Happy Sunday Yall! This week we’re stoked to share a bit from the incredible minds of HAVEN ahead of their stage takeover at this year’s Twisted. These party pioneers have made waves across the globe, pushing an importance for harder and weirder sides of electronic music which is all too often missed. Big ups to everything HAVEN have done and are continuing to do for the music scene. Keep reading to hear straight from the folks themselves.

Twisted: What do you think about Twisted and how this festival relates to your kaupapa?

HAVEN: From the moment we first started attending Twisted in 2021 we felt right at home with the festival. The vibe, the sound systems, the quality DJ sets, the locally-oriented line-up, the feeling of respect running through the whole thing - it all matches up with a lot of what we like to see at our own events. It's also one of the few festivals in Aotearoa that regularly gives a platform to electronic genres that are often neglected by a lot of big promoters and festivals through the summer season here - which is important work for the health of the music scene.

Twisted: What are you looking forward to most about Twisted 2024?

HAVEN: It's one of the highlights of our summer every year and it's an honour to have been involved to some degree the past few years. Playing to an open-minded crowd is always something to look forward to, but on top of that we're simply looking forward to enjoying the festival and coming together in one place with so many of our friends and peers around the country for NYE!


HAVEN: HAVEN started as a small 100 person party in Tāmaki Makaurau in 2015 originally intended to start promoting events that showcased the harder and weirder side of Techno at a time where you couldn't find much music in that vein in Aotearoa. From there we went on to host internationals including Terekke, Ansome, Perc, UVB, Daze, and Headless Horseman, before relocating to Berlin in 2018 where we hosted events at the renowned Griessmuehle club. We also expanded into a vinyl-focused record label that year where we've released leading international artists including VTSS, Tommy Holohan, Ryan James Ford, New Frames, Peder Mannerfelt and more.


These days we are based in Ōtautahi and our main focus right now is on trying to bring a new dimension to nightlife in our city. We do this through hosting diverse and inclusive events outside of the regular late-night clubs and venues in locations including warehouses and a retro games arcade. We really try to fine-tune all parts of the experience and make sure the sound (provided by 03 legends Subtle Sound System), the lighting, and the music are of the highest standard we can get, while also encouraging respectful party-goers that enjoy the dance in the moment and not via their phones. We love to see a pumping dance-floor full of alternative ravers fully absorbed in the music and hope to keep facilitating this for the years to come!



Twisted: Mad respect <3 Diversity is key, how do you go about curating/steering your events this way? 

HAVEN: We really try to platform the best of local talent in Aotearoa as much as we can with our events - we are internationally-inspired, but locally-minded. A lot of promoters in Aotearoa try to build their entire brands off having as many regular hyped international guests as possible - which is a nice luxury, but doesn't necessarily build the community that's essential for the longevity of the wider dance music scene here. We're of course open to having the right internationals at our events, but we really see our local talent as being the base of everything we do with our events.



Twisted: Do you have any favourite or proudest moments?

HAVEN: Getting the chance to work with European clubs such as Griessmuehle in Berlin, Rote Sonne in Munich, and FOLD in London has been an honour and a lot of fun getting to bring our sound to such highly-esteemed venues. Also working alongside a lot of the international talent on the label has been amazing and a big source of pride.

Really our favourite memories have been around the events we've been running in Ōtautahi in recent years. Our first warehouse event at TyanHaus and our Arcadia events have felt so special and there's been such a good vibe at all of them that's felt rewarding in a way that nothing else has.



Twisted: What’s HAVEN up to before Twisted?

HAVEN: We've got our final HAVEN event for the year happening December 8th! Closing out a year of HI NRG rave pits with another SWEATBOX for our Ōtautahi creatures. Snatch up some tickets here: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1506847016794951



Twisted: Any final thoughts?

HAVEN: At the risk of repeating ourselves - just have to give big ups to the whole crew for facilitating such a nice event year after year that gives a regular platform to genres that don't always make it to the festival stages in Aotearoa!



BIG UPS TO HAVEN! We love celebrating diversity and watching other crews uphold this important aspect in the music scene. If you’re in Ōtautahi early December, be sure to grab your tickets to their final event of the year, and catch these wonderful people at Twisted!



HAVEN Sunday Shoutout

An aspect that is perhaps less known about Twisted is our endeavours to invite important figures from a wide range of disciplines to share their knowledge and experience with our community, With outdoor festivals being a bit of a strange place to come and teach/share, that isnt always the easiest task so when they decide to join us we are always so deeply appreciative of them taking the leap.

This year we are proud to present a distinguished guest, Anke Richter, a renowned journalist and international bestselling author. Her latest book, 'Cult Trip - Inside the World of Coercion and Control,' has been making waves, taking readers on a captivating journey through the intricate dynamics of cults. Anke's work delves into the intriguing questions of how and why cults manage to captivate, ensnare, and disrupt the lives of seemingly ordinary people.


Join us as we delve into the compelling world that Anke has meticulously explored, uncovering the profound intricacies of cults. She has ventured from the emotional and criminal turmoil of Auckland's Centrepoint to the enigmatic realm of the infamous Osho's ashram in India. Her journey has taken her through the tantric Agama Yoga school in remote Thailand, and ultimately, to the captivating Gloriavale on the West Coast of the South Island. Along the way, she's unravelled a disturbing pattern of violence and suffering, shedding light on what truly transpires within these enigmatic groups we commonly refer to as 'cults.'


Anke Richter is a wealth of knowledge, and she's eager to share her profound insights and lessons with us. You won't want to miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of this mysterious world. We are thrilled to have Anke join us at Twisted Frequency 2024!


Anke Richter at Twisted 2024

Introducing Citadel Records! This four-person collective is not just making music; they're sculpting an auditory experience that transcends the ordinary. Citadel Records emerged as a beacon of innovation in the realm of experimental sounds, exploring uncharted territories within the expansive landscape of hip hop. Read on to hear from Citadel themselves.

Twisted: Tell us a bit about how Citadel Records came about and where you want to go

Citadel Records: Citadel Records is an experimental hip hop collective consisting of 990x, Sauron, Iji, and Wear Poumanu. This was born from a shared love for music and a vision to unite SoundCloud's underground music scene. The group's primary goal is to explore the limits of trap production, seeking to push the boundaries of this genre into the spiritual realm and beyond.

