Category Archives: misc

SHE CAN DJ

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nina-kraviz-bathtub

CBS and Astralwerks announced a partnership for a female dj talent search called, She Can DJ. (The full media release is below.) I’m sure this contest had good intentions but in my view it will only highlight the segregation of the sexes as seen with the conversations generated by Resident Advisor’s video profile of NINA KRAVIZ. It seems like a ploy to use sexuality to gain fans and viewers, which could reverse women’s roll in dj culture by a decade or longer.

What do you think?

Here’s the profile in question…

Media Release:
CBS RADIO today announced a partnership with Astralwerks to introduce “She Can DJ – America,” a nationwide talent search to find the country’s top female DJ/Producer. After successful programs in Australia and throughout Europe, “She Can DJ” will launch in major markets nationwide this July.

Following local competitions run by CBS RADIO stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Boston, Detroit, Phoenix, San Diego, Charlotte, Las Vegas and one wild card market, 12 semi-finalists will vie for a grand prize that includes a recording contract with Astralwerks and headline a tour through all CBS RADIO markets that took part in the competition.

“Aspiring female DJs/producers need look no further than She Can DJ for that once in a lifetime chance to captivate an entire industry with their talent,” said Greg Strassell, CBS Radio’s SVP of Programming. “As the contest plays out across our considerable platform of contemporary hit radio stations, participants will be front and center with millions of music fans, and the top decision makers in the business. CBS RADIO is thrilled to be part of the electronic dance music movement that has been playing out to much success on radio stations all over the United States.”

“She Can DJ – America” is backed up by Astralwerks; a label trusted for bringing the world’s top dance music talent to America for over 20 years. Contestants and fans alike can expect the most authentic talent search for the country’s top female dance music DJ knowing that the team behind such legendary acts as Fatboy Slim, David Guetta, Hot Chip, Swedish House Mafia and The Chemical Brothers will play an integral role in the selection process.

“Seeing how successful She Can DJ was in discovering top female DJ/producer’s in overseas markets it’s the perfect time to launch stateside,” Astralwerks General Manager Glenn Medlinger says. “The Unites States is the hottest place on earth for dance music right now but the industry is largely male dominated. We’re thrilled to be a part of a program that will help discover and develop top female talent in the dance music space.”

A TRIP DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE WITH DhARMA

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Dibby Dougherty, David Young and Ciara Wilson are just ordinary people, meat and potatoes.  They live in the real world. They’d probably tell you they’re not big believers in magic. But their DhARMA label is different. It’s special. The “Other” labels don’t want to talk about it because it scares them. But we all know it. We all feel it…

How long have you known each other for, how long have you been making music together and when did you decide you wanted to start a label together?

Dibby: I have known Davey for 5-6 years now, we first met when he was promoting nights in Belfast and he booked me to play for him and we’ve been making music together for about 3-4 years or so now. The label is something I personally have been interested in starting for a couple of years but I didn’t want it to be a conventional house/techno label. It took until the start of last year for me to have a rounded idea in my mind of the musical and visual direction of where I wanted to go.

David: After booking Dibby, we got chatting and one day invited him up to ‘The Hatch’ and the rest is history. As to how the label came about, we talked about it briefly but Dibby being Dibby he got the bit between his teeth and put the wheels into motion.

Ciara: I have been Dibby’s partner in crime for nearly 8 years now and I met my DhARMA brother David through him. The label was mainly pushed by Dibby’s love of all things electronic and wanting to release music that we all enjoyed outside of the ‘club’ environment. David and I jumped on the band wagon after we found out it would be related to The Island (that is the ‘Lost’ island) but I found that I could convey more with this particular style of electronica as its more to my personal taste, especially when mixed with folk styled music.

People might be more familiar with your successful DhARMA Bootleg edits.  Have you had any contact with any of the artists that you’ve done bootlegs of and do you feel those tracks helped you to get you where you’re at now?

