Archive | March, 2010

Get Ready With Drlkt Freddie – The Mix

31 Mar

These boots are made for . . . droppin' it like it's hot

Though I have listened to this mix maybe about 20 times, it never seems to get old. With a range of dance tracks, house, ghettotech, pop, funk, and even a little soul on the close, this mix by Drlkt Freddie satiates any need one may feel for music to get pumped to go out. The perfect soundtrack to a night of tearing up the streets and ripping a dancefloor to shreds with high heels, boots, and even bare feet if the mood takes you, the Get Ready With Drlkt Freddie Mix is sure to please listeners with a wide range of tastes and a shared passion for partying like there’s no tomorrow. But enough talking from me. Just hit play to see for yourself:

Retail DJ Presents Get Ready With Drlkt Freddie – The Mix by Drlkt Freddie

click to play / click the small arrow on the right to download

tracklist after the jump

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Get Ready With Drlkt Freddie – The Photoshoot

31 Mar

While talking to Drlkt Freddie at BEast, we learned quite a lot about what makes the dynamic duo tick. We also got an inside peak into their wardrobes as they were nice enough to do more than just drop beats. With us, they got a little derelict and dropped trou. Check out what Jad and Van are working with and Get Ready With Drlkt Freddie!

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What’s Good? Drlkt Freddie (Part Three)

31 Mar

Drlkt Freddie

Derelict:

–adjective

1. left or deserted, as by the owner or guardian; abandoned.
2.neglectful of duty; delinquent; negligent.
—Synonyms
2. remiss, careless, heedless.

Continued from Parts One and Two. . .

Why “Drlkt Freddie”? Does it have something to do with Zoolander? What’s the deal?
Van: I love Zoolander! But . . .

Jad and Van: Nothing to do with Zoolander. [laughs]

Van: No closed deals going on up in here!

Jad: Nope! [all laugh]

Van: I’ll take on “Freddie.” We were trying to come up with a name, and “Freddie” comes from Freddie Mercury. We are inspired by these classic, glam rock, arena acts musically, conceptually, fashion wise. . . They were beautiful beautiful bands that had beautiful voices and made beautiful music!

Jad: They were so eclectic across the spectrum. I mean, who else, other than Queen, has such a range of performances and songs? They go from rock and roll, blues, and heavy metal to arena rock. Then the performances themselves just rocked arenas around the world. Freddie Mercury was a true showman.

Van: That’s who we aspire to be.

Jad: Also, when Van was a little kid, his family used to call him Freddie.

Van: I don’t know where that came from, though! We couldn’t just stop with Freddie though, because that’s a very polished name. In addition, even though they were kind of underground in terms of style, everyone knows Queen. We needed something to address our underground roots and our upbringing in the clubs where the straights, and the gays, and the trannies were all hanging out and having a great time, all connected with the music and whatever was moving them.

The word “derelict” has a negative connotation, but we flipped the script and made dereliction positive. It’s an underground connection to music that is not widely accepted by the general public, especially in the United States—even in New York City. Europe “gets it” a little more, [and this type of sound is popular in Berlin, Barcelona, London, and other cities.

Jad: It’s also a form of expression. For example, when you go out, what do you want to be? Do you want to be a square, or do you want to be derelict and just let it all out? That’s what dereliction is.

Van: Letting loose and just being yourself.
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Upcoming Shows: Calvin Harris, Jubilee, Alexander Technique, and More!

