Category Archives: Trance

In Apichatpong Weerasethakul's "Memoria," theThai filmmaker shows how he'sa practitioner of "slow cinema," which features many long takes and more silence than dialogue. His films rely on tone to generate feeling and emotion, and many of his features, which include the gay romance, "Tropical Malady," can put viewers in a trance-like state.

Set inColombia, "Memoria" is firmly rooted in this style, as indicated by the stillness of the opening shot. Jessica (Tilda Swinton) hears a "bang" that she cannot understand. A slow pan in a parking lot shows the car alarms all go off creating a kind of musicality, but they shut off as mysteriously as they sounded. These moments of unexplained phenomena cause Jessica to wonder what is going on.

She visits her sister Karen (Agnes Brekke) in the hospital, and Karen recounts a dream about a dog and talks of a curse. Later, while crossing the street, another loud noise causes Jessica along with other people to wonder what exactly has occurred.

RELATED:Tilda Swinton mesmerizes as a woman possessed in Pedro Almodvar striking take on "The Human Voice"

"Memoria" is a mystery and yet its unhurried pace does not create much urgency for it to be resolved. Jessica meets with Hernn (Juan Pablo Urrego), a young sound engineer, who tries to recreate the bang for her. Jessica claims, "It is like a big ball of concrete falling into a metal wall surrounded by seaweed." As he tries to replicate the noise, Jessica tells him it sounds, "earthier . . . rounder." A few scenes later, they meet again, and she hears what he has recorded, and it seems to be right. But what is making this sound remains unidentified.

Memoria (Neon)

Weerasethakul does reveal the source of the bang by the film's end, but it is the journey not the solution that provides the film with its many pleasures. There is a terrific episode where Jessica walks through Bogotwith the camera, and perhaps a dog, following her. In another episode, she stumbles upon a group of musicians performing, and "Memoria" captures her face as well as other listeners as the song plays on, eventually showing the musicians at work. It is a lengthy scene that just allows viewers to bask in the enjoyable music, like Jessica.

At dinner with Karen, her husband Juan (Daniel Gimnez Cacho), and their son Mateo (Jernimo Barn), Jessica hears the bang three more times. But does anyone else? Her sister's comments about the aforementioned dog at dinner confound her, and there is a discussion about spells and invisible people in the jungle and colonization. When Jessica later visits Doctor Constanza (Constanza Gutierrez), about her trouble sleeping, the doctor prefers not to prescribe Xanax so Jessica can "continue to be moved by beauty" and feel sadness.

... the images are mesmerizing.

"Memoria" wants viewers to experience all the beauty it offers. There are many scenes, such as one featuring a glass enclosed patch of land and high dark walls with sunlight reflecting off its sides that is gorgeous. A sequence at the end of the film showing scenes of the sky and Colombian mountains is hypnotic. Weeraseethakul lulls viewers with this beauty. Even if the plot is sparse, the images are mesmerizing. (That said, this arty, experimental film will not be for everyone, and some viewers are likely to become drowsy and nod off.)

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Swinton, however, is perfectly cast as the appropriately curious heroine. She moves through the film at her own frequency. Perhaps too little is explained about her character, but her expressions and body language often reveal what she is thinking.

As Jessica heads out into the jungle, she wanders around an area by a river and soon meets a older man scaling fish. He is also Hernn (Elkin Daz), and their exchanges form some of the most interesting sections of "Memoria," but also the slowest. One take of Hernn lying on the grass lasts several unblinking minutes, and a conversation between Jessica and Hernn address issues of memory as well as reincarnation and past lives. (This is theme explored throughout Weeraseethakul's work, from "Tropical Malady" to his Cannes prizewinner "Uncle Boomee Who Can Recall His Past Lives").

"Memoria" plays out almost like a hallucination. Viewers may not process what is shown, or understand

everything that has been said, but the film benefits from repeat viewings (and being seen on the big screen).

