As stated, I have done quite an extensive bit of traveling recently. In one of my most recent journeys I had the honor and privilege of speaking again to one of my very good and close friend’s of the cosmos, all the way from the Alpha Centauri Star System 4.35 Light Years from Earth and the Sun.
The communication logistics were a nightmare (as you can tell from the distance listed above), so please no inquiries as to how I pull off the miracles I am able to, just know that the fruits of my labor in this adventure and task set forth are bequeathed to all of you in the post below with the questions and answers for all of you, with the one and only goddess of rave herself, the solar system queen of dance and one of the finest music creators of the universe that I have ever known, the immortal one herself “ GEN. ZOE VANWEST!!!”
Gen. Zoe VanWest Thank You for taking the time to speak with me and answer some questions about yourself and the history of “RAVE/HARDCORE.”
1. What is your history and background in the industry?
I started as a studio singer in NJ at a Local indie label after doing some backing vocals for my friend’s band. When I got out to CA I became a studio singer full time, after impressing the right label-head. I got thrown into the last end of the artist development program (when it still existed) and was trained in everything from public speaking/interviewing to choreography/ stage dynamics and even some basic marketing and business. I did this until my own project started to kick off, then I ran with everything in my own direction.
2. How did you come to be involved in all of this?
I got Verrrry lucky. I had the right people believe in me and give me chances at the right time. I was so young looking back on it I am overwhelmed at how I managed. I got a letter in NJ from Sony/Redsong San Diego on a recommendation from the studio I worked at in town. I was offered an internship.
I packed my bags, told 2 of my best friends I was leaving, 3 days later I hopped a plane with $80 to my name and never looked back. When I got to CA I went right to work, and was a studio singer there for a good 3 years. While I was there, I soaked up all I could - and started working more and more with the electronica and techno producers because with my vocal range, I found myself falling in love with the Vocal effects and live sampling used at that time, and I got so good at recording with it in real time, it became my job security.
DJ Hyperlite inspired me to be his main vocalist, and my own projects began. Producer “Patricio Pickslay” became both my manager and mentor, and guided me through the corporate web. Together we wrote for Many UK producers and studios, sold the lyrics and guide tracks on the terms we got to perform them live at out own home venue.
I contractually wasn’t allowed to do anything beyond sing behind a studio mic - so we created a bunch of different aliases so I could get away with it. My confidence, and love for live performance grew and blossomed then - and I have so many amazing talents who guested and performed along side of me to thank for it.
3. How do you find areas of relation to yourself (persona, soul) in these events?
Performance was such an alien world to me when I was first doing studio work. I was trained to sing behind a studio mic - not a live setting, so when I was pushed out on stage I did what my training told me to, and it seemed to work so I ran with it. I caught a lot of hell for my style, but something in me kept telling me ” I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t meant to do this” I learned then and there - on the stage - that no matter what you put your mind and heart and soul too - you can accomplish anything.
The So Cal Kandie scene was just budding then, and things were verrrry different to how they are now. Back then, when you walked into an event, Drama, differences, they were all laid aside in respect to the people putting on (back then) illegal gatherings…they’re hard work did not deserve other’s petty arguments. Without them, the party would not happen.
So that’s where UNITY and RESPECT came from. Seeing that in front of me was like, going to mars. CEO’s dancing alongside Street Thugs, Goths dancing alongside Average Joe’s and Gang Bangers jumping alongside Yuppies…. the crowd was so mixed and you knew that NONE of these people would EVER interact with each other outside of that room, that night…that event.
That triggered a massive concept in me that as a ‘rave’ artist, we are responsible for creating a world where you can escape, be one with each other and forget the regular world. Rave was and in some areas still is exactly that - and I find my every cell exploding with that love to give to my own crowd when we put on shows. I do everything I can to replicate that feeling.
4. What inspires you to do what you do?
Alot of things, mostly just the deep urge to bring people out of their everyday 9 to 5 existences. I never had that, so I feel the need to give back, and give everybody at least for a little while - a taste of my constant world of sound color and bass.
For performance alone I look to alot of performers like Kyle Minogue, Cascada, even GaGa now and then, the females who are rocking the hell out of the concert scene in the electronica mainstream world. But for inner inspiration I look to my following - all their ideas I see, read, and think about, and sometimes often build and perform to give back their support. I would not be here without them - especially now that Im doing this without backing, without corporate handouts - and it makes it a thousand times better. They deserve a thousand percent from me.
5. What music inspires you or do you currently listen to that is out in today’s industry?
I have an insane love of downtempo and chill-out trance. Marcus Schultz makes some amazing chill-out. Currently Im gaining a great appreciation for Metal. TOTALLY opposite end of the spectrum - but due to an unexpected and phenomenal response to a recent fusion show I performed at with a bunch of local metal bands and the always-phenomenal Crossbreed - I have a following of metal kids.
