I caught yet another cool link and discussion via RA today on the ongoing music genre skirmish. Most of this discussion refers to the recent argumentative reviews in electronic sites like Resident Advisor, who delve primarily in underground dance versus indie sites like Pitchfork, labeled by one of the readers as the “definitive indie launch pad” (loosely quoted), where reviewers are trying to examine and rate techno releases with inadequate backgrounds on the subject matter. The focus of the blog’s rhetoric is on “techno vs. indie” and the ongoing crossover between the two. I recommend you read, as I did, from start to finish. The exchange of opinions is quite insightful. Unlikely for me, coming from a more techno purist type stand, I found myself meeting halfway on their points because i’ve had to move alot between the underground and pop realms over the last few years, being the “working dj” that I am. One commenter named FRED, whom I agreed with, had this to say:
…crossover is happening, and it will continue. How else would I, indie kid living in the United States, gotten into techno/house? The answer is because I listen to anything that I judge as good, and the indie and dance music scenes are proving in these days as some of the most fruitful. I don’t lament the crossover, either– I embrace it. Perhaps I’m not “purist” enough, but I think music that bends genre or defies it generally turns out to be some of the best. But for this to turn out well, both parties (i.e. the indie and dance scenes, Pitchfork and RA, marijuana and ecstasy, etc.) are going to have to learn the other’s parlance.
One of my close friend’s girl and I always get in to discussions about this very thing. It’s something I think is hard for the extremists, like us, to wrap their “ears” around. Each day I discover new music, artists, labels etc., sometimes by my own accord or through others recommendations and its an undeniable fact that crossover occurs in all of these layers of music. I find it as a dj, that sometimes crossover is what you aim for, trying to gain new listeners, new followers and hopefully turning your “indie” friends on to the “dance” music. Before I get way to into my own opinions here on the matter, check out the blog and let me know how you feel.
Simply delightful. Being the geek that I am, I’m drawn to things that glow, have cool knobs, sound electrifying and often resemble objects only those who bear pocket protectors would love. Case in point, the 40h. After reading a recent RA article on Gui Boratto and his on-stage gear, I was drawn to a cool object he held in his hands. After seeing it, I had to inspect further. In A few clicks, BAAM! . . . a Philadelphia based company called: Monome.org. The beauty of this is it’s simply a device that does nothing, as mentioned in an interview with one of the makers, loosely quoted of course. This device, other than obviously looking cool, can control step sequencers, show light patterns based on a computer program, etc. The device comes in a 64, 128 and 256 button model. If you are not among the technically challenged, you could be daring to piece one of these bad boys together yourself with their DIY 40h kit. The pic here is from XNDR’s photo documentary of his assembly project. Needless to say I’m completely beguiled by this lovely techno thing and I’m going to have to get one, immediately.
Also mentioned in the article is the cool ass LEMUR programmable surface controller. At a whopping $2999 price, its only a daydream that has the potential to become reality. Damn cool and with the ability to configure at your own pleasure, its practically limitless, still…. for that price, ill need to put my hands on one first.
HANDOUT v.2
Runtime: 1hour – 8 mins – 57secs
Tracklisting:
Painikattack – Plastikman
The Curse – Voodeux
Dust Noise – Mono Music
Elevation – Tiger Stripes / Jerome Sydenham
Your Face is a mess – Gel Abril
Deliverance – Pig & Dan
Blink – John Dalhlback
Do Us Part – Par Grindvik
Anon – Fergie
Mumbling Yeah – Kabale Und Liebe / Daniel Sanchez
Evolve – Prompt
Bonus2 – Bryan Zentz / Stare5
You can listen in the audio section or if you’d like a downloadable copy, hit me up either through phone if you have the digits or leave me a message here or via AIM / GMAIL = jayman (at) gmail (dot) com
Man…. it feels great to make the step to move forward and improve on your knowledge and broaden your skill set for work. I think however over the next 6 weeks im going to go mad. The picture here is only the beginning course book with a little helper language book sitting next to my newest best friend, my coffee mug. Ive decided to take classes to obtain my DBA (Database Administrator) certifications. The courses for this certification have kind of changed since I first looked at them years ago. Its no longer a “MCDBA” (mc=microsoft certified…. after going to my first class, it should stand for “mentally certifiable”) its now MCITP: sql server 2005 and MCTS: database administrator. 1 test for the first and two for the second – Three tests to call myself a DBA at this point. With all the recent Asp.Net work I’ve been getting into it just seemed right. Most of the work I’ve done up until now has been either desktop support / laptop and desktop repair or web design and development… network and DB administration is next step. After the first few classes I’ve taken, I think probably around the second week or so I’m going to be a space case. IF any one strikes a convo with me and somewhere in the middle I start to rattle off SELECT statements, just slap me!
