[July 11th, 2007]

DECIBEL 2007
Dates, Pass Information, and soon Headliner Announcements!

Friends, family and Db supporters:

The 2007 Decibel Festival will be held September 20th - 23rd throughout multiple venues in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. After nearly 7 months of intense planning, the time has almost come to begin announcing this year's program. In keeping with the tradition of the festival, you can expect a broad range of cutting-edge electronic music performances featuring international talent of the highest caliber. We'll start announcing headliners staring July 15th, at which time discounted festival passes will also be going on sale.

->> Highlights Coming This Year:

- Custom sound and video at each venue

- 14 individual showcases ranging from large-scale theater events to multiple room club events.

- Several new venues including an art museum (auditorium and outdoor lounge), a massive theater space, an underground dance club, a newly remodeled lounge and a new afterhours venue.

- A “Db Headquarters” that will serve as home-base for will-call, pass pickup, and some other treats we have in store.

->> Festival Passes / Tickets:

From July 15th – August 15th a limited number of festival passes will be available for a discounted price of $75. Beginning August 16th and up until the festival, passes will be the full price of $100. In addition, at that point you'll have the option to buy tickets for each individual showcase separately ($10-$25 per showcase).

->> Press / Media:

If you need the full lineup now for print or on-line media that will run in August or September, please get in touch with us through press@dbfestival.com.

Many thanks for the continued support. Stay tuned for more details!

<3,
The 2007 Decibel Team

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[DECIBEL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC PERFORMANCE, VISUAL ART & NEW MEDIA]

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[April 22, 2007]

DECIBEL MAY Shows

Decibel is happily co-producing two great shows in May - we hope to see you out at both!

First up, we've got Broken Disco on MAY 11TH AT CHOP SUEY, featuring an 18+ room with Knifehandchop, Passions, and SunTzu Sound, a 21+ all-live lounge with Nominal.I, ndCv, and Nordic Soul, and and 18+ afterhours with Kris Moon vs. Naha.

Later in the month we are have a very special early show on MAY 24TH AT THE BROADWAY PERFORMANCE HALL, featuring Vladislav Delay, Loscil, Son of Rose, and The Phonographers Union. Before the event, make sure and catch an Ableton Live Workshop with Lusine, and the entire show features the legendary KV2 soundsystem.

Click on each flyer for links with more details, including pre-sale ticket information:



[April 2nd, 2007]

DECIBEL FESTIVAL 2007 - Dates Announced!

After the wonderful success of last year, we're proud to announce the 4th edition of the Decibel Festival. The 2007 Decibel Festival will be taking place September 21-23 at various venues in Seattle.

In an effort to broaden our scope outside of the festival, this year's edition will be condensing dates and events so we can pursue various one-off events and Db artist tours outside of the Northwest. Rest assured, the talent we'll be procuring for 2007 will be on par, if not exceed past Decibel Festival line-ups. To compensate for the fewer number of venues and artists, Decibel will also be lowering 2007 festival passes by 50% this year.

Stay tuned to this site for line up announcements, ticket info, various Decibel events and the forthcoming "Db Org site" that will feature pictures, video and audio archives from past Decibel events.


[March 31st, 2007]

BROKEN DISCO APRIL! (feat.) JOHN TEJADA

FRIDAY APRIL 13TH

Decibel, Chop Suey, Fourthcity, Sensory Effect and Shameless present the inaugural edition of Broken Disco!

[idol stage – 18+]

JOHN TEJADA - Live PA - Solo hardware set!
[Poker Flat / Palette / Playhouse / Gigolo / Plug Research]

LUSINE - Live PA [Ghostly International / Hymen]

ABSTRACT SOUL: Jerry Abstract vs. Nordic Soul - 2x4 DJ set [Decibel / Shitkatapult]

Visuals by PIXELFLIP
Featuring FUNKTION ONE Sound

[lounge – 21+]

KOI: Vanessa Nova & Noriko Kaji - Live [Fourthcity]
GREG SKIDMORE - DJ [Oscillate]
M'CHATEAU - DJ [Fourthcity]
INTROCUT – DJ [Fourthcity]

[afterhours – 18+]

DJ RECESS – DJ Set [Shameless]
SONNY CHIBA – DJ Set [Webbwerx / Beat Affinity]

[details]

@ Chop Suey
1325 E. Madison, Seattle, WA 98122
Open 9pm to 4am (afterhours!)
18+, bar for those 21+ with ID
Tickets are $10 Advance @ Ticketweb.com. More at the Door

For more information please visit broken-disco.com

[February 26, 2007]

BROKEN DISCO

CHOP SUEY // DECIBEL // FOURTHCITY // SENSORY EFFECT // SHAMELESS

MISSION STATEMENT:
 Broken Disco is coming soon! A brand new monthly event starting in April, Broken Disco will bring together the combined talent of four of Seattle's most dedicated electronic music collectives with the support of one of it's favorite venues, Chop Suey – all united to showcase internationally renowned talent.