So Im STILL in shock and flawed by this, Im listening to more and more of the Metal genre to be able to fuse some of those influences into my music for them as well. Happy Hardcore and Metal are very similar just on opposite ends of the same spectrum. They are aggressive natured, whereas Im uplifting and happy natured, however we both pull from the same source…. classical music.
6. What do you use for inspiration for the music and musical styling’s that you create?
The crowds, the rave scene. They are always my ground, my center. All I create is for them, so I think about what will make them dance, stomp and bring them to a place beyond their fears, and where their pain can never touch them. From that world I get the ideas for the stage productions, like wardrobe and the GoGo’s and the props.
7. What do these events such as (KABOOM, and Other Shows) bring out from inside of you?
KABOOM especially, since its 100% hardstyle/happy hardcore event that we do from the ground up - really brings me back to when I first began all of this. I have these moments sometimes when Im backstage getting set to go -and Im all nervous and excited, I flashback to my first few times in front of a studio mic, when I was 16. How TERRIFIED I was when I first started out. It reminds me how lucky we all are to have our art- whatever that art may be. It makes me excited to go and perform my art for those people who appreciate it and live by it.
8. What have you watched change over the years in this genre & style of music?
Mostly the attitudes of the artists themselves, and the way the structure of the club industry has completely flipped on its head. Many factors including the generations turning over, the economy, local politics have a part in it, but it’s getting harder and harder for many DJs and Artists and events to find home venues.
9. What are some of the largest crowds you have ever played to?
Monster massive was by far the largest yet, held in the LA arena, and Metrocon, held at the Tampa Convention Center. Metrocon is so much fun, there is such a different intimate feel to doing the anime convention parties. I look out and see such a varied crowd, and its always amazing to see young grade school - aged kids singing the lyrics and bopping around with glow-sticks. It’s amazing. Makes you feel like you’re in a family of a few people as you perform to a crowd of 8 thousand. Arena shows and massives you never see that.
10. Do you feel, think or believe that the music industry embraces this genre of music and has an avenue(s) for it?
They always will embrace it, and push it because it makes the big corporate labels LOTS of money. They will just do it behind closed doors. They are slowly pushing it more and more to the pop sounds - putting house and trance elements and even now 4 on the floor club drum patterns into the music.
11. Do you believe that the world will ever embrace this style of music and the mentality behind it?
Look at Taio Cruz, Rihanna’s new single, even Britney Spears just did a dub-step tune. It’s already out to the masses. Lady Gaga made it ok to just DANCE after all, she brought the modern club movement to the mainstream. It excites me to see it, because the mainstream clubs have pushed me aside so long, saying my music would never take there.
It’s kind of funny to hear them play “dynamite” which is by all technicalities, Happy Hardcore slowed down. We’re in the same industry, doing the same thing. I just speed it up. The bigger picture makes me giggle in knowing that soon those same ears will take to Happy Hardcore in the future because they’re already listening to it in another form.
12. What is your overall mission and or what do you hope to accomplish with these events?
I want to fight to keep this PLUR movement going. I had no idea what I was the catalyst for when I wrote these anthems then, but Im determined to create a new music and new shows to inspire a whole new generation, and bring people to my planet for awhile. Alpha Centauri is a wonderful colorful place filled with 180-bpm music. With enough speaker power and lasers we can all be magically teleported there ;-)
13. Why do you believe the kids that come to this music and genre come to (Hardcore Rave) instead of other music?
There’s something about Hardcore/Hardstyle and Happy Hardcore in particular that just busts through all your barriers - grabs your soul and just makes you feel like everything is going to be ok. It uplifts the spirit, and takes you on a journey.
People want to be told a story, and even more so feel apart of that story. And that’s what Hardcore is. It’s a collective story, a captured celebration of that moment where you reach up your hands, feel that bass/drums/guitar/song hit your heart and you swear you can fly. It’s that moment, digitized, for 6-8 hours.
14. What have been your experiences on the road over the years you have traveled?
Ohhh so many it would take up pages. But overall every local scene I’ve been lucky to have been pulled into and perform for, it’s all the same. People who are gathering together to celebrate their friends and their DJs, and their scene. I’ve had so many experiences meeting amazing up and coming artists who later are on the charts - or I hear their mix or song online on some streaming station. It’s amazing what support can do.
Don’t ever forget that - we are here because YOU put us here. And you are our world, our reason for battling the mainstream. Rave is a celebration of a bunch of crazy ballsy people coming together to put on an event. They listen to their crowds to hear what would make them come and dance their asses off. YOU are the ones with the power. NOT the record labels. And that’s the magic of rave - it’s about YOU. The entire time. I’ve seen that it’s a global phenomenon, and it’s wonderful.
Thank You Gen. Zoe VanWest for your time and also taking the time in answering some questions.
