Saturday, March 31, 2012
Robotberget
Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg make up 2/3 of Miike Snow. They together are also known as Bloodshy & Avant. That name makes me instantly sing Kajagoogoo's "Too Shy" and also makes me think we're talking about Avant, the R&B singer...digression. Bloodshy & Avant co-wrote and produced Britney Spear's "Toxic" which I know for a lot of "non-pop listeners" it is a guilty pleasure. The Swedes have a recording studio named Robotberget, and are now putting out a label with the same name. Having just dropped their sophomore Miike Snow album and starting this new label, Karlsson and Winnberg must be really busy!
The debut EP is being advertised as free when you sign up at their website www.Robotberget.com
It will include tracks from Magnus the Magnus (MtheM), Carli, Alex Metric, and Style of Eye and Galantis (Bloodshy, Style of Eye and Carli).
The debut EP is being advertised as free when you sign up at their website www.Robotberget.com
It will include tracks from Magnus the Magnus (MtheM), Carli, Alex Metric, and Style of Eye and Galantis (Bloodshy, Style of Eye and Carli).
Shadow Child a.k.a. Dave Spoon
This debut Shadow Child EP is out now on DirtyBird. Shadow Child is the brainchild of none other than Dave Spoon, who brings a new sound to his repertoire. As the Beastie Boys once said, ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out!
Oh the humanity! Round 2 ding ding ding!
Ok, so maybe this whole "blog" idea caused more harm than good. And while I should not have necessarily brought the issue to SHM's attention, I'm not the one that made the disparaging remarks. I find it hard to believe SHM has no one in their entourage who does not read DJ Mag. It would have got back to them eventually, right?
Maybe when I wrote the previous post, I was a little annoyed because DJ Sneak blocked me. I'm not sure if it is because someone else on Twitter tagged me in their rant to him, so he blocked both of us, or he got wind of my blog entry (the latter I highly doubt). I feel like blocking someone who doesn't agree with you is an act a 12 year old girl makes. But before I slander him any further, which was NEVER my intention, I will stop. And reaffirm my position in that his opinion matters for what he has contributed to the House music scene. Otherwise, I wouldn't care, and I don't think peer DJs would either.
I truly didn't think Steve Angello would react, and for that I feel partially responsible. But if I were in their shoes, where they probably get slammed by those who profess to know "true house" all the time, I would have a hard time repeatedly taking it. Steve said "it doesn't get to me much. But sometimes ppl need to be put in place." Well, the backlash is palpable now, as seen on social media.
What's most interesting is that when you say SHM is not House, you put a lot of people in the "not House" category. Dirty South, AN21, Max Vangeli, Nicky Romero, Thomas Gold, Avicii...the list goes on. If I were them, I would be wondering "if what I'm making isn't house, then what on earth is it?"
Its a knee-jerk reaction for SHM fans, especially those who may have not delved into House music's past, to take, no, troll, on Twitter and slam Sneak. Slam him for his appearance, say "he sucks," the usual slanderous banter. This is an opportunity for them to find out who he is, and find out more about House history. People who don't know who Sneak is may have a one-sided view of him now, and that is just unfortunate.
But more concerning than the trolls of the internet is the bi-polar reaction of Sneak:
"what talent? They are fake ass hell. I'll smoke them anytime. No computers or people mixing next to them while they act like djs.
@SteveAngello hating never. Exposing the fake shit you guys portray indeed. I come from the Times real djs actually did it with love...
you live in La. You should try acting. I'll back off. ...
I don't hate you. Just being real about things. At least if you all can accept the truth about yourselves I will drop it.
Let's make it clear. I don't hate Smafia. I don't respect them for their lack of respect for doing all the fake performing. period
bitter I am not. I have devoted 25 years to this craft n music. I speak cause everybody else can't or won't."
