Act fast, folks: Retail DJ April Tracklist
and don’t forget to download the May Tracklist as well!
- Retail DJ
Archive | May, 2010
Breaking My Silence for a Shoutout – Bootie Brooklyn!
30 May
I am technically on “vacation” and not supposed to be blogging, but I couldn’t help myself. I had to break my silence to give a shoutout. I had the fortune of experiencing the first ever Bootie Brooklyn party, and boyyyy was it fun. Seriously. Actual fun! The crowd danced, sang along, and broke it down old school style to the musical art of mashup! The founders (DJs Adrian and Mysterious D) were in the house as was the video mashup master DJ Faroff from Brazil! I got the chance to meet Mysterious D and Faroff, and they were both incredibly nice and down to earth. The vibe was good from the start and, thanks to the incredible music, stayed that way until the end of the night.
If you are lucky enough to be in NYC, San Francisco, Rio, Boston, and/or zillions of other cities around the world (the full list is here), check them out. The party will bring you back to your childhood, adolescence,and then some and is definitely worth dropping in and getting down.
- Retail DJ
Retail DJ May Tracklist: Lost
29 May
Lost, the infamously puzzling, cryptic, and overly dramatic television (that I admit to have loved) is over. What I will do in the meantime to seek complete, televised fulfillment, I am not sure, but I know that music always makes everything better. That’s why this tracklist, Retail DJ’s 5th, has all to do with Lost.
See the tracklist below and follow along! Also, just as an FYI, if you download all of these, set the crossfader on your iTunes to 7 to 8 seconds, and play them in order, it all flows pretty well. As per usual, click to play, click the small arrow to download. Enjoy!
Friday Fashion Fail: Frankenstein
28 MayIf Frankenstein became a disco go-go dancer in a pre-historic club, this is what his shoes would look like. Why, Jeffrey Campbell, why?
Jeffrey Campbell "Roks" Wedge
The price? $148. The amount of money spent of hospital bills from falling in these suckers? $5000. The fact that NOT buying these can save you years of medical care and embarrassment? Priceless.
- Retail DJ
Vacay
28 May
This time around, I have a three-day weekend thanks to Memorial Day. In light of this extra day, I will be doing some site updates, interviews, and odds and ends cleanup around Retail DJ. That said, there will not be any posts until late Monday night and the Retail DJ Tracklist, which is going up later today.
In the meantime, play around the site and download away!
- Retail DJ
Special Event: Bootie Brooklyn!
28 May
The “Bootie” parties have become a worldwide sensation, and Public Assembly is fortunate enough to be hosting the first ever Bootie Brooklyn! I am super excited about this, mainly because a) I heard about it first through DJ Leo Justi (who will be playing for the Rio branch of the party, Bootie Rio, June 11th), and b) I caught wind of an amazing mix that the Bootie Rio crew posted on their SoundCloud page. I’ve included the tracklist ABOVE the jump this time so readers can get a good sense of all the hard work that goes into putting together a set like this. Beatmatching is one thing, but keymatching, melodymatching, and mixing are quite another.
This mix, which was done by Brazilian DJs André Paste, Leo Justi, Faroff, Brutal Redneck,, Lucio K and João Brasil, gets to all the fans–from folks who like rock and roll, to rap, to funk carioca, to electronica; there’s something there for any and everyone. I am truly impressed.
