You are welcome! Psychedelic Traveller - Your audio/visual guide for mind-expanding journeys to distant places, is a multilingual, Web-based, free-content project to create a WIKI for the PSY/GOA-trance scene. Psychedelic Traveller's articles provide links to guide the user to related pages with additional information. The aim behind that is to publish a printed magazine from the content which is collected on the website. Our goal is to compile the sum of all human knowledge into this website. You can help complete this goal by contributing to Psychedelic Traveller.

You are welcome to add information, cross-references, or citations, as long as you do so within Psychedelic Traveller's editing policies and to an appropriate standard. You don't need to worry about accidentally damaging Psychedelic Traveller when adding or improving information, as other editors are always around to advise or correct obvious errors, and the software is carefully designed to allow easy reversal of editorial mistakes.

[2010] Where we have been going, versus where we may wish to go

• Written by Aaron Ocelot Peacock

Global psychedelic trance culture has survived 2 decades. What has enabled it to survive is the network of individual people maintaining contact with each other (the scene) and joining together in the ritualized celebrations known as parties. The musical vibes coming from our culture have influenced the music of the world as a whole, and is continuously being influenced by the musics of the world. If it were up to popular culture and the mainstream music press we would have gone away a long time ago. They do not like or understand us very well. The danger today is that the culture (music, art, philosophies, etc) we are spreading does not have anything to FEED this global traveller underground scene. I have seen it said that "psytrance is my religion" but for this to be so we need to elevate and respect the culture of our scene and ensure its future survival in terms of its core ideals. We need to deepen our art and culture, not make it more shallow and pop. TRYING to be popular will not result in our scene BECOMING popular, but rather we will simply copy the values of the commercial electronic scenes and disappear. We will cease to exist as a unique family and source of culture. Preserve the culture, preserve the lore. remember the old music, not as something to get fixated or stuck in, but to better understand the trends of today. For example, I saw the high bpm trend in the mid 90's with GMS going above 150bpm etc… I remember gabber and hardcore techno, thus i see nothing new or futuristic in this fast trance. just my opinion and just one example.

The danger of conservatism, is, of course, that we can become conservative about the wrong things- preserving the slavish fan mentality of the mainstream scenes. ("worshipping" artists, festivals, dj's, etc.)

The mass marketing techniques still work on us. "You are not good enough and you NEED us or our product to be complete" still resonates with people as does playing to the lowest common denominators: Rock, Retro, old tunes people remember…treating the scene like a collection of morons will produce exactly that- a collection of morons. I prefer to party with smarties ;) (Contrast this with the current "Diesel" advertising campaign of "Be Stupid" - I think this says it all about pop culture. It is a parasite that uses our weakness as food.) We too easily sell our birthrights of independence, being outside the system, etc. for a tiny chance of the mainstream culture approving of us, yet, if we were to TRULY please the 'base' of the global psychedelic trance traveller culture, we would see larger attendances at parties and a thriving global scene. if this psychedelic trance scene is not to become a trend that passes away, we need to think about the future and provide a true alternative society in every aspect.

Regional Biases: I have partied with trancers worldwide and have noticed in each country or region that there is the perception that whatever the tastes are THERE, are the same everywhere. this is simply not true

Russia, Portugal, Switzerland, West Coast USA, East Coast USA, Northern Brazil, Southern Brazil, Japan, etc. each have their own regional tastes in music etc. There is a tendency for people to sit in their homebase and think they see the bigger picture of psychedelic trance without actually getting out and traveling to see the other scenes. Get out and see the world! Travel! If YOU cannot, then encourage a friend to go and report back what they see and hear. Visit the large festivals- its a good opportunity to hear different things than you are used to. Who knows, you may end up enjoying a particular artist or dj playing sounds you generally would think you don't like or identify with. This is the problem i have with multi-stage lineups. i remember in the good old days of the Boom Festival you could hear the mainstage from all parts of the festival and if something came on that you LIKED to hear you could come running to dance. Today its all by the program and this is catering to a closed-mind. People think they already know what they will like. This is ridiculous. I met someone once who told me "I already know all the people i want to know"

Do not be like this person. Learn, live, grow, change, evolve, and bring your new information back to our community. We are truly one global family and someday, more people than trenchers will realize that. But for now, our job is to keep the global web alive and the concepts flowing. Peace

[2010] Trance culture is still strong in AUSTRALIA

• written by Suspekt

For the psychedelic traveller, there aren't many places that attract as much intruige and mystique than the wide brown land that is Australia. Possessing one of the world's longest standing and most vibrant psychedelic subcultures, the land Down Under is a haven for dance music fans, with a strong outdoor party and festival culture that extends to all corners of the country as well as a strong club scene as well.

The strength of Australia is its diversity – because the distances are so great between major population centres, each place in Australia has its own take on the culture, meaning everywhere you go will be a new and varied experience.

Trance culture is still strong in Australia, but the recent years have seen the scene's taste diversify a lot more. Along with the strong psy, progressive and downbeat/ambient scene, there are also many exciting techno, minimal, dubstep, experimental, house, breaks, glitch and IDM artists, meaning the parties always have a great variety of tunes to please anyone's tastes.

Some of the larger and better known Australian events include Rainbow Serpent, Tribeadelic, Matreiya, Maya Festival and Somatica in Melbourne, Subsonic Music Festival in between Newcastle and Sydney, Winter Solstice Festival in Cairns, Earth Freq in Brisbane, the Earthdance events nationwide and many more. There many websites and forums that list parties and club nights around the country, with the main ones being www.oztrance.net, www.australiens.net and www.inthemix.com.au.

Because of the great distances between population centres in Australia, it means each city and area has its own diverse scene, meaning you'll encounter different sorts of parties, different tastes in music and different people wherever you go.

It's important also to note that the weather can vary greatly in the various regions around Australia, with the summer months more popular for outdoor events in southern centres, while the opposite is true in the north, which receives rain over the summer and fine, warm winter months.

Major centres for parties include Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and SE Queensland, Cairns and North Queensland, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Perth, Canberra and Byron Bay/Northern New South Wales.

Australians are a friendly bunch, who won't hesitate to talk to a stranger or welcome you with open arms to the scene.

We pride ourselves on being an open-minded and free party culture, and we hope to see you Down Under sometime soon!

[2010] Mountain Trance in AUSTRIA

• written by Tom Rom
• read this article in French

Austria is the center for Psytrance in central Europe with parties and festivals every weekend throughout the year. From 2003 to 2007 Sonnenklang Festival was Austria’s biggest with up to 8.000 visitors. Now the 6-days-festival “Spirit Base” of organizer Goran is Austria’s number 1 with up to 5.000 visitors every June. Also the vicinity of Ozora Festival in Hungary invites lots of international crowds.

The Darkpsy scene is very strong now in Tyrol and Vienna – to mention the K.N.E.C.H.T tribe of DJ Soth and the circle around Goagnom and Lyserg. But the Oldschool fraggles are growing too. In Salzburg is to mention the Otherland guys and the 24/7-label-parties and in Tyrol the renowned Mystery World is still alive – and Malice in Wonderland are the Dark-Psy masters there.

In Upper Austria the biggest are Klangbewusstsein, in Lower Austria Sunshine Explosion and the Samsara group and in Styria Pro.Tuberance and Alchemy in Graz.

But the biggest scene you’ll find in Vienna and vicinity: The Cosmic Space Disco of the VJ and organizer “Funny Astronaut” established the regular Cosmic Space Club up to 1.000 people in the WUK and in Planetarium. He also created the Paradise Festival with nearly 2.000 fraggles in a quarry amidst the most beautiful environment you can imagine. Andi-Astronaut also organizes the Pratersauna party with pools and a nice garden in the heart of Vienna in this summer. The almost monthly Sunday Chaizelt in Flex of another Andi and team is THE family meeting point in FLEX. Other successful organizers are Funnymoon and Drops Reflections, the Wichtl events and Lucid Dreams with their Darkpsy-parties in different locations. Another favored club is the Florido Club at the shore of the Danube river. DJ Gobayashi’s Astralzone and Wolfgang’s Garden Eden parties are legendary for a decade and longer now. Recently also the big electronic music festivals integrated Goa-floors such as the Urban Art Forms Festival and Beatpatrol in St. Pölten.

Some of Austrias new uprising producers are Ianuaria, IMIX, Kajola, Materia, Freelander and Astralex from 24/7 record label. Austria’s most renowned Psy-VJs are El Geko, playing as Psynema with Basti, the Funny Astronaut, Fade FX and master-projectionist Sikanda. And not to forget the most psychedelic show group, the Phoenix Firedancers, that is based in Vienna. Austria is also the center hub for the new book about the international Goa-Psytrance history “Goa – 20 years of Psychedelic Trance Culture” – that should be published in fall 2010 (planned in German and English), maybe also with a DVD of Geko - see www.nachtschatten.ch/goabook.

[2010] Psychedelia in natura in BRAZIL

• written by Ricardo Janczur
• read this article in French

When you speak of Brazil, what comes to your mind? If you are into psychedelic parties, for sure you gonna say Universo Paralello. Mix your feelings into heavenly landscapes, beaches, mountains, sun and an exquisite wild energy for partying like never before. Welcome to paradise!

Psychedelic fruit in Brazil is maturing for some years and little by little it gets one of the sweetest corners in the world when the subject is tasting all kinds of psytrance.

Every year, thousands of international freaks keep coming to discover the flavors of Brazilian scene. Many festivals did not happen in 2009 and the scenario does not change much for 2010.

Universo Paralello has officially decided to take place every 2 years, after the massive last new year´s eve. Soulvision still holds carnival festival with a lot of low bpm music. Samsara is also always happening, but nothing is quite sure about Cachoeira Alta. Fora do Tempo, Tranceformation and Trancendence are definetly not scheduled. A new upcoming festival takes place in Chapada Diamantina in July, Ziohm. Worth checking if you are escaping from European summer.

In parties, the evolution can be felt in very professional and well organized events in the whole country where we can clearly see 2 blocks: mainstream and underground.

Mainstream parties have reduced quite a lot their activities. Parties such as XXXperience, Tribe and Kabalah, have no longer dates scheduled for the whole year all around the country due to authorities demands on what concerns drugs policy. There is still some movement, but nothing compared to 2 or 3 years ago. The massive psytrance boom is gone.

4iDeas has also stopped making parties in 2010 and should be back with it´s own festival 2011. Now only its artist management 4AM keeps working, sharing space with Wild Artists, Carambola and Water Republic.

In the other hand, serious underground parties have dancefloors on fire in the main psycho poles like Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Salvador feeling ears and souls with the best of dark psychedelic, full on and progressive trance. But psytrance can be listened in absolutely every part of the country.

Parties like Mystic Tribe, Respect, Earthdance, Goa Gil (Sao Paulo), Ecologic (Vitoria), Samadhi Parvati and Calangute (BH), and Soononmoon(Bahia) productions give psychedelic spirit new breath party after party, not to mention all other crews working to keep it alive and kicking. The dance can never stop.

Dictating patterns, Vagalume Records keeps psychedelic, releasing many digital EPs with The First Stone, Burn in Noise, Logica, Circuit Breakers and now debuting new live act Labirinto, by Pedrao aka The Twenty-eight. Also Rica Amaral live act Men 2 Deep starts blowing the dancefloors around.

Many acts raise from anonymous to well reckon artists: Necropsycho, Magma Ohm, Demonizz and Cannibal Barbecue are the spot on night music, also represented by the 1 year old label Antimateria Recordings, that released 2 VAs in 2009.

On the progressive side, Analog Drink, Abstract Sunrise, Jumpers, Strange Doctors, Erotic Dream and Minimal Criminal are some of the producers spreading their talent to release tracks in international serious labels such as Iono, Plusquam, Cosmic Conspiracy and Planet Ben.

Club scene is very strong in low bpm music if you are into. Not many playing only psytrance.

Although Universo Paralello is not happening from 10/11, the psychedelic people won´t be orphan. 303Art Festival is coming to spread art and good music into a more familiar new year´s gathering.

So if you want some nice time, with beautiful people in amazing places, get yourself packed and come for a season in Brasil Check www.zuvuya.net for updates about parties and travelling and get your feet on the road. We are waiting for you.

[2010] New perspective ... but same trance in BOLIVIA

• written by Micropunto
• read this article in French

Being a long term stablished psy tribe, Bolivian psy scene, as the whole electronic music scene in the South America’s heart, had experienced a significant growth since 2009. The new Bolivian projects released by Bolivian labels and the quality of the parties and acts that visited the Bolivian cities during the whole year made a lot of difference between yesterday and today. This generated the addition of new parties around the “troncal axis” cities: Western (Mountains) La Paz- El alto conglomerate, Central (Valleys) Cochabamba – Quillacollo conglomertate, and the biggest and most populated of the three; Eastern (Plains) Santa Cruz conglomerate.

Andean Tribe Collective and Neuro Trance Records are the most active producers an promoters right now in the Government Center and also main center of the culture, technology and millenarian legacy of the Andine-Amazonic Plurinational State of Bolivia, the city of La Paz.

The new government’s intends to demystify the old stereotyped view of a corrupt and oligarchic Bolivia of the 1980’s in which drug master’s and a DEA fought in an open war for the control of the coca plant fields and it’s subsequent cocaine production. The Bolivian governments during the 80’s and 90’s were sold to US’s interests of domination and drug production control in Bolivia, as it had the control in many other strategically resources of the South American nation at that time all ready, but the geopolitics’ stuff is something that we are not discussing in this stance, any way this information is important to understand this country’s twenty last year history.