31 Mar

Calvin Harris

Wednesday, 3/31

JOKERS OF THE SCENE + NICK CATCHDUBS + STAR EYES @ Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street)

multiple ticket options! FREE from 10pm-12am ; FREE after 12 with RSVP – email: JOTS@lprnyc.com $8 Tickets (Guaranteed entry) – Click Here; IMPORTANT: for the $8 tickets, you must use the promotional code “GBH212′. Otherwise tickets are $10.; $13 Day of show (after midnight without RSVP or ticket)

JAMIE OF THE XX  + JDH + DAVE P @ Santos Party House (96 Lafayette Street)

Bonding over a shared love of dark, emotive 80s guitar sounds and the high-end sheen of American R&B, The xx’s unique sound befits a band whose wide range of influences combine beautiful, hushed vocal duets and a brilliantly inventive use of samples and low-end frequencies to produce stark, sweet, melancholic pop. The four precocious 19 year olds are enjoying a packed tight international tour schedule and tonight Jamie xx will bust a dj set after the heat of their NY concert appearance. $5 advance tickents and more info

Thursday, 4/1

DJ MARK LARUSH @ Flute (40 e. 20th street)

Mark Larush will be spinning Disco, Disco funk, and lounge music. So stop by for champagne and listen to so good vibes.  More Info

ROXY COTTONTAIL + LADYFAG @La Pomme (27 w. 26th street)
If you know anything about nightlife, you know who Roxy & Ladyfag are. Two of the biggest nightlife entertainers in the country who are already on legendary status start their new night this Thursday and every Thursday after. Featuring Alexander Technique and Luther. More Info.
 
CALVIN HARRIS @ Santos Party House (06 Lafayette street)
Make sure you get your tickets for Calvin Harris before they run out!! He’ll be DJing along with JDH and Dave P of Fixed and guests… it’s going to be a hot night… We strongly advise you to buy advance tix for this one. $15 tickets
DJ DRUZZ  @ Baddies (20 Greenwich Avenue)
DJ Druzz from New York’s leading disco-punk combo, The Rapture, will be getting behind the wheels of steel this week at our Whipped party…

What’s Good? Drlkt Freddie (Part Two)

30 Mar

Drlkt Freddie (L-R) Van Scott and Jad Cooper

That’s something special, and what I’ve always wanted: to make people dance and feel the music no matter where they are or what they are.

That’s really the basic reason why I got into music and why I started DJing. I wanted to give the same feeling I get from a certain piece of music to other people. It’s about sharing. Now we’re getting hit up by various people from all around the world.

Continued from Part One. . .

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What’s Good? Drlkt Freddie (Part One)

30 Mar

Jad Cooper + Van Scott = Drlkt Freddie

“Opposites attract.” It’s a popular saying that, while related to magnetism, translates directly into the world of human interaction. As cliché as it sounds, particularly when applied to relationships, it’s the best way to describe DJ/producer duo Drlkt Freddie. Made up of two industry veterans in their own right, Van Scott and Jad Cooper, Drlkt Freddie has the goods to move a crowd with their remixes and original tracks, but also possesses the ability to remind listeners that skill and talent are alive and well in a scene dominated by many lacking in both. Having re-worked tracks by Sia, Princess Superstar, and Larry Tee among many others, Drlkt Freddie is on a surefire track to becoming a household name, at least within communities who consider deep bass an alternative to a heartbeat.

In early March, Jad and Van chilled with us at Broadway East, better known as BEast, a bar, lounge, and yummy brunch spot in the Lower East Side. Accompanied by bumping beats in the background by resident BEast Disco Brunch DJ Richard Burroughs, we had the opportunity to find out What’s Good? with Drlkt Freddie. . .

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I <3 Mondays: Fan-Funkin'-Tastic

28 Mar

I can’t believe it’s already Monday. In what seems like the shortest weekend I have ever lived through, I managed to get a great deal of things accomplished, though not nearly enough. The dreaded first day of the work week is upon us all once again, but there’s no shortage of hope in the morning motivation that comes to us care of Jacques Renault, who recently released this super funk-tastic mix.

Enjoy:
Jacques Renault – One’s & Two’s Mix by warmhq

c/o Discobelle

- Retail DJ

Merry Christmas: a Long Time Coming

28 Mar

For this week’s round-up of mixes, see below, and be on the lookout for live shows this week featuring some of the very artists in these mixes! Get excited!