Twisted: Tell us about your sound - What are we in for?

Citadel Records: Citadel Records draws inspiration from their profound connection with nature and the land, expressed in their music through folk samples, organic soundscapes, and the inclusion of nature's soothing sounds. This environmental sound harmonises with the festival, known for celebrating the beauty of the outdoors and the psychedelic roots of the music scene. The emotional resonance of the music created by the groups uplifting melodies, introspective soundscapes and nature infused sounds creates the perfect immersive experience for festival-goers.

Our crew will be reuniting again for the first time in a while and we are all excited to make some cool memories with the festival. We are all super happy about being able to perform and expose our sound to a new audience. Not only are we keen to perform but also make new connections and discover new artists at the festival.

Twisted: Do you have a favourite moment together?

Citadel Records: When we went from being friends in discord to all meeting up at Sauron's house in Brisbane where we found ourselves simultaneously taking ice baths back to back, while cooking up beats.

Twisted: What are you up to before Twisted?

Citadel Records: The crew will be kicking back in Wellington and making new music collaboratively. we may even do another show...stay tuned!

Big ups to Citadel Records! We can’t wait to watch them push the limits and take hip hop to places we didn’t even know existed. Be sure to catch them at this year’s Twisted Frequency and jump over to the music tab to scope the full lineup.

Citadel Records Sunday Shoutout!

One of the things that we feel is most important about underground outdoor festivals have always been the connections that form as a result of these events taking place. Simply by being in the same space new connections are formed that change our paths for the better. Be it artists from around the world meeting and collaborating, expanding the crew for other creative projects or simply meeting new beautiful humans, Twisted has long been a place for forging new bonds and strengthening existing ones.

We have decided to take that one step further by facilitating four intentional speed networking events where participants will have a chance to link up with people on a similar buzz/mission OR just make some new friends!

How are we gonna do it? To put it simply, You will sit with a stranger and have a chunk of time to speak and get to know what they are about, When the buzzer goes you will swap over to a new human and do it all again. These meetings are intended to break the ice and introduce ourselves to new people,  so we can take these connections out into the big wide world and do some cool stuff ^_^

Sounding like something you're into? Heres the plan:

30th: Twisted Whānau meetup:
Whether you're new to Twisted, don't know many peeps and wanna make some new friends or you're a social butterfly and want to make heaps more - This is the one for you.
Taking place right before the opening ceremony, sit down for a sec and connect with fellow music/art/nature lovers, put some faces to names and see where it goes over the following 5 days!

31st: Promoters meetup:
The sheer amount of amazing people across Aotearoa who put on events is crazy. At Twisted we are surrounded by tonnes of talented movers and shakers who make things happen and we wanted to put them all in one place and make sure they are linked up! This is for anyone who has a project, be it a festival, indoor events or anything of the sort to see if we can seed the process of sharing resources and info and help things flow even smoother into the coming year <3

1st: Producers meetup:
For music producers of all kinds, If you make noise on a computer and want to talk about it/share it/meet someone who can tell you if your snare sounds shit (Or great!) then join this dusty bunch of sound nerds in a hearty yarn, a chance to talk about your projects and potentially connect and collaborate with other artists on a similar vibe!

2nd: Change makers:
Whether you are a hardcore activist already or someone who is passionate about making change we invite you along to meet fellow folks who give a fuck about the state of it and find out what they are doing/want to do to make a difference. Almost everyone in our community has some cause they are passionate about, Lets make the most of this and use Twisted as a platform to do better! Climate change, LGBTQ rights, racial oppression or any number of pressing issues might come up here, the main point is that we meet each other, listen to one another, and see what we can do together!

Pick one and make a mental note to find it in the festival guide! Networking within our communities is something that can lead to incredible opportunities, friendships, and creative synergies that change the course of life for many and that is a very important thing for us to observe and embrace!

Disclaimer: This photo is actually our wonderful Psy care team having a meeting pre fest but it fits the vibe of what we are trying to do, like-minded folks sitting together with a purpose

Speed Networking at Twisted!

These incredible humans always know how to bring the right attitude to any situation, whether it’s hosting an inclusive skate jam, or responding to bathroom tags. They dropped an article about their time at Twisted earlier this year in their May magazine. Have a read here or on our website. While you’re at it, check out their Instagram for more amazing things Wozer is bringing to Aotearoa’s skate community. 

https://www.instagram.com/wozerskatemag/


On the plywood wall of a toilet made from buckets, wood, and (mostly) inspirational words written in permanent marker, one of us wrote “Wozer”, excited to share our community with the next toilet goers who chose to read our message. We had come to Twisted Frequency, a festival nestled in the heart of Cobb Valley in Tākaka, to dance, party, and run an all-inclusive skate jam teaching beginners how to skate in a non-judgemental environment. Despite nursing hangovers and jelly legs from a full night of dancing, the jam was wholesome and inspiring. Even those who had never stepped on a skateboard gave it a shot, falling and getting back up again to cheers from onlookers and a hand up from the Wozer crew who were teaching. The environment we created was a safe and supportive one and everyone was welcome.

Apparently, not everyone got the memo. That night “Wozer” was crossed out in the twisted toilets and replaced by the words: “Shit Skaters”. 

It’s as if they missed the point of the mag entirely. 

Wozer isn’t about showcasing the world’s greatest skaters — there are already countless publications for that — we aren’t here to perpetuate the mentality that you have to be the best to be accepted into the community. Wozer is about celebrating the diverse and creative community that has gravitated toward skating. Skating doesn’t have to be this serious sport. You can do it to have fun, to take your mind off things, to get silly! Use it as an opportunity to connect with others and push yourself, rather than to belittle and compete.

Sure, some of us are “shit skaters”, that’s the point. Instead of being intimidated by an often unsupporting and misogynistic sport, Wozer has created a safe place for people to skate and get better at it, with friends that are supportive and uplifting.

The tag in the twisted bathrooms has opened up a discussion about the realities of getting into the skate scene, particularly if you’re not a man. It also isn’t our first experience with this kind of prejudice. When a stranger in a cafe in Newtown was asked to describe women skaters in one word, he said “No offence, but.. Posers”. This conversation birthed the name Wozer. A magazine of “women posers”. It has since become a publication that celebrates all skaters, regardless of their gender identity. 