Those old stories lead the actual plurinational state to be stricter in substance control matters than the older governments. About the existence of parties and activities; the activity calendar is absolutely normal as all the rest of things and facets of life. You can find one in the major cities twice or three times a month generally. Hanging parties is normal in practically all the “troncal axis” cities. The best way to engage one is by internet. All things you look for about parties, hotels, tourism into national reservations at different prices and with different activities can be found at any city of Bolivian, West to the East, “troncal axis” and all the other intermediate cities: Oruro, Tarija, Sucre (The official and historical but not politically executing capital of Bolivia), Potosí, Trinidad, Cobija, Uyuni and others.

Because of the newer social control the underground activities became more usual, stronger, much more creative and very attractive. Anyway police is not concerned that much in our tribe matters unless you taunt them clearly. And they will be much more severe if they find in you some “specific substances”. Better if you maintain your distance from the police unless you need their help. Recently the Bolivian psytrance community organized a “drug free electronic music” mega festival in the heart of San Miguel district in southern La Paz city, which was a total success, gaining a lot of covering by the media and a new generation of partiers . This festival’s intention was to remember the people that you don’t need drugs to enjoy trance.

The mystic rituality is being rediscovered for the instances in which Bolivia is at now concerned, always looking forward to the times of the Tiahuanacotan and Incan wisdom. The rituals could last for days and so a party. A party in the Cities hardly cost you more than 15 $US but some travels and expeditions thru natural reservations can cost you hundreds of dollars, when you arrive to Bolivia check your activity agenda. Best time to come is at mid February when the “Carnaval” festivities are beginning. A lot to see at the “ Carnaval de Oruro“ a good time to enjoy in a real but surreal situation at the city of Oruro, three hours from La Paz heading to the south through the “Altiplano” an highland plain where Aymaras and Quechuas mixed with Spaniard influences .

Erofex, Abstract Microdot (ABS:MIC), Lattus Daft Noise, Jash, Airffect, Deep South, Metzanima, Blizzard and some others are the main Bolivian psy trance acts and probably you’ll find them playing around the cities of Bolivia. Check about them in Bolivian trance dedicated internet pages or in usual music communities.

[2010] Abundant forests of CANADA

• written by Equinoxia
• read this article in French

Being the second largest country in the world, Canada has a lot to offer in terms of beautiful forests and wild lands to party upon. Due to the great distance separating most cities, it developped a few regional micro-scenes, while still keeping the wholeness of the movement by the people travelling from one region to the other. You will find that wherever you are in Canada, there will always be a friendly down to earth community that is welcoming and easy to relate to.

The most psychedecized areas of Canada are around the bigger cities in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario, but there is also an interesting movement taking place in Manitoba and Nova-Scotia. Since it is generally considered safe to hitchhike in Canada, many party goers use that to travel for free the great distances between the east and the west, and make the most of their summer festival season.

Although the long Canadian winter also has it's unique charms of more intimate club and warehouse gatherings and semi-private chalet parties, the best time for trancers in Canada is in the summer. The festival season lasts from the beginning of June until the end of September, and since it is so short compared to other countries, they try to make it up by it's intensity. The peak of this season is from mid-July with the Eclipse festival to mid-August with the Shambhala. Among other well known outdoor gatherings of the summer are Entheos, Space Gathering, El Hal and Motion Notion.

The party organizers in Canada include names such as Tech Safari, Blacklight Activists, Organix, Tribal Prophecy, Techno Hippy Crew, FAK, Shakti Collective, Area 709, Oya and Neurovortex. Since Canada has such a low population density, a party is considered big when there are more than 1000 attending. The average parties usually attract anywhere from 250 to 800 people, which gives us more intimate parties and creates a strong sense of community. In cities like Montreal and Toronto, there are at least one party every weekend, and in smaller cities like Quebec city or Winnipeg, expect one psy-trance party every 2 or 3 months.

Renowned musical producers from Canada include Adham Shaikh, Nystagmus, Anahata, Ekoplex, Cosmic Orgasm, Repeat Customer, Akentek, Virtual Light, Aya, and Nuclear Ramjet. For visual arts, you can count on artists such as Neil Gibson, Deliria, Julien Seyer, Crystal and Spore, Neuromantix, Waking Dream, Makinaw and Starfield to create environments that will blow your mind.

[2010] Sending waves of peace to the world: CHILE

• written by Dew
• read this article in French

The Chilean Psychedelic scene is getting ready to celebrate the Total Solar Eclipse on Easter Island this 11th July 2010. Honu Eclipse festival will feature some outstanding international guests. The last astronomical phenomenon of this nature in the country was in 1994 and it consolidated the scene that was born in the beginning of the 90s.

During the middle of the 90s the scene kept very underground with the legendary Full Moon celebrations high in the Andean Mountains organized by DJ Cl.ear. The movement opened when Cl.ear and Dew founded Dreamvibe, starting some of the first parties in the capital Santiago, gathering new members to the crew. In 1998, Dreamvibe moved back to open air with a particular festival concept for the initiative of Earthdance in Chile, uniting all the electronic tribes and giving the main stage to Psy Trance so it passed from the underground to be the most dominant tribe.

After 12 years of Earthdance Chile history, reaching around 12.000 people on its latest versions, the festival has evolved its name to Earthfest. It is still produced by Dreamvibe and stands firm in its concepts for Peace, Ecology and Ancient People. The influence of the festival in the new generations brought new collectives to the scene and a different outdoor festival culture was born: Massive Landing by Phenomenon, Montemapu by Global Blue, Universus by Vortex, amongst others.

On the artistic side, our most well known international Music producer is Ovnimoon, one of the top sellers in Psyshop, but unfortunately for personal reasons he has only performed in Chile. Other international talents are Ital and Moai Act (Psypsiq Jicuri), both releasing on the fresh local label Antu Records. On the DJ side, the beginning the scene grew thanks to the local legends from Dreamvibe, DJs Cl.ear and Andean Trip. Nowadays, other DJs have taken over such as Amanito (Etnicanet), Panchodelic (Antu), Humento (Trancetour) and Arditti (Vortex). Also a new young dark scene has formed a movement.

Recently, a cataclysmic earthquake in Chile damaged much of the central-south of the country. Nevertheless, the capital Santiago was not affected much and Easter Island was untouched. So the Honu Eclipse festival is ready to receive psy travellers from all over the world. Produced by Dreamvibe, it will be a low impact ecological festival for around 1.000 people but proud to present international artists such as Alex Grey with live painting around the performances of artists such as Raja Ram featuring Shpongle DJ Set, Eat Static, Headroom, Earthling, Michelle Adamson, Penta, Chicago, Zen Mechanics and DJs such as Shane Gobi, Reagan Nano, amongst many others. A true once in a lifetime opportunity to send waves of peace to the world.

[2010] Where to get info about life signs in CROATIA

• written by KrmpadinK

www.Trancepleme.com remeins a place to get up whit what is across this small bumerang shaped country. Almost everyone is speaking english here. Scene is mostly genereted around capitol Zagreb but as said before country is small so with wheels you can reach any regional psyspot within few hours from capitol city. With its diverse geographic features Croatia is giving psyheads several geomantic doors to open and tune in... In forests, plains, hills, mountains and sea shores parties are held. Parties are not big around 300-500 visitors.

So as you can guess the best time to visit croatia is in open air season from spring until autumn. Parties are most freqvent from May until August. You can expect in May 3 day open air festival Area Koola near Osijek in eastern region of country.

Crew from Osijek making event flavoured with Macedonian acts and psytravellers. Koola festival is well known good vibe event amoung psyheadz. That info came out recentlly but in near future expect Ministarstvo Psihodelije with Sensient and many more unexpected and yet to come.

Not having bigger international festival native psytravellers are in August going abroad or they are chillin somewhere along coast same as regular party visitors so August is mostly dry period. Tribe is usually gathered in September stomping on Earth Dance and resonanting from few psycores with global tribe.

Drug politics are quite strict in Croatia also there is no habit of police raids so you can feel free and safe while outdoors but in city and clubs don't tease the devil not even with the joint, couse penalty is harsh and fines are big.

Always trying to put some mustard in dominant culture clock mechanism to stretch some time for art. So it is quite common for international guests to play as long as they are willing to play giving them more room to express their work. With not looking on 2 hours standard stop watch count down system.

Artists from Croatia involved in psy culture are like in any psy community covering all areas. We have really good DJ-s, VJ-s, deco teams and individuals, jugglers and so on. With uprising flock of producers producing various styles of Trance music.

Some of them you can check on V. A. Entities Croatian community compilation that took 2nd place on Ektoplazm Best Free Release Of 2009 contest in best V. A. category. There are no specialized shops for Trance music or jugglers stuff anymore so internet is place to get all the toys.

Exept forum radio show Disco Inferno is going everyweek since 1995 held by pionir DJ Marino also due to Ministarstvo Psihodelije recent rebirth of Kobayagi radio show about Trance culture are going on.

[2010] Progressive and psychedelic pioneering in DENMARK

• written by Pr0fane
• read this article in French

Foreigners coming to Denmark might be surprised by the prices of the parties. Prices for getting in usually start at around 10 Euros and go up to as far as 45-50 Euros for a one-night party, which is mainly due to the high standard of living in Denmark and high level of prices in the country as a whole, which also means that beers and drinks aren’t cheap. Indoor parties usually start around 22:00 and end between 5 and 7 in the morning, with the peak time being from 1 to 4 in morning. The biggest parties are usually in either Copenhagen (with places such as Amager Bio and Docken as the biggest) or Århus (Ridehuset and Århus Firma Sport are the biggest locations here) with attendances up to 3000 people at Docken, while the other locations have room for around 1000 people. Most other indoor parties usually attract around 2-400 people.

There are still free parties to be found though, and in the summer-season (May to September) there are a lot of (mainly free) outdoor parties happening across the country. Most are in the Copenhagen-area or in the eastern part of Jutland (around Århus). Most are illegal, but rarely closed down even though they are published online. There has also been some legal outdoor parties this summer. Some of the crew connected to Iboga Records are for instance connected to the free Copenhagen Carnival weekend-event in the beginning of the summer, which has a huge electronic stage with big progressive trance headliners one day, and minimal, techno, tech house and progressive house on the other days. Freaky Fields (a semi-secret festival with invitation required) and Summer Angel are other examples of legal festivals with psychedelic trance, although they can’t be compared in size to the big festivals in Germany for instance.

The biggest website in Denmark for psytrance and related music is without a doubt electrobeat.dk. Most parties are published here, but with the recent explosion in use of facebook, some events are more heavily promoted on facebook. electrobeat.dk is still the best starting point for foreigners looking for a party though.

[2010] A very promising year in FRANCE

• written by Limpts
• read this article in French

Ladies and Gentleman, I am pleased to welcome you aboard this page dedicated to the Psytrance scene in France. Please fasten your seat belts, we will be leaving shortly. In 2009, Gaia association presented Passeword is Love with System 7after the Techno Parade. Magic Castle organized its first party: Once Upon A time. Morphonic Records threw two large parties : Green Liquid and Travedelick. Omniphonie pulled together a fabulous party the Healing Vibes. L'Hotel de la Musique in Marseille was transformed by Transubtil. Axtrix played at the Sterenn Party in Paris,thanks to Seventh Sky. In September, World People arranged the PiratesVsMexicanos. Deep Space Adventures starting Laughing Buddha and Dick Trevor was this year annual Hardra party in Porcieux and Muzic2 Mars organized Vodoo light party...These are just a few of the festivities offered to a growing psy-trance community.

Than came the summer bringing us festivals. This year World People put together the Desperado Revolution, Mexico invaded the southern hills of France. Psy Spirit Family decided to connect the tribes with the Tribe Connection Festival. Chill out and Ambient music got celebrated through the Ambiosonic Festival. People could hang out in a party every week end in all parts of France, spend a couple of days in festivals or walk along the side of the Trance Char in Paris but this year was probably one of the most crucial year for the next years to come. Either the French Psy trance scene will keep on dreaming their lives or they would live their dreams... This year, there were many concerned about the future of Psy-Trance in France: the authority, financial crisis and the record industry.

The French Authority stiffen its position making it harder for the community to meet their promises As a result two options remained: either we decided to stay underground or we will open up to a larger audience. Knowing that taking the option of staying underground a battle with the authorities was to be feared. Examples of this showed through out the year. The World People festival who almost got canceled due to the Mayor pressure on the landowner, the Hadra Festival who never saw light because no mayor town wanted to have the festival on their land and the Bamboodelick Party for New year's eve whose location had to be changed at the last minute from Grenoble to Marseilles because the politicians declared : we “ the Trance community” were a “risky” group.

One of the Trance float sponsor who abandoned at the last minute. Leaving us with a minute of doubt on whether we will be able to be part of the techno parade or not. In this time of financial record crises, Pystrance is not eluded. For the psytrance artists, the only solution remains the gigs. There is an urgent need to understand that music production is not just a promotion tool. If the psytrance community do not support their artists, our world will soon be out of breath. Of course, our community is growing in festivals and parties but performances do not make it all. The purchase of musical art work (physical or numerical) is fundamental. And in france we have great labels such as: the new Label Electrik Dreams Records(Lyon) managed by Tajmahal, Transmat (Paris), Distance Records (Paris), 3 D Vision Records (Paris/Ibiza), Moon Spirits Records (Potiers), Turbo Trance Records (Marseille/Aix), Hadra Records (Grenoble), Mechanik Records (Paris/Belgique), Mandala Records (La Rochelle/Bordeaux),Newom records (France), Sonic Motion Records (Paris), Mahogany Records (Paris), Anygmatik Records (Nice), Tori Records (Besançon), Escape Records (Lyon/Rhone Alpes); Morphonic Records (Paris) , Mandala Records (La Rochelle) signing up such as artists as Total Eclipse, Ultimae Records from Aes Dana and Hadra Label (Grenoble, France).

Despite all misfortune, the French Trance community really believed in their dreams and nothing could stop them. In emergency, The World People Organization found an other land to threw the Festival. The Hadra team did not give up and found their land for year 2010. The Hadra festival will be held in Lans En Vercors in July. As for the Float, the French Trance community really wanted to see their place with the other electronic music and everyone in the community donated to have the float in the street of Paris. Morphonic Records and Art'Trance prod delivered the longest and highest float the Techno Parade had ever seen.

