This article serves as the opening installment in a series that explores how Wilmington, NC, sustains its vibrant rave and EDM scene.
Perched quietly on the corner of my coffee table, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows stands out with its colorful tabs marking the pages of words that have resonated deeply with me. For those not familiar, this book is indeed a dictionary, but far from the ordinary kind. It’s a collection of newly coined terms that articulate the profound, often unexpressed emotions we all experience—emotions that, until now, lacked the vocabulary to be fully expressed. Perhaps you’ve come across “sonder,” a term in this book that was popularized back in my Tumblr days (oh dear, am I revealing my age?), which defines the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
Content courtesy of this blog page.
Now, you might be wondering how this connects to the theme and title of this article. Well, one contemplative morning, as I reflected on my recent explorations in the local rave and EDM scene here in my new home, a specific word from this book resonated with the incredible happenings around me.
That word is SILIENCE, defined as:
“The kind of unnoticed excellence that carries on around us every day, unremarkably—which doesn’t announce itself, which doesn’t get its picture in glossy magazines, which is not regaled with awards. This silence might not be remarkable as the silence of deserts, say, or the silence of a ruined church, but it is more profound for its persistence. It is the silence of the talented photographers who sell postcards on street corners, the passionate violinists who play only for themselves, the writers—like Kafka’s Gregor Samsa—who write not to be the voices of their generation but mainly because it helps them get through the day.“
John Koenig, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
This concept of silience, defined as the unnoticed excellence that quietly persists around us, resonates deeply within the EDM community in Wilmington, NC, renowned as the home of GRiZmas in July. This insight offers a perfect entry into a new series aimed at exploring the vibrant communities that keep the local scene thriving. In this introductory article, I’ll share how I first became immersed in Wilmington’s dynamic rave and EDM community. As the series progresses, I will dig deeper into the heart of our local scene, interviewing and profiling various groups that contribute to its vibrancy. Each installment will provide a glimpse into the unique stories and roles of different collectives, uncovering what it takes to sustain our local EDM scene’s thriving pulse and revealing the passion and creativity that fuel its continual evolution.
Basslines and Beachtown Beats
In the warm summer of 2024, I began a new chapter in Wilmington, NC. Feeling a mix of nerves and excitement—a sensation I’ve dubbed ‘nerv-cited‘—I paused my unpacking, laced up my tennis shoes, and set out to show my parents, who had traveled far to help me settle in, around my new hometown. As we were about to head out, a last-minute impulse made me reopen my apartment door. I grabbed my GRiZ bucket hat, thinking to myself, “This will be my lucky charm. Maybe it’ll even be a conversation starter with fellow GRiZ and EDM fans – teehee!”
Sweaty and parched from our walk, my parents and I stumbled into a quaint ice cream shop for a much-needed cooldown. As fate would have it, the person behind the counter noticed my GRiZ hat and her face lit up. She shared that she was also a GRiZ fan and, intriguingly, a fellow raver who had recently moved to Wilmington, drawn here by her rave family—following a path strikingly similar to mine! Just as I was about to step away from the counter, she excitedly filled me in on a week-long event that the local EDM community had organized, celebrating what used to be the week of GRiZmas. I hadn’t realized it at the time, but it had been exactly a year since the last GRiZmas in July before GRiZ took his well-deserved hiatus (a totally deserved break, GRiZ—we love you, support you, and miss you tons). She explained that she’s part of Electric Enclave, a Wilmington collective focused on bringing people together under the compelling influence of electronic music. She highlighted how, through initiatives like Electric Enclave and other collaborative groups, the local EDM scene passionately works to preserve the essence of GRiZmas, even during GRiZ’s hiatus from the celebrated event.
This is Electric Enclave’s mission statement as seen on their website.
“Our mission is to unite people through the transcendent power of music. We are passionately dedicated to curating a space where individuals of our culture can come together to celebrate world-class musical talent, supported by regional artists. The enclave will relentlessly push the boundaries of production with the resources at our disposal to create unforgettable experiences.
Our deep commitment lies in nurturing the growth of the festival, club, and electronic music community, rooted in the belief that our sonic landscape offers something for everyone. We are steadfast in upholding the values of kindness, inclusivity, diversity, and mutual respect as the cornerstones of our mission.
What sets us apart is our unwavering devotion to our community, with whom we actively engage and from whom we attentively listen to feedback. Through this ongoing dialogue, we continually evolve and expand the Enclave alongside our vibrant culture. Together, we are orchestrating the future of music.“
Buzzing from that chance encounter, I hadn’t truly grasped the complexity of the week-long event until I settled back at home and took a closer look at the details. The flyers, with the names of various groups prominently displayed along the margins, showed the collaborative effort behind the festivities. I was captivated by the diverse array of places, groups, and artists uniting to create this vibrant gathering. You can click on the image to expand it for a more detailed view of the event.
