“In the beginning – well 1999 – Lisa Elliott began working with DJ Nervous, and since the Transmission Anthem Evolution in 2000 has brought ecstatic clubbers eight massive Transmission events. Transmission (in conjunction with Pharmacy) has brought DuMonde aka DeLeon and JamX & DJ Nervous to Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, becoming an ‘Aussie’ tradition”.
Lisa credits Nervous with recognising her latent talent and provoking her fortuitous move from finance to follow her passion for dance music. “I love Anthems. Anthems have always taken me back to a certain time and place which will never be experienced again. It was all in that moment, photographed forever in your mind and it’s events such as these where you get an exceptional opportunity to be able to do that. That’s the reason why we created the Anthem Evolution – to create an exceptional experience.”
The two continue to work well together, challenging each other and enjoying the part they play in the industry. From start to sweep-up Transmission parties take Lisa three months to coordinate, even with a bigger group of people involved than she initially began with. “When creating an event, Nervous and I generally nut out what the event is going to look like from the perspective of the dance music enthusiast. What do they want? Who they want to hear? What did they enjoy last time? What can we give them this time that will be exciting? Once that’s been decided, we then look at how we are going to get it out there…”
And believe it or not this is hard work- particularly now that Transmission goes ‘on tour’. Lisa sings the praises of professional producers, Chromatic and Lynette, who are also passionate about what they do- not to mention brilliant. But there’s also ‘paperwork’ and figures (see finance does come in handy) as Lisa spends the week after paying everyone, arranging tax, dealing with APRA before beginning the next event.
The choice of DJs? Again it’s the punter drives that decision and Lisa keeps in mind the successes of previous parties, the things people want to hear but she also ensures that ‘up n comers’ get a chance as well. “It’s not very often that young guns get an opportunity to be able to play at a big event and I like to think that we are a tool for them to showcase their talent.” Transmission is about pushing the boundaries: main room artists get to try new things and Transmission delivers a few special ‘firsts’ with every event.
Transmission Anthem Evolution – Phase 1 @ The Metro (Nov, 2000) was Lisa’s personal favourite. “I had the most fantastic night ever and topped it off for the last set when Nik Fish and Jumping Jack got on the dex. They played some truly old skool classics reaching way back to 1992 and track by track, year by year they pulled it up to current day. I danced, yelled and screamed for all of their set. I loved it and so did the 1200 people who remained until the bitter end. Very memorable.”
As for ‘forgettable’ Transmission moments? The shut down of Transmission Anthem Evolution @ SEGA World by police took that title. But in the triumphs and hard times Lisa says it’s her friends who help her keep everything going.
Hmm on the subject of police I asked Lisa what the deal was? Do they just show up when they feel like it and bring their doggies? “There is an element of User Paid Police which is required for every event that we have had since SEGA. At the last event, they decided to bring dogs. It was a first for Transmission and The State Sports Centre. The police were wonderful though. Out of the 11 people who were searched only 1 person was arrested, everyone else was let off which is rather good for a 5000 strong dance event.
The only stand that a promoter can take is a zero tolerance policy towards drug and alcohol abuse. Every angle of our event is created with a “harm minimisation” aspect blended into it to ensure that the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse do not end up as lethal. There is nothing worse than seeing a young teenager who has sunk 4 pills in the last two hours going to hospital after dropping on the dance floor and having to consol their friends and get them together so that they can ride in the ambulance with their mate. As a promoter, I have seen it enough times and it breaks my heart.”
And the modern ‘catch cry’- what about insurance? At $35,000 per event it makes it difficult to keep the ticket price under $50 and all promoters are starting to feel the pinch. Lisa also assured me that the new laws (Jan 10th thanks to Richard Face) relating to provision of water would be taken into consideration for this Transmission.
Finally you’ll find Lisa’s email address on your ticket so you can tell her exactly what you thought of the event! Happy clubbing.
Transmission Anthem Evolution happens this Saturday the 15th of February.