This year, bad vibration came from all sides but adversity was turned into strength and positivity. There was passion, there was love, there was hope, there was unity. “We are all, we are one” took all of its meaning. The French Trance community will not let itself be pushed a side, they will not let their dream be crashed. Opening to a larger audience was one of the answer. Let us show, who we are and what we have to offer! There is a new community with new ideas that can change the world around and give people happiness and love, through art and music and this can be us. A population full of joyful, loving and caring folks. Let us show that The Psy-Trance community is not just a group of people, who have no respect for the world they live in. Bunch of outcast listening to some strange sound. No! there is more to it than meets the eyes. There is art, there is music, there is decoration. There is love and unity, there are associations ready to come to the mayor with strong professional projects for their parties and festivals. There are people taking care of the land that was loaned and making it even cleaner than once they were on it. So the French Trance scene decided to unified and become stronger and this shows with the upcoming parties for year 2010.

The Hadra association will held the party “The Other Side”at Porcieux Amblagnieu with people such as Andromeda, Irgum Burgum in January as well as a party with the Italian team Looney Moon in March, Pleasure on Friday with the Shiva Project association and Neo Tech, Oobe with the party Crac Patatrack in February, Electric Reminder with the association Electrohm planned in March,a full on party is to be organized by the association Morphonic Records, parties from World People in Spain at the Rachdingue and an outdoor party near Perpignan. Lunarmouth are planning parties all year long: Progress Voices, Goa Music Party...Mandala records will offer its pystrance fan parties all year long... a party every week end in every part of the country.

In July, Gaia is planning Gaia WI to celebrate the association 20th Birthday, a major event expecting more than thousand of people. DVD, stories, CD and books are being created to retrace the association history. A major convention with artists, associations, open scene, debates as well as discussion with the authority are planned. This is going to be an event not to be missed.

There are many festivals planned this year. Atomes association will held a festival on June 5th and 6th about 50 km away from Paris. On July 9th, Trance Mission will bring you “Au dela de nos rêves” festival near Cholet (49). World People is organizing its festival that is to be held on the 16 of July the theme will be the Russian revolution. Lunarmoth is also planning a Festival The Freaks Machine 2010 and Aqua Veda is planning its annual festival Arcadia with the environment protection theme. The average price for a party in France is about 10 to 15 euros, for a festival it is around 40 euros depending on when you buy the ticket. The average drink are for water: 1 euros, beer: 2 euros, champagne: 5 euros. However, be careful, don't drink and drive since the laws are being really reinforced.

But the scene does not end at parties, festivals or record labels. We have stores where you can find outfits: psy-art shop, turowearshop, s1drom, Shankar, Singapore Silk Point and Frogreator.

2010 seems to be a very promising year full of parties and festivals. It is time to bring out our community and to show the authorities that they can trust us. Ladies and gentlemen, we have been glad to have you on board and hope you enjoyed the flight. We thank you for flying the French Trance page and hope we may welcome you again on our lines.

[2010] Creative grounds in FINLAND

• written by Inkeri Tähti
• read this article in French

Finnish peculiar style of psy trance, Suomi style or Suomi sound has it´s roots deep in the forests of Finland, Goan beaches in India and places like Helsinki suburbs, Old cottages and county houses around Southern Finland and sandpits near Porvoo city. In the turn of the millenium artists such as Texas Faggott, Squaremeat, Salakavala, Mandalavandalz, Puoskari, Aavepyörä, Haltya, James Reipas and others became considered representing a whole new genre, which literally means Finnish sound.

But trance and dance music made in Finland is not all about Suomi sound. Vishnudata, Kiwa, Troll Scientists, Tripteaser and many others take their influences from the international currents. Psybreaks, progressive, Darkpsy, UK originated sound and many other psy related genres have their fans in Finland.

2009 saw some changes in the mostly Helsinki and Tampere based psy scene, parties being smaller and fewer but the intensity being still more higher, with lot of dedicated people doing pioneering work especially in the Helsinki club scene. First time in years a nightclub in the center of Helsinki nightlife area features regular psy evenings by organisations such as People Of The Butterflies, Synchro and Clinic and international headliners from Total Eclipse to Hallucinogen and from Filteria to Broken Toy are regular quests in town.

Konemetsä Festival having a break for the summer 2010 it´s more likely to come across with Finnish people at international festivals like Boom, Ozora and Fullmoon. A new highlight for next season in Finland is Metsäfestiwaal with international line up. And of course there wont be a weekend without a forest or a gottage party, from small gatherings to a large all night mayhems arranged by underground organizations like Unfair Funfair, Sokeaa Euforiaa and Wider Visions. Most likely place to find infos about these events is elixiria.fi, the virtual community of Finnish psy people.

Those creating the culture and being the original wizards of the dance floors - namely Kiwa, EvsY, Vishnudata, Troll Scientists, Texas Faggott, Mandalawandalz, Squarefeet, Robomate, Okta, Snyper, Puoskari and many others have been busy in the studio. All have had recent releases or next one coming up right around the corner. Freakdance Records, Antiscarp, Exogenic Records and Exogenic Breaks continues to deliver their quality releases. Finnish artists and deejays are regular guests in the lineups all over the world.

Twice a month radioshow Back To Mad spreads the message of love and unity in our small but diversive and dedicated scene. Dj Miazu and Inkeri Tähti features at Bassoradio international and domestic guests and music from all sides of psychedelic music.

[2010] A tale of well-washed Punks from GERMANY

• written by Roberdo
• read this article in French

Another year has gone and again I was asked to write an article about the status quo of the Trance scene in Germany. So well, has anything changed since my last little write-up?

Perhaps I just start with all that stuff that did not change. Germany still is a definite hot spot of the global Trance scene with countless talented and also not so much talented producers, DJs and promoters around. Actually there is really kind of creative inflation going on in this respect, I realize that every time a reasonable amount of the (particularly) male audience at a party puts on a pitying grin or makes horrified gestures when the DJ screws up a mix.

The giant adult playground along the highway A24 enables freaks and fraggles to hop from one open air festival to the other without coming down in between during the entire summer. Though actually there are some good reasons for coming down: Beside those, which have to do with physical and mental health, there are the blue-silver ones: The German cops- and their drug screenings.

But well, in the end nobody has to do with drugs anyway, so sooner or later we all land safely on one of the numerous festival acres. These events are mostly professional in an infra- structural respect. Ok, there are people complaining about crapped toilets and dirty showers (the Trancers fancy being well-washed now; here we have a thing that really changed during the past years!). But I experienced problems like that more than enough during my long-year living community experience, so it is a rather common issue.

Anyway: Germans always complain about something. It’s probably kind of their communication- culture thing… Apropos complaining: Sound at parties. No matter how long their dreadlocks are, Germans are pretty conservative concerning music. Only Psy Trance, please! Like it should be- and always used to… The technoid stuff is not very welcome at Trance events. In return, I meet more and more of my old Trance fellows in the ludicrously hyped Techno temples of the German capital.

Really interesting on the other side of musical scene development is that whole Darkpsy thing, though much to fast for my taste. But I reckon exactly this is what makes it so promising: This style has kind of radical potential again, it makes parents worrying when it booms from their children’s rooms. These tunes are even kind of brutal, though the whole surrounding is the opposite: Laid-back, pleasantly freaked out and humorous. Pretty much Punk, isn’t it?

So what changed? All together change is not too much wanted within this scene at the moment (except change of clothes, the new hygiene spirit rising). What I still love about this subculture is its easy, relaxed people who differ from the ugly- fashioned outer appearance of mainstream Techno culture and who represent a gleam of original Punk spirit with their overt affirmation of ongoing excesses.

[2010] Come and enjoy the Hellenic sanctuary land in GREECE

• written by FantaPsy
• read this article in French

Dear travelers of Psychedelic music, feel the true mystical aura of primeval secrets, only here in Hellas-Greece. From the “Great Dionysian”, celebration ceremonies for the god, Dionysus, through the ecstatic traveling among the forests, to the celebration for Zeus and Gaia, are only the beginning before thousands of years before on time, to reach today the nowadays Trance gatherings celebrations for the” peace and unity”, Love and exit, a philosophy which never ends until we touch it practically in our lives. In ancient world, “philosophos” is the sum of the two words, “philos”-friend and “sophos”-wise, everyone then were friends of wise, of life of true and essential meanings of life, of true Love. If you like also to discover the road of the enlightening wisdom and delirium, come and enjoy the Hellenic sanctuary land…

2009 left us with the best memories, great music, magnificent releases and outstanding gatherings.

Musicians from all of Hellas wrote their amazing ”brush” to the scene of electronic music. “OmegaHertz” with his “Anamorfoplasis” by the infant “Elxis DiscoGraphic” Label, jerk the waters in the middle of the really hot summer, with his bomber new wave “Electrogranic” Psychedelic Trance album and “Radical Distortion”, with their “Psychedelic Dreams” and his Old School sound knocked and kicked your door, to remind you that Goa Trance is still alive! Plus The “Pause” project, released the alternative “Doppler Effect”. If you are fan of chill tunes, 2009 “Side Liner” gave us his beautiful child “Crying Cities”, D.Batistatos wrote the sweet “Weeper On the Shore”, with the first step of 2010, digitally “Cydelix” find us with his “ The Right To Remain Silent”, and on March we will find the wonderful band “Zed Garden” with their “Simple Thought”. Everybody wait the “updates” of the well known “Wizzy Noize” group, “Ion”, “Ridden”, “Conwerter” and the “dark side” of this Land “Orestis”, “Kerberos”, “DigitalX”, “Darkshire”, “Stranger”, “Kulu” , “Dark Elf” and many more artists who are “travelling” thru psychedelic spheres above of our colorful planet, Earth.

2001 our celestial sphere, the 3rd circle among the Sun, Gaia, Earth, born the historical “Samothraki Dance Festival” with the mysterious religion that had its roots in pre-Hellenic tribes who inhabited the island of “Electris”- Samothraki, North Aegean sea. Only a few miles away from 2008 at Asprovalta North Hellas, Aurora festival until our brand new summer season 2010, will gather again as a continuer of this enormous event, thousands of crazy fans from all around the world. A lot of other events warm this imagination of music and travel inside the paths of the ancient, the roots of the living spiritual rising…

[2010] Moving towards the clubs in INDIA

• written by Braindrop
• read this article in French

The year 2009, was in a way a revival of the trance scene in India after a bleak 2008. With a variety of international artist tours coming in numbers such as the legendary Spacetribe, the latter part of 2009 really kicked off in style. Though the outdoor parties that were once famous hardly exist anymore, the scene has definitely moved towards the clubs which has given rise to new party destinations such as Kochi in Kerala and a revival of Kolkata. And for the good you could now find trance parties in all the major cities almost every month throughout the year.

This was also the year wherein newer psytrance projects such as Farebi Jalebi, Braindrop & Fuzulu made their mark on the international music circuit with their music featuring in many popular and respected labels and constant performances within and outside the country.

Also the more progressive side of psytrance and sub-genres had begun to find way to the scene across the country with great popularity through the birth of new progressive trance and techno labels and tours from heavyweights like D-NOX, GMS and Dj Slater to name a few.

Organisations such as Audio Ashram and Qilla Records in Delhi, LittleI in Kolkata, Occulta Records in Bangalore, Go Madras in Chennai have provided the nation a fresh wave of fantastic events with great innovative music,deco and interesting audio-visual concepts.

Though the late night parties of Goa are almost rare, the season this time around was very vibrant with a lot of new music enthusiasts, fun-seekers, spiritually charged people and numerous artists. One of the biggest highlights of was the NYE party at the legendary Discovalley in Goa which took place after a gap of 5 years. It was the big outdoor gathering that people craved for years and so it did, till the wee hours of the morning with close to 4000 people under one vibe!

The year 2010 has already kicked off in great fashion with great tours of Goa Gil, Emok, Jerome-Isma-Ae, Protoculture and the Go Madras Festival. One of the key events to look out for in 2010 is the 2nd edition of Mandala Project, a 3 day festival at a breathtaking location in Orissa with a promising lineup with local and international flavour.

Besides that more or less any place in India, is a great adventure for any traveller seeking that ultimate bliss and beauty. Manali, Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry and the North-East which is the untouched paradise of India are all spectacular places to visit.

By the looks of it the birth of the new decade, is the birth of the new generation of trance in Incredible India.

The future looks brighter than ever!

[2010] Famous for its art: INDONESIA

• written by Marge
• read this article in French

In Indonesia the psytrance scene has always been mainly located in Bali, a well-known tourist and surfing destination also famous for its art. Bali’s artists have been painting psychedelic backdrops and creating colourful decorations for years, this is why this island has become the destination of psychedelic fashion designers and party-decorators who, inspired by local expertise, have developed party clothes collections and use Bali-made psychedelic backdrops to decorate parties around the world.

The psychedelic art side and the development of Bali as a tourist destination led to the organisation of some trance parties in the past, but because of strict legislation, the party scene has always been very small. However, lately the scene has been growing again and some interesting and high-quality parties have been organised in amazing locations, both in Bali and in Gili Air.

Bali has recently seen a growth of psytrance events. Only in 2009, two psytrance music festivals were held: the Kintamani Aware Dance festival in May and the Vayeb'Ku Day out of Time at Mount Agung in July. Thanks to breath-taking locations, special focus on details and decorations as well as an international line-up of talented djs, both festivals were a success. Impressive 3D structures, good music, vibrant energies, mandalas with seeds and flowers, the view on the volcanic lake at the Kintamani festival and the white beach at the Agung gathering left people longing for more of such special events.