As Jessica has a curious exchange with Agnes Cerkinsky (Jeanne Balibar), an anthropologist, about a 6,000-year-old skeleton, and a discussion about space with older Hernn, the past, present, and future, all collide. Weeraseethakul is exploring various possibilities and connections, addressing issues of communication, memory, and loss. His enigmatic film is more attuned to mood than narrative. But even if "Memoria" is perplexing, it is also incredibly provocative and quietly powerful.

"Memoria" releases in theaters, screening week by week on a "national tour" starting April 1. Check the official "Memoria" website for dates and locations. Watch a trailer for it below, via YouTube.

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Tilda Swinton moves through the dreamy and confounding "Memoria" at her own frequency - Salon

Some may recognize him from that Melbourne bounce inAh Yeah So What and his ability to perfectly execute his own distinctive sound in the scene, either way, it is clear Will Sparks is always on another level to ignite any crowd with the utmost energy. Throwing it down at festivals around the globe and even curating his very own Sparksmania Tour,if you are lucky enough to catch Will Sparks in your area, I highly suggest buying your ticket fast.Defining his own sound comes so naturally to this Australian producer and this legend has shown no signs of slowing down in 2022. Exploring his own take on the beauty of house music, Will Sparks is returning to Armadafor his energetic tune Say It Again which has proven to fire up the crowd no matter where you are in the world. Relying primarily on his creative genes and unorthodox production style, the amount of dedication to his craft does not go unnoticed.

Flowing directly intoSparks world of prolonged frequencies which build up into a climax of distortion, a morphed instrumental infused with drum claps takes over. Dropping all fury on this one, Will Sparks ignites the crowd as menacing basslines and a solid trance-like melody indeed are the perfect match for this fast-tempo tune. Slowing it down with a gentle melody that chimes in and out, Will Sparks is preparing his listeners for what is to come. An eerie backdrop appears with vibrant vocals which leads into the monstrous bassline we all need in our lives. With the legendembarking on another massive year of touring and music releases, hehas already made an unforgettable imprint on the electronic dance music world, but hes far from finished.

Ill say it once and Ill say it again, this hits different Will Sparks

Listen to Say It Again below and let us know what you think in the comments.

Photo Credits: Rukes.com

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Will Sparks fuels the crowd with the utmost energy by delivering 'Say It Again': Listen - We Rave You

Virginie Efira has a confession to make: before playing a 17th-century lesbian nun in Benedetta, she went on a diet and worked out to prepare for the sex scenes. She presents this as if it were a feminist betrayal for which she needs to atone.

I would like to be able to say: Thats it, Im not going on a diet. I find that idea wonderful. But like an imbecile I went on a diet before the shoot; I did a bit of sport, ate loads of broccoli, that sort of thing, she says with contrition. I know, I know, its ridiculous.

Does the Belgium-born Efira, 44, seriously think anyone would do otherwise? Well, all bodies are interesting in the cinema but our appreciation of our own anatomy is not always simple, she adds warming to her mea culpa. In real life its not always easy to live up to our ideals.

That is also a recurring theme in Benedetta, the latest French-language film from the RoboCop, Showgirls and Basic Instinct director Paul Verhoeven. Released in the UK later this month, the film is set in the Convent of the Mother of God in Counter-Reformation Italy, where Benedetta Carlini is admitted as an eight-year-old novice by the shamelessly mercenary abbess Felicita, played by Charlotte Rampling.

The sacred turns profane with the sudden arrival of Bartolomea (Daphn Patakia), a motherless girl fleeing her father and brothers incestuous abuse. By now the devout Sister Benedetta, played by Efira, is 18 and plagued with bizarre, often erotic visions of a literally sexless Jesus whose loin cloth she removes. When not in a trance, performing minor miracles or saving the town from the plague, Benedetta is enjoying more carnal pleasures with Bartolomea, who introduces her to sex and carves a dildo out of her treasured wooden statuette of the Virgin Mary. Benedetta screams sweet Jesus as she orgasms, at which point the film threatens to plunge into parody. Indeed, its harshest critics have accused it of nunsploitation, blasphemy and resembling a sleazy cross between Hammer Horror and Carry On.