Oliver $ drops some serious beats for you to dance to in your designer skiivies, while Dash Speaks reminds us that you can be both hip hop and electro in the same breath. DJ Neoteric created a hot set of tracks that might make you scream, “Sweet Jesus!”as you take a sip of a drink by the same name. Meanwhile, I bestowed upon you a nice Retail DJ March Tracklist that will put a new spin on the Ides of March.

Happy Downloading!!!!

(Belated) Saturday Site Love: High Snobiety

28 Mar

So last night I got a little carried away with putting up shelving and completely forgot that it was Saturday, meaning I needed to show someone a little site love! My apologies. Let’s get to praising some of the fellow bloggers, writers, and music + fashion experts in the game, shall we?

This week’s Saturday Site Love goes out to the folks over at High Snobiety, the ridiculously well-integrated site that covers music, fashion, toys, and a whole lot of other things all in a nicely laid-out package. Take a look at their homepage first:

High Snobiety: Daily Online Magazine for Sneakers, Streetwear, Fashion, Art, and Toys

The online mag is broken into several parts: High Snobiety, High Snobette (the ladymag equivalent), and connected sites Selectism, Curated, and Rad Collector. If you have a little free time today, give the site a long, hard look. It’s not the type of site you just want to glance at. You need a little bit a time to get your feet wet, but after that, you’ll want to stay. . .

a sample from High Snobiety:

AERIAL7 Royale Headphones

27 March 2010, 20.53 | Posted in Gadgets | 1 comment »

AERIAL7 Royale Headphones
AERIAL7 drops looks into their premium ‘AList’ Royale Headphones. “Crafted from the finest materials, the Royale features full grain leather ear cushions and headband with premium quality speakers. Engineered by designers to uniquely match top of the line components to create optimum sound that satisfies the most finicky connoisseur.” Now available at a MRSP of $400 USD.

Take a leap for tech specs and some looks at DJ Neil Armstrong in a pair.

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Get Dressed to This: Underwear Edition

27 Mar

I’m a big fan of the at-home dance party, particularly when done alone. During my time in Brazil, I lived in the suburbs where there was sometimes very little to do. The cure for boredom? Turning my laptop speakers to “high” and rocking out to my iTunes while clad in a sports bra and boyshorts. While I much rather would have been partying it up at Vegas Club in the city (Sao Paulo (cidade) was 7 hours away!) or back home at Studio B (now closed Brooklyn dance spot…RIP), I still managed to have fun partying all by my lonesome in my skivvies.

For those of you who like to do the same, or maybe just like buying new underwear, I present this fun take on Get Dressed to This. With that said, put on some panties or briefs and dance out your Friday night (or Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon) to Oliver $, whose most recent Made to Play mix is sure to inspire some creative moves:

• Oliver $ – Made to Play Podcast No. 007 •

click to play / right click + save target as to download

tracklist after the jump

 from Knickerocker:

1. Silver Lame Panties w/ Aqua Blue Trim. $20 USD

 2. Lemon Print Big Knickers, $19 USD

3. Pale Blue w/ Rose Print Cotton Side Tie Panties, $22 USD

via Sandmaiden Sleepwear:

1. Stretch Lace Triange Bra, $44 USD

2. Bridal Silk Georgette and Lace Triangle Bralette, $44 USD

and a little splurge buy for men:

Men’s Sea Foam Green Deer Skeleton Briefs, $34 USD

 

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Felix Flores: Steady Hum Drum

27 Mar

In February, Felix Flores talked to us about his trip to Mexico. Well now he’s back, and more inspired than ever. He sent over super new video for his single “Steady Hum Drum,” The video speaks for itself, but to preface, I should add that it’s one of the most visually exciting videos I have seen in a while. I love the colors, the costumes (all of which were designed by those involved in the video, particularly Felix himself), and the animation. Take a look for yourself, and enjoy!

