Are you ever in London? If you are don't forget to come over to Troi and boost your energy by feeling the vibes of the Deaf Rave!
Karina: So, what is Deaf Rave? A band, an art group, a disco?...
Troi: Deaf Rave is based on me and my group. People in the group come and go with everyone passing through! Deaf artists, Dj's, performers, dancers, poets, musicians, visual performers have come through Deaf Rave. I guess it is something I love doing - giving people opportunities and inspiring their passion.
We organise deaf music & visual vibes. When people come to our parties, we provide great entertainment. We put on a show and deaf people show their moves or styles and perform for deaf and hearing audiences. We have deaf DJ's from the UK and all over Europe playing music: house, drum & bass, reggae etc. There is a fantastic vibe and everyone 'feels' it!
It is strictly 110% Deaf Culture on the night, and if hearing people attend, they are welcome. We even supply ear plugs if requested, so they don't end up like us!
Deaf Rave overlays deaf music on the map of the world, and inspires many other deafies worldwide! Deaf music is happening in countries all over the world like the USA and New Zealand. It is a new, up-and-coming facet of the culture!
Karina: What are the aims or intentions of Deaf Rave? Your philosophy?
Troi: Everyone grows, everyone benefits, and everyone is motivated! One of my main aims to encourage deaf people to use their skills. They must practise and get better all the time. It is the only way forward. Confidence is the key - it is not an easy process to go through. We have to try and be stronger --learning can be fun, if you give it a try? We also support others in their struggle. Passing on the knowledge is the thing I love doing the most. That's Deaf Power!
Karina: How and when was the Deaf Rave created?
Troi: It actually may have happened by accident - come to think of it maybe it was not an accident! (laughs). Four deaf friends once asked me to set up a house party for them as they lived locally. They knew I was into DJ-ing and music. I was asked to bring my sound system, so I borrowed a massive speaker box from my cousin, (it was almost the same size of mini cooper car.) I proceeded to set up the equipment and soon as I put on the first record, the house shook up! Powerful vibrations were felt and we knew that this was going to be fun and that deaf people were going to feel this music in a big way!
We had 150 deaf people from all over the UK squeezing inside this 4-bedroom house. The whole house was shaking all night. People loved it and had great time. Some said it was the best house party they had been to. Then a week or two later at a deaf pub, people were coming up to me asking "When's the next one??" That was when I realised that it was a needed outlet and that people wanted to socialize in a different atmosphere rather the same old pub!
A few months later I was laid off from my job, and that was when I decided to put on a huge party for 700 people. I knew we could do it and set up a small crew...that was when Deaf Rave was born. It's been strong ever since! I put 110% effort into this effort and continue to do so...there is always a party somewhere?someplace?and at sometime!
Karina: How many events have you hostedt?
Troi: Hmm? I've lost count these days (laughs). I think I have hosted 20-30 parties since 2003 including some in other European countries. Each of them was a great experience and unique in its own way. I want to thank our organisers and our partners who have had faith in us. I am most grateful to them and everyone who has attended to our events.
Karina: Are there many more groups and events like this in the world?
Troi: There are. We have the Klyo Team from France, a group of French guys based in Toulouse & Lyon. They are cool guys performing in Music, Sign-Dance, Juggling, Sign Rap. There is also SupaLee from New York, US. He is a deaf DJ and organizes parties for the Americans. The US also has the Deaf Entertainment Family as well. Big up to you guys. In addition there is Signmark from Finland, who has great music and a great crew. There are also massive deaf dance troups from China "Brothers & Sisters." They did a great job in the UK in 2007. We can't forget about Norway -- there will be Deaf Laser Party and in Sweden - Tyst Teater this year. Tyst Teater is based in Sweden and will be hosting a national tour. Do not miss it! Hopefully, Deaf Rave will be playing at these events!
Karina: For you, what is the uniqueness of Deaf Rave?