Thus began my adventure into the local scene of Wilmington, NC, uncovering local artists, groups, and events right in the heart of the town! While the allure of Denver, CO, with its renowned bass-heavy EDM scene, remains undeniably appealing, my experiences in Wilmington have taught me a valuable lesson: the true essence of a vibrant music scene isn’t confined to any one location. Just as “home is where the heart is,” the real vibe of EDM thrives wherever there’s a community of passionate enthusiasts.
Here in Wilmington, the local scene may be smaller, but it’s no less passionate or alive. The dedication of groups like Electric Enclave, alongside various other collectives as noted on the event flyer, show that a city doesn’t need to be large to possess a vibey spirit! I’ve learned that wherever people share a love for EDM, there you might discover a thriving scene, bursting with energy and creativity.
Ever since discovering Electric Enclave and various other event productions related to EDM, I’ve found myself more and more comfortable attending events solo (y’know, sometimes your rave fam can’t make it!). There’s something uniquely welcoming about the EDM crowd that makes going alone feel like stepping into a gathering of friends even if I don’t know anyone.
A few months after getting settled in, another serendipitous moment unfolded. Drawn by nothing more than a sudden craving, I ventured into Barzarre, an eclectic local bar known for its “Beer and Tacos.” As soon as I stepped inside, the music enveloped me; the air pulsed from the large speaker systems as a CDJ3000 on stage emitted down-tempo, wobbly, and dubby tunes.
It was an otherworldly experience—enjoying tacos while being immersed in the type of music that resonates deep within my soul. As the night unfolded, flow artists, including fire spinners, added a mesmerizing visual element to the atmosphere, enhancing the ambiance. Remembering that I had left one of my LED light whips in the car, I quickly grabbed it and joined in, flowing to the wubby-dubby music! Alex (aka Ablyss), the owner of DeepEnd Audio Production, which provides the speakers for this event, and one of the event’s organizers, came over to share the story behind the gathering. He introduced it as “Open Deck Sessions (ODS),” a collaborative effort with Napolaun (aka Knappi), owner of NoBox Productions. This event, reminiscent of an open mic night but for DJs, allows each artist to take the stage every 20 minutes to showcase anything their heart desires, including their original tracks.
What began as a casual dinner around 8:00 PM transformed into a full-blown musical immersion that kept me engrossed until nearly midnight!
Reflecting on that enchanting night at Barzarre, where unexpected joys unfolded in every beat and conversation, I find myself revisiting the profound concept from John Koenig’s book, The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. The term ‘silience‘ keeps echoing in my mind, capturing those unnoticed moments of excellence that surround us—much like the spontaneous night of music and connection I experienced. Silience refers to the kind of quiet brilliance in everyday objects, actions, and experiences that are truly wonderful when noticed but often overlooked amidst the noise of life.
So, this marks the beginning of a series in which I’ll explore the vibrant tapestry of groups that sustain Wilmington’s EDM scene. I’ve already briefly introduced organizations like Electric Enclave, DeepEnd Audio Productions, and NoBox Productions, which have been instrumental in shaping the local landscape.
It’s important to note that my insights are based solely on personal interactions within the local community, and I am well aware that there are many more groups and individuals making significant impacts that I have yet to discover. I will be requesting interviews and gathering insights to both showcase the vibrant community and learn about the underlying forces shaping the scene. This series will highlight not only the groups I’ve already met but also introduce other collectives that energize the local scene with their unique contributions. This journey is as much about exploration as it is about revelation.
Vibrancy is not the result of one individual’s efforts—it’s a collective achievement. My hope is that this exploration might even inspire EDM enthusiasts everywhere to start building their own community networks. I’m excited to demonstrate how a strong sense of community forms the bedrock of all that was accomplished here, and I hope to inspire those who dream of fostering their own EDM communities!
As I continue to gather stories and compile new articles about the Wilmington EDM scene, I invite you to immerse yourself in the local sounds that have captivated me during my time here. Explore two curated SoundCloud playlists: one featuring original tracks and the other showcasing extended mixes from local artists whose performances have enriched my experience as a newcomer to this vibrant community. Each playlist offers a unique taste of what makes our local scene so special, providing the perfect backdrop as I prepare more in-depth features for this series!
Local Wilmy Wubz – Mixes
Local Wilmy Wubz – Original Tracks
With lots of love & light,
Liezl
P.S. This article is dedicated to all the incredible artists I’ve had the honor of meeting and befriending along my journey. I hope you all recognize how deeply your art is cherished by me and by so many others. May this post shatter the silience. May it remind us all that success is not solely measured by tangible metrics such as number of listeners, streams, shows, or fans. True success manifests in many forms. To all artists, in every medium, may you recognize the impact of your creativity and continue to boldly share your art and your authentic selves. We see you, we appreciate you. ♡
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