BEST OF BOOTIE RIO 1 by bootierio
tracklist:
1 – House of Pain vs Amsterdam Klezmer Band vs Pa Brapad – House of Klezmer (FAROFF)
2 – Get pet – get back beatles vs. é o pet – João Brasil
3 – Missy Elliott ft. Dança do Canguru – Canguru Gossip Folks (remix mashup by Leo Justi)
4 – Daft Punk vs MC Colibri – Colibri around the world (André Paste
5 – Lady Gaga vs Chico Science – Gaga Science (Brutal Redneck)
6 – Beatles vs Amy Winehouse – Come Together good (DJ LK)
7 – Marvin Gaye vs Nirvana – I heard it through the Kurt (Brutal Redneck)
8 – Tira a camisa and clap your hands (André Paste)
9 – Seven Tapinhas (André Paste)
10 – The Beatles vs LCD Soundsystem vs The Kinks – The Brits are playing at my house (FAROFF)
11 – Los Lobos vs Radiohead – Creep Bamba (Brutal Redneck)
12 – Metaleiras da Amazônia vs Nirvana – Lambada Teen Spirit (DJ LK)
13 – Louca por humps – Calypso vs Black Eyed Peas – João Brasil
14 – Tchau toy – João Brasil – La Roux – I’m not your toy X Banda Calypso – Tchau para você – João Brasil
15 – Metallica vs Bob Marley – Sandman Jamming (DJ LK Mashup)
16 – Nirvana vs Dead or Alive – Spins Like Teen Spirit (FAROFF)
****
Faroff will be here for the Brooklyn edition spinning an ALL-VIDEO mashup (amazing!), so DO NOT MISS IT!!!
Bootie Brooklyn @ Public Assembly, featuring DJs Faroff, DJ Adrian + Mysterious D (aka Plus D) [the latter are the Bootie party founders!]
5/29, Front Room, 10 pm
10pm-4am
$5 before 11pm w/RSVP: rsvp@bootienyc.com
$10 after
free Bootie Brooklyn mashup CDs to the first 100 people!
Mix On Tap: CaipiRio . . .
28 May
I love caipirinhas (kai-pee-reen-yahz) as much as the next person, but sometimes they are a little too strong for me. Cachaça, which is one of the staple alcohols in Brazil (think rum is to the Caribbean and tequila is to Mexico as cachaca is to Brazil), tastes a bit like tires or rubbing alcohol on its own. It’s so strong in fact that many mineiros (people who live in the state of Minas Gerais, where the bulk of the cachaça is produced) cut the flavor by chasing shots of it with a dry cheese or by adding honey.
So while living in Brazil, I became a bigger fan of Caipiroskas, which is a caipirinha with vodka replacing the cachaça. Here’s a video by Grey Goose showing you how to make a flavored caipiroska using their citron vodka:
But just to be clear, I don’t want to lose anyone with the title of this post. It’s actually a little homage to the hometown of one of the DJs who will be featured here very very soon. I’ve included a mix below from none other than Leo(nardo) Justi, whose work I have featured before, but from whom there is plenty more to check out. This mix is the perfect way to start your weekend, so drink up, press play, and have a happy Friday:
(click to play / click the small arrow on the right to download)
- Retail DJ
Upcoming Shows: Simian Mobile Disco, Hudson Mohawke, & More!
27 May
Lots of good shows this weekend, as per usual, as well as some pretty exiciting stuff coming up for the week after! Buckle your seatbelt, folks. It’s going to be a rowdy ride.
Tonight!
Simian Mobile Disco (w/ Dave P JDH) @ Santos Party House – $20 (run . . . if you plan on going, you’re.already.late!) doors at 11 pm
I saw these guys perform at Studio B back in the day, and trust me, they put on a great show! Check them out.
also at Santos Party House tonight: BAILOUT: Hosted by DJs Eli Escobar and Blue Jemz (both marvels in their own right) – $5, doors at 11 (no cover if you RSVP) Santos basement
Friday
Holy Fuck w/ Nice Nice @ Le Poisson Rouge – $14 adv, $16 day of, 7 pm
Hudson Mohawke + Disko Dali, Alex English, Rekles, JDH & Dave P @ Webster Hall – $1 if you RSVP, doors at 10
Saturday
Bootie Brooklyn @ Public Assembly - $5 before 11pm w/RSVP: rsvp@bootienyc.com,$10 after, doors at 10 pm
this party is worldwide and worth checking out. ALSO, Leo Justi, a DJ whose feature and mix we’ll be posting soon, is playing for Bootie Rio !
