Too few Djs

Well, first off I'd like to thank Soulwax for my good set at the weekend. I silently offered up a prayer to them while their fat beats enticed people to gyrate, raise their neon bracelets to the sky and stab the ceiling with electro fingers. Thank you. My set however well it went down in the end, new tunes and all, started off terribly. First off I came to the booth and it was being used as a cloakroom and bar for a burlesque act which displeased. Upon playing my first cd, the Pioneer that had been playing up, played up and stopped my track halfway. the lovely understanding audience let me know their displeasure. Having lost my confidence and mojo I scabbed drinks off of everyone and played a random selection of tunes til my groove came back two rums later. At this point Stardust kicked off the night and I played some ridiculously good electro house remixes. I'd never seen a crowd go wild to a Ashley Simpson remix before...

Good Winter

Amazon recommendations suggested Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, based on my purchase of Secret Machines. I downloaded it and had a listen and as usual Amazon have got it right. Minimal production which is no-frills without being lo-fi; bittersweet vocals which are mournful but not sad, with layers and harmonies frequently reminiscent of gospel; quiet acoustic guitar, again simple, but not unintelligent; the softest and barest drums - once in a while you'll hear someone clapping or tapping slowly on a kick drum. Bon Iver are nothing like the fuzzy electronics of Secret Machines, but do bear a resemblance vocally and structurally, not to mention the inexplicable hint of cult. This trio labelling themselves Neo-Soul and hailing from the endlessly rural wintry Wisconsin, recorded this album after lead singer, Justin Vernon, spent three months shut up in a cabin recuperating. For Emma has all the patience of a man tucked up inside enjoying the good winter.

Hoover blues

Needed music to do the housework to, so followed some youtube links and found Holy Ghost Revival after listening to the new Red Light Company song Scheme Eugene. Still loving RLC. Now my financial situation I splashed out and bought The Draytones album for £3 online. :) I gave the new Secret Machines a listen yesterday - it's good, a return to form. Long lingering power-shoegaze post-rocky math-rock goodness, with good lyrics. Since Ben Curtis' departure they have been joined by Phil E Karnats on guitar, who they knew from their Tripping Daisy days. *happy face*

Listen up!

Secret Machines man Ben Curtis has formed School of Seven Bells with twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, formerly of On! Air! Library!. This is so exciting! Secret Machines genius with gorgeous lady vocals!!!

Too many DJs?

Simply had to post this. There are certain duos, groups and artists that everything they touch, let alone remix, turns to gold. Justice, Soulwax, MSTRKRFT, Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim... (under all their names) are just some.

This is a great remix by the best djs of one of the best bands best songs:

I give you MGMT - Kids (Soulwax Remix).

Now that's music to my ears!

Today I swallowed my pride and asked a DJ friend of mine how to solve my problems with Ableton and lo, I can now do the things I wanted to do. I hopefully should have a mix or two to upload in a few days!

Also, a local college are getting rid of a load of old audio equipment and I get first dibs. This is a shot in the arm for my future gig promotion!