Some Current Favorites

Booka Shade @ Beta

Booka Shade @ Beta
Originally uploaded by praank

Theremin Lust

I am in love with the sound of this instrument, especially when there is just a little vibrato added.  I really want to try and learn how to play one of these!  To play, there are two antennas, the vertical controls the pitch, and the horizontal changes the volume.  You don't touch the instrument at all.  It is the same principle as getting better TV reception when you stand close to the antenna.  This is Clara Rockmore, she was one of the first to use the theremin for music, and not just eerie sound effects.  She's got plenty of videos posted on Youtube if you want to further check her out!

And now, just to show you the versatility of this instrument, a song that's a little more familiar.  This guy uses a theremin along with Ableton Live, a drum kit, and a piano:

weeo weeeeeeoooooooooo

Cornify

I wasn't having a very good day today, chalk it up to clients that don't have a single clue of what they are doing. Two things salvaged my otherwise shitty day:

1. Layer Tennis had it's opening day today. I remember back in the day (circa 2003) I was all about Photoshop Tennis, playing against other designers across the world. We all met up in a graphic design forum that I used to frequent quite regularly. The idea is one person makes a composition, saves it, and sends the file to his opponent. The opponent then can use anything in the file, or add to it, to create a 'volley' and it goes back and forth.

2. (just click it, and understand my joy)

A few side notes, not necessarily worthy of separate posts: it is official that I am moving to Colorado at the end of the month... I am very excited to be moving, even though I do love Seattle. Between a gut instinct I have, and a tarot reading, I think this big change is going to be exactly what I need to get started on my career. The cherry on top is that Booka Shade is going to be performing in Denver in March. For those that don't know, Booka Shade is my all time favorite electronica group, and I've been patiently waiting to see them live for quite some time! Can't wait! They are performing at the Beta Lounge which, I believe is owned and operated by the same people as Beatport. Looking at their lineup, they pull pretty significant headliners every Thursday, Friday & Saturday, and I've also heard that the sound quality of their system is top notch. I have a feeling I am going to be spending a lot of time there.

Also: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

[you need to post on your blog more!!!!!! ;)]

stuck in my head: Rods and Cones

Blue Man Group - Rods and Cones

It's funny that Pandora played this for me the other day, because I remember how much I loved it back in 1999 when Blue Man Group released their first album, Audio.  I had nearly forgotten (nearly, but I really liked 'I Feel Love' in 2004) about BMG, but thanks to Pandora, this song has been stuck in my head.  I know I have their CD stashed away somewhere back home, I'll have to pull it out and dust it off.

This clip is from a live show, so the song is a little different than what is on the album, but you still get the picture (and some knowledge of how the eye works!) plus, it shows you how cool their live shows are!

A Holiday Present for your Ears

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!  Usually by this time of the year I am sick of the holiday tunes that have been playing in every store and commercial non-stop since Thanksgiving.  I think it may be because a) I love me some electronica, and b) there are only so many songs that invoke that holiday spirit.

Back in 2006, I discovered DJ Drüe with his "Holiday Flavor" mix which features electronic remakes of popular holiday tunes.  He has since come out with a 2007 mix, but I haven't seen anything from him this year.  In the process of finding the links for these mixes for you guys, I also discovered he has a 2005 mix as well!  Check these mixes out while you stuff your face and enjoy your family!

Holiday Flavor 2005

Holiday Flavor 2006

Holiday Flavor 2007

If the name DJ Drüe sounds familiar, you probably have heard some of his mixes while hanging out with me.  He's got some awesome west-coast style house music (that for me, is hard to find!).

I'm coming home tomorrow, granted my flight is not delayed/cancelled.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed, because I've heard nothing but horror stories about Sea-Tac this past week.  I'll be coming home with a shiny, new 1TB external HD (omg do you know how much music that can hold???) and an herb garden (fresh produce!), among other things.  See you tomorrow!

minimal ear candy: Sunday Night Sleaze 11/02/08

on a little hiatus right now... but here are some tunes to keep you busy until I'm back. This is some of the best minimal I've heard in a while, so I felt the need to share. :)

"Sunday Night Sleaze" Chloe Harris / Magda / Pan-Pot (Nov 02 '08)

All three sets originally aired on Sunday Night Sleaze, a show on Proton Radio.  Check out Proton for some more great music...

tracklist & source: The B-Log

idea: beatport playlist

My mixing software, Traktor2.0, died on me a couple of months ago...  it's been hard.  I don't know if you have ever loved something so hard, that once it's taken away, you kind of lose a part of yourself.  Music, in itself, is amazing...  but after I have had the chance to play with it, mixing parts in and out, I feel I actually got to know the tracks I listen to.

So in my insanity to mix again, I though of a cool idea; Try to make a playlist purely based on the samples Beatport gives you.  I do this alot, I have noticed.  I am going to start keeping track (lists)and once I can mix again, I will try the playlists out.

I surf Beatport a lot.  I always keep tracks in my Crate for a while before I check out, just so I can review the samples in different moods, so my Crate essentially becomes a rough mix in a way.  Of course I will edit some more, but it is fun to go back and review, and listen to new stuff.

So go to Beatport.com and try it out for yourself.  I will work on a Beatport playlist to share, and you better too!!!

electronica escapades & Deadmau5

So the Deadmau5 show was last night.  It was good, what I saw of it...   I really liked the openers that I saw, Luca Bacchetti (really good, but a little dark.  this guy had some great mixing) & Santiago & Bushido (a little too clubby for me, but had some deeper stuff later on in their set).  I dunno last night, like most other nights I go out, I was just jonzing for something deeper.  You know me, I like the music that is so deep it penetrates you... the stuff that teaches me how to dance. While I was outside Neumos, taking a break from the crowd, the heat, and the progressive house, I met a girl who told me about the place across the street.

It's officially called Sole Repair, a little venue just across from Neumos holding another Decibel Festival event.  Lucky me!!!  I actually got to see five different DJs in one night!  Deadmau5 was really good, but there's something about those big, big (and it wasn't even that big, it's just Neumos) shows.  I just can't get into that.  It all seems so pre-produced, so... perfect.  I don't know if it is the size of the show or the type of music that pulls a crowd like that around here, but I just don't feel much from the DJ.

Over at Sole Repair, Derek Plaslaiko (I think I saw Jerry Abstract, too) was spinning when I popped in, but after that, things get a little fuzzy.  But I know I liked it.

Not too bad for a Friday night!  Especially going it alone.   I am starting to like going to shows by myself...  I feel it helps me focus more on the music, and I learn more.  I used to hate going by myself, and sometimes still do, but I am learning to overcome personal issues so I can study and grow.  I also ran into some cool people from the past, those people who are always good to see, that's awesome about going out on the real weekends!

gurlgurlgurl, how's that for a blog??  I'm still getting used to this thing!  Anyways, off to work tonight, I'm bartending!  Sometimes it feels like a promotion, even though it is mostly circumstantial, I'LL TAKE IT!  I don't think I want to talk about work in this post though, it deserves a post of it's own!