Ellen Allien w/ Dave P & JDH @ Santos Party House – $20, doors at 10 pm
COMING SOON: Carte Blanche, Kraak & Smaak, Lauren Flax, DJ Falcon, Timo Maas, Penguin Prison, Rico Tubbs, Cassette, Juan Maclean, Afrojack . . .
- Retail DJ
May Tracklist Coming Soon!
27 MayHi Everyone,
The Retail DJ May Tracklist will be here before the end of the month, so be sure to get the April Tracklist before I take it down . . . you’ve got 3 days!
- Retail DJ
Get Dressed to This: Carte Blanche
27 May
The term Carte Blanche, when translated, means “blank check” but the expression means the right to do basically whatever you want. . . Entrusted with extreme authority to exercise your power in a way that you see fit. . .
That said, Carte Blanche is the perfect name for the duo that has formed between two phenomenal DJs, Riton and DJ Mehdi, who exercise their power as musical greats to create tracks and mixes worthy of stopping time for a listen or two.
I am a longtime follower and fan of both, so it’s no surprise that I loved what’s come out of their collaborative work. Riton is probably best known of late for the tracks that he’s done with British pop star Primary 1 and Mehdi best known for his participation under the umbrella management group Ed Banger Records. Both, however, have been making amazing music for a very very very long time, their individualsCVs overflowing with years of experience in both DJing and producing a variety of genres from hip hop and soul to house and minimal techno.
A few weeks back, they blessed the world with a mix that I honestly could not get out of my head. Every song has such meaning for me, as one track or another reminds me of some period in my life, of my own musical awakening and growth. Much like the Quinten 909 mix I featured yesterday, this Carte Blanche “House Party Mix” delivers the goods for heavy duty music connoisseurs AND newbies. I hope you enjoy this mix as much as I do. . .
But going back to the concept of Carte Blanche, every now and then, we need that creative license in our fashion too. We need to be able to feel like we can get away with wearing WHATEVER,a nd what better a place and time than the parties of tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday? That’s why today’s “Get Dressed to This” is solely a mix. I want the music to inspire you to create something amazing – your own blank check if you will – for the weekend of parties ahead.
Get dressed to this. . .
Carte Blanche – House Party Mix
(follow the link above to play, click here to download)
tracklist after the jump
Oldies But Goodies: Lazy Bones
26 May
One of the things that I have realized about a lot of people these days is that they are generally musically lazy. Most people listen to what they hear when they go out or on the radio, but don’t really do their homework. The same can be said of fashion, actually, with most folks wearing whatever the magazines say is cool without looking for new designers and putting together unique outfits. The problem could be a result of media overload, the aftermath of our being so frequently exposed to new things (be they music or fashion or anything, to be honest) by way of the infinite sources of communication and news proliferation. People sometimes become so overwhelmed that they just throw in the towel. There is no possible way they can keep up, so they just surrender altogether.
Yet on the flip side, there are still people out there who dig around on a frequent basis to expand their knowledge, music being one of those pursuits. Being one of those people means I am often exhausted, every club outing becomes an aural game of Jeopardy (oh, this is that sample from X or this is a remix of Y), I run through portable hard drives like rolls of toilet paper, and my iPod, though it’s huge, is always too full. Ultimately, I find myself in a place of constant downloading, listening, reviewing, and recommending of music, but it’s a happy place, and one that gives me the opportunity to recognize when others out there are doing the same.
One such example is Quinten 909, a Dutch DJ who has put together a great mix for the blog Too Many Sebastians that combines his tracks with a ton of old school French house and nuevo disco tracks. This mix is fun and light, but also perfect for someone who is as music-obsessed as I, being that it travels so deeply into an old sound that may not be familiar to all. So be a little lazy for once, and just listen with an empty head. Let your ears do all the work for you.
Quinten 909 – Mix for Too Many Sebastians
TooManySebastians Mix /0510 by Quinten909
tracklist after the jump
La Roux Gets a Major Lazer Makeover
26 May
I am not a huge fan of dancehall or even reggae (in its present form), but this new mixtape by Major Lazer (one half Diplo, one half Switch) might have converted me. Much like Diplo’s underground mixtape of MIA’s first album (known as “Piracy Funds Terrorism”), this La Roux refix is pretty solid in terms of both its uniqueness and overall danceability.
