Monday, March 31, 2008

Striking a balance.

Sometimes I find it hard to find a balance. My life too full of empty pockets and tired vodka breathe? I take April off drinking.
I am spending hours on hours watching The Wire on my couch? Time to take April off smoking.
Too many pictures on my blog and not enough words? Time to scatter brain some thoughts and post some new music.

Words: It would not be too thin of a limb to climb onto to say that this is one of the buzziest artists around. Composed of Simian’s Simon Lord and The Wiseguys’ Theo Keating it's hot blog house at its finest, buzzy electro and bleepy 8-bit. I also keep running into the words like "melodramatic", "personal", "supernatural" and "tormented" associated with the group but I would rather disregard that as a bunch of self built hype bullshit.
MusicThe Black Ghosts-I Want Nothing-
Words: I can't mention buzziest bands around without also bringing up H&A and their brand new single.
MusicHercules & Love Affair-You Belong (Riton Remix)-

FIANALLY:: The Justice you've all been waiting for.

There was friends and family. Bright lights. Substance. Love. Dancing. Stunna Shades. HUGS. High Fives. ...and we all wish you were there!!!
<3z xXx.


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I deleted that last post I made because David Blake is right, we should avoid posting full albums. And besides, Moby is like Madonna; there are certain artists that the blog world has learned not to fuck with for fear of bull dogs the mafia and the FCC.
On the plus side of the equation here is another photo blog that Fernando took. I promise the next one will be set at a new bar. I promise...
The Tronik Youth show last night was damn impressive.
Very excited for April.








Sunday, March 30, 2008

Happiness is a Severed Hand

Goldfrapp has rejected a remix of "Happiness" from Rex The Dog. Don't know why? It sounds awesome. I think there trying to keep the new album on the more chill side. With remixers like Jori Hulkkonen and Gui Boratto. Oh well... I love it all. Hopefully we'll get to see this on a white label or some form of release. But I'm guessing on the no side when Rex The Dog has myspace headlines like "The New Home of Goldfrapp Rejected Remixes"...

Pretty funny if you ask me.

If It Had A Bathroom I'd Live In It...

Cadillac Vs. Justice
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I felt compelled to post this because it is so freaking corny! I guess it was a superbowl comercial or something. Either way it's a good laugh.
Wonder how many escalades they got?
Douche Douche Cadillac!
Theres no imbeded link. Just click here broham.

GReeNGuM part 2.

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<3<3<3><3<3<3><3<3<3><3<3<3><3<3<3><3<3<3
PART TWO
Theme From Dinx-Nik 7
Danse En France(D.I.M. remix)-Fischerspooner
Somebody,Somewhere(LIFELIKE Remix)-Cazals
45 Overdrive-Redial
Bassline Time-AC Slater
Graveyard Girl(Yuksek Remix)-M83
Jesus Doesn't Love Me(Lismore Remix)-Dragonette
DVNO(Les Petits Pilous Remix)-Ju




p.s.
zombie jesus loves yooooooooooooooooou!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

GReeNGuM

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Here be some spanking new music to keep you warm during this insane snowing in march nonsense. What the f Portland???
PART ONE
Die Sleeping-Kap10Kurt
Hey You(Le Castle Vania Remix)-Kill The Noise
Motor(Distort Edit)-SebastiAn
Kid Gloves-Surkin
Love Juice(Moulinex Remix)-SymbolOne
Cross The Dancefloor-Treasure Fingers
Wild Strawberries(Extended Mix)-Pnau
Ce Jeu (Slaughtered By The Videoband)-Yelle

Friday, March 28, 2008

Aladdin Theatre Tonight!



I know you're (I am) already regretting paying $10 to see Gravy Train last night... as their performance was enough to make all the explanation marks they typically tag on to the end of their name null and definitely void. You can, and should, rectify this however by spending another $19 tonight at the Aladdin Theatre... where you will certainly get your moneys-worth.

Jose Gonzalez is at the top of his game right now, covering The Knife, being remixed by Plan B and creating original albums that go double fucking platinum across the world. If this isn't reason enough to take a Friday off from snorting crushed up bones and mellowing out to someone with real talent (I.E. not gravy train...) then maybe the fact that his entire tour will have a total of zero carbon emmission is. Yeah probably not.

