By Sebastian Langdon
Sydney’s electronic scene is booming, it seems everyone is chasing that bass-heavy sound and with venues like The Abercrombie and Club 77 the raving culture is only heading up.
But how does this start? How does one find the bass?
Henry Walsh, an electronic enthusiast and student studying a Screen and Media course at Ultimo TAFE, has the lowdown.
For Walsh, high school was the birth of his music passion. Listening to hip-hop and rap, mainly from the UK, sparked a desire for the electronic instrumental. Which led to the discovery of genres like UK Garage and Drum and Bass.
Luckily for our generation the discovery of music is extremely accessible. In Walsh’s case it was nothing more than a Facebook event at the Valve Bar in the basement of The Agincourt Hotel.
Listening to high-energy music like DnB from the comfort of your home is obviously not enough for a “punter” but what can you do when your city is in lockdown.
In these times of despair and confusion often creativity is the path to follow.
“I had nothing better to do than work on my craft (DJing) so that’s exactly what I did,” said Walsh.
Finally, when lockdown was lifted and the punters returned to the scene it seemed as though it picked right back up where it left off. But the rush and excitement of the rave high can lead to some unwanted recklessness.
“Ninety-nine per cent of people just want to have fun but there is always the one per cent,” Walsh said. “I’ve heard more and more stories about men and women spiking drinks.”
For the most part it seems as though the rave community is an organised and music-driven collective. Most of these events are controlled and a great opportunity for up-and-coming artists to display their craft.
Walsh has now had 10 gigs around Sydney, the first one being at Kalyx cocktail bar in his local suburb, Randwick.
In his experience the DnB scene is not only a passion but a space to connect with fellow ravers.
In these rebuilding times for Sydney’s nightlife, the rave culture could be just the scene you need to get free of society’s shackles and dance the negatives away, whatever they may be.
“Safe space, good music, good atmosphere and good vibes,” said Walsh.
Featured image: Henry Walsh setting the tone at Gennada, a DIY event in held in Botany. Photo: Supplied
