Everything you’re about to hear is true
Written in 2015, early account of what would become the HOME PARTY by Katie Belle Benson.
Close consideration often reveals life can be a series of puzzle pieces, each piece intricately designed to fit the next. At times we seek out the subsequent counterpart, other times it’s no where to be found, and then sometimes it falls right into your lap like magic. This is a story of a unique set of circumstances designed to fit together, its also a tale of trust and chance, an account of friendship, but above all its a story of music and dancing.
Spring 2015, Nicky Sianos birthday party at the El Dorado bumper cars in Coney Island, home to one of last standing Richard Long sound systems. It was a night pure dancing fulfillment when that warm analogue sound soars right through every note. It was this evening that I met Wayne Elliott, a well versed dancer and sound enthusiast. Although it was our first meeting in each other we recognised a common thread and were immediately connected. Wayne cultivated his appreciation for dance music during the illustrious 1970/ 80s in New York City. To be frequenting dance floors in that era was to be writing music history.
Previous to Richard Long developing sound systems so was a man named Klipsch. Audio pioneer and company founder Paul W. Klipsch launched the Klipschorn loudspeaker in 1946 to enable people for the first time ever, to experience the power, detail and emotion of a live performance at home.
Klipsch´s vision was realized when David Mancuso founded The legendary Loft parties. Much like Klipsh, Mancuso´s mission was to create a completely immersive experience. Mancuso was renowned for his detail in sonic execution, and the Klipschhorn speakers played an integral role in his analogue set up. The compelling sound facilitated by the Klipshhorns harmonizing with the personal expression and freedom that accompanied dancing at the loft, had the alchemy to create possibly the most significant dance space in music history. In addition, David Mancuso´s musical journey´s greatly influenced future sound and dance floors, inspiring Robert Williams to open Chicago's Warehouse and Muzic Box, Nicky Siano and The Gallery, Larry Levan and the Paradise Garage, among numerous others. In 2005, Mancuso was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievement as a Disk Jockey and sound influencer.
Wayne Elliott, being profoundly moved by this ‘immersive experience’ began to collect hi-fi audio equipment, putting together his own sound systems mirrored after this unique design. Wayne´s vision is to create a platform for people to experience that extraordinary atmosphere. To jouney and transcend on the dance floor. A few months later Wayne went on to invite me to a dance party held on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan New York, to which I graciously accepted. It was there in that mythical atmosphere that Wayne´s vision materialized. In a few months time, 8 klipsh corner horn speakers would be arriving at my door step in Barcelona.
Spring 2015, Nicky Sianos birthday party at the El Dorado bumper cars in Coney Island, home to one of last standing Richard Long sound systems. It was a night pure dancing fulfillment when that warm analogue sound soars right through every note. It was this evening that I met Wayne Elliott, a well versed dancer and sound enthusiast. Although it was our first meeting in each other we recognised a common thread and were immediately connected. Wayne cultivated his appreciation for dance music during the illustrious 1970/ 80s in New York City. To be frequenting dance floors in that era was to be writing music history.
Previous to Richard Long developing sound systems so was a man named Klipsch. Audio pioneer and company founder Paul W. Klipsch launched the Klipschorn loudspeaker in 1946 to enable people for the first time ever, to experience the power, detail and emotion of a live performance at home.
Klipsch´s vision was realized when David Mancuso founded The legendary Loft parties. Much like Klipsh, Mancuso´s mission was to create a completely immersive experience. Mancuso was renowned for his detail in sonic execution, and the Klipschhorn speakers played an integral role in his analogue set up. The compelling sound facilitated by the Klipshhorns harmonizing with the personal expression and freedom that accompanied dancing at the loft, had the alchemy to create possibly the most significant dance space in music history. In addition, David Mancuso´s musical journey´s greatly influenced future sound and dance floors, inspiring Robert Williams to open Chicago's Warehouse and Muzic Box, Nicky Siano and The Gallery, Larry Levan and the Paradise Garage, among numerous others. In 2005, Mancuso was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievement as a Disk Jockey and sound influencer.
Wayne Elliott, being profoundly moved by this ‘immersive experience’ began to collect hi-fi audio equipment, putting together his own sound systems mirrored after this unique design. Wayne´s vision is to create a platform for people to experience that extraordinary atmosphere. To jouney and transcend on the dance floor. A few months later Wayne went on to invite me to a dance party held on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan New York, to which I graciously accepted. It was there in that mythical atmosphere that Wayne´s vision materialized. In a few months time, 8 klipsh corner horn speakers would be arriving at my door step in Barcelona.