This situation could’ve been easy to stay silent about, as we so often do. We have built a supportive community where comments like this don’t phase us anymore. However, we must still hold accountable those who create a hostile environment within the skate scene. When I think of people skating alone in their garage because they are too intimidated to skate at the park (as was the reality for a lot of us in the beginning), it becomes clear that this unwelcoming attitude needs to change so that we can work towards creating a more inclusive community.


P.S a lil footnote from Twisted: This is a great example of a resilient community at work and we love to see it! If you're reading this and you crossed out Wozer on our toilet walls:

Fuck you bud ^_^

Wozer crew rules and are far more welcome on our ramp than that sort of carryon.

Wozer = Shit Skaters

It’s that time of the week again! @Foodcourt.inc are fizzing to share their first festival takeover with you. These folk are all about celebrating diversity and providing a safe space for people to be free - massive shoutouts to that kaupapa!


Read on to hear the stories, passion, and vision of Foodcourt as they take us on a mini-journey through their inner workings.



Twisted: How do you feel your crew’s purpose relates to Twisted and what are you looking forward to for this year's takeover?


Foodcourt: Twisted for me, has always been about representation, community and providing safe spaces to people to be free and that is exactly what Foodcourt is. A night to bring everyone together, community, belonging and to be able to be who you want, play what you want and dance how you want. 


What excites me about Twisted and being apart of Twisted this year is, firstly, our first festival takeover, *pinching* and secondly to be a part of this beautiful underground community even more, connecting with others who may not be in the Ōtautahi scene and having a great time with some fabulous humans. Foodcourt or as we are calling our take-over Twisted Court is bringing a rolling b6b of amazing artists - Mr Meaty Boy, Waewaexpress, Infordin, Barns, Finn and Toronja. A diverse, sexy and absolute smorgasbord of flavour. We are starting around the 110bpm mark taking you on a 3 hour course meal to 160bpm, showing off a wide range of genres, style and big Whānau vibes. 



Twisted: Tell us about the origin of Foodcourt


Foodcourt: Foodcourt started as a way to highlight communities that were being overlooked in the Ōtautahi scene. We wanted to create a night that normalises diversity on the lineup as well as on the dance - floor. Our kaupapa is to bring BIPOC to the forefront of the night, but in a way of normalising it and not just a night for one group. Just like any foodcourt, you have all different cuisines to taste from, Foodcourt does the same but with more seasoning, spice and flavour. We take pride in providing safety, belonging, community and big ass shaking nights. 

Foodcourt: The first gig we ran! It was a cold, windy night but the people showed up and wanted to dance. Caru was playing a bootleg of Nesian Mystik and everyone was screaming the lyrics and dancing. Hearing multiple 'cheehooo's' made my heart flutter. The community vibes were on and it was a very special night for Foodcourt. 

Twisted: What’s coming up in the future for Foodcourt?

Foodcourt: A few exciting endeavours for next year, one that I wish I could tell - hint - something to do with lips and castles, Two Minds festival in March and working with other Aotearoa collectives - Phys Ed, Insessionz and Full Disclosure to bring a sexy day/night party festival - you heard it hear first! 


A big kia ora to the twisted Whānau, I can't wait to be there, meet everyone and show off a wee part of Foodcourt. Thank you so much!



Catch Foodcourt’s takeover at The Dojo at Twisted Frequency 2024. Without folk like these, we wouldn’t have such a diverse and rich culture in our scenes. Massive shoutouts to everything this crew has to offer - bring on the Foodcourt takeover!!


Foodcourt Sunday Shoutout

Aotearoa hip hop has been a consistent staple at Twisted since day one and this year is no different!


Once again we are calling out for MCs, vocalists, and lyricists! Our annual hip-hop open mic is happening down at the beat bach on the 31st to kick off a full eight hours of live NZ rap musicians and bands.


Hosted by our man Young Gho$t and our legendary Emerald, both Twisted regulars. This is your chance to let that inner wordsmith shine in our freestyle cypher. Bring your writtens or sharpen up on your frees and share the stage with some of the talented rappers we are hosting on new years day/night this year.


All styles and experience levels are welcome!


Join us at 2:40pm on New Year's Eve for another throwdown of the Cobb Valleys finest <3

GOT BARS?

Woah where did the year go? It’s November already?! That means only two months until we host another unforgettable Twisted in The Cobb. We have an extra special treat for you this year. The wonderful folks at TRASHPALACE are hosting a movie night at Twisted Frequency 2024! Shoutouts to these wonderful humans. Expect an oasis of chillness and all things weird and wonderful. Keep reading to hear straight from the minds of TRASHPALACE. 

Twisted: What’s TRASHPALACE all about? 

TRASHPALACE: TRASHPALACE is a film club that has been running intermittently since approx 2014. It is an open and welcoming community dedicated to the celebration of outsider, strange, experimental and cult cinema - we host free weekly screenings of weird and unusual films, curated with a thematic preshow of trailers and shorts. In addition to the weekly screenings we have had a range of special events including guest curators, double-features, secret screenings, open-airs, alternative-formats and an annual 12hr movie marathon. The annual 12hr movie marathon is always a highlight for me personally, although i am most proud of the screenings where we premier the short films made by our friends and whānau.

Twisted: What have you got in store for us this year at Twisted?

TRASHPALACE: This is the first time we have (officially) hosted TRASHPALACE film screenings at a festival and i am so excited for it - has always been a dream of mine to combine my love of sharing films with my love of outdoor festivals. My vision is to create a safe, cozy and inviting drop-in/drop-out cinema that will be running all night - an alternative activity to full-throttle party mode of nye for whenever you may need it. We will keep the programming not too intense or dark for this take-over while still offering plenty of brain-melting, weird and wtf moments that TRASHPALACE is known for! You can count on Twisted Frequency to curate a great line-up of weird, underground & experimental electronic music that pushes boundaries and rejects mainstream - and i feel like this is the same thing TRASHPALACE tries to do with our film curation.

Twisted: Have you got anything in the mix over the next couple of months?

