03/07/2024
Moi
Hi everyone,
We continue with the DJ intros this evening for this weekend's Music Unity For Mental Health presents Reflective Frequencies (Techno + House) at The Star of Kings in London's Kings cross.
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-unity-for-mental-health-presents-reflective-frequencies-tickets-853756126557
Next up is Reflective Frequencies Resident, Tim Samsara...Tim is another DJ who helped us launch back in 2019 at Cyberdog. If you didn't know, Tim played a big part in the 90s London underground scene with his hugely successful, Escape From Samsara weekly event at The Brixton Fridge, where 1800 clubbers would fill the venue every week. His events also ran from Bagleys and Heaven and many more in London.
EFS was Hard Trance/Acid Trance but these days Tim plays Techno but expect to hear some Samsara classics in his set on Saturday ;) His set back in 2019 is still one of our faves from all of our events so expect more of the same and his very infectious energy behind the decks. Just look at the photo below 😁
Tim previously played on our Reflective Frequencies live online events during lockdowns helping us to raise hundreds for outside charities and has also recorded exclusive mixes for us to help raise awareness.
Huge thanks to Tim as always for his support.❤
We held a little interview with him which you'll find below.
How did it all start for you?
It all started for me at a secret party in the south of France in the late 80’s. Upon hearing the shenanigans of the acid house revolution ,I was hooked. From there I spent numerous nights enjoying various parties until I found one of my two rave homes. The first being the Rocket on Holloway Road from 1990 to to about 1994 (when they put a second level in). With nights such as Return To the Source, Tribal Energy, Otherworld and Club Alien. The second being Megatripolis at Heaven on a Thursday night. Both of these venues (and others such as The Robey )Finsbury Park) and many a free Hackney/Debtford Festival expanded my mind to accommodate my love of underground vibes.
In 1992 I started working for Megatriplolis, building props and making decor for them.
In 1993 we started Xclaimnation on a Thursday night at the Fridge in Brixton. This then morphed into Richard and I being asked to start a Friday night at The Fridge. Escape From Samsara (EFS) was born amidst many a hazy afternoon sitting on a rooftop in London (belonging to the kind gentleman that put the Monty Python team together), and most other evenings around a fire in Debden House Campsite.
EFS started on 15 September 1995 at The Fridge, Brixton, I was responsible for the musical direction and bookings. In 1996 it was suggested by a few that maybe I should learn to DJ. In years to come, I was lucky enough to play the Fridge on a regular basis and tour the world with residencies in Prague and Melbourne. Life was epic and I got to spread the EFS love whereever I went.
You’ve got 5 tracks to sum up your DJing career, what would you play?
Move that Body - Tempur (The Tutti Frutti track)
Neurodancer -Wippenberg
Just feel it - Choci and the Powder Front
Age of Love - Jam & Spoon (and the CDW remix (soz i love it)
Universal Nation - Push
No. 6 would be Croydon Girl
Who is your biggest inspiration?
Musically can I have two please? - Blu Peter from Reactivate 10 this set the whole tone for the musical direction of EFS and Chris Liberator for his dedication to the scene and his infectious smile and energy.
Politically - Jeremy Corbyn for sticking to his principles
Worldy - the people of Gaza for persisting with the indiscriminate aggression from certain elements of their neighboring country.
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a DJ? As an attendee?
So me being mega bias here it has to be an EFS night and im going to pick the 1st and 7th Birthdays parties. The 1st for being truly epic and the 7th for the best set I ever played there.
As an attendee of a party it was a tiny night called Natural magic in Hackney Wick where Zebedee basically most of the Reactivate 10 tracks in a very small intimate venue, it went off big time.
Are you able to share any of your DJ tips and advice for aspiring DJs?
Play to the crowd not a Fkin playlist!
If you could eternally be stuck in one year's music scene, which year would it be?
1990 for sure. As for one year in particular I can’t choose soz. I’m crap at making decisions.
What is one subgenre you think doesn't get the attention it deserves?
Acid Techno - the levels of production are world class. The likes of Chris Liberator, D.A.V.E. The Drummer, Choci, Geezer, Audio Pancake and Sterling Moss are so on point in their production it is untrue.
What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves. This got played at every EFS birthday and my wedding
Please tell us a funny story that no-one would know from your escapades as a seasoned DJ?
The one time in bandcamp I spent a night in a Toronto Hotel with Oberon and Mark EG. Lets just say it was very very Fear and Loathing, there were drawings all over the carpets, naked people running round the hotel at 0300 with ice buckets on their head and the threat of us being kicked out. It was epic and my one real night of a rock n roll lifestyle. It’s safe to say we were not asked back.
What have you been up to on the DJ/Producer front? upcoming gigs/releases
I have been playing out loads but not producing.
Recent festivals have include: The Beat Goes on (best festival ever), Immunity, Boomtown, Orrible Crow Show.
Upcoming festival bookings are: Landed Festival July 24, Growing old Disgracefully (Aug 24), The Beat Goes On May 25.
Recent gigs have included:
Hindsight 25th Birthday, Ibiza on Stour, Dragonmoon 2nd Birthday, Music Unity of Mental health (Cyberdog), Silverstone F1 GP.
Upcoming gigs:
Reflective Frequencies, Silverstone F1 GP, Ibiza on Stour pt 2 and more now needed.
What does music mean to you on a personal level and what made you decide to play an event that raises mental health awareness?
Music is my sanity. I listen to it sad, happy, stressed and entertained. It truly is the one consistent in life that we can all rely on. I have supported MHA from the start having suffered myself in years gone by. It is such a worthy cause and the impact it can have on someone’s life is irreparable at times. Speaking out about experiences can help so many people. Let’s raise mental health and wellbeing to the top of the scene.
Any personal experiences that helped you make this decision?
I have suffered myself and I know many others who have suffered from mental health issues over the years. I have lost friends in the past and i’m sure that I will lose more in later life. We need to speak up, be heard (easier said than done for many) and be there to listen to our friends and acquaintances.
Finally, you have one paragraph to tell people why they should attend Reflective Frequencies.
RF is not only raising awareness for a very worthy cause, the crowd are amazing. Please come and support us on Saturday 6th July 2024 for what will be an epic event with the original Reactivate DJs back together under the same roof.
Love is the Key.
Tim Samsara June 2024
Tim Samsara