Gili Air is a small Muslim island off Lombok where in the last five years there has been a real psychedelic contamination. In fact, some foreign djs and decorators moved to the island; some local djs started playing and developed a passion for trance music. They started organising small parties and now psychedelic trance music events are held regularly on the island, in a close collaboration between local people and foreigners. Gili Air parties are held on the beach on the quietest side of the island, with a view on Gili Meno and Mount Agung in Bali. They are free, rich of decorations and of all the people’s energy, who come from all over to enjoy the spirit of free open air parties. The line-up is never closed and international artists passing by can join the consolle, mixing alongside local and resident foreign djs.

Although there IS a trance scene in Indonesia, neither the scene nor the kind of parties can be compared to other popular psytrance destinations and parties such as Brazil, [Goa] or Kopangan, not only for their size, but also for the kind of people and vibes. Most of the parties are advertised online and it is always possible to take part in the organisation by giving a help with the decorations or playing; however, always remember that these are small quality parties conceived for a peaceful diverse crowd, in a true tropical and friendly environment in the middle of the nature and in total respect with local culture. Hopefully in the future the scene will remain as it is: a psychedelic, tropical and open family organising trance gatherings on a regular basis, parties in which the only stars are the countless celestial bodies above your head when you dance...

With more than 17,000 islands and 230 million people, Indonesia is a large, incredibly diverse country with a rich and vibrant culture that has much to offer. Although our scene is very small, you will fall under the charm of Indonesia sceneries and will be hit by this tropical Asian culture and vibes. Indonesian nature as well will strike you; emerald green jungles, amazing marine life, colourful tropical flowers, unexpected fauna, lush rice paddies, turquoise sea, mouth-watering fruit and great waves in clean horizons make Indonesia an ideal place for travelling...

Selamat datang di Indonesia!

[2010] We will Trance you! ISRAEL

• written by PinkE
• read this article in French

The Israeli Trance scene has been kicking the world with the unique Israeli sound for more than 20 years now, we managed to play, dance and plant our karahana mantra everywhere, while adapting to the evolutionary phases of the psychedelic subculture.

Trance in Israel is all over, it will haunt you everywhere you go! you will hear it in cars, kiosks, stores, houses, radio, and television. In the summer (which is most of the year except 2 month), you can usually go to nature parties at the forest at the north or the desert at the south. Remember there is no public transportation during the weekend so try to use your social skills and hook up with some groovy people to give you a ride and some info about parties. During the winter most of the parties are in Tel Aviv, at the Comfort club or at the Block club with changing organizations and at the north at Hafia you can find Bottom Line crew.

The parties are so varied that you have a big choice between genres (Fullon, Goa, Suomi, Dark, Progressive, Electro-Techno), sizes (from 150-6000) and spirit (underground to mainstream) of parties. The prices have rose throughout the years and you will probably spend around 50-120 shekels for an entrance and high bar prices, so better bring your own drinks (in a plastic bottle) unless it’s a "Hat party" which means its for free and you donate as much as you can. Music wise we have multiple options for everyone: Echoes, Dance N' Dust, Mikella Bella for the Progressive-Electro-Techno groovers, Hommega, Phonokol, Noga, Com.pact, Trancelucent for the Fulloners, Doof, Avatar & Zaikadelic for the dark souls, and Aleph Zero for total relaxation. The police in Israel is not that pleasant when caught in the wrong mood (which can be at any time) so do yourself a favor and avoid any rubber gloves encounter by taking only legal stuff or at least put it on your female friend.

This year highlights are Moksha's magnificent festival Indigo from 20-22nd of May with headliners such as Simon Posford, Union Jack, Haltya and many more. The Doof records crew has also its annual festival for the 7th time on the 2-5th of April with all Doof artists and treats such as Tristan, Cosmosis, Squaremeat and loads more! After 13 years isratrance.com is still the best platform for you to get in the Israeli psychedelic realm and check out the updates, who, what and how! If you need to relax your crave for some home listening experience you can always tune in to 106fm in Tel Aviv for Hafirot the trance magazine on Wednesday's @ 13:00, Hypnoza the underground sounds of trance madness on Sundays @ 20:00. Also listen to 106fm Ariel which have their Transformers show every Wednesday @ 22:00 with everything you need to know about Trance. Israel is an all you can eat Trance buffet, what ever you desire, we have it!

[2010] Back to the underground in JAPAN

• written by Spliffnik
• read this article in French

Japan for all its electric energy and dynamism has certainly not had a good year psychedelically speaking.

High-profile celebrities and sumo wrestlers (yes, no joke!) getting arrested for illicit substances, right at the same time as an unfortunate accident at an outdoor party, gave the trance scene the worst image in the media. In the past year, major organizers such as Solstice and Vision Quest left the big party market, while others which still thrive producing indoor parties like Mother Productions, have canceled their outdoor festivals. The Goa Gil party in Kyoto 2009 was even stopped by police at 10PM, just as the dancefloor was warming up. The police have been routinely setting up checkpoints leading to major outdoor parties, and while this may be common in other countries, the assault on the peaceful and free outdoor party culture has left Japanese freaks either paranoid or just not motivated to go through all the trouble to party.

The numbers are down, venues are becoming limited, prices top-shelf artists used to command are plummeting - combine that with dwindling CD sales that forced almost all CD shops to close down, and you have in Japan an official Psychedelic Recession.

But the party people don't just give up their ideals and love for the music so easily - after all, the public has a very short-term memory with sensationalized news and our party cravings never stop!! This year in Japan can be summed up as the return of the nightclub - in terms of both increasing amounts of indoor parties, and more people turning to mainstream dance music. Perhaps this is best crystallized at Ageha, the top nightclub in Asia, which after adopting a no-trance-on-the-main-stage policy, has seen a number of ex-trance producers making techno/electro sets on a constant basis. Every weekend 2000 plus people pack its 4 stages, definitely worth the stop if in Tokyo. The clubs are actually safer as owners have arrangements with authorities, and are much closer and easier to get to - so while it may not be the same, people are turning more to indoor events and this has kept the scene alive. More people are also going to house, techno, and electro-style parties as they either get older or just seek something new. Check www.clubberia.com if this is your style.

Of course the full power psychedelic parties are still happening, but if you come to Japan expecting a megamassive trance festival, you will be disappointed. Major festivals in 2009 and 2010 feature live bands and mainstream DJs, keeping a clean image that will hopefully help the public forget about the dark days of 2008-2009.

Flowing with the times is Mother which has been making parties at Ageha, catering to the trance crowd with progressive acts like Son Kite and D-Nox on the main stage and the more full-power Brainbusters producing the outdoor tent stage. The bright side of parties that fuse different spectrums of sound is that it has brought back a lot of nice party people that were turned off by the commercial and cheesy mainstream parties of the early 2000's - so, as with any hard times, many opportunities await around the corner. Here's to hoping for a Psychedelic Recovery.

[2010] Indoor Evolution in KOREA

• written by Dalai Trauma
• read this article in French

The Korean psychedelic trance community is an interesting creature. Dominated by the club culture, it’s clear that psy trance in Korea is still experiencing growing pangs. Trance parties are nothing new to the country, but the presence of strict drug laws threatens to bring a crippled scene. That being said, there is still a healthy and devoted following of the psychedelic trance spirit to be found amongst a handful of promoters, party-goers, DJs and producers.

Seoul is cultural hub of Korea and, and so this is where one will find the majority of the parties in the country. There are usually larger commercial and international acts flown in at least once each month to perform clubs such as Heaven and Volume. Artists such as Skazi, Eskimo, Yahel, Talamasca, CPU, Atomic Pulse, and Fatali have come through the Korean club circuit and have proven that the demand for Fullon sounds is strong. The underground scene is also in good health with promoters such as Psy Travellers putting on parties at least once a month. Another group by the name of Shevaka also occasionally throw parties throughout the year.

When there aren’t any parties happening, one can find a psychedelic safe haven in clubs such as Miroir, which is a bit small, but manages to play psy trance every weekend. Obeg (the Korean word for the number 500) is also a very chill place with decorations that look like they were taken straight from the fictional planet Tatoonie – the entire interior is decorated as a cave and is truly a must-see. Also, Club Miro will usually have psy trance playing in their backroom.

The indoor scene has definitely evolved over the years and it’s nice to find that Korea actually has a selection of events to choose from throughout each month. Whether the club scene is your vibe or whether you want to get down with the neo-hippies in a faux cave, Korea has it. The crowds just tend to be in rather small numbers.

The outdoor scene is a little less evolved in Korea. The summer of 2009 had only one outdoor party to this writer’s knowledge. Morave, which is now a yearly festival, took place on a private Tae-an beach. More of a festival of expression, one will find a multitude of sounds and events, including psychedelic trance in the evening hours for the trancers in the crowd. Other than that, Korea has massive outdoor gatherings that are fueled by nothing but commercialism. Pentaport and Global Gathering all take place in or around Seoul in the summer months, and even though these events are marketed as electronic music festivals, they are pretty much devoid of any psy trance. There are whispers of future outdoor psy gatherings, but as of now there isn’t much on the horizon.

The music scene in Korea is growing and evolving, and for that the psy trance scene still maintains a very intimate vibe. But this intimate feeling doesn’t detract from the fact that once you are on the dancefloor, you’ll see that there’s something very special here.

[2010] Gathering the psyheads of the region in LEBANON

• written by Anthony Psycho-Drone (Psyleb Crew)
• read this article in French

Well here we are now Lebanon is entering the very exclusive club of psychedelic scene. After long years of war the future generation is seeking for peace, love, unity, and respect. Lebanon has so many beautiful locations that the parties are always a blast in psychedelic experience.

After the wild Spread of electronic music in the world, finally psychedelic music reached Lebanon in 1995-1996. A couple DJs from Finland brought with them the spirit of raves by raising underground events in crazy locations, such as parking lots, destroyed buildings cause of war and beaches. The Atmosphere was very exiting and the scene was still small. In the year 2000 a Lebanese organization was born under the name of The Bug System formed by Stamina, Kaa, Nandi and Nami as DJs and VJs. Another organization was formed under the name of Psycult. Psycult started gathering psychedelic artist and organizing events with collaboration of Bug System. Recently in 2006, DJ Rabih Baaklini aka Psychogenesis formed Psyleb community. Psyleb is the only community organizing psy events in Lebanon NOW. Events known as Psy sessions were lunched, and the first middle east psy festival known as Forestronica was launched in 2008. Not to forget the Chillout nights held in pubs giving the Lebanese psy heads the chance to just chill and enjoy some nice music.

Enough about the past, lets get to the upcoming plans for psyleb. Like Every year in August Forestronica festival will be held in the deep forest of Lebanon. Psy sessions will be organized and for the first time, world wide respected producers such as C.P.U, will be spinning and twisting the postive vibed dancefloor that the Lebanese psy heads holds. Along side with DJ Psychogensis , DJ Cyber Dragon and DJ Krax. Decoration is done by Psyleb crew and Explosion. Explosion is a first Psychedelic art decorations established in Amman (Jordan) in 2008 by artist Haig Tchorbadjian. The average price of a party is about 20 US dollars along side with 1 drink. Drinks at the party are not expensive too. Every month or 2 there is a psy session organized. Along side with many private parties. Most of the parties are last man standing parties with no closing time until everyone on the dancefloor is completely satisfied. The parties are not that big compared to other countries but big enough for Lebanon and for u to meet up with people every party is visited by about 200 to 500 persons. The best time to come by is in August since the festival is held at this time. As for drugs psyleb doesn't hold any responsibility for the drugs being used at their parties. Unfortunately since the psy music in considered to be new in Lebanon no producers are present at this time and of course there are no record labels.

For the supporters of the Lebanese psychedelic forum, and the Psychedelic Trance scene and culture in the middle east and all around the world: Be enchanted, put your guards down, surrender to your temptations, answer your deepest desires, venture within yourself. Look into your soul, buckle your seat belt, and join us in this magical, beautiful Psychedelic ride, in search of a hidden portal to a surreal world, and taste the forbidden fruit. Lose yourself in the Psychedelic Trance tunes, and swirl around with the energy and positive vibes.

[2010] Rapidly growing and evolving in MACEDONIA

• written by Slavko
• read this article in French

Psychedelic music in Macedonia was born in the mid-1990s. Till now from then the scene is rapidly growing and evolving. In the beginning it was based on small underground parties in the capital city Skopje. The firsts organizers then where DJ Bushava Azbuka and Trance Experience. The magic started in a small club Metropol where all the big names at that time have played.

Besides the variety of DJs and party promoters today in Macedonia there are also many artists focused on music production. From the Ambient drives of Chillout, to the groove progressive, and the wild Goa, to the dept of the night psychedelic music, Macedonian artists today know no boundaries and are well known globally in the scene. Some of the most active and experienced artists from Macedonia are : Atriohm, Encephalopaticys, Blisargon Demogorgon, Imaginary Sight, Yudhistira, Egorythmia, Uminum, Dosage, Phobos Azazel, BioSynthesis, Paramatma and many others.

From our labels most active two ones are Glowing Flame Records which is releasing morning psychedelic music and Bhooteshwara Records who is concentrated more on releasing psychedelic night music.

Today in Macedonia party organizer numbers are on the increase and there are parties almost every weekend. The beautiful Macedonian nature filled with magical forests gives a blasting psychedelic touch to all outdoor parties. The biggest event that is happening in Macedonia every year on 1-3 May is the traditional Gathering of the Tribes Festival which is organized by Lunatica Tribe.

For all the information regarding parties and our psychedelic scene be sure to visit the first and only trance café at the moment café Pablo which is located in the capital city Skopje and has been present in our scene from its beginnings.

[2010] Enjoy the warm colors of MEXICO

• written by Victor Ezcurdia (Vazik)
• read this article in French

For many international DJ’s seems like Mexico is a spot that cant be missed in their calendar. Many of them even play more in Mexico than in their own country. I think they find not only a warm and cozy weather, but also a hot and loving crowd. After many years in the scene I can definitely tell you that Mexico accepted trance in a very particular way. Somehow we really got into it and it has been hard to us to let it go.

