Edited section about the toneburst collective in mixmag usa (mixer).
(november 1997)

On the live scene, the year old Toneburst Collective are particularly unusual. Their five core members strive to merge music, video projections, and performance art into a Soundlab-like milieu which draws partygoers into a new environment. (Toneburst recently became an impromptu after-party for a Soundlab [event in New York City].) "Something that's different about Toneburst is that we look for alternative spaces," says Jenn Leong (aka Jade). they also try to keep the cost of an all-night party down, which in Boston is $25-$30.

With Toneburst, it's always a $5 cover, even when they hosted DJ Spooky, Ben Neill, and Emergency Broadcast Network, which was held at Massachusetts College Of Art, who helped fund the event. "It went till 7 in the morning," recalls Jake Trussell (aka DJ C and Electro Organic Sound System). "The one thing that we have to mention [is that a lot of supporting] artists didn't get paid, which is the next phase of Toneburst-how to do $5 large events and get everyone paid at the same time." Proud of their grassroots efforts, Jace Clayton (aka /rupture), says, "that's one of the primary ways in which we're political, having this definite anti-$20 rate stance."

by Bryan Reesman