03-28 Aladdin Theatre - JOSE GONZALEZ w/ Mia Doi Todd

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Róisín Murphy

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Cool song and video...
I'm to tired to type...So this is what daily motion had to say about her...
Overpowered, is an insistent, electronic gem and a powerful introduction to the new sound of Róisín Murphy. Written by Roisin and Seiji of Bugz In The Attic and mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Amy Winehouse, Royksopp, Grace Jones), the single is accompanied by a series of brilliant remixes from the likes of Seamus Haji, Kris Menace, Hervé and Loose Cannons. Already a massive club hit, it's rocketing up all the major dance charts, and getting great radio plays everywhere from major players such as Pete Tong and Annie Mac to mainstream support from the likes of Capital Radio.??The album is already creating a huge stir, not just in the UK but across Europe, America and Japan where early listens to the 6-track sampler have provoked a fevered response with many critics already hailing it as one of the albums of the year. A modern disco classic, stuffed full of huge floor-filling pop songs, quirky lyrical genius and hooks galore, 'Overpowered' sees Roisin Murphy deliver the album of her career.


Roisin Murphy-Overpowered(Herve & Roisin in The Secret Garden Mix)

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

HOLYFUCK!!!

I'm freaking out right now! First of all I found out that Ellen Allien is releasing a new album soon!
And even better yet shes coming to FUCKING Portland w/ Sascha Funke!!!!!!!!!!! Sunday may 4th @ the Holocene. This girl is nuts! Shes been Dj'ing since 92 and never looked back! She is one of the most prolific Techno artist ever! She ridiculously amazing on so many levels!
The new album is going to be entitled SOOL.
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Like her last album this one is also going to be a collaborative effort. This time its being produced with fellow Berliner AGF. Heres some blurbs from Ellen about the new album.
"What does minimal mean for me? Minimal is just there. Shaping this kind of immediacy with my own hands—that was close to my heart."

“SOOL is a phantasm, a creation, which reflects the album’s atmosphere, and also my person.
I am me but I am also what you make of me, what you do with me and what I do with you. And, SOOL is curiosity, space and architecture. Sketches, drawing, adhering.”
Geeeeee Whiz... Doesn't she sound dreamy. I would have that womens child. errr uh. you know what mean.
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Heres some more blurbs about how she rolls.
"Changing studio equipment keeps the productions flowing. Techno is still what I'm about. It’s minimal, reduced, deep and rough at the same time. I would say that techno and I have developed together."
"Whenever I have time I do my own fashion. In summer 2007 I already launched my third collection. I like doing fashion design - I like to draw and the choose fabrics. I only do very few pieces, it's all very exclusive and it's more my hobby than a business. Music is still my main interest - my love and my life. And it's interesting to see how different equipment and software
changes the styles of music all the time."
"Traveling with my record case, living out of the suitcase. The hotel is my home. Experiencing new worlds and cultures and accepting them; understanding, how things work in other places. sharing views and politics. A club unites people without words. It’s the music that speaks.
Recognizing the beauty of the world and absorbing the otherness. Home is far away and not important. It’s the unknown that attracts my attention, and i want to know it!"
"The mix is everything. I push myself to the absolute limit, sweating, and the thrill is that the room will become our room."
Did i already mention that I'm in love with her!!!
anyways...........................
Heres some tracks for you to get more familiar with miss Allien.
Ellen Allien-Magma
Ellen Allien-chromosoma 23(Vicknoise Remix)
Ellen Allien-Your Body Is My Body(Kikis Body Trip Remix)
Ellen Allien-Open
Paul Kalkbrenner-Queer Fellow(Ellen Allien&Apparat rmx)

http://ellenallien.de/
http://www.myspace.com/agf001
http://www.bpitchcontrol.de/
http://www.holocene.org/calendar/

Monday, March 24, 2008

Being so hip that we don't have to.

I work at the best job ever. They pay me well, we are always slammed-to-the-bone busy and my co-workers (seem to) love me.

I was cruising myspace in a post slammed-to-the-bone stupor and came across this write up on my co-workers blog-

"This is my friend Sasha's blog. It is based around our local Portland music scene and there are several writers that each offer there own unique spin. (I hope to write a few articles myself if I ever find five minutes...) The site contains many links to music downloads so you can hear about the music you are reading about and photo's of nightcubs and seedy basements so yo can get an idea of what you "missed" out on... It can be hard to hear about the latest great band coming up in Portland, as we have such a scene here. Here are some people out there being hip so we don't have to!"

Apathy at Happy Hour.

I have been having more and more conversations with people lately about the youth and the apathy that seems to be having a snowball effect amongst them.

We all see it happening around us and instead of climbing up and out we fall right into it. I'm sure you all know the ways in which we do it, too.


In Portland especially, there are many amazingly intelligent people that have good hearts, access tons of information and connections, and more than anything: potential. Potential to change the world in whatever ways they so choose. And, we all know who's capable of what. Their voices inspire us and leave us filled with hope. Often though, we find ourselves first hoping they will go out into the world and walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.


