finally have the fiscal freedom to attend, Hoodzpah will not be hitting the Playa because of formal education responsibilities. Although, something dwelling within is telling me The Burn would educate a twenty-something kid exponentially more so than college ever could. Nevertheless, I feel a certain level of contentment creating a Pre-Compression event for the 805 burner massive. Since joining the Babylon crew, I've gained experience through observation and interaction on throwing parties. With this in thought, the dons of our bass team, Step Correct and ERS-One, allowed your boy Hoodzpah to take reigns and front-man this particular one-off. (Once again, bless you twos for that). Rest assured to the Babylon regulars, everything has been locked down and the usual bass-bombed chaos is sure to ensue on State Street once again. The guidance of the Step and ERS along with assistance from our lovely galdem is going to make this one poppin' party. So get that bass face engaged and ready to rage, Babylon "Pre-Compression" is gonna rock your fucking headtop. Bar none.

Three local crews collaborating with the Santa Babylon clique for this one. Underground Souls, coming off a wild, glammed-up summer, including an ridiculous July 4th event, will be represented with DJ Level. Taking you back with an all-vinyl Trip-hop and Acid Jazz, this will be a set of a certain rarity from one of SB's baddest DJs on the block. An EOS regular and underground legend, Level will have some wicked material to drop on your dome, in a form atypical to his usual club sets.


(DJ level always brings the party. All vinyl, all night, always).

Making his State club debut, Diamonds & Guns will represent the nascent burner crew The Family. True to the name they are a tight-knit group with arms wide open to those of a similar nature. Get at them at the party regarding where they will be camping at BRC. Familiar with his style, D&G will have some banger dubstep club riddims that will lay you out and keep the night progressing into madness. Talent unheard by a lot of SB locs, I guarantee the showcase with Santa Babylon by this Mexican selectah will surprise many. Be prepared for sonic assault.


(Diamonds & Guns on some beats, basslines and sunshine).

Headlining the night until the place shuts us down will be CityMavrick. Then proceeded in tandem by 9FeetOfSmoke, aka DrVktr, both soundbwoys representing D.F.H.Y. (DudeFuckingHellYeah!). D.F.H.Y. theme camp has gained a reputation on the Playa for their wicked party dome, supplying a musical range of Black Metal to Dubstep. They're camp will be located at 9:00 and Detroit and consists of Burners from all over the map. They are not too miss at this year's Metropolis on the Playa; it's a Black Rock City designated landmark insane asylum. True to fashion, CityMavrick will be dropping bombers at prime-time for "Pre-Compression". Followed up by his D.F.H.Y. blunt brother and Santa Babylon selectah 9FT to steady melt your face. Raw flesh off the skull making the dance floor slick in the darkness... tread lightly, but step hard.


(CityMavrick rocking w/ MC Kemst at S.M.O.G, LA).

Our Babylon Babes will be in full effect. This time we are taking it up a notch with six of Santa Barbara's sexiest dancers: Aya, Catalyst, Eeve, Coyote, Daisy and the illuminating Firefly. These go-go's love bass wobbles as much as us! We will have platforms set up in back area for them to demo their graceful hooping skills. Yet another attraction to inundate you throughout the night. They're hoop and poi aesthetics will also alleviate the traffic congestion on the limited Statemynt dance floor, which has gotten a bit hectic as the Santa Babylon reputation rises.


(Catalyst of Pyro Nation and straight outta Babylon).

In addition, for the first time we will be providing vendors as well. Our dancing girls, AyaPapaya and CoyotePheonix will be teaming up together to provide all the burners and fashonistas with wicked jewelry, headwear and other prime accessories to look fly on the Playa. Check out and even pre-order some of their gear on the tagged links. Nikki representing Save Rose Clothing will also provide some of her tees to sport. So don't for get that cash rules.


(Coyote's dance and design skills will be pulsating "Pre-Com").

This is sure to be an amazing night and proper send-off to all the SB burners. Chest pummeling beats will melt your face so hard, its gonna feel like Playa dust grinding your eyeballs. Don't forget to sport your desert gear! Moar Lasers. Moar Bass. MOAR LIFE. 805 represent!! Black Rock City or BUST. P.E.A.C.E.

