Trichome Records Podcast Psytrance Talk With Jamie and Eve

Trichome Records Podcast Psytrance Talk With Jamie and Eve

All right, so are you ready to dive into the world of Psytrance?
Yeah, definitely, let’s do it.
Perfect.
So you’ve sent over some seriously interesting sources
about this music, where it came from how it’s evolved
and it’s reached globally, which is really something.
Yeah, it’s pretty wild.
Like the journey this genre’s taken through technology culture
and ultimately the power of music.
Yeah, it’s really incredible.
To bring people together.
It is, and we’ll be exploring all of that.
Yeah.
How things like MIDI technology and even those beaches of Goa.
Oh, yeah.
Played a role in shaping Psytrance.
Absolutely.
And like it’s fascinating how this sound, you know,
born in India in the 90s became this global phenomenon.
Yeah.
With dedicated communities from like Tokyo to Tel Aviv,
it’s pretty amazing.
That’s so cool.
So to understand all of this, we need to go back
to the roots of electronic music.
Yes, definitely.
And the source is pointed to the rise of digital music
as like this turning point.
Absolutely, like the development of MIDI
or musical instrument digital interface.
That in the 80s, that was a revolution for music production.
Yeah.
Like for the first time ever you had electronic instruments
and computers talking to each other.
Right.
It opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities.
Yeah, it wasn’t even just about making music.
It was about the kinds of music you could make.
Exactly.
And suddenly you had genres like house and techno exploding
onto the scene, pushing boundaries with those infectious beats
and like synthesize sounds that no one had really heard before.
It was really something else.
It’s a whole new world.
Yeah.
But how did all of that lead to Psytrance?
Well, that’s where it gets really interesting.
MIDI’s impact on Psytrance is huge.
Like think about those intricate layered melodies
and those pulsating bass lines that define the genre.
MIDI gave people the tools to manipulate sound
in ways they never could before.
Right.
And it created those signature sonic textures.
So basically this digital revolution that was happening
kind of laid the groundwork for Psytrance.
It did.
It provided the tools in the canvas, you know.
But the spark that came from a very specific place.
Goa in India.
Right.
So picture this.
The early 90s westerners are flocking to Goa’s beaches.
Okay.
So drawn by that laid back vibe in the sense of escape,
this fusion of cultures combined with the electronic music scene
created this really unique sonic melting pot.
And is that where Goa Trance was born?
Precisely.
It was raw hypnotic.
Why?
And infused with elements of Indian traditional music
and psychedelic experimentation.
So it was really a blend of like East meets West.
Yeah.
It captured the spirit of that time in place.
That’s amazing how a specific location
and its cultural context can shape a genre’s identity like that.
It really is.
It’s a reminder that music isn’t created in a vacuum, you know.
It’s influenced by the people, the places and the experiences they share.
Right.
And then when those westerners return home,
they brought that new sound with them.
Exactly.
They spread the seeds of Goa Trance across the globe.
And that’s where things got even more interesting, right?
Oh, yeah.
Because while Goa Trance evolved into what we now know as Psytrance,
its reception varied wildly across different parts of the world.
Okay, so in places like Israel and Japan,
Psytrance found a mainstream audience.
Huge audiences.
It was filling stadiums and becoming part of the cultural fabric.
But in the US, for example, it remained more underground.
Yeah, more of a niche thing,
embraced by dedicated communities,
but never quite breaking into the mainstream.
Why do you think that is?
What made certain cultures more receptive to Psytrance?
It’s a great question,
and there are probably a few factors at play.
Okay.
Maybe existing musical landscapes or cultural openness to electronic music
or even social and political factors.
Bicycle.
Take Japan, for example.
Yeah.
There are longstanding fascination with technology and experimental art forms.
Right.
Might have taved the way for a genre like Psytrance to flourish there.
Yeah.
I can definitely see that.
It really highlights how music’s journey isn’t just about the sound itself.
It’s true.
It’s about how that sound interacts with different cultural contexts
and finds its place within them.
Yeah.
It’s like throwing a pebble into a pond.
Oh, I like that.
And watching the ripples spread out,
each one unique and influenced by the shape of the pond.
Yeah, that’s a great analogy.
So I’ve got this digital revolution happening that paves the way.
Yes.
We have a cultural melting pot in Goa, sparking the flame.
Right.
And then this global spread that takes root in some places more easily than others.
It’s quite a story.
But what about the Psytrance experience itself?
Oh, yeah.
The source is suggested it’s more than just listening to music.
It’s about a whole scene in community.
100%.
To truly understand South Koreans,
you have to step onto the dance floor, so to speak.
So we’re talking those outdoor festivals, the warehouse raves.
Yes.
The underground parties.
