Preview–Bass Coast Project 2011, Squamish B.C. July 29 - Aug. 1

– by Rebecca Apostoli

Often when an annual event is well-planned with a helping hand like SoFlo Studio, well-executed and well-attended, it has a tendency to get too big too fast, and encounters the usual problems that a large festival produces. Not so for local electronic music and alternative culture fest Bass Coast Project 2011, which takes place this weekend from July 29 – Aug 1.

The Squamish-based event, produced by three female Lower Mainland electronic music artists/enthusiasts, is a harkening back to the West Coast underground movement of dance music, while at the same time tipping its hat to a proactive, sustainable future. Those who fondly remember the days when events like Soundwave and Shambhala were manageable, even at times intimate gatherings of like-minded individuals, will be pleased to hear this year’s Bass Coast Project capacity has been set at 2000 and ticket sales capped accordingly.

The festival, which has been around since 2009, has grown organically from a modest gathering of the Vancouver electronic music community to include a diverse number of subsets of the Vancouver alternative arts and culture scene. Taking place on the idyllic banks of the Squamish Valley Campground, the festival is set against the natural beauty of pristine forest, river, mountains and white sand beaches, a milieu that puts partiers back in touch with nature. At the same time, the festival frees them up to connect with their inner funkiness, provoked by some of the illest rump-shaking tunes this side of the Pacific.

Headlining the musical bill is London-based duo Psychemajik, providing enough sexy funky breaks to get even the lamest butt boogying. As well, straight from the old school, Eprom from San Francisco will be satisfying all those with an itch for minimal, hyphy bass music.

Watch – Bass Coast Project preview (video, posted Aug 2010):

Also notable is the majority presence on the roster of production-based artists, as opposed to DJ’s spinning vinyl or CDs. Local artists make up the bulk of the musical entertainment – although not for economic reasons (times may be tight) but the undeniable fact that B.C. is home to an incredibly talented and world-class selection of electronic acts. From Prison Garde to The Funk Hunters; LongWalkShortDock to Shamik, Vancouver is showing more and more that it is growing out of its dark days of dubstep domination and presenting a diverse, colorful and innovative side of electronic production and performance.

This new leaf also includes a large visual arts component, including a 360-degree immersive art installation for the main stage plus three additional stages and multiple video installations throughout the festival grounds. As a nod to its ethos of sustainable development, everything Bass Coast is built with reclaimed and recycled materials.

On top of musical performances, Bass Coast features burlesque beauties, capoeira capers and two fashion shows with local models, stylists and designers. Daily workshops teaching everything from music production to circus arts to perma-culture will take place, accessible to all party-goers looking for something to liven up their daytime schedules. Another innovation this year is Bass Coast Radio, broadcasting live to the party people 24/7 during the festival from the Radio stage.

Tickets are $160.00 plus service charges (a few still available at the time of posting!), available online and through select retail stores.

Limited Sunday-only tickets will be available at a discounted rate.

For more event and ticket info surf to Basscoastproject.com.

Follow @basscoastproj