Doof

The slang term doof or bush doof refers to a type of outdoor dance party in Australia, generally held in a remote country area or just outside big cities in surrounding bush or rainforests^[1] and similar to raves or teknivals, but with a different, more empathetic atmosphere^{[citation needed]}. Doofs generally have live electronic artists and DJs playing a range of electronic music, commonly Goa and psychedelic trance. "Doof doof" is an Australian term for loud electronic music centred around a heavy bass melody. Doof is also a slang term for food.^[2][3]

The attendees of doof party events tend to be members of the drug community and practitioners of alternative lifestyles. In contrast to the alcohol and amphetamine based urban parties, doofs are centres of LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, cannabis and other psychedelics. The hippie subculture is quite involved with these events. Piercings, dreadlocks and brightly coloured hair were at one stage trademark dress styles within the doof crowd, though other areas of rave culture have begun to bleed through into the doof culture.

Most people are unaware of doof parties/festivals as they are usually advertised by word of mouth in the doof communities.

History

Word origins

The name is onomatopoeic, and is derived from the sound of the kick drum used in the electronic music frequently played at these events (as in "doof doof doof doof music").^[4] Peter Strong relates that the name was born when a neighbour in early 1990s Sydney complained about the sound created by Non Bossy Posse: "What is this Doof Doof Doof all night long, this is not music" she exclaimed.^[5]

References

Inline

1. ^ Dance trance, The Age
2. ^ Bush Telegraph
3. ^ Doof doof in the bush, ABC
4. ^ Doof doof doof article, The Age
5. ^ Four Corners "Beneath the Mirror Ball"

General

• The Doof-Doof Music, B.J. Coman, Quadrant Magazine, January 2005 - Volume XLIX Number 1–2

External links

• Doofstory — Sydney Park to the Desert
• Australiens — Australian Doof Portal
• DoofCentral — Your Psychedelic Universe
• Earthdance — International Festival For Peace
• Elixir — Sydney-based, Free Tekno-Tribal Party Collective
• Ozdoof — Australia's Largest Psytrance party photos
• Spraci — Doof Resource Websites
• FreeNRG: Notes From The Edge of the Dance Floor - ebook PDF on doof culture