Some of my favorite tracks on this mashup mixtape, which fittingly titled “Lazerproof” (a mix of Major Lazer and Bulletproof), tend to be of the hip hop/dance variety, but the whole work is really a musical masterpiece in its own right. Perfect for the summer houseparty or even a day at the beach, this mixtape couldn’t have come at a better time considering it’s in the 90s in NYC today. Have a listen, and be sure to grab the whole mixtape here.
“I’m Not Your Lemonade”
I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n Villans Remix (Major Lazor, La Roux ft. Gucci Mane)
“Independent Kill”
Independent Kill (Major Lazer, La Roux ft. Candi Redd)
- Retail DJ
Coming Soon @ Retail DJ
25 May
There is so much coming up here at Retail DJ that I can hardly contain it! Here’s the rundown of our upcoming interviews:
Will Corbett
Shomi Noise
Mark Larush
Leo Justi (Brazil)
Ka§par (Portugal)
DJ Tanner
Richard Burroughs
Amylu Meneses
And, as per usual, there will be the usual mixes, musings on trends, and fashion pieces. . .
BUT considering the new set of interns that I am interviewing, this content may triple! So be on the lookout for amazing new pieces, features, mixes, and more!
Oh and, shhhh, don’t tell, but there will be a Retail DJ Party very soon . . . more super secret details to come!
- Retail DJ
Dance, Dance, Dance
25 May
Yesterday afternoon, while waiting on the folks at Maoz to bring out my falafel sandwich, I watched as a 6 or 7 year old girl performed some African dance-style routine to the sounds of Miss Kittin and the Hacker that were playing over the speakers (yes, they play Miss Kittin at Maoz . . . random, I know). It made me think to myself that it’s such a shame that the state of affairs in the club scene has changed so much that dancing in public, much like this little girl, though in an environment more conducive for dancing (a club), is almost verboten.
On the way to work this morning, I watched as an older man in his 40s or 50s, danced during his morning commute, his headphones plugged into a boombox that he held with one hand as his other hand found its way to the metal pole at his side to steady himself. He, too, danced in public, shamelessly enjoying his music, albeit a private affair to onlookers as we could not hear any of it, in a very open space.
With the onslaught of real estate in NYC and, as DJ/designer/PR man extraordinaire Richard Burroughs mentioned when I interviewed him this weekend, the prevalence of cameras on the dancefloor, the scene has changed dramatically. People are a) having trouble finding amazing spaces to dance, that satiate their need to party ’til the sun comes up (because the clubs themselves all close at 4 or before nowadays) or b) when they do find a place, they notice that so few people are dancing, even if the music is amazing. No one wants to sweat or mess up their hair or wrinkle their outfit for fear that it will end up on Facebook the next day.
There is something frightening about that type of caution.
While I recognize that this might be empty nostalgia, hoping to bring a vibe back to New York that has long disappeared from most venues, the older spaces now ominous, vacant, ghost-like lots or newly renovated condos, I still see the party scenes in other countries and know that it is possible. The vibrant nature of other scenes around the world and even in other parts of this country reminds me that there IS something out there, it’s just taking a little vacation from NYC until further notice.
In the meantime, keep dancing, folks, and remember back to a time when dancing in public was something you did with an unbridled energy and passion that still exists somewhere, deep down inside.
- Retail DJ
I <3 Mondays: Looking Up
24 MayOldies But Goodies
On New York subways, people rarely look at each other. They look up, they look across, they look through. . . anywhere to avoid eye contact. One of benefits of wearing interesting shoes is that I can at least entertain my fellow public transportation patrons as they look in the most common direction: down.