Efira admits it was sometimes difficult to keep a straight face on set. It wasnt too serious, she says. In all Paul Verhoevens films there is an ambiguity in the situations. So we were doing things that were obvious and not so obvious, with him insisting it didnt in any way become melodramatic. This meant there were a lot of moments when we couldnt help laughing, even when trying to play something super straight, like when I was in a trance shouting: Jesus, Im coming Im all yours.

We are talking via Zoom from Brittany where Efira is working on her latest film, Rodo. Isnt this great? she says, turning her laptop round to show me the view from her rented accommodation: a sunny vista over the sea. As soon as her shoot finishes, she is heading back to Paris, where she lives with her eight-year-old daughter, Ali. She currently has five projects on the go. We are shooting a film about a woman who has her children taken away by social services, she says. It made me think of Ken Loachs Ladybird, Ladybird, which is exceptional work, a real chef doeuvre. How he manages to do such beautiful things is marvellous.And I have three other films coming out, though Im definitely taking June, July and August as holiday, she says, hardly drawing breath.

Efira is chatty, but measured in her answers, as if she is weighing each word. She became a household name in Belgium and France as a television presenter on Star Academy and then Nouvelle Star, both reality shows dreamed up by the producers of the Big Brother franchise, Endemol. In 2010 she left light entertainment behind, saying she would no longer do television unless I have five children who have nothing to eat.

Her cinema career began with mostly lightweight romcoms. But then in 2016, Verhoeven cast her as the wife of a rapist in Elle, his psychological thriller starring Isabelle Huppert. Since then she has got more daring. In Sibyl, directed by Justine Triet, Efira played a jaded psychotherapist who becomes unhealthily, almost obsessively, involved with a former patient. The comedy Bye Bye Morons (Adieu Les Cons in French), which won six prizes at the Csar awards (Frances answer to the Oscars) including the best film award, saw her in the role of a hairdresser who discovers she has a terminal illness and goes looking for the child she abandoned at 15.

But Benedetta, which was shot four years ago but had its release delayed by Covid, is Efiras most challenging role to date. The story is taken from historian Judith C Browns 1986 book, Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, written from archive material Brown found in Florence from the trial of the real Carlini. In the original document, the clerk of the court was so shocked by the explicit details of the sexual acts described by Sister Bartolomea he had difficulty writing them down. Verhoevens take on that tale leaves viewers unsure whether the visionary nun is truly a religious fanatic or a fake, with the film touching provocatively on themes of faith, manipulation, power and politics. The film-maker has been accused of prurience in his racy and sexually graphic interpretation of Browns account, but Efira will not hear a word against Verhoeven, whom she frequently mentions in quasi-hallowed terms.

I wanted to do the film even before I read the script because Paul Verhoeven, my favourite director, was doing it, she says. I had seen his films at the age of 15 and I believe the biggest impressions you make as an adolescent stay with you. I adored him because he is someone who succeeded even in the vicious system that was Hollywood in the 1990s. He worked at the heart of the system but was transgressive and his heroines always have a complex side you dont see anywhere else.

Honestly, he could have asked me to remake Little Red Riding Hood and Id have said yes. Then when I read the script, I loved it. It was truly exciting; on every third page there was something crazy that touched on the sacred, the intimate, the theatrical nature of religion, passion she adds.

Both Patakia and Efira have said Verhoeven made the sexual content of the film clear to them when they first met, detailing how it would be shot. Still, things do turn racy in the convent. Was Efira apprehensive?

Im quite modest in real life and of course doing something like this is always a bit scary, but sometimes being scared is good, she says. And it was quite interesting being over 40 and playing a virgin! It didnt bother me being nude, but you cant do it [sex scenes] with just anyone; you have to do it with directors who are interested in the sexuality and the sensuality [of the scene]. Verhoeven is someone who prepares everything in advance; even before I saw the script he told me there were these scenes it was all storyboarded as well. So everything was well prepared Daphne and I got on well, and everything was very natural between us.

