Making noise outdoors

BY DENISE BENSON

The most important thing about what I do is that it has to be the party I want to go to," says Justin Martin of Alien Visitation and Beta fame. Common words for a promoter, perhaps, but anyone who knows Martin can attest to his deep-seated enthusiasm and creative vision. A onetime club and rave security guard, he began producing parties in 1995 as one-third of the Alien Visitation crew. From the beginning, he says, "the concept was to throw parties that were more detailed aesthetically -- to go into places and change, not just use them."

More recently, Martin has chosen to build on a community vibe, throwing events ranging from his infamous 50-person camping-and-canoeing "Boreal" excursions to shows by Kruder & Dorfmeister and Legion of Green Men. At least two things are clear: he likes to build things, and he loves the outdoors.

"I think it's worthwhile to bring people together outside the city, in fresh air and non-linear, right-angled spaces," he states. "A lot of people don't realize how much they like it until they experience it. Plus, in Toronto there's not a lot of noise you can make outside."

Martin's attention is now focused on a 100-year-old barn just north of King City for the Harvest Festival on Saturday (Oct. 9). Celebrating the harvest, the changing of the seasons and the new moon, this electronic music festival is "centred on the ideal of bringing people together around good food, a natural environment and great music." Martin is encouraging revellers to arrive Saturday afternoon to fully enjoy the surroundings, collectively created food, massive bonfire, lighting designs and, of course, music. Beginning late Saturday afternoon and running through to late Sunday morning, DJs will blend sounds on four turntables and two mixers. The line-up features Algorithm (Revolver), Lotus (Fukhouse, Blue) with his phat, pitched-down tech house, Victoria's dub gnostic, RNB residents Ali Black and Richard Brooks, Legion of Green Men's Lex, Mettle and 20th C. Blues' Eric Downer, Bryan Falling, Tyler Kerr, Lazy Ray and Mike Blotto, Polyphonic & Aria (Soundsphere) playing breaks, Chicks Dig It resident DJ Chocolate, the Circle Research trio adding hip-hop to the mix, Kinder Atom's Gerald Belanger and Pype, who "runs around like crazy with a cordless, miked-up flute."

"As soon as you get people working to get somewhere, you know they're all going to be there to have a good time," says Justin. Call 760-3132 for info.

HOWIE'S HORSE

Tuesday (Oct. 12), Milk and Spoon offer an "exclusive and intimate" DJ set from producer and remixer to the stars and boss of the Pussyfoot label Howie B. The man who has produced and toured with U2 and remixed Björk, Tricky and Sly and Robbie will undoubtedly drop tracks from his brand-new DaddyLongLegs album Horse (a collaboration with Naked Funk's Jeremy Shaw). Milk's Felix, Izzy and Gani will also be in the house at Roxy Blu. <http://www.milkevents.com/>

ETC.

Saturday (Oct. 9), Expansions is the party to check for sweet house and related grooves. Coming from Chicago are Shannon Harris and Robert Grillo. Super-smooth locals Joel Richmond, John Kumahara and the Blueprint crew are also featured. It's at 189 King E.

The Deep Dish duo are in town the same night, spinning at Industry alongside residents Mario J. and Matt C.

On a different planet, er, tip, Hullabaloo offers A View to a Thrill, featuring three U.K. guests -- M-Zone, DJ Sy and DJ Unknown -- alongside locals Anabolic Frolic, Dominik, Spinz & Capital J, Marcus, Euphonic, D-Minus, Dr. Trance and others. Call 410-3813.

Antigone Media offers Sugar and Spice: The Jazz of Spoken Word at the Top o' the Senator from Tuesday (Oct. 12) to next Sunday (Oct. 17). The ambitious project brings together jazz players and vocalists with rappers, spoken word artists and authors, and kicks off with Hip-Hop Unplugged: It's a Jazz Thing, featuring Motion, the Equinox Crew, El Machetero and others. Call 364-7517 or <www.virtualnoise.com/antigone>.