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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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Beamish puts the world to rights: Part 2
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 16-06-10 18:18
First attracted to dance music because it was “more punk than punk”, Beamish is one of the few still around who’ve been DJing and promoting dance music since its inception. Almost two years ago, HarderFaster ventured to the pub in north London where he lays his hat to hear how he got into DJing and reminisce over some of his stories from its heyday in the ’90s. Now with Beamish preparing to make the move home to north England, we finally get Part 2 of his story just as he gets ready for the Pendragon Summer Solstice Celebration this Saturday night…
When Dean Holley aka DJ Kito and I first meet Beamish at the bar he tells is how he’s just got back from a lamb, beer and sausage festival up north and that it’s reconfirmed his desire to move back there for good. He’s pleased we’re finally finishing off the interview after so long, for his sets in London are now numbered. But I’m determined to focus on the positive stuff, for this is the man who’s played at massive parties for Pendragon and Escape from Samsara in the mid-90s, at one of the first dance stages at Glastonbury ’94 and to 15,000 people in Croatia. Two years on, I ask if he’s got any further highlights to add to that? “Yes,” he smiles, “I went to Argentina three times, to Buenos Aries to play for Javier Bussola. He was a bit like me and a few others, promoted his own parties and probably started the scene in Buenos Aries and now has a very successful night called Magic. Every trip was fantastic. Especially to a red wine and beef connoisseur like myself! The real highlights of two of the trips were playing on the Argentina version of Radio 1.”
Didn’t Oberon also move to Argentina? “Yes. He’s back now and has moved just up the road. He lives in Bounds Green now! Les got very involved with that guy and did well for himself. But you’ll have to ask him what happened over there and the fun he had . . .” Last time we’d met up we got reminiscing as far back as the late ’90s. I’m curious to hear what happened after that? “Well I personally thought the scene went in three directions,” he says, taking another swig of beer. “It got more hard house. It got more psychedelic. And for some reason people preferred that kind of music to trance and techno! [cackles] Being a purist, as trance got more psychedelic and hard house, I veered a lot more towards techno, still very trancy techno, but techno nonetheless! The other two scenes started to dominate. They were taking people away from the Samsara and Pendragon trance scene. It became harder to get work. For some reason, the energy went out of the scene. There were still plenty of good people promoting, DJing and going to parties. But the younger ones who would’ve come straight into that scene in the ’90s followed the trends . . .”
Hmm this isn’t going quite as positively as I would have liked. With a forthcoming Pendragon reunion coming up on Saturday in the form of the Summer Solstice celebration at JAMM, I decide to go back a bit, and ask, how did he first met the Pendragon crew? “It was when I was playing at Pagan Pulse that I first met Oberon and MC Vitamin K (the Druid). Basically we used to play trance music and try and paganise the crowd by having ceremonies!” And did it work? “It was fun for two years!” he laughs. “But then mine and Oberon’s DJing careers meant we weren’t quite as available. MC Vitamin K (our head Druid) also had other projects to be getting on with. We occasionally did the side room at Club UK and Pendragon did too on nights we were there. Although I hadn’t met Mark and Kate then, we were aware of what they were doing and they were aware of what we were doing. I eventually met Mark and Kate at one of the first Shambhala nights, where myself, Oberon and Mark regularly played and Kate did the décor. Shambhala proceeded Samsara by a good year and had some great nights at a venue in London fields, the All Nations Club—hands up who remembers them?! There were eight rooms, different styles with a couple of chillout rooms. It was a proper club and just massive! It was called ‘All Nations’ as there were all sorts of different events there! Darren and Andy Shambhala managed to get in the club every couple of months and throw a huge event—two trance rooms, chillouts, techno, hard—it varied.”
Eight rooms?! Dean and I both agree that’s amazing, as Beamish continues: “It was also where we hooked up with the Samsara guys, Richard and Tim. A few months after we met, myself and Oberon played for our first Pendragon party at Barrington Road in the Arches, some time in late ’95.” “Isn’t that where Skol and Rooster used to work on the door?” asks Dean. “Not when it first opened! And we didn’t become residents for Pendragon, we were regular guests!”
