I think some of are surprised that we are still here, still into it and even finding a new energy. Weather dance music was some primal spiritual awakening or just a fun alternative to guitar licks; no one seems to have considered the long-term effects of enjoying the music.
This past weekend was at a party out at a country house. We were planting trees and putting down a Hangi. The PA came out and the mirror ball went up. While the adults dug ground a heap of kids raged across the garden in a rolling game of tag.
A friend with an extensive collection of NZ electronica enabled us to listen to tunes from local producers and labels. The sound was sweet, full of life memories and hope. Sounds reflecting sonic pictures of our landscape, telling us stories of our history, our futures, our identity.
It was listening to the Aotearoa we know so well, so true.
More exciting was seeing young people wanting to have a go on the turntables, stepping up to the mic, calling up the sound and selecting the tunes. This essential fresh energy, this new approach to the music and technology is inspiring.
The realisation that an entirely new generation are finding and growing the music and culture that we love is encouraging. To discover that a culture we built with our own dancing, our own energy has relevance beyond our own limitations is the best dance yet.