For some of us it all started around 1995, but for most of the people it just all exploded a few years after. The boom of the scene was around 1998 – 2003; many of us have incredible memories of events around those years. The scene changed a lot afterwards; many new promoters who weren’t compromised with the scene appeared and started to organize huge events with no message in between. Cheap productions, younger crowds, fake line-ups and many other factors deeply affected the panorama.

I would say that after 2003 we had more than 3 hard years, in those years the open air events came down (even when sometimes they gathered more than 8,000 people), the vibe was very different. But since 2006, with the hard work, faith and energy of many people (Deliria, Sounds of Earth, Trance – It, etc.) who didn’t give up, the things started to get better.

I can clearly say that there are two different scenes, with different crowds, promoters and artists. There are huge events for more than 5000 people with commercial psy trance and popular names, in those events the crowd is really young, the production is quite cheap and the vibe on the dancefloor is very different.

In the other hand, there are really good events with less than 3000 people where the crowd is not as young, the music is way much better and the vibe is so much better. In these events techno, progressive and minimal are bigger than trance. Seems like the crowd who used to be on psy completely developed into this genres. Don’t miss this years Radiance Festival edition if you are around.

Outside of Mexico City the things are a little bit different, seems like many people and promoters are still into psychedelic trance. Unfortunately most of this trance is quite commercial and keep the same Israeli leads that we used to listen many years ago. Just a few promoters are into a more intelligent psy trance that usually comes from UK, Brazil, etc. In the North of Mexico some people are into faster genres like dark psy, etc.

Talking about music, it is clear that Mexico has a lot to offer since some time. Excellent DJ’s and musicians come from Tacoland and are continuously delivering dancefloor bombs. Odiseo, Ecliptic, Tron, Signal Deluxe, Hamelin, Trancemission, Shove, Forza, Lamat, Visua, Sankha, Jabba, Fashion Viktims, Audio Hijack and many others are doing a great job. While Sounds of Earth, Undergroove Records and Iboga Mexico might be the top labels in our country.

Trance – It Magazine is now distributed all around the country and their content and fans are growing day by day.

Mexico seems to be on the map of the electronic music scene since some time now. For many reasons it is a must for Top DJ’s and musicians around the world, if you have a chance come and experience why and enjoy the warm colors that only Mexico can offer.

[2010] Picking up again in the NETHERLANDS

• written by Back to Mars
• read this article in French

Psytrance in The Netherlands touched ground in the early 90's at Ruigoord, a squatted village with an alternative way of life. But it was the regular parties organized by DJs Zen, Danyel, Mitch & Lucas at clubs like The Mazzo, Trance Buddha and Club 114, that got the scene going and consolidated it into a style with its own following. During the 90's there were many parties made by legendary crews like Acidophilus, Circus Hoffmann, Namasté, Empathy and 9Lifes of Hoffman. The squat scene pushed psytrance forward and places as The Silo and The Elf had excellent parties and attracted travelers to Holland.

With the political resistance against the underground life style and the closing of squats, psytrance had to go back to clubs in order to survive. Yet, competing with commercial organizations for a spot in a club meant that parties became less frequent.

Luckily, in 2010 we see the scene picking up again and new organizations coming up as well as traditional ones that keep the flame alive. Most events get posted on www.goatrance.net, so it's a good idea to check this site to see what's going on.

The best time to be in Holland is during the spring, especially on 30 April for Queensday, a day with open air and indoor parties all over the country. In Amsterdam, Bom Voyage has its annual party in the center of the city, always including international artists in the line up.

Around the summer solstice, Ruigoord gives the Solstice Festival and monthly they have a psychedelic party in their church. More organizations in and around Amsterdam are Namasté, Prog as Frog, Bleep Bizarre, Pig Org, High Tech Pleasures, Trip to Goa, Inner Visions and Trancending on Thursdays at the Korsakoff.

Around the country there are many active organizations. In Rotterdam: Twisted Trance Society and Alkaloid-Extractions. In Leiden: Cosmic Combination. In Eindhoven: Global Aura and Metatron. In Leeuwarden: 3rd BIT events. In The Hague: Project Twilight, Psytech and Shut up and Dance. In Groningen: Boom Records and Uzumaki, organizer of the Treats Open Air Festival.

Creatively, Holland has a lot of talent. Good producers releasing tracks are Aerophobia, Bassid, Boobytrip, Citizen, Jocid, Kurofusion, Liftshift, Mad Contrabender, Nuver, Pradox, Rev, SQL, Supergroover, The Wizard, Zen Mechanics and the new comers Bionic, Multiband Conspiracy and Woodwise. And some of our DJs: Akbal, Anand, Annakonda, Annunaki, Back To Mars, Bart, Crystal DNA, Dogo, Dr. Vinni, Fluffy, Fluofreax, Hikuri, Jiggi, Kriya, ManDraQ, Mart Fader, Martinèz, Nilezz, Oczean, Paul B, Pim, PolyEsta, Rafadelic, Riches, Rik, Rob, Saaf, Satyr, Shaggedelic, Shawnodese, Supergroover, Tila, Tintal, Wichuri, Yucka, Zen. And a good label to look out for is Mind Funk Records.

When in Amsterdam, make sure to visit the Moondrop for psychedelic fashion and the Kokopelli for alternative uppers and psychedelic truffles. And yes, THC is tolerated and may be bought and smoked in coffeeshops.

[2010] G'day, from Aotearoa (NEW ZEALAND)

• written by Pied Piper Paul

Good news, good news, New Zealand still has beautiful places and sites to see, rolling green hills, deserted beaches close to any mayor city. Majestic mountains in the south isle, smoking volcanoes in the north, raging roaring rivers everywhere, lush green rainforest, plus fresh, fresh air all over the country and all this for just the price of the ticket here!!! Summer is a great time to be here, but winter is quieter on the roads plus, our hot mineral pools will be so much warmer!!

Unfortunately the cold chilled winds of the world wide economic winter didn’t spare even sunny old N.Z. though. They blew hard enough to reach our Kiwi shores the effect was we had a scaled back summer party season – boo-hoo!! It is lingering so it seems for the months ahead, though more so in the North island boo-hoo again. We did have a good turn out for New Years, The Unusual Suspects again coming through with a 3 day bash, at the great location of South Head, Kaipara Harbour 45mins North of Auckland. They had all the Auckland/Hamilton (1st big city 1hour Sth of Ak) D.j’s out, with locals Goldtutch, miss Molly, Lance, D-rocket and a list of others leading the charge and a guest appearance on the decks by ex-pat Kiwi, now Melbourne based Dj C-matic (Caroline.W) along side a surprise 7hour set by me (Pied Piper Paul a.k.a The Shepherd N.Z/U.K). The crowd were also treated with the first ever showcase by Hamilton/Auckland live-act Order3. Who by all reports had the crowd rocking, yes sadly I missed them - doh!! Be on the look out for Nuvolution 2010/2011 New Years eve. Yes it’ll be at the same special South Head location, in a Manuka/Tea-tree forest water slide, lakes, deer, fresh water swimming holes, and the beach close by!!

Big Dave and Phatproductions crew left the ‘The Space’ bar in 2009, I know that they are coming back to Space, with a monthly night (29th May 2010 1st month), with 2 rooms of Trance. The main room Psy and the 2nd room a prog plus minimal grooves affair, if on the look out, the night is called Psy Sessionz. So happily Auckland will still have a dose of Trance (club form), to get a hit off once a month. Easter is Madagascar time a 3-day festival that Phatproductions puts on. This is a Psy/Hardhouse/Prog gig, outdoors over Easter. You can catch Skylab, Pie, Big Dave, and a host of Kiwi locals. You’ll be camping up north of Auckland on a working farm (normally), with psy décor, V.j’s and light flickers to help to entertain, for a fun and friendly long weekend.

Musician/Dj news‚ Kiwi Ray Castle (N.Z’s Goa Pioneer), Ray is putting together a film/doco on the Japan solar eclipse. I Pied Piper Paul a.k.a ‘The Shepherd’ are compiling a N.Z/Oz music compilation for release on Planet Ben Rec’s‚ in 2010, it will hold some well-known names plus showcase some fresh talent!! Trance Kiwi act‚ Antix/Fiord will have their 4th L.P‚ Cavalier out by May/June 2010 on Iboga, also check their web site if you’d like to catch them around town/N.Z. I know May 22 -2010@ Ink bar on the K‚rd you'll find them in Auckland.

Wellington has had Couch and friends lucky enough to get a look in at Sandwiches Bar/Club, so he has had the opportunity to take Prog/Minimal and open it up to a wider audience in Wellywood. Wellington is home to Miramar,

Peter Jackson & James Cameron’s studio where Avatar was and Tin Tin, will be made, hence Wellington =’s Wellywood!! Sorry a bit of general info there, if visiting Welly, you can go for a guided tour. I’m sidetracking sorry, back to Sandwiches bar/club, Couch has had Barton of Antix Dj there and Dj Schwa of Shades of Grey come over form Sydney to Dj, along side Couch himself, Marcus and locals also gracing the decks for a kicking good time! Sad news to date is that the Sandwiches bar has not given any future dates over for more of the same Wellington may well be looking at a quite winter! Come summer I hope, Grouch, Dj Jandals, RePete, Marcus/Dj Shahara and Couch can pull it in and together to put on a few bashes! Good luck! For the South isle I’ve enlisted help from a psy-southern pirate to beam the South Island news, thanks Captain Morgan

South Island Outdoor and Psytrance Dance Party Guide

• written by Captain Morgan

New Zealand’s‚ South Island is a traveller paradise when it comes to nature, freedom and outdoor psy parties. There is a yearlong circle of events that will give you an experience of a lifetime. January brings Luminate to Takaka Hill, a festival of spreading light, elevating spiritual consciousness, music, art, dance, creativity and sustainability. The perfect place to ground yourself and meet the South Island locals. This is a multi genre festival with bands and workshops during the daytime. In late January, the Nelson region holds Alien Nation which showcases the essence of the doof scene, the trance journey amongst the living forest, a completely out of body soulful expansion of the mind, spirit and soul. With huge lineups consisting of psychedelic producers and DJ’s.

From the Motueka region comes the Scallywag Productions crew; they plunder the Riwaka River and blast the forest with psytrance. Very unique set up and psy-core style, their party’s are not to be missed.

Christchurch brings steady all year round outdoor parties. The M.A.S.S.I.V.E crew indulges the scene with summer and winter solstice’s, autumn and spring Equinoxes. With over ten years experience they are consistent to the local needs of partygoers. Christchurch caters for a wide range of styles, the Psy Posse/ Pskward Emergency crews consistently grow darker and harder. Keep an ear out for Forest Creatures or Twizted Freaks to get your dark psy fix.

The Psy Pirates often have parties on the go; the dark multi genre winter party

Shroom Doom celebrates the evil side of electronic music.

Late November brings Voyage to life, a 3-day festival of psychedelic music people and arts, always a special party with a great line up, many surprises and visual delights. So bring ye eye patch and parrot to Christchurch for this one and enjoy the voyage through psychedelic Kiwi music. The Delicious music crew, (whose music is free to download), showcase their talent during Mystic Forest, a Psy party deep in the woods is not to be missed and a visual stunner.

Dunedin is home to Real Mature Productions who are known for parties such as

Monster mash a new years stomp fest. Summer and Winter solstices also occur in the trees of Dunedin so if in the area keep your eyes and ears open.

[2010] Because the people care in POLAND

• written by Vataa
• read this article in French

Polish psytrance scene has been mesmerizing the country (as well as its neighbors) for about 15 years. Artistic indoor and outdoor events have numerously gathered thousands of people from around the world. The demands which psychedelic trance might elicit are not left behind the passionate people who actually make this all possible. The Polish creative psy-team consists of passionate DJs, VJs, artists, fashion and jewelry designers, trance lovers and electronic music supporters.

The main gig destinations are: Warsaw in the center of Poland, Pomerania (the north) and Silesia (the south). Successful event organizers do their best when it comes to inviting stars from all over the world.

Pulsar Transformation, Hallabanaha which transformed (and gathered new members) into Mystic Arts Event, Psylesia, Jagodziani, Toga Dansverg and Magowie Psychodelicznej Nuty – they all organize psy-parties and are genuine professionals at it. Younger teams that make parties worth attending are: Stay Psychedelic and Fantazja. There is a team which organizes chillout scenes along with their chai shop and deco and they’re called Ashoka.

If you ever find yourself on one of the series of parties called Mystic Arts Event, Psylesia Tales or Monkey Forest be sure you will be bedazzled by what you might already have seen on the famous, but nowadays non existent Moondalla open air festivals: hypnotic beats and surreal decorations. Polish outdoor festivals often take place over a few days with music being played 24 hours a day. Summer gives you about 3 outdoor events a month. Flexible organizers manage to arrange a club to meet spontaneously during the week, so there’s no time to be bored. Winter might be rather peaceful, with about 10 indoor events a month.

There are Polish producers which we are very proud of: Stellar Magnitude, Kino Oko, Big Wigs, Aural Planet, Komendarek, Tromesa, Lightsphere, Multi Evil, Artha and Tomasz Balicki - a Pole living in Sweden known as Atmos.

Polish DJs who make the parties special are mainly Atan, Bongo, Epix, Mabeat, Nois, Styropian and a lot of gifted young adepts. Along them there are remarkably talented VJs: Spiral Boy, Ar2, Cube, Insidelamp.

From 3D constructions to UV-active backdrops – the decorators help put the parties together. Those who make the psychedelic theme vibrant are: MAE Deco Team, Vataa, Neila, Syndromm, UV Art Deco Team and Collorobia.

