New direction

Ok, so while there won't be a Rave Room at Popstarz, I will be spinning some discs in the Indie room instead, doing some electro/rave crossover. This is pretty good news! The slot isn't every week, but perhaps that's a good thing...

I now embark on the set recraft - what exciting times!

Homeless

Firstly, the good news, albeit delayed reporting. I have a new soundcard! It's just an "old" one from a family computer, but it's got a lovely breakout box and most importantly records sound much better than my old on-board POS!

Secondly, some less good news, in fact, quite a bummer. It seems Popstarz new venue will not have the space for the room in which I played - thus I no longer have my residency. My head is not held as high from now on.

Just one day out of life...

I'm in hiatus while Popstarz changes venues and all week I've been wracking my brain to find something to fill my time. My inspiration came whilst listening to Radio Soulwax* last night; here are two guys who just played excellent tunes from cheese to obscure electro, remixed and mixed well. So, I figure I'll stick a series of mixes up, one a week if I get organised. Not sure what web syndication is let alone how to do it so I'll not use this new-fangled term "podcasting". Should be fun. Red Light Company is out in a few weeks,

I'm really looking forward to going into a shop and actually buying it! I plan to pick up White Lies at the same time. Also looking forward to new Franz Ferdinand. yay!

I've just finished listening to the latest She Wants Revenge album "This is Forever". If you like SWR, then you'll like this album, if you were expecting new revellations from the band, don't bother. It's more of the same, but some how he sounds even more like Bowie than before. I like it, but then I don't mind samey if it's good samey - sometimes in fact, it can be a blessing.

New Year's Eve mix

Finally, after a week pottering around I've recorded all three hour long mixes for my absentee NYE set at Popstarz. They can be downloaded here. Each hour is about 55Mb each, or you can listen just by clicking. It's not perfect, but I had to just get something recorded, anything is better than nothing. Hour 3 is particularly dodgy in places, but hey. Enjoy.

Hour 1:

Felix Da Housecat - Silver Screen Shower Scene
Tiga - Louder Than A Bomb
Chromeo - Tenderoni (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Justice - DVNO
Daft Punk - Human After All (SebastiAn remix)
Calvin Harris - Acceptable In The 80s
Simian Mobile Disco - Hustler
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
Midnight Juggernauts - Shadows
Crystal Castles - Untrust Us
Dragonette - I Get Around
Britney Spears - Womanizer (JUSTICE Club Remix) (Leaked)
Sneaky Sound System - I Love It
Christian Falk feat. Robyn - Dream On (Warren Clarke Club Mix)

Hour 2:

The Cribs - Mens Needs (CSS Mix)
Pink - So What (Bimbo Jones Extended Mix)
Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Mason Vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder)
The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful (SebastiAn Remix)
Depeche Mode - Just Cant Get Enough (Dirty South Remix)
The Tings Tings - That's Not My Name (Soul Seekerz Radio Mix)
Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat (Run Hide Survive Remix)
MGMT - Kids (Soulwax Remix)
Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer (12 Mix)
Utah Saints Something Good '08 (Radio Edit)
Gala - Freed From Desire (Club Mix)
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Mylo vs. Miami Sound Machine - Doctor Pressure

Hour 3

Culture Beat - Mr. Vain
Bob Sinclar Vs Corona - The Rhythm Of The Night 2008 (Habakus Remix)
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up (Wideboys Remix Full Club)
Sugababes - Girls (Fred Falke Short Edit)
Ashley Simpson - Outta My Head (Dave Aude Club Mix)
September - Cry For You [Jackal Remix Short]
The Saturdays - Up (Wideboys Remix)
Dave Spoon feat. Lisa Maffia - Bad Girl (At Night)
Technotronic - Get Up (1993 7 Remix)
Kid Sister - Control (JFK Remix)
Moby - Disco Lies (Freemasons Club Edit)
Kylie Minogue - The One [Freemasons full on radio remix edit]
Dizzee Rascal - Flex (Dave Spoon Remix)
Wiley - Wearing My Rolex

Just press play...

