POV: You’ve Arrived at the Issue 3 “SCENES COLLIDE” Release Party

UNDRGRND Magazine | August 27, 2021 | by Malcolm Bowman

Anyone who has been to a UNDRGRND show knows that they carry a completely different kind of energy. The Issue 3: “Scenes Collide” magazine release event was nothing short of my expectations. It was the first live event that I’ve been to since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic — also my first time attending an UNDRGRND show in general — so I was pumped. The release was held at “The Lab,” a small spray paint shop with a large backyard that the owners transformed into an impressive 200-person underground music venue. It was in Saticoy, a small unincorporated town located on the outskirts of Ventura.

I walked through the front door and immediately met UNDRGRND’s original founder, Andrew Mason, and was hit with that immense feeling of acceptance and hospitality that isn’t felt at any “mainstream act’s” concert. We’d never met before, but he was treating me like we’d been homies for years. After I checked in with my ticket, I headed further into the venue and the sounds and smells of a live music event all came back to me.

I could hear the bass from the speakers bumping, people laughing. It felt like the world was “normal” again. The first time I found that feeling in a while. I got a quick drink from one of the many dope vendor booths that had been set up, and met up with my good friend and

Issue 3 rapper, Knotti. I questioned him with specifics like when he was going up on stage to perform.

Soon, the artists started to take the stage and turn up. It was an incredible experience hearing each of the individual styles and flows each had to bring to the table, representing the different cities and music scenes they come from. I specifically remember L.I.R.A., Big Dub, Rimi, and Vanessa Lynnae bringing great energy, and the crowd was having a fantastic time. Everyone was enjoying themselves, in person, as a community, once again.

The sun eventually set behind the Saticoy horizon, and Central Coast artist FYAMOJI took the stage in full rage mode. He, without a doubt, had one of the most memorable performances of the night with high energy beats and using the entire venue as his stage, hopping in and out of the crowd and vendor areas. FYAMOJI takes the rock star title and embraces it fully.

The artist who was least afraid to go all out and put on a show for the UNDRGRND attendees was Nigerian-born rapper, CharQoal. He had the entire space hyped-up with his banger single “Fire in My Soul,” and his use of unique pyrotechnics and propane torch connected to a Fender guitar. This was something I — and I can almost guarantee everyone in the audience — had never seen before.

I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed an UNDRGRND show for myself. There’s nothing like it, and the community that is a part of it is hard to find. I came with an open mind, not knowing what to expect from a small venue show, and left having one of the best musical experiences I’ve ever had.

Follow Malcolm Bowman on Instagram at @malcolm_mili. Photos for this article taken by Chris Gonzo