“So what was your favourite Pendragon party?’ I ask. Beamish doesn’t even have to think about this one. “We all went to a festival in France. Out There Festival, that was my favourite. There were probably only 4,000 and probably about 2,000 were from the UK trance scene. Funnily enough Laurie Emersion was there with his sounds system and he had his techno rig a couple of hundred yards from the Pendragon rig. Both parties were very well attended for a couple of nights. It was fantastic, 95 degrees every day. It was too hot to sleep!”
It transpires that Dean’s seen clips on this on YouTube. Were there lots of locals there, I wonder? “Not loads,” Beamish continues. “There were people from Holland, Germany. A few locals came along and funnily enough it was opened by the local major and chief of police! That’ll never happen at Glastonbury! It was in Normandy somewhere, in the middle of know where. Who went? Myself. Oberon, the Secret and Remould. It was totally blinding during the day and total mayhem at night!” Did the police hassle people like they would in the UK? “Nah! There were not enough people around for it to be a problem! It sounds large, but it was a big site and members of the village were there participating and then going home quite early. There was loads of other stuff on too, bands and a funfair. It was appealing to locals too! I used to wander into the village every day and get French bread, local cheese and wine for 80p a bottle!”
I’m also keen to hear more about the notorious Tyseen Street Studios parties, which have created such a legacy behind them. “Yes, I played at some fantastic parties at Tyssen Street, not just Pendragon parties but some early Antiworlds and a few others. The Pendragon parties at Tyssen Street always had an extra special vibe, thanks to the production—the sound, lights, décor and music.”
And what’s your funniest story from back in the day? “Well there was one Pendragon, Pearl-E Monsoon, where I played a fantastic set dressed as an enormous blue butterfly, with wings to boot! Ask Mark and Kate, they might have a photo!” How on earth did you DJ in a butterfly costume, I wonder? “It was quite easy! I think Kate made it herself.” “Do you think that’s one of the things that went out of the scene?” asks Dean. “You were bringing shamanism into the mix and a lot of parties had a spiritual element. Do you think that was one of the things that got lost?”
“Yes!” agrees Beamish. “And I think it was down to people’s drug consumption! It changed from ecstasy and acid to coke, ketamine and mushrooms. Acid parties were a lot more spiritual than ‘psychedelic’ parties.” “Psychedelic’s a lot more popular now because of the spiritual element!” Dean reckons. “Compared with hard house, where there’s not that element at all!” We debate the pros and cons for this for a bit, before Dean continues on the spiritual vein. “So, are you a druid or still into shamanism?”
“I’m not a druid and I’m not that into shamanism… but I know what I felt in the early days of parties!” Beamish laughs. “At the end of the day, people have been dancing for thousands of years to the beat of a drum. And a 14 hour kick drum extravaganza in a warehouse or in a field somewhere where everyone is on the same level moving at the same speed to the same beat, whether it’s spiritual, religious or not, you would certainly feel the really special feeling of oneness! Whether it was 500 people or 5,000 people—although there’s not many parties like that any more! There was a real feeling like that at the last Earthdance!”
Dean and I both agree. “I tried to get Mark and Kate to keep it going,” says Dean. “But we’d have had to offer to pay security longer and we had to put the money towards the charity. Andy Forse was playing in one room and Chris Liberator in the other!” “Cohesion NYE was also fantastic!” Beamish continues. “I really enjoyed that. Me and Mark. The bloke who played after Mark was fantastic too, he played a 1990 acid set! Mark played the most cheese-free set I’ve heard him play in years!” Beamish’s eyes light up as he recalls it.
The conversation moves back to the last Earthdance, when Beamish played alongside Oberon, Orange Peel, Mark and Chris Liberator. “Chris is an old time hero of mine!” Beamish says. “At the end of it, Chris said to me, ‘you need to buy some new tunes!’ And I said, ‘Chris, you need to bring some of your old tunes out!’”