Even I am capable of doing more in the world, or even just for myself, than writing a blog. But it seems I too have been caught in this downward spiral of an apathetic lifestyle. The roller coaster of emotional instability it creates is constantly breaking my heart.


I may be speaking for myself more than anyone else, but I'm pretty sure there are many of us who look around and see little hope because everyone else we see, also seems to hold no hope. And it goes on and on.


It is the opinion of many that the most we can do for ourselves and those we love is be there for each other. Be a community where people can rely on their friends and ((neighbors)). But it seems the seediness of our social pride and status driven culture takes precedence over the peace and love our hearts yearn for.


Yeah right, I may be preaching another peace and love sob story like those dope smoking hippies who didn't really accomplish much more than our own generation of revolutionaries has, but maybe these conversations that keep happening- `on the streets, in bars, cars, and in our hearts, could start creating tangible motivation.


We go out and fuck ourselves up to forget why we are all so fucked up. While sometimes we crawl to happy hour for happiness, we also invent new reasons everyday for a celebration combined with consumption. Maybe, the reasons we are constantly finding ourselves drinking past social awkwardness and letting go of inhibitions is really so that we may find new doors into new hearts and feel some sense of unity??


My question is, what can we do to change this...

and is there really a point?

Meet me at Happy Hour and we'll talk.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

TexasVs.Italy

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EmoVs.Headbangbloghouse!
The Secret Handshake is not so much my cup of tea, but the Bloody Beetroots are most definitely my cup of crunk juice. I want to go to Italy and never come home. Life is boring in America...
Secret Handshake - Summer Of 98 Bloody Beetroots Remix)
www.myspace.com/thebloodybeetroots
www.myspace.com/thesecrethandshake

Apocalypso!

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Got the track listing and a couple new songs! This album is going to be good, and the remixes are going to be super money!
01 Kicking and Screaming
02 My People
03 A New Sky
04 This Boy’s in Love
05 Yippiyo-ay
06 Talk Like That
07 Eucalyptus
08 If I Know You
09 Together
10 Aeons
11 Anywhere


and don't forget there coming in may!
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Friday, March 21, 2008

Barak Obama In Oregon


There was plenty to be learned & taught tonight at Eugene's MAC COURT where Barak Obama is scheduled to speak in relatively 30 minutes. If you can't get in (you can't) it is airing on channel nine, as well as channel 12 here in Eugene.

15 or so people from the door I was turned away only to learn that the 9,000 capacity venue was full! In a hurry I raced to the soccer field where I was told he would be making a brief appearance for those who couldn't make it inside.

The crowd was anxious to hear what he had to say. Turns out Eugene really likes Obama as there were nearly 20,000 people gathered around a 4 feet wide by 4 feet long podium where he would make his appearance. Kanye west was bumping and the girl next to me told me the song before I got there was Angels & Airwaves when she saw me write Kanye down. People were shouting in chinese what the man next to me translated "ADD OIL OBAMA". Still not sure about what that meant. I learned an Obama drinking game in which every time he says hope or change you take a shot. Apparently c-span can get you drunk now.

When he finally took the stage he was charismatic as all hell, greeting us with a hello and "Sorry about the Ducks this year..." following it with, "There's always next year." Last thing I thought I'd hear from a presidential candidates mouth. Obama went on to identify this nation as being in a state of extreme difficulty and in a time of severely damaged trust in our nation(Everyone cheers in agreement). He spoke briefly about the economy problems surrounding every aspect of our nation adding a wink wink to college tuition (Everyone cheers in agreement).

Obama continued by ensuring that he has a plan that will afford us the ability to invest in our cities, address health care effectively and, "finally bring this war to an end". Barak informed everyone that he hopes to be the voice of all of us who have become cynical in our contempt for the state of things and assured us that, "When the American people wake up, nothing can stop us."



His speech was brief but powerful enough to evoke cheers from a crowd rivaling that of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE at last years Coachella.
He ended by saying he wanted to shake some hands. One of which was my very own. Everyone was very respectful and appreciative of his appearance however short, and many of us rushed home (or to the bar, as one person shouting "BARAK AND ROLL!" had surely been doing). That shit was surreal.

It is indeed as he put it, "...a close race", so be sure to get to voting come MAY 20th. If you are in Eugene, again check out channels 9 and 12 in about 10 minutes.



note those pictures were not taken here in Eugene... although that is about what it looked like.

MONDAY MARCH 24th!

Now, normally I would never ever tell you to go to Berbatis Pan, but hell... we're talking about monday... so you won't miss out on anything else, I promise.