Having told Popstarz that I can't do NYE for them they have asked me to record a 3 hour set (3 x 1 hour cds) as they can't fill my place. They are paying me handsomely and best of all it has forced me to do a project I've been half-heartedly doing for 6 months. Today I decided to work out the logistics and get the tech working. I've opted to plug my decks into my computer and record live as I've not been able to get any DJ program working so I can use my headphones as a monitor - I think I just don't have a good enough soundcard. After some jiggery-pokery, I actually managed to get this to work and later record using Goldwave! I AM NOW READY TO RECORD! :)

Alison Mosshart

Just as I had finished sorting out Kammo 2, Popstarz asked me to do a 4 hour slot on Friday! I had to extend and re-plan my material to be able to be used for a 4 hour set. I worked all day coming up with 15 new bangers to add to my repertoire.

After that, I went to see The Kills supported by XX Teens. Secretly, I went to see XX Teens as I like them over The Kills. But my indie peers would disapprove of such an opinion. I like the art rock edge of XX Teens that doesn't take itself too seriously, an ironic in your face interaction - almost shock-rock at times. There is this one moment when they "pause a song" freezing completely and everyone thinks the song is finished and clap, then when nothing happens a sort of unrest stirs in the crowd and questioning murmuring breaks out. It's a great moment to watch the crowd feeling uncertain and confused. Breaking out of the mould, but not too violently. The Kills were sexy bluesy, rock n roll shouting, likable, but too clichéd for me - the lady (who I could look up the name of to look clever but can't be bothered to insult either of our intelligence for) was very sexy, she had this great look, with long silky hair flying everywhere, understated clothes and an unadulterated classic face full of defiance.

I've decided to put together a mixtape of my new tunes in no particular order, to both alert me to the nuances of the songs in detail and get me back into making recordings. I have to keep in mind that it's better to have something that's imperfect than nothing at all!

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...

Do you take requests?

Popstarz9 was a nice stressless one as middlemanager was gone. He makes me nervous and comes up to me making suggestions which messes with my flow and my creativity. Filling in at Kambar was fun, but much more stressful than I thought as every punter there had ideas about what should be played. Neil summed it up best when he said "they don't want to hear good music, just the ones they know". Moreover, I forgot my computer had crashed during my music transfer so a lot of good tracks didn't get copied to my set. I've not been at my best this week and I definitely let everything get to me. Today I'm going to make enquiries about a day job so hopefully I'll feel better this week.

Indie Thing

Popstarz8 was ok, except due to horrible rain it was very slow starting. I got told off for playing Girls Aloud and henceforth lost my mojo. Bah. Vik played great set from 2-4 in Rave room - not sure how he got away with it cos he just played electro all night, then again, it was a quiet one, so we could've got away with anything really. Heloise and the Savoir Fair played at 1am; They were good apart from their attempt at shockrock performers: A man dressed in tight gold suits, so tight you could see his penis, flouncing about on stage like a drunk whore and a lady with a greek crown of flowers and lots of neon makeup dancing coldly and deadpan, but at one point getting her tits out. Rubbish. Too bad the lead singer has talent.

Neil de Generator has asked me to fill in for him on Saturday night til 12 at Indie Thing at Kambar. This should be a bit of fun. Kambar doesn't fill up til 12, so I'll just mess around on the decks playing my favourite tunes and hopefully enjoying the company of friends. I'm not going to try and play what Neil does, there is no point. I'm going to play all my favourite kicking Indie tunes mixed in with some of more staple dancy indie and electro. Been having fun getting tunes together.

Embomusic

Popstarz7 went well, I did the main slot from 12-2, which was good, cos there was a decent amount of people jigging about - including Pet Shop Boys, who were in the house. Awesome! I left early with headache from cold I've had all week.


