Two tunes for Friday
July 8, 2011
Is it really Friday again already? I’m certainly not complaining…
Here are the two tracks I’m currently crazy about, picked by Cassy, Circo Loco’s latest resident, who’s also lent her talents to mixing the latest Mix Mag CD.
Time to wind-up the week and get the party started.
Geddes and Newman produce a heartbeat baseline you can’t help but love.
Terry Francis’ Free may be a slow builder (which I’d far prefer without the vocals). However, its cymbal-smashing, simple rhythm still manages to get me bobbing along at my desk.
The Temper Trap – Love Lost
June 24, 2011
I forgot just how good this song is – the video only serves to complete it.
Happy Friday.
Thirty minutes with MINT Vintage’s James Wright
May 27, 2011
Meet James. He’s a fan of nipple tassels, relishes the opportunity to dress like a 90′s drug dealer, and is the man behind the vintage wonderland that is MINT Vintage in Covent Garden, London. Nothing short of a captivating character, we couldn’t help but indulge both him, and ourselves, by spending a bit of time getting to know him, what he’s loving right now and exactly what you should be, too.
Every time I pop in to see you, you’re wearing something entirely different. How would you describe your personal style?
I really do not have a style. I love to get dressed up and have a different look on every week. I could show you an image from three years ago with a Mohican and in the last 12 months I’ve started to wear a suit. Three-piece suits are great things to wear and everything I wear is vintage. I do like to change my style all the time as I think that’s the whole point of clothes – to have a bit of fun with them. I’m definitely not a 40s, 50s, 60s, 80s or whatever. Last week I dressed up like a 90’s drug dealer with a tracksuit on – I think they [the team] were all laughing at me but I thought it was really cool as it was Pierre Cardin who’s making a big comeback.
So if you’re not a 40s, 50s or 60s man, what does that mean you’re into when it comes to music?
I like to hear good music from today. We have an open forum in the shop where everyone can play what they want. If it gets on the other person’s nerves, it’s probably gonna get on the customers nerves so we switch it off. It was Bob Dylan’s birthday this week so we played Bob Dylan for half a day. I personally like new folk, the new folk generation; The XX and First Aid Kit [Scandinavian folk duo], Ray LaMontagne – all that, it’s great. When I was in my youth I was really into a bit of folk, when I was travelling I was a bit of a hippy but then I really like the Jam, conscious dub, old-school conscious reggae. It changes – I’ll maybe listen to an hour of classic FM if I go home tonight and I’ve got 2000 vinyl records in my front from from 1968 to 1989 which I still play.
If you don’t go home tonight, where are we likely to find you? When did you last have a night out?
When did I last have a night out? Oh yeah, I went to a went to Madame Jo Jos in Soho. Great night out. Another good night is on Thursday’s at Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues. Soho’s on my doorstep so I finish work and head there. I’ll go anywhere for a good night out. Torture Garden’s a great night out too, I’m straight and not in to fetish, but it’s really a top night out, with good music and nipple tassels.
What about festivals? Have you any plans to get to some this summer?
I find it hard to recover after indulging and equally, I find it hard to hold back. I hope to go to get to some smaller, low-key ones. Getting stoned in a field is really appealing today, actually. I’m not into raging anymore but I suppose a little toe in the water every now and again doesn’t do anyone any harm. As the owner of the Groucho [the famous club in London] once said, “Nothing good ever comes from staying awake after 3am in the morning.”
What one item should a clubber not be without this summer?
A string vest and you need some good screens if you’re clubbing. You need your phone to get the ammunition in, unless you can use carrier pigeons.
What trend do you think is going to be massive this season?
I think it’ll be Fresh Prince of Bel Air meets late 70′s Harlem, meets Run DMC, meets Harlem Globe Trotters, meets Grand Master Flash. That was revisited in the 90s but it was actually very 70s in the first chapter, then it went onto rave in the 90s and now, we’re ready for it again. It’s like another new rave. Kids into new rave, kids are into getting as fucked up as they’ve ever been fucked up, you know? Every generation wants to be more fucked up than the last one and they think that Special K was a mistake when we all took it, we didn’t really know, but now they’re actually loving Ketamine because it’s really fucked up – they like really getting really messed up. Messed up is good, but I want to highten my awareness, not dampen it down. The new rave will always come again but the retro-rave will always be the thing.