Our goal in this convergence is to create a growing community feel and increase momentum for electronic music events in Seattle. Each month will feature the best music possible with no one specific genre focus. In an effort to expose club life to a younger audience, Broken Disco will be a 2-room, 18+ event and also have a 21+ lounge featuring local performers and custom sound. It all takes place at the newly renovated Chop Suey, which now features Funktion-One sound, a top of the line lighting system, and a great setup to take advantage of visual art to accompany the music.

PREVIOUS ARTISTS BOOKED BY THESE PROMOTERS:
 Richie Hawtin, Green Velvet, Royksopp, Goldfrapp, Felix Da Housecat, Speedy J, Peaches, Squarepusher, Prefuse 73, UNKLE, Derrick May, Autechre, The Notwist, Ladytron, Michael Mayer, Miguel Migs, RJD2, Mark Farina, Qbert, Afrika Bambaata, Amon Tobin, Dj Spooky, The Streets, Funkstörung, MF Doom, Modeselektor, Drop The Lime, DJ Assault, Tittsworth, DJ Godfather, Claude Von Stroke, Fennesz, Matmos, Thomas Fehlmann, Akufen, Isolée, Monolake, Meat Beat Manifesto, Styrofoam, Apparat, John Tejada, Matthew Dear, Swayzak, Lusine, Bola, Telefon Tel Aviv, Alex Smoke, Nortec Collective, Damian Lazarus, Christopher Willits, Smash TV, and Roger O'Donnell.

POINTS OF INTEREST:
 - Funktion One sound system!
- Two rooms of music
- Extended hours – Open afterhours, 2-4am
- Crews involved: Decibel, Fourthcity, Sensory Effect and Shameless
- First time these groups have come together for one monthly event - The talent will be a blend of the best international, national and local dj's that can be found, plus include live electronic music artists.

DETAILS:
 - Dates: 2nd Fridays starting April 13th
- Venue: Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison, Seattle, WA 98122
- Hours: 9pm to 4am (afterhours)
- Ages: 18+, bar for those 21+ with ID

LINKS:
 - Chop Suey
- Decibel
- Fourthcity
- Sensory Effect
- Shameless

More details coming soon. See you April 13th!


[December 18, 2006]

RECENT DECIBEL NYE SHOW

School House Rawk! - A Very Special New Years Eve Celebration
3 Rooms / 4 Bars / Visual Art / DJs / Live Music / Costumes / Catering
Custom sound by KV2 + AWESOME VENUE!

Tickets available now through Brown Paper Tickets

DECIBEL ROOM:
Thomas Fehlmann, Let's Go Outside, Jerry Abstract, Kristina Childs, Nora Posch

AMBIENT/DUB ROOM:
Lusine, Kris Moon, Greg Skidmore, Chris West

FLIGHT TO MARS ROOM:
SynthClub, Diem, Sweet Chris Bell, Whatever, Stick Yo Hand in the Dirt

This event combines the promotional talent of the Decibel Festival, Flight to Mars, Youngstown, Laptop Battles, Phoenix Festival, and more - this is sure to be one the best NYE parties Seattle has ever seen! We can't wait to see you all and celebrate the holiday together.

YOUNGSTOWN: Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle

Sunday, December 31st
Doors open 8pm and party goes til 4am! - 21+ only
Tickets $20 presale / $30 at the door

More information about School House Rawk

[December 18, 2006]

MEDIA REVIEWS!

