So, my favorite track of 2011 is...this one. Well, 2011 is only 10 days old, so it kinda wins by default. Jamie of The XX fame takes Adele soulful voice and mends it to an absolutely infectious drum groove. The influence of the New Orleans Second Line band sound is strong in this track with a prominent 6/8 signature beat slowed down to accommodate Adele's soulful voice.
I'm a beathead, so I love any track that has an inventive beat. I also love Jazz and this track's creative use of essentially a jazz shuffle is extremely interesting to me. But I digress. Listen for yourself.
Lunice, cousin of Deerhunter's lead vocalist, Bradford Cox, teams up with Diplo to create a track that is less in the vain of Diplo's party vibe and more reminiscent of the original track. Diplo does put a bit of his spin on the track adding some funky drum programming on top more in line with an Atlanta Crunk sound than Deerhunter's "Ambient Punk" sound.
The outcome is absolutely perfect for a multitude of situations. Whether you're driving down the street, in the club or finishing up your morning reports (hint, hint), this track should be your companion. Don't skip this one.
So, here we are; October of 2010. Each October, the city of Austin is granted two wishes. One of those wishes is one of college football traditions in America. That was last week, and Texas lost. This week, we have Austin City Limits Music Festival.
ACL started as a rather understated 2-day event with 60 performing acts. It has now blossomed into a full scale, 3-day event rivaling other major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. And, while ACL is best known as the little brother to the 3 other big boys, it still packs a powerful punch.
Tomorrow, I plan to unveil a mix of tracks featuring some of the bands slated to perform. In the meantime, here are some videos of the bands I'm planning to catch.
So, after making my first trek to SXSW earlier this year, I felt that going to ACL for the first time ever would the "Christian" thing to do. After the original lineup was announced, I was pretty stoked. Beastie Boys, Lily Allen, Kings of Leon, Phoenix...The list was pretty solid. A Lily Allen and Beastie Boys cancellation later, the lineup (at least for Friday) still seems decent. I am still looking forward to Phoenix and Kings of Leon. I am also very interested Them Crooked Vultures, in a somewhat new band on the bill. Much like the Eagles of Death Metal, the band is lead by Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and also includes Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl. Should be a good show.
Here is my schedule...if you give a shit. http://2009.aclfestival.com/55521/schedule/2009/10/02
Here are a couple of acts I'm looking forward to on Friday:
I'm sorry to say it but, Summer is coming to an end. For the last three (or four, or five) months I have consumed margaritas, looked at chicks in bikinis and relaxed in the sun. And while I can't say I will miss the 100+ degree heat, I will miss the leisurely state of mind summer can bring. Another thing that Summer sometimes brings is a set of tracks that embody summer's fun and sometimes lazy feeling. Here are a couple of tracks that I think of when I think Summer (Some from this year, some from last).
This was the U.K.'s summer anthem in 2008. Set to a groove in a genre known as U.K. Funky; this track is nothing if not infectious. It's sound makes me think of bikini-clad women running around a pool tossing beach balls around. This also defines the video as well. Well, if it works, don't fuck with it.
Drake - Best I Ever Had This track was one of this year's best Hip-Hop tracks. Also very infectious.
Dizzee Rascal - Holiday feat. Calvin Harris Another track that makes me think of Summer. Dizzee's ode to the "holiday" works so well over this Calvin Harris produced beat. Fun stuff.
Semi-new piece of Bmore inspired house from German producer Bounce Camp. Any remixer that can take a good vocal and succeed in not fucking it up is O.K. in my book. Here, Bounce Camp succeeds in retooling Raphael Saadiq's vocal on Lucy Pearl's Dance Tonight. This could move any dancefloor out there. Check it out and Bounce Camp's other offerings.
Baltimore club, also called "Bmore Club" or "Club Music" is a genre of house and dance music. A blend of hip hop and chopped, stacatto house music, it was created in Baltimore, Maryland in the early 1990s by pioneers Scottie B., Frank Ski, Big Tony, and DJ Spen -wikipedia.com
...that's one way to define it. I like to define it as a genre of dance music for black people, by black people. Back when British Elecronic artists such as Fatboy Slim, Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers were taking over the American Pop charts in the late 90s, American artists such as Scottie B, DJ Technics and KW Griff were burning Baltimore, Philly and New Jersey to the ground.