He is retweeting people who agree with him, which is logical, but the thing I cannot comprehend is why isn't there an open dialogue? He seems so set in his opinion, even though it is flat out slanderous to SHM. My interpretation is that he's trying to say he disagrees that they don't play House (the way he played House) but the way he goes about it seems like flat out hate to me. And Sneak is doing such a disservice to the "old school" House sound. Instead of making people want to learn more, he is turning them off to it. Which is such a shame.
I should really quit while I'm ahead, but I have to say that I was most interested to see what industry sound-makers like Defected label boss Simon Dunmore had to say. Was disappointed to see him agreeing with Sneak, not giving the "other" house sound the benefit of the doubt. But I understand, he is a purveyor of a classic, soulful House sound. And the House community is more indebted to him than they know for CONTINUING to get that sound out, alongside the "pop house, EDM, screeching synth" whatever-you-want-to-call-it sound. Sebastien Leger, Loco Dice, Evil Nine and Dimitri from Paris have also shown Sneak support, with more I frankly just can't keep up with.
Another disappointment: Dennis Ferrer. Only because I thought he understood the game, especially after his quotes in 5Chicago http://www.5chicago.com/features/february2012/dennis-ferrer/index.html
"I still play the same. You're never going to hear Guetta out of my box. You won't hear any old soulful stuff either. If you play that stuff now, kids are just going to walk off the floor. That's why I always wanted to make forward thinking music. I mean, it's nice to pay homage to your past but you gotta keep it moving! And I'm sorry to say but I'd rather play to 53,000 18 to 30 year olds than worry about playing to a hundred 45 year olds!
Most of the people that used to be relevant are not anymore! Times change. This is a business. You have to keep relevant, because there's always some kid in his bedroom making ridiculous records! All the heroes that I grew up with are just not relevant right now because they're not willing to change with the times."
In a recent interview for the Dutch event Sensation, Ferrer said "there's pop house, and then there is house. I'm bringing house to Sensation." So I can understand how quick he was to side with Sneak. I was hoping for a different response. I mean, Ferrer is friends with Dirty Dutch producer Chuckie for crying out loud! But alas... If Sneak is going to listen to anyone, its not going to be people associated with SHM, its going to be his own peers, like Ferrer, like Dunmore. I hope MAW or Kerri Chandler talk some sense into Sneak. On the sidelines, in private. We don't need more house legends getting their image slammed just because they don't like SHM. Side note: I caught Kerri Chandler on Boilerroom this week and it was pure class. That music is all about love.
Ferrer champions the sound of Jamie Jones and Lee Foss. I absolutely love Hot Creations! I remember in one interview Axwell saying how he was excited to catch Jamie Jones at WMC 2012. Bottom line, producers in this industry don't give each other enough credit!
I can't help but wonder if Sneak thought the Martinez brother's BlackBerry stint was "selling out." Its such a double standard if its one of your own! I love the Martinez Brothers, their style is great. And I'm a BlackBerry fan. I don't think its selling out, but rather promoting their brand. But its not much different to what SHM does.
You can see the bifurcation of the two bodies of thinking on social media. What is sad the most is that no one is trying to push out the other's sound into oblivion. It just seems as if the two (underground & mainstream, old school & new school) cannot co-exist. Which is bollocks! Cause I like both and I'm sure there are other people who do too. I think the best way to succeed is to merge the two. Gina Turner and Laidback Luke do a pretty good job of attempting just that. Also, side note: Laidback Luke is like the nicest guy. Tries to respond to his fans on social media, mentors upcoming producers. Now that is the making of a ledge!
And the best example: Marc Kinchen. No one can dispute what legendary tracks he made for the house scene in the 90s, and CONTINUES to make. And does he produce for Pitbull, "Mr. 305." Yes he does. I am not a fan of Pitbull, but I am a fan of Marc Kinchen. Should we discredit him for his contribution to POP music? If you do, then its time to start singing "you are dumb. You are really dumb" a la Antoine Dodson. I know I know, that reference is so 2010. Check out the magic he performed changing the Nightcrawlers track into a 90s classic.