My latest Melissas, pictured above, are from an older season and bear an even older image: that of original Disney character Oswald, a poor little ignored rabbit that has fallen off the Disney radar thanks to Mickey and Co. Yet somehow, in this new rendering of an old cartoon, Oswald reclaimed fame. Similarly, I’d like to bring back the art of eye contact. It’s odd that our eyes are oft closed in a city that supposedly never sleeps.
Speaking of sleep, I am exhausted, but wanted to leave you all with a lullaby for adults. Typically, the mix I do for I <3 Mondays is to start your day, but this one is for you to end it. With this melodic mix of progressive house and soul, the Rraul.com crew brings it home with this Colors Church podcast hosted by DJs Jota Wagner and Wander A (and, to its credit, a case of beer). It’s so beautiful that it actually made me cry on the bus yesterday, though I am not sure if I did so more from the music or from the saudades I felt when I heard Brazilian Portuguese again (the first few minutes consist of the hosts describing upcoming shows and parts of their set).
Nevertheless, give this mix a listen as you lay your head down on your pillow, or even as you commute in the morning. Hopefully, it will compel you to look up, see the world with open eyes, and take in all the beauty you can hold.
Jota Wagner & Wander A – Colors Church Podcast (Rio de Janeiro Edition) for Rraurl.com
(follow the link and click “play” to listen)
tracklist and podcast subscription info after the jump
Recovery Mode
23 MayToronto's Finest: Azari & III
Recovery Mode: the phrase used to describe the state yours truly is in after my rockstar-style night at Public Assembly. The Toronto-based DJ duo Azari & III (Azari and “Third”) played last night at the Williamsburg dance space, leaving me a very happy woman. Their set, while mellow in parts, was well-paced and dance-inducing like no other. They even dropped a musical gem from A Clockwork Orange (“Funeral of Queen Mary”) in between tracks, which I recognized right away as the soundtrack of the opening scene where Alex meets up with his droogs at the Korova Milk Bar, sipping on milk plus velocet and wondering what sort of ultraviolence he could get into for the night. On top of all this, I met DJ Marcos Cabral (half of Runaway and purveyor of the fine music at the other night’s Wolf + Lamb party)!
For those of you who couldn’t attend, here’s a little taste of Azari & III by way of incredible Brazilian music site Rraurl.com. They host an electronic music podcast that’s definitely worth checking out. In the meantime, check out the podcast with Azari & III as their guests:
Azari & III – Frisson, Rraurl.com Podcast
(follow the ink to play or download)
I had my own “milk plus,” if you will, thanks to the Public Assembly bartender who made my drinks so strong I confused them with cups of straight poison. Nevertheless, they led to an enjoyable night that ended with my having lost my ability to speak English entirely, only to be replaced by Portuguese–which I spoke to EVERYONE whether they understood or not. I guess we all have a right to have our Lohan nights here and there, right?
I also stopped into the Rumours party right above Public Assembly, which is run by the one and only DJ Tanner, who will be featured here on Retail DJ very soon, so stay posted!
- Retail DJ
Saturday Site Love: United Nude
22 MayUnited Nude in Neon Pink
Yesterday, I went to a Melissa Shoes sample sale in Chelsea* where I felt like a kid in a candy store. All those bright colors, all that yummy-smelling plastic and rubber, and the designs…so many designs! I was also thrilled to see many a pair from seasons past, versions that had been discontinued, and shoes in colors that were no longer manufactured. Overjoyed is not the word. Special thanks to the Melissa distributors who were incredibly helpful, patient, and generous (I got two free pairs of shoes!).
While Melissa is my staple of shoes these days, I thought I’d pay a little homage today to United Nude, who also utilizes a form os plastic for some of their shoes, and always thrill the buying public with their architectural masterpieces made just for your feet. With shoes that resemble modern art more than something you’d walk in, United Nude is surely a brand that cannot be overlooked. Now that they have their own, brand-new flagship store in NYC (!!!), United Nude is even more accesible, but for those of you who live out of town or who just don’t have the time to stop by their 268 Elizabeth Street location, give their site a looksie. Their prices, particularly considering the work that goes into these shoes, are not so bad, and you can often find their wares on sale. So enjoy the view as you check out United Nude:
from their collaboration with K-Swiss:
Eamz X Elastic:
Loop Hi (back angled view):
Coral:
Frame:
Block Pump Hi:
for more, check out UnitedNude.com
*Thanks to Lilibeth and Kristal for the tip on the sample sale!