That is why you must show up to Jens Lekman's show with the amazing Honeydrips.

-Jens Lekman-

Jens Lekman - The Opposite Of Hallelujah
Jens Lekman - La Strada Nel Bosco
Jens Lekman - Tammy


-The Honeydrips-

The Honeydrips - Trying Something New
The Honeydrips - My Apologies

?RIGHTSTARTEDPARTYTHISGETLETS!

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Heres some slammin tracks to start of your weekend off with a shotgun blast to the dance floor.
I also added some slower minimal burners to bring you back down to level.
Good music for good peoples.
YA HERD!
Now lets go ride around in the sun and listen to techno till the cows come home or some shit like that.
Part One
Are You OK-CSK OK

Better Living Through Chemistry(Streetlife DJs)-QOTSA

Close Them-Redial

One More Time(REDIAL GOES TO HELL REFIX)-Daft Punk

Eyes Like Knives Feat Kill Memory Crash(D.I.M. Remix)-Franz&Shape

Lion(CSK OK Remix)-ZZZ

LoSforzo(KILLtheNoise Remix)-Ocelot

I Am History(Whitenoise Remix)-The Bell
Part Two
Manta-Jona
Krystaline-Robert Babicz
Pyramid-John Dahlback
Mere Vehicule-Jori Hulkkonen

Teyana Taylor - Google Me



Teyana Taylor is making some serious waves, although I'm not sure who's in the pool to feel em. I guess now we are. Newly added to the Star Trak/Interscope label.... this bitch is liable to be everywhere pretty soon. Check her out while she's still small enough to give out her phone number on her Myspace.

Also on her myspace is a much more amazing track called 'Traffic Stop' which actually could be redeeming her from the hole she's dug herself by making a track called google me. Whatever it bumps hard in my New Yorker... and really isn't that what these tracks are all about?

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Dj Koolaid & MGMT


Hey it's my favorite DJ in Portland making another remix! This time it is MGMT "Kids". If you have not seen Koolaid play live; do so as soon as possible.
KIDS

MaybeWeCanMakeItAlright?

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You might think Robyn is a little bit cheesy, and your probably right. I know epic feel-goodery isn't for everyone, but when i was homeless last year this was one of the tracks that kept me going. I would just wonder around Portland blasting this song on repeat to keep me happy. Anyways... I guess the keynote of this post is that I'm a sucker for a beautiful pop song(and I just found the video). It takes about a minute till the beat builds into a super lush layer of driving synths over Robyn's adorable vocals. I just love the combination of female vocals, wicked synth lines, and string arrangements. A+
Heres the track and the video.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Breakbeat

It's funny when people make fun of dance music and my never ending obsession. My come back question is always- "What your favorite bar?" After a few seconds of confused silence (here in PDX) the usual answer is The Tube. I rarely need to be the one to point out that the Tube has been playing dance music five days a week for the last few years.

None the less break beat is a bit of a step for hipsters. Genres are confusing past "techno" and "dirty electro".
If you are going to listen to breakbeat listen to The Stanton Warriors, Krafty Kuts or The Freestylers.
Here is the latter:
A Different Story Vol. 1


Cheesy trance builds, mashups, broken beats, rap vocals and high danceability.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

\\\MMMUSIC\\\

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You should be listening to these tracks on heavy rotation...
And yeah...
Do it.
Cause there amazingly amazing...
Legally Dead For 4'31-Bombo
Wink Wink(Blende Remix)-Fil OK
Catch me if you can(Bag raiders remix)-Headman
Ironie(Blende Remix)-Seduction
Laugh, Cry, Live, Die(Eater remix)-Tronik Youth
fucked up(stupid fresh remix)-moston and malente
Raining Blows(Original)-PJtheVIKING
Skid(Touche Remix)-Wekan
Magic Roundabout(Lutzenkirchen Remix)-Timo Garcia
Sozinho-Gui Baratto
my people (original)-the presets
Vanished-CC
defender(original)-alan braxe,fred falke, and savage
Fun Punch(ZZZ Remix)-Bag Raiders
Shine Shine(Apparat Remix)-Boys Noize
Courtship Date-CC
Ready for the Floor(L.A. Riots and Villains Remix)-Hot Chip
Heartcore(D.I.M. Remix)-Shameboy
lizi-Siriusmo
In Living Colour(D.I.M. Remix)-Sta
come true tonight(dub mix)-treasure fingers
Love Is a Number(Phones Remix)-White Rose Movement
PartOne
PartTwo

Wikipedia says we really are Hipsters.

So just get over it::
Avoiding labels our entire lives and fighting off being stereotyped or categorized has been an endless battle we all have been trying to win. Well kids, guess what! We lost.