- Retail DJ

Get Ready With Dash Speaks – The Mix

25 Mar

Dash Speaks, rapper, producer, and DJ extraordinaire recently made this exclusive mix for us to get ready to. In the spirit of Retail DJ, the mix carries the proper mix of upbeat and party with mellow and pensive. It features tracks from a variety of artists and genres, and even includes a piping hot new track by Das Racist.

A note from Dash Speaks on the mix:

There’s a lot of music that I listen to that you can’t play in a club. Sometimes, before I go out or after I’m done, I listen to things that just have nothing to do with the club. You’ll hear that in my mix. It’s stuff that I get ready to. It’s not “normal” club stuff.

Don’t hesitate. Play it nowwwwwwww:
Retail DJ Presents Get Ready With Dash Speaks – The Mix by Dash Speaks

click to play / click the small arrow on the right to download

tracklist:

1) Matt and Kim – Daylight (Troublemaker Remix featuring De la Soul)
2) Souls of Mischief – 93 Till (Infinity)
3) Lykke Li- Let it Fall
4) Nass Marrakech- Zid el Maal
5) Uproot Andy- Brooklyn Cumbia
6) NSR- Better With You
7) RCMP- Moustache Love (Pumpkin Patch Remix)
8) The Beach Boys- God Only Knows
9) Crookers featuring Miike Snow- Remedy
10) Telephoned- Break Up
11) Cut Copy- Lights and Music (Moulinex Remix)
12) Calvin Harris- I’m not Alone (Herve Remix)
13) Fool’s Gold- Nadine (Memory Tapes Remix)
14) PRGz featuring Jackie Chain- Rollin’ (DJ Ayres Remix)
15) Red- I SHould Tell Ya Momma on You (Aems and Ben Dubstep Remix)
16) Mike Posner featuring Big Sean and Freddie Gibbs- Bring Me Down
17) Das Racist- Who’s That (Brown)
18) Lil’ Wayne- Let the Beat Build

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Get Ready With Dash Speaks

25 Mar

Dash Speaks is a complicated man. I don’t mean that as an insult in the slightest. In fact, it makes for an amazing interview and music that clearly took some thought.

Yet when it comes to clothing, though Dash has a history of pushing the boundaries a bit, he prefers comfort. When he uses “comfort,” though he’s referring to one’s confidence in the clothing choice that was made. Though he simply wore jeans and a t-shirt for our photoshoot, he notes that his relationship with fashion is a little more complicated than it may appear on the surface. With that, take a look at what we captured. It’s time to Get Ready With Dash Speaks:

Ink

I know you like Cam’ron, and whenever I think of him, I think of the pink shirt phase he went through.
I definitely went through that phase too, BECAUSE of Cam! [laughs] All of New York went through that!

Shirt: Uniqlo

Are there any other artists that have influenced your style?
There was a period when Sebastian Tellier had an overwhelming effect on me. I just loved his stage appearance, although it’s silly and crazy. He had an influence on me, though I have kind of stepped back from that a bit. I am not really wearing white jeans on stage anymore! [laughs] Although . . . I actually may in the summer. I don’t know. I like white jeans.

Man in the Mirror

But in terms of style, I don’t really know who influences my style, to be honest. I see people and think, “Oh, you look cool” or “I like that outfit.” Some of my friends also dress really well, so I talk to them a lot about it.

Jeans: Levi 511s

What is the process of getting dressed like for you?
It’s kind of like my production process. It really has to do with where I’m at that given day. I may just be like, “OK, I’m ready to go out,” put on a white t-shirt and jeans, and a nice pair of shoes. OR I may want to wear things that match well and match where I am going very well.

Belt: Urban Outfitters

But it’s important to me not to overdress or not to stand out too much. Especially when I am performing or DJing, I like to let my product speak for itself.

Lacing Up

What about when you’re not performing?
Well then you’re not at the center of attention, and you have a little more freedom. You don’t have to be as tactful. Tact is something that’s important to me. I don’t want to be too flashy. It’s not something that I hate in people by any means, and I’ve definitely done it at points. But at this point in my life, it’s not something that I’m interested in.

