INDIA – Psy Scene on a real smooth high If countries had assigned personalities, then India would suffer from multiple-personality disorder, but not of the negative kind. Rather, the many faces of this country mesmerize the souls that visit. For the wise traveller, who knows which places to explore and which ones to avoid, a trip to India can be an esoteric experience facilitating mental expansion. Goa was the drop that started the flood of psychedelic music. The first hippies arrived in the 60’s, bringing with them rock music, and Eight-Finger-Eddie helped light the torch of the hippie parties. The 80’s saw the shift to the electronic genre and with the influence of artists such as Goa Gil, the 90’s witnessed the birth and the rapid spread of Goa Trance. In the 2000’s authorities imposed a ban on outdoor music after 10 p. m. and last year there was another serious crackdown on outdoor parties and bars in Goa. This lead to a rise in the number of silent parties, where the party-goers wear headphones to bypass local laws...when there’s a will, there’s a way. Although EDM remains the genre that is played and preferred by a majority of the population, there’s been an increase in the number of native Psytrance artists. Spinal Fusion, the head of Profund Records, is one of the top Psytrance Djs. There’s also Karma Konnect, who owns Shivlinks Records. He’s performed at the Full Moon Festival, as well as the Solstice Festival. Abduction Investigator is a project that’s being pushed by two artists, who’re are
ARTISTS hh Psycho baba
LABELS hh Blue Moon Records
PARTIES & FESTIVALS hh Beyond Spirit Festival, Shiva Squad Festival, Mountain Madness
PARTIES & FESTIVALS hh www.whatsupgoa.com hh www.mypartytravels.com/india/ goa-beach-parties hh www.festivalsherpa.com hh www.bluefrog.co.in hh www.facebook.com/ArudraFestival
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attempting to use psychedelic music to activate chakras and assist inter-dimensional travel. Then there’s Terra Moto, an internationally renowned producer in darkpsy. At the moment, the Indian Psy-scene is on a real smooth high. Sphongle’s Simon Posford aka Hallucinogen kicked off Twisted Records India tour early in the year. Agartha Records Label Promo Tour 2014 had Crazy Astronaut doing a five city tour in February. A slew of festivals just happened; there was the first edition of the Himalayan Music Festival, held near Dharamshala. This was followed by the Cokabana Teknival Festival, held in Kasol, which is known as the Mecca for those who care for pot and tokes. Next came the Kundalini Festival, set in the exotic hills of Manali; if there was one festival you should have attended, then this was the one. Parvati Peaking, held in the Parvati Valley aka the Amsterdam of India, is considered to be the mother of Psytrance festivals. One thing for sure, one does not go to the Parvati Valley for the natural beauty, if Malana Cream, rings a bell, then you’ll have understood. This year, the good party folk of Delhi, have put on their Psytrance dancing shoes, since there’s a Psytrance gig every alternative weekend. Progressive-psy is ruling the roost. Neelix will
be playing at the famous Blue Frog in Delhi and Mumbai. And there’ll be a pre-party at Haus Khaus Village featuring GMS & MAD MAXX. Pebble- The Jungle Lounge in Bangalore, has attracted Raja Ram, Sesto Sento and Avalon, to name a few. Pune has a number of clubs such as One Lounge and, Stone Water Grill which hosts incredible Psy-parties. To experience the best side of Goa, start booking tickets for October. Visit Hilltop, an open air location which turns into a mini-utopia when the music’s playing. Club Westend is another cannot-miss hangout. Anjuna, is lined with quaint beach shacks that play Psytrance all day, every day. Shacks such as Curly’s, Hippies, Sonix and UV Bar are very popular. Unlike in most parts of India, in Goa shacks, one can pull out one’s joint and smoke. No one will flinch, and if you run out of the ‘smokables’, ask the waiters, they’ll hook you up with your heart’s desires. By December, the party scene is in full bloom, so visit the Sunburn Festival, which celebrates a range of musical genres. If you want to explore the less commercial side of Goa, go to the south side which has sublime beaches such as Palolem..
Text: Penelope Mohini edit by mushroom magazine penelopemohini@gmail.com