Originally an underground genre, the latest year has brought us mainstream hits such as DJ Class's "I'm the 'ish" featuring Pitbull and Lil Jon and Kid Cudi's "Embrace the Martian". Bmore has also made a couple of appearances in HBO's "The Wire".
While the genre is gaining some ground in the mainstream, it hasn't been able to shake it's image as a club-going, booty-shaking, foul-mouthed sub-genre of House music. However, this mix from Dave Nada helps to unveil a new image. This soulful collection of R&B mixes helps to show the versatility of the Genre. I mean...there's even a mix of Patti LaBelle on this set. PATTI LABELLE for God's Sake!!!
1. Tedra Moses - Be Your Girl (KW Griff Remix) 2. Outkast - Prototype (DJ Technics Remix) 3. Floetry - Say Yes (?) 4. Ready For The World - Love You Down (DJ Technics Girlfriend Remix) 5. Raheem Devaughn - You (DJ Technics Remix) 6. John Legend - Ordinary People (KW Griff Remix) 7. Jill Scott - He Loves Me (DJ Technics Remix) 8. Blaqstarr - All The Girls 9. Patti LaBelle - If Only You Knew (Rod Lee Remix) 10. Sylvia - Pillow Talk (DJ Techincs Remix) 11. Chris Brown - Aint No Way (You Won’t Love Me) (Curtis Vodka Hey Girl Remix) 12. Jimmy Cozier - U Got Those Goods (?) 13. Black Box - Everybody Everybody (DJ Ayres Quiet Storm Remix) 14. Usher feat. Lil Jon - Lovers and Friends (inst)
Ok, so I've been gone for a while (more like 3 months), but I have an excuse. I've been busy with a new job, working out, looking for Halle Berries, etc. Nonetheless, I thought I would drop a couple of posts before I head out to Miami for the weekend. First thing's first, we have this bit of heat from Major Lazer. The album, titled "Guns Don't Kill People, Lazers Do" is a set of tracks produced by Diplo and Switch during a trip to Jamaica. Many of the tracks are certifiable Jamaica tinged goodness, but I feel "Pon De Floor" is crown jewel. If I had one track to use to get folks in the mood for unruly night, this is the one I'd drop. Give it whirl and see for yourself. Major Lazer - Pon De Floor
I have a wedding to attend on Saturday night, but I know what I'm doing after that. If you're in Austin and you like a DJ with a inventive set list, I strongly advise you to check out Treasure Fingers at Light on Saturday night.
In the spirit of all things Treasure Fingers, I have added his 40 Minutes in the Champagne Room mix. This mix is a bit old, but its filled with gems and jewels. Trust me, it's worth your time. I've added flash functionality, so you can zip through the mix as you wish. n-joi.
Treasure Fingers - 40 Minutes in the Champagne Room
Track Listing
01. treasure fingers - champagne room intro 02. The glamour - get into it 03. does it offend you, yeah? - we are rockstars 04. snowden - anti anti (treasure fingers remix) 05. dragonette - i get around (midnight juggernauts remix) 06. digitalism - pogo (punks jump up remix) 07. mstrkrft - street justice 08. LA riots feat. jadis - if i could 09. architecture in helsinki - it’s 5! (33hz & ming remix) 10. cassius - cassius 1999 (remix) 11. busta rhymes - touch it (kid fresh remix) 12. anthony rother - freaks 13. M.I.A. - bucky done gun 14. lovely chords - my disko is broken 15. gucci mane - freaky girl 16. math head - do damage (passions remix) 17. miami horror - don’t be with her 18. fergie - glamorous (treasure fingers remix) 19. mark ronson feat. lily allen - oh my god (chris lake remix) 20. cassius - feeling for you 21. cousin cole - thuggish ruggish love 22. the black ghosts - any way you choose to give it (boy 8-bit remix) 23. D.I.M. - airbus (mstrkrft remix) 24. roy davis jr - rock shock (thomas bangalter remix) 25. treasure fingers - cross the dancefloor 26. squarepusher - my red hot car 27. mr oizo - patrick122 28. klaxons - gravity’s rainbow (soulwax remix) 29. snowden - black eyes (le castle vania remix) 30. the discoboys - for you (patrick alavi remix) 31. the cribs - mens needs 32. krazy fiesta feat cassie - me and you 33. rockwell - somebody’s watching me 34. simian mobile disco - hotdog 35. czr - chicago southside (paul johnson remix) 36. naive new beaters - bang bang (yuksek remix) 37. digitalism - digitalism in cairo 38. fiasco - happy hour (the scar remix) 39. justice - genesis 40. da shop boyz - party like a rockstar 41. ocelot - this is our time (treasure fingers remix) 42. tepr - minuit jacuzzi (data remix)
I don't think this guy can ever go wrong. I've listened to remix after remix after remix and they are all simply solid. This was most evident in his re-working of The Whitest Boy Alive's rather pedestrian track "Golden Cage". In it, he created easily the best French House track of 2008 and arguably of the last 5 or so years.
