The Montreal based MUTEK Festival celebrated its 10th year this past May and Decibel was there in full force. Decibel, along with 20+ other festivals from across the globe, was invited to this year’s edition as a member of the I.C.A.S. network (International Cities of Advanced Sound). The two-day meeting culminated in a related panel titled “The New World Order: Re-Deploying Digital Culture in North America” which brought together North American festivals/organizations including MUTEK, Decibel, New Forms, Communikey, Recombinant Media Labs, Grey Area Foundation For The Arts and Bunker. The focus of the panel was to outline “The challenges involved in presenting contemporary electronic music in North America’s culturally dispersed, deeply rockist environment.” The final verdict? North American electronic music festivals are continuing to expand and create sustainable non-profit business models through social networking, online media, shared artists/tours, mobile technology and collaboration with European arts organizations and festivals. You can read more about the panel at here.

In addition to our involvement with I.C.A.S., Decibel was honored with a “tribute showcase” that featured Seattle luminaries Pezzner, The Sight Below and Lusine.  The showcase took place on May 30th as part of the “NOCTURNE 4″ event, which also featured Carl Craig, tobias., Jeremy Ellis, Moonstar, dOP, Mathew Jonson and Dandy Jack.  Overall, the Decibel tribute was a smashing success, highlighting the diversity and talent that Seattle’s underground music community has been cultivating for years.