Shoes: Adidas, Nom de Guerre

But it all depends on the season and what I have clean! [laughs]

But when it comes down to it, you can’t go wrong with basics. I will often get really dressed up and then after all that, just say, “forget this” and put on a white t-shirt, nice pair of jeans, and a nice pair of shoes, and feel more comfortable.

Accessories

So is comfort the most important element for you wardrobe wise?
Not comfort in terms of sweatpants, but comfort in terms of feeling good in what you’re wearing. It’s not solely a physical thing.

Scarf: Vintage

It’s about being able to say that this is something I can wear anywhere. It’s timeless. It’s appropriate in Williamsburg or the Meatpacking District or wherever.

See all the pics from the Get Ready With Dash Speaks photoshoot HERE
- Retail DJ

What’s Good? Dash Speaks (Part Three)

25 Mar

 . . . continued from Parts One and Two  

Dash Speaks

 You have been DJing for Gallery Bar on a few weekends and I know you’ve been working with NSR as a part of Celebrity DJs. Who is the third part of this crew?
[Daniel] Lynas! It’s us three.

Cool. For Celebrity DJs and working with your friends on that project, how does your stage persona differ there vs. when you are on stage performing as Dash Speaks solo?
Well, the coolest thing for me about being a DJ is that you can feel like you are a part of music that you yourself are not capable of making or simply that you don’t make. The best thing about it is playing a song that just takes over a club. It changes everybody’s mood and makes everyone just . . . ecstatic! At that moment, you really feel like you’re a part of music and a part of going out in a way that you couldn’t be as a performer. 

All of us try to gear our music towards whatever crowd we have, and we try to make it the best, most appropriate party it should be for the night. If it ends up being a bunch of my friends from high school, or NSR’s friends from high school, we’ll just throwback rap songs and stuff like that. That’s another thing that I can’t be a part of in my performance, but being able to play MOP’s “Ante Up” or  Biggie or Dip Set—we play a lot of Dip Set (I love Dip Set; Cam’ron’s one of my favorite rappers) makes the biggest difference. 

 

It’s largely related, though. When NSR or I perform, we will often DJ for each other and switch it out sometimes. We’ve had performances where we’ll go back and forth. Lynas has DJed for me millions of times. I’ve DJed at some of his shows before. So it’s all very related. Usually when I rap these days, I will be DJing for part of the night as well, which, for big shows, is not preferable. I try not to do it. But when we’re having parties or when our concerts are geared more to making people dance, DJing becomes a bigger part of it. 

What is something that you’re listening to now that you love and would wish to include in a set but that you haven’t had the chance to drop yet?
There’s a ton. I mean, there’s so much music! The worst thing about DJing for me is that when I started DJing, I did it because I was sick of the music that was playing when I went out. I was like, “I am never going to play this shit!” even though some of it’s great—it’s just a matter of how much you hear a Top 40 song. You start DJing and you realize that this is really what most people want to hear, and that’s what you have to play. 

I think it’s important, as a DJ, to try to find a balance between music that you’re putting on that people haven’t heard and music that people have heard or music that people don’t hear SO often. The balance is important because when you just play Top 40 shit, the skeptics in the room will not be interested in you as a DJ. On the other hand, if you’re not playing any Top 40, you’re just not doing a good job. Most people aren’t dancing. Most people like music they know –which is good and bad. 

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Mix on Tap: Sweet Jesus

25 Mar

DJ Neoteric

DJ Neoteric is one of my favorite DJs. The Canadian wonder has been quite busy as of late, dropping mixes for his innovative White Light Mix series (which we have featured several times here on Retail DJ), touring around the world, and of course, supplying us all with amazing dance-ready sets that will compel even the soberest of wallflowers to shake a tail feather.

