‘Rebirth’ assembles electronic showcase

One of the major concerns voiced by people I encounter when I’m out enjoying live and local music, is how do we create and sustain a music scene here in northern Maine. Any music fan around here wants it desperately, but there seems to be some confusion as to how to make it really work.

But in the past, it has happened. Five years ago there was an electronic music scene in the Bangor area, and specifically Orono. Why did it work? The reason is that all four of the necessary elements for a music scene were present – places for people to congregate, a lot of talented musicians (DJs, in this case), and most importantly, a community that welcomed those DJs and a devoted group of fans.

Many of the people associated with that scene have moved on to different things (jobs, school, marriage, the usual), but for those who weren’t around for the halcyon days of techno round these parts you can experience a bit of what it was like tomorrow night at the Blues Caf? in Orono. Clarity, Jefferson Hobbs, KTF Terison, Unity and Anna Schauffler will offer a night of electronic music at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in a showcase titled, appropriately, “Rebirth: A Progressive Music Revitalization.”

Progressive is a catchall term for electronic music that combines the nonstop energy of trance with the funky 4/4 rhythm of house. As with techno in general, there are countless subgenres – Hobbs incorporates elements of tribal house into his music, which features deep, heavily percussive “tribal” rhythms, while Terison explores drum ‘n’ bass and electro.

“[Progressive] is very melody-based, but still with a distinctive beat,” said Unity. “I like to bring in elements of a more rugged chugging sound, like dirty house. It’s just no-nonsense dance music.”

To hear them tell the tale, the DJs being featured Saturday were part of a real community, which at one point was so large that techno nights at Ushuaia in Orono were regularly packed wall-to-wall, something that’s unheard of nowadays.

Unity, aka Brendan Schauffler, arrived in the area in 2001 after transferring to UMaine from the University of Southern Maine, in order to be with his now-wife, Anna (formerly Sysko, now Schauffler). They met while both were DJing in Portland.

“She was part of what was already established, with Jefferson [Hobbs] and DJ Griff and Virgil Lyons,” said the 30-year-old Schauffler. “UMaine was sponsoring these Movin’ and Groovin’ DJ nights, which really made the community tighter, and also expanded it. Some nationally known DJs started coming to Ushuaia, which solidified things and gave local DJs around town the chance to rub elbows with heavy talent.”

KTF Terison, aka Kristian Terison, came to UMaine in 2001 as an 18-year-old first-year student, just starting out as a DJ.

“When I came to UMaine I didn’t know what I’d find,” he said. “But I lucked out and fell into an amazing group of people. I hadn’t found any community before, or since, that showed the level of devotion to the music. There was a lot of support and camaraderie.”

“It was so satisfying to be a part of a group of people all enjoying the same art form, and expressing their love for it through dancing,” said Schauffler. “We haven’t been able to find the same kind of community anywhere that’s built around music and friendship.”

Terison and the Schaufflers left Maine in 2003, with Brendan and Anna moving to Michigan and Terison moving to Vermont. Jefferson Hobbs moved to California soon after. DJ Clarity, aka Beth Farnham, moved to Tennessee. Other DJs had also moved on, and last year tragedy struck when Phonicoid, aka Mark Seiler, passed away. The scene dwindled and gradually disappeared.

But Farnham came back, followed by Hobbs. The Schaufflers returned to Maine this past September, and Terison will graduate from Landmark College in Vermont in a few weeks, after which he’ll move back to Maine.

Everyone’s been working on new projects – Hobbs worked as a video game designer in California before coming back East, and the Schaufflers are currently working on opening an organic farm in Newry. Terison recently opened a recording studio in southern Maine. When she’s not a DJ, Farnham is a journalist. For the first time in three years, a real local DJ party is happening in Orono.

Is the time right for a resurgence? The only way to find out is to come out and support the scene. After all, it all starts with a community.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the Blues Caf? in Orono. Admission is free and it’s 21+. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net.

Supporting acts

. Brewer’s Mark’s Music celebrates its 11th year in business with a big ol’ showcase of local music at Club Gemini in Bangor this Saturday. Join River Bottom Funk, Spilled Milk, Shyboy, the England Brothers, Man Vs. Himself, Soundbender, Sid’s Kids, Cobalt Blue and Rhymes With Funk for six hours of nonstop music starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Come for the music; stay for the gear giveaways and door prizes, including guitars and gift certificates. Best of all: the show is free. For information, call 989-6658.

. It’s not live music, but it’s still pretty rockin’: Railroad Square Cinemas in Waterville will have a late-night showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 11:30 p.m. tonight, Friday. Come in costume, talk to the screen and do the time warp. Tickets are $8; for information, call 873-4021. I see you shiver with antici… pation.