Good vibes, fall weather and electronic dance music set the stage for head-bobbing hippies and other enthused Madisonians to dance together among food carts and beer tents at last weekend’s Willy Street Fair.

Willy Street Fair finds ‘universal beat’ for east side community to dance to

Exciting this crowd was Madison’s artistic DJs, The Foshizzle Family, founded by Max Wasinger. Foshizzle includes roughly 24 members, plus those who come and go throughout the year, all the while contributing both visual and auditory art to their events.

However, before becoming a co-op of music and art, Foshizzle was simply a sticker passed around between Wasinger’s friends and family. Shortly after this sticker became a form of street art, one of Wasinger’s friends asked if they could use it as a logo for his first DJing event at James Madison Park, Foshizzle Friday. 

https://soundcloud.com/foshizzlefamily/orions-odyssey

“It was the first event I was ever heavily involved in producing, the first time I’d ever DJed in public and the first time anyone had used the Foshizzle brand for an event,” Wasinger said. “Before that it was just a sticker and nothing more.”

Foshizzle aims to keep creativity and versatility alive in their music, while steering away from the stigmas of electronic dance music. Their DJs, who have a love for techno, try to foster a welcoming environment where people can be comfortable enough to bring their children and express themselves.

12th annual Madison World Music Festival expands cultural horizons

Wasinger specifically likes to leave the audience with a profusion of happiness — or a “buzz” as he puts it — that can last days after a performance.

Compared to other electronic music where the beat can get a bit monotonous, the Foshizzle DJs like to keep the momentum going by incorporating waves of rhythm.

https://soundcloud.com/foshizzlefamily/wangzooms-local-flavor-002

“We push forth something a little bit more moody that makes you wait, where the DJ seduces you to dance,” Wasinger said.

Throughout the summer, the Foshizzle Family has kept the ball rolling by throwing events every weekend at James Madison Park, but as for next year, the group plans to be a little less repetitive. Wasinger anticipates that they will take more of a grassroots approach and put more energy into fewer events.

Although their connections in the Midwest are growing, the Foshizzle Family plans to continue throwing events and keep their good vibes flowing throughout Madison … foshizzle.

Updated 9/27/2015