She says the film, which premiered at Cannes last year, was well received in France and is not anti-religion. It poses questions about belief and faith and criticises the dogma without criticising the religion, she says. It shows the force of great faith. This was a period that was very interesting for women, it was an era when religion didnt go hand in hand with individual and sexual freedoms.

After our call, I email Efira to ask if she thinks Benedetta is a feminist film; she replies quickly. Like roads and Rome , her answer leads back to Verhoeven. Like all his films, its feminist because it features a complex woman which I like more than the idea that a feminist film should necessarily feature a strong woman who struggles in a male environment and power to gain freedom. Long before #MeToo Paul Verhoeven never had a male gaze; his way of looking at things is always on the side of his heroine, who is never objectified whether she is naked or dressed, she writes.

Some would strongly disagree.

Sharon Stone alleges that she was tricked into appearing without underwear during the infamous leg-uncrossing scene in Basic Instinct, an accusation that Verhoeven has repeatedly denied. And the jury is still out on whether Showgirls, which ruined Elizabeth Berkleys career, is a movie about misogyny or a misogynistic movie. But Efiras faith in the director is unshakeable. Whether British cinemagoers will be so ready to worship at the altar of Verhoeven remains to be seen.

Benedetta is in UK cinemas on 15 April.

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Virginie Efira: On every third page of the script there was something crazy, sacred, intimate - The Guardian

Framed

1) REVISITING: Spring (Vasantha)

The first season, Spring, is about the act of revisiting. I called it an antidote to abandonment. I have an estranged relationship with my works, wherein I dont come back to them once they are finished, and I cant even look at them at times. I cant sit with them or talk to them either, but there is always a sense of celebration and joy whenever I do see them because each one is a living entity in itself.

Here, in a cathartic moment, we get to a place where everything is overwhelming and it all seems to sink into the ground; our protagonist sits with this heaviness. In my paintings, there are spiral patterns symbolic of time, and in this one, the stag symbolises moving on to the next season.

2) HIBERNATION: Summer (Grishma)

Summer is about hibernation lullabies and the world of dreams. As I rest, I try to absorb inspiration from all kinds of things and spaces around me. Dreams play a major role in my visual dictionary; I often borrow from my dreams, and a lot of things in my life make sense to me because of my dreams.

The tapestry of flora in the image is a metaphor for a dream branching and growing out of me. The protagonist is clay-like, earthy buried underground like a seed. The network of mycelium grows all around as the protagonist takes everything in, hibernating. There is not much activity, just absorption soaking in the surroundings.

3) POSSESSION: Monsoon (Varsha)

Monsoon stands for possession. Sometimes, I just feel like the blue one. Its an expansive sensation; I truly feel as if my entire identity gets dissolved, but then lightning strikes and a channel of ideas inspiration pours through me. I become a vessel that holds this inspiration.I have tried to picture our protagonist walking from the summer sleep into the sea and laying down there. This is the moment when the protagonist is possessed.

4) THE DANCE: Early Autumn (Sarath)

Early Autumns dance is an extension of the possession. Its the act of creating art. Ferocious moments settle into subtle, graceful dance poses as ideas take form. Its a state of frenzy, a state of trance, but thats only Early Autumn.

5) HOME: Late Autumn (Hemantha)

Late Autumn is about coming home. I dont think that works of art are ever complete; you simply choose to abandon them at a point. You choose to stop working on them, but you do it when you feel the time is right. In Late Autumn, I take in my entire universe of work. It all comes together, and the landscape feels like home.

6) PENANCE: Winter (Sisira)

Once the act of creation happens, exhaustion takes over. There are questions, doubts, discomfort, and it suddenly feels like the frosty winters extremely cold and unforgiving. I have realised that the only way to make peace with this is to look at the entire period as one of penance the stage of pollination before bloom where I am not forcing myself to consume things and am instead trying to find silence in myself and my surroundings. I would compare it to a long period of meditation. But Winter is also about the hope that I am going to revisit the familiar and transition into Spring.

