THE HOUSE OF ART OR THE ART OF HOUSE? Dear XLR8R, A lot of time and energy goes into making the parties that XLR8R writes about. IÕve enjoyed reading about bands and music, zeitgeist theories, the scene in Seattle since I picked up a copy of your magazine last fall. Since moving out here from the East, IÕve met a lot of great people who are doing some amazing things to help set the stage for raves in Seattle. Most of them are unpaid volunteers who just want to share what they can with others. I think theyÕre artists. I studied art history at UNC for 4 years and am fascinated by what I think is an art movement going on right under our noses -as real and important as anything thatÕs happened in this century. To give an example: at New YearÕs EveÕs ŅRESOLUTIONÓ there was an altar set up in the downstairs room -lots of people were attracted to it, wanted to know what it was for, what it meant. I watched several people in just an hour get enjoyment out of it, meditating in front of it, asking questions about the photographs on the wall behind it. The piece set the mood for the room in a very special way. I talked with the altarÕs maker in the hallway upstairs where she stood in front of a poster she had hand-written for the party. During our conversation a man came up and offered her a hundred dollars for it. She laughed, but took his card politely shaking her head. She was just a woman who wanted to spread happiness to her friends through her work. Most raves have some sort of set-up done by someone beyond the usual wall visuals. Most are simple made to express the feelings and vibes of the party. But they involve thought and creativity. I think everyone who takes part in whatÕs going on in Seattle has a role to play -the people who make these objects are the artists of our scene -they express our feelings through what they do. In a way they speak for us. Josh Parker, Seattle Dear XLR8R Squad, The reason for my words is actually a universal plea for love, peace and understanding for myself as well as a gigantic number of individuals. House music is part of obtaining these goals, we must all work for those simple yet, at the moment, hard to grasp goals by coming together with one another and recognizing we all have the tools to build a better tomorrow: not then or when or how, be yourself for the moment and the moment will last with you, forever. Open your heart to these times when we remember how it is to be humans to love, feel, think, experience, understand, share, to be positive and concerned with whatÕs happening around us. So come with us again or for the first time, letÕs share the groove and smile again or always. We can and will make the difference. Ryan, The Sound Family FLYER BY NIGHT Hello XLR8R, Rave flyer collectors unite! Finding good rave and club flyers from around the US and Europe can be tough. LetÕs get plugged in and work together to preserve a visual record of flyer art and the scene. Flyer Exchange USA 350 Townsend Street San Francisco, CA. 94107 (415) 543-3270 SCENE REPORT FROM......OKLAHOMA? Incoming Transmission Sector -Southwest Quadrant of the United States File -Scene Report for New YearÕs Eve Download Information - Begin December 30th, the night before New YearÕs Eve we all climbed into our vehicles and headed for ŅBugged OutÓ by the Human Race. This was the last warehouse party of Ō93 in Oklahoma City, and the first one since August. A long drought due to fighting among promoters. We pulled up at the location, an old hip-hop club that was now vacant, and at 10:30 we entered. No heat, no water, and no visuals.What more could you ask for for $3! Darwin Chamber from San Francisco was to perform, and there was a large keyboard setup beside the DJ booth. At 10:45 Jack Acid from Pirate Audio began his set, and DJ Love took over with mean straight-up Breakbeat. At 12:30 as promised Darwin Chamber took the stage for a 45 minute acid-trance-techno set LIVE. By this time the place is going off! Then Ed e came on and played a delightful mix of house and trance. During EdÕs set the Neighbourhood Badges showed up and whisked a kid outside. Upon looking outside we saw a paddy wagon pull up, our fears were growing, paranoia set in. Luckily they left, and oh boy the night was getting better. By this time Germ-e-Dread from Dallas was on the tables dropping some old-school acid house and some mean trance, and later some ambient to end the night. We all packed up the van (we being Jack Acid, Fawn, Simple simon, Daria and The Darwin Chamber, Mark G, Reiner and myself) off to Dallas to deliver Darwin Chamber to Rave Stock for New Year. The line-up was Darwin Chamber live, DJ Invention, A1, and many more. Darwin performed to an eager crowd and brought Jack Acid on stage for ŅAcidwebÓ. This band is incredible live and a must see in Ō94. After packing up the gear we headed off to Germ-e- DreadÕs renegade party outside at the stacks so Darwin chamber could do an ambient set at sunrise. Upon arrival we found a dozen pissed off ravers hanging around as Germ and his crew were dismantling the setup. No, it wasnÕt the cops, but Killer Tow Trucks were coming like sharks and dragging away cars by the dozens. As we were getting the story, a lone tow truck pulled in to nab someone, but he met up with the Rave Avengers: Reiner of Darwin Chamber and Jack Acid of Pirate Audio. The pair were standing in front of the truck not budging, followed by a few more of the Dallas party people. The driver backed out and took off. We figured the cops were next, so we said our good-byes and headed off. After coffee at DennyÕs, we dropped the crew of at the airport and headed home. Mark G of Darwin went to India to collect sounds, Reiner to Taos, Jack Acid to San Francisco to finish an EP, and we came home to OKC. 3 parties in 2 days and they all kicked ass. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Scrape, Oklahoma City >>Here at XLR8R we love to receive information on the various scenes around the country. Send us your stories, whatever. Keep the West Coast informed! Dear XLR8R, I am asking if I could get a membership to XLR8R. I couldnÕt find any info on how to get one. Please let me know. Ryan L. Wilson, Oregon City >>We receive many inquiries of this sort. ItÕs easy folks. Just send us $12 and you can receive six issues of West Coast dance music madness at your doorstep wherever you live. Wot a deal!