Dibby: For sure, I know that the bootlegs really did help get our names out there a bit more, at most of my gigs the main productions that people associate me with are the bootlegs. I think it is a nostalgia thing for a lot of people more than anything. The tracks we bootlegged have always been records that we loved and cherished, people do seem to buzz from hearing an old favorite rock track turned into a club record. I have never sent the bootlegs to any of the original artists, to be honest I wouldn’t know where to start if I wanted to do this, but I really would be interested to hear what they thought of our version.

DhARMA’s releases to date have had a consistently distinct sound, falling in the indie dance, electro/synthpop 80′s-ish side of things.  Your own productions, however, tend to be more of the techno-y progressive house persuasion, if you want to classify them. What was the motivation to create a label that focuses on a sound that is different from the type of productions we’ve seen you release yourselves and what do you feel that DhARMA offers that maybe similar labels don’t?

Dibby: The motivation wasn’t particularly to move away from our sound but to expand on what we like as individuals, outside of the ‘club’ environment. What makes the whole experience worthwhile has been the opportunity of working alongside fantastic designers and all the amazing music producers in the DhARMA family, who we are over the moon to have releasing with us.

Ciara: We are trying our best to be a little different to other labels that put out similar styled music. We work very hard in the visual element of the label, from our cover art to videography, and merchandise; people can buy art prints/iPhone covers of our release artwork and we try to give away free tracks every now and then, just as a little thank you. We have a particular interest in the artwork and do our best to promote not only the musical artists but also visual too. We like to think that our music is diverse within the electronic genre and that it reflects our personal taste, not what others expect us to release.

Can we expect a DhARMA label-flavoured production or two from you in the future?

Dibby: The sound we have been aiming for in our own productions is a million miles away from what we put out on the label. I do plan on releasing some music on the label but it will be under an alias, I’m looking into starting to produce some folk influenced electronic music, it will be very down tempo and not at all like any sound I have released in the past. 

David: Maybe on a DhARMA sub label, an idea we have been toying with. We are in the process of creating a new studio and have caught the hardware bug (something I swore I’d never do) so you never know a few late night jamming sessions might lead too.

Who would be your “dream” artist to sign to DhARMA, past or present, living or dead, no restrictions?

Dibby: Prince, or Drive Shaft.

Ciara: Trentemøller

David: Thom Yorke, for me, is the best at what he does in the world and also the amazing Bjork.

Speaking of dreams, Dibby and Ciara… you’ve both had the lucky opportunity to travel to a myriad of exotic places all over the world for the past several months.  Is that something you had been planning for some time or was it the result of some successful releases in the past couple of years?  David… Have you seen or done anything lately that you never would have expected to happen 3 years ago?

Dibby: The trip Ciara and I undertook this year has been something we dreamed of doing for a few years, it took a lot of saving and some serious hard work but it was easily the best thing we have ever done. I hadn’t planned on doing any gigging during this trip but after a while I got the itch to do some gigs. I was lucky enough to be able to play in some great clubs in Argentina, Oz, Bangkok, Hong Kong and in India while away.

Ciara: In total Dibby and I were away backpacking for 10 amazing months, really it was an itch to get out and explore that wouldn’t subside, so we decided if we were going to take a break from our ‘normal’ jobs we would make it the trip of a life-time. We totaled 15 countries, through South America, Austrailia and Asia, it feels so surreal now that we are home again but 2013 is set to be a busy year.

David: Getting signed to Bedrock, that has to top the list, I have the framed 12″ and CD in my living room and I smile at it every day.

How have you found the transition from being Producer/DJs to becoming label owners and managers? Any specific challenges? Do either of you have specific roles with managing the label is it more of a collective effort?