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Sound Of The Beast - VERVE

Terry Golden strikes back with Higher Love, his latest single introduced via S2, an imprint of Sirup Music. This label has had a constant stream of first-rate productions as of late, with the likes of Mike Candys, Ryu & Dante, and Sean Joseph being part of the list of artists that have put music out in the past couple of months, Terry is not a stranger to this imprint, having released a track himself with them: Horizon a mainstage banger, featuring DEVN6.

Following his hard-hitting latest release Save Me, a Future House inspired track featuring Robbie Rosen, and the great reception of his weekly radio show Art of Rave, where he mixes well-known tracks by acclaimed artists like David Guetta, Nicky Romero or Alesso, with music of his own, that has garnered him a lot of praise and attention, having reached more than 40 global radio stations, while also being available on streaming platforms like Amazon Music or Mixcloud. Terry comes forward and delivers a new megahit that will surely make everyone move.

In Higher Love arpeggiated synths open the track, paving space for a classic house beat that pumps up the mood, an acid drop transports the listener to what can be described as a dark but energetic dance floor. An acid bass line and textures hold the song together, big sawtooth synths and sharp elements contrast with the low-pitched main vocals. Bass house enthusiasts and party seekers will find this track an instant hit.

Expect more heavy and impressive productions and new projects from Terry Golden, as he continues to amaze his followers with top-notch grand releases, reminding everyone that when it comes to unveiling new music, this year has just started.Higher Love is out now via S2 and available in all major online stores and streaming platforms:

Listen and Buy Higher Love Now:

https://s2records.lnk.to/HigherLove

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Terry Golden Smashes Homerun with Trance Inspired Record, 'Higher Love' - EDM Sauce

Above and Beyond have announced that ABGT500 will take place in Los Angeles the weekend of October 15 and 16, 2022.

Saturday will feature a yet-to-be-revealed lineup from Anjunabeats to celebrate the legendary trance trios 500th radio show. Sunday will focus on the deeper shades of the label, with Anjunadeep taking over the Open Air event.

ABGT is a weekly radio show where A&B display their current favorite trance, progressive, and deep house tunes, often including a 30-min featured guest DJ mix. After every 50 episodes, a birthday show is hosted in a different city, with previous stops in London, NYC, Sydney, Amsterdam, The Gorge, and Hong Kong to name a few. Milestone shows have typically been huge events, drawing A&B fans from all over the globe and broadcasting to millions more. As for the 500th Group Therapy radio show, it represents significant milestone showing how far Above & Beyond has come to capturing the ears and hearts of the Anjuna family around the world.

Traveling from the Pacific Northwest to Los Angeles is the perfect quick weekend trip with your friends to start the fall season. Many of us will be going to events hosted in Seattle that Friday at WaMu Theatre, and various clubs across the city. Well get some sleep (maybe?) and hop on planes down to LA early the next morning to do it all again. At this point, Alaska Airlines should just have planes shuttling down all the Anjuna fans because theres that many of us here.

Pre-sale sign-ups for ABGT500 begin April 26th!

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Above & Beyond to hold ABGT 500 celebration in Los Angeles - Dance Music Northwest

Aamir Khan is called Mr. Perfectionist in Bollywood, and theres a reason for that. The actor has always been particular about his films. He is known to be giving more that hundred percent to his films. But now, this is the same reason he has started regretting. In a recent event, Aamir revealed that he had not been able to give time to his loved ones, because he would be so engrossed in the films. In fact, he even wanted to quit acting, but his ex-wife Kiran Rao, and his children stopped him from doing so.

Talking to the ABP Ideas of India event in Mumbai, Aamir opened up about his personal life. As quoted by The Indian Express, Aamir Khan said in Hindi, I feel like Id spent my life chasing my dreams and trying to fulfil them. But during this journey, I didnt pay attention to my loved ones. My parents, my siblings, my children, my first wife Reena, my second wife Kiran, their parents Perhaps I couldnt devote enough time to them. My daughter is now 23. I am sure she must have missed my presence in her life when she was younger. She will have had her own anxieties, fears, dreams and hopes. I wasnt there for her, I know this now. I didnt know her dreams and fears and hopes, but I knew the fears and dreams and hopes of my directors.

