Diesel:U:Music - Rock & Rave Circus

What’s better than a lot of pictures from parties past? Even more pictures! (2)

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:43:22 +0000

In our previous post we mentioned Dennis Bouman sending us a truckload of pictures from the Rock ‘n Rave parties in Metropool and in Krasnapolsky. And here we are, relaying these photos to you! Check it out after the jump, 258 pictures of the New Year’s Eve party in Krasnapolsky! If you look at one picture per day, it will be almost New Year’s Eve again when you’re finished! Or maybe not, because it will still be only September then, but you get it, right? Right, here are the pictures:

What’s better than a lot of pictures from parties past? Even more pictures! (1)

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:37:45 +0000

Star photographer Dennis Bouman sent us even more pictures from the Rock ‘n Rave parties in Hengelo’s Metropool and Amsterdam’s New Year’s Eve party in Krasnapolsky. We were thinking about keeping the pictures for ourselves, but then we remembered our resolutions for this year: to share more. So here goes, more pictures of the party in Metropool! (The next series of pictures from Krasnapolsky are in the next blog we’re publishing)

Here’s a look back at the New Year’s edition of the Rock and Rave Circus

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:54:32 +0000

It’s in Dutch, but it’s also in sane!

Check out the photo’s of the NYE edition of The Greatest Rock ‘n Rave Circus!

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:05:18 +0000

Here they are, the pictures of Rock ‘n Rave at New Years Eve in the Krasnapolsky hotel on the Dam Square in Amsterdam. Shot by Alex Post. Click, you! Click!

This is it people. Your very last chance to see the Rock ‘n Rave Circus for yourself.

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:37:05 +0000

NOOOOO! The end of the Rock ‘n Rave Circus tour is almost here! There’s just one more show to go, and you can see it at New Year’s in the Krasnapolsky Hotel on the Dam in Amsterdam. We’re warning you: if you won’t go now, you will never be able to see the show with your own eyes. You’ll have to explain to your children why you didn’t go, and the only valid reason would be because you stayed at home to conceive them. Make up your own mind, but hopefully, until New Year’s!

An interview with Bas Kosters

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:36:00 +0000

We already let Bas talk about the costumes he designed for the Rock ‘n Rave Circus, but now the time has come to answer some personal questions. He won’t get off that easily!

You rode an elephant. Dressed like a clown. With a pack of screaming people around you. In a crowded city centre. With clinking trams. What was it like?
Who can say they rode an elephant through the Kalverstraat (the busiest shopping street of Amsterdam)? It was hysterical! I must say I was a bit in shock, because I had been working non stop on the costumes for three weeks and when I had just finished them I had to jump on an elephant. It was a lot of fun, but also very scary for there wasn’t really something to hold on to. And when Suzy the elephant lifted her leg, it felt like I would fall off. But I had to play my role of course, and looking like a scared sissy wouldn’t make the ordeal any better. I tried to make contact with her by petting her, but she just felt like a living stone. Really weird.

Is there another animal that you wish you could ride on?

Well, the whole idea or fantasy of interacting with animals is always nicer than the reality. I mean, one of the most important figures in my collection of dolls is the hippo. In real life, the animal is dirty and has flies on him; it’s a completely different experience. I think a giraffe might come closest to the imagination. They are beautiful with soft skin, almost like velvet, and have long lashes. Riding one of those would be really nice I guess.

You are the designer of all the extravagant costumes for the Rock & Rave Circus. Besides that, you perform on stage as mix between a jar of strawberry marmelade and a clown. What are you wearing while getting your groceries on a rainy Monday morning?

On weekdays I have to work and ride my bike, therefore it is more practical to wear something normal. So probably some shorts, a long coat, firm boots and half a kilo of jewelery. Luckily some people still consider that shocking.

What are the biggest differences between Clown Bassie and Bas Kosters?

