by Kate Murphy
Daily Lobo
On Friday night, the crowd at Downtown's Cell Theatre danced to the beat of a different drummer - a drummer who banged away on an air conditioner.
The Oscillation Electronic Music Festival showcased local musicians specializing in underground electronic music, particularly experimental, industrial and noise.
Musicians of these subgenres are open to creating songs with instruments not typically used in mainstream music, such as the aforementioned air conditioner. Organizers say the festival has become a cultural and social gathering.
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"Over time, it's become a reunion of members of the electronic scene in New Mexico," said Brian Botkiller, festival organizer and performer.
The festival has also gained a broader audience.
"There's a lot more people who know what it is now," he said.
Botkiller has been promoting and taking part in the festival for the past seven years.
The first Oscillation was held seven years ago at the Harwood Art Center, and about 60 people showed up, Botkiller said.
One electronic music fan, Gallup native Josh Wagoner, gave his CD out to audience members at the festival.
"I'm here to gain some more inspiration," Wagoner said. "Just listening to these bands will make my own music better."
He was inspired to attend after seeing Vertigo Venus, one of Oscillation's headliners, play at the Pulse, Wagoner said.
This year marked Vertigo Venus' third year playing Oscillation.
Vertigo Venus guitarist Chris Cannon enjoys playing at Oscillation, and especially likes that it's an alcohol-free event.
"That way, kids of all ages can come see us," Cannon said.
Festival coordinator Ken Cornell said that while certain bands can be expected at Oscillation every year - like Diverje, zRAM and Vertigo Venus - new bands are always encouraged to play.
Santa Fe's Nightmare Noise Machine played Oscillation for the first time this weekend.
The band's front man, Raef, said Nightmare Noise Machine is influenced by classic industrial, such as KMFDM, as well as punk artists such as the Dead Kennedys and The Exploited. He said he liked the atmosphere and the spirit of cooperation and community at Oscillation.
Festival attendee Molly Weider felt the same way.
"It's really cool because everyone's like a family," Weider said. "It's not everyone's musical cup of tea, though."
It takes a lot of work to put on the festival each fall and to send New Mexico's underground electronic fans home happy, Cornell said.
"I don't know why we're still doing this," he said, laughing.