Here, Fred serves his French dish onto Kish Mauve's "Lose Control". It's everything that good French House should be; sexy, funky and superb. Have a listen to it.
Once in a blue moon (or about every 6-8 years) Austin produces a rock band that achieves national/international fame. The current cycle of famedom includes bands such as Ghostland Observatory and Spoon. Ghostland has a propensity for the dramatic on stage with lights, costumes and action. While Spoon's laidback sound seems to blend in more with the laidback nature of this town.
Groovy, funky, bluesy; call it what you will. However you characterize them, they are solid. "Don't You Evah" is a extremely melodic (borderline methodical) track with a very indie feel to it. It's good stuff. Diplo's mix puts a much darker edge to this somewhat drowsy track. The bassline added to the track gives it more of a dubstep feel if it weren't for the very club-sounding bass drum. Listen to both if you get a chance.
Not exactly a new artist, but a good band nonetheless. If you like the Grrl Rock or Dance-Punk genre or the Chicks on Speed record label, you'll love this band. I can't get enough. Best known for their somewhat smash Deceptacon, they have been remixed by the likes of DFA, Diplo and Hot Chip.
If you only listen to one of the following tracks, listen to Diplo's smoothed out mix of After Dark. DFA gives a funkedafied rehash of Deceptacon and I also added their original version of Deceptacon. Enjoy yourselves.
What do all of these names have in common? In a town that prides itself on being the "Live Music Capital of the World" (not that there's anything wrong with that) these guys serve as the DJs. Night in and night out they spend their time feeding us juicy morsels of funk and groove. In some situations the DJ can be a position of prominence. DJs are thought of as the cool guy, the sexy guy; the guy in the know. Many DJs become profitable, travel around the world, produce music, etc. However, most DJs (much like most live musicians) have a tough time making money off of their profession. So, why do they do it? Why would they spend the better part of the night working to make someone else feel good? I'll tell you why. It's because they enjoy making others feel good. They enjoy filling the space with good vibes and filling the floor with dancing patrons.
Now as you're reading, you might ask yourself; what the hell is he talking about and why is he bringing up these DJs. Well, I can't expand on what the hell I'm talking about, but I can tell you that these DJs represent all that is good in Austin. And, while God-awful wannabe DJs flaunt their garbage sounds in haunts like Panagea, Prague and QUA; these guys pound the pavement in the newer, hipper and sometimes divey-er spots.
Whether its the fun style of Prince Klassen, the rawness of Bird Peterson or the jazz-funktastic taste of Chicken George; this town has a jockey to fit any style.
Even though this guy has about 10 years of international DJ experience, he is just starting to show up in the playlists of many across the continental U.S. This has to be attributed to the major success of his crowning single "Cross The Dancefloor" and also to heavy promotion and rotation of his "40 Minutes in the Champagne Room" mix. This guy seems to know what sounds funky, groovy, sexy...you name it. I really enjoy his style though. While his DJ set style is very Indie Dance heavy, his production style pays homage to the uptempo R and B tracks promienent in the early 80s. This can be seen in his remixes of tracks like O'Bryan's "I'm Freaky" and Delegation's "It's Your Turn."
If you like funky, groovy and fun; you will enjoy this guy's style.
Yah...I know that 2009 is officially 3 months in the making. However, it wouldn't be my blog if I wasn't late to the party. Here are a couple tracks and musicians that stood out to me during the last year. I gave them categories just make it fun.