Troi: Deaf Rave works with everyone regardless of race, sex, age, disability. We encourage people, motivate and inspire confidence in our audience, both deaf and hearing. We provide opportunity to our performers to showcase their skills. This is a very strong policy I have: give someone a chance, no matter how good or bad they are. They must keep going and growing! These are our main aims & passion!
We are proud to set up a new trend of visuals and 'feel music environment' which is now spreading worldwide. I hope there will be many more events, ideas, and new performers to come and more to watch and enjoy!
Karina: Do you have professional musicians in your group? Then how on earth do they train/learn to hear and produce the music? Or they use hearing aids?
Troi: Yes, we have Oneness, our female bongo drummer, she wears hearing aids and does not have severe hearing loss. She is a very good drummer. Most of my deaf musicians wear hearing aids. We also have a guitar player named Teddy, who is partially deaf and is able to speak. He can sign too. His hearing is not so bad, he can enjoy playing his music. He plays bass and guitar. Each of them learned and continue to learn in their own ways and they are evidence that hard work and passion pays off.
Karina: Are there song performances in Deaf Rave in sign language?
Troi: Deaf Rave has a gig at Glastonbury, the ultimate music festival. We are looking forward to that, it is new for us as it is aimed for hearing audience. We are going to have to get the creative juices flowing for that one! Gosh, I can't believe it (exclaims). We have a couple songs to perform in sign language. We are going to try vocals as well rapping. We developed different ways of performing our songs, it can be sign songs, rapping or even miming.
Karina: Which sign language is that (classic or adapted British Sign Language for singing)?
Troi: BSL or SSE (sign support English).It never easy when translating a song. It has different structures and grammatically it has to be scrambled in or out and so on. It is not easy! It takes a lot of time and practice.
Karina: Is a special training for BSL singing/performance needed and who provides it then?
Troi: No one has come up with that yet. We depend on ourselves and do it our own way. More like streetwise style! We use our lingos, slangs, BSL and international sign language all in our song when we perform. This is just our art, our creations - and it can be furious and fast, or slow and lyrical. One might as well call it "Deaf Hip Hop" or Deaf Rock. This depends on what kind of music we are playing or performing.
Karina: Where do you find Deaf performers?
Troi: People basically come to me sometimes by email, SMS or face to face. Sometime I scout all around UK and Europe to find them. It is never an easy task, we are rather invisible people! But I do enjoy going to deaf events and places to meet other deaf people.
Karina: How do you promote your Deaf Rave events in a way that not only deaf people come, but hearing come, too?
Troi: Deaf Rave always welcomes everybody to come to our events and that includes hearing, disabled and everyone who wants to see our deaf way of night life!
Karina: And you, how did you become deaf? What are you involved in, apart from Deaf Rave?
Troi: I was born with a twin brother who is hearing. Unfortunately, my brother passed away but I am 35 years old and still living. I guess I was the lucky one who happened to be deaf! I attended to primary school, secondary school, college, and university and I learned many different cultures while growing up, as my family it is mixed. This gave me great opportunity to visit family and friends in different countries. I love London, as was raised there most of my life in the Heartbeat of London - which I'm proud of.
I am now involved in organizing events with other people, Sign Language Translators, DJs, Performers, Deaf Culture Lecture and am a big fan of traveling to meeting other deaf people!
I still continue to be involved in the deaf community as much as I can and enjoyed going to Vietnam and learning about their Deaf Culture. That was a wonderful feeling and moreover, I found some family members with whom we lost contact 40 years previously. Long live Vietnam!
Karina: What are your plans for the future?
Troi: First, we hope to perform in Norway this year at Deaf Laser Party in November 2009. Fingers crossed that we get a chance to go to new places again and meet lots of lovely people! Then, we want to record some new songs and get some music videos in the next few months and maybe organize a big party in 2010. And throughout it all we will continue to encourage and send a strong message to all deaf people to keep working, learning and practising all the time!
Links: www.deafrave.com
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