This is probably you, defined by Wikipedia:

""""" In the 1990s and 2000s, the 1940s slang term hipster began being used in North American to describe young, well-educated urban middle class and upper class adults with leftist or liberal social and political views and interests in a non-mainstream fashion and cultural aesthetic. While definitions vary, the hipster scene is often associated with alternative music and "indie" culture ( independent rock and independent film), and other non-mainstream products, such as vintage clothing, 1970s-era vinyl records, magazines such as Vice and Nylon and the Pitchfork Media music website.

In North America, hipsters may dress in a campy or ironic manner, in which retro 1970s-style sportswear is mixed with Salvation Army store clothing. The social scene in some major cities is centered in a gentrified downtown area where DJ clubs, fair-trade coffee cafés, and organic restaurants sit side-by-side with thrift stores and working class taverns."""""
(For more, go to: )here.

But it seems "Scenesters" aren't cool enough to make it into Wiki. Urban dictionary pretty much says these kids are just trying to be cool. Scenesters are wanna-bes.
"""1. scenester

a person who tries very hard to fit the stereotype of a certain scene. often having to do with a specific genre of music emo.indie.punk.rock. dresses and acts in a prescribed fashion. image focused. vain. """"

So if you're not a damn liberal who shops at thrift stores and drinks fair trade coffee in a gentrified neighborhood or downtown... you still have hope to be un-defined. Now that we have a label, let's just hope we're not cool enough to have one of our pictures posted with the definition...
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(Pooor, poor girls. They probably would rather be "Hipsters".)

So, being called a "Hipster" may not be that bad really.
HEY!
...at least we can't be called "Hippies" or "Yuppies"... but that's another whole blog isn't it!?!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Cut Copy-- new album


Cut Copy's new album is streaming on their myspace. Surprise surprise, its fucking good... but not in the way you might expect. It's rather mellow but still poppy enough to be peppy. I was expecting a harder electro vibe with the rise of Justice's popularity, but here we see Cut Copy's new 15 tracks float by with ease on the ears.
Due out March 22nd from modular.
Cut Copy play Doug fir Apr 28 2008 w/ black kids

Sunday, March 16, 2008

IHEARTJOEEIRWIN!

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Joee is the coolest person ever! He's going to make Portland BIG! His Dj sets are always immaculately fresh, oozing with brand brand brand new tracks that set the dance floor on fire. This guy is definitely someone you want to know, if you wanna stay up on whats going to be hot in the next 2 years. The main reason I'm posting this today is because Joee booked Tronik Youth @ the Holocene on the 29th of this month. Tronik Youth is fucking amazing! I can't believe this show is happening.
But anyways... Heres some Tronik tracks to get you all pumped up for the show.
LateOfThePier-BathroomGurgle(TronikYouthRemix)
Goose-BringItOn(TronikYouthRe-edit)
Chromeo-BonafiedLovin'(TronikYouthRemix)
Jape-Floating(TronikYouthRemix)
Franz&Shape-TheManWhoPaidBefore(TronikYouthRemix)
TronikYouth-Laugh,Cry,Live,Die(EaterRemix)
Gossip-StandingintheWayofControl(TronikYouthRemix)
TheRakes-TheWorldWasAMess,ButHisHairWasPerfect(TronikYouthUnmasterdHigherVocalRemix)
TonikYouth-WeAre
Yoav-BeautifulLie(TronikYouthRemix)
http://www.myspace.com/tronikyouth
http://www.myspace.com/ihatejoeeirwin
And be sure to give Joee love on the blog he writes forhttp://www.iheartcomix.com/

BLOODY BEATROOTS!!!

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Bloody Beatroots are a much needed breath of fresh air. Italians are making Parisians sound like old news these days. These guys play shows like they were going out of style. Do they ever stop? I'm guessing no. There currently on a short US tour right now with there label Dim Mak. I wish i was lucky enough to see them. Maybe when they drop the album later this year they will do a more extensive tour. Guess these new tracks will have to do for now.
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TheBloodyBeatroots-WeAreFromVenice
TheBloodyBeatroots-IllToDestroy
And heres some other new goodies to snack on.
Grum-GoBack
StreetlifeDjs-GunnCrime
CSSvsTomTomClub-Let'sMakeLove(StreetlifeDJsRappinhoodRemix)
QueensoftheStoneAge-BetterLivingThroughChemistry(StreetlifeDJs)
Make sure and be on the look out for Streetlife Djs.
There about tear this shit up Kitsune style.
http://www.myspace.com/thebloodybeetroots
http://www.myspace.com/grummmusic
http://www.myspace.com/sldjs