Best Song - Kid Cudi - Day n Nite (Crookers Mix) Best Album - Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III Best Rap Song - Lil Wayne - Lollipop Remix feat. Kayne West Best Rock Band - Kings of Leon Best Rock Song - Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire Best Chillout Song - Friendly Fires - Paris (Aeroplane Mix) Best Song that used to be Underground before people found out about it = Kid Cudi - Day n Nite (Crookers Mix) Best Remix (and the Grammys agreed) = MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Mix) Best DJ - Diplo Best New DJ - Treasure Fingers Best Guilty Pleasure - M.I.A. - Paper Planes
In my ultimate quest to avoid the radio, I have started to broaden my horizons when it comes to music genres. One of those new genres I found a hankering for is indie rock. Here is a gem from English rockers, Metronomy.
For the most part, my first SXSW lived up to my expectations. Austin is town that does a good job of letting loose and welcoming its visitors. So let's chronicle what worked during the extended weekend.
1. The Weather: Highs in the 80s, lows in the 50s and not a cloud in the sky the entire week and weekend.
2. Diplo at Emo's: As usual, your boy from Philly killed. He even made me forget that most of the crowd wasn't wearing deodorant. Anytime you have a chance to catch one of his sets, I strongly advise.
3. Kid Cudi: Good set from this up and coming rapper from Cleveland. Of course, everyone sung along to his hit "Day n' Nite," but I was more enthused by his performance of Maui Wowie. An ode to the sticky stuff.
Now, what I missed:
1. The Twelves: I was really looking forward to seeing the duo of electro DJs from Brazil. Hopefully, they'll return soon.
2. Kid Sister: Raw aggression, sexy vocals and a baby face. Ingredients for a great female MC. Maybe I'll make my way to lollapalooza this year and catch her in Chi-town.
3. Kanye: Yes, he only played 5 songs. Yes, it was the Perez Hilton party; but...it's Kanye.
And, that leaves what I wish I had missed:
1. Treasure Fingers: His set was practically a copy of his "Winter 2008" recorded set. Not impressed.
2. Diplo in South Austin: I was way too drunk to make it to 3am for his set. Thanks Yellow Cab.
To start off my SXSW adventure, I caught Bird Peterson & Flosstradamus at Beauty Bar on Wednesday night. Although the venue is kind of a chain, it's an interesting space. It's a lot like an indie oasis in the middle of dirty 6th street.
This joint is always full of a colorful mix of characters (which is getting harder and harder to find in Austin). From your ultra hipster crowd sporting their Converse high-tops and and tight jeans, your techies with their iphones, your weirdos with their mohawks, and even a couple of squares mixed in for good measure. Bird Peterson was solid, mixing across musical styles. His warmup lead up to Flosstradamus. The duo of DJs from Chicago rocked the crowd. Flosstradamus encompassed a long list of different styles from baltimore club to house to dubstep and onward. About halfway their set a group of guys started a j-set routine. If you don't know what J-Set is, check this for example (Youtube). Yeah...strange.
Anywho, the highlight of the night was a mix a house mix of R. Kelly's Ignition. It sent the crowd into a frenzy.
I have been waiting with a good deal of anticipation for this year’s SXSW. I have to confess, even after 11 years living in Austin, I have not been the biggest fan of live music. SXSW is usually one of the weeks I aim to avoid downtown as much as possible. However, this year is different. With my newfound appreciation for genres such as Electro, Indie Rock and Baltimore Club and the discovery of nightlife away from the far too touristy 6th Street, I have found myself strangely optimistic this year. It also helps that I actually know some of the acts that are coming into town this year and there is a good number of reputable DJs on this year’s bill. Some of the more interesting acts include (Kid Cudi, Blaqstarr, Don Rimini and Tittsworth). Must sees for me include New York/Atlanta DJ Treasure Fingers and Brazilian DJ/Producer duo The Twelves at Beauty Bar on Friday, March 20th. Also, Grammy nominated DJ/Producer Diplo plays a huge party on Saturday, March 21st at the Abandoned Salvation Army.
This along with the NCAA tournament should make for an interesting week. Or maybe not.
Hi Kids!
Ever since I conquered Rome and cured leukemia, I decided my next task in life should be to make my one last dream come true. And here it is...a music blog. In all seriousness, I aim to create a blog with a focus on the dance and urban music scene in Austin. I also aim to profile new artists and tracks that might be of use for DJs. So enjoy it if you like and drop me a note if you'd like to comment.
Email me at ericofaustin@yahoo.com
