I walked out of work today at 5pm and it was beautiful outside. The sun was shining. The temperature was perfect. It just felt so good. Then I came home and listened to this song:
Sunlight indeed.
I’m headed to Ibiza soon. Maine first, then Ibiza. I call it my rhyming vacation: “I’m going to Maine…then I’m going to Spain.”
- mike
elevatorclub.com
…:: step inside ::… listen…
I am obsessed. Obsessed with modern disco, that is. I just can’t seem to get enough these days. I like the new stuff that’s being written, and I like the old stuff that’s being remixed with modern disco flair. Check out folks like Late Nite Tuff Guy and Psychemagik for a taste of what I’m talking about. And of course my good friend Shorty. Love it.
Here’s a quick mix I put together that’s perfect for a sunny Sunday afternoon. The mixes aren’t all as tight as I would like, but I the vibe is right so I’m going to let it ride. It’s messy but good, and it will get your feet tapping and your head bobbing:
1. Still Going – Untitled Love [Original Mix] / 00:00
2. Sister Sledge – One Night In A Disco [Late Nite Tuff Guy Muscle Mix] / 00:42
3. LNTG – Sun Goddess [Late Nite Tuff Guy's Eternal Dance Mix] / 08:07
4. Firefly – Love’s Gonna Be On Your Side / 13:47
5. Escort – Starlight [Greg Wilson Version] / 19:50
6. Al Hudson & The Partners – You Can Do It [12" Version] / 25:17
7. K.I.D. – Don’t Stop [Original Mix] / 29:15
8. Tony Orlando – Don’t Let Go [Psychemagik Edit] / 33:41
9. Fromage Disco – I Like It More / 37:18
10. Kashif – Lover Turn Me On [Simon Busby Edit] / 43:06
11. TVS – Moving On Up [Fromage Disco Edit] / 45:21
12. Deep&Disco – Love Has Come Around [Deep&Disco Version] / 48:51
13. K.I.D. – Take It To The Top [Touchsoul Edit] / 55:25
14. Isaac Hayes – Zeke the Freak [Todd Terje Rekutt] / 1:01:58
15. Bodie Lee – Monaco [DJ Agent 86's Disco-Bomb Edit] / 1:05:43
16. DJ Agent 86 – So Hot [Space Ranger Remix] / 1:09:09
17. George Duke – Shine On [Late Nite Tuff Guy's Boogie Edit] / 1:14:23
I DJed my friend Deb’s going away party last night in Brooklyn. Good times, except for the rain. It was slow to get started, but it all worked out. People showed up. And they danced. And it was the perfect opportunity for me to try out my new disco-themed set.
Good luck in California, Deb. We’re gonna miss you.
- mike
elevatorclub.com
…:: step inside ::… listen…
I mentioned last week that I have been thinking about how much easier it is to be an artist now: you have inexpensive, powerful tools at your disposal and it’s easier than ever to connect with your audience. I’ll discuss that a bit today, but first let’s find something to listen to.
Nick Warren’s set on Friday night was amazing. He is a fantastic DJ. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I didn’t think he’d be so good. It’s hard to convey the energy in the room that night, but you can hear his mixes here and here (I’m listening to the second one as I type this). You might also want to check out this video.
Nick was DJing off a laptop, and he wasn’t using headphones at all. Stochastic pointed out that we could see his screen in the mirror behind the DJ both. So here’s the thing: he was using a 2-year-old Apple laptop (the same one I have) and Ableton Live software (I have that too). And this got me thinking about about how great a time it is to be an artist.
When I show up to see professional DJs, they’re using the same equipment I do. The same computers, the same CD decks, the same turntables, the same mixers, the same software. They connect with their audiences the same way I do as well: Twitter, Facebook, etc. Granted they probably spend a lot more time at it than I do, and granted most of them have PR people helping spread the word.
But the path from here to there is straightforward, and anyone can get there using the same tools. Stochastic started DJing about a year ago. The first thing he did was buy a professional setup: two Pioneer CDJ-1000s and a DJM-800 mixer. The same thing you see in the clubs. Then he spent a year practicing. A few weeks ago he flew to Chicago to hear one of his favorite DJs play a seven hour set. His takeaway: “I’m at least as good at mixing as this guy, if not better.” Pretty cool, right?
The same thing is happening everywhere. The tools the pros use are available to everyone, as are the means of publicity and distribution. It’s one heck of a lot easier to pick your path and walk it these days. Now we all just need to get a little bit better at calling attention to ourselves…
- mike
elevatorclub.com
…:: step inside ::… listen…
Happy Birthday, Niki! Actually I think it was a few days ago, but her big party is tonight. She and Behrouz will be rocking the house at Quo.
I recommend listening to one of Niki’s mixes while you enter the contest to win free bottle service.
Here’s a message from Niki:
Subject: My B-day Party Info
Hi,
This is an important day. I am a celebrating my B-day! I have been alive for a quarter of a century! (For those of you that are wondering how many years that is – It’s 25 years! And, NO you are NOT smarter than 5th grader!) LMAO!
Anyway, Please join the festivities tomorrow evening. I will be opening for San Francisco’s finest – DJ Behrouz. I will have a table and complimentary bottle for my guests in the VIP section. To join send an email to Nikimcnally@gmail.com with the names of you and you guests. When you arrive at the club say ‘Niki’ at the door for my guest list. I Hope to see you tomorrow!-AND REMEMBER -
“Inside every older person is a younger person -
wondering what the hell happened.”
- Cora Harvey ArmstrongLove & Kisses
Niki
——————–To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1368580093362&mid=1cc1f81G2435e76bG4088563G0
Check it out tonight. You’ll be glad you did.
- mike
elevatorclub.com
…:: step inside ::… listen…
Derrick Carter is spinning at Sullivan Room tonight, and I might have to check it out. I caught a bit of his set there last summer, but didn’t stay nearly long enough.
Here’s a recording of DC & Sneak in London last April.
Wikipedia has this to say:
Derrick Carter (born October 21, 1969) is an American house producer and DJ from Chicago, Illinois. He is regarded as one of the best underground house key players currently active and is particularly popular in Europe.[1]
That doesn’t really do justice to how much of a legend this man is, especially in the Chicago house scene.
Get your tickets here.
- mike
elevatorclub.com
…:: step inside ::… listen…
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