With Dean now organising Peace Radio on Friday nights, he’s keen to get Beamish down to play and we decide it might be the best way to advertise the huge record collection that he needs to sell before he can move. “Well I’ve got all styles of techno…tribal techno, acid techno — there’s no limits!” he smiles. “The same goes for trance as well—obviously!”
“So, have you got your set planned for next Saturday night?” I ask. “Nope! But I’ve got some great tunes in my bag and I’ll try and pull a few more out! I don’t want to be playing the same set every time. At some point I’ll definitely play ‘Access’ by Mischa and DJ Tim. I used to play that a lot, then didn’t play it for a few years. When I played it again lots of people came up and said, “What’s that remix?” and it was the original!”
“Are you looking forward to Saturday then?” This is indeed a stupid question. “Absolutely! It’s got a great group of people. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again, it’ll be the first time since Earthdance. Obviously I’m looking forward to seeing Mark, Kate and the Pendragon crew again and some of the old faces on the dancefloor. And hopefully some new faces!” “What would you say to someone who’s never been to a Pendragon party?” “As I’ve previously mentioned, the production and the music—but more importantly, the vibe!” Dean agrees. “There always is a great vibe at Mark and Kate’s party! I remember when we were setting up the stalls in the main room for Earthdance and they were like, no, they can’t go on the dancefloor as it’ll be packed! They’ve go such a pure belief in what they’re doing!” To finish, I ask the man himself if he’s anything to add.
“Finally, the one thing I would like to say, is that DJing gave me a chance to see parts of the world I would never have seen otherwise and do things I would never have done: to inspire people, whether that’s DJing or encouraging them to put on their own parties or encouraging them to learn to DJ. It’s the sort of stuff that doesn’t happen to a working class lad or a shipyard electrician from the frozen northern wastelands of Cumbria (cackles!). But it did! And that was down to my pure love of the music and all the early—and I’m talking 1988 here—underground and overground raves. And taking the chance and pushing it and pushing and pushing, whether that was promoting a squat party, DJing in a club or just talking to someone in a record shop. Just putting over my incredible love for the scene, the music and the people involved in it! Somewhere I’d like to say thanks for the all the nice comments I got after part one and hopefully you’ll all make it to Pendragon on the 19th!”
“I have nothing but good memories of being involved in the dance music scene, whether that’s on the dancefloor helping promote raves such as Raindance in the old days—we put on the first legal raves in the land! DJing and promoting I’ve met so many great people and had so many great times.”
We continue to chat over another drink and the inevitable subject of what would we do if we won the lottery came up. Beamish seems to have thought this one through: “If I won the lottery the first thing I’d do is make sure the rugby team I used to support are OK. I’d set up a beautiful huge recording studio in the middle of the Lake District.”
All too soon it is late and after a tasting of scrumptious cheese made from sheep bred on his Grandfather’s land, he sends us on our way with sausages for Dean. And yes, the cheese was so good I could almost contemplate moving up north myself.
Photos courtesy of AArd, Beamish, Kate Penderagon and Sati. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Pendragon Summer Solstice Celebration
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On:
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Saturday 19th June 2010
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At:
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Jamm [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 6:00
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Cost:
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£7 advance /£10 on the door
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Website:
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www.brixtonjamm.org
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Ticket Info:
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www.brixtonjamm.org
www.accessallareas.org
Or call Mark (079 8457 7101) or Kate (077 8982 7808) to be added to £7 guest list.
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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After a six year break the Pendragon crew are back to invoke the tribal Celtic spirit for a Summer Solstice Reunion party at Brixton’s Jamm. The 19th year since Pendragon’s inception, it is apt that this event is on the Saturday June 19th, the closest Saturday night to one of the most spiritually significant dates of the Celtic calendar. Dance into the summer solstice and enter the collective dream state where past, present and future merge.