So, went through my music mailouts this morning, and as I've not done it in a month there was lots to get through! Excuse this quick rundown's listlike nature. Started with a Futureheads video diary, which they explained how instead of signing to a label they've got involved with distribution networks.
I listened to The Dodos who are Wichita's new babies, they are soft spoken yet mathrock -good clean drumming.
Then checked out Cadence Weapon, who are a bizarre mix of hiphop and IDM. I couldn't believe Myspace description til I heard it! Crazy sampling, slow rapping, whizzing bleeps and squeals throughout!
Next checked out Telepathe, whose music is oddly structured, it's slow repetitions and minimal lady lyrics make you think of an unemotional Goldfrapp or a Gary Numan chick - sometimes break beats, sometimes mathrock, it's quiet and controlled fun - but not my bag.
Dirty Projectors were just too weird - experimental, but not in a good way; Zappa without the funk; Happy Scott Walker.
Then Jonquil, who like Band of Horses and Islands are lovely dreampop, only with fun instruments like accordions and trumpets and slow building songs that never break into craziness, but keep you bobbing along the happy river.
Next, for fun and plezure I listened to Fuck Buttons, who I could listen to forever. If you haven't listened to them yet, now would be a good time. They are opening for Mogwai next month and I plan to be there listening quietly and feeling the dirty euphoria climb all over my brain like a lemon wearing stilts.
After that I felt compelled to give Times New Viking a listen, if only cos the name kicks ass! Establishing themselves as Lo-Fi from the first note, they let their influences be known. With completely pointless keyboards of Velvet Underground, Crazy churchy singing of Arcade Fire and fuzzy production of Clap your Hands Say Yeah they blast out silly tunes which seem punky but not punk.
From their myspace stumbled across Psychedelic Horseshit, which is a Dada/nihilist approach to shoegaze - as he confesses in his bio "Shitgaze is abysmal...this band is either a load of idiots on speed who suddenly thought they could play music while tripping, and sounds like a very massive pile of utter drunken shit, or it’s just some very clever chimpanzee’s who’ve evolved and suddenly realise they ’might’ be able to play some music". An inspired crew, who
dare to sound truly awful.
Then, as usual missing the boat, finally listened to HEALTH several months AFTER they played in Cambridge. Of course, they are as good as everyone said and fling you about at high volumes smashing your mind to bits. They have done some very improbable but fantastic collaborations with Crystal Castles, the song Glitter Pills has the diiiiirtiest electro keyboards at the end it's a crime if someone doesn't do a remix.
After that, found myself terrifyingly listening to Shit and Shine who I find hard to describe - part death metal, part experimental drone - each song incredibly short bursts of spazzed drumming or screaming or just humming noises. The great thing about their music is they never make the sound too busy - they build, but never spazzing on all instruments - like a boat at half sail; they know the limitations of the human ear. I did have to take a silent break afterwards though!
Continuing, Fleet Foxes delighted my ears. The kind of beauty you don't want to share, but sit quietly under a blanket with headphones on, watching the world go by as it all sparkles past. Sub-pop and Bella Union do it again.
On the tail of that sound, came My Brightest Diamond, too soft to quite catch my attention - but it was like Massive Attack without the groove, PJ Harvey on beta-blockers, fairly unexciting.
Midnight Juggernauts are like Michael Jackson and Daft Punk on MDMA. Pure loved up funky electro. Showers of bleeps in calm indie rock and a scent of Bowie.


I've also got myself a sweet little deal with Simon Baker whereby I sort his Facebook needs and he supplies me with free giggage. Nice one.

cycling without stabilizers

Well, Sidney-Sussex May ball was a blast! Despite angry sound-men and a spatter of rain, it was one of the best May balls. it helped I knew a bunch of people there and we went on the swing-boats and did vodka luge and rode mechanical bull and drank lots of champagne which we enjoyed calling "champers". :)

On Friday I started my set by just spinning a few tunes while no one was about, but then just carried on adlibbing all night. It was only a matter of time before I made and started using compilation discs. I had a to give myself time to get to know the crowd, the club, what I was about, and to get to know the tunes well enough. It went well.