Magic I tells ya, pure magic:
In an ideal world there would be a moderator and call for "group hug." But I don't think thats gonna happen :( But this isn't some Hip Hop beef. They're not going to start flogging each other with glowsticks. Steve Angello took to Twitter to tell Sneak to settle the matter in private. Higher road. Sneak comes out with more social media exposure, but I don't think anymore the wiser. And I'm still blocked :(
All the tech-heads must be laughing at the House makers saying "what a bunch of noobs"
Maybe when I wrote the previous post, I was a little annoyed because DJ Sneak blocked me. I'm not sure if it is because someone else on Twitter tagged me in their rant to him, so he blocked both of us, or he got wind of my blog entry (the latter I highly doubt). I feel like blocking someone who doesn't agree with you is an act a 12 year old girl makes. But before I slander him any further, which was NEVER my intention, I will stop. And reaffirm my position in that his opinion matters for what he has contributed to the House music scene. Otherwise, I wouldn't care, and I don't think peer DJs would either.
I truly didn't think Steve Angello would react, and for that I feel partially responsible. But if I were in their shoes, where they probably get slammed by those who profess to know "true house" all the time, I would have a hard time repeatedly taking it. Steve said "it doesn't get to me much. But sometimes ppl need to be put in place." Well, the backlash is palpable now, as seen on social media.
What's most interesting is that when you say SHM is not House, you put a lot of people in the "not House" category. Dirty South, AN21, Max Vangeli, Nicky Romero, Thomas Gold, Avicii...the list goes on. If I were them, I would be wondering "if what I'm making isn't house, then what on earth is it?"
Its a knee-jerk reaction for SHM fans, especially those who may have not delved into House music's past, to take, no, troll, on Twitter and slam Sneak. Slam him for his appearance, say "he sucks," the usual slanderous banter. This is an opportunity for them to find out who he is, and find out more about House history. People who don't know who Sneak is may have a one-sided view of him now, and that is just unfortunate.
But more concerning than the trolls of the internet is the bi-polar reaction of Sneak:
"what talent? They are fake ass hell. I'll smoke them anytime. No computers or people mixing next to them while they act like djs.
@SteveAngello hating never. Exposing the fake shit you guys portray indeed. I come from the Times real djs actually did it with love...
you live in La. You should try acting. I'll back off. ...
I don't hate you. Just being real about things. At least if you all can accept the truth about yourselves I will drop it.
Let's make it clear. I don't hate Smafia. I don't respect them for their lack of respect for doing all the fake performing. period
bitter I am not. I have devoted 25 years to this craft n music. I speak cause everybody else can't or won't."
He is retweeting people who agree with him, which is logical, but the thing I cannot comprehend is why isn't there an open dialogue? He seems so set in his opinion, even though it is flat out slanderous to SHM. My interpretation is that he's trying to say he disagrees that they don't play House (the way he played House) but the way he goes about it seems like flat out hate to me. And Sneak is doing such a disservice to the "old school" House sound. Instead of making people want to learn more, he is turning them off to it. Which is such a shame.
I should really quit while I'm ahead, but I have to say that I was most interested to see what industry sound-makers like Defected label boss Simon Dunmore had to say. Was disappointed to see him agreeing with Sneak, not giving the "other" house sound the benefit of the doubt. But I understand, he is a purveyor of a classic, soulful House sound. And the House community is more indebted to him than they know for CONTINUING to get that sound out, alongside the "pop house, EDM, screeching synth" whatever-you-want-to-call-it sound. Sebastien Leger, Loco Dice, Evil Nine and Dimitri from Paris have also shown Sneak support, with more I frankly just can't keep up with.