He further said, We know we will run out of time one day, but we dont know when. I had a sharp realisation about this, and that Ive lived my life in some sort of trance, and Ive lost a lot because of this. Aamir feels that bringing ones kids up with the right values is the biggest contribution one can make for their nation, and the actor wasnt there. And this frustrated him so much that he wanted to quit the industry. However, his children had told him, Youve spent more time with us in three months than you ever have, leave us alone now. He added that Kiran was tearful and stopped him from taking such a decision.

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao had been married since 2005, but decided to split in 2021, after 16 years. He reiterated that they are in great terms, and that they have made sure their son Azad doesnt feel any change in his life.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and Ukraine-Russia War Live Updates here.

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Aamir Khan Regrets Not Paying Attention to Loved Ones: I've Lived Life in Some Sort of Trance - News18

THESE identical twins claim to have had FOUR UFO encounters including being abducted by aliens.

Philip and Ronald Kinsella, 52, from Kempston, Beds., said their first sighting was of a silver orb at the age of 13.

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Philip, a writer, also claimed he was abducted byaliens in 1989.

He said: I remember sitting in my home and the atmosphere changed and it became static.

The hairs on my back went up and Ronnie went into a trance he froze and raised his head up to the ceiling."

He claimed he was then examined by reptilian aliens on board a spaceship.

The pair also allegedly saw a hovering pyramid-shaped object in June 1998.

Philip said: There must be a reason why this has been happening to both my brother and I.

I think the authorities know about the aliens but dont want to scare people.

The twins shared footage of their fourth encounter in 2016.

Philip said there were three white objects hovering 90 to 100ft up.

He told Daily Star: They were huge and we were amazed.

Ronald added: The sound was muffled like it had snowed heavily.

"We arent gullible and know what we have witnessed.

It is a taboo subject the deeper you dig, the murkier the water gets.

It comes following an incomplete UFO report published by the US Department of Defense.

The report should have clarified the question of the existence of extraterrestrial UFOs.

The nine-page documentwas less than satisfactoryfor many people as it listed phenomena that were already widely known.

However, the document was apparently a shortened version of the report meant for public publication. There was allegedly a secret briefing between Congress members to remove information from public record.

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Twins say theyve had FOUR UFO encounters including being abducted by aliens and seeing a pyramid-s... - The Sun

Words by Sam Howard

By taking part in FROCKUP events, listening to their streams, or just exploring the homepage, you can see some of the most humble and talented artists showcasing moments held in time as they convey their experiences via a range of compelling creative executions.

From art, to mixes and poems FROCKUP is about providing people with a place to share their creations in a form most aligned to them. The result is now a community network of creators, who are writing, painting or storytelling by day, then dancing and interacting at night.

We had an opportunity to interview James and Josh for our latest Beats by Beat series who also shared an epic mix fuelled by explorative downtempo tracks, followed by some 90s German prog, trance and techno sounds.

Get to know the best emerging Melbourne DJ talent through our Beats by Beat series here.

FROCKUP has all kinds of creative executions, from art to mixes and poems. How exactly did the platform come together?

Josh: FROCKUP was cooked up deep in the second big lockdown by myself and James along with our two very good friends, Sean and Ivy. The birth of FROCKUP can be traced back to us having a hell of a lot more time on our hands but legally couldnt spend any of it together. Around this time, a few of us dipped our toes into various creative pursuits, whether that be DJing, productions or writing.

So FROCKUP seemed like a great way to stay connected with each other while also providing a platform for people to share their art and creations.

James: Yes exactly what Josh said, its been such an incredible journey. And since weve launched FROCKUP in June 2020, weve met so many lovely people and formed some truly special relationships with them. Everytime I go out its great to see the same familiar faces, we chat about music and what were working on amongst other little things and its always a wholesome experience. I truly value these interactions and seeing how not only talented but genuine people are in the Naarm scene.

Who have been your favourite people youve interviewed or types of art youve had on the platform?

James: One of my favourite interviews was with Signal, a local crew run by Claddy, HipHopHoe and Indicia. Ive really admired them individually as artists as well as collective for a while now and was beyond excited when they asked for an interview.