In honor of Neoteric’s continued creative success, I give you a special Mix on Tap, featuring his newest edition for the Crookers Mix series (yes, the Italian fidget house duo that can’t be stopped!) and a drink that I feel best characterizes this mix:  Sweet Jesus!

the music:

DJ Neoteric – Crookers Guest Mix #10

right click + save target as to download

tracklist after the jump

the drink:

Sweet Jesus

ingredients: 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, 1/2 oz rum, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz 1800® Tequila, 1 oz sweet and sour mix, 1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur, 4 – 6 oz Sprite® soda
Shake ingredients (except Sprite) together in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Add Sprite and stir. Strain into a hurricane glass over ice, and serve.

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What’s Good? Dash Speaks (Part Two)

24 Mar

Dash Speaks

.  . . Continued from Part One

Have you been in New York your whole life? I know you mentioned moving around and living in different places, but are your roots here?
Yeah, I was born in Manhattan and have lived in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, then back to Manhattan. I went to the University of Arizona for three months, but dropped out because I wanted to be a rapper. I came back here and lived in Brooklyn, then Manhattan again. I’ve lived here now for 6 years now since I’ve been back—the only exception being when I studied abroad in Switzerland and traveling to a few other countries.

What has been the general response to your work here, especially when you perform in public?
It depends. What I’ve had to work on throughout my career is making my music translatable to live performance. A lot of my work is really lyric-driven, which I pride myself on. That’s the thing that’s most important to me. But that’s sometimes hard to translate on stage. It took a while for me to learn how to do that. Certainly the first times I performed at the Nuyorican, I wasn’t a good performer. I had good things to say, but I didn’t know how to say them.

I’ve never felt scared on stage. I’ve always felt comfortable there. I have just always had a hard time throughout my life “selling myself” and opening up in a lot of ways. At my best, I’m able to let go, be incredibly comfortable, and put on a great show. People respond to that. I haven’t been at “my worst” in a long time because I’ve been doing this for a while. I practice and I take it very seriously. But there were points in my career when I had shows and it just didn’t work well.

Even now . . . I had a show recently in Albany. I DJ for the Tug of War Tour, which is a Jewish and Muslim spoken word and hip hop show. It’s made up of two MCs –one is an Iranian Muslim, the other is an Israeli Jew—and two spoken word poets—one Palestinian Muslim and the other a Syrian Jew. The spoken word poets are women and the rappers are men. So yeah, I DJ for them and sometimes open up for them, which is great luck! I love their show. They are all very talented.

But my performance music, particularly the stuff that I usually do is the upbeat, dirtier stuff, for example, the song “At Night,” which is one of my bigger songs that I do live. I did that at SUNY Albany. The show was sponsored by the Hillel (the Jewish Students Association) and the Muslim Students Association. It was difficult to get through. That’s a hard show to do when you’re rapping about getting high to people that really don’t do it! [laughs] It was a difficult show, but I just kinda smiled about it beforehand and was like, “Fuck it.” I think I went through the motions well! [laughs] But DJing for them is not difficult. We practice a lot; I know my cues! [laughs]

But the performance response is generally good. My best shows are great, and the shows I am not happy with are pretty good too. At this point, I’ve learned how to speak clearly and be energetic, and my stage voice is good. You know, you can always get better, and it’s something that I try to do.

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Upcoming Shows: Hudson Mohawke,Feadz, and more!

24 Mar

Feadz

Now that SXSW has ended, the time has come for the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Many NYC-based DJs and plenty of others will be there making sure that the parties go on non-stop. Just because our biggest party boosters are down South, doesn’t mean the party stops here. In fact, tons of acts are still in NYC pleasing the crowds with innovative sets and long nights of dance-inducing sounds.

