Updated 2 years ago

meets Shunny
MAD ELEPHANT/JAPAN/ACTIVATE/NYC
2007
by Electrocution Muffin
DJ Shunny is one of the resident DJ’s of Activate, a weekly progressive party in Manhattan, New York. He is also an organizer and an original member of Mad Elephant. Most recently ‘Shun’ played at Burning Man 2007 with the Japenese Bur-Ninjas (in the Art Car). Starting in October 2007 Activate will move to another venue called Cafe Deville. It’ll be on every Thursday 10pm-3am. http://www.cafedevillenyc.com/
– Are your parents or family involved with music in any way?
No, not at all.
– How were you introduced to trance?
Actually I might have been exposed to trance music unconsciously in my younger age…when I attended a party in NYC, that was held in some underground vanue in midtown, I realized that this was something I had been looking for. I remember it was Cosma’s memorial, and Talamasca and Knob were there…
– Tell us about Mad Elephant.
Mad Elephant could not continue as it lost the primary venue and some of the core members who had to leave NYC for jobs, etc. It was focusing more on full-on side, as well as hard techno stuff. I’d say the spirit of Mad Elephant is still alive, though.
– When did its start?
I think it was February 2005, in a small loft party in Brooklyn.
– How many peopel where/are a part of the Mad Elephant crew?
7-9
– Where did the free parties take place?
Only indoor. After the first one, we found a place called “Grand Press”, which is essentially a typical local Irish bar. It was on Grand Street, Bedford, NYC.
– What prompted you to move to New York in 2002?
Not very dramatic…I enrolled in a grad school.
– How do you think the New York Trance scene has changed since 2002?
People come and go, that’s NYC, right? So I think there are more and more new party goers out there now. Also there are more “main stream” events, but maybe fewer underground parties these days.
– What would you say is the difference between Proggi Lounge Vol.1 and Proggi Lounge Vol.2?
Vol.1 is kind of “intro” of a party, like you come to the party at 10pm…too early to dance hard. In Vol.2, I imagined morning of an outside party…thanks for listening anyway.
– What does your wife think about trance and your involvement in it?
She likes it too, although not as much as I do. To the extent it’s possible, she’s been and will be supportive to me and my activity.
– Did you go to any really memorable parties this year (besides Burning Man!)?
Yeees, the Ticon party last weekend (9/21). I re-recognized the greatness of trance music.
– I heard you played with Logic Bomb and S-Range did you learn any trade secrets or super tips?
Hmmmm, live act is slightly different than DJ. Live acts basically cannot change the order of tracks once they start. Techniques used in a play is also different. So I guess it’s more of a issue that how I was inspired from those plays, rather than trade secrets. I’d say that, with seeing all those great live sets, I am now inclined to think about starting wrting songs, and someday doing my own live sets. At the same time, as a DJ, I still have a lot to learn from local greatests, such as Earthian and Luis…
– Arigato! Is there anything you want to tell the trance community before you go?
You are most welcome. Tastes on music/styles may change and differ depending on timings and each one’s personal situation. That applies to me as well. However, I think I can say that I will continue to like NYC’s trance community, no matter what type of music I’m into in a particular moment. I like this warm and peaceful community very much!
~Muffin~
In God We Trance
