The Sycons Go Non-Carbon for South by Southwest with Dahon Bikes and Solar Power

By CD Gee and MX Farina

Committed Dahon enthusiasts and Solar powered DJs The Sycons answered the call to bring their solarmancy, mad beatz, alt energy, mobile music extravaganza to Austin, Texas for the annual South by Southwest music/art festival, which this year ran from March 14-15, 2009. Thanks to Sean Smith, Dahon’s Art Director, The Sycons were invited to take the stage at the Dahon and Bike Hugger sponsored Mobile Social party following a massive ride around Austin.

We (The Sycons: CD Gee, MX Farina) packed all our audio stuff and laptops in our solar packs and briefcases (provided by Voltaic Systems) then jumped on our Dahons (MX on a Mμ and CD on a Flō) and headed for downtown Austin. Many folks in cars and pedestrians gave us the thumbs up and even made way for us with our solar gear and stylin rides. Sycon CD was particularly happy with the plush ride of the Flō (he had about 25 lbs of audio gear in his packs) and Sycon MX reveled in the zippy performance of the Mμ on the bike-friendly streets of Austin.

We arrived at the event tent across from the convention center just in time to set up for the arrival of the huge biking contingent. We had to set up quickly as the beer was starting to flow and the bikers were looking for tunes to kick the party into gear. Plugging into our solar briefcases ensured ample time to DJ off our MacBooks. Then it was simply a matter connecting our USB mixer to the PA system and we were off and mixing. Remixed versions of Kraftwerk’s electro-classic “Tour de France” were thrown down along with original Sycon joints and requests for Digitalism, Gorillaz, etc. The mobile party was rocking and MX had his Mμ right on stage in front posing like a mobile star.

We continued to throw down as more bikers poured in and the crowd was bumpin. All sorts of craziness ensued as Byron and crew from Bike Hugger (http://bikehugger.com/) gave away prizes and thanked sponsors and participants including Dahon. The crowd was stoked for more beats as they prepared to get their collective ride back on.

Bikes, bikers, beer, and solar beats . . . what more can one ask for from a Mobile Social?! Mobile Socials are scheduled for major cities throughout the US in 2009. The Sycons have been named Bike Hugger official mobile DJs. Expect more reports and action photos as we hit the road with the sun over us and Dahons under us!