The following shows are happening this week, starting tonight. Don’t miss out!

via Santos:

Wednesday, March 24, 7PM
General Elektriks

with Sensual Harassment and a DJ set by Daniel Collas [The Phenomenal Handclap Band]
18+ // $5.00 Adv, $10 DOS // [Tickets]

Hailed by URB as ‘Ennio Morricone for the 21st century,’ General Elektriks’ first album, Cliquety Kliqk, is a far out mix of vintage funk, hip hop beats, noir riffs, cinematic arrangements, pop melodies and digital twinkle. The French expatriate creates a sonic landscape that feeds as much on his origins as on his travels so we invite you to join the expedition and get loose.

—-

Thursday, March 25, 10PM
DJ DRiSD

21+ // FREE before 11pm

New York native Dj Drisd approaches djing from the percussive perspective he gleaned from years as a drummer in hard rock bands. In a short time he moved from playing house parties to corporate-sponsored private events at notable venues. Resident of Club Parada, the world’s biggest Serbian dance party, Drisd’s sets range from house and 80s to hip hop and mashups. Don’t miss his headlining event at Santos!

—-

Que Bajo?!

with Uproot Andy and Geko Jones with visuals by n-ron
21+ // $5 with RSVP

RSVP to quebajoparty@gmail.com

While certain talking heads bemoan the eclipsing of a white majority in the heartland, we at Santos are applauding the Latin and Caribbean invasion of electro. Que Bajo?! is the embodiment of the turning tides, a party that features the finest in cumbia, electro, dancehall and other heavily bassed tropical sounds. On the tables are residents Uproot Andy, of Argentina’s globe-trotting ZiZeK crew, and Geko Jones, from the Dutty Artz family for riddim.

—-

via GBH:

Thursday, March 25th

Daniel Hunt of Ladytron DJs @ the Whipped Party - Baddies (20 Greenwich Ave at W10th St.). RSVP here for free entry: baddiesrsvp@gbh.tv

—-

Friday, March 25th

Caspa & Benga, with Hudson Mohawke live P.A.
and Cubic Zirconia Live @ Webster Hall (Webster Hall: 125 E11th St between 3rd & 4th Ave.)

click here for $15 tickets

—-

Saturday, March 27th

Feadz + Krazy Baldhead and a DJ set from The Glass @ Love (179 Macdougal Street / W8th Street)

LIMITED $7 ADVANCE TICKETS – CLICK HERE
$5 before 11.30 / $10 after – with RSVP – CLICK HERE

- Retail DJ

What’s Good? Dash Speaks (Part One)

23 Mar

Dash Speaks

Likeable and mellow, two adjectives rarely used to describe entertainers and, even less so, rappers. Yet somehow in a climate heavily-laden with bravado, Dash Speaks stays true to form, minding his Ps and Qs the whole way. With a penchant for boat shoes and politics, Dash makes quite the lyricist, but despite his poet background, his biggest love is music. Having worked with producers from here to Germany, Dash brings quite a bit to the table in terms of both experience and exposure. He recently wrote, produced, and performed on his new album Geography, and was nice enough to sit down with us to share some of what makes up the map in his mind and the source of his talent. So get comfortable and take a moment to find out What’s Good? with Dash Speaks:

So I see you are not wearing your Boat Shoes/Topsiders today! The song in their honor, however, was the first of yours that I heard. Can you discuss that track a bit and how it came about?

Sure. Noah (NSR) has been wearing Topsiders for something like 2 years. I bought my first pair last year. We just both think they’re the essential summer shoe. We were at Ella together once, and I walked downstairs and saw Noah was wearing Topsiders and I was wearing Topsiders. It was the summer and that’s, more or less, all we wear then.

I was like, “Yo! I couldn’t be flyer in my Topsiders” and at that moment, we realized we should make a song about this. I had just been producing for a couple months at that point, and I decided I would try to make a beat. I did, and it was pretty cool. I was planning on doing a 12-bar verse, and Noah did a 24-bar verse, so I ended up writing a 24-bar verse as well. We wrote the chorus together. We had a lot of fun making it! We took a lot of time and performed it a couple of times –sometimes really sloppily. By the time we released it, we had practiced and actually had some choreography.