I originally came across Claddy back in 2017 when I picked up a copy of the GlamouRatz EP on Public Possession from Skydiver Records, which is still one of my fave records to this day. In the interview, Niveen (HipHopHoe) offered some really interesting commentary on the scene and Signals holistic approach to improving accessibility, and working to dismantle the long-standing systemic barriers that continue to work against the inclusion and elevation of queer, POC and femme folk in the music industry.

Niveen expanded on these ideas through discussion on how the approach must go beyond lineup diversity quotas and instead encompass everything that goes into creating nightlife and nightlife spaces, from management, ticket prices, security and beyond.

Josh: For me personally, interviewing Cale Sexton ahead of the release of his SUSTAIN album late last year was a bit of a milestone. Hes one of the first artists I started vibing with when I eventually moved on from my old Melbourne bounce days and dipped into exploring our local house and techno scene.

Beyond that, hes an incredibly talented musician, so it was undoubtedly very interesting to pick his brain in that respect.

Even though youre quite locally focused, youve interviewed artists like Jail Time Records in Cameroon can you tell us about some of the international features?

James: Its been so humbling interviewing people overseas and sharing our experiences in our respective cities. One of my favourite international features was when I interviewed Victor Kubin, a talented DJ and Producer based in Berlin and member of the Riot Collective alongside fellow residents Ady Toledano, Borusiade, Charlotte Bendiks and Mauro Feola.

I was lucky enough to see him play at Renate back in 2018 and was simply blown away by his unique take on New Beat. However, although its been great interviewing international artists and labels, theres also soooo much talent right here in Naarm so were trying to focus on that at the moment.

Josh: Yeah, I feel like the ramifications of the lockdowns caused everyone to look inward a lot more, so in terms of our little dance music scene, it put more emphasis on what was happening locally. This renewed focus on the wealth of talent within our own scene was absolutely a great thing. At the same time though, I feel like a city as small and isolated as Naarm does benefit from the rotation of fresh ideas and energy that international travel brings.

You have a spinoff project called New Neighbours interviewing migrant English students in Victoria, with an intention of celebrating the talented work of students from around the world who now call Melbourne home some of it being presented in their own language. How did that series come about? And is it something youll be continuing with in the future?

James: Working on this project was truly special to me and I still feel so honored to be involved in it. It was led by myself and one of the other FROCKUP members, Sean, where we teamed up with AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program). We were given the opportunity to collaborate with their students and were invited to their classes, where we could hear all their wonderful ideas, talk about their experience in Australia and see their artwork. All of the students were so talented, with classes including a mix of musicians, producers, poets and artists.

In between lockdowns last year, we were able to physically meet all the students at their Croydon Campus and interview them about their favorite music and hopes for the future. It was such a special experience and I would love to continue doing it moving forward.

Across lockdowns youve been putting on live radio nights can you tell us a bit about that?

Josh: Radio has been a core element of FROCKUP since the very beginning. Most of our major milestones were commemorated with radio broadcasts, and weve been keeping it going in various formats throughout our operation.

As both a listener and presenter, something about the radio is just so special. I think the interactive element of it through the live chat, made it particularly valuable during lockdown times. Additionally, the more relaxed, casual affair that it offers as a presenter makes it a lot of fun to put together and play.

The radio was a great way for us to connect with like-minded people, which was great when we were just starting out and didnt really know anyone. For me personally, the ongoing nature of radio broadcasts is particularly important to how rewarding it is to be involved.

It was really touching to see the same presenters and listeners returning month after month to tune into our little radio station.

Whats your thoughts on the dance floor revival since the last lockdown? New and improved? Do we need more venues? Whats your general thoughts on the electronic scene right now in Naarm?

James: Its always good to see the scene popping off, especially after countless lockdowns and an ongoing lack of support from the government. But I think since we came out of the most recent lockdown weve seen so many new and upcoming crews and more raves than ever, with an abundance of events in new and exciting locations.

