Template:New Zealand 2009
From Psychedelic-Traveller
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[2009] Travelling to a far, far, away land: NEW ZEALAND
- written by Pied Piper Paul
So you’ve had dreams of travelling to a far, far, away land ... Well New Zealand or in Maori our native tongue – Aotearoa, fits the bill perfectly. As most travelers coming to the largest Pacific island have to travel over a vast distance to get here. Aotearoa’s clean green fame and beauty is world-renowned and now even more with thanks to movies like, Lord of the Rings I, II, III, The last Samurai or The Chronicles of Narnia. Aotearoa (New Zealand) manages to live up to and even go beyond (in some of our tucked away green corners), most travelers/tourists expectations of its beauty, plus open easygoing manner. We do also cater and market New Zealand as a place to go for the thrill seeker. Bunge jumping, rock climbing, Jet boat rides, Surfing, Skiing/Boarding, river Kayaking and some well kept tramping tracks, to name but a few. You could also just go to a deserted beach, catch a fish, cook it on an open fire and fall asleep under the stars (oh wait till you see a Southern sky at night!! Wow!!) Best to bring a Lonely Planet Guide. When here, if staying for more than 2 months, buy a van throw the mattress in the back, along with a gas cooker etc... and away you go!!!
What you won’t find in New Zealand is big large banging Psy-Trance Festivals. Why? Well we just don’t have the overall population, this is a country of only approx 4 million people. We do have some good one-off outdoor parties here, starting around mid Nov’ early Dec’, these are weather depending. Temperature wise our best weather is Jan’ thru to March 24-30˚c. Have a look at a site that’s approximately 5years old now www.psydj.com, you’ll find listings for up and down the country.
Artists
New Zealand has contributed to the music side of all things Goa and had a hand in at the pioneering stages, with the likes of Ray Castle Djing in Goa from the very start! Dj Amanda who now organizes Splore Festival (a bi-annual multi music/art affair next 31/1/10), also taking up the reins with Ray in Goa, and bringing to Germany and Europe some Kiwi flavor. I Pied Piper Paul still Dj/travel around the Globe holding the New Zealand flag up high, from my London Goa/Psy beginnings in 1994/5, I’ve played at most of the big festivals from Vuuv, Boom to Vortex. As for producers our most well known would have to be hometown bro’s from Auckland – Antixs/Fiord. We do have some up & coming producers to watch for, Cusp a solo project hailing from Auckland, Pieter Van Oldenborgh also from Auckland. Grouch from Wellington/Christchurch, along with Tom Cosm out of Christchurch, who looks to be gaining a solid name in the scene the world over – go Tom. If you look up their web sites or myspace, you’ll have a wealth of info on what not to miss (sorry to anyone I should have mentioned here, email me!). When searching for a good knees up, local Dj’s to keep a look out for are – Out of the Blue (Fr/NZ), Miss Molly, Dj Pierre (RSA/NZ), De-Jay, Lee (U.K/NZ) from Hamilton also not one to miss Djing or doing his Live Act. Also Biggins another U.K bod’ who now calls New Zealand home is one to keep your ears open for. Dj Jandals hails from Wellington, (he contributed here on the Sth isle & Wellington side), plus from Gisborne Trippy Kiwi. Who after getting a taste for it all in Denmark has returned home to Dj and also put on the odd club/outdoor dance party, in or near Gissy!
Auckland
Auckland has in the last years a club called Space (www.spacebar.co.nz) run by Big Dave and team from, Phat Productions (www.phatproductions.co.nz). Dave & the Phat Production crew put on a Full-on party once or twice a month there, where they will also run a Prog/Minimal 2nd room. Other weekends the club runs Hip-Hop nights, to House, or D ‘n’ B parties. Over the summer months Phat Productions will, around the Auckland area, do the odd outdoor party. Twisted Planet org’ are even newer to the promoting scene with a summer 2008 Solstice being their 1st event. March Equinox will see their 2nd gig get off the ground. Hamilton has been a little quite of late but eyes on www.psydj.com if your in need for info again. 2010 will see The Synaesthetic Crew start Dionysian Rhythms and what hopes to be an annual World-class event featuring International Artists, along with Globe trotting local talent! Close to Auckland is the plan.
