![Another weekend on draws to a close… And the cup is full. 😌](https://img3.evepla.com/243/602/996977482436022.jpg)
07/09/2024
Another weekend on draws to a close… And the cup is full. 😌
A connoisseur of sound and experience. American underground bass and electronica scene.
SoundScrybe (Christian Cortes) is a Tucson, AZ music writer, event producer, and DJ who has forged his taste and identity in the expansive realm of global electronic music. A lover of the dance floor, he crafts his sets for the sonically adventurous, blending textures, intensities, and rhythms into a seamless narrative that traverses the landscapes of bass-driven music. Drawing from a love of psyc
hedelic bass, deep dubstep, drum and bass, deep tech, and downtempo electronica, SoundScrybe’s musical styling bends and defies genre culture while drawing from the shapeshifting frontiers of visionary sound design. Christian's professional affiliations include June Jam, Quantized Creative Agency, High Road Productions, Street Ritual, Walter Productions, Shanti Planti, Desert Trax, and Headroom Music Collective. His writing has appeared on nearly 100 music releases since 2015 and he has opened for artists that include Desert Dwellers, Dirtwire, Random Rab, Bluetech, Jade Cidada, and numerous beloved acts from the N.
Another weekend on draws to a close… And the cup is full. 😌
Back out on Playa Ponderosa for round 2 as we strap in for Desert Hearts Festival! ⛰️💚
Been a bit of a trip being out here since early June and watching the property go through not one but TWO festival builds. I love seeing some of the carry-over in the production and support teams between June Jam, Walter Productions, and Desert Hearts, and I expect we'll also be seeing some familiar faces in the attendance.
It's been a hell of a journey so far this year... I honestly can't think of 6 months in my life that have been such a rollercoaster, but I'm here for it and feeling optimistic about the future and what's to come for the AZ eventscape and my professional (and personal) life. 😌
If you're going to be up here on the property for Desert Hearts this weekend, find me and say hi! I'm excited to re-experience the fun of being a (relative) spectator and letting some of my guard down for the first time in a while. Weather is looking great and the darker night skies are putting on a hell of a light show already! 🌌
See you in the woods! 🌲🌲
Still deep in processing and recovery from June Jam... I am surprised to say that I have never worked harder during the actual event than I did this year, but with the help of a truly badass crew and our most amazing attendees to date, it all came together beautifully. Mother nature definitely came out to party with us and threw us a few curveballs, but as we are all learning, that's just part of life on Playa Ponderosa, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 💗
Looking forward to returning to site next week for Desert Hearts with the Walter Productions crew. Round 2, let's go! 🔊
My one and only sunrise at was the final one, but it was so special… More to come but for now, thank you to all the rad folks who stepped up over the weekend to make JJ a magical experience for all in attendance. It’s been a ride but I’m looking forward to the glow in the days and weeks ahead. 💚
We out here living our best life on getting the wheels in motion for . You should come. The weather is lush and the vibe forecast is even better! 😎
Heading up north tonight to play tunes at Melt Arcosanti! It’s not every day you get to play music in an arcology (google it!) and I’m honored to be invited out to share some music in The Foundry!
🎟️: https://www.meltfestarcosanti.com/
If you’ve never partied at Arcosanti, let me just say that there is nothing like it! Catch me from 10:30-midnight at The Foundry. 🖤
Spring is quickly fading into the first phase of summer here in the desert, but we aren't quite ready to let it go! 🌿
For all of my Tucson friends, come enjoy what very well may be the last cool days of the year with me downtown this Saturday night (4/27) at the Tucson Festival of Consciousness. My longtime amigo Liquid Bloom is dropping in to play a special at Solar Culture Gallery with tribal bass artist Māh Ze Tār. A poppin' dance floor is assured. 😁
I'll be opening the room up at 8pm with an open format set. Capacity at Solar is super limited so make your moves quickly! 🧡
SoundSlurp is coming in hot tomorrow night, 3/30 in Phoenix! 🔥🔥
We're excited to be back at Walter Where?House opening for two proper legends of the underground electronic music scene — Barclay Crenshaw and EPROM. These two have been major influences in the styles of music we have been exploring in our sets over the last few years, and we're honored to be helping set the stage for what is going to be a hell of a night with idgaFNK in AZ's raddest venue for electronic music. 🔊
We have a full journey ready for you with some of the heavier stuff we don't always get to play... Come out early to sink in proper! Tickets are still available but are shaping to sell out so don't wait too long... 😉
In somewhat typical fashion, I have been so caught up in managing announcements on other profiles that I have neglected my own! So now March is almost over, and I have a few shows and performances that need sharing.... My neighborhood is also inundated with wildflowers right now and as I haven’t been able to get outside to do any new shooting, here’s some wildflower pictures to break things up instead. 💛
⚡️ TONIGHT, 3/22— I’m dropping by on for a live set broadcast from the heart of Downtown Tucson with my pal on hosting duties. Bringing some fun tunes and can’t wait to be back in the studio!