Another disappointment: Dennis Ferrer. Only because I thought he understood the game, especially after his quotes in 5Chicago http://www.5chicago.com/features/february2012/dennis-ferrer/index.html
"I still play the same. You're never going to hear Guetta out of my box. You won't hear any old soulful stuff either. If you play that stuff now, kids are just going to walk off the floor. That's why I always wanted to make forward thinking music. I mean, it's nice to pay homage to your past but you gotta keep it moving! And I'm sorry to say but I'd rather play to 53,000 18 to 30 year olds than worry about playing to a hundred 45 year olds!
Most of the people that used to be relevant are not anymore! Times change. This is a business. You have to keep relevant, because there's always some kid in his bedroom making ridiculous records! All the heroes that I grew up with are just not relevant right now because they're not willing to change with the times."
In a recent interview for the Dutch event Sensation, Ferrer said "there's pop house, and then there is house. I'm bringing house to Sensation." So I can understand how quick he was to side with Sneak. I was hoping for a different response. I mean, Ferrer is friends with Dirty Dutch producer Chuckie for crying out loud! But alas... If Sneak is going to listen to anyone, its not going to be people associated with SHM, its going to be his own peers, like Ferrer, like Dunmore. I hope MAW or Kerri Chandler talk some sense into Sneak. On the sidelines, in private. We don't need more house legends getting their image slammed just because they don't like SHM. Side note: I caught Kerri Chandler on Boilerroom this week and it was pure class. That music is all about love.
Ferrer champions the sound of Jamie Jones and Lee Foss. I absolutely love Hot Creations! I remember in one interview Axwell saying how he was excited to catch Jamie Jones at WMC 2012. Bottom line, producers in this industry don't give each other enough credit!
I can't help but wonder if Sneak thought the Martinez brother's BlackBerry stint was "selling out." Its such a double standard if its one of your own! I love the Martinez Brothers, their style is great. And I'm a BlackBerry fan. I don't think its selling out, but rather promoting their brand. But its not much different to what SHM does.
You can see the bifurcation of the two bodies of thinking on social media. What is sad the most is that no one is trying to push out the other's sound into oblivion. It just seems as if the two (underground & mainstream, old school & new school) cannot co-exist. Which is bollocks! Cause I like both and I'm sure there are other people who do too. I think the best way to succeed is to merge the two. Gina Turner and Laidback Luke do a pretty good job of attempting just that. Also, side note: Laidback Luke is like the nicest guy. Tries to respond to his fans on social media, mentors upcoming producers. Now that is the making of a ledge!
And the best example: Marc Kinchen. No one can dispute what legendary tracks he made for the house scene in the 90s, and CONTINUES to make. And does he produce for Pitbull, "Mr. 305." Yes he does. I am not a fan of Pitbull, but I am a fan of Marc Kinchen. Should we discredit him for his contribution to POP music? If you do, then its time to start singing "you are dumb. You are really dumb" a la Antoine Dodson. I know I know, that reference is so 2010. Check out the magic he performed changing the Nightcrawlers track into a 90s classic.
Magic I tells ya, pure magic:
In an ideal world there would be a moderator and call for "group hug." But I don't think thats gonna happen :( But this isn't some Hip Hop beef. They're not going to start flogging each other with glowsticks. Steve Angello took to Twitter to tell Sneak to settle the matter in private. Higher road. Sneak comes out with more social media exposure, but I don't think anymore the wiser. And I'm still blocked :(
All the tech-heads must be laughing at the House makers saying "what a bunch of noobs"
G.Vump - Feeling
Who are G.Vump? Louis Roge (Brodinski) and Guillame Briere (of the French group The Shoes). A couple of weeks ago, Brodinski was on Them Jeans' radio show (available on Mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/THEMJEANS/brodinski-steven-bloodbath-louisahhh-matty-pipes/) and explained that the previous name, Gucci Vump, had to be changed due to the fashion label not wanting to be associated with the electronic act. And so, they are now called G.Vump. And they bring you a dark, deep and haunting track off Bromance #2
Brodinski also tells a hilarious story of how he hasn't eaten vegetables since the age of 12. Check out the link to the radio show for the full story.