I just came here to bounce

So, Popstarz has been going well. Enjoying playing, getting used to the crowd levels - ie, not taking it so personally when the club is a little quiet. This week in particular the DJ who comes after me was late, so I had to play ad hoc. I was freaked out, but I did really well and was really proud of what I'd done on the fly. While I know I can mix, I have lacked the confidence to play impromptu in this role; It takes guts to use your guts. Enjoyed some indie dancing afterwards; We now have wristbands to get into the staff chillout area, where there is free beer. I met some of the other DJs, in particular Vic Voltaire - not only does he have the courage to play really good songs, he also mixes them! The only thing that troubles me is that he is going to be doing the warm-up in Rave room from a few weeks time... So where will I be? Absolutely Love this job, would be sad not to do it anymore.

Been panicking about Clare may ball all week, trying to put together the Uberset which is both indie, electro, mixable and flows well; banging but not too banging. Trying to work out what my half of this duo is about and what I should be contributing - all with no help from my partner. I feel that my efforts have not created a set which is really going to show what I am capable of. I've had to leave out some of my favourite tracks - Mason vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder) and Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah (Feat. Luciana). :(

Have been making compilations for Sidney-Sussex, so I can just play a few tracks in a more ad hoc way; We are playing between bands so it's a lot less pressure.

Kapla!

Set went really well on Friday. Threw in some awsome new tracks and got some really good responses. The Rihanna remix I was worried about went well and the risk paid off. I had worked really hard all week after the previous weeks poor show and was confident by Thursday evening! Drank my free drinks allowance and enjoyed a boogie on the indie dancefloor. Even bumped into an old work colleague! Good times all round!

CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
Justice - DVNO
Justice Vs Simian - We Are Your Friends
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer (12 Mix)
Prodigy - Girls
Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (DJ Barletta Remix)
Hadouken! - Tuning In [H! Redub]
Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone (Crystal Castles Remix)
Fatboy Slim - Brimful Of Asha [Norman Cook Remix]
Rihanna - Umbrella [Big Room Mix]
Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah (Feat Luciana)
Wild Child & Chemical Brothers - Renegade Rockin Beats [Greg Bedwell Remix]
Britney Spears - Break The Ice [Wideboys Club Remix]
The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode [Beat Edit]
Alphabeat - Fascination [Bimbo Jones Edit]
2 Unlimited - Twilight Zone [Rave Version Edit]
Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Calvin Harris - Acceptable In The 80s
Mason Vs Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder)
Mylo vs Miami Sound Machine - Doctor Pressure
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Utah Saints Something Good '08 (Radio Edit)
September - Cry For You [Jackal Remix Short]
Armand Van Helden - Hear My Name [Feat Spalding Rockwell]
MIA - Boyz
Girls Aloud - Jump
Britney Spears - Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix Edit)
Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For (Album Version)
Prodigy vs Enya - Smack My Bitch Up The Orinoco
Scooter - Ramp! (The Logical Song)

R U Ready 4 This?

Worked really hard all week; Can't even begin to tell you how many remixes I've listened to. At the end of it, I'm done on time, ready to pump up my jam tomorrow night. Or sumthink.
Seriously though, I'm really pleased cos I think I've got a decent set. I'm not ready for the big restructure, but got some kickass tracks for tomorrow. Few mates coming too and I should be nice and relaxed. :)

Low confidence

I performed my second set at Popstarz, having gone along for first time, alone and without supporters. I was nervous and lo, I made a mistake which only seem to continue as my error made me lose confidence and to stress, which made me clumsy.
I had a day sulking about it, then I woke up full of new fresh ideas and am full of hope and looking forward to doing lots of work on the set this week. I don't have a great deal of time so it will have to be done in spare evenings.
I keep finding wicked mash-ups on youtube that i can't find anywhere else and the more I find, the more I realise I should be making my own mash-ups. I have to learn how to record using Ableton.