🔊 NEXT FRI, 3/30 — (me x .earp) opens up the night at with headliner and special guest . We’re cooking up some proper heat for this one and can’t wait to get down! Tickets are starting to run low so do not snooze ‘cuz when they’re gone, they’re gone! 😉
🌲 JUNE — returns to for its first-ever Summer Solstice weekend! This year’s shaping up to be our biggest yet, so make your moves people. This is the place to be in the SW this June 21-23rd! 💚
Spring in AZ is going to zip by faster than these wildflowers take to wilt, but right now, I’m soaking up every minute of it I can. Stay cool and I’ll catch y’all in the flow! ☀️
Phoenix famila — I am coming up for you on my actual birthday to play some tunes in a way you’ve never heard me play before! I am deeply honored to be opening up the night at for and on Saturday, 2/24) These guys have been making music in a huge range of styles for ages, each carving their own path through the electronic music scene, and all of the footage I have seen so far of their B2B sets on this tour has been awesome! 🔥
It’s so refreshing to hear music that doesn’t really fall into a neat genre/category... And to see two artists who clearly vibe well together as producers, DJs, and friends. We’re putting the booth on the dance floor for this one, so expect an extra layer of immersion in what continues to be the raddest venue in Arizona... 🔊
I’m on from 9-11pm — Let’s hang out! Ticket 🔗 you know where! 🤍
📷 by the dude
🌵 by me for fun
Been cooking up a wicked set to open for this Saturday’s show at Walter Where?House with Nosaj Thing and Jacques Greene!
Nosaj Thing b2b Jacques Greene at Walter Where?House
Excited to continue my dive into all of the awesome uptempo styles I have so rarely DJ’d over the years. Hope to see some familiar faces there! 🖤🖤
Heading out to Gem and Jam Festival for my 11th straight year! This will be my 4th time playing music and 2nd time on the Opal stage... Catch me Saturday afternoon from 3:40-5:20pm playing b2b with Twyatt Earp! Forecast for the day is looking great, so bring your shades and be ready to dance... 😎🌵☀️
Appreciating the love on this (probably paywalled) Arizona Daily Star article about Gem and Jam Festival! 💙
The 16th Gem & Jam festival at Tucson's Pima County Fairgrounds this weekend features some big stars of the jamtronica and electronica world and some new faces.
Trudging to the empty ridge, wind still howling over the edge, it’s just me and the frozen landscape, here in one moment and gone in the next. 🏔️
Exciting things continue to unfold in AZ! Catch us posted up at the Opal Stage at Gem and Jam Festival all weekend. 😂
Hyped to be opening for Nosaj Thing and Jacques Greene on my birthday next month!! Going to be mixing it up with some genres I rarely get to play... Now be good dears and get your tickets fast AZ peeps! 💙
https://www.seetickets.us/event/nosaj-thing-b2b-jacques-greene-at-walter-wherehouse/585144
We’ve got a good one coming this February to Walter Where?House! 💫
Globally acclaimed artists and have been mixing it up in the music industry for years, each accomplished in their own right as producers and DJs while working with household names across genres and scenes. They’re teaming up for a special b2b tour this season with a stop in Phoenix on Saturday, 2/24, and we’re excited to be their hosts! 🪩
AZ-based will be running opening duties, so come out early and sink on for what is going to be a great night in the desert. Tickets on sale now! 🎶
Sometimes, you spend a whole day chasing something you can’t see until at the very last moment, when all seems said and done, you come around a bend and it’s right there, just waiting for you. ✨
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📷: Nikon Z @ 56mm
📍: Catalina Highway, Tucson, AZ
Once upon a time, I was just a guy who liked craft beer and music festivals, and playing local events in my hometown of Tucson, AZ was as far as my aspirations in music went. I played psychedelic bass with a Serato controller, wrote about music for fun, and attended music festivals as press a few times times a year. Times were good and they were pretty dang simple. 😎
Things have changed and I have grown, but that younger version of me still lives and geeks out for good parties in places that I love, which is why I’m excited to be returning to this year for my first solo DJ set since 2018 alongside some great AZ-based talent for the / .official weekend on the Opal Stage, which is also being co-produced by my crew at . 🔊
On top of this, my pal .earp (of & Cable Management) and I will be playing the + Tucson G&J pre-party on Sat, 1/27 at supporting legend of the festival scene . I can’t tell you how stoked I am to get back to Solar Culture — the most O.G. of Tucson underground venues — for my first time since 2020!🌵
It’s going to be a busy kickoff to the year and I’m excited to dig in! Big ups to all of the rad promotors, DJs, and production people making these parties happen! Head to my bio to get more info. 🖤
P.S. I’m featuring my 2018 set from G&J on my link hub... Head there to take a trip back in time. 🌀
📷 1: Gem & Jam 2017
📷 2: , G&J 2023
Tucson friends, time to rekindle some of those pre-2020 psychedelic vibes at Solar Culture Gallery!!