Another note, my bday is March 4th which is next Tuesday and I have no idea what I want to do. There are plans for djing on march 7th and djing the Friday AND Saturday for the next week but this week, PRIOR to my actual bday should be the party time. I just don’t know what to do though. I still have my wish list up from xmas with a few new adds so its a present idea list for those interested but honestly, I’m kind of at a loss for anything else. I wish you could give TIME as a gift. I could use about an extra 8-10 hours a week to catch on mid-day naps, seems thats when I sleep the best. That’s awfully Vampire-like of me?$@#
Well… of course I’d love to usher in Halloween months ahead of schedule but thats not really what this post is about. In fact the only corollation between halloween and this post is this band i’m diggin’ lately, Vampire Weekend. Once you hear the band you’ll know there isnt really anything spooky or devilish about it. Its just fun and funky music. The song thats really got me singing to my self is “One (Blake’s got a new face)” //link courtesy of lastfm//. You can check them out on their own website here. I heard shelley play the cd and had to listen to it over and over. I’ve actually played it three times already at work. Good choons! Take a peek and let me know what you think!
This saturday i’ll be playing with my bros luber, brian and porter at DISH (go figure) for Luber’s birthday bash. Im sure something crazy is going to happen so be there to witness it. Party starts at 10 and goes until John starts to spit… wait, he didnt want me to say that.
Duncan Callaway – Dj Freshbake RIP (1983 – 2007)
*photo courtesy of Kelsey
Duncan Lawrence Callaway, 24, died December 22 at home, following a lengthy illness. A DJ extraordinaire, his friends will gather at the Full Moon Club (where he had been scheduled to play) on Friday night to celebrate his life and talent. Our beloved son is survived by his parents, Gil and Becky Callaway; his brother, Jordan, and his grandfather, Dr. James T. Duncan, Jr., along with three uncles, three aunts, and many cousins. Our hearts are well and truly broken. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Doctors without Borders or the charity of your choice. Visitation will be held at 12 Noon at Canale Funeral Directors to be followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 2007. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Duncan was an acquaintance of mine as with most in the dj and dance community. A bright up and comer with great talent. I think most can agree that he was a kind soul with a great smile. He was always eager to share he delight in music with others and he had a vibrant spirit around everyone. I, by far, wasn’t the closest with Freshbake but we were dj-friendly and shared conversations from time to time. I was always glad to see him when he was around. I remember seeing him at the last full moon event and he was as jolly as ever when we spoke. It’s a shame to see a light who shines as bright as he did, go out in the world. My thoughts go out to his family and his friends. As with all passings of people close to us and those that we love, we should remember what he shared with us, celebrating the life he wanted us to be apart of.
May he rest in peace. – J
Yes! It is true. After hearing the hype over the MRB, finding out MJ has been skating on Sundays ever since his wife joined the team and watching a few Team Riedell videos, I had to. I purchased a pair of skates again. They arrived today to my surprise. I had been frantically checking the lowpricedskates.com website to see the status of my order like a eBay lunatic. The order wasn’t even showing up. I was going to make a call this morning if I still couldn’t find anything online. Sure enough, here they come in the hands of one of the storeroom guys. Luckily they were in an unmarked box, other wise i’m sure I would have gotten 3 kinds of hellish ridicule. I opened them up and had to try them on immediately. I feel like a giddy school girl! I haven’t touched skates since I quit djing at Summer Skateland years ago. To be honest, after the first thing I heard about the start up of the MRB, I’ve been looking for an excuse to get some. I even still see some of the guys that used to skate at the rink with me from time to time, out at the bars having a drink. Weekend before last, I went with MJ and family to East End where I donned a pair of “buddy skates” and hit the floor. It came back to me rather quickly, which was a surprise. By the time we left, and mind you i was worn out by this time, only an hour and a half later, i was already doing backward skating and turnaround quite effortlessly. I guess its true what they say, “it’s just like riding a bike…” It’s probably a bad thing I didn’t fall even once cause now that I have the speed skates I HAVE to appear like I know what im doing, and thats when it happens, when u get cocky. I’ll go and bust my ass big time. Well, now that I have real skates again, i’ll have to break them in something proper. Thursday night from 7-9 is when a group from the derby refs and some of the girls get together and go skating in Cordova or Rockin’ Raleigh. If you are reading this and have the fever, come and join us!!!! Shit, a few weeks from now, i’ll be back to full on Jam Skate status!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttAqyjbSujc[/youtube]Some one pointed out recently that I’ve been whistling this tune that they finally identified as Willie Wonka’s “Pure Imagination” song. I gladly nodded in agreement. I was captivated by Gene Wilder’s performance in this film. I know its not exactly as the book dictates but by far the choice version of the adaptation to film. How wonderful would it be to be one of the lucky 5 and to get to experience a room full of just about anything you can eat plus a river of chocolate. I think it’s not just a dream for a kid. I liked the song so much i picked up an album simply for the track they did containing the samples. Its by Crazy Penis entitled “The Wicked is Music” and the track is “There’s a better place!”, good stuff. I thought i’d give you guys a pop of the video I found on “the tube”, Check it out! After watching, I bet you’ll be whistling the tune too.
