Author: Jesse Ship

Mutahdi Drum Festival & Cherry Beach Promise Event

Mutahdi Drum Festival & Cherry Beach Promise Event

Sunday funday in the parks with the Mutahdi Drum Fest, now at Woodbine (no longer in Queens Park) with the Capoeristas to T-DOT Batú and  and a happy hoopin’ good time at Cherry Beach.

TRENTEMØLLER PENS ‘ABSTRACT SOUND CLASH’ SOUNDTRACK TO 15TH CENTURY PAINTING – AOL Spinner

TRENTEMØLLER PENS ‘ABSTRACT SOUND CLASH’ SOUNDTRACK TO 15TH CENTURY PAINTING – AOL Spinner

Danish electronic DJ/producer Trentemøller is currently working on a soundtrack to an apocalyptic painting hanging in the Danish National Gallery. The 15th century piece of unknown Spanish origin depicts a scene from the book of Revelations where the angels of God follow Lucifer, rather than the archangel 

JOHN DIGWEED’S NEW MIX WILL HAVE YOU ‘MASHING YOUR HEAD INTO THE GROUND’ – AOL Spinner

JOHN DIGWEED’S NEW MIX WILL HAVE YOU ‘MASHING YOUR HEAD INTO THE GROUND’ – AOL Spinner

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Ben Hider, Getty Images

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After more than two decades as a DJ and 12 years as the label manager of Bedrock Records, it can said that John Digweed is a constant over-achiever. He’s persistently pushing himself, and crowds, with his signature progressive house and techno sound, which you can check out on the latest release, ‘John Digweed: Structures 2.’

“There’s always going to be challenges,” Digweed tells Spinner. “Once you become successful, you’re in the spotlight, and then they expect more. As a DJ, I’ve always wanted to give 110 percent because that’s my nature. The reason I’m still here is because I have that mindset of giving it all; I want to play the best new music that I’ve got.”

As a savvy label owner, Digweed is extremely selective of the music he releases. Focusing on house and techno, it’s rare that he would venture into the slower bass-heavy dubstep or drum’n’bass sounds. But with technology so easily accessible these days, it’s not difficult to produce something that sounds good. He has his sights set on promoting original sounds and creative ideas.

“I don’t want there to be a traditional Bedrock sound, I just want the label to represent good quality music. I think that’s something that’s taken a few years, but people now look at the label and trust my judgment. They know that I’ve probably played out the track for a few months on the dance floor to test it out before it’s released. I only put out a dozen or so [tracks] a year.”

The Bedrock label was born in 1999, a time when the rave still raved strong, and Sasha and Digweed were ambassadors of the house music revolution, enjoying mainstream success for the first time in the U.S. The first release, ‘Heaven Scent’ (produced with label partner Nick Muir, released under the moniker Bedrock) was appropriately placed as a feature track in the rave-y feature flick, ‘Groove.’ His music direction may have evolved since those days but Digweed feels that it’s the fans and their passion for the unexpected that keeps the electronic music culture alive.

“For the true fans, it’s never always been about the venue; it’s about the people and the experience,” he says. “If you have the right people or a good sound system, that’s all you need. You could have a party in a cave if you want to. For some, it’s about the adventure of going somewhere with a bit of edge or excitement.”

To keep excitement levels up, he’s released ‘John Digweed: Structures 2,’ following the extremely positive feedback from the first comp. The triple CD package features a downtempo mix, great for listening to on hot summer days by the pool or, as Digweed quips, “at 5AM after the club whilst mashing your head into the ground.” It also features a live set recorded at club Avalon in L.A., and a track-by-track disc of fresh Bedrock tunes for the DJs.

Like any perfectionist, Digweed records every set he plays. But when it came to selecting one for the comp, he knew the Avalon gig was the obvious choice. “The gig was just amazing from start to finish. It could have come from London, or Beijing, but that one really stood out. I also play in L.A. regularly and bring out a very special crowd, so it’s a bit of a thank you to the fanbase over there.”

NIN + DFA = WTF? – The Hand That Feeds remixes

NIN + DFA = WTF? – The Hand That Feeds remixes

In anticipation of the new NIN album ‘Hesitation Marks’, I did some digging around for new tracks and instead came across this obscurity from 2008.  It makes me feel like there might have been a time when Trent Reznor and James Murphy hit it off 

Sensation Global Party Map!

Sensation Global Party Map!

  The task was to highlight some of the world’s biggest parties and compare them to the insanity that was Bud Light Sensation in Toronto. While Sensation may have been just one night, what we have below is timeless! Click to expand.

James Perse Boutique – Yorkville “Launch”

James Perse Boutique – Yorkville “Launch”

James Perse has been steadily building his brand of ultra-comfortable LA-styled pima cotton chic basics across North America since 2003, but his presence is fairly new in Canada.  I was at the Toronto store “launch” last month. I say “launch” because it has actually been at 18 Hazelton Ave. since November, but maybe the beachy de luxe clothing shop needed an outspoken oomph to let their brand be heard.  I actually first came across the designer while perusing the local Winners aisles (the shock! the horror! But seriously, Winners is actually a great way to keep up with lesser known brands and trends since most of their stock comes from US vendors), and I’m happy to know that they’re available now in Toronto.

 

Tasty snacks were served and music by Toronto’s up and coming indie rock band Cai.ro was performed.  Sadly there wasnt enough room on the floor to include their second guitarist, Dante Berardi Jr, but Cai.ro have been in high demand for their easy listening and wide audience reach, and I had a great time chatting with him about the music biz and their invovlement with Audioblood Media.

 

OH NOES! Toxic Belly Bugs!! – From the Spambox

OH NOES! Toxic Belly Bugs!! – From the Spambox

      If you get this email in your spam/inbox, you would be most wise to NOT click on it, but luckily for weirdos like me who live for the bizarre underbellies of the internet, the contents of the mail were a harmless .jpg. 

Bloody Beet Roots break the speakers at the Phoenix – BlogTO

Bloody Beet Roots break the speakers at the Phoenix – BlogTO

If you were looking for vitamin rich vegetables at the Phoenix when the Bloody Beet Roots rolled through town, then you had come to the wrong place. If you had a hankering for big, bloody, over the top beats, however, then this was indeed the 

Natasha Kudashkina “DOTS” show @ Cabal

Natasha Kudashkina “DOTS” show @ Cabal

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Natasha Kudashkina is an award winning visonary artist/body painter/tattoo artist and doer of many things! Check out some shots from last Friday night’s art show. In 2011 she placed second at the North American Body Painting Awards in Dallas, Texas (yes this exists!) In 2011 she placed second at the North American Body Painting Awards in Dallas, Texas (yes, this exists!).  She’s also a very funny and lively creature and I’m glad that I know her :)

Max’s Restaurant aka Max’s of Manilla – Canadian Philippine Fashion Week

Max’s Restaurant aka Max’s of Manilla – Canadian Philippine Fashion Week

I went to a press announcement last week for the first ever Canadian Philippine Fashion Week (June 10-15), hosted by the extravagant and eccentric former MTV Philippine’s host and media personality, Jeff Rustia and went home with a lunch box from Max’s Restaurant aka Max’s