The Collective Keep Spinning
The city’s underground scene is a moving beast that refuses to stay still. Ahead of the Collective 3.0 party at Ancient World this month, organiser Jamie Aitken gives his thoughts and feelings on Adelaide’s techno movement.
Words by Zara Richards
Image supplied
Off Hindley Street, down an alleyway and in a dark corner to the left, you’ll find Ancient World, one of Adelaide’s most exciting venues. It’s where the city’s creative cohort gathers to make anything possible.
On July 15, Ancient World will host Collective 3.0 – the third edition of community-minded underground parties where local techno talent shines.
The Note is speaking with organiser Jamie Aitken a fortnight before the event takes place. Collective 3.0, he tells us, is an extension of what the DJ helped create as part of six-piece techno group, Spin Lizzy, which disbanded on Good Friday earlier in the year. “The ethos behind the collective parties is to bring people from different communities together for one party at Ancient World,” the 29-year-old says.
According to Jamie, each person on the line-up brings a significant contribution to the scene. Headlining the event will be Eluize, who will play a two-and-a-half-hour closing set as part of her EP tour. “It’ll be good to have her playing on home turf,” Jamie says. “She’s an incredible performer. I think Adelaide’s really lucky to have her.”
Other DJs spinning tracks include Lenin Paunovic (Inside Out), Scott Dale (terapi), the trio behind Small City Systems, and newcomers in the community radio space, Duck Radio. “It’s a pretty diverse line-up. It’s always fun watching a DJ for an hour and a half and then the next set is completely different.”
Collective 3.0 comes as Adelaide sees a rise in do-it-yourself techno parties that have an emphasis on community. Spin Lizzy arrived in mid-2020 when partying was illegal and the six members started experimenting with mixing sound. “From the onset, we wanted a really tight-knit, respectful and friendly community,” Jamie says. “It was always about good music, diverse people, safe environments and local art.”
Spin Lizzy highlights include the famed church raves at Anna’s Cocktail Club and hosting Australian-born, EU-based, DJ Roza Terenzi, at The Lab late last year. “That was pretty glitz and glamour. It was a lot of fun. But we needed 140 people [to attend] to break even. There’s four and a half grand invested in these parties, which I think the community has no idea about.”
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Adelaide’s lack of pre-sale culture is one of the sticky issues experienced by the wider scene. Jamie says people are still resistant to pay $30 for an evening of intimate techno hosted by one of the city’s dedicated collectives versus paying the same cover charge for entry to a Hindley Street club.
Another issue is the lack of venues for up-and-coming DJs to play to late-night crowds. The recent ‘For Sale’ sign slapped on techno institution Sugar is a reminder of the city’s dwindling club culture.
“It’s really interesting,” Jamie says. “There are all these DJs but nowhere to play. There are a lot of talented people in South Australia – if you can make it as a DJ in our underground scene, I think that’s better than what most people are pumping out interstate. The biggest issue is there’s no continuity for opportunities.”
Jamie’s just one of the many pieces that make up Adelaide’s techno movement. He’s quick to mention those who helped influence his direction and dedication, like Lenin from Inside Out, Sam Walker from Raw Like Sushi Radio (broadcast on ThreeD) and Phil Rogers (12” Phildo) who co-owned the now-defunct Cuckcoo bar. Newcomers he’s keeping an eye on include Coleman Kain and Jesse Neil behind the Soak events and Glen October from Closer.Closer.Closer.
Collective 3.0 will also be Jamie’s last event before he calls time on the Adelaide scene. The 29-year-old reveals he’ll be relocating to Europe the day after the event. “I wanted to go out with a bit of a bang,” he laughs. And while he’s painted a pretty frank and honest picture of the scene in our conversation, he’s confident the city will continue to find ways to host creative, diverse and eclectic events that champion the underground movement.
With his imminent departure, does he have advice for those wanting to start a community-orientated techno collective? “Stay curious,” Jamie says. “Keep learning more about music and yourself. And be humble and nice to people in the scene. Opportunities can take quite a long time. But if you have the patience, you’ll get rewarded.”
Collective 3.0 takes place at Ancient World on July 15. Doors from 6pm. Tickets on sale now.