TRASHPALACE: If you are in Wellington, we’ve still got a few more weekly screenings this year (we usually take hiatus over summer though while the nights are light and warm). We also host the weeks film online for 7 days after the screening for all those who can not make it in person - can find this and more info at https://trashpalace.tv. You can also join our email mailing list, and check out our instagram for more things TRASHPALACE.

Shoutouts to TRASHPALACE! We are fizzing to celebrate outsider, strange, experimental and cult cinema with these folk this year!

TRASHPALACE Sunday Shoutout

Golden Bay holds the well-deserved title of being THE dance party mecca of Aotearoa, and comes with its own unique scenery and natural history. Twisted Frequency is dedicated to preserving and nurturing this vibrant culture, nestled in the enchanting Cobb Valley. As you journey into the Cobb, the stunning scenery is merely a prelude to the adventure that awaits.

As we prepare to celebrate another year of music, art, and dance, we invite you to delve into the rich history that has shaped this extraordinary place and consider the natural wonders that lie just beyond our festival grounds. Before we catch you in the Cobb, let us introduce you to a hidden gem that lies within arm's reach, Kahurangi National Park.

The name 'Kahurangi,' which means 'treasured possession,' which perfectly encapsulates New Zealand's second-largest national park, a marvellous wonderland spanning 450,000 hectares from Golden Bay in the North to Murchison in the South. This ecologically rich park, established in 1996, emphasises the preservation of biodiversity and geodiversity. It offers an incredible variety of altitudes and whenua, creating unique habitats for a diverse array of Aotearoa’s flora and fauna.


If you can, we cannot recommend enough for you to take some time either side of your new year celebration to explore the incredible Golden Bay region.

Kahurangi National Park boasts over 570 kilometres of tramping tracks, some of which reveal New Zealand's oldest and most stunning marble and karst landforms. One such gem is the famous Heaphy Track, designated an official "Great Walk" by Aotearoa's Department of Conservation. The 82-kilometre Heaphy Track traverses ruggedly beautiful landscapes, taking hikers through alpine meadows, along a spectacular coastline, and into valleys of Nikau and other native palms. It is the longest of New Zealand's Great Walks and suitable for moderately fit people of all ages, usually taking about 5-6 days to complete. For those seeking a shorter adventure, there are plenty of day trip options from nearby towns like Motueka, Takaka, Karamea, and Murchison.

As we embark on the upcoming Twisted Frequency Festival, let us embrace not only the vibrant history of music and dance that has graced Golden Bay but also the treasured possession that is Kahurangi National Park. Together, we celebrate culture, nature, and the enduring spirit of this remarkable region. It's a journey worth making, and a festival experience like no other.

We are extremely lucky to call the Cobb Valley home and we ask that you do not take this beautiful space for granted and do everything in your power to leave the river clean and the land unsullied.


Kahurangi National Park

Happy Sunday yall - You know what time it is! Hineraiona - Bigbada BOOM Sound System will be gracing Twisted Frequency 2024 with a stage takeover. We want to shout out the awesome things they do in Aotearoa, and share our utter excitement. 


Bigbada Boom is dedicated to supporting femme deejays and MCs in the world of reggae and sound system culture. Femme built, femme empowered, and femme driven, big ups the wahine massif, we love to see it!

We were lucky enough to chat with Ariki A.K.A Queen Big Punch about Bigbada Boom and wanted to share some of that kōrero.

Twisted: Tell us a bit about yourself, your system, and why it’s special


BBB: My name is Ariki A.K.A Queen Big Punch and I am the owner and operator of Hine-Raiona Bigbada Boom Sound System. Hine-Raiona translates to Lion Maidens and is the second all-femme sound system built in Aotearoa to Ninth Wave Sound. We are currently the sole reggae sound system dedicated to supporting femme deejays/allies and artists in the reggae sound system scene Aotearoa - a much needed platform lacking in a community dominated by men and at times can be difficult to navigate through. 

Bigbada Boom is a phrase that came from one of my favourite films The Fifth Element where Lilu first met the protagonist as she fell through the roof of his taxi, explaining how her ship exploded the phrase "Bigbada Boom" came in to the scene. The phrase "Bada Bing Bada Boom" itself is traced back to the late 50s film The Italian Wedding often referring to the end of a story "There you have it" which ties in the purpose of the sound system. It’s "a big explosion of sound, its from afar and around in town, there you have it". It is also the first LGBT+ sound system built in NZ by myself and my team who are of the rainbow banner, a historical moment for the music scene and pride. 

BBB: The origin story of Bigbada Boom Sound System began 3 years ago! It is a combination of many things but if I have to pinpoint where the passion and love for music comes from; it would be my upbringing. As Maori/Pacifica we are always attracted to big loud sound and music that strikes back to the foundations of our whakapapa and reflecting in genres we relate to such as R&B, funk, disco, rap, hip hop and roots, rock reggae! In Tahiti where my mother is from we would have traditional dancing Ori Tahiti full of beauty, loud and powerful especially the large backing band hitting the big drums creating amazing traditional bass and sound. You can say big loud things are in my blood. I also had a big phase in my teen/young adult years where I dove deep into heavy metal which felt like the haka to me. That gave me a taste of the visceral and powerful sound as well as community that came from it, which helped lay the foundations of my passion soon to come later in life.

Twisted: What are your favourite memories with the sound system being created or used?


BBB: An honourable mention to those who helped make Bigbada Boom a reality! That is Bruce Nicol of Roadshow Productions and Marcus Wilson of Audio Technical Services who are audio legends in New Zealand. They are responsible for running many set ups and shows on varying scales throughout the decades whose knowledge in audio equipment is unparalleled. They are the best of the best and it’s a privilege to have their guidance in building Bigbada Boom to this day.

I also had the help of my lovely friend Luca Larkin The Boil House whose skills in woodwork and furniture making is a work of beauty. She helped me translate the speaker plans into a workable format and we began to cut out the plywood by hand - many endless nights to build the speakers. As all the pools of knowledge and skills from those who helped me came together, I harnessed and assembled the bits and bobs. Bigbada Boom was built at the former Wellington art studio Nautilus Creative Space, which was its home while it began to grow and it did quite rapidly. By the end of the 1st year I had a working custom made sound system with all ages of old tech slapped together. Seeing it run for the first time in my studio at the last big Nautilus Winter Party was my favourite memory. My second would be running my first stage at a festival dedicated to reggae dub sound systems at Earth Beat 2023. Followed by Dubscape in Whaingaroa Raglan where I had my first sound system clash with the mighty Red Robin The Reggae Rodeo Sound!