All of its spaces that are almost tailor made for the genre.
So it’s not something you passively consume on your headphones.
No, it’s about immersing yourself in the music,
the lights, the collective energy of the crowd.
And that’s where we see the real power of Psytrance, right?
Yeah.
I think so.
It’s ability to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
Yeah.
Bringing people together on the dance floor in a way that feels almost primal.
It’s creating like a temporary utopia.
It is a space where differences fade away,
and people connect through shared rhythms and experiences.
There’s something really powerful about that.
Especially in a world that often feels increasingly divided.
Exactly.
It’s a reminder that music at its core is a universal language.
It is.
Capable of bridging divides and fostering a sense of unity.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
And yet, despite this unifying potential,
Psytrance has also faced criticism and stigma.
Yeah, that’s true.
Often linked to its perceived connection with drug use.
Right.
It’s an interesting paradox.
It is a genre that promotes unity and connection,
often being viewed through a lens of suspicion and judgment.
It’s definitely something we need to unpack further.
Absolutely.
We need to understand where this perception comes from,
how it impacts the Psytrance community,
and whether it’s even an accurate reflection of the genre’s essence.
More on that, after a quick break.
So yeah, it’s true that the association with drug use,
particularly psychedelics, has been a recurring theme in Psytrance’s narrative.
Right.
But, you know, it’s a nuanced issue.
Yeah.
And I think it’s important to avoid generalizations.
I agree.
Like, we can’t ignore this perception.
Right.
But we also shouldn’t let it overshadow everything else about Psytrance culture.
Exactly.
You know, while some individuals might use psychedelics to enhance their experience.
Yeah.
It’s crucial to recognize that it’s not a prerequisite.
Right.
For enjoying or appreciating Psytrance.
Like, you don’t need to drink beer to enjoy a rock concert.
That’s a great analogy.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It might be part of the culture for some,
but it’s not the defining element.
Yeah.
Reducing Psytrance to just, it’s association with drugs.
Right.
Really does it disservice to like the artistry, the technical skill,
or the emotional experiences it offers.
Into the community itself.
Yeah.
The source has highlighted stories of people from all walks of life,
different countries and backgrounds coming together at these events.
It’s really special.
It seems like Psytrance creates a space for like genuine connection and shared experience.
It does.
It’s remarkable.
It is.
What we mentioned about Israelis and Iranians dancing together peacefully at Psytrance events
in Tokyo.
In Tokyo of all places, it’s a testament to the power of music.
Yeah.
To transcend political and cultural barriers.
That speaks volumes about the kind of environment these events foster.
For sure.
Yeah.
And while the music itself is a powerful unifying force, the visual elements play a significant
role too.
Right.
You mentioned those mesmerizing light shows the stage designs, the psychedelic artwork.
All of it.
It all adds to the immersive sensory experience.
Like imagine standing in a field at night, surrounded by thousands of people moving to the
same beat with lasers and projections all around you.
It’s total sensory overload in the best possible way.
It’s like stepping into another world.
Exactly.
And that’s kind of where that perceived otherness of Psytrance comes in.
Okay.
It’s the entire culture that surrounds it that sets it apart from mainstream experiences.
So it’s both embraced and misunderstood, celebrated and stigmatized.
Right.
It’s this fascinating tension that’s woven into the fabric of Psytrance.
And maybe that tension is what makes it so enduring.
Maybe so.
You know, it challenges norms, pushes boundaries and creates a space for those seeking something
beyond the ordinary.
I love that.
Wow.
So speaking of pushing boundaries, let’s talk about the music itself.
Let’s do it.
What makes Psytrance sonically distinct from other electronic genres?
Well, one of the most defining characteristics is the tempo.
Okay.
We’re talking 130 to 150 beats per minute.
Wow.
Sometimes even faster.
That’s fast.
It creates this relentless energy that’s meant to get you moving.
It’s definitely not music for chilling out on the couch.
No.
It’s not.
You can feel that pulse throughout your whole body.
And then there’s that focus on repetitive hypnotic melodies.
Oh, yeah.
Often built around simple motifs that are layered and manipulated, creating a sense of building tension and release.
It’s like those repetitive elements are key to the trans aspect of the music.
Definitely.
Like inducing a state of altered consciousness in listeners.
Think about traditional trans music from various cultures.
Yeah.
It often uses repetition and rhythm to induce altered states.
Okay.
Psytrance taps into that same primal urge to lose yourself in the music.
And then of course there’s the bass.
Ah, the bass.
The heart of Psytrance.
Yeah.
You can’t talk about Psytrance without mentioning those deep pulsating bass lines.
Absolutely.
The bass anchors the music, providing a foundation for everything else.
It’s like a physical massage for your internal organs.
I love that description.
It’s not just about hearing the music.