Brodinski also tells a hilarious story of how he hasn't eaten vegetables since the age of 12. Check out the link to the radio show for the full story.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Mark Fanciulli - Sacrifice
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Mark is the younger (as opposed to older) brother of Nic Fanciulli. Whatever the sequence they were born, they are both extremely talented. Out now on Saved Records (Nic's label), Mark brings a deep house sound that is the perfect follow up to "The Tide."
DJ Sneak versus Swedish House Mafia
Ok, here goes. First "tweef" I will address. So DJ Sneak is one of those seminal producers who made vicious, awesome floor killers in the 90s. A time where house + the rave scene reached new heights, and was NOTHING like it is today. I didn't know Sneak was on Twitter for quite some time, but when I did start following him, I noticed a few of his tweets were of the curmudgeon variety. I never really investigated where this bitterness was coming from, I just left it as is.
But then I noticed during WMC 2012 an exchange between him and Junior Sanchez (who has at least one track that I know of signed to Steve Angello's SIZE label). Sneak referred to them as "Swedish Fish Mafia." I chalked it up to him just not liking their style.
But then I heard that he gave a quote in for DJ Mag stating "It's a sad thing when the Swedish House Mafia is being paid BIG money to come to the US to play house music. For the record, they DO NOT play house music." http://www.djmag.com/news/detail/3244
First of all, grammar! SHM are, not is. Second, I was crushed. Sneak was called out in Daft Punk's "Teachers" as one of their influences, so his opinion counts for a lot in the electronic world. I took to Twitter, regrettably I might add, to ask him what the deal was. I didn't really get left with much.
So basically, he couldn't really name what kind of music SHM makes. If you ask SHM, they will probably say house music. I know a lot of people have been labelling it progressive house, which I don't understand because I thought the sound of Sasha, Digweed, Emerson, and other contributors to the "Global Underground" sound of the 90s was progressive. I understand it is hard to label this music sometimes, but the people making it want to be filed under the House category. I don't understand how Sneak feels entitled to step all over that, just because of the one facet of the sound he contributed. I respect him and his artistry, don't get me wrong, but I feel like he is going out of his way to prove some inexistent point. His music and SHM's music are completely different. But are they both styles of House? I think so.
After our Twitter exchange, Sneak continued, by posting a link to DJ and producer Scott Diaz' blog, where he too bashes SHM, and Steve Angello in particular: http://scottdiaz.wordpress.com/
DJs like Nick Curly, Guti, Ramon Tapia, and I'm sure others, have vocalized how they stand behind Sneak's comments. This really bothers me because it just seems like a case of jealousy. Only once did I see a response to the "haters" from SHM, and it came from Steve Angello via Twitter after being attacked for being a "fake DJ." I don't necessarily see them responding to Sneak's bait. And I will bet that they listened to Sneak growing up. I would be crushed if someone I looked up to was trying to undermine me. They didn't get influenced by polka musicians (maybe they did, who knows), they listened to House producers for inspiration!
I'm sad that the DJ/producer greats like the Belleville Three for instance, may not get the same cash that SHM gets paid for headlining gigs, but that's just the way the industry has evolved. Yes it sucks, but I don't see why one legendary House producer needs to slam those who came after him. Just seems wrong.
I'm a big SHM supporter (and David Guetta while we're at it). Before the industry blew up, which I would say WMC 2009 being the turning point, SHM made great music. Under different monikers too, like Buy Now, Who's Who, Supermode and many others. They still make great tracks (I will admit Save the World was not one of my fav though). And as for the accusations of them not being humble? They take to Twitter to often thank their fans. They have contests to give their fans chances to go see their shows. Just recently Sebastian Ingrosso co-created a charity DJ football game with Tiesto to raise funds for (Red). DJ R3hab posted a recap video of the event and Sneak replied on Twitter "2 times wack!" Chances are that reply will get lost as R3hab has 175000+ Twitter followers. Again, why?!