Dibby: Collectively we do share a lot of things, and as we see each other and chat regularly we can all share our ideas. As a DJ/Producer I already have a bit of an A&R head on me, from years of searching for unique music. Therefore adjusting to find music that I wouldn’t necessarily play in a club but music that I love for its musicality has been relatively easy. Contacting bloggers, magazines and promoting the releases has been very time consuming, especially whilst backpacking but it has been extremely rewarding, positive feedback from people who genuinely love the music, well. . .this is what its all about. I handle the majority of the musical direction but Ciara and David also have a great ear for what we want to have on the label. 

Ciara: I mainly deal with the visual element of the label, conversing with artists and roaming the web looking for beautiful new artwork. I particularly love writing up the press releases for the promotional pack. This was all very new to me but I’m finding it has opened doors to write for others, particularly an online Folk Radio and website that I have adorned for years. I had never envisioned myself being a part of the label when the label cog was turning in Dibby’s mind but its something that I have grown to love and invest in, seeing the results has been just swell.

David: So far the majority of label work has come from Dibby and Ciara’s end as it has been a large bridge to gap with them being away. To be honest my love affair with music is very hot and cold but thankfully at the minute it’s hot. I think if Dibby hadn’t come home from travelling when he did I would have probably called time on the project.

If you could break it down on a pie chart or percentage-wise compared to your other priorities for 2013 (own productions, DJing, other work, personal life, etc), how much would you predict DhARMA would take up?

Ciara: DhARMA was a little difficult to maintain at times throughout 2012 as Dibby and I were backpacking through South America, Australia and Asia. A lot of places had either no internet (or electricity in some cases) or it was painfully slow which makes working on the other side of the world extremely difficult. I found it particular hard to get motivated when I could have been lying on a beach or hiking up a mountain instead of cramped in a sweaty hostel room writing but we managed to stay a float and still have the trip of a life time.

Dibby: Yeah during 2012 our work and input to the label varied a lot, now that we are back in Ireland we can have more regular DhARMA meet ups and get much more work done on the label. To break it down I would really like to evenly spread things out, I don’t want to ever stop making music but I do think that I will soon start some different aliases. I’m not totally feeling the house/techno scene that’s out there right now as I’m into a more eclectic side of electronica at the minute. DJ wise; locally I’ll not be doing much as I have since left my residency at Yello to travel, but I do plan on continuing to play outside of Ireland. The label is up there as a high priority but it’s not my sole workload at the moment. So time wise, I would have to say, 50% on DhARMA business, 25% spent playing in my studio and the other 25% for my cat, Hurley.

OK, now let’s talk Lost.  It should be apparent to anyone even remotely familiar with both the television show Lost and your music that you guys are big Lost fans.  What is it about Lost in relationship to your music that you find inspiring, if anything?

Dibby: Lost is a huge part of my life, that may sound sad to lots of people but if you are a ‘Lostie’ you will understand. The emotions that this show evokes within me play a massive part in my inspiration to make and play music.

Which character from Lost do you think best embodies who you are as a person?

Dibby: David has actually given me the nick name of Desmond, so perhaps that is who I may be most similar to? But I think that we can all see a bit of ourselves in each character in the show.

Ciara: I’d like to say I‘m badass like Locke but really I am a Jack, I’m a little sensible and I believe in science, not fate…

David: I would have to go with Desmond also as I’m a little fond of whiskey.

(Possible “LOST” Spoiler Alert) Care to share your thoughts on the ending of Lost?

Dibby: Many people have many different theories and lots of my friends have claimed they were not given answers to things they were looking for, in my opinion anything that needed answering was answered. it is not always the destination that matters, it is the journey which you take getting there. I loved the ending; I loved every second of the show and would not change a single part of it.

David: I loved the ending of Lost as I could relate to it in a strange way (yes I know how that sounds).

Lastly, is there anything parting thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

Dibby: You are here for a good time, not a long time. Namaste…

 

Here’s a free DhARMA edit download of Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place”

 

Also, here’s a preview of the next DhARMA release, “Hopeless” by NUT NUT, due out March 1st

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DhARMA links:
dharmalabel.com
DhARMA on SoundCloud
DhARMA on Facebook
DhARMA on Twitter
bel”>DhARMA on Vimeo

YOLANDA BE COOL (RECALL)

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As someone who does communications / public relations for a living (9:00-5:00, Monday to Friday), this is by far the best best exercise in public relations…EVER!