Grooves Mag
"Much like its other significant North American companion and standard-bearer for electronic festivals on this continent—Montreal's Mutek—Decibel was an international convergence of visions, interpretations, and variations on the theme of electronic music within the intimacy and communication of a small(er) festival setting." - Jefferson Petrey, Grooves Mag

Remix Magazine
"Decibel Festival's holistic approach to the electronic music festival was much appreciated and enjoyed by seemingly all in attendance... without a doubt, the noise around this event will only continue to grow." – Lucas Dickey, Remix Mag

Igloo Magazine, Review Part 1
" "...Decibel is about the union of musicians and audiences forming a solid, awe-inspired and satisfying festival..." Pietro Da Sacco, Editor of IglooMag

Igloo Magazine, Interview with Lusine from DB


[December 07, 2006]

RECENT DECIBEL SHOW

2006 National Laptop Battle Championship
Thursday, December 7th
Chop Suey - 1325 E Madison St, Seattle, Washington 98122
Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets

This December, regional winners from 8 different cities will gather in Seattle to face-off for the title of National Laptop Battle Champion. The final winner also receives prizes from a number of leading software and hardware manufacturers, creating even further friendly competition. The battles began in Seattle in 2003 and have since grown into a national phenomenon. Decibel is proud to support our Director of Education, Kris Moon, and the growing laptop battle audience. Hope to see you on Thursday!

COMPETITORS: Squidleader (Seattle), Protman (Chicago), Matthewmatics (Austin). Doormouse (Miami). Cygnus (Dallas), Velapene (New York), Threv (Atlanta), Vytear (Philly).
More Information about Laptop Battles

------------------------------------------

RECENT DECIBEL SHOW

[ A site-specific composition by Jamie Drouin and Yann Novak ]
November 18th, 2006
3:00 - 4:30PM

Henry Art Gallery
Henry Auditorium
University of Washington
15th Ave NE & NE 41st St
Seattle, WA
Cost = FREE

Dragon’s Eye Recordings is proud to present a new collaborative work by multimedia/sound artist Jamie Drouin and composer/sound artist Yann Novak. This site-specific composition will respond to the Auditorium at the Henry Art Gallery where the artists first met as part of a panel discussion during the 2006 Decibel Festival. The composition explores both artists’ affinity for altered field recordings and a mutual interest in exploring the ability of sound to alter the atmosphere of spaces we inhabit—physically and emotionally. Critic Nate Lippens will moderate a short conversation with the artists following the performance.


[November 7th, 2006]

RECENT DECIBEL SHOW

Twice a year Decibel collaborates with Infinite Connections, Uniting Souls and IOSIS Art Party to throw a multiple room event at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. On Saturday, November 11 the next installment of these parties "Magnetic II" will be taking place.

November 11. 2006 @ Pacific Science Center
200 2nd Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109
9pm - 4am
18+, 21+ w/ID for the Bar
www.infiniteconnections.org/magneticII

Here's the line-up on the Decibel "Minimal" Room:

Berg Nixon a.k.a. Ryan Crosson (M-nus / Trapez / Telegraph Records – Detroit) - Live Set
Geoff White (Ghostly - Spain) - Live Set
Jerry Abstract (Decibel / Fixelplix / Shitkatapult - SEA) - 3 Turntable Minimal Set
Kristina Childs and Nordic Soul (Krakt / Decibel - SEA) - 2x4 Set

There are 3 other rooms with live performers, DJs, visual art and entertainment, featuring:

Uniting Souls Room
Rithma (Om Records, Tweekin', Terraform, Uniting Souls Music - LA)
Gabriel Alexander (Empire Music Werks, Uniting Souls - Miami)
Mat Anderson (Uniting Souls, Deepfunk Records - SEA)
Ramiro (Uniting Souls – SEA)
Manoj (Jedeye, your.mom - PDX)
Packy (Uniting Souls, Innerflight - SEA)

IOSIS Room
Jaia (Digital Structures – France)
Makoi (Psybooty Records – PDX)
Osiris Indriya (Oracle Gatherings, IOSIS Art Party - SEA)
Obu (Bombay Power)

Breaks and Freaks Room
NAHA (Graylife – SEA)
Doc Schmikyl (Onsetdnb - SEA)
Hesitait (Jungle.One, Uniting Souls - PDX)
Sonny Chiba (Positive Charge, Beat Affinity – SEA)

Live art by
Jay Mason
J Garcia
Mermak
Shelly

Visuals
Yuba Foxfire
Seizure Labs

Live entertainment
Pure Cirkus

For complete details and additional information, please visit us online: http://www.infiniteconnections.org/magneticII


[October 2, 2006]

FESTIVAL RECAP AND THANK YOU'S

  • Festival Recap
  • Special Thanks
  • Photo Links and Documentation
  • Online Exit Surveys

    • 2006 DECIBEL FESTIVAL RECAP

     (A note from Sean Horton, Decibel Founding Director and Curator)

    The 2006 Decibel Festival has come and gone. Though many of the repercussions still remain to be seen, it is safe to say that this year was far and away our most successful to date. Now that we’ve had some time to come out of the post-festival recovery period, I wanted to share some highlights.