[2010] A very promising year in PORTUGAL

• written by Ganeisha
• read this article in French

2010 the beggining of a New Era, the space continuum trajectory push us to new levels of conscience and we become aware of what Earth is saying. Portugal is a small space of that little piece of land in our world, and is one if the biggest countrys where the gathering of people is the main goal in every event that is done. Over the years the psychedelic movement as been growing in all sort of levels in this country, and 2010 is no exception. The underground movement has become a grown up experience in every way, and so the public became more demanding.

And what a better way to start this journey than with the Boom Festival, taking is 8th edition this year, from the 18th of August until the 26th, with amazing news for the lovers of this event, starting with a new location, still held in the lake of Idanha-a-Nova but in a new venue full of shade, which is flatter, greener, and has better access routes. This change, acordding to the Boom team, "was motivated by the need of offering our public better conditions to party."

With amazing views, beautiful, astonishing, these have been some of the words used to describe Boom’s venue. Since 2002 Boom Festival occurred 4 times at the same venue on the shores of the lake of Idanha-a-Nova, however in 2010 Boom Team is changing location and their main goal is to provide people with a better and more comfortable place to party! For shure it will be once more a great and amazing experience to be part of this festival. Also in the music areas, this year the festival will have three main themes in the Dance Floor- PsyTrance and Beyhond, Goa Trance, and Live Soundtracks; and of course the Ambient Area, Groovy Beach and Sacred Fire, to enjoy 8 days of all type of sounds. This year the tickets for this festival are LIMITED! So make shure to get yours in time to be part of this great experience! For more information about the festival, and tickets, go to http://www.boomfestival.org.

Also, after the Boom festival, the After Boom party, Utopia, will take place this year, from 26th August until the 29th, in the well-knowed and wonderful place of S.Gião. It is for shure the best option the relax and have fun at the same time, after the big festival.

Along the year in Portugal you can check good parties from three of the best organizations, at the moment, in this country, starting with Quest4Goa. They are promoting several indoor events in cities, such as Porto and Covilhã, and also its 11th anniversary which is already a mark in national, outdoor parties! Always with amazing professionalism, amazing decos, artists and environment, Quest4Goa is, for certain, one of the best promoters for trance parties in Portugal. For more infos about Quest4Goa events and artists go to http://www.quest4goa.com.

The other two main organizers in this country, that are building their way by building excellent events, are Moonblast and Samaveda. The first one putting on big outdoor partys in the months of April, June and October, always counting with big names from the PsyTrance and Ambient Scene, and with amazing structures, environment, and vibes; and the second directing on monthly basis, great indoor parties, specially in the city of Oporto, in the Porto Rio Club, but also two amazing outdoor parties, already knowed by the Portuguese Public, taking place in April and October, this one celebrating their 3rd anniversary.

For more informations about Moonblast and Samaveda parties you can go to http://www.myspace.com/samavedarec and http://www.myspace.com/moonblastproductions.

Talking about Portuguese artists and labels, we´re going to have some good releases this year from great Portuguese artists, beggining with D-Maniac, the well-knowed artist that blasts floors everytime he plays, released his first solo album "Obsessions" in January, after releasing in 2009 the album "Demented Diary", with his side project along with Tryambaka, called Sick Addiction. Make shure to have a listen to this one!

Also to be heared, new releases from Menog, Tryon, Khopat, Alienn (who released last year his first album "Cosmic Matter"), Sinful Reactions (who became part of 3d Vision) and Photonik (released already a music on Transient Rec, and are going to release also in the new upcoming Portuguese label Ajnagroove Rec). In the Ambient / Downtempo area please make shure to check Uasca, the new project formed by Tajmahal(FR) and Fluxo(PT), from Elektric Dream rec. They are preparing already their debut album, to be released along this year. Uasca is a tribute to the ancient, tribal knowledge of the Amazon. The goal of their music is to use our collective voice to raise awareness for the great need to respect the Amazon and all nature. Sergio Walgood, Zen Baboon & Zen Racoon, Smilie Pixie are also national names to consider and listen in this more relaxed area.

Portuguese artist agencies and Labels are also continuing their excellent work, starting with Magnetika Female Artist Agency, that focus more on the work of female dj´s, vj´s, designers and decor artists, all over the world, you can check them out on http://www.magnetikagency.com.

Also labels like Ajnagroove (this one releasing this year their first compilation), Flow Rec, Quest4Goa, Spectral Rec, Hypergate Rec, are keeping their work done, always with excellent artists and dj´s to count on.

Other areas with good Portuguese artists are Vj and Deco, and this country can be proud to have some amazing projects, such as Visual Lab decor (http://visualab.carbonmade.com), Celsius Decor, Fantasy Keeper, Cosmic Lotus, among others; and Vj´s such as Meskal (Quest4Goa) (http://www.myspace.com/meskalart), F_usion (Magnetika Agency) & Datagrama.

It´s always a good time to visit Portugal and our great party energy, but the summer for shure is the highlight of great outdoor parties. The average entrance price depends if it is an outdoor or club party, but they go from 3€ to 30€, in wich the average prices for water/beer is between 1€ and 3€. Almost every weekend there´s a good party to attend to, in a club, or outdoor, that can last from 00ha.m until 8h a.m (for club parties), or from 00h a.m to 20h p.m (for outdoor events).

Portugal continues to be the center of energic psy movement, and always a good place to visit and party!

[2010] People are open to experience in RUSSIA

• written by Misha Sunsay

The main tendency in Russia this year is the rapid growth of festivals and the culture around them in quantity and quality. After some organizers split up, this summer season will see more festivals than ever in the russian trance history. The biggest ones this year are Systo, Trimutri, Insomnia, Trishula, Cosmos Dance and Space of Joy. They gather several thousand trancers for only one weekend and take place in the beautiful nature of the northern and central parts of eastern Russia.

The key difference from big clubbing-style raves is the careful selection of artists from around the world, based on the taste of the organizers (and not on the fact how famous or popular the artist is), as well as great local acts and DJs, all together driving the dancefloor with the proper vibe. Because of Language and Visa barriers the region tends to have a unique scene, so most foreign "stars" are unknown to the new generation of russian freaks and the people are open to experience any new kinds of psychedelic music.

Minimum requirements for a party have been reached and the dancefloor isn´t the only focus on the festival sites. Healing areas, 13 moon calendar lectures, tea-points, teepee towns and traditional russian saunas add a new blend to the time people spend at events.

Awesome decorations by 3Delica, paitings and spirals from Trootootoo, stunning art objects by Rainbow Family, strings by Magic Group and colourfull artworks from other good teams are an important part of the unique visual experience, that psyheads can expect at the local gatherings.

Graphic artists Luminokaya, Psypepper, Adha, Ra, Run32 and Re:aliens create meaningful illustrations for flyers, covers and websites.

Exibitions, seminars, workshops and art events with artists like Stanislav Grof, Alex Grey, Luke Brown, Andrew Jones, Luminokaya, Trootootoo occur in Moscow several times a year. Microcosmos in Saint-Petersburg with famous chillout artists host a new type of social events for those who are tired of fast beats. Zaikadelic Records moved from Israel to Russia and now are responsible for some of the finest underground psychedelic parties in Moscow.

While Russia was always strong in the party movement, a base for psychedelic labels just formed in the last years.

Insomnia, Vertigo, Sun Station, Osom Music, Blitz Studios and Hippie Killer continue to release tunes from russian and international artists. Freshly formed Moon Station, GS Concept, Microcosmos, Sonic Chakras and party promo with history Feeless just making their first steps in delivering music to the people.

The huge amount of parties is a great oppotunity for the artists to test new tunes, so many newcomers made their debut releases in the recent time: Artsense, Animalis, Flucturion, Tribal Walkers, Mindex, Sulima and Kraft. Fungus Funk, Dissociactive, Kindzadza, Furious/Crazy Astronaut and CPC are the established acts who represent Russia at international gatherings.

Sonic Elysium, Anix Gleo, Sorrowmurk, Pantomiman, Magic Forest, Ninjas - just few names worth listen to know what to expect from our country in the future.

But not only the russian dancefloor music is worth the attention: with artists like Alexander Daf, Astropilot, Chronos, CJ Catalizer, Koan, Psyfactor, Maiia and Aedem the chillout scene sometimes gains even more attention from listeners than any other psychedelic subgenre.

[2010] The Psytrance revolution has begun in SOUTH AFRICA

• written by Mad Hatter
• read this article in French

Welcome to a truly diverse, unique, thriving and constantly-evolving psychedelic culture. If you enjoy all types of psy, then South Africa is the perfect country for you to visit, even if you're not coming for the FIFA soccer world cup here in June/July this year.

We enjoy 8 months of summer (Sept – April) and have a very favourable exchange rate for visitors. Johannesburg, Durban and the Garden Route hold psy events, but Cape Town (“Africa's psytrance capital”) remains the true home of psytrance music, holding over 700 psy parties and hosting over 20 international artists annually. We also boast hundreds of local psytrance artists, many of whom travel overseas to show off their talents, as well as more than 20 psy party organisers and a dozen record labels releasing psy albums regularly.

There is an outdoor psytrance party to enjoy every Saturday night in summer, and even some in winter, with the larger, well-organised events of up to 6000 people having a second alternate dance floor - some organisers have been making parties for over 15 years. There are many clubs playing psy including Toxic Tuesdays @ Blooze Bar, Psynopticz Thursdays @ Bang Bang and the psy club Rhino Room (open Weds to Sat), all located in the city centre for easy access, also Wednesdays @ ROAR and Fridays @ Brass Bell.

We have a fast-growing underground scene holding squat parties for up to 200 people – they are more cosy but intense, playing harder, darker, faster psytrance than the bigger events, with fresh, young local talent producing high-energy multi-layered tracks. Underground organisers include MINDMELT, Mindcultivation, ETM, Tea in the Tree, Illegal Gatherings and Psybliminal Records.

Car hire is available from just 150 Euros per month and backpacker accommodation starts at 55 Euros a week. Entrance fees range from just 3 Euros for one-nighters up to 35 Euros for the weekenders. There is usually a bar, but you can always take your own drinks, not in bottles. As a precaution, valuables should be locked up in your car at parties, and don't forget sunblock under the African sky.

Call-A-Pizza in Sea Point (daily from 5pm) sells tickets for psytrance parties and keeps all psy party info & fliers. We are also the largest sellers of the world's biggest selection of South Africa n psytrance CDs & DVDs, all at cost price. You can also eat awesome pizzas named after psytrance organisers and artists.

[2010] Psychedelic Formosa in TAIWAN

• written by Stuart Wilson
• read this article in French

Psy Trance has been kicking up dust in Taiwan for almost 13 years now – although the scene has had its ups and downs. At the moment there is a thriving Psy Trance culture alive in Taiwan. It's a vibe that is distinctly Asian and in my experience, completely unique. Taiwan is an ancient culture that has modernized extremely rapidly. Taiwanese society went from a nation of rice farmers and field workers to a major first world economy and high-tech industrialized society in approximately 50 years. At present, the feeling in Taiwan, especially among the youth, is akin to what happened in the USA in the 60s. People are waking up to a new realization: a life of maximized enjoyment and fulfillment. Compared to China, Taiwan enjoys remarkable freedom, which is a new experience for those born into traditional Chinese culture. This new found sense of freedom is mirrored in the emerging Psy Trance scene.

Due to the prevalence of drugs at early parties, the scene was shut down by the police for about three years and has only recently started to re-emerge. The police have began to co-operate more with party organizers. A middle ground has been reached whereby the police allow these parties as long as they supplied with information regarding number of people attending, venue location, start and end time and an agreement that drug use will not be tolerated. That said, parties are not over promoted as there is a trend among the organizers themselves to keep things small and to keep the feeling of a psychedelic family alive, rather than trying to maximize profit by packing people in.

There hasn't been a full police raid for at least two years, although the police do come by from time to time and drop off pamphlets urging patrons to respect the laws of Taiwan. There are still undercover agents observing at most parties and some have even tried to entrap people into selling them drugs. Drugs are not freely available at parties and it is not easy to buy drugs in Taiwan. The penalties for drug trafficking are sever and party goers are urged to take caution when traveling in Taiwan in this regard.

There are a couple of independent groups throwing parties in Taiwan at present. 26D, Acousoma Productions, Cosmic Worm and the Revolutions Team are among the most well known, although there are other groups too. Most DJ's playing in Taiwan are local Taiwanese or the odd foreign DJ, mostly those traveling or working here. Most guest DJ's come from Japan and South Africa. Among the most well known DJ's in Taiwan are Kerlivin, Koala, Mezak, Morpheus, Spike, Jocy, Emerson and Psyan. Foreign DJ's include Theendtone, Urban Myth, Xemitone, Lazydaze and Malfunktioning.

The Psy Trance scene in Taiwan is predominantly located in the north where there are much colder winters, so there are very few parties between December and July. The first parties of the season usually kick off around the end of May as summer sets in and the season lasts until early November. There is usually one new years eve party. Weather is a big factor when planning a party in Taiwan and in summer typhoons are a constant threat. If follows that organizers seldom plan parties too far in advance so the line up for the year is hard to predict. There are usually 5 -8 parties a year in Taiwan and the venues are usually located in the beautiful green mountains and occasionally by the ocean. At present, numbers are around 100 to 200 people at a party although sometimes there may be as many as 300 hundred. Tickets are around 400 – 500 NT dollars per person and the ticket price usually includes a free drink. Beers are sold for around NT50 each – usually NT100 for two. There are very few stalls or psy shops at parties but organizers are trying to encourage people to set up shop.

The vibe at parties is open and friendly and while there is not much English spoken among the locals, there is enough to get by, even for someone who doesn't understand any Chinese at all. Travelers can expect toothy smiles and warm welcomes from most Taiwanese people when traveling here and the psy-trance scene is no exception.

