This is an opinion column. The thoughts and viewpoints expressed are those of the author, Martin Stääf, known as the Swedish-born DJ and producer Liquid Stranger.
Stääf is also the founder of Wakaan, widely recognized as one of the leading innovators in experimental bass music. He has built a global following through acclaimed releases, sold-out headline shows and the creation of Wakaan Music Festival at Mulberry Mountain in Arkansas. Beyond his music, he has become a defining cultural figure within the bass community, championing forward-thinking artists and fostering one of electronic music’s most dedicated fanbases.
Credit: Carlie Adair
After numerous years on the road, with a schedule so full I’ve been perma-tired and often having to remind myself to breathe and be grateful, I’ve finally taken a bit more time off to recharge. This has put me in a contemplative spirit, and I’ve been thinking back on my life long passion and obsession with music and art.
The Liquid Stranger project started 23 years ago, as a humble side project for the weird music I made during a time when conventional electronic music was all 4/4 techno and trance. I could never in my wildest dreams have realized what would become of it.
Fast-forward ten years and the more mainstream electronic music scene was still fairly segregated, with artists and fans staying put in their existing genres. Meanwhile, the underground was full of forward thinking people who were blending influences and coming up with entirely new sounds. I knew I wanted to play my part in bringing freeform music to the masses. This urge was the genesis of Wakaan, a home for the artists thinking outside the box, the ones who like me, didn’t fit the current mold. At the time, no-one really thought starting a record label was a great idea, but I knew I just had to do it. I had nothing to lose.
Wakaan grew with every release and tour, and with it building the most incredible fan base filled with vibrant, intelligent, kind, and colorful individuals.
Today we have released over 350 records, curated numerous shows, and produced a plethora of clothes and other merchandise. However, the most crazy achievement in my mind is that our small indie crew have managed to launch our own camping festival!
The wildest thing is that our festival almost started as a joke. One day a fan made a mock flyer for Wakaan Festival that started blowing up in our Facebook group. My team and I looked at each other like, “Wait… should we actually do this?”
What began as a one-time idea has grown into something incredibly close to my heart — something that is both a big undertaking, huge responsibility, and what I truly look forward to most every single year.
Our annual gathering means something deeper to me than just a music festival. It’s art. It’s creativity. It’s freedom. It’s awakening. It’s healing. It’s everything I feel we need more of in this world, and that’s the space we’ve always hoped to create with our Wakaan community.
And so, I’m excited to announce Wakaan Festival returns this October 1-3 to Mulberry Mountain!
This year, my team and I have been super locked in to prepare to bring the absolute best version of our 6th year together. I’ve been working on so much stuff this year and I can’t wait for it to come to fruition for everyone to experience.
So many of us say we’re “heading home,” and that’s truly what it feels like every fall: a massive family reunion exploring the unknown together.
My shoelaces are tied, my spaghetti bowl is full, and I’m ready to head home.
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