We both like the song a lot. “Topsiderz” and “Bachelours at Disco Beach” were the two songs I released this past summer. Neither of them was the normal type of song I do. Usually, my music’s a little more serious than that. But they were both really fun songs, and I felt that I executed them well. I have to be honest that I was a little surprised that they didn’t catch on more than they did; BUT “Topsiderz 2.0” is coming out soon. It’s right around the corner!

Is it a remix?
I think I am going to make a new beat for it. That’s what I am thinking. I have a producer in Germany that I have worked with in the past. He said he was interested in doing a remix, so I might ask him to work with me again. His name is Jan Wilms. At the time I worked with him, he was working with Punx Records, which is a dance music record label out of Dortmund, Germany. He’s a great producer. So I might ask him to do it, I might do it, or I might even ask another producer to work on it. But I think at this point, I’ve gotten a lot better in terms of production, so I’d like to take another stab at it.

Cool. I think one of the reasons it caught my attention is because here we have a hip hop, rap, sometimes dancehall influenced artist talking about these shoes that I associate with really preppy Southern boys. So in your making a track about them, is that sort of a “wink,” if you will, to the hip hop industry?
Sort of. The shoe is cool because it symbolizes a perfection union of form and content. You can wear them anywhere. I wore them at Bonnaroo last year. It was really muddy, then at times really dry and hot. They were just perfect for all types of weather. Sperry and Sebago, which is the company that makes Docksides (which I like as well), both have the intention of creating a waterproof shoe that you can wear with a blazer or you can just wear with shorts. So we (NSR and I) both liked that.

The other thing about it is that it’s just a classic look. I think that in the last couple of years, I’ve gradually become less loud of a dresser and more subtle. The thing about Topsiders is that they’re timeless. It’s always been a really good shoe. It’s never tried to be anything more than it is. I should really work for Sperry! [laughs]

Hopefully they’ll give you a little kickback from this, you know, send you a new pair of shoes!
Maybe! [laughs] But going back to what you asked about the song being a “wink” to hip hop, there are certainly parts of the song like, “Let’s take ‘em to the country club” that obviously do not embody the quintessential style of hip hop.

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Groove Armada: Tonight!!! FREE!!!

23 Mar

NO COVER WITH RSVP Email nychappeningsrsvp@whotels.com with your name and number of guests.

W Hotel: 541 Lexington Avenue, between 49th & 50th Streets 7pm-11pm

my favorite Groove Armada song of all time:

see more videos after the jump:

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Retail DJ March Tracklist: The Ides Have It

22 Mar

We all know that the 15th of March didn’t bode too well for ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar, but I figured I’d give 3/15 a new spin and maybe a little more luck.

For this month’s Retail DJ Tracklist, I’ve decided to give you 15 tracks, each with a different sound, but that somehow come together nicely. Tracks range from a little old school hip hop and experimental house to ghetto-tech and Italo-German dance rock. The tracks will be available for download until April 22nd, so get to downloading now! Enjoy this set, and continue to have a happy March!

(click to play, click the small arrow on the right to download)

1. Jackson and His Computer Band – Moon Kick

2. Emynd – What About Tomorrow?

3. Webqueawry – Searching

4. High Powered Boys (AKA French DJs Bobmo and Surkin) – Hoes Get Down

5. Edu K ft. Marina – Me Bota Pra Dancar

6. Justin Faust – Holdin’ On (Moulinex Remix)

7. Jackson and His Computer Band - Make It Happen

8. Nas – The World Is Yours

9. Jinder – Youth Blood

10. Trippple Nippples – PPP (Rio Lobotomy “Inverted Amazon” Remix)

11. Yelle – Tristess/Joie (Rolf Honey Remix)

12. Idiotproof – Ray Banned

13. Munk – Kick Out the Chairs

14. Flairs – Radio (Jamaica Remix)

15. Lo-Fi-Fink – Want U

- Retail DJ

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