I was at a dinner party early in the year when Adele’s singing floated into the dining room. I was so enamored I had to pause my ice cream eating. I instantly fell in love with her voice – unwavering and unapologetic. I wasn’t surprised to find out she’s British, like so many other witty and powerful songbirds.

Her impressive full-length debut 19 was the perfect soundtrack for my transition to San Francisco. My favorite track on the album is “Hometown Glory,” a bittersweet ode to the urban life, conflicted between the familiar and the exciting.This is the kind of music you listen to on a foggy, chilly evening, wearing headphones and watching traffic. May I also recommend a glass or two of wine.

And it appears I was not the only person late for the Adele train. I heard the same soulful jungle remix of “Hometown Glory” several times over the past few months. I can’t help but think San Francisco was flirting with me, one heart-stopping song at a time.

MP3 (right click to download): Adele – Hometown Glory (High Contrast Mix)

June 25, 2009 was a surreal day. The King of Pop died, leaving the world confused and empty, aching for an explanation.

For me, Michael Jackson disappeared from the music industry more than ten years ago. His last great album was HIStory and since then, his creativity has taken a back seat to personal demons, perhaps rightfully so. We all know about the molestation allegations, plastic surgeries and strange behavior. How can anyone continue to perform in the public eye when their daily life is pain and sadness?

Abused as a child and mercilessly harassed by the media, I can only assume Michael has been struggling for decades. I won’t guess the cause of death, but simply say he was a tragically talented musician. Despite the controversy – and there was plenty – you can’t deny his contributions to video, music and dance. He was a musical genius, pure and simple.

I will always have positive memories of Michael Jackson. Dancing with my best friends to “Billie Jean” at high school dances. Attempting to master the Moonwalk in dance class, and failing miserably. Watching “Thriller” every Halloween, even though it scared the bejeezus out of me. As a child, teenager and adult – he always mesmerized me.

You’ve seen the music videos, so instead I’m posting the below clip of a flash mob in San Francisco. I think the video speaks for itself, undeniable proof of Michael Jackson’s beautiful gifts of song and dance.

Surprise, another San Francisco arts & music festival. On June 26 & 27, blausthaus, GoldenVoice and Sunset Live present Spectrum Festival at the SF Regency Center – two days of art and music which will transform the venue into a “kaleidoscope of entertainment.” The event pairs a motley crew of solid and up&coming artists with local San Francisco talent, accompanied by cutting edge visuals and performances.

Friday night’s heavy hitters include the Diplo & Switch project Major Lazer, my personal jungle fave LTJ Bukem & MC Conrad, Russian hip-hop hero DJ Vadim, and local support from Kuze & MC Child. And rest up for Saturday, with French pop rock group Phoenix, German electro kids Boys Noize, and local stars such as M3 and Nikola Baytala.

For music treats, visit the Spectrum Festival website to sample tracks from the artists. Also, listen to Major Lazer’s album “Gunz Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do” on their MySpace, before it hits stores on June 16th.

Are you scrambling to buy tickets yet?

Spectrum Festival @ SF Regency Center, San Francisco – 6/26 – 6/27/09

KONTROL- my favorite monthly in San Francisco – is celebrating their four year anniversary this Saturday, June 6th with the West Coast debut of German power couple the Wighnomy Brothers. KONTROL is guaranteed quality techno. For me, what separates this night from so many others, is the first-class residents. Nikola Baytala, Sammy D, Alland Byallo, and Craig Kuna offer unique versions of West Coast meets minimal techno. The boys know what’s hot, and the flow from one set to the next is perfect. This is one night you want to hit up fashionably early.

MP3: Wighonmy Brothers @ Switch (Studio Brussell) 1.11.08

[KONTROL] 4 Year Anniversary w/ Wighnomy Brothers @ the Endup, San Francisco 6/5/09 – FREE BEFORE 11

I first heard of Stimming when I couldn’t get enough of his RA Podcast. I fell in love with his clean, dripping percussion – you can tell the boy is a drummer. Stimming’s single “The Loneliness” features his production staples of unusual vocals and street sounds. The result is a haunting combination of blues and techno. Check out the video below for the one man rave.

Mp3: Stimming – Live @ Goa Fabrik, Madrid 5.17.09

DEMF 2008 was without a doubt, one of the music highlights of my life. Only a city such as Detroit can host an inexpensive, diverse festival where it really is about the music. There’s a certain sound to the motor city you don’t find anywhere else. You may have heard Kevin Saunderson spin in Berlin or NYC, but you ain’t heard nothing until you witness the man lay it down in Detroit.

