Monthly Archives: February 2012
Bernie’s Benefit –CANCELLED–
Unfortunately, the Bernie’s Benefit event and poster auction has been cancelled due to venue double-booking. My sincere apologies for any confusion or inconvenience, especially if you happened to read this after looking for the event.
After being rescheduled from Saturday, February 4th, to Friday February 17th, then just over a week away, having the event bumped yet again to Saturday the 18th, it was a matter of diminishing returns. Upon arriving just after noon the day of the event to start work on setup and placement of things like the sound system and 16-20 11″x17″ framed posters, statements, and silent auction bid sheets, an art exhibit that set up and opened the night before was in place, leaving little room for the posters for this event, without clumping them in different corners of the room. Despite nights like Jack! The House! looking and sounding great in the space, working around a pre-existing exhibit here, it was clear that the Benefit’s requirements got in the way of the artwork that was to be kept on display until early March.
Sorry, I was really looking forward to having a nice, simple display of posters, and a basic, reliable DJ setup with speakers placed in symmetry beside the DJ table, not in different parts of the room.
There may or may not be one more try at it if a suitable, available space comes up.
Black Devil Disco Club – With Honey Cream (2009)
One of the more distinctive numbers in Bernard Fevre’s catalog:
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Waxwork.
It’s my pleasure to have WAXWORK joining us (again) at ROBOTERIA v2.4 on Friday, February 24. Those of you who were around for ROBOTERIA v1 (2008-2009) at 1181 got to hear him at basically every ROBOTERIA night there was then, as we basically DJ’ed the night together as a pair. I came from more of a new wave/synthpop angle, whereas he has a more house, funk, and authentic “nu disco” approach and TIGHT, SMOOOOTH mixing that makes me kind of jealous, actually!
In starting ROBOTERIA up again this year, though, I wanted to get back to more of the “new wave” approach I had in mind initially, but still invite guest DJ’s onboard to bring their own angle along to make each night a little different. But I knew all along I’d be asking (hoping) WAXWORK would be up for at least a guest spot from time to time. His appearance on Feb 24 may be a bit overdue, but it’s already clear it won’t be his last.
“Classic Waxwork Mixtape from the Laser Dance / Roboteria era (2008-2009) – Vancouver’s first (and best) Nu Disco nights. This one leans a little more towards the techno/progressive side of the spectrum.” (Listen here: http://i.mixcloud.com/CBEwtr )
Waxwork online:
http://www.waxwork.ca
http://www.soundcloud.com/waxwork
http://www.twitter.com/DJWaxwork
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waxwork/152800424777551
http://www.mixcloud.com/waxwork
http://www.myspace.com/waxworkonline
V-Rag profiles Taffi Louis for February issue
Pick up the new February issue of V-Rag, where I’m interviewed and offer ten favourite DJ picks! p.36
http://issuu.com/v-rag/docs/february_2012
WhoMadeWho – Inside World (2011/2012)
Sometime in late December, 2011, I was asked what my favourite song of 2011 was. That was a toughie. I could easily answer what my favourite song at the moment was, and it was this:
Except this single wasn’t supposed to be released until January or February of this year, it was only posted on Soundcloud as a preview. I’d looked for any info on the single release I could find, and to see if any of the online music shops posted a date yet, but nothing except a release date for the album, and what I believe was a January date for the single. So I wouldn’t count it as my favourite song of 2011.
Then on December 31st, I had an itch to find out when this song was going to be available, and there it was, by surprise, on iTunes already. GIMME.
So now, yes, I can count this as my favourite song of 2011. But it seemed odd that they’d tease with this Soundcloud link and insist it wasn’t going to be out for a few more weeks, yet. I was puzzled, so I sent a quick message to congratulate Tomas Barfod (aka Tomboy), WhoMadeWho’s quartz-synchronized maestro-drummer, but also to see if iTunes had some exclusive deal to release it early or not. On that subject, he responded, “I’ll look into it.” Which suggests to me that someone done goofed by releasing this in December.
But equally important to me was to offer some sort of pat on the back on having made such a fantastic song here.
But now there’s also the inevitable Remixes EP. Three on this release. And guess what…? They’re all REALLY GOOD. That’s not supposed to happen. Usually remix releases have at least one ugly duckling taking up space. Digitalism’s take recalls mid-’90s Underworld, Daniel Maloso’s version pushes forward with a more intrepid strut and some mean guitar chords, but the Detone hits the home run for me. It’s beautiful.
Inside World Single on Beatport
Raf – Self Control (1984)
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This is the original. The hit version by Laura Branigan is the cover. No, really.
Michael Des Barres & Holly Knight – Obsession (1983)
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This is the original. The hit version by Animotion is the cover. No, really.