Here’s the media release…

YOLANDA BE COOL ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT RECALL OF NO. 1 HIT SONG “WE NO SPEAK AMERICANO”

In a press conference held today, Australian dance music duo Yolanda Be Cool, aka Sylvester Martinez and Johnson “Durango Slim” Peterson, announced an international product recall of their huge, triple-platinum hit single We No Speak Americano, which has secured the No. 1 spot in sixteen different countries, soundtracked three major movies, sold over one million digital copies in the US alone and is still heavily played on radio stations worldwide.

Talking at the conference to a stunned audience, Yolanda Be Cool cited the reasons behind the recall of the famously ubiquitous track: “After careful analysis, we have determined our number one hit song has been grossly overplayed and in some extreme cases misused. This is not what Yolanda Be Cool stands for… it was never meant to be like this.“

Users of We No Speak Americano are encouraged to destroy all digital and analogue recordings immediately to prevent further misuse and visit http://www.yolandarecall.com/ for a free replacement product by Yolanda Be Cool; a huge club track entitled Before Midnight, from their forthcoming album Ladies & Mentalmen. The free download version is remixed by DJ / producer Angger Dimas, widely known for his hit collaborations with Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke.


Free download

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Links:
www.yolandarecall.com

OWEN R – SVENGALI MIX SERIES: GIORGIO MORODER

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The term svengali is used loosely, of course.

For me, though, there is NO better term to describe the all powerful influence of music producer/songwriter types like Giorgio Moroder, Frank Farian or Robert John “Mutt” Lange.

My pops told me about Mutt Lange in the 90′s when he catapullted Eileen Twain into megastardom. Frank Farian I discovered years later via Wiki. Giorgio Moroder was someone I’d only associated with late 70′s euro-disco pop: Donna Summer and his own electronic pop adventures.  It wasn’t until some recent discogs and wiki digging I discovered that he’d written a ton of 80′s pop tunes that I loved.

I tried to include as many as possible in this 42 minute Ableton mix.  Ableton is both a crutch and a boon when it comes to creating mixes @ home. I had already used it for my MEME 2012 submission, and it helped with the genre busting of techno and D&B,  and precise sample placement. Though,  I found I was spending a LOT more time than planned. Unlike a DJ mix where it’s recorded real-time, in Ableton you can go back and tweak filter rolls, FX, and your transitions over and over (and over) again :-)

My challenge with the Moroder mix was being able to have the songs harmonically keyed, while maintaining a steadily increasing tempo.  That meant whittling down the list of possible tunes from about 30, to 12.

The advantage of Ableton vs using CD decks, vinyl TT’s or a DVS app like itch/traktor or serato, is that you can mix in songs that couldn’t normally be mixed for longer than a few seconds due to the fallibility of the human drummer or a poor recording/transfer that has created a song with a wandering tempo. However, it also means you’ve got a much larger pool of tunes to choose from. I was able to use rock tunes, disco, and other tunes with wandering tempos. That meant it took longer to pick all the tunes.

I’m really happy with the results. As are the pop/Giorgio fans who’ve listened thus far.

Give ‘er a listen :D

Tracklist:

1 – Video interview spot intro edit
2 – Berlin – Take my breath away
3 – Giorgio Moroder – Tony’s theme (Scarface)
4 – Irene Cara – Flash dance (what a feeling)
5 – Debbie Harry – Rush, rush
6 – Giorgio Moroder – The Chase
7 – Freddie Mercury – Love kills
8 – Donna Summer – I feel love
9 – Sparks – Beat the clock
10 – Giorgio Moroder f. Paul Engemann – Push it to the limit
11 – Mr. Big – Strike Like Lightning
12 – Kenny Loggins – Danger Zone (From Top Gun)
13 – Kenny Loggins – Meet Me Half Way (theme from Over the top)

 

PAINTING PICTURES ON SILENCE VOLUME 2

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Painting Pictures on Silence Volume 2

Painting Pictures on Silence Volume 2

Howdy everyone! For my first contribution to Manalogue I’m going to veer off into leftfield a lil’ bit.

