Flying Lotus – BBC1 Essential Mix 11.29.08

Outer space beats. I never know where to file Flying Lotus – he colors outside the lines.

Flying Lotus – BBC1 Essential Mix 11.29.08 (right click to download)

Flying Lotus and Kode9 @ Mezzanine, SF 3.27.10

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beware of lazers

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

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can you dance to my beat

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

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sleepless in detroit

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.

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electronic music festival

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

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soul machine

Happy 808!

A drum machine mention usually triggers thoughts of bangin house, but it’s the weekend and I need pre-gaming jams and visual stimulation. Cue 808 shout-outs which include but are not limited to:

Outkast – The Way You Move

Kelis – Bossy

Celebrate 808 tonight with Alex Smoke at the Paradise Lounge. He promises technoz.

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paper planes

If you missed Diplo at Great Scott last winter (shame on you), he’s making the rounds to Boston again this fall. And this time he’s bringing friends Abe Vigoda, Telepathe, and Boy 8-Bit.

The crew will perform at Middle East Downstairs on Friday, October 17th. Although the Mad Decent and Middle East websites make no mention of the show, I want to believe. To get you off your ass and to the box office, check out Diplo’s set from Basstown. He crushed everyone.

Diplo @ Basstown 2/23/08

Link: Pitchfork Media

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i love the nightlife

Boston is bumping right now. Yes, I bitch about this city being dead, but there is always something to do, always a night for dancing and drinking. If you need proof – or ideas – check the growing list of Repeat Offenders. Please – I bitch therefore I’m a Bostonian.

Fortunately, I’ve got Make It New to warm these cynical bones. Every Thursday at the unassuming Middlesex Lounge in Cambridge, kids gather for hours of sweaty beats. For free! Alan Manzi, techno extraordinaire and one of my favorite local DJs, usually mans the tables. He’s joined by residents David Day, Volvox, Die Young, Baldur and Baltimoroder, who are each branching out and making a name for themselves.

If you haven’t been, August is the month to break your MIN cherry. Mark your calendars.

August 7
Skink w/ Alan Manzi, Baldur

August 14
Black Magic presents Bryan Black (Motor) w/ Volvox, David Day — $5

August 21
Die Young, Alan Manzi, David Day

August 28
BON VOYAGE Volvox w/ Baltimoroder, Die Young

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shake that ish

Get ready for New England’s largest waterfront electronic music festival!! At least, that’s what Shake That Shiiit promises. I believe NYC holds the title for waterfront electronic music festivals, but the Marina Bay Beach Club will do for New England.

The lineup features Armand Van Helden and Junior Sanchez, as well as local talent Hot Pink Delorean, Soul Clap, Mike Swells and Hearthrob DJs. If you’re in town during Labor Day weekend, I suggest you head to Quincy.

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weekend picks

1.

Save your weekend partying for Sunday night. The Phoenix Landing and Hugh O’Neills present the 12th Annual Summer Boat Cruise on July 20th. Drink and dance on the water to the beats of Crook, Lenore, Randy Deshaises and Pat Fontes.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Phoenix Landing or by credit card over the phone. Admission includes boat cruise and after-party at the Phoenix Landing.

The boat leaves promptly at 6:30 so don’t be late! I already took Monday off work. Sup booze cruise.

2.

Tickets go on sale today for WFNX Disorientation featuring Flogging Molly, The Kooks, Alkaline Trio, Rogue Wave, and Does This Offend You Yeah?

That’s one helluva lineup! The big day is Saturday, September 13th at the Bank of America Pavilion.

3.

Summer is half over. Don’t miss all the great shows!

Link: Elements: DJs Crook and Lenore

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