It’s about feeling it in your bones.
Exactly.
And it’s that combination of sonic elements, the driving tempo, the hypnotic melodies, and that powerful bass that creates that signature Psytrance sound.
It does.
But there’s also a lot of variation within the genre itself.
Right.
The sources mentioned subgenres.
Oh, yeah.
Like forest and progressive Psytrance.
So many different flavors.
What are the key distinctions?
That’s what I was wondering.
Like what are the key distinctions?
Well, just like any musical genre.
Yeah.
Psytrance isn’t monolithic.
Right.
It’s constantly evolving, branching out into subgenres with their own distinct characteristics.
I see.
For a Psytrance, for example, tends to incorporate more organic sounds and a slower tempo.
Interesting.
Evoking a more earthy mystical vibe.
And what about progressive Psytrance?
Progressive Psytrance often incorporates elements from other genres, like techno and house.
Oh, wow.
And creating a more dynamic and complex soundscape.
So there’s really a whole spectrum within Psytrance.
The whole world to explore catering to different tastes and preferences.
That’s what makes the genre so fascinating.
It really does.
There’s always something new to discover.
Right.
New sounds to explore new experiences to be had.
It seems like Psytrance offers a real journey for the senses.
A journey that takes you to unexpected places.
Yeah.
Both geographically and internally.
Exactly.
So we’ve explored the sonic landscape of Psytrance.
It’s pulsating rhythms, those hypnotic melodies and bone rattling bass.
Yeah.
We’ve delved into the cultural scene, the festivals, the community, and even the controversies.
Yeah, it’s been quite a deep dive.
It has.
But what does this all mean?
Right.
What can we take away from this exploration of Psytrance?
I think it’s a reminder that music is more than just entertainment.
Okay.
It’s a powerful force that can shape identities, build communities, and challenge societal norms.
And it’s a testament to that enduring human need for connection, for shared experiences,
and for those moments of transcendence.
Precisely.
And perhaps in a world that often feels increasingly divided and disconnected.
Yeah.
Psytrance offers a glimpse of something different, something more hopeful.
It’s like a beacon in the night.
I love that.
It’s something with the rhythm of unity, and inviting us to step onto the dance floor,
and connect with something larger than ourselves.
You know, it’s fascinating how Psytrance, with its global reach, still feels like this subculture,
like a community of those in the know.
Why do you think it hasn’t fully gone mainstream?
Well, I think there are a few things going on there.
Like the music itself, with its intensity and complexity, might be a barrier for some people.
Right.
The background music, it demands your attention, your participation.
Yeah, it’s not something you just casually put on while you’re doing the dishes.
Exactly.
And then there’s the stigma we talked about earlier, even though it’s a misrepresentation,
the association with drug use can be off-putting.
Yeah, it’s a shame because it prevents people from seeing what it’s really about.
It is.
That genuine sense of community and shared joy that defines these events for so many.
Absolutely.
And practically speaking, accessing these events can be challenging.
They’re often in remote locations with higher travel and a level of commitment
that not everyone can make.
It’s not your typical night out.
No.
Yeah.
You’re signing up for an experience and immersion.
Exactly.
And maybe that’s why it’s remained this vibrant subculture.
Maybe.
So it’s a choice.
Yeah.
A conscious decision to step outside of the mainstream and embrace something different.
And there’s something beautiful about that.
There is.
Like choosing your community, finding your tribe, and connecting with people who share your passions.
Absolutely.
It speaks to the importance of finding spaces where you can be yourself surrounded by like-minded people.
It’s like those early days in Goa, a gathering of individuals drawn together by music
and a desire to create something new.
That spirit is still alive inside trans communities around the world.
I love that.
I love that.
So you wrap up this deep dive into the world of citerants.
Yes.
What’s the one thing you want our listener to take away?
I hope they come away with an appreciation for the complexity and richness of citerants.
Beyond the stereotypes and misconceptions, it’s a genre that’s deeply rooted in cultural exchange.
Technological innovation and a genuine desire to create spaces for human connection.
It’s a reminder that music can be so much more than just sounds.
It can.
It can break between cultures, a catalyst for social change, and a powerful force for good.
Beautifully put.
And as they continue exploring the world of citerants, I encourage them to dig deeper,
to challenge their assumptions and to embrace the unexpected.
Listen with an open mind and a curious heart.
Exactly.
Because within those pulsating rhythms and hypnotic melodies, there’s a whole universe waiting to be discovered.
The universe of connection, energy, and maybe even a little bit of magic.
I like that.
Thanks for joining us on this Sonic Adventure.
It’s been a pleasure.
We’ll catch you next time on the deep dive, where we’ll explore another fascinating topic.
Yes.
That’s sure to expand your horizons.