The music in Taiwan is predominantly Dark. Things usually start off a bit slower,with forest sounds and the occasional ambient set, but the tunes get hard and deeply psychedelic by the second set. Music remains fast, dark and hard during the night but, when the sun comes up it usually opens up with a bit more Fullon sound. There is a big debate in Taiwan about whether Dark or Fullon is better with different production crews leaning in different directions. This debate has become so big, it has actually become a mass debate – which pretty much speaks for itself. Regardless of your tastes, you should be able to find something that will knock your socks off at any psy-trance party in Taiwan. While some people may let their strong opinions spoil the party for them, if you approach the music with a positive outlook and a degree of respect for other people's tastes, you are almost guaranteed to have a superb time. The quality of the music is very high and many DJ's are also producing their own tracks. At most parties the sound quality is excellent and often DJ's blast us into space with 60kW sound rigs to compliment the amazing decor and UV-art.

The Psy Trance scene in Taiwan is only just starting to take off again, but the vibrant energy and the warmth of the people, coupled with a truly Asian psychedelic feeling make Taiwan a very attractive destination for those wanting to experience something different.

[2010] Spaced-out sounds played day and night in THAILAND

• written by LoveDave
• read this article in French

Thailand is one of the world centers of psychedelic trance for pretty much as long as the music is around itself. Many of us may have had their first introduction into spaced-out sounds played day and night right here.

Especially Ko Phangan is constantly developing its scene. The friendly island with its white sand beaches and lush forests hosts not only full moon party, where Tommy’s Resort still caters to the psychedelic traveler’s needs. But especially Half Moon and Black Moon party plus the bimonthly Shivamoon and Jungle Experience guarantee good party vibes, more so even in the early morning hours.

Ban Sabaii hosts a party on any day after the moon parties, plus the bimonthly Acid Moon. Most parties play during the day and the atmosphere and energy is as familiar as it is inviting. Pirate Bar is a smaller location with regular parties set at an otherwise less frequented beach in the northwest of the island. And if you’re stranded and needy, there is always the option to listen to sometimes good and live and sometimes bad and taped trance at Zoom right at Haad Rin beach.

The scene centers around Ko Phangan but is not limited to it. Neighboring island Ko Tao has New Year’s Eve’s Experience festival, a full-fledged festival for several days with up to 2,000 visitors.

Bangkok’s Khao San road is home to Ooze Bar, opened every day. A simple and small street bar where you will run into people who you have already met at the island parties or are yet to meet. A very special venue is also Ezze bar; located in Bangkok’s famous RCA district with all its university students, it offers a different world just behind the doorstep.

If you are lucky during your stay, you can attend a party some two hours from Bangkok on a vast reservoir. Rafts are towed together and pulled towards a tiny island and the beat doesn’t stop for three days. Please refer to the usual websites or to Ooze bar to find out about dates.

Parties see lots of international DJs and some world-class residents. Music is ranging from progressive early at night, through full on at night to deep psychedelic in the morning. Entry fees usually are less than 10 Euros but some 50 for the lake event; however, you will see that wherever you go, you will get value for money.

Be careful with your consumption; smelly herbs should be smoked far from everybody and purchased from trustworthy persons only.

[2010] A dancefloor to suit everyone in UK

• written by Robin Triskele
• read this article in French

The UK is home to some of the psy scene’s most well known labels such as TIP, Twisted, Alchemy, Liquid, Wild Things, and a long string of others who’ve made waves in recent years. With artists such as Dickster, Tristan, Hallucinogen/Shpongle, Laughing Buddha and EVP playing every weekend, you can see some of the top names in the scene and NOT have to beg for choice!

In London, squat parties have become the norm in the past year as there are fewer trance club nights. Acid Monkey, Venom & PsyInvasion are leading the way in the squat scene with international acts most weekends. Halcyon @ the swanky yet underground Club Matter is bringing in notable artists like Ticon & Atmos, while InSpiral Cafe in Camden has a more intimate vibe. You can catch artists such as System 7, Ott and Eat Static play to approx 100 people and enjoy wholesome veggie food, organic ciders and wine. You don’t want to forget the Market whilst in Camden for some of London’s most varied counterculture in food and shopping and of course, Access All Areas — the main point of contact to find out party info and gather flyers.

Heading north, there are many little pockets of psytrance. Bristol is home to Tribe Of Frog, the second largest trance tribe in the UK, and Planet Shroom has started events again. Some of the more established crews are Sunrise & Cabbage in Leeds; Strange Daze & Illuminaughty in Manchester, Planet Zogg in Sheffield, Kulu in Bradford and FatMoon (now Catawampus) in Wales, although there are many smaller scenes spotted all over the UK. Scotland’s Planet Monkey hosts club nights & outdoor events, sometimes collaborating with Random, who do events for charity. Further south in Brighton you’ll find Freak Bizarre.

This past year we’ve seen a huge insurgence of nu-school breaks and minimal techno seeping into and merging with the psytrance scene. This is bending the genres and creating some seriously funky vibes on the dance floors. You can catch some of the best minimal techno acts on Sunday afternoon at the Origin stage at Glade festival in July. Hosting some of the world’s best festivals, the UK is thriving in musical diversity and its stunning countryside paints a beautifully rich tapestry to party in. Glade, Waveform, Alchemy, Solfest , Cosmo (formerly Offworld) & Sunrise Celebration are all happening this year, as is Glastonbury, which brings in upwards of 150,000 people and hosts Arcadia, Glade and other stages showcasing psytrance and downtempo electronica. LIFE Festival in Ireland is hosting top calibre acts set within a lush green backdrop. In addition to the festivals, there are all levels of underground outdoor and forest parties that bring out even the deepest forest pixie!

In the UK there’s a dancefloor to suit everyone and you’re ALL welcome to share it with us!!!

[2010] Trance is in the heart of UKRAINE

• written by Irina Kogut

Unity, the true spirit of psychedelic trance, and harmony with nature ñ all this permeates Ukraine and leads the independent life. Thanks to such angels as Sergei Tovstoluzhsky, known as Dj Yehuanah and Dj Pubert, who unfortunately are not with us now, trance music began to sound in Ukraine since 1996. Dj Pubert became the first successful Ukrainian organiser of a psy-parties, promoting psytrance on Kyiv radio station as a part of the Lunar Trombones project.

The Trance movement continued to grow in Kyiv thanks to such promoters as Moonkoradji, Semi Conductors, Psyshine, Japanamatic Pro, Psyquest, Hurricane Team. Indoor and outdoor parties are taking place in all major Ukrainian cities and all the major Trance festivals are held near Kyiv and on the Crimean Peninsula. There, since 2005 the Psyshine Promo are one of the first to be holding festival Sky Gravity in mid-July. Then from July till August Euphoria Promo is making the Misterika festival.

The western Ukraine helds unforgettable open airs from Trancekarpathiarts and Cube Group where is a mix of psy Trance and the local ethnic culture (which is well preserved in those regions), where are the art projects of many talented artists and designers create the unique experiment. The Trance movement is very widespread in Odessa, thanks to such organisers as Clocktail Monks, Kmek Tribe.

In Kharkiv the Trance movement is growing rapidly thanks to the Green Eye Pro. A big influence on the growth of Trance movement in Ukraine is wielded by such musicians as SynSun, Zymosis\Magmadivers\Alienapia, Cifroteca, Triton, Overdream, Ikuranji, Shiva3\Frog Prog\Amrita, Harax, Already Maged, Liquid Mind, Spayo Ventax, Saikozaurus, Shivattva, Calamus and the world-famous labels as Moonkoradji Rec (moonkoradji.com), Skygravity Rec (skygravity.org), Spacebaby Rec (myspace.com/spacebabyrec), Clocktail Rec (myspace.com/clocktailmonks), Treetrolla Rec (myspace.com/treetrollarecords), Sentimony Rec (myspace.com/sentimony).

The beauty of misterious illusion at Trance events is created by the delicate touch of such artists and decorators as Ihti, Shankara Lab, Khanoria, KamaKalaKali, Hurricane Team\Creative Minds, Dimorphic, Smereki, Aplikaciya, Cube Group, Spirit Medicine, Paul Spider and Multi-Pulti-Trancephormation.

Trance is playing in our hearts and clears the consciousness as a mantra, giving birth to a new nation of people who are open to the exploration of the inside and the world. Regardless of any state borders that are trying to separate us, whilst the stars are pulsating, whilst the moon is soothing the night and the sunrise feeds our faces with golden rays, making us smile to each other and to the beauty of creation, we will be the one.

[2010] Strong and building up in UAE

• written by Sanathana
• read this article in French

Due to the commercial culture of the United Arab Emirates and taking into consideration religious laws governing the country, the government are very strict on Drugs and related substances. The psychedelic scene itself is not very big in the country but is growing at a rapid rate. There are two main Psytrance events organizers and they do their best to promote the scene in Dubai. This however is limited to indoor venues. Event named Ravelations have landed international acts / DJ's to Dubai in the past and continue to do so. Another event named Psynthesis also have landed international acts and cater to both Indoor and outdoor events / parties. The outdoor parties are usually away from the city (Dibba, Umm Al Quain, Hatta Desert and other remote areas).

The scene is strong and is building up with many converting to psytrance. DJ Swaroop G aka. Sanathana has been featured as the only psytrance producer in DJ Mag Middle East and a local magazine, Infusion. The news about psytrance is spreading and Dubai will have a solid psy scene by end of Year 2010.

Overview about the upcoming year

Many Indoor and outdoor parties lined up for the Yr.2010 by Psynthesis crew and Ravelations Crew.

Parties / Events

The biggest indoor psytrance party in Dubai attracted a crowd of 710 people at a venue - CHI, The Lodge for PSYNTHESIS on 14th November,2008

Two main event organizers are as follows:

• Psynthesis (Organised by Swaroop Guhathakurta / Samana Records / SGDesigns)
• Ravelations (Organised by Daiju Raj)

Artists

• DJ Swaroop G (Samana Records) - Released VA Compilation, UNITY on Samana Records feat. Sun Project, Safi Connection, Dino Psaras, Talpa, Tube, Exaile and
• Sanathana is the first psytrance producer to release 3 of his tracks and is also a LIVE Act. Born in India, living in Dubai.

Record Labels

So far, the only label to go major from the UAE is Samana Records (http://www.sgdesigns.co.uk) They have already released their first compilation, UNITY Compiled by Dj Swaroop G - Available in all major online distribution stores.

[2010] Massive festivals all over the continent in the USA

• written by Zion

The trance scene has never been bigger, brighter or more colorful than it is now. Massive festivals all over the continent, bigger organizations, more stages, diverse music sets for all ages. In a nutshell the USA Psytrance scene is blooming! Since every state in the USA has its own scene, we tried to focus on just a few of the best ones out there.

Over the years many organizations come and go, it seems like the scene here keeps striving to expand and now it feels like its all coming together and forming a steady and reliable Psytrance scene. More and more Huge Festivals and Organizations that were once only Techno and House have been opening their doors to Psytrance artists from all over the world, thus enhancing the magnitude of exposure to enormous crowds once unfamiliar with the Psytrance genre.

What we find comforting is that most of the organizations we refer to in this article choose to stay true to the fundamental “hippie vibe” old trance lovers still crave for, even though the mass productions are out there, you can still find those remote and untouched nature scenes that connect us all to our roots.

North-West

As a birthplace of psychedelic culture, San Francisco and California are home to a talented roster of respected artists like Goa Gil, Chromatone, Ghreg On Earth, Random, Mubali, Helios, Parus, The Fractal Cowboys and Monks Of Madness along with many top notch DJs. Local labels include Vaporvent, Dropout Productions, Geomagnetic, Shaman Films, Psybertribe and Mindfull Records. Average party attendance is in the 150-300 range with a handful of established yearly events that attract 500-800 people.

Mindfull Productions was formed 5 years ago in Los Angeles when Aaron Johnson (DJ Catalyx) dedicated himself to organizing quality gatherings that helped bring the once isolated southern and northern scenes together to create the strong collective found here today.

They've been blessed to find an ideal new forest location overlooking a majestic river valley in the historic mountain town of Paxton. The event is being created with intentions of building a conscious community with more respect for the individual differences and gifts we each have to offer. Alchemy will feature two large stages, meaningful deco, ritual ceremonies, acrobatic performances, art displays, instructional workshops, healers and vendors for food or goods. In this magical environment we are defining the next evolution of sustainable, respectful and joyful ways of living together on the earth, free of the limitations inherent to our failing social systems.

Special guests Aphid Moon, Procs and Whrikk will deliver peak performances amidst a balanced flow of all psytrance genres on the Forest Stage. The River Stage offers a more eclectic lineup of progressive, techno, electro, breaks, dubstep, idm and downtempo so there's something for nearly everyone to enjoy. It will be a fantastic opening to a very promising season with excellent events each month.

[2010] Psychedelic research: DMT

• written by Daksinamurti
• read this article in French

The Tukano people of the Vaupés region of Colombia say that the first people came from the sky in a serpent canoe, and father sun had promised them a magical drink that would connect them with the radiant powers of the heavens. While the men were in the "House of the Waters" attempting to make this drink, the first woman went into the forest to give birth. She came back with a boy radiating golden light, whose body she rubbed with leaves.

This luminous boy-child was the vine, and each of the men cut off a piece of this living being that became his piece of the vine lineage. In a variation of this myth from the Desana (from the same region), the serpent canoe came from the Milky Way, bringing a man, a woman, and three plants for the people - cassava, coca and caapi. They also regarded it as a gift from the Sun, a kind of container for the yellow-gold light of the Sun, that provided for the first people the rules on how to live and how to speak. (Metzner 2006)

N,N-Dimethyltryptamin C12H16N2

Is a hallucinogenic tryptamin-alkaloid which you can find in many plants, animals (like toads and almost every mammal) and even in the human body. DMT is considered to be one of the strongest hallucinogenics known to mankind. It can be smoked, injected or taken oral in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. DMT is not active orally unless it is combined with MAOI (for example harmaline in Ayahuasca) because the human organism metabolizes DMT too fast to be effective.