Miscellania has been an unreal spot and has really gotten it right, even amidst countless postponed and canceled events and unfair liquor license changes. Its definitely my favourite venue right now and I always feel safe and comfortable inside the security, staff, events and bookings are all so well considered.

Some crews/labels Ive really admired at the moment are Daisy Records, Resonance, Her, Luna Blessings, Signal and High Ground.

Josh: Yeah what James said! And to answer your other question, I think we could always use some more venues! I think in particular, we could benefit from more mid-sized venues with generous licensing agreements in place. But thats probably the issue with it all, seeing new venues open up and struggle to reckon with our draconian licensing regulators is certainly going to be a bit of a turn off to anyone thinking of opening up a new venue.

Its a bit ridiculous to force a club to close at 1am on a friday night, meanwhile, the pokies venue 400 meters away is allowed to crack on into the wee hours.

Can you tell us about this mix youve prepared?

James: We made this mix in July, 2021 and it features a lot of trance and techno sounds from the mid 90s. We started things pretty slow exploring some downtempo tracks we were digging at the time before taking the mix in a slightly heavier direction. The first track is an all time favorite of mine, one which Ive always wanted to open a mix with. Its IRM, The Actori, and features a deranged inner monologue of an actor about to take stage, before being slowly consumed by his own hubris.

The final track is an absolute classic Nurse with wound, Landed at Grandmas, another experimental track unpacking the struggles of excessive thoughts. These two tracks act as a nice bookend for the mix and help guide its overall progression.

Another track we absolutely love in there is unreleased by local artist Al Dente (Neurocrank), which features the perfect intersection of dark proggy sounds and psy. Al Dente has had a huge 2021, both with his work for Neurocrank and as one half of Nebula definitely keen for more releases from him over the coming year.

What are three things you cant live without?

Josh: Batch brew, olives, really soft pillows

Window or aisle seat?

James: Perhaps aisle as I usually do little walks around the plane.

Josh: Window so then its easier to just conk out.

Whats inspiring you in life right now?

James: All the great parties happening in Naarm right now. Its been difficult managing FROCKUP with my full time job, so any excuse to blow off some steam is always greatly appreciated.

Whats the best piece of advice youve ever received?

James: Never trust an electrician without eyebrows!

Josh: A falling knife has no handle.

Who would be your dream B2B?

James: I would love to play alongside Tamo Sumo & Lakuti. I saw them play Christmas Night overseas and it was one of my favourite sets of all time! A back-to-back with a local artist would have to be Lizzynice as (like everyone here) Im obsessed with her selections.

Josh: Although it likely would be a deeply humiliating experience for me, itd have to be the late, great Andy Weatherall.

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Beats by Beat: FROCKUP shares an exclusive 90s German techno, prog and trance mix - Beat Magazine

Planning is already underway for one of the biggest career milestones in the Above & Beyondsaga.

One of dance music's most tenured and dependable mix shows,Group Therapy Radio is surpassing 500 episodes this year. To celebrate, the iconic trio is planning a massive show set to take place in Los Angeles.

Launched in 2012, Group Therapy Radio was the spiritual successor to the group's former program, Trance Around the World. Since the launch, Above & Beyond have celebrated each 50-episode milestone with a performance in a different city. Most recently, Group Therapy 450 celebrations took place in London late last year.

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The two-day celebration in Los Angeles will feature two Above & Beyond performances on the opening day, October 15th. The legendary trio are sure to curate a lineup that meets the moment with the most exciting names in trance in attendance. On Sunday, October 16th, Anjunadeep takes the reigns with a full day of programming that'll most likely feature the latest and greatest from the melodic house imprint.

The first shot at tickets to Group Therapy 500 will be on Tuesday, April 26th at 10AM PT. To register for the pre-sale and to stay up to date, visit the official ABGT500 website.

Facebook: facebook.com/aboveandbeyondInstagram: instagram.com/aboveandbeyondTwitter: twitter.com/aboveandbeyondSpotify: spoti.fi/3fHhX1z

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Above & Beyond Announce Two-Day Group Therapy 500 Event In Los Angeles - EDM.com