Local electronic music collective brings a lively approach to sleepy Saturday mornings
By EMME DUNNING — features@theaggie.org
For many, listening to live music is strictly a nighttime activity. Electronic dance music (EDM) shows in particular have a longstanding reputation for large crowds, dark rooms and a party-like atmosphere. Davis Rave Collective, a local music collective, is attempting to shift this narrative.
On Jan. 18, Davis Rave Co. held a morning music set at Volt Coffee, Tea & Taps, a coffee shop and beer garden located on Olive Drive in Davis. As patrons enjoyed their morning beverages, rotating DJs with the group played varying subgenres of electronic music such as minimal tech, progressive house and melodic tech.
The set was the first event of a new initiative DRC is hoping to make a regular addition to Davis mornings — a monthly morning music set highlighting local artists for new and different audiences. For DRC, the main goal of the morning coffee set was increasing accessibility to live music.
“Some people are morning people, and just because you’re a morning person doesn’t mean you need to be any less involved in music,” Mikayla Bailey, a fourth-year environmental science and management major, said. “It’s a lot about expanding access.”
Bailey is the current marketing lead for the DRC and believes that electronic music can and should be enjoyed by people of all ages, beyond just a traditional concert or rave setting. On the morning of Jan. 18, patrons of Volt could be seen doing just that. People of all ages gathered to enjoy the music while socializing, studying or nodding along.
“People were there to vibe and have that morning boost and carry on with their day,” Bailey said.
The DRC hopes that events such as this one will help integrate more people into the local music community and — as Aaron Helali, a recent UC Davis alum with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in biological sciences, described it — “disrupt the norm.”
For Volt Coffee, this idea of disrupting the norm is a core value — the shop itself was born out of an unconventional idea: to be a traditional coffee and tea shop during the day and transition into a beer garden in the evening.
Jacqueline Siefker, a manager and partner at Volt, outlined the motivations behind this goal.
“Our vision for Volt is to be something different and unique,” Siefker said. “We want our space to be inviting and a place people enjoy coming to. We aim to have something for every guest — whether that be coffee, beer or food.”
It is this very vision that made DRC a natural partner for the local shop.
“[They] reached out to us with a vision to do something different by changing the typical music scene from clubs and night events or bars to something that can be enjoyed in the morning,” Siefker said. “DRC helped us connect with more people which is a big mission for Volt as we want to be inviting for everyone.”
For Helali, Davis Rave Co.’s mission to make music accessible is personal. As the current chief operating officer (COO) of Davis Rave Co. and a DJ himself, Helali is familiar with the ins and outs of the music industry — but this hasn’t always been the case.
Growing up, Helali gravitated toward sports and science-related activities, which majorly shaped his interests in college. These activities included his decision to major in biological sciences, as well as his pursuing the men’s club lacrosse team while enrolled at UC Davis.
“If you told me freshman year that this is the position I’d be in, I’d have been like, ‘What happened?’’’ Helali said.
It was not until Helali met Caden Velasquez, the founder of Davis Rave Co., through the UC Davis club lacrosse team that he considered pursuing music in any formal capacity. Helali began working with Velasquez at different events, learning the ropes along the way.
“Gig after gig, I just started learning more and learning why everything is set up the way it is,” Helali said.
Today, Helali is a key figure within Davis Rave Co., taking on a large role in event planning. A major goal for Helali is to help others find the same joy that music has brought him in an inviting and accessible format.
“Finding this perspective and this community was eye-opening for me,” Helali said. “I realized how important it is and how important it is to share that love with others. I think it’s just important to have these third spaces for people to be able to connect with each other, connect with music and have a safe space to enjoy themselves.”
Helali noted that the music community can also bring solace and a sense of unity throughout times of turmoil.
“Especially with how the world is now, it’s important to find places where you’re safe but you can also express yourself,” Helali said.
The morning coffee set aimed to promote this very atmosphere — a goal that Helali believes proved successful.
“It went really, really well,” Helali said. “There were people from start to finish and it was just a really nice organic little vibe. It was nothing too crazy or energetic, but it was groovy. It was fun.”
For both Volt and DRC, the event fulfilled key values of building community and creating a unique experience for everyone involved. Although the initiative may move locations in the coming months, Davis Rave Co. hopes to host similar events in the future, whether at Volt or at different local locations, to spread their love for both EDM and the Davis community.
Written by: Emme Dunning — features@theaggie.org