Traces of DMT can be found in the brain, lungs, blood and other parts of the human system. Theories say that DMT may play a role in the visual effects of dreaming, near-death experiences, religious visions and other mystical states ( J.C. Callaway, Dr. Rick Strassman).

• A standard dose for smoked DMT (normally smoked in a pipe) is between 15–60 mg.
• The effects last only a short time, usually 5 to 15 minutes.

Compared to other psychedlics like LSD or Psylocibin the human body doesn’t build up a tolerance to DMT, which means that it is always as intense as taken the first time even if you consume it again after a short while. Normally Synthetic Alkaloid DMT is clear to white, crystalline solid, but can be found in different colours which can result from the plant where it was extracted from or because of impurety. A laboratory synthesis of DMT was first re-synthesized by Canadian chemist Richard Manske in 1931.

DMT is the only psychedelic tryptamine that has approval for human studies via the FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration), the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), and other Health agencies of the US Government. It has been a subject of studies in Albuqueque, New Mexico (Dr. Rick Strassman, DMT: The Spirit Molecule:).

Other DMT plants

DMT occurs naturally in many species of plants often in conjunction with its close chemical relatives 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin (5-OH-DMT) the list of plants is still growing since many are just being discovered.

• Two DMT rich plants of the US and parts of Europe is the Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica).
• Australia and Africa have several indigenous plants such as various DMT-rich species of Acacia.
• Mimosa tenuiflora is an entheogen from Brazil known as Jurema and its root bark has been recently shown to contain DMT.
• DMT is also found as a minor alkaloid in the beans of Anadenanthera peregrina and Anadenanthera colubrina used to make Yopo and Vilca snuff in which bufotenin is the main active alkaloid.

Ayahuasca

DMT is used in many indigenous healing rituals and is the main active ingrediance for Ayahuasca. The use of this drink is a South American phenomenon. It is used by indigenous people and religious groups from the Andeans to the Pacific Coast of Columbia and Ecuador. The main center of the usage is the Amazon forest of Bazil and Peru where more then 70 tribes are known to consume the DMT containing drink.

The term Ayahuasca originates from the Peruvian Quechua- language and means as much as

"Liana of spirits" or "vine of souls /vine with a soul".

Ayahuasca is consists out of two important plants: the various parts of the Ayahuasca-liana (Banisteriopsis caapi-the MOAI source, harmaline-containing plant) and the chacruna bush (Psychotria viridis- the source of DMT) or alternatively chagropanga (Diplopterys cabrerana) which depends on the region. Additionally there are also other plants and organic substances which can differ from tribe to tribe. The mixture is cooked for a couple of days and the brown brew tastes bitter.

The effects can last from a couple of hours up to a whole night and can vary from mildly stimulating to extremly visionary. Some people have "out of body" experiences after the usage of DMT and Ayahuasca. One effect of Ayahuasca (as result of the MOAI) is that it can make people vomit and get diarrhea. It is also called ‘la purga’, as it purges the body through this physical effect, and purifies the mind through the meaningful psychological experiences or visions. Many can feel refreshed and reborn after an Ayahuasca experience.

The usage of the brew could be a couple of thousand years old and in many myths Ayahuasca is decribed as the mother of other plants whichs origin is sacred.

Shamans use the magic drink to travel between the worlds and to heal people or find out the reasons of an illness. After the consumtion the Shaman gets in a state of trance where he can see the disease, make telephatic contact, can see the future, travel to different places etc. Before the treatment takes place there is often a cleansing ritual and after the ceremony the patient has to follow certain rules, taboos and diets so that the healing can take place.

Through special songs the Shaman gives a description of what is happening during his visions. Usually he has to travel to an upperword to get a helping spirit which can often have the form of an animal. With this spirit he goes to the underworld and fights the disease or its cause. For the healing the Shaman plays a very important role and is the one who takes the drink, but sometimes also the patients and bystanders consume the brew.

Another important instrument of the Shaman or Healer (curandero) is the chapada- a bunch of leaves, which is used like a percussion instrument. Tobacco also belongs in that ritual - it is used for cleansing and is blown over the patient and the drink to attract positive energies.

This plant medicine has influenced indigenous cultures in many ways, including their cosmologies, relationship to the environment and esthetic values. The indigenous art and social structures are also influenced by Ayahuasca. For example the geometrical patterns (Quene) from the Ayahuasca visions are decorated on various objects such as pottery and embroidery of the Peruvian Shipibu-Conibu tribe. All healthy members of the tribe are considered to have these geomagnetical patterns which the Shaman can see. Outsiders of the tribe are supposed to have none and sick people have damaged patterns. Through the healing process the Shaman "repairs" these patterns of his patient so that he can be "full member of the tribe" again.

In Brazil there are several religions where Ayahuasca is taken by all participants.

Drinking Ayahuasca and singing together takes them into a healing and inspiring kind of trance. Most of these syncretic Ayahuasca churches (like Santo Daime, Barquinha, União do Vegetal) are a fusion of traditional Indian, afro-brazilian (Umbanda) and Christian believes and rituals. These religious groups are also found in North America and Europe where they often have to carry out legal battels to be able to perform their way of worship which also includes the consumtion of Ayahuasca.

As an example U.S. pharmaceutical corporation member Loren Miller was granted a patent on the Ayahuasca liana in 1986 because he claimed to be the discoverer of this plant. In 1999 Ayahuasca was recognised as intellectual property of indigenous cultures and the patent was cancelled.In 2001 it was recognised as a patent again which caused many protests as an example for the exploitation of indigenous cultures.

• Ayahuasca and DMT are slowly gaining interest from Western society. Academic researchers, Psychotherapists and other scientists show an increased interest.
• Western people are also experimenting with reed canary grass, or Phalaris arundinacea of the Poaceae family, which is potent enough to make an ayahuasca analogue.
• Many people interested in the substance either do it by themselvs without any guidance, travel to South America or fly in a "Shaman" in order to have an experience with DMT.

Many villages offer sessions for interested people and have found a new source of making money. While some villages don’t have anymore practising Shamans and have to travel far to receive their traditional healing other irresponsible "healers" simply rip off people to make money. The healing aspect is mostly not in the focus of such tourists - it was replaced by the western urge for "selfrealisation". Although there are also Westerners who have become disciplines of practicing Shamans and use their power for the benefit of others. It’s very important to keep an open eye on this issue and also be sensitive enough not to destroy or corrupt the traditions since for many Indians this form of treatment is the only one they know.

[2010] InJuCo – the Indian Juggling Convention in Goa – a journey

• written by Tom Shanti

Goa is that legendary Hippie destination for more than 40 years. I’ve only come there for the first time in 2004, but soon enough experiencing the last of the legendary “Goa parties” – back then still running all night and on a following day. And that was it in the beginning.

Where is the party?

Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Morjim and Arambol. Certainly it carried me for a while, hanging out on the beaches in daytime and dancing away the night. But more and more the parties got clamped down and the ‘scene’ drifted from solitary beaches and forests into nightclubs, which even started to charge entry.

After four years repeating the same game I was simply bored out of my skull - but inspired by the amount of international artists/ performers and by the European Juggling Conventions I started the first “Body Arts Convention” in 2008. The infamous Hilltop Motel in Vagator has been a welcoming host, the only trouble was with the visitors. They either had to drive 20k’s all the way from Arambol or simply didn’t know what a “Juggling Convention” was. “But don’t you know WHO I AM? I never pay cover charge!” was the best comment of Anjuna celeb I received at the door. Dude, you’re a stranger to my eyes but this is not a party and I’m certain you can afford 100 Rupees to cover for a whole day of (drug free) fun and workshops.

All in all I managed to donate the net profit of Rs. 10.000 to the “moving school” project in Arpora.

That’s been a promising start. So I decided to shoot for the moon, designed a website and flyers, promoted it on the European Juggling Convention in Karlsruhe and prayed. After all I had no location at this time. Hilltop didn’t respond at first and when they finally did, they raised their charges by 100%, offering no incentives on bar and restaurant. It’s always been intended a non-profit event, but that’s been too much of a risk (for the “one-man-show” it has been).

Paradise out of the blue

A friend knew friends who run a resort in Mandrem beach. The revelation! Only a few k’s down the beach from Arambol and now other friends offered to assist. This way a team of twenty people gathered, preparing the Convention for an entire month, pulling off one of the finest alternative festivals since Hippies arrived in Goa. In the first 6 days we welcomed 2.000 visitors. The crew pushed itself to the edge. Every single one worked so hard to make it happen, making it a home and breeding ground for an incredible experience. God(s) created the world in 6 days… and then came Goa police and they asked “You have a license?”

This basically meant: “Give us manna,” and - being reluctant - subsequently meant taking the 7th day (Sunday) off in Pernem Police Station, for 24hrs. I wondered if the gods had to postpone their Gala show by a week. We did.

But then again, this Gala show still turned out to be a climax. A cosmic 3hrs lasting orgasm so to speak, comprising the best acts of the Convention - at least of those who stayed long enough. It’s been something that Goa hasn’t seen before in this dimension, a firework of inter/national talents, captivating the audience and making time pass swiftly.

Yet I didn’t know what I got myself into, as the police justified the arrest: “Playing loud music without obtaining license from the competent authorities,” it is a criminal offence. According to the Environmental Protection Act threatened with a term up to 5 yrs in prison and/or Rs. 100.000 fine.

Serious stuff, making me spend a week in Goa on the back of my bike, sometimes visiting the same authorities twice a day, just to obtain permission to leave the country.

All good things come in three’s

Only this lingering court case made it impossible to perform promotion for the next event and to find a new location. “This (Mandrem Beach) is a quiet village. We don’t want such events here. When (local) people realized what you did here last season, they actually had a lot of objections,” was the comment of a local business owner, refusing my inquiry.

Only a week before the official start, we finally got a place. A team of 10 volunteers, 6 organizers and 4 local workers converted a mudpit into a festival area. It was the venues manager achievement to make it “the first 7 days festival ever to be officially licensed by the government of Goa”! But this achievement has been paid off with money, sweat and a lot of self discipline. Though it has been one of the season’s main highlights, it involved double the costs and only drew half the visitors of the previous year.

All in all

I’d be happy to pass on the flagstaff. I spend more countless hours driving to courtrooms and debating with authorities to solve “the Indian legal system mystery”. “You have to inquire within, why it doesn’t work out the way you want it to,” my friends told me after the 5th court session, in which no conclusion was drawn. Guys, this is India and that same day, there’s been a case up already 16 years old: “State vs. the LATE Mr. Fernandez”.

Don’t get me wrong: I for my part consider myself lucky enough. It’s been an invaluable experience. I’ve seen so much beauty in the mindless faces of the audience and learned tremendously. I’m certainly no longer bored out of my skull and will never feel this way again.

Since then - whenever I address the Universe - I’m very peculiar in regards of the tiny details.

TO DO:

Tell us more about BELGIUM

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene
• overview about the upcoming year
• parties
• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)
• labels
• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)
• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)
• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about COSTA RICA

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene
• overview about the upcoming year
• parties
• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)
• labels
• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)
• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)
• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about HAWAII

Last edit by --liese - www.psychedelic-traveller.net 20:13, 25 April 2010 (UTC)

• history of the scene

• overview about the upcoming year

Devistatix-...I am not too sure as to what will be happening for psytrance (in Hawaii) as a whole this upcoming year, but i will keep psychedelic -traveller informed as Pa-Psyfic Productions gets launched here in Hawaii shortly!...will anyone else out there in Hawaii please get in touch with me!...I need your help and support to make things happen! :)

• parties

Devistatix-...There has been a lot of psytrance playing at peak hours at Alter Solum over the past couple months, which has been opening the general mass up a bit more to the sound and getting much positive responses. Nothing as far as all out psy events going on recently as far as I know. Hopefully someone out there can edit that information (maybe I am just out of the loop...hah). In the past, I know there have been many random beach and bush parties thrown all over the islands by different groups that have congregated together. Personally, we threw a few psy parties at The Shire, McKenzie Park, Malama Flats, Makalawena Beach, and other various parts of the Big Island between 2006 and 2009. And as i wrote earlier in the overview for the upcoming year, I hope to really start pushing psytrance to new heights in Hawaii once Pa-Psyfic Productions gets launched!

• labels

• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)

• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

Upload Picture

Tell us more about HUNGARY

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene
• overview about the upcoming year
• parties
• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)
• labels
• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)
• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)
• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about IBIZA

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this region so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene

• overview about the upcoming year

• parties

• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)

• labels

• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)

• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)

• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about MOROCCO

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene

• overview about the upcoming year

• parties

• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)

• labels

• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)

• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)

• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about NORWAY

Sadly we don't have an article about this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. An article about a country, region or town should contain the following things:

• history of the scene
• overview about the upcoming year
• parties
• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)
• labels
• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)
• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)
• facts: average price for a party, average price for water/beer, how many parties a week, when is the best time to come by?
• contacts and addresses (links)

  Upload Picture

Tell us more about OMAN

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene
• overview about the upcoming year
• parties
• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)
• labels
• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)
• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)
• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture

Tell us more about TURKEY

Sadly we don't have an article about the psychedelic scene in this country so far. Maybe you like to write something about it. Please write in the third person and take a neutral point-of-view. An article about a country should contain the following things:

• history of the scene

• overview about the upcoming year

• parties

• artists (acts, decorators, VJs & DJs)

• labels

• shops (music, deco, fashion, chillin and clubing)

• other organisations (publications: radio, TV, print)

• facts:

average price for a party,

average price for water/beer,

how many parties a week,

how long is a party in average,

how big are the big and the medium sized parties,

when is the best time to come by?

legal situation on drugs

• contacts and addresses (links)

Upload Picture