Wellington
Which brings us to the city named after a famous rubber boot, Wellington the capital city of Aotearoa! While not hosting regular Psy events, it is home too many in the scene and it tends be more your one off events, cd release party's etc. If you're lucky enough to be in town when there's a gig on at the National Tattoo Museum (like "Multiball" this March 7th 2009) you're defiantly in for a treat as they come from far and wide!! Bonus is the venue; it is like no other.... jackpot!! Solstice/Equinox events are also worth looking out for, again keeping your eyes on psydj.com for most listings. The Full-Om crew dust off the P.A every now and then, and head for a beach or bush to stomp – so keepin’ the vibe alive.. Feb is usually the warmest month south side, with plenty to keep you happy, the coffee’s great, the vibe friendly!! Cuba Str carnival is also a major hoot, Viva La Wellington!
South island
A leisurely 3-hour ride on a car and passenger ferry, brings us to the South island (te Wai Pounamu or the Main land to some locals), take a few deep breaths of air... argh fresh! Do put on the sunnies (worst skin cancer rate in the world i.e N.Z), and you know you're on holiday, its like a shining Emerald jewel and its no surprise that its always been the heart of out-door Psy/Electronica in New Zealand, superb bush, clear rivers, beautiful coastline, mountains, lakes, its simply gorgeous and to party down here is a real treat and not to be missed by any dedicated doofer visiting N.Z!
Golden Bay
The main "zone" is Golden Bay, near Nelson the top of the south isle. Every summer see’s it hosting events, from as small as 150 people to 10,000ppl (from the heyday of "the gathering” 1996/7 – ’02 born out of En-train 1994-96/97). With events like "Psychedelic Retirement Village" "Luminate" "Alien Nation" "Canaan Downs New Years festival" there's something for everyone's budget and musical taste. Its very friendly, relaxed and very free (expect a large old dose of hippydom and ferals abound), good times to be had for sure. Nelson is also the base for Cosmic Conspiracy records, N.Z's only Psychedelic label with 5 releases to date.
Christchurch
Christchurch is home to the Psy Pirates who are always up to something in the city or closer to the mighty Southern Alps, keep an eye out for the latest voyage, jump on board and ride the southern wave!
Psy Posse are getting regular full moon parties going, with lots of doofs planned for the 2009 summer starting with "Forest creatures" in September 09 in the amazing castle hill basin. We're a scruffy bunch of friendly ferals ´n happy for people to get involved! Give use a look at our website!
Word of mouth also works well in these parts plus www.psydj.com also lists South island events.
The travellers I met down south this summer were smiling ear to ear, its a change from the more intense overseas circuits, its a relaxed and psychedelic family atmosphere, megatrons of goodness, layers of sonic texture, buckets of bass, bags of green....
So if you do live on a diet of Psy-Trance only, you may leave New Zealand a little more fed on the organic side of life.
Other
The club/rock/festival scene - now if you wish to go to other Music/Electronic gigs in clubs or festivals, it’s all alive and well catered, with well known names making their way to our shores. Here it’s better to check sites like www.rave.co.nz www.biggie.co.nz and www.obscure.co.nz ,.. or keep eyes peeled for posters/flyers when here. I’m proud to say we have a huge cutting edge and flourishing music scene in New Zealand, so please take time to check it out & be blown away! Check, Fat Freddys Drop, D-Dub, House of Shem for Kiwi styles Pacific-Reggae. With Dub ya canny go past Pitch-Black who also do the odd Trancey number. Then those rockers The Feelers hail from New Zealand as well.. I could go on, but come down and find your own favorites!! Big festivals (for us!) - Parihaka International Peace festival is set in a fabulous location under Mt Taranaki an active volcano in early Jan’!! The style here is Reggae mainly, but it has been hosting an Electronic stage. Rhythm and Vines see’s 20,000ppl plus, make their way from all over New Zealand to the East coast of the North isle, to the first city in the whole wide world to see in a new day (& in this case the New Year!), Gisborne! Big Acts, big crowds & let the big times rock n roll!! You’ll find great wines in this area that’ll have you smiling, if that’s your thing. Why not buy a bottle to take home and open it when you are remembering your trip, and what will be a life long memory!!!