)'(

Kulture - Steppin' Outta [Santa] Babylon

Undergrounds Souls: Short Fuse @ Red' s 7.4.10

It's about that time of year when we get to celebrate our separation from those damn Britons. These days, in an inescapable global interdependence in which no one is exempt... I generally like to think of myself as a multiculturalist. (I think others will eventually follow suit). Thus, national holidays don't generally exact a high level of patriotism out of me. Especially with the current complexity regarding my relationship to my national homeland. America. However, these holidays do get me quite thrilled. No, not of any homogeneous, nationalistic pride, excreted by trumped-up symbolism... but rather, excitement for the partaaaay! July 4th for myself is up there with New Years, Guy Fawkes Night and Summer Solstice. There's little better than eye-gasmic pyrotechnics exploding in the air over beautiful waterfronts whilst sipping a cold, inebriating beer on a warm, summer night. Northern merchants hand-in-hand with Southern farmers in outlandish toasts of "yee-haaws!!" and "brrooo!!"

Then of course, there's the stomping beats to dance the night away in total freedom. Bless our founding father's for their vision, even if those ideals are in a state of flux as time carries history. For all my Santa Barbara locals and vacationers coming to California's "paradise" for the weekend, there will be plenty of activities to keep your mind, body and soul inundated throughout the day and night. However, I can guarantee with absolute scientific precision, that the place to be in the 805 this Independence Day is Red's Wine Bar.


(Photos courtesy Michael McCann Phtography ©)

This July 4th, Underground Souls presents "Short Fuse". (The same collective that brought you the dance floor kinetics last year is back on it again -- just a few blocks away from the West Beach's fireworks display). If you're not familiar with the US crew, they have been throwing underground parties for a few years now. After building a local following in the 805, they have begun to showcase themselves more actively in clubs and other venues throughout Santa Barbara. It's not just the amazing beats and technically well-mixed sets ranging from sub-genres of techno to house to trip hop, then back full circle. Diverse as they all are, this crew encompasses a full sound which maintains a constant state of energy and unity throughout. It's the souls of these people. That's probably why US prides itself on being "souled out, not sold out." Which happens to be something I wish the other "U.S." would do). The close knit relationships of the DJs to the people they play for creates a positive environment unmatched in the Santa Barbara dance scene. Completely open to all people who come with this positivity; sharing life's energy with one human to another, one bass at a time.

Like any dope party, the family of supporters is most important. At they're parties I've come across some of the most pure-hearted individuals I've ever met... surprising, since I've only known them for less than a year. Myself being a complete bass head, usually preferring Dubstep, DnB and Hip-Hop, I generally find myself passing up those events as of late, in order to party with US. That's saying a lot personally, considering the level of passion toward my particular music interests. But the energy their events put into the atmosphere is addictive. If you've never been to their parties, one can't help but feel so much love and affection from "strangers." And not in that odd, substance-induced, full-trip way. Just pure hearts and open minds.


(Photos courtesy Michael McCann Phtography ©)

My point is, the anticipated escape to a night with the Underground Souls is something that always brings a smile to my face. I keep typing, but the words can't describe it. You just have to experience it for yourself. The next opportunity is this Sunday, July 4th @ Red's Wine Bar.

::Talent and Line up::

Lyricist IZE (Limbz, Cornerstone) will be rocking the mic.

3:00 - 4:30- Tag Team Set
4:30 - 5:45 - Cam (Deep House, Disco House)
5:45 - 7:00 - Joshua James (Disco House, Classic Chicago House)
7:00 - 8:15 - Rene (Micro Funk)
8:15 - 9:30 - Juntrik (Funky House, Electro)

9:15 - 10:00 - Fireworks (BOOM BOOM BOOM) -
Just a couple blocks away @ West Beach, Cabrillo Blvd.

10:00 - 11:15 - Level + Lyricist IZE (Jackin' House)
11:15 - 12:30 - KP Ward (Tech House)
12:30 - 2:00 - Niko (Techno, House)

As opposed to last year, the entire parking lot will be ready to rock with a full sound system. Lighting will also include HD 3D visuals with the first 200 receiving the appropriate eye wear. Oh and don't forget the awesome fire spinners, BBQ, drink specials, beautiful people and of course, the left speaker.

Now retaining residency at EOS night club with the next event July 23rd. (Keep up to date through Blacklight Special's blog, linked below). With this momentum, US are making some great moves within the Santa Barbara community. So get up and get out this weekend... and don't forget those reds, whites and grooves! P.E.A.C.E.


(Photos courtesy Michael McCann Phtography ©)

I'd also like to thank Michael McCann for the photos. Always on point with the camera. You can catch him shooting for SB Nightlife and his own individual excursions in film, including US parties when available. Check out some of his work below! Bless.

Michael McCann Photography:
Link: http://www.sbnightlife.com/
Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikephantasmic/sets/

Underground Souls:
Link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=125300537511146&ref=mf
Link: http://tbsp.wordpress.com/



Redial Replay [Promo Mix] by The Blacklight Special