 |
| DJ Treazon, aka Adrian Gibran, in the mix during a recent show at the Summit. Treazon will be performing Friday night at the Summit as part of Bump the System’s “Watch This! Takeover”show./Photo by Chloe Casey |
Bumping the system
Promoters works to infuse new sounds into local scene
by Stacy Falk
The late night music scene in Durango is shaping up to become a major destination within the world of electronic music and proving there’s competition to be had with bigger cities that typically host such events.
The late night music scene in Durango is shaping up to become a major destination within the world of electronic music and proving there’s competition to be had with bigger cities that typically host such events.
On Fri., Dec. 7, Bump the System presents “Watch This! Takeover” at the Summit featuring Two Fresh, Mosis and Gvnkst. The headliner, Two Fresh, is a trio consisting of twin brothers and a drummer who platform on instrumental hip-hop but incorporate so much more that it’s kind of hard to describe, according to local DJ Adrian Gibran, 27, aka “Treazon,” who also will be performing.
“It’s not just another Dubstep show, which we want people to understand,” said Gibran. “And there’s nothing techno about it; this music makes you feel pretty cool when you’re listening to it.”
Two Fresh’s most recent album “Air Mail” has been released under 1320 Records, which has signed familiar names in the electronic genre such as Sound Tribe Sector 9, Big Gigantic and Archnemesis.
Some might also remember Two Fresh opening for Mimosa at the Abbey in 2010, another famous name that has appeared in Durango’s up-and-coming electronic scene.
Bump the System’s goal for the highly anticipated show, according to Gibran, is to take away the intimidation factor for anyone interested in attending. The music, which usually draws a strong college crowd, is so new that it’s even difficult to classify the genre because under the term electronic itself there are numerous categories and sub-categories. “We don’t want it to seem like we are trying to be exclusive,” he said.
Wesley Surta, 25, is part of Bump the System in Durango. When Surta is not solving algebraic equations and taking exams with goals of getting into a doctorate program, he is DJ Surtafied, spinning “jungle” – a genre of house music that evolved out of Chicago, where he hails from.
So what exactly is Bump the System? The best way to explain it, Surta says, is that they would be the equivalent of the “rave” crew if people still threw “raves.” But beyond that, he says, Bump the System offers an outlet for local performers to help each other out and build a community around bass music culture.
The name “Bump the System” started as a radio show on KDUR hosted by Surtafied and Treazon. Although the show itself is no longer on the air, Bump the System has grown into a social group that helps bring big names to places like the Abbey and Summit.
Bump the System refers to a collective of artists, DJs and producers in Southwest Colorado who are committed to bringing their favorite music directly to the listeners by producing and promoting shows themselves.
“All of the money is coming out of our own pockets,” Surta said. “The rental space costs and coming up with enough money to pay for the band is not easy financially, so it’s important that we’re a crew and pooling forces.”
According to Gibran, establishing a residency at the Summit has been a huge step in the right direction for securing community support and getting people to come to the shows. But it’s still a big investment, and making money is not the goal, says Gibran. “There’s a reason there’s a $20 cover and we’re lucky if we break even.”
Getting people to attend shows consistently is a challenge, says Surta, but at the same time Durango has shown there is a love for electronic music. The love of the music has created an enthusiasm that the artists from out-of-town have picked up on, and it keeps them coming back.
Daniel LaCouture, 32, aka “Ras Daws,” agrees that there is something unique about the Durango scene which has kept him here rather than moving back to Boston after he realized a job offer from KIQX was not quite what he expected.
Ras Daws is both a DJ and producer, which for those unfamiliar with the technology, can easily get confused.
The most basic way to understand the difference is that a DJ is mixing or replaying existing music. A producer, on the other hand, is creating music that is not yet in existence. The lines can blur because many DJs, like Ras Daws, are producers, and many producers are also DJs.
And it’s important to note that the field of DJs and producers isn’t just a male-dominated line of work. “There are plenty of female DJs even in Durango,” said LaCouture. Bump the System is even helping more women break into the scene, he says.
Durango’s Natashia Cole, aka “Phantom Cloud,” and Kelly Jo Gilbert, aka “Dirrty Habitz,” are good examples of successful women DJs and producers, says LaCouture.
Regardless of whether the Durango crowd knows the difference between DJ or producer, there is one thing for sure. They have the ability to reciprocate to the sound the artist brings, says LaCouture. This sensation is something that provides a sense of respect for the music and the artist not so commonly found in larger communities. Crowds in the big city tend to be more focused on “dance battles” amongst themselves rather then what’s happening on stage, he says.
Not only that, says LaCouture, the Durango fans are so loyal they even buy tickets to a show that they know they won’t be able to attend.
Austin Ardis, 25, is a huge fan of Bump the System and has experienced the different style the Durango audience brings after spending some time living in Denver. “The electronic scene is starting to get exponentially better here,” Ardis said. “I still like bluegrass, and we get plenty of that, but it’s nice to mix it up.”
He says he tries to attend every show in Durango and when he can’t, he’s one of those fans who will buy a ticket just to show support. He is especially excited for the “Watch This! Takeover” event.
“The twin brothers are really unique, have great beat transitions and very neat energy,” said Ardis. “They have a Deep South dance feel, and they even dance the entire show in-sync.”
Ardis says that due to the quality of shows popping up in Durango, he doesn’t feel the need to travel as much to attend shows or even move back to the Front Range for a better music scene. “I am very satisfied.”
As the scene grows and venue space may become limited, Bump the System wants to look into a bit of an untapped resource when it comes to space and equipment – Fort Lewis College. This would offer the ability to produce underage shows in a safe environment, says LaCouture, something that is tricky to do downtown.
In the meantime Bump the System will continue to bring the bass, and for DJs such as Treazon, they are now able to make connections that allow them to travel and play bigger events in an extremely fast-paced scene. It’s a major networking bonus for the music culture in Durango.
For example, Gibran, who started recording music off the radio and making his friends eclectic mix tapes at the age of 7, has been able to open for names he has idolized as a DJ at venues such as the Ogden Theater in Denver.
And through all his musical influences, Gibran says he likes to keep it “old school” as much as possible and keep it physical. “Needle dropping is like an ancient art.”
Gibran’s passion and motivation as a modern day DJ, spinning beats for clubs, parties and shows has led him to be a significant part of the sounds that will be exploding out of the Summit on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a really good night for electronically produced music,” said Gibran. “Get ready for some extremely load bass.”
In this week's issue...
- January 25, 2024
- Bagging it
State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies
- January 26, 2024
- Paper chase
The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.
- January 11, 2024
- High and dry
New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows