Sometimes genres of music can have the misfortune of being pigeonholed to being associated with other activities -- as pogoing is to punk, as moshing is to heavy metal/hardcore, taking ecstasy and other so-called raver drugs is mentioned whenever electronica music is brought up.
Especially with a recent ecstasy-related death and various drug-related arrests in the community, electronica music has a stereotype, and local venues do not want to associate themselves with this subculture. The proof is the lack of electronica artists brought to the area.
But, two students are looking to change Penn State's and the surrounding community's minds regarding the linkage between ecstasy use and electronica music.
Matt Stone (junior-information sciences and technology) and Nick Shortway (junior-information sciences and technology) are starting a university-sponsored club, called Mantra, for all people interested in electronica music.
They say they want the club to focus on the music and try to undo the stigma of electronica.
"It's an unfortunate side effect," Stone said. "But, electronic music was created before [ecstasy] was even invented."
Neither Stone nor Shortway deny the influence the drug subculture has had on the music.
"We have to realize the influence that the drugs have had on the music," Stone said. "It's not black and white, but the music has to be the important thing."
"We want to promote electronic music without drugs," Shortway added. "You don't need drugs to enjoy the music, in the sense that the music speaks for itself."
Stone said there are three main goals he wants Mantra to have. The first is the love of electronica music and discussion of the genres within the music, the second is to be able to bring artists to perform in the area, and the third is the creation of electronica music.
Stone, Mantra's president, was interested in music at an early age, and plays both drums and violin. While on a family vacation, Stone purchased an electronica album at an eclectic music store, and started his affair with the world of electronica music. Since then, Stone has worked on composing pieces on his custom-built PC and uses synthesis programs to create music.
Shortway, who plays guitar, was turned on to electronica music through the band Ozric Tentacles.
"A lot of their music is based around synthesizers," he said. "It opened new realms of possibilities of music when I listened to it. Before that, when I thought about electronic music, I thought it wasn't real because it's not organic instruments. I think people think too narrowly about the music."
Shortway and Stone, who have knowledge about numerous synthesis programs, are willing to teach people how to use these programs and utilize other resources that could possibly be granted to club members.
The club has been trying to arrange the possibility of a concert in the near future.
"Hopefully, we can do at least two shows a semester." Stone said. "We already have people who only want to come for only travel expenses to play."
Stone said they hope to have shows at a variety of places, including the HUB Alumni Hall and various venues downtown.
The club might have an outdoor show at some point, he added.
But overall, the club is looking to change the public's viewpoint of the music they love -- even the club's name suggests this goal.
"The beginning of trance stems from the tribal rituals...repetitive rhythms -- that's where it comes from," Shortway said. "It's the practice of repeating something to achieve a sense of mind."
"It's a re-emphasizing the ability to achieve a different sense of mind through the music and not drugs," Stone added.
Mantra, which currently has 55 members, encourages anybody interested in electronica music to join, and also has an online petition to support its existence. For more information visit its Web site at www.mantra.nhn.net.
"The more support we have by people who may or may not like the music but think we have the right to have the club ... the more likely we will not be stigmatized by the whole drug culture," Stone said.