*This document is an evolving collection of quotes and notes with the intention to form a guide for throwing a hi-fidelity dance Party. Dave Shaw 2016.
The Evening’s Journey.
Musings and inspiration.
The role of music can be easly intertwined in the teachings of Timothy Leary, in particular his hallucinogenic handbook and interpretation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, The Psychedelic Experience. (Please find link in books & essays section)
A psychedelic trip’s ego death can often be interpreted as a spiritual transcendence;
better understood as phases than stages, these “bardos” describe sequential planes of experience.
“The first Bardo would be very smooth, perfect, calm. The second Bardo would be like a circus. And the third Bardo was about re-entry, so people would go back into the outside world relatively smoothly.” -David Mancuso
The term bardo can also be used metaphorically to describe times when our usual way of life becomes suspended. Such times can prove fruitful for spiritual progress because external constraints diminish.
Accessing these metaphysical states through music and dance is possible, and creating an environment that suspends a guest’s “external constraints” and concerns is key. Musically, we can also conduct the event’s experience in having 3 key stages of energy, which can be matched in intensity during the night:
1. THE ENTRY
Description: "Smooth, perfect and calm.” Gentle and playful.
Function: Waking guests up, building energy with diverse selections and raising towards the second phase.
Song Characteristics: welcoming, dynamic, loose, atmospheric, creative
2. THE CIRCUS
Description: gradual crescendo to the “peak” of the party. Open, social and uplifting .
Function: Inspire guests’ expression and connection. Raise the collective energy.
Song Characteristics: dynamic, beat driven, uplifting, hypnotic, ecstatic
3. THE RE-ENTRY
Description: the “come down” phase to re-enter the world. Perhaps the most important and most difficult from a selection perspective. Imagine an airplane’s arc. How does it land? Re-entry is a key transition.
Function: Gently calm the atmosphere to a natural point of closing. Introduce guests back to the real world.
Song Characteristics: playful, emotional, eclectic, inspiring
Closing notes: The party should not function purely as an escape, but one that understands itself as constructive, temporary and nourishing. Guests should return to the world better equipped to react to it in a constructive, positive and creative way.
Musings and inspiration.
The role of music can be easly intertwined in the teachings of Timothy Leary, in particular his hallucinogenic handbook and interpretation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, The Psychedelic Experience. (Please find link in books & essays section)
A psychedelic trip’s ego death can often be interpreted as a spiritual transcendence;
better understood as phases than stages, these “bardos” describe sequential planes of experience.
“The first Bardo would be very smooth, perfect, calm. The second Bardo would be like a circus. And the third Bardo was about re-entry, so people would go back into the outside world relatively smoothly.” -David Mancuso
The term bardo can also be used metaphorically to describe times when our usual way of life becomes suspended. Such times can prove fruitful for spiritual progress because external constraints diminish.
Accessing these metaphysical states through music and dance is possible, and creating an environment that suspends a guest’s “external constraints” and concerns is key. Musically, we can also conduct the event’s experience in having 3 key stages of energy, which can be matched in intensity during the night:
1. THE ENTRY
Description: "Smooth, perfect and calm.” Gentle and playful.
Function: Waking guests up, building energy with diverse selections and raising towards the second phase.
Song Characteristics: welcoming, dynamic, loose, atmospheric, creative
2. THE CIRCUS
Description: gradual crescendo to the “peak” of the party. Open, social and uplifting .
Function: Inspire guests’ expression and connection. Raise the collective energy.
Song Characteristics: dynamic, beat driven, uplifting, hypnotic, ecstatic
3. THE RE-ENTRY
Description: the “come down” phase to re-enter the world. Perhaps the most important and most difficult from a selection perspective. Imagine an airplane’s arc. How does it land? Re-entry is a key transition.
Function: Gently calm the atmosphere to a natural point of closing. Introduce guests back to the real world.
Song Characteristics: playful, emotional, eclectic, inspiring
Closing notes: The party should not function purely as an escape, but one that understands itself as constructive, temporary and nourishing. Guests should return to the world better equipped to react to it in a constructive, positive and creative way.