    Throughout four days (September 14th – 17th) Decibel had more than 90 musical artists and 26 visual artists perform, across 17 separate showcases in 6 venues. Over 9500 tickets were sold and we were at or near capacity in most venues throughout the weekend.

    A large portion of our audience was from out of town, many out of the country, and there was a huge group camaraderie amongst everyone present that resulted in a truly unique experience. Comparatively speaking, our first year (2004) sold over 2600 individual tickets. We are quite pleased that our grassroots festival has grown to the point of bringing international notoriety to Seattle, and I hope this will result in more clubs, radio stations and publications incorporating electronic music into the fold.

    Perhaps most importantly, the sound systems, visual artists, performers and djs were all in top form, each bringing their very best to Decibel.

    For me personally, one of the most important criteria for judging the success of the festival is the artist's reaction. Typically if the artist is enjoying their experience, the audience feels that connection and reciprocates it. I've witnessed this inexplicable bond time and time again through out my life, but never experienced it in succession like I had at Decibel this last September.

    Considering how diverse this year's line up was, I am utterly amazed at how well everything seemed to flow. Each venue and each showcase seemed to fall into place at just the right moment. The conference also had great turnout, with many of the demos being standing room only.

    Overall, the 2006 Decibel Festival was a complete success on every level, and we can’t wait to see you all next year!

    SPECIAL THANKS

     In general, I would like to thank all the volunteers, technicians, companies, clubs, attendants, publications and artists who helped in making the 2006 Decibel possible.

    I would also like to thank the local promoters whom were partners this year - they are Sensory Effect, Shameless, SunTzu Sound and Uniting Souls.

    As for the Visuals, big thanks to hosts KillingFrenzy, The Now Device, Foxfire F/X, Tracer Visuals, V8 Media, and all the individual visiting and local VJs that made the performances look so good.

    Thanks to our sponsors for their continued support and contributions: Ableton, Easy Street Records, Hotel Max, Igloo Magazine, KBCS, KEXP, Kohort Distribution, Mackie, Neuton, Nonsequitur, Oseao, PlayNetwork, PlexiPixel, Propellerheads, Rane, Remix, Robotspeak, Samurai.fm, Seattle Mayors Office of Film and Music, The Stranger, Verizon and XLR8R.

    Lastly, I would like to give a special thanks to Jerry Abstract (Creative Director), Vance Galloway (Technical Director), Kris Moon (Education Director), Tanya Lutman (Communications Director), Leo Mayberry (Visual Coordinator), Zach Smith (Production Manager), Kristina Childs (Sponsorship Coordinator), Aron Schoppert (Artist Management), Brian Willoughby (Recording Engineer), Greg Skidmore (Artist Management), Rachael Mamane (Volunteer Coordinator), Rafael Irisarri (PR / Label Relations), the Db Web Team (Ario, Jeremy & Adam) and Kate Lesta (Volunteer Coordinator) all of whom displayed incredible strength and poise under very difficult circumstances over the past months. It has been a pleasure working with all of you.

    Sincerely,
    Sean Horton
    Decibel Founding Director and Curator

    P.S.
    We’re currently working on the “Decibel Organization site”, which will contain music archives, video and photos from the past 3 years. Stay tuned to www.dbfestival.com for more info.

    PHOTO LINKS AND DOCUMENTATION

     Also very appreciated are the photographers and videographers who captured the festival this year.

    2006 Decibel Festival Official Photographers

    Erik Clineschmidt
    Christopher Nelson
    Sami Khoury
    Sarah Jones
    Roseann Barnhill

    You can find additional pictures on Flikcr:
    Decibel 2006 Flickr Group

    Official Documentation

    Travis Becker of SeattleArt.org and his group of videographers were all working throughout Decibel 2006 to capture highlights, artist interviews, and the audience on film. The entire group: Travis Becker, Eugene Keam, Matthew Naylor, Collin Moore, Barrett Brown, Seth Gwinn, Mishka Morris, Andrew Buckles, and Andrew Nothngale. More information about short videos and documentation will be coming soon.

    ONLINE SURVEYS

     Decibel has an online survey available for everyone who took part in this year’s festival. It helps us gain additional sponsorships that will partially fund Decibel 2007, and provides a chance for you to give us direct feedback about what you liked best plus give new suggestions. We’d really appreciate you taking five minutes to fill out the survey, and thanks in advance!