London Debut

I DJed at Popstarz! At Sin in Soho.
This is what I played:

CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
Justice - DVNO
Justice Vs Simian - We Are Your Friends
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
Snap! - Rhythm Is A Dancer (12' Mix)
Prodigy - Girls
Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (DJ Barletta Remix)
Hadouken! - Tuning In [H! Redub]
Klaxons - Atlantis To Interzone (Crystal Castles Remix)
Fatboy Slim - Brimful Of Asha [Norman Cook Remix]
Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah (Feat. Luciana)
Wild Child & Chemical Brothers - Renegade Rockin Beats [Greg Bedwell Remix]
The Shamen - Ebeneezer Goode [Beat Edit]
Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat
2 Unlimited - Twilight Zone [Rave Version Edit]
Calvin Harris - Acceptable In The 80s
Justice - The Party (feat. Uffie) (LA Riots Remix)
Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Mason Vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder)
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Mylo vs. Miami Sound Machine - Doctor Pressure
Utah Saints Something Good '08 (Radio Edit)
Felix Da Housecat - Silver Screen - Shower Scene (Phunk Remix)
Feist - 1234 (My!Gay!Husband! Get Up Kid Edit)
The Prodigy - Charly [Alley Cat Remix]
Armand Van Helden - Hear My Name [Feat. Spalding Rockwell]
M.I.A. - Boyz
Girls Aloud - Jump
Britney Spears - Toxic (Armand Van Helden Remix Edit)
Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For (Album Version)
Scooter - Ramp! (The Logical Song)

People liked it. The promoter was very pleased.

In the days coming up to Friday I had many things go through my mind as I mentally prepared for this. I was worried that I wasn't really good enough and that I'd be found out for the fraud I am. When I got up on stage I forgot everything except playing good music well and accepted how the evening went. It's a strange feeling to get this job in London when no one takes me seriously in my home town.

The club is great, nice interior, well decorated. There are three rooms: Pop, Rave and Indie. I play in the Rave Room, which is second largest after the Pop room. It's decked out in psychedelic wall hangings. The people are really friendly, professional, helpful and very supportive; They are great team. I'm really looking forward to working with them.

Deep End.

So got email today asking if I can start DJing at Popstarz THIS FRIDAY!
Good thing I've started early on the preparation front. I've been digging out old classics, downloading allsorts of stuff. Going to do a 2 hour set. The promoter, Tommy, has been really friendly and says that they are here to help and encourage not critisise and I shouldn't feel like I'm chucking me in at the deep end, which of course, they are.

Popstar

So, I did my set at Trash Palace, I auditioned for Popstarz. I had a sleepless night, but got up and finalised my set and then rehearsed it on my decks, practicing the trickier changes. Spent the rest of the day making myself presentable. Train cockups created more tension, but once there I was completely relaxed. The decks were ye ole Pioneers, so I was completely at home with them and their mixer was easy to use. It had been a real concern as I had no idea what equipment they had! I played my set, it went well. Halfway through my set the manager came up and said how much he liked what I was playing and could I come and do a set for the "rave room" at Popstarz sometime. they aren't advertising, but one of their djs is leaving and will need replacing. After a chat we agreed I'd come and check it out next week (guestlisted of course) and after a discussion of material will come play a set and see how it goes down. Really quite surprising turn up.
My setlist:

• CSS - Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above
• Justice - DVNO
• Prodigy - Girls
• Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster Stronger (DJ Barletta Remix)
• Hadouken! - Tuning In [H! Redub]
• Bodyrox - Yeah Yeah (Feat. Luciana)
• Simian Mobile Disco - It's The Beat
• Kylie Minogue - Wow (MSTRKRFT Remix)
• Mason Vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect (Exceeder)
• The Teenagers - Homecoming (Yuksek and Brodinski Remix)
• Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
• M.I.A. - Boyz
• Girls Aloud - Jump