I present to you the latest compilation from Enig’Matik Records, “Painting Pictures on Silence Volume 2“. A 22 track experience in glitch, this highly anticipated release dances around the IDM concept with tracks covering a whole range of sounds; glitch, IDM, psybient, chill and dubstep.

Volume 2 of the Painting Pictures… series features artists such as KiloWatts, Si Begg, Fine Cut Bodies, Sensient, Birds of Paradise, Kalya Scintilla, Circuit Bent, Mindtree, and more. I am also honoured to be a part of this compilation which includes a psystep/psychill track of mine.

Geared more for the headphones and the monitors rather than the dancefloor, the comp is billed as “a place to get lost in the details, to imagine a world that doesn’t exist and to catapult your senses and imagination skyward … choosing to jack into a digital world where their fingertips create unfathomable expanses, exploring and ever reaching into a limitless world of sonic creation.”.

And for those of you who like a little visuals to go with your music, here are a couple of trailers for the compilation, designed by Enig’Matik label-head, Sun in Aquarius.

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PAINTING PICTURES ON SILENCE VOL 2 is available at Addictech.com
Also available at enigmatiksounds.bandcamp.com

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Enig’Matik Records on Facebook
Enig’Matik Records on Bandcamp

LEGENDARY LONG WEEKEND + LAST CALL FOR 2011

Posted on Written by Posted in club, dubstep, ghetto funk, house, mashup, misc, robotdisco Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , Comments

 

How legendary is the Legendary Long Weekend series?

Well, Vancouver promotion crew Intimate Productions have been throwing the first rate bashes for 8 years. And while they usually try to showcase local Vancouver DJs and artists, they’re occasionally tempted with truly international acts they can’t refuse. Some of the highlights from past LLW parties include Fred Falke, Lifelike, Lawn Chair Generals, Terry Francis and Llorca.

This Thursday, Nov.10th the party is LAST CALL FOR 2011 and is hosted at the spectacular Waldorf Hotel which is easily the best venue I’ve been too since moving here in July. It allows for 4 separate rooms with different vibes in each. Here’s rundown of what each room with be offering this Thurday:

CABARET (Nu Disco / French House) CYCLIST (That’s me!) • LABERGE


You’ve got me dancing in my sleep (Laberge’s extended party edit) by Laberge

Daft Funk 2 by Cyclist

TIKI BAR (Whatever / Mash-Up) NEON STEVE • ABASI vs. Glyn • VINNIE THE SQUID


Opposites Attract (Dub Selekta Podcast 6.0) by Neon Steve

Hippies With Handguns (vol.II) by Vinnie the Squid

HIDEAWAY (Bass Culture / Dubstep) MICHAEL RED • SELF EVIDENT • BEVVY SWIFT


Thursday Ting by Michael Red

Showcase Mix by Self Evident

Quantizophobia (lo fi love) by Bevvy Swift

NUBA LOUNGE (Underground House) MARLON J ENGLISH • ROB RIZK • RICCO

Can’t find any mixes from these guys but I’m sure they’ll be just as awesome! :)

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Links:
Facebook Event Page
Tickets available here 

 

 

 

UPTOWN’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

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Get your vote on.

I wonder if it’s coincidence that UPTOWN MAGAZINE’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS deadline for nominations is the same day as CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTION? Can people in Winnipeg really vote twice for two different things entirely?

Tell us you’re voting here.

Vote here.

BTW we all know there can be, and usually are, some lousy results so participate and um, think local yo.

Entries must be received by Noon, Mon., May 2, 2011