🌟✨ Get ready to kick off the Gem & Jam festivities in style with another official Gem & Jam Pre-party! 🚀 Join us alongside Desert Decibels & Honeycomb Collective at Solar Culture Gallery on January 27th in Tucson, Arizona, for a night of pure magic featuring Govinda Music, SoundScrybe, Twyatt Earp, and more! 🎶
Let's set the vibes for an unforgettable Gem & Jam weekend! 🌈🎉 gemandjamfestival.com 🌙
Save the Date — June Jam returns to Playa Ponderosa, AZ for Summer Solstice 2024! 💚
Mark those calendars for June 21 - 23rd, 2024 and sign up for our newsletter to be among the first to gain access to loyalty and early bird tickets. We’ll be back in January with more exciting info on June Jam 2024! ✨
A moody pic for this overcast Monday morning in the desert. Taken during monsoon season 2022 on Mt. Lemmon, AZ on what stands out as one of my favorite shooting days since getting back into the photo saddle.
📷: Nikon Z6II @ 30mm
📍: Mt. Lemmon, AZ
Definitely the prettiest view I’ve had while DJing… Thank you and for this awesome experience earlier this year! It was a hot and sticky load-in, but the juice was so worth the squeeze! More beachside DJ sets plz. 🌅
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📷: 50mm pano on Nikon Z
🎵:
📍:
Challenging myself to share some of the backlog of photos I’ve accumulated this year but for whatever reason opted not to post up. Even as someone who works as a social media specialist for other people, I still have a hard time following my own advice when it comes to “expanding” my reach… Frequency ultimately being far more important than “quality” when it comes to growth (but not exactly soul-fulfilling). But despite looking for the balance, I do still find myself at odds with my self-imposed quality standards and ideas of who I want to be in the digital world that gets so much of my working life. I’m not exactly sure what IG makes of my combination of photography and music event posters… 😂
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Anyway, this photo is from a gorgeous hike I went on earlier this year near Lake Crescent, Washington on the north end of the Olympic Penninsula. The bridge itself is made from a single tree split down the middle, and the surrounding forest was filled with some absolute giants. I’ve read that as climate change continues to take hold, coastal Washington will end up serving as an ideal new home for the giant redwoods and sequoias we currently associate so much with Northern California due in part to the merger between forest and sea that makes up so much of the Washington coastline. Though this will take some help from humans, and is certainly a poignant reminder of the reality we live in, it’s still a marvel to see how adaptive the natural world can be in spite of all it faces. 🌲
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📷 Shot on Nikon Mirrorless, 50mm prime
Every fall, I yearn for colors… For the crisp air and golden light as the earth tips away from the sun, for the crunching of fallen leafs underfoot, for the smell of damp earth and vegetation dancing in the breeze. Living in the desert, we don’t get much of this, but when a brief communion with the changing of seasons comes through travel, I soak up every breath of it I can. 🍂
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📷: Nikon Mirrorless, 35mm
📍: Manhattan, New York
Such a great way to wrap up the year! AZ amigos, hope to see you at this one!