Clown Bassie is somewhat of a bitter and dreadful clown. I can be bitter at times but in general you might say I am the enthousiastic, happy type. Bassie has an attitude, is clumsy like hell and rhythmically out of focus, which I am obviously not. Furthermore I don’t picture myself being funny on stage, so Bassie had to be a more quiet character. Clown Bassie originated from a certain look; I used to document everything I did and always portraited myself. The unpleasant clown with his macabre face was born from some of those images. And I once made a costume of a really big clown that was carrying another clown. It was like a clown in a clown. That suit has become a metaphore for how I see my role in de Dutch fashion industry: a clown. No, it’s not just that, it has a double meaning. I do make jokes but I take my work seriously.

You grew up in Zutphen, which is not particularly the example of a creative environment. Do you get inspiration from your upbringing or do you react against that past?

There are actually quite a lot of artists and unconventional types in Zutphen. And they attract eachother, so back then I was part of a nice group of creative people. But in the end, everybody leaves in order to make something of their lifes. I don’t have a lot of vivid memories of my past, too many pills probably. But I do love nostalgia and use many images from my childhood memories for inspiration. As a child the world revolves around you, and now, my work revolves around me. When I was young I used to wear those knitted sweaters with the Pink Panther on it, and recently my mom knitted a sweater for one of my collections, with my face on it. That is a semi-literally translation of my childhood into my work. And because it is knitted by my mommy it is also a bit childish, I guess.

What really gets you annoyed at parties?
If people don’t feel it when you are coming through. The crowd should move like an organism and sense it when you want to pass them. I also very much dislike people that try to be ‘crazy’ with their pink plastic cowboy hats or boa’s. That is really wrong too.

What would you like the world to look like?
That is a difficult question, because – and this is a cliché – a lot of things happen for a reason. But I wish the world would be a lot cleaner. I hate those black circles of trampled chewing gum on the streets and poo in the parks that ends up on your pants. And wouldn’t it be nice if this fashion centre had a green rooftop filled with trees? We really need garbage men and cleaners, they are crucial in this world. Therefore I would never wish for everybody to be creative. That wouldn’t work.

An ‘interview’ with Boemklatsch…

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:56:39 +0000

photo by Alex Post

We asked the guys of Boemklatsch some questions. Mike Magoo, Illvester, $jammie the Money, Ramkraak en Atactic answered, but don’t ask us how. DON’T! Just have a read for yourself.

When is a party a good party and what is your role in it?
$tM: When you come home and you think: “Wooow, what was that? Who am I? Where am I?” And then you discover you are not at home.
Ill: Can I have a coke?
At: NO! Don’t give him coke!
MM: When is an interview a good interview, and what is your role in it?
RK: Aux Raus

When trapeze artists enter the circus ring, the public always holds its breath in anticipation. How do you like your crowd best?
MM: I am not drunk. I am a dinosaur.
Ill: I…am…the…robot….of…the…future.
At: I…am…coming…from…next…wednesday.
RK: Aux…Raus

Before you take your places behind the decks, you wrap Joost van Bellen in a net and take him off stage. Is that how you treat the elderly?
MM: Yes.
$tM: We do with older youngsters.
RK: Raus Aux
Illv: My dad is with the police you know?
At: My dad is Jesus.

In your costumes made by bas Kosters you look like a captivated herd of zebra’s. How does that feel?
MM: Like a dinosaur.
RK: Aux Raus
$tM: Superhip. I mean Bas Kosters. HA-LO-HO

There’s eight of you so who does what? We don’t get it. Explain!
RK: Aux Raus
MM: Illvester does everything. We just look tough.
$tM: Did you ever see how much buttons there are on a mixer?

When you’re on stage with a numorous crew like yours, aren’t you ever in eachother’s way? That you end up with your crotch in somebody’s mouth?
$tM: Sometimes I end up with my liver under Illvester’s armpit, but not a lot. And there’s something to it.
Illv: What’s the practical use of that?
At: Nothing, it’s quite painful actually.
RK: Aux Raus Aux Raus

Describe your ideal groupie.
$tM & MM: Wannabeastar!
RK: Aux Raus
Illv: I hate mushrooms!
At: PIZ-ZA-CAL-ZO-NE

Who is the biggest kamikaze pilot among you guys?
MM: Atactic, another dinosaur. All he has to do is look tough.
RK: Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus

Can any of you do a circus trick?
MM: Sjam can pull his teeth from his mouth.
$tM: Mike can pull hairs from his ass.
RK: Aux Raus

What anecdote will you be telling the people in the nursing home in 60 years?
Illv: Piet is a thief.
At: Jan fucks goats.
MM: That we saw dinosaurs once.
RK: Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus
$tM: That we got to go on a circus tour with Rave Grandpa.