Thank the lord for the internet. The Paxahua website hosts an audio archive of DEMF 2006-2008. In 2008, DJs at the Beatport tent – my favorite! – jacked the mixer up too high, so Paxahua did not release those distorted recordings. However, I uploaded my most memorable sets.

Terrence Parker and Stacey Pullen spun back to back on Day 1 at the Real Detroit Stage, a dark, smokey cave which was literally underground. Terrence Parker set the scene, using a telephone as a headphone, and was generous with the powerful house vocals. Stacey Pullen was pure hometown techno. No one has ever looked happier throwing down records.

Mp3: Terrence Parker @ Real Detroit Stage DEMF 5.24.08

Mp3: Stacey Pullen @ Real Detroit Stage DEMF 5.24.08

On Day 2, Mark Farina performed at the Main Stage, a concrete amphitheater basking in sunlight. I have seen Mark Farina spin more than any other DJ, and a second listen confirms this is my favorite set of his. Turn it up and pretend you are dancing outside with hundreds of your closest friends.

Mp3: Mark Farina @ Main Stage DEMF 5.25.08

You just have to be there. Whether you’re a virgin or veteran, make the pilgrimage in 2010 – the Ten Year Anniversary – for which Carl Craig has been announced as Creative Director.

The video of Mike Monday’s “Catnip” is the perfect fusion of sight and sound, matching fantasy visuals to his trippy techno. It reminds me of the dream sequence in The Big Lebowski, minus bowling and nudity. I only wish my cat took me on magic keytar rides.

dax presents 10 Year Anniversary w/ Mike Monday & Luke Solomon @ Mighty, San Francisco 6/5/09

It’s Friday and I hope you just got paid. If not, I feel ya. Here’s a mix courtesy of DJ Colette to lift your spirits and jump start the weekend. It features a few of my favorite tracks, plus live recordings of her singing. Yes, she spins and sings at the same time – and does it well.

I think the Jungle Brothers said it best – House is food and you should eat it!

Tracklist:

01 – Colette “What Will She Do For Love” (live performance)
02 – Giom “Be Free”
03 – Joshua Heath “My headphones” (live performance)
04 – Wawa “No problem” (live performance)
05 – Mr Patron “Give it up”
06 – Santiago & Bushido “Party Life”
07 – Colette “If” (live performance)
08 – Sneak “Zippin on some Sneak shit” (live performance)
09 – Santiago & Bushido “White label”
10 – Natalie Williams “U don’t know”
11 – Colette “Didn’t mean to turn you on” (live performance)
12 – Alexander East “Believe en me”
13 – Colette “About Us”
14 – Just Jason “Let it off” (live performance)

Link: DJ Colette – Fall 2008 Mix

Since I am staying local this Memorial Day Wekend (i.e. not going to Detroit – insert sad face), I figured I should make the most of it. Thank god I live in San Francisco, where parties and festivals are in abundance. So I just bought tickets for etd.POP. WARNING – the website is packed with music and graphics, and may scare your browser. The lineup is promising, but I’ll pass on Paul Van Dyk, thanks. And probably the entire main stage.

ETD FUSED // Main Stage
PAUL VAN DYK
FERRY CORSTEN
DEADMAU5
SANDER VAN DOORN
BLAKE JARRELL
DEEP VOICES

ANALOG EMULATIONS // Electro/Indie/Breaks
FREELAND Live
LA RIOTS
FLOSSTRADAMUS
FELIX CARTAL
THE TOXIC AVENGER
STEREO HEROES
ALEX METRIC

FOUR TO THE FLOOR // House
DERRICK CARTER
CHRIS LAKE
RICKY STONE
SERGE DEVANT
ANDY CALDWELL
FRED EVERYTHING

BASSDRUM HAPPY // Hardcore
HIXXY
RE-CON
BRISK
ROBBIE LONG
S3RL
MC STORM
MC CASPER

12th Annual etd.POP @ Cow Palace, Daly City, CA – 5/23/09

“Young San Francisco” by SF-based duo Boy in Static is an infectious indie-synth tune, the kind that gets stuck in your head for days, especially foggy ones such as these. Even more addictive is the adorable video, which features two very young, enthusiastic musicians on different coasts. Boy in Static’s Alexander Chen admits the video was a labor of love – “Whereas shooting was effortless, editing these snippets to sync precisely with the song was a monster. But a fun monster.”

Boy in Static @ Bottom of the Hill w/ Her Space Holiday, San Francisco 5/6/09