⇢ June Jam x idgaFNK Holidaze: Koan Sound, kLL sMTH, Megan Hamilton ++
Will be playing some fun tunes in the Blue Bar for the first time and can't wait! 💙
June Jam, idgaFNK, and Walter Studios are teaming up on New Year's weekend to bid 2023 farewell in style!! 🎆
Join us on Fri, 12/29 for a 3-room party featuring electronic music legends KOAN Sound alongside kLL sMTH, Megan Hamilton, and some of our favorite movers and shakers in the AZ electronic scene! 🔊
✅: June Jam x idgaFNK Holidaze: Koan Sound, kLL sMTH, Megan Hamilton ++
On the heels of 2023 album 'Led by Ancient Light,' UK duo KOAN Sound continues reshape its identity while staying true to a legacy of cutting-edge sound design. Blending a futuristic take on established styles like drum & bass and garage with cinematic color and classical instrumentation, the project captures the myriad influences — both musical and cultural — at play in the fast-moving landscapes of electronic music. 🎼
Bolstered by one of our favorite fixtures of the underground bass scene, kLL sMTH, our special guest for the evening, Megan Hamilton, and some of our favorite locals, this is a night to celebrate all we've done as a community this year and the big things we have coming in 2024. 🌵
Mark those calendars and grab those tickets at walterstudios.com!
I have only been on this planet for so long, but even in this short time, the landscape has changed… Though much of it feels for the worse, it’s good to remind oneself that this rock we call a home will continue long after we, with all our wars and squabbles and seemingly endless pursuits of division, have become little more than dust in the earth.
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📷: Nikon FM2
🎞️: Ilford HP5
📍: The Grand Canyon
Woohoo! I finally have a new DJ mix up on my Soundcloud (first solo mix in three years)! It's wild to see how much time has gone by since the last time I put one of these things online, especially given how many sets I have played in the interim. 🫣
The last year or so of DJing has been really exciting for me as I have begun to explore new styles of music that I have never really played before... I have been really digging playing shows without a set playlist, which has made putting together a mix in advance surprisingly challenging, hence the long time since I shared a mix.
This one delves into my recent adoration of what I guess is referred to as "slow house" and by Beatport as "Downtempo/Organic House," but I think the vibe of this style of music is anything but organic, slow, chill, etc. as it gets pretty bumpin' and sometimes downright mean. I've also seen this style (~105-112bpm range) referred to as "slow rave," which is ridiculous albeit comical.
Personally, I think it's just cleaner to call it "mid-tempo house," but that's just, like, my opinion, ya know?
🎧 ⇢ https://soundcloud.com/soundscrybe24/fall-2023-mid-tempo-house-mix
Anyhoo, I'd love if you took a listen and if you dig it, share it! Link in the bio. 🖤
Tucson, AZ
http://www.junejamfestival.com/, http://www.quantizedcreative.com/, http://solo.to/soundscrybe
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Christian Cortes (SoundScrybe) is a music content creator with a predilection for psychedelic music and electronic event production. His creations can be experienced through his work as a writer, DJ, music label manager, talent agent, marketing specialist, and music event producer. He works out of the desert southwest city of Tucson, AZ.
As a writer, he has been commissioned by electronic music artists around the world for everything from biographies and press releases to speciality release content and in-depth writeups. His words have appeared on websites such as LostInSound, Reality Sandwich, and The Untz, as well as on dozens of musical collections by international artists on labels Shanti Planti, Street Ritual, Desert Trax, Merkaba Music, and Dreaming Awake Records.
As an event producer, his journey began as an event writer and photographer who quickly discovered a talent for project management and artist relations after entering the electronic music event industry in 2015. His portfolio includes work at Symbiosis, Serenity Gathering, Lightning in a Bottle, Gem & Jam, and key production roles at Coalesce NYE, Juniper Jam, June Jam, and Convergence at Arcosanti. He also serves as the music director and co-founder of Arizona’s High Road Productions.
As a DJ on international psybass label Shanti Planti and American bass label Street Ritual, SoundScrybe crafts his sets for the sonically adventurous, blending textures, intensities, and rhythms into a seamless narrative that traverses the landscapes of visionary and bass-driven music. Drawing from the realms of deep and psychedelic dub, mid-tempo bass, breaks, and halftime DnB, SoundScrybe’s musical styling bends and defies the boundaries of genre culture while endlessly probing the surreal and shapeshifting frontiers of high-fidelity sound design.
Christian Cortes also works as talent agent for international talent agency Sub.mission. His roster includes artists dela Moon, Bumble, Mindex, Pathwey, Soulacybin, Ovoid, Dillard, Digital Vagabond, and Living Light.