McKenzie Mitchell shares her most memorable moments in the scene and how she fell in love with electronic music!
Name: McKenzie Mitchell
Rave Name: Mama/Rave Mom
Age: 21
Hometown: Beaverton, OR
Current City: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Nanny
Twitter: @mckenziedenisee
Instagram: @mckenziedeniseexoxo
What was your first electronic music event?
My first ever electronic event was Foam Wonderland in Eugene, OR in May 2016. There I was traded my first kandi and met some of the most beautiful people in the world. The lineup was San Holo, Ghastly, and Adventure Club.
What/who influenced you to attend your first event?
My two good friends had been going to shows here and there while I was in college, and when I came home they begged me to come with them to Foam. I had heard of Adventure Club before, having been listening to “old dub” (Skrillex, Feed Me, UKF albums) here and there since 2010.
What is one moment from an event that was special and why?
In February of 2017, at an Excision show in Tucson, I was traded a very special “good vibes” kandi. The guy who traded it to me said he loved my energy and he had been traded this bracelet because someone loved HIS energy, so he felt it only right to pass it on. I’m a huge kandi kid and that meant so much to me. I wore that piece every day, all the time, never took it off, and I had no intentions of ever trading it!
Several months later at Phoenix Lights 2017, I was wandering through the crowd during sunset and literally stumbled onto this M/F couple, just standing there holding each other and listening to the music. It’s like they were surrounded by their own force field of energy… I can’t describe it. No one was dancing near them or in this little bubble around them, and I just walked right into it and felt it.
They told me that it was their first ever festival and I was over the moon chatting with them and seeing if they were having fun. I bonded with the girl and felt the overwhelming need to give her my “good vibes” bracelet. When I leaned into her ear and told her what it was about she almost started to cry. We still keep in contact! A very amazing moment for all of us.
What is your favorite festival or event?
Favorite festival hands down is Lost Lands, put on by the man himself Jeff (Excision) in Thornville, OH. I can’t describe the energy there, being surrounded by all lovers of bass music. A truly indescribable experience that I hope I never miss
What is your favorite electronic song and why?
This is so hard… so many amazing songs by every artist that I love for different reasons. However, the two songs that first made me ‘feel’ something for music (I had never had an emotional reaction to music before) were “Love Again” by Slander and “Scared to be Lonely” by Martin Garrix. I remember exactly where I was when I heard both of those songs for the first time, they make me cry every time I hear or see them live. I’ve gotten incredibly blessed to see both OG artists mix it into a set when I’ve seen them
Who are your favorite artists?
In no particular order, I can probably narrow it down to about seven: Spag Heddy, Badklaat, Dubloadz, Excision, Slander, Skrillex, and FuntCase. Honorable mentions go to Kayzo, Ghastly, Barely Alive, Zomboy, Subtronics, Zeds Dead, Getter, and SkiSM
What are your favorite genres?
Loud, aggressive dubstep only.
KIDDING! I also am a big fan of house/bass house/progressive house.
What do you feel your “Identity” is in the electronic music community?
I have worked to cultivate my identity as “rave mom” among all my friends and strangers alike. After my first few events, I realized I loved having extra toys/candy/supplies for newbies to the scene or people who just needed a little TLC.
I felt so loved and welcome at my first event and I want everyone to have that exact same experience. I love being a ‘mom’ and always have candy (if the venue allows it), bubbles, gum, fun glasses, and hugs for people who I run into or that run into me. Nothing brings me more joy than giving back to the scene that has given me so much
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself for the readers?
I am all in it for the music. Without the crazy production and lasers, without the big crowds and actors and decorations, without all the extravagant outfits and makeup, it boils down to the music I love.
Don’t get me wrong, I love putting glitter all over my body and watching lasers when the bass drops as much as anyone, but some of my favorite sets have been in semi-dark rooms with a crowd less than 50 all going crazy together. It’s important to remind yourself why you joined this scene and what it means to you without all the distractions. Peace and love!
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