What is the strangest thing that happened to you during the Rock ‘n Rave circus?
MM: One time we saw dinosaurs.
$tM: Wat heppens beksteetsj stees beksteetsj.
MM: That dinosaur too.
Ill: Ha ha ha, haven’t laughed like this in a long time.
At: Speak for yourself!
RK: Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus Aux Raus …………………….Aux Raus

The best dressed people of Hengelo

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:03:43 +0000

The people of Hengelo had a lot of fun dressing up, apparently, and these pictures are proof. They were made by Alex Post, who dressed up like a giant elephant in a bikini by the way. But he couldn’t take a picture of himself because his trunk was in the way.

Hengelo was snowtacular yo!

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:10:51 +0000

Saturday it was time for the Rock ‘n Rave Circus to hit Hengelo, and we had to go right through a snow storm to get there. It was so cold we lost our feet along the way. Luckily the people of Hengelo were among the sweetest people we ever met. They gave us some new feet to dance on, and we were so thankful we just wanted to kiss them all. Even the guy with the Hitler mustache. It was a good party, and here are the pics, shot by Alex Post.

An interview with Shiii-Chiii the Clown, AKA Shirley Hart

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:57:46 +0000

Begin 90’s Shirley Hart worked as a club dancer al over the world, like Ibiza’s Pacha and Miami’s Bash. There she was discovered by Joost van Bellen, and she joined his team in the legendary club RoXY in Amsterdam. Now she’s a clown in the Rock ‘n Rave Circus that at one point in the show will blow up like a balloon at a terrorist party. We asked her about dressing up and her crush on the drummer of Diesel:U:Music contest winners The Melomanics.

When is a party a good party and what is your role in it?
Well, the other night I went to Italo Elite, a monthly party in Amsterdam, and when I entered people immediately yelled: “Shirley is in, let the party begin!” I guess that says it all…

How do you like the shiny costume Bas Kosters made for you and would you wear it on a Tuesday morning to buy croissants?
I love it! The other day I was riding my bike back from a promotional photoshoot for the Rock ‘n Rave Circus. I was still wearing the costume and left my make up on. People in the streets were staring at me with an expression that I could only interpret as: “She is not crazy, she just looks very good!” So I would go to the bakery for sure in it, no sweat!

At a certain moment during the night you are wearing a blow-up costume that transforms into a huge bouncing ball. Are you never afraid of exploding and ending up in a thousand pieces?
What a fantastic costume that is! It was made by Nepco (costume designers, specialized in blow-ups, red.) so I am never afraid it will explode. You know what would be great? If I could swing through the venue on a rope in this costume with Joost van Bellen clamped between my legs, wooooeeeeiiii!!

How do you like a party crowd best?
That depends on whether there is a theme or not. Sometimes I am really astonished by the creativity of the public and how they make something of it. For example during a party called Manifesto last year the theme was: financial crisis. I saw this girl dressed like an ATM looking very depressed. That is hilarious and really ads to the whole atmosphere!

Can you describe your ideal groupie?
Haha, well if I can choose, I would go for the boy that climbed up the stage during the opening night of the Rock ‘n Rave Circus in Amsterdam to give me a French kiss. I was so perplexed I couldn’t move for a few minutes and just enjoyed it.

What is it like to be working in an almost all male circus?
They’re all nice boykes. And with some of them I have a really good connection.

Like you have with the drummer of the MeloManics? Might Shii-Chii be a little bit in L-O-V-E?
Ow deary, I am blushing, leave me ALONE!!

Backstage paparazzi photo’s by Mirla Klijn

Which anecdote about the Rock ‘n Rave Circus would you tell your grandchildren 60 years from now?
Listen kids: the way you dress now is how I looked on stage back in the days. Because I believe that how I dress up for an act nowadays is how people will dress for work in 2069.