- Retail DJ
Funk on a Friday: Le Le
21 MayFrom the folks who brought us the fantastic “Breakfast,” here’s some more funk to close out your Friday, at least in the technical sense, and start your night. This track was featured in Mercury’s mix “They Used to Sing on House Music,” which kept me dancing for months, but it stands very well on its own.
Happy Friday!
- Retail DJ
“We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” Made My Night
21 May
The Marcy Hotel (by day)
Last night, I had the fortunate opportunity (read: free time and money, both of which are few and far between these days) to check out my first Wolf + Lamb party “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” at the Marcy Hotel. Though Wolf + Lamb have been around for many years, I didn’t realize that they had an official party until recently. Let’s just say I am thrilled I could go.
Though the dance space is ironically smaller than the bar space (something I lamented considering it’s a dance party!), the overall vibe was really positive. As per always, there were pretentious scenesters and sets of people who thought “bump and grind” had something to do with coke intake instead of dancing, but for the most part, I have to give the party itself and even the crowd a stellar review.
The DJs who showed off their talents last night did an incredible job making sure that there was never a dull moment. With sounds from Soul Clap, Runaway (the collaborative project between DJs Marcos Cabral and Jacques Renault), Justin Miller, and Greg Paulus, the dancefloor was the source of non-stop energy and a communion of dance and house sounds. This is a party I’d certainly drop in on again, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they keep it going through the summer so I don’t go through withdrawal.
For more info on Wolf + Lamb, check out their facebook or resident advisor page.
Get Dressed to This: Shifty
20 May
Shift dresses are perfect for the entire year. Chameleons in their own right, shift dresses look boring on the hanger, fairly square and lifeless, but once worn, they take on the shape of the wearer and can be well-manipulated by accessories to fit any body type. The summer shift dress tends to be a little looser fitting and of thinner material of course, but it still bears the quality of being adaptable for all. Speaking of adaptability, this week’s Get Dressed to This mix comes by way of XLR8R (yes, I know I have been sweating them hard as of late, but a TON of their new posts are pure treasures) from a DJ named Ben UFO who, as Shawn Reynaldo of XLR8R notes with amazing accuracy, has quite a mutability of his own:
The world of electronic music is filled with quirks, but one of the most confusing is the fact that so many DJs only get attention if they also produce tracks. If someone has banged out a quality tune or two—and in some cases, the “quality” requirement is optional—they can quickly find themselves DJing around the globe, regardless of whether or not they are actually any good behind the decks. On the flip side, there are amazing DJs whose talents go unnoticed simply because they’ve never slapped their name on a song or remix. For a genre where clubs and parties take center stage, it seems like the system has been flipped on its head. Nevertheless, a select few still manage to break through based solely on their DJ skills. That group includes young Ben UFO (a.k.a. Ben Thomson), co-founder of the London-based Hessle Audio label. His top-notch DJ sets, usually combining the freshest funky, garage, and 2-step sounds with a choice selection of classic dubstep, house, and techno, have been blowing minds for a while now . . .
That said, enjoy this set and outfit as I invite you along to Get Dressed to This . . .
The Mix:
Ben UFO – XLR8R Podcast no. 137
(click to play / right-click + save as to download)
tracklist below after the jump
The Outfit:
1. Dress: Elizabeth and James Japonais Shift Dress, Planet Blue, $198 USD
2. Shoes: T-Strap Sandals (in Silver), Forever 21, $10 USD
3. Jewelry: Cuff Chain Earring “Alae”, Armor Jewelry, $85 USD
4. Underneath It All: Cotton Spandez Jersey Basic Bodysuit (in Nude), American Apparel, $24 USD
