Whispa: Launch of EP “Stalking in the Shadows”.

So, I had an epiphany last night.

I uncovered the integral difference between your average entertainer and a consummate virtuoso. The average entertainer knows their craft well enough to cater to what the general populace thinks they want with the result that punters receive what they have come to always expect. The consummate virtuoso knows their craft so well, that they are able to lay the foundations for numerous varying paths, with the result that punters are lead through a heretofore unencountered journey. In other words, the entertainer is a sheep to their minions; devoid of control but loaded with ego; whereas the virtuoso is the humble yet undisputed leader, manoeuvring and guiding the pack. How profound.

And I was fortunate to come to this philosophical deliberation as DJ Mike Redfern held me under his sway. A lone dancer in a corner on the floor in the Moon Bar at the Empire, I could not help but feel superbly controlled by his quality musicianship. He brought out bass lines with assurance and tempered these throbbing pulses with searing beats, allowing the music to flow smoothly with his unmistakable sense of control firmly fastened. The sound system was outstanding, for at times I could distinctly feel his bass lines through the back of my knees. His sense of timing was unblemished as he faultlessly moved through the breaks with ease. Mike Redfern was perfect as an opener, though I didn’t want him to ever stop. But of course, the crowd, steadily growing by the minute, was patiently waiting for the main attraction of the night.

Mike Redfern gracefully bowed out to Teschnik. I had never heard these guys before, but was immediately impressed with their equipment before they had even had the chance to hit a button. The Korg MS2000 (including vocoder) and Kaoss Pad are marks of quality toolmanship for performers the world over and commensurate performers Teschnik turned out to be. They had a noticeably European touch to their music: spatial sounds from the higher registers intermingling with DnB basslines and clear pulsing beats, and well rounded with especial subtle effects (thanks to the superior equipment). I would have probably had come to the European connection anyway, thanks to the very startling blonde locks of one member. But, their continental flavour was certainly discernable to my ear. I found a refreshing precision to their musicality; one which others may dismiss as being too specific or even perfunctory. However, having the good fortune to understand Music in its many innumerable forms, I understood exactly the approach from where Teschnik was coming from, and the clean yet layered textures they were striving for. As a support, Teschnik’s performance was excellent with a great deal of thought obviously put into their one set show.

And so Rasta moved in next. His DJ-ing was quality but I felt as though he was holding himself back. I understand the need for support performers to not move in on someone’s gig (and therefore ‘show’ the feature star ‘up’), but from his one set, I did not feel Rasta’s flow; nor come to understand what made him tick. His timing was excellent, but I was unable to gleam his inner personality, and therefore, was left feeling slightly dissatisfied and wanting. It was only at the last fifteen minutes of his set that I felt Rasta come out from his super-imposed refuge and lay claim to his rights to be on the stage. I wonder if this aloof approach was perhaps thoughtfully deliberate, for Rasta was the icebreaker to the main attraction afterall and we all did want Whispa.

Throughout the evening, I had caught brief glimpses of Whispa. This was his night, and everywhere, wellwishers and supporters were often flanking him, their excitement a quivering tremor of encouragement. At the commencement of his performance, he was welcomed by a warm cheer of applause. It was wonderful to be included in such a positive atmosphere. Whispa was among friends and respecting associates.

I was immediately impressed by how much he wanted to please his crowd; I could tell he really wanted to entertain and satisfy the people who had especially come to see him. Surrounded by his gear, Whispa seemed almost unapproachable and remote, though familiar and comfortable in his environs. Observing his face, I believe he was mentally preparing himself for the journey ahead.

And so he introduced his sounds. There seemed to be a great deal of emphasis placed on the upper and lower registers, leaving a distinctive seemingly empty space where perhaps some restrained use of middle registers could have balanced the sounds. He used plenty of DnB techniques, and offset this with plenty of breaks with, what I thought, had a subtle though idiosyncratic approach to HipHop and perhaps a touch of Psy (crazy, I know) and effective nevertheless. His rhythmical treatment of his music was astonishing; subdivisions and compound timings were issued with remarkable ease. Without a doubt, Whispa’s timing was impeccable. I could have harnessed a metronome to his belt at the flawlessness of his rhythmical aptitude. It seemed almost mechanical. In fact, I found his ‘music’ curiously far more rhythmic than melodious. There were hardly any melody lines, with the result that, at times, I found myself feeling detached from his music. And then, my memory rescued me and reminded me of the title to his newly released EP: Stalking in the Shadows. Whispa was not employing his power in the forefront but rather, stepping back and assuming control from the background; keeping to the ambience which had inspired his EP. This effected a result where, rather than being in your face and direct, his music appeared moreso subliminal; where it had to be ‘felt’ rather than heard.  The reminder of the approach was stunning. Before, where I had felt disconnected and removed from the entire room, I was immediately involved; an active participant; and all due to a different perspective.

I congratulate Whispa for his hard work and vision. The launch of his EP at the Moonbar was an exceedingly enjoyable evening and should, therefore, serve as one of the many pleasurable slabs for the intriguing path that lies ahead of him. Whomever had decided on the lineup and running order had done a fine job of it. A great deal of thought had gone into how each act could and would compliment each other whilst still combine to prepare the way for the feature act of Whispa. In fact, the proceedings for the whole evening left me with a rather warm and gooshy feeling – but that’s more likely a result of being a proud Brisbane-nite and therefore, a satisfied witness to this rather excellent event.

Love and Kisses, Lady Lex