    Decibel 2006 Exit Survey


    [September 13, 2006]

    HENRY ART GALLERY

    Thursday, September 14, 6:30 PM
    Henry Auditorium (FREE)

    Join local and visiting artists of Decibel for an opening reception and conversation discussing intersections between contemporary art and sound, as well as innovative models for distribution and exhibition. Fionn Meade moderates a conversation with Octavio Castellanos and Pepe Mogt of the Tijuana-based Nortec Collective along with Seattle-based artists and organizers Randy Jones (Cycling 74), Yann Novak (Dragon’s Eye Recordings), Jerry Abstract (Decibel Festival Creative Director) and Victoria based sound/audio artist Jamie Drouin (Microforming II).

    Please come at 5 PM for a brief discussion and listening to day ring, night ring, a 5.1 sound composition from Los Angeles artist Steve Roden created for the James Turrell Skyspace at the Henry, on exhibit until October 15.
    [September 8, 2006]

    DECIBEL MEDIA ATTENTION!

    Earplug
    "We'll admit to occasionally harboring a European bias when it comes to electronic music, but we'll be eagerly watching Seattle's Decibel Festival for signs of a North American resurgence..."
    Read full Earplug preview by Philip Sherburne

    XLR8R
    "Seattle's Decibel Festival, now in its [third] year, is the Pacific Northwest's answer to a multi-media arts festival, and the folks behind it have done a bang-up job this year bringing in the best musical and visual acts around. In addition to the performances and installations, the festival will also feature workshops and panel discussions, events on audio and visual technology, 6 venues including the very popular Chop Suey and Barca clubs, and, our personal favorite, a beer garden."

    Resident Advisor
    The Wire
    Seattle Weekly
    Remix - Transmissions
    Igloo
    KEXP Blog

    [September 8, 2006]

    DECIBEL ON THE RADIO!

    Interviews on KBCS - tonight!

    Every Friday night local community radio station KBCS 91.3 FM has a program titled “Yes, Yes, Ya’ll” which regularly play artists Decibel has booked. Tonight's show is featuring:

    9.8.06: Director of Education Kris Moon + Director of Communication Tanya Lutman
    Tracks from: Lusine, Mr. Projectile, Terso, Deru, Thomas Fehlmann, Kris Moon, Zapan, Logic Probe, Apparat, Tekgnosis, Soultek, [a]pendics.shuffle, Green Velvet, Foscil, Subtle, Kate Simko, The Dead Texan, Murcof, ndCv, Bola, Speedy J, Nordic Soul and Jeremy Ellis

    Tune In:
    Yes, Yes, Ya'll, Friday nights from 11pm - 1am PST
    91.3 FM KBCS : Listen Live Online!

    Previously:
    8.18.06: Creative Director Jerry Abstract and Randy Jones
    8.25.06: Sponsorship Coordinator Kristina Childs and Greg Skidmore
    9.1.06: Decibel Exec. Director / Curator Sean Horton + Lusine


    KEXP Decibel Podcast : Music That Matters Vol. 24

    Hosted by KEXP Program Director Kevin Cole, KEXP Music That Matters Vol. 24 features music from artists that are performing at this year's Decibel Festival.
    Tracks from: Andreas Tilliander, [a]pendics.shuffle, Apparat, Deru, Fax, Foscil, Lusine, Murcof, Nortec Collective, Static, and Speedy J.

    Subscribe to KEXP's podcast now with the following links:

    Using iTunes
    Using another service
    Learn more about KEXP podcasts here
    And it's also listed on the KEXP home page

    Thanks everyone!

    [August 01, 2006]

    Decibel's Official Hotel Hotel Max is located in downtown Seattle, one mile away from Decibel's two main venues. The hotel is centered around creative industries, with each room featuring original art commissioned specifically for them and photography showcased in common areas. Discounts are available for the Decibel Group. For more information, please visit the Hotel Max page within our site.

    [July 15, 2006]

    International Festival of Electronic Music Performance, Arts and New Media

    The 2006 Decibel Festival lineup is nearly complete, and with it comes a glimpse into what is sure to be our most ambitious festival yet. Over the course of four days, we are presenting international acts from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the U.K. and of course the U.S while still keeping a focus on Pacific Northwest artists.

    This year Decibel also expanded the Showcases to offer even more diverse talent, visual art and activities including the 1st Annual DB-Conference and 1st Annual OPTICAL Multimedia Showcase. With only 6 weeks left until the festival, we encourage all of you to explore our updated website and secure your 2006 Decibel Festival Pass which is now on sale. See you in September!