Words like ‘pioneering’ and ‘legendary’ are too often splashed about in the dance music scene today, but in this particular case you’ll find many people who’d agree they are applicable, especially today’s trance and techno DJs, producers and promoters influenced by Pendragon’s music and events. Helping mould a new growing trance movement, Pendragon’s musical, visual and mystical mayhem has been given as the reason why so many talented musicians are now making music, with various promoters trying to imitate their style but never completely capturing the Pendragon magic. The party itself has celebrated many special occasions for its thousands of loyal followers, including some incredible weddings, and they were the first promotion in the UK to fly over many top acts, including Scott Project, Jamm X and Deleon aka Dumonde, Tom Wax and Brazil’s number one dance percussionist, Rodrigo Paciomic.
Pendragon was formed in 1991 by Mark Sinclair and Kate Pendragon, a unique partnership of creative talent and energy who were both inspired by Celtic mythology and a vision of spiritually uplifting trance parties for all to enjoy. They had been to events like Fraser Clark’s new age rave/mini-festival Megatripolis and seen the wonderful combination of music, counterculture, performances and visuals, which they then took to another level with their own Pendragon parties.
One of the first and longest running techno-trance parties in the UK, Pendragon had nine successful events at the awesome Brixton Academy — including the infamous 10th birthday party — as well a plethora of events at Tyssen Street Studios, before moving to the Fridge after Tyssen Street sadly closed down. With the original Pendragon sound system in the main room and part of Paul Proscan’s lighting rig in the second, Brixton’s Jamm is the perfect choice for their new home. Currently host to a number of underground Brixton nights featuring the likes of Alabama 3, Hot Chip, Basement Jaxx, Bloc Party, Alan McGee and the Liberators, its cutting edge music policy is completely in line with Pendragon’s groundbreaking spirit.
For this special reunion party, both Mark Sinclair and Kate Pendragon headline a room each. The main room features uplifting nu-energy psychedelic techno trance with rare sets from original residents Mark, Oberon and Beamish as well as Juno, Kevin Energy, Nick Sequenci and Jarrah. Room 2 hosts an eclectic mix of filthy dirty deep down house, electro pop and more from Kate b2b Iona, Derrick Patterson, Chloe Sinclair, Gram Sugar Lump SS and Larry Lush Live.
It should go without saying that the music will be complemented by the usual spectacular Pendragon lights, visuals and décor, with Mark and Kate promising that there’s not going to be a brick of Jamm left showing, plus they’re also bringing in a massive laser for the occasion. Jamm also has a seated smoking area and chilled friendly security, who are there to ensure you enjoy your night as much as you should.
Advance tickets are just £7 advance from www.brixtonjamm.org or www.accessallareas.org and if for some reason you can’t get online to secure yours, give Mark a call on 079 8457 7101 or Kate on 077 8982 7808 to be added to a £7 guest list.
Looking forward to seeing you all for something very special on Saturday 19 June!
Peace, love and unity,
Pendragon
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Flyer:
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Acid Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. Nu NRG. Hi NRG. Old Skool. House. Bouncy House. Deep House. Funky House. Prog House. Tribal House. Vocal House. Electro House. Acid House. Soulful House. Tech House. Acid Techno. Funky Techno. Techno. Pop. Club Classics. Electro. Funk. Soul.
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DJ's:
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Room 1: Uplifting nu-energy psychedelic techno trance
Mark Sinclair
Oberon
Beamish
Juno
Kevin Energy
Nick Sequenci
Jarrah
Room 2: Filthy dirty deep down house, electro pop & eclectic beats
Kate Pendragon b2b Iona
Derrick Patterson
Chloe Sinclair
Gram Sugar Lump SS
Larry Lush Live
Transformers
Trance Orbital
Madam Blagatsky
Kate Pendragon
Paio’s Flowers
Proscan
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Other Features By Tara:
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Telling Cosmic Tales with DJ Strophoria
Tom Psylicious aka EarthAlien takes 50 Spins Around the Sun: Raising Awareness Through the Power of Music
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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And to Beamish & Dean for a fun night! Can't wait for the party tonight, it's going to be a good one! 