Alright. I think that's enough for one blog post. I'm sure there will be plenty of SHM love-ins as I continue this blog...
But then I noticed during WMC 2012 an exchange between him and Junior Sanchez (who has at least one track that I know of signed to Steve Angello's SIZE label). Sneak referred to them as "Swedish Fish Mafia." I chalked it up to him just not liking their style.
But then I heard that he gave a quote in for DJ Mag stating "It's a sad thing when the Swedish House Mafia is being paid BIG money to come to the US to play house music. For the record, they DO NOT play house music." http://www.djmag.com/news/detail/3244
First of all, grammar! SHM are, not is. Second, I was crushed. Sneak was called out in Daft Punk's "Teachers" as one of their influences, so his opinion counts for a lot in the electronic world. I took to Twitter, regrettably I might add, to ask him what the deal was. I didn't really get left with much.
So basically, he couldn't really name what kind of music SHM makes. If you ask SHM, they will probably say house music. I know a lot of people have been labelling it progressive house, which I don't understand because I thought the sound of Sasha, Digweed, Emerson, and other contributors to the "Global Underground" sound of the 90s was progressive. I understand it is hard to label this music sometimes, but the people making it want to be filed under the House category. I don't understand how Sneak feels entitled to step all over that, just because of the one facet of the sound he contributed. I respect him and his artistry, don't get me wrong, but I feel like he is going out of his way to prove some inexistent point. His music and SHM's music are completely different. But are they both styles of House? I think so.
After our Twitter exchange, Sneak continued, by posting a link to DJ and producer Scott Diaz' blog, where he too bashes SHM, and Steve Angello in particular: http://scottdiaz.wordpress.com/
DJs like Nick Curly, Guti, Ramon Tapia, and I'm sure others, have vocalized how they stand behind Sneak's comments. This really bothers me because it just seems like a case of jealousy. Only once did I see a response to the "haters" from SHM, and it came from Steve Angello via Twitter after being attacked for being a "fake DJ." I don't necessarily see them responding to Sneak's bait. And I will bet that they listened to Sneak growing up. I would be crushed if someone I looked up to was trying to undermine me. They didn't get influenced by polka musicians (maybe they did, who knows), they listened to House producers for inspiration!
I'm sad that the DJ/producer greats like the Belleville Three for instance, may not get the same cash that SHM gets paid for headlining gigs, but that's just the way the industry has evolved. Yes it sucks, but I don't see why one legendary House producer needs to slam those who came after him. Just seems wrong.
Alright. I think that's enough for one blog post. I'm sure there will be plenty of SHM love-ins as I continue this blog...
Why I started this blog
A couple of friends have told me to start a blog. They said I was witty and clever with words. I was definitely not buying into that, especially as a self professed non-reader. Seriously, between the Baby-Sitters Club books and now, I might have read 6 books, 5 of which were probably mandatory for school.
But what made me log onto Blogger was some DJ "tweefs" that I saw building up. I have started to tweet a lot, but sometimes 140 characters is just not enough! And to avert myself from participating in the tweefs, this is probably the best outlet to come and vent my frustrations or give a personal opinion.
These thoughts are my own, and if you don't agree, leave a comment or click "next blog" ;)
And if you do agree, well thats great and feel free to leave a comment. I almost never do on other blogs ...
But what made me log onto Blogger was some DJ "tweefs" that I saw building up. I have started to tweet a lot, but sometimes 140 characters is just not enough! And to avert myself from participating in the tweefs, this is probably the best outlet to come and vent my frustrations or give a personal opinion.
These thoughts are my own, and if you don't agree, leave a comment or click "next blog" ;)
And if you do agree, well thats great and feel free to leave a comment. I almost never do on other blogs ...
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