Twisted: Can you give us some insight into the tech?

BBB: Bigbada Boom is a combination of custom built and second hand audio gear.
It is all analogue with some new gear that matches the 1970s/80s era of sound It was built for. My oldest piece of gear is a tape delay unit close to 50 years old I acquired from the legendary Lion Rockers Hi-Fi Sound System.

As Maori we believe in Mauri, the life force of an object that holds the essence of all those who have interacted with it and I believe this energy imbues Bigbada, giving it its own life force which keeps growing as more people interact and add their energy to it. It is one of the few sound systems that use outdated and discontinued lines of audio equipment highly active in Aotearoa. Part of Bigbada’s unique experience is to witness a vintage sound of the past in the modern era.

Sound system culture is a very diverse topic but it is traced to Jamaica as early as the 1950s. In short it was a platform that operated independently to the established status quo which was dominated by the colonial construct of the white man. It, along with pirate radio, were the beacons of broadcasting and sharing artists and music often not accepted by the mainstream (music to broaden the mind that spoke of freedom and rebellion) Music became a source of empowerment to the lower and middle class who looked for something to grasp on to, to give them hope, and up it to the man. As Jamaicans migrated to England to rebuild the nation post WW2, their music spread to the UK along with sound system culture, where it formed the underground scene of UK rave culture today.

Bigbada Boom pays homage to the old school, supporting those most in need of a platform while at the same time acknowledging the whakapapa of sound system culture and its strong focus on reggae - as well as the entire spectrum that surrounds it from Ska, reggae dub, dance hall, Jungle and Dubstep.

Twisted: What does the future look like for BBB?

BBB: To continue the legacy of sound system culture! Staying true to the traditions passed down by the masters of sound and dub, aiming to educate and inspire the next generation. My vision is to one day elevate Bigbada Boom to Aotearoa's leading wahine/gender diverse reggae sound as this will also spread waves world wide.

Shoutouts to these fierce wahine and everything they do for our communities. Keep an eye out for Bigbada Boom events across the motu and check out our website for more Twisted news!

https://www.facebook.com/Bigbadaboomsoundsystem

BigBada BOOM Sunday Shoutout!!

Kia ora whānau. As you will mostly all know by now, every year one of our major zones takes on the name of native New Zealand fauna l and our team of sculptors turn driftwood and timber into a lifelike representation of our selected critter to become the central focus point of the space.

This creature becomes our totem animal which we use to shape the narrative of the year's event. We truly believe in the kaupapa of protecting Papatuanuku; the earth we walk on - not only are we grateful to her, but also her inhabitants who we exist alongside.

Last year we chose to feature the Kahurangi skink (or Mokomoko), a recently discovered, rare species of native lizard. We printed a limited edition run of Tee Shirts featuring the art of Kiri Inc to fundraise towards conservation of this precious taonga.

In a brilliant stroke of synchronicity we discovered the wonderful Anna Zrinyi-Morgan, who was working on the festival crew, is undertaking research into the ecology of the Kahurangi skink. Unbeknownst to us, the best possible person for this fundraising to go to was already part of the whānau and so naturally we have put the money towards her research.

Keep reading to hear about Anna’s fascinating Mokomoko tales, and the hard work she’s doing to research and protect these radical alpine reptiles. 

The Kahurangi skink (Oligosoma Kahurangi) is a skink specialised to living in alpine regions, mostly above 1400m in elevation. Kahurangi skinks are currently only known from two small sites in the Kahurangi park. These two sites are geographically isolated from each other and are small in size. The resulting small population size and limited area of occupancy means that the conservation status of this species is currently considered "Nationally Critical", and they may be at risk from introduced species predation. The Kahurangi skink is characterised by its long toes and extremely long tail, that often is much longer than its body. 

Skinks found in the Douglas range of the Kahurangi National Park were first brought to researchers' attention by Alec Milne from the community conservation group Friends of Cobb in 2017. Researchers were able to then formally describe the Kahurangi skink as a new species in 2021. 

My last trip to collect data on this species was in March 2023. These skinks live at the top of maunga and ridgelines, meaning that during the colder months these places are often covered with snow, during that period these skinks will likely enter torpor - a period of inactivity. I plan to revisit sites in the coming summer period to collect more data. 

Finding skinks in remote alpine regions can be tricky. Skinks and geckos in New Zealand can often be quite cryptic and hard to find. Once we are able to sight them, we carefully hand catch them. One of the methods we use to better understand the Kahurangi skink's ecology is by using non-invasive tracking methods. To do this we gently brush a special kind of non-toxic ultraviolet fluorescent (UV) paint powder onto the skinks' belly and feet. We then come back to the site at night with a UV torch. This lets us see where the skinks tracks are and what type of habitat they interact with. The UV paint powder brushes off completely within 30 meters of tracking and doesn't harm the skinks in any way. 

Alpine regions in the Kahurangi National Park are often hard to access, usually taking multiple days to tramp into, with some sites being completely off track. This is the first ecological study of the Kahurangi skink, therefore requiring repeated trips into these remote areas. The funding from Twisted will be used to help support myself and volunteers to undertake field work in remote sites on the Kahurangi skink. 


A huge thank you to Anna and her team for the amazing work they do in Aotearoa! Once again we will have a limited print featuring art from Kiri inc that is fundraising for the conservation of this years totem animal, make sure to stop by the info dome and score one before they're all snapped up <3

https://www.instagram.com/kiriinc/

Mokomoko - Kahurangi Skink 

Our next Sunday Shoutout is dedicated to our wonderful friends at Welcome to Nowhere. These epic humans have been curating Aotearoa’s coolest little festival since 2017 and a solid chunk of their core team are also deeply involved in making Twisted Frequency tick!

Nestled far from civilization in what feels like a pan-dimensional slice of tropical paradise hidden away in rural Manawatu, this festival boasts a swimming hole, live poetry, a prime selection of some of the bossest live bands/musicians from across the motu alongside up-and-coming independent New Zealand artists. Be sure to keep the first weekend of February free so you can indulge yourself in the delights of Welcome to Nowhere.

We had a kōrero with the collective to find out more about what makes this festival so special.


Twisted: what's the origin story of the festival, how did it come about, what's the kaupapa?

Nowhere: The idea for Welcome to Nowhere came about after members of the Eyegum Music Collective went to help out at a festival in the far north called Chronophonium. That experience was super inspiring - seeing how everything was put together by hand out of love for the music scene - so we figured we could pull off something similar a little closer to Pōneke. This was early 2016, around the time we started doing Eyegum Wednesdays after the wave of Eyegum house parties the previous few years, so we had a lot more time on our hands and decided to put that towards making a festival that we felt reflected our ideal festival experience.


Twisted: Tell us about the uniqueness of what you have on offer and what difference the punters can expect from other festivals.

Nowhere: The location of a festival adds so much to the character of a festival. Nowhere is a great little festival on an isolated piece of farmland near Whanganui, with an awesome swimming hole. It’s a great space to spend a weekend, let alone having 3 nights worth of bands, poets and art to take in. Nowhere is big enough to feel big, but small enough to feel like a big village. Community is a big element of Nowhere’s ethos. We build everything and we’re volunteer run, we make that clear, it’s immersive and part of the charm.


Twisted: What are your favourite memories with the festival and collective? 

Nowhere: From an organising standpoint the best part of every festival is finally walking down to the main stage after a long day of getting everybody onto site and set-up, and finally seeing the festival in full swing. People enjoying themselves around the stage that we’ve built by hand, relaxing in the swimming hole (one particular sunset float listening to French for Rabbits - the lagoon was empty and it was so peaceful and calming and lush to be surrounded by water with beautiful tunes), laughing and meeting like minded people - it’s a beautifully cathartic experience. Lastly, to be sappy, the moment of intense caring, solidarity and support you find with other organisers, volunteers and sometimes punters, in between the general stress and hectic-ness of working the fest. Big fan of that.

Also, we used to have this tradition (don’t remember how it became one) of cooking up hundreds of hashbrowns and bringing them down to the main stage at 3am to pass around the remaining crowd. Unfortunately we got a bit too big to do that, but we’d love to again if anybody wants to donate some slabs of potato toast? 


Twisted: What do you hope to achieve or make happen for the upcoming event, what's your vision? Are you adding or changing anything that's different from last time or other past events?

Nowhere: Every year we look at what we did previously, there’s a cool little church nearby which is open twice a year that we use for some memorable acoustic performances. This year, we’ll mainly be tweaking the things we’ve already done, little changes here, small alterations there. Last year we built a third stage that we didn’t get to use as much as we would have liked, so this year we’ve scheduled DJs to play from the early afternoon each day to give people a bit more choice with their musical vibe in the evenings. We’re also excited to welcome the Grotto back for a second year, their secret chillout space added an awesome element to the festival. 


Twisted: What's the best thing about W2N?

Nowhere: The sense of temporary community that comes about over Nowhere. There’s friends you make who you see once a year while at Nowhere. The community is definitely what makes it feel so special - it’s the perfect size for everything to feel caring and self-policing and the people you meet to become more than just passing festival friends. The music is also curated by people who have a deep passion for and knowledge of Aotearoa’s underground music scene, so while you may not know a lot of the artists playing yet, your future favourite NZ band is probably on the line-up. 


Shoutouts to Welcome to Nowhere!! Without communities and collectives like these, Aotearoa’s festival scene wouldn’t be as amazing as it is today. If music, art, and a welcoming community sound like your cup of tea, head to their website to learn more about everything they offer our communities, and score yourself a ticket. 

https://www.instagram.com/welcometonowhere_/


Welcome to Nowhere Sunday Shoutout

Once again in the lead up to new years we’ll be shouting out some of the epic crews that are getting amongst it this year. Each week we will be sharing our love and appreciation for some of the amazing people that contribute their time and creativity to make this festival tick.


This week's shoutout is dedicated to Tubs and the epic team at @tubsaudio! If you haven’t already heard of this crew and experienced their sound systems, you've been missing out. Tubs is without a doubt one of the most renowned and respected outfits building custom systems across the motu and we are absolutely fizzing to announce that this crew of sonic wizards are taking charge of our main stage this year!


We had a kōrero with Tubs about where they’ve come from, some highlights over the years, and what’s in store for the future.



Twisted: What’s the origin story and kaupapa of Tubs Audio? 


Tubs: We formed Tubs Audio with the idea that a basic human need for healing and growth is authentic connection to music. This sentiment remains at the core of everything we do. Our kaupapa is to elevate consciousness through music, and provide the clearest connection possible between artist and audience. With applied physics, state of the art design tools & ruthlessly pragmatic craftsmanship, we make sure to optimise our systems for your enjoyment.



Twisted: What are your favourite memories with the sound system being created or used?


Tubs: We ran two Hang of Flatline tops with four LVT8 as kicks, and 4 NRG215 subs at 121 Festival in 2023, this was in a shed with one open end at about 40 metres from the stage. You could see the crowd spilling out the back and heaving inside but you couldn’t see beyond that. The sound was complete and powerful. If you ventured along the left wall past the smoke you’d be transported to a complete other world, deep inside a sonically sorted UK club with sound that has space, depth, and separation, and body flexing bass. Miley Serious was spinning a mind bending genre hopping journey through time and we were all transfixed. Another one was a smaller rig at Splore 2023, while Amanda Mania was playing a sundown set to about 1500 people on the beach. There was a young family there and two of the kids (about three and five years old) were throwing shapes on top of a picnic table with the 1500 other people, and Amanda sending them vibes and encouragement. It was a tough festival for us with crazy rain and a stage at either end of an obstacle course, but this moment was a watershed one for our team. I personally shed some eye water, just epic to be part of a moment like that and so good to see one generation uplifted by another with reverence, respect, and love. 



Twisted: What excites you about bringing the system to Twisted?


Tubs: For a long time Twisted has been a place where I’ve felt drawn to, a place where our friends love to play and be, and also a place we have never been. It’s going to be an adventure in sound and in general for the Tubs Whānau. Twisted is definitely the jewel in so many peoples' summer crown. This won’t be our first time in the Bay as we were lucky enough to be selected by Holly Hot Chips of Roots Bar, Tākaka to help rekindle the dance scene after the pandemic. Roots is a tiny space and we specced what we thought were some reasonable subs for the space, DCI12. Turns out the bay loves the bass, and that’s no joke west of the hill. Now, thanks to Amy Soulfire and Zuke’s gentle suggestions, there are some bigger Tubs DCL18 subs flexing roots these days. Needless to say we won’t be caught in the vicinity of Tākaka, or anywhere else, without enough bottom end again. 



Twisted: What are some visions for the future of Tubs?


Tubs: As far as what the future holds for Tubs, I think we need to keep on the path while balancing doing it for the love, while knowing our worth. The path as we see it leads to being the go-to solution for anyone who wants the best sound experience and we are so excited to be able to share that at Twisted Frequency 2023/24!


Well, there you have it folks. Shoutouts and big ups to @tubsaudio! We’re counting down the days until we can shake our booties to the epic Tubs sound system on the main stage! Catch you next sunday xo



@tubsaudio

#highestfi
#deepcleantechnology

Tub's Audio Sunday Shoutout!

Have you got a mate that absolutely smashes it but hasn't had a shot on a big stage yet? Now’s your chance to help them out!

We are looking to offer some primo slots up for the folks who deserve them.

Add their name to the poll and give them a tick or pick the person you are most keen on getting a spot! 

Only rule is they cant have played at Twisted before and they need to be New Zealand based <3

We want to hear from YOU. Cast your votes on who you want to hear and we’ll get them in front of a mekky crowd.

Don’t forget to tell your friends. Voting closes August 31st.

To enter/vote head to our community page: 

Peoples choice dj/producer poll.

Since it was founded in 2003 by Sensient, Zenon Records has gone on to become an absolute powerhouse in its field, representing a stunning line up of international producers and performers and firmly securing its place on the world stage of underground electronica.

Zenon has always had a significant influence on the Aotearoa festival scene and has been a major player in the south pacific, with a steady stream of incredibly talented artists in their ever growing roster, they boast a truly unique sound which has even gained its own label, universally recognised as “Zenonesque” A descriptive term encompassing the particular production that showcases a psychedelic bush prog that is at this point a genre of its own, characterized by a specific psy/minimal flavour with a darker touch than your garden variety progressive trance. “deep and intelligent minimal/electronica with strong lashings of musicality and futuristic sound design”

Given that Zenon records and the legends that surround the name have contributed so much to the flavor of music on Kiwi dancefloors, we are deeply honored to be hosting this historical event, The New Zealand leg of their world wide celebration: 20 Years of Zenon Records.

With a triple header lineup featuring the creator himself Sensient, Undisputed Aussie weapon Tetrameth AND our very own Chilean born hermano talentoso - Deepnotic as well as some stonking support from Auckland based artist: Deja Vu.This will without a doubt be a night to remember.Preregister NOW to secure your spot and go in the draw for some mean loot too.

Te Whanganui-a-tara: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/763571638540960/?ref=newsfeed

https://www.facebook.com/events/2587165811584957/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D



This is set to be a very special weekend, If you havent registered already ya better hop to it!

20 Years of Zenon Records tour comes to Aotearoa!

Dark Technique is Twisted's homage to our roots - dark and minimal - techno, prog and psy.

NZ and the Pacific have long held an international reputation for producing killer bush doof music.

Whether it's the Zenonesque groove, psy-tech chunk or dark prog stomp, we aim to always keep it textile, hypnotic and bushy.

We have some very special acts from NZ and abroad on the bill for this one. 

DARK TECHNIQUE

This year we’re offering up a mixture of local and international flavours with a menu featuring dubstep and drum and bass with some jungle infused styles ranging from deep dark velvety tones through to the most crispy and crunchy of audio nutrition.

Keep an eye out for a lineup and ticket drop in the coming days and be sure to secure your reservation because this one night pop up Twisted party is prone to being sold out weeks in advance.



LOCK IN THE DATE: Saturday 17th of September @ Meow - our favourite Welly haunt.

https://www.facebook.com/events/589055742899344?ref=newsfeed

NEW RECIPE, SAME GREAT TASTE: Bass Taster 2022

Aotearoa’s most renown underground electronic producer is back with his first show in Wellington in a very long time, Featuring the full band and the incredible Dub Princess on vocals, this is a show you wont want to miss!

All going to plan this will be the first Twisted indoor event in a wee while too! Expect all the trimmings, High quality lights, sound art and of course immersive visual installations.

An evening of BIG BASS psychedelic music:

GROUCH LIVE – Zenon Records (And MANY more)

Grouch is the darling son of the NZ psy scene – A pioneer of psychedelic sound since the late 90s. With a massive raft of unique and powerful productions under his belt he has taken over stages across the globe and headlined countless MASSIVE international outdoor electronic festivals. Grouch is coming home for a quick mish and are excited to have him join us again for another Twisted event!

Check his most recent release – a collab with Yestermorrow out on Iboga records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZWnPUcD_Wg

GROUCH IN DUB – FULL BAND FT DUB PRINCESS

All the same Grouchy goodness, intelligent soundcapes and beautiful wubs accompanied by a live band! If you havent seen it before you are in for a TREAT!

https://grouchnz.bandcamp.com/album/grouch-in-dub-2

Hailing from Morocco and Inspired by the deep sounds of Minimal/ Psytech to funky progressive trance. Passionate and His sets makes you bounce and travel in your mind. A savory balance between darkness and groove.

https://soundcloud.com/rico.../set-funky-prog-130-to-140wav

Shadow weaver in the art of sonic redemption, vibrational architect.

While traveling and experiencing exotic cultures and sounds from her overseas journeys and inner worlds, Dejá has created and collected an archive of minimal, bassy and exotic dubstep, minimal dnb and Downtempo to get lost in.

https://soundcloud.com/.../twisted-frequency-festival..

Tickets will be released a week from today, Dont sleep on it.

GROUCH + GROUCH IN DUB SHOW ANNOUNCED!

Tickets will be available at midday on the dot from our homies over at https://www.cosmicticketing.co.nz/

TICKET SALE DATE ANNOUNCED

is back! As we get closer to summer we are once again bringing you a series of events to whet your whistle and get you warmed up for new years.

Bass taster has become somewhat of a tradition in Twisted Frequency Lore, A sonic feast crossing a variety of bass flavours.

The menu has been crafted to satisfy all manner of audiophile, a smorgasboard of scrumptious noise.

The lineup is set to be announced shortly, expect an entrée of dubstep, a main course of DNB and a delightful jungle dessert.

Now we FEAST!

 go on sale from 5pm on the 26th of June!

To mark this occasion we are bringing another stellar lineup of Kiwi and international producers and djs, showcasing a fierce range of talent and skill and as always an enormous dose of lush psychedelic trance and techno from the underground.

Do not delay! This event has sold out the last three years in a row and we expect it to do the same again!


From Newcastle, Australia, Ben 'Melt' has been a pillar of solidarity in the Oz East coast psytrance scene for over 15 years. 

With an extensive Dj background of darkpsy flavours and taking influence from his Alias Acousma, the Melt sound is heavy Forest Prog! Its dark with a hint of groove, Wide open atmospheres, layered with intricate and heavily tweaked synth patches that growl at you as if they were some kind of alienated creature! Below that, some of the heaviest and dirtiest bass-lines that never lack in their energy or arrangement.

Melt is an act that will ooze through the speakers and into your brain like some kind of extraterrestrial beacon, urging you to move...



Acousma is a new project/alias spawned from the dark faster side of psychedelic trance, bpms range from 148-160. Just recently signed to Resina records (Brazil), Acousma is the Australian DJ representative and booking contact for any artist on the label.The Acousma style follows the lead of the Resina artist roster, with aliens such as Cyk, Gahara, Aquarius orb, Mad Goblins, Akanis, Muni, Piramidal, Mentalis zavar and Metatron all pushing the boundaries of Night time psychedelic sticky, wet, slimy trance. DJ sets are fresh with unreleased weapons, showcasing the unique trip and treat that is Resina records!

Acousma (noun)cous· ma | \ ə-ˈküz-mə: an auditory hallucination



New Zealand's master of live psychedelic chunk, Spoonhead, is known for his uncommon blend of progressive-psy, breaks and bass.

The Spoonhead experience sends you awash on the dance floor. Futuristic synths soar over ancient tribal rhythms while richly layered textures infuse with the sounds of his homeland Aotearoa. 

Right off the back of his scorching EP 'An Uncommon Hybrid' with WEAPON Records, Spoonhead is set to launch a new EP titled 'Tribal Dust' with an accompanying NZ/Australian tour! This tour will feature these fresh new tracks along with a full new live set-up allowing Spoonhead to push boundaries and take you on a deeper journey.

Having a solid grasp of progressive-psy whilst writing a diverse range of other genres - deep house, techno, glitch and breaks - Spoonhead flows smoothly between acts of different genres. Spoonhead’s moldable, tweakable live set makes for loads of fun on the dance floor and allows plenty of room for experimentation.

Spoonhead is as much at home in Australia as his homeland New Zealand; having played at Earth Frequency, Cairns Winter Solstice, Collaborations, Psyfari and many more. Be sure to keep an ear out for upcoming music and events by following Spoonhead on the internets.





Absolute staple of the Twisted Frequency whanau is Chilean Born Matias cox aka  Complement, began developing his first musical interests at the age of 13 when he started playing drums and guitar. Complements'  first approach to electronic music was in the year 2004 when he went to his  first electronic festival. Shortly after he began mixing psytrance and progressive trance giving the chilean scene amazing results with his musical style and perfect mixes. In 2009 Matias left to new zealand where his musical training grew and he installed  his first studio where he began producing music. Mostly, progressive Trance and Techno psychedelic with experimental sounds,Fat bass lines, deep atmospheres with subtle minimal tech influences. Complement tempts you to check out some of his samples…You're in for a wicked psychedelic trip.



https://soundcloud.com/matias-cox?fbclid=IwAR0lziCDoNiMVQlxwIV9OzQ089vIBeSX6U30eaWKVxcePItoqjObNFXK4a4

Moldova born Nani is now based here in Pōneke, with a long history of involvement in the underground electronic scene, this Vet by trade is a weaponess by night, With a thriving passion for hypnotic techno and finding new and exciting music, another firm fixture of the Twisted frequency crew, Nani is also the Aotearoa affiliate of Liquid Drop Groove, a japanese label that  is exactly what it sounds like. 

Ticket launch party announced!

Dusty Comedy Kickons serves up the chill afternoon giggles for those in need of a quick break from the dance floor.

Join MC Feather Unsure (the star of hit web series Woolston Walkies), and a stacked line up of comedians from across the motu, including comedy greats Gish and Ben Hurley, plus up and coming comedy stars Bryn Massey, Peter Croft, and more.

Winner of all of the awards (NZICF Billy T Award, Fred Award, NZCG Best Male Comedian & Best MC), Ben Hurley continues to smash comedy out of the park in his numerous TV appearances as well as live on stage. Currently Ben Hurley works as the head writer and a feature panelist for 7Days, and these holidays he's about to make his doof debut, taking to the stage at Twisted Frequency for all you dusty creatures.

Nominated for the Billy T award in 2006, Gish had been serving up a healthy toke of comedy for the bros since wayyyy back. No stranger to the Aotearoa pro comedy circuit, he has featured on such shows as Pulp Sport and AotearoHA, and continues to tour extensively, delivering his hilarious musical parodies to audiences everywhere from Northland to Invers.

This dusty sesh is not to be missed, with even more musical comedy coming at you from Pōneke Peter Croft (who will make you laugh and cry and hopefully laugh again after the crying part), and Ōtepoti's Bryn Massey, who plays guitar but in a Brett and Jermaine kinda way, not the Taylor Swift way.

Comedian Feather Unsure is best known as the star of the hit web series Woolston Walkies, and for work as the woman behind the ongoing cabaret series, Lads on Tour. Feather is the director of Feral Grace Productions, and keeps busy working on a variety of theatre, burlesque, music and comedy projects. She holds a degree in Theatre Studies, and dreams of one day paying off her student loan.

Dusty Comedy Kickons

Looking for something to do the night before Twisted?

Still around the bay and keen to keep the party going once the festival is over? 

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