Performance art is a powerful form of self-expression that demands attention, which is exactly what founders Jason Juarez and Ryan Haupt of Solis Troupe have done since their inception. If you’ve ever been to a bass show or festival, it's inevitable that you’ve come across various types of flow art, but unless you’ve tried to pick up a prop yourself, it’s impossible to know just how much work and creativity goes into the craft. Flow artists have a remarkable talent for making their performance appear effortless in such a way that people often don’t think about the work it took to get there.
In celebration of acknowledging such an integral element to the show-going experience, I sat down with Jason and Ryan to discuss their personal journey to discovering their passion. Having both been in the flow community for quite some time, the pair toyed with the idea of forming a group of queer flow artists, where they could take charge of the artistry and creativity themselves. With a shared goal of giving queer performers a spotlight and a platform that allows them to showcase their talent, Solis Troupe was born.
In our interview, Jason mentioned how “Queer artists bring a special aspect to flow”. This statement is an incredibly succinct acknowledgement of how the queer, bass, and artist communities are intricately linked. As bass music has expanded and evolved, the concepts it was founded on- such as acceptance, self expression and inclusivity- have grown with it. Similarly, the artists in this space perform in ways that reflect these values. The passion and purpose they commit to their craft are easily conveyed to the crowds that gather to watch. Queer artists in particular have lived experience with radical self acceptance and continued perseverance. Ryan credits his introduction to flow as an avenue of self-discovery: “It really has changed who I am, I feel way more connected to myself and the people around me. I feel like I have way more confidence now. I’m able to get up on a stage in front of tens of thousands of people”
After stripping back the nuance and intricacies that go into pursuing flow performance at a high level, this craft is about exploring people’s instinctive love for playfulness. As Jason puts it, “I think people at their core just wanna play… it breaks up the mundane of everyday life”. This concept is frequently overlooked in most people’s lives today; their focus is often reserved for tasks relating to work or personal responsibilities. However, intentionally creating room for yourself to just have fun for the sake of having fun can be an incredibly grounding and rewarding experience for any individual. “I mean at the end of the day, we’re playing with toys”, Ryan adds.
“I think some people forget that we all started knowing nothing, and learned things and became who we are” -Ryan
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