Prelude to Fall: Myon and Shane54

Photo Credit: http://www.addictedtoradio.com

 

By M. A. Alvarez II

When I heard that Myon and Shane54 were coming to San Antonio on September 12th, I was thrilled. Not only because I was a fan of the music they created, but more so because I had missed out on the amazing experience they brought to Austin months before. I wasn’t going to miss this show. There was no way.

This trance music duo originated from Hungary, producing and mixing music since 2008. Shortly after starting their career, they were met with tremendous success. After two years of recognition, they were voted among the top 100 DJs in the world by DJ Magazine and have been regarded as such ever since.

I prepared myself mentally for their show since it was announced in May. I knew their music well, having listened to their newest hit Summer of Love, as well as the numerous mixes they’ve created along with their collaborations with Cole Plante; an emerging artist in the trance music scene. Trance has always been among my favorite genres of music, and finally being able to experience the great talent that was Myon and Shane54 was almost like a dream come true.

They would be playing at the prestigious Club Rio, an electronic dance music venue in north San Antonio. Upon entering Club Rio, I could tell what type of night it was going to be. It was colorful, bright, and ultimately cool as fans clustered in, ready to dance, and eager to hear what Myon and Shane54 were prepared to bring to San Antonio that night.

I can remember the anticipation and the chanting as Myon and Shane54 emerged on the stage. Myon was hype, jumping up and shouting back towards the crowd as Shane54 prepared his instruments atop the stage. Lights hovered over the crowd from various parts of the venue, while the screen behind the duo began to project images as they began their set. I can admit. I was among the crowd, shouting, screaming at the top of my lungs, as they put into motion the melody of their mix of Velvetine’s Great Divide. A personal favorite. I screamed. I danced. I shouted and danced some more.

My best friends were among the crowd, jumping to the melody, imbued with the evident excitement that the music injected into our ears.

The sound of their set wasn’t heavy with bass, as other shows are within electronic music. Myon and Shane54 were graceful, soft, and utterly emotional, evoking a sense of compassion and bliss from within the crowd. A single worry did not cloud my mind. I was lost within a moment of peace and harmony, by the grace of the music they played throughout that music hall.

The show was definitely one of the best. Compared to that I have seen in Austin recently, this show was among the top, but rivaling with the experiences I have had in Houston. But, there is no denying the pure talent that Myon and Shane54 have.

By the end of the show the entire crowd was nostalgic. They flocked towards the DJs as they descended from the stage. Luckily, being at the front of the crowd I was able to beat the others to it and got to speak to the world renowned Shane54. It was exhilarating. After a short chat, I was able to casually place my arm around him and get a photo!

I left the show a happy man, beyond satisfied by the experience delivered by the Trance duo. They played with heart and implemented amplitudes of emotion into their set, that did not only move the crowd, but opened their eyes to a new reality. One that knew no worry and only bliss, for that night was history. To think that this story is only one of the many among hundreds that day is unbelievable.

Myon and I after an epic set.

 

The Nocturne Manifesto Defined

Photo Credit: http://www.peaceloveedm.com

By M. A. Alvarez II

There are so many things humanity has yet to understand. So many mysteries lie out there. Many of which lie within the dead of night, from within the darkness of the outside world and that uncertainty that exists within ourselves. We are born into an unknown existence, only to grow and discover for ourselves what we may define our purpose to be. What I define my purpose as has brought me to write this; to bring to the surface not only a new understanding of what my life may bring, but also an essence of what it means to seek out the experiences that might show you what your life means to you.

My name is Mark Aaron Alvarez II. I’m a student journalist attending Texas State University and am hoping to someday establish myself as an active and passionate writer within the community. I have always had an appreciation of arts. Since an early age I took to it as a way to express myself; by means to understand who I truly was. By painting , writing, and even dabbling into acting throughout my early youth, I was always searching for a way to be exactly what I wanted to be, in order to understand who I truly was. I found comfort in the art forms, appreciating them early on, however it wasn’t until I reached the age of 19 and entered college that I began to understand the true purpose and power of a particular art form, one that defined and attributed the most to life; music.

Music completely changed me. It had altered my perception and shook my morals to their core. Music held this power, to evoke a sense of wonder from within me. It caused me to imagine and question everything. Music, sound in sync and harmony, could paint pictures within my mind and bring forth words I could not find, and ultimately it taught me something new. I could control what I perceived. My experiences were my own, and not subjective or definite to what others said it had to be. I didn’t have to experience the world as others did. I could seek out my own experiences with each new song. Each new sound, opened the door to a world I could escape to. All I had to do was listen.

A nocturne simply stated is a piece of work, a composition of music, or art, that has been inspired, draws from, or attributes to the night. This blog serves a purpose to encourage the appreciation of the music and experience that come from within the night, the uncertainty, and darkness of our world. Here I hope to record and cover my own experiences from the worlds of music, from within the lights of the night, in order to inspire a sense of wonder from within you, so that you may seek out experiences like mine to broaden your appreciation for life. I hope that from here, you find yourself looking to make the most out of your reality with a new found appreciation of music; so that you are living your life exactly the way you’d like among others who perceive as you do.