Vlad the Inhaler gives us an in depth look at AURA 2015’s Silent Disco, as well as his other ventures in the Florida area.
What is your official title with silent disco?
I’m the organizer and host of the silent disco. I also perform at most of the shows I’m involved with, but those titles seem to fit for the job description.
Explain what a silent disco is for someone who has never stayed up late enough to enjoy one.
Silent Disco has gotten fairly known in the festival scene, it’s not the new baby as it once was. But that’s the best part, it is past its novelty point and is sincerely enjoyable. The silent disco is the way to keep the music going after sound ordinances kick in. Headphones are distributed to the crowd, and the performers send their music signals through radio frequencies straight to the headphones. No sound audible without headphones, so the scene is pretty surreal if you walk up on one in the middle of the action. Masses will be dancing and no sound is heard.
How did you first become involved with the SOSMP events?
I was an avid festival patron at SOSMP years before I had the opportunity to work there. I have to credit a number of people for getting me into the park, and believing in me. All of the following people I cannot thank enough, and am blessed to be associated with. To start off, Paul Levine, of course. Paul brought me in to Purple Hatters Ball and Bear Creek, and now Hulaween and his disc jams, strictly from my track record as host/talent-booker/DJ in Jacksonville. I’d like to think my patronage to his events had something to do with it as well. Nonetheless, he has continually found me roles in most of his projects at SOSMP.
Second, Tim Hall brought me into Black Water in my early performing days, and let me coin my own stage. Tim looks out for me here in Jacksonville as well, he books amazing shows. I’m always happy to be involved. Not a harder worker in the music booking than Tim Hall.
Third, Trey Hebron, one of my closest friends, helped me get properly linked with Paul, and talked me up into a gig. He tries to downplay it, but I know what’s up. Love you, Trey.
Next, James Cornett, the main hoss of all of SOSMP. Paul talked me up to James, which in-end got me the Silent Disco host position. James has continued to support my ideas, and has let me even outsource the Silent Disco equipment for shows outside of the park. And has now bestowed upon opportunity me, which will go unsaid at this moment. [suspense]
I also want thank Lyle Williams and Daryl Wolff for continuing to support my presence at their events, they have a passion to provide us all with quality music. SOSMP is a big family, a huge hug to all of my people busting butt for the enjoyment of the masses.
Which nights of AURA will feature the silent disco, what time, and location?
The Silent Disco is going to be the Friday night (Saturday morning) and Saturday night (Sunday morning) of AURA Fest. From 2am to 5am on both nights. The location will be a large tent set up on top of the long green, by the food and vendors. [FULL SCHEDULE HERE]
Tell us about this year’s AURA Festival silent disco performers.
It’s hard to predict what performers will play at any given silent disco, as people take the time to sometimes get creative, present something new, or play to an assumed crowd. Here’s a little breakdown of what to expect:
I, Vlad the Inhaler, will probably go ape on juke, footwork, ghettotech and ghettohouse. My guy, Matthew Connor will probably bring the hip-hop inspired glitch and funky bass beats. Expecting Felix Fusik to bring a blend of funk flavors upon us. Weazildust is on the thick old school club house vibrations. Scotty Solomon is probably slinging the deep house, though has been known to go in various directions, same thing goes for Craig Heneveld. Beat Thief Inc is known for playing hard, DnB, Dubs, and Trap; but his new production has a glitch-hop and new age vibe. ZwangBang w/ Chewie is most likely hip hop and funk, but you never really know with Scotty Zwang making selections. I’m expecting downtempo space-trill shit from JayJoHero, airy and sensual. Bedside is going serve house/jazz-fusions and a mellow vibe. Bells & Robes have a free-flowing style – I can probably describe best as chill trap/glitch nuances with air. I’m not sure what Tony D of THP is going to play, because we always play at the same time at silent discos, and I keep missing his sets.
How will this year’s SD be different than last year’s? Have you made any improvements or changed the set up?
Last year’s silent disco at AURA was real solid. This year is going to be a copy of last year’s Untz.com tent setup. We brought in some new performers to the disco that have never been involved before. It is always exciting to see what someone will do with their time, and see how the crowd feels them. The more experience we gather, the easier and more enjoyable they become for everyone.
You’ve also hosted other events in your hometown of Jacksonville as well. I know some of them have been in a completely different type of environment with a different type of audience. Tell us about those.
I started off doing Crunchay Sunday at TSI in 2010, and since then have worked all over the city. Not too many bars left downtown that I haven’t either performed or hosted something at. Some events are geared to electronic crowds, some more to the jam crowds, but it ends up being a similar blend of people coming out as many of the fests at SOSMP. At least, it feels like it. Right now, I have a weekly with Matthew Connor, Mason Masters, and Trey Hebron at The Shim Sham Room coined #Proper. It’s a lax but awesome weekly gathering. I still do my Crunchay Sunday parties, but they went from a weekly to a quarterly and became a 24-hour event. The only one of its kind in Jacksonville. Tim Hall holds me down as mentioned earlier with Freebird bangers.
As an SOSMP veteran, talk about some of the best things the venue has to offer, aside from the incredible music stages of course.
SOSMP is a thing of beauty, and everyone has their spots and traditions in the park. I love the Cypress Lake and its perfect circle of wonder. You can look across it and get lost in the beauty, and actually thank yourself for allowing yourself to experience it. The beach is another favorite, of course, looking forward to hosting some music there at Purple Hatter’s Ball, and throwing some beats off of those rock formations. I think what really amplifies the splendor is the vibe that is mutually accepted by the goers of the park, and love shown, with open arms. Call it hippie, call it what you like; but it’s real, and it’s hard to not want that kind of goodness in your life. We all promise ourselves that we will hold those ideas sacred, and sometimes life will wear it off of us. When it does, it’s time to go back to SOSMP.
What shows are you looking forward to at AURA 2015? Who are you breaking away from work to see?
You know I have to see the Biscuits beat it up. True legends and pushers of boundless music. Stoked on The Motet, Tauk, Moe., Turbosuit, THP, The Fritz, Lucky Costello, Dopapod. Daryl, Matt and Destiny really hold AURA down with top of the line musical talent. I’m also looking forward to acts I have never seen before, I’m sure they picked all kinds of dank.
Any tips you can offer for getting the most from the SD? (Advice on how to properly work those headphones would be great lol)
Bring lots of booze with you! LOL. But yeah, make sure to stock op on late night sips, and bring some friends with you along to gossip with. And about the headphones, there are two acts playing at the same time, and the on/off button changes the channel from one to the other. EZ-PZ. Red and green lights flash, and you can match the color with the performers headphones to know which one has got your attention.
Are you involved with any other upcoming events you want to share? Web info?
Besides AURA, I will be hosting the silent disco at Purple Hatter’s Ball, as well as Bear Creek and Hulaween. I have a number of shows coming up in Jacksonville and the Southeast besides the #Proper weekly. I’m doing the Silent Disco at Slide Into Spring Fest in Fernandina Beach in late March; DubFactory in Orlando on April 18th; and a number of shows at 1904 Music Hall.
Read the full Silent Disco article featuring input from the 2015 performers HERE.
AURA Music & Arts Festival Links:
www.AURAMusicFestival.com
www.facebook.com/AURAMusicFestival
Twitter & Instagram: @AURAMusicFest (#AURAfest)
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Links:
www.MusicLivesHere.com
www.facebook.com/MusicLivesHere
Twitter: @SOSMP (#Suwannee)