For anyone who wants to try the new rave look out, what pieces do you recommend they go for?
Big gold, sportswear and early streetwear. High-tops and costume jewellery, meets bright colours, geometric, skinny jeans, white, silk printed bomber jackets, double denim and trainers.
With thanks to James and Lauren.
Trentemøller & Paul Kalkbrenner: Moan
May 21, 2011
At the beginning of May I finally had the chance to see Paul Kalkrenner live at Fabric and I was far from disappointed. I’ve been a big fan of his work for some time now and was only too glad to have his collaboration with Trentemøller (though somewhat old) sent my way by a friend.
Titled ‘Moan’, this track sees a slight departure from Paul’s signature upbeat sound and gives way to a darker, more sinister side more often associated with Trentemøller. Ultimately, the resulting tune is a blissfully progressive piece that showcases just how perfectly matched Trentemøller and Kalkbrenner are…enjoy.
Couldn’t have said it better myself…
May 5, 2011
The arch enemy of bad moods
May 4, 2011
This morning was not a good one. I’ll be honest, I felt royally down-in-the-mouth.
Having left the bike in the office, my tube journey presented me with the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with that old friend called iPod (unlike thousands of others, I refuse to risk my life by listening mid-cycle).
My pick-me-up arrived in the form of one-hit-wonder Gat Decor, and their timeless ’92 track Passion. Instantly I was transformed from dismal and down-in-the-dumps to a reformed, enlightened character.
Feeling low too? Turn your volume up and press play now – the power of music never fails to amaze.
Tuneful Tuesday
March 8, 2011
Today has been the first day in a while that I’ve had a little time to sit down and listen to what the wonderful world Beatport has to offer. As always, there’s so much on there that it’s difficult to see the wood for the trees, so to speak.
However, after wading my way through the ‘meh’ and the not-quite-so-bad, I stumbled upon a couple of treasures that turned things around. Here they are:
An old favourite, non other than Mr Paul Kalkbrenner, strikes again with Plascher (or ‘Splash’).
Sleep No More – Chris Minus (Kevin Yost remix).
One for my friend Gary: Moritz Von Oswald – Cocoon Dark Dub.
A pop convert?
February 17, 2011
It’s no secret that every once in a while there’s a Live Lounge track that I fall head over heels for. A slightly less familiar love however, is that old chestnut called pop music. Then there is Adele. Oh, and her jaw-dropping, simply spectacular performance on The Brits this week.
Maybe it’s because I can identify with the lyrics (sadly, I too have experienced ‘the-one-that-got-away’ syndrome – haven’t we all?) or perhaps it’s her phenomenal vocals. Possibly it’s the fact that she put every inch of her heart and soul into that one single performance. Whatever it is, Adele should be duly presented with a Brit award solely for that five-minute masterpiece.
If you haven’t heard it already, here it is, but before you press play, I strongly recommend you stop what you’re currently doing and give it your full attention. You won’t want to miss a minute of this extraordinarily touching song.
While I may be far from ready to hang up my techno shoes, sincere kudos goes to this woman who delivers an utterly moving performance. Long may she continue to break boundaries and truly personify what the music industry is all about.
A bit of sweet house music
January 21, 2011
On the hunt for some new tunes last night, I was flicking through the many that had been sent my way. Sadly, there was a distinct lack of ear-pricking-up which prompted me to cast my attention back to 2010 and focus on those numbers I may have missed.
First found was the glittering sounds of ‘Bitter Sweet’ by Bulgarian DJ Kink, released on German imprint liebe * detail. Having bypassed me in a sea of songs (it was released almost exactly a year ago, with ‘Draw Me In’ by Tom Demac on its B side) I’m only too happy to be introduced to it now as opposed to never.
Oh, and then there’s a little track named Nein Mann by Lasercraft 3D. I can’t actually believe this hasn’t already graced the pages of Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor. The song was originally introduced to me by a very good Berlin-based friend. It’s a tale, partly told in fluorescent lights, of a boy who just doesn’t want to stop dancing and it will always remind me of the aforementioned friend, and the rest of my German acquaintances – with special emphasis on their fondness of party after party, after party, after party. With that, this one’s for you boys – watch it on YouTube here.
Happy Friday all.
