Badass Raves has earned a reputation throwing some of the most insane festivals and parties in the DMV area. They may have started off throwing underground parties, however in 2017 they’re responsible for major festivals being thrown around the year in the DMV area. Just this past October they put on their fourth annual Nightmare Festival that took place at the famed Camp Ramblewood in Maryland. In addition to Nightmare Festival, they’re also responsible for Dreamscape festival and Big Dub Festival that places at Four Quarters Farm in Pennslyvania. On the topic of Big Dub Festival, they recently released their 2017 lineup which can be found here. However, Dreamscape Festival will commence in less than a month and take place at the same location as Nightmare Festival.
We already brought you news on their overly stacked lineup announcement as well as some artist spotlights highlighting our favorite artists performing at this year’s festival. With this year’s lineup announcement came news that Badass Raves is partnering with D.C. based music community, Nu Androids. The two have companies have conjoined their creative talents in order to bring us the biggest production of Dreamscape Festival to date. Nu Androids will be hosting their own stage that will feature exclusive artists like Chris Lake, Autograf, and the very special, very ‘destructive’, DESTRUCTO.
RaverRafting had the opportunity to sit down with the owners of Badass Raves and Nu Androids in order to learn more about their collaboration on this year’s Dreamscape. Nayef Issa and Julian Ragland represent Nu Androids and were able to shed light on what to expect from Nu Androids and their first ever stage come early June at Camp Ramblewood. Chad Bozzarelli is the mastermind behind Dreamscape Festival and we couldn’t have been more excited to pick his brain about the creative talent that comes into throwing a festival of this magnitude. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview below to gather some necessary intelligence that will help prepare you for the madness that will be Dreamscape Festival 2017.
What prompted Badass Raves and Nu Androids to collaborate this year at Dreamscape festival?
Julian (Nu Androids): We’ve been talking for two years that we wanted to do something together. We just didn’t know whether it was going to be a show or a festival, all the ideas we had were abstract. Then Chad approached us about potentially doing a stage at Dreamscape and we loved the idea.
Nayef (Nu Androids): Julian is pretty much spot. I would just like to add that we are part of the music community of DC and we wanted to join forces to show our unity and really do something fresh.
Chad (Badass Raves): All of us share a similar taste in music but we have not yet had the proper platform to team up. Giving Nu Androids their own stage to curate seemed like the best way to work together while allowing both companies to achieve their goals in giving people a unique experience that cannot be replicated in a nightclub.
What does this new collaborations mean for Dreamscape’s future?
Julian (Nu Androids): You can expect this collaboration to open a whole new lane for the festival. Nu Androids hopes to add a whole new feel to Dreamscape. We booked acts that we think personify our brand and only hope to expand on this in the future.
Nayef (Nu Androids): We definitely think this collaboration will help take Dreamscape to another level. Badass has done a wonderful job of building this festival. We were/are really honored that they tapped us up to host their first ever second stage within the event. So it’s safe to say, if things go as they should, we will be partnering up future Dreamscape events.
Chad (Badass Raves): Dreamscape has always been about inclusion. We have collaborated with other teams in the past and have allowed the vision of those teams to blossom in a way that makes sense for everyone. This Dreamscape was a great way for Nu Androids to continue to push their brand as well as have fun with designing a larger lineup than normal. The pathways are certainly open for future collaborations.
Nu Androids will be hosting their own stage this year, any hints at what it will look like?
Julian (Nu Androids): 2200 Person Warehouse. Let your imagination run wild!
Nayef (Nu Androids): We like to get weird, so yeah, it will be along the lines of that.
Chad (Badass Raves): We are bringing back the City of Dreams installation that we created last year but creating tweaks to the presentation for an updated look.
Is it possible to see a Nu Androids stage at another Badass Raves festival in the future?
Julian (Nu Androids): Anything is possible! We love working with Badass Raves!
Chad (Badass Raves): Our goal is to continue exploring all options with Nu Androids. We are excited for what they are bringing to the table and couldn’t be happier.
What goals are you guys looking to accomplish at this year’s festival?
Julian (Nu Androids): We’re trying to push the boundaries of traditional festivals, especially those on the east coast. Dreamscape has always been primarily very bass heavy, but by bringing people like Chris Lake, Golf Clap, and the Bixel Boys, were challenging people to trust us and let us curate an unforgettable experience for them.
Your lineup was released about three weeks ago, are you guys excited to have the return of Destructo?
Julian (Nu Androids): Always happy to have Destructo grace us with his presence. We’re super excited to see what he plays!
Nayef (Nu Androids): Destructo is the man. I saw him on Holy Ship a couple of years back and fell in love with his energy.
Chad (Badass Raves): Destructo was always a big inspiration to me both as an event producer and as an artist.
Barely Alive has been featured at a couple of Badass Raves’ festivals, would you consider him to be a fan favorite?
Chad (Badass Raves): Barely Alive is one of those names that I really stand behind. I was blown away when I first listened to him and then I decided that I needed to be the one to promote his career in our markets. Since then he’s continued to impress me and I know it’s been the right decision that I get behind his career. Excited to see where it goes from here!
Who are you most excited to see at this year’s Dreamscape?
Julian (Nu Androids): I’m really interested in seeing Golf Clap throw down. They’ve been peppering with a ton of releases lately. I’ve also never seen them before so should be interesting.
Nayef (Nu Androids): For me, Definitely Autograf. That’s my sound. I have realized the older I have gotten the slower my BPM is lol.
Chad (Badass Raves): I’m hoping to catch every set at the festival. This year we added more variety to the programming and we were all very selective about who plays each stage. I’m prepared to be blown away musically from start to finish.
RaverRafting would like to thank both Badass Raves and Nu Andriods for taking the time to sit with us and discuss their collaboration and Dreamscape Festival. Tickets for this festival are still available and can be purchased here. We hope to see you at Camp Ramblewood come early June!
Connect with Badass Raves:
https://www.facebook.com/badassofficial
https://twitter.com/BADASSRAVES
https://www.instagram.com/badassraves
http://www.badassraves.com/
Connect with Nu Androids:
https://www.facebook.com/nuandroidsmusic/
https://twitter.com/nuandroidsmusic
https://www.instagram.com/nuandroidsmusic
http://nuandroidsmusic.com/
Connect with Dreamscape:
https://www.facebook.com/dreamscapefestival
https://www.twitter.com/badassraves
http://instagram/dreamscapefestival
http://www.dreamscapefestival.com/