This Thursday night Capetonians will celebrate 8 years of “It Came From The Jungle” at Fiction. The weekly drum ‘n bass event that has taken Cape Town by storm and is now regarded as an institution of sorts; this Long Street alternative party literally had the floors bending and shaking prior to the Fiction’s revamping a few years ago, which only served to elevate the natural-high inducing atmosphere of the event. Mark Stevens, literally known as the “the legend of the scene” by those those involved in the event, has been the organiser and headlining act since day one. Marie-Claire de Villiers met with him to talk beats and heartbeats.
Why do you think the drum ‘n bass night has been such a hit (above the other event-nights at Fiction, as well as often above and beyond other regular parties in CT)?
We’ve just done what we’re doing, without any pressure for people to come – come if you want to, don’t if you don’t – either way, it’s happening. In other words, we don’t advertise too hard try too much to pull people in. We have thousands of people who know about the event. They know it’s happening every week, and that we’ll be giving the same amount of energy and the same high quality of artists and music no matter how big or small the crowd is. When occasionally there are only 200 people, we still play as if we’re playing for 600.
It’s no secret that creating and maintaining a regular event in Cape Town is almost impossible; we are such fickle creatures. What were the challenges in getting the event going and keeping it going? What was it like re-doing the venue a few years back?
The biggest challenge is to refresh our sound every season. Also, we always want fresh input and fresh music. Every artists we book, we choose carefully – to make sure there’s a variety and that they’re each contributing something special.The renovation was very good for us. A new start. They made the stage and dancefloor bigger, and added that whole new upstairs section – really maximising the venue to its potential.
Do you think there is now a strong drum ‘n bass community in Cape Town?
There’s ALWAYS been a strong drum ‘n bass community in Cape Town. Cape Town historically has always had a really strong drum ‘n bass culture, since the late nineties and it’s growing all the time.
You’ve played all over the world. What is it about the Cape Town drum ‘n bass, dub, dubstep and electronic scene in general, that sets it apart from scenes like this overseas?
The diversity. In a lot of cities you’ll find two or three popular genres, and then if you want something else it will be in a tiny venue with a few people. Here there are so many different musical styles in the party scene and in general. Cape Town is so diverse and multi-cultutral, everyone parties together here. You’ll find people of all cultures, races, and classes at the same venue; in other cities it’s often quite divided.
Of course we can still learn from cities where the industry is flourishing. There is room for growth and a lot of potential here.
For those of us who don’t know, can you tell us a little about the different sub-genres in drum ‘n bass?
Back in the day it used to be clear cut; liquid, with chilled and jazzy elements; neurofunk; jump up which is closer to rave; etc. Now, lines get blurred so often; producers are writing tracks with, for example, a neurofunk basis and a liquid influence. What we’re about at “It Came From The Jungle” is trying to showcase as much of that diversity as possible; although I think we tend to focus on the lighter side of drum ‘n bass – say, 70% lighter and 30% a of the heavier stuff, but not too much. Purely because a lot of the heavier stuff gets played at every other drum ‘n bass party in Cape Town; so we’re trying to create a balance.Just trying to keep a feel-good vibe.
Exactly. We’re a Thursday, so we understand the balance of our place in the week. People want to let loose after dinner, have a jol with friends. We are all about bringing a happy vibe. From that perspective, I find It Came From the Jungle to be a very accessible party. We often get walk-ins who’ve never heard this music before, who come in and start raving. If we can get one person a night to say “Wow! I’ve never heard this before, but I want to hear it again!” – then it’s job well done for us.
What’s your favourite sub-genre?
I’ve always preferred the melodic, euphoric side of drum ‘n bass. There are also a lot of songs that have that element, which incorporate all forms of drum ‘n bass, so that’s what I look for.
Tell us a little about the other DJs playing tonight (who all play at Fiction regularly)?
First up is ALXR and Niems – Niems is one of the very talented guys we’ve started booking. Both of them are really good at the deeper side of drum n bass. Rolling, deep sound that’s great to open the night. Then we have White Nite – he’s been a guest of ours for years. He wouldn’t call himself a drum ‘n bass DJ, this is the only event where he’d play drum ‘n bass but he’s really good at it. His style is lighter; electro and jump up – he’s the perfect party starter. Phaze and Vava are next up, they play the ravier, jump-up party stuff, and some of the best up and coming producers. This is the first time they were playing together.
Phaze is producing some amazing things and Vava’s sound fits exactly what “It Came From The Jungle” is all about. Then it’s me and Hyphen back to back for two hours. We’ve been with Jungle since day one. We throw one big track after the next and love to keep the energy high. Closing the night is Half Life, a young cat, playing with a sound that is a little harder and is doing some really cool stuff - we’re excited to have him. The closing set is the toughest set of the night – even though people are in the party vibe by that time, the challenge is to not keep throwing out big ones but to vibe it out.
What can we expect to hear from you at the birthday party?
I have so many tracks and new things I want to play; it’s difficult to decide on everything for certain – I also like to choose some stuff on the night. It’s definitely going to be high-energy though.
What’s next for Fiction Thursdays in the next few months?
We may have some international artists coming through in August or September; but you know that until that’s100% confirmed I have to keep that under wraps (winks).
What was the freakiest thing that ever Came From the Jungle?
M: There have been too many things! Everything from girls flashing, in the hope we’ll keep playing after closing time, to people singing for half an hour after we’re supposed to be closed… But the most memorable thing is all the friendships that have been formed over the years, not only between the artists but all the people who came alone, only for the music, the first time, and are now best friends.
To commemorate the party It Came From The Jungle present a selection of mixes from some of Cape Town's finest Drum nBass DJs that showcases some of the best music to be played at It Came From The Jungle over the years.
It Came From The Jungle History Mix - Niskerone (2008-2009) by Red Bull Studios Cape Town on Mixcloud
Facebook event page
It Came From The Jungle fan page
Fiction Facebook fan page
Listen to Pulse Radio