Another month passes in the 2012 calendar and my thoughts are once again on the ‘where has it gone’ theory.  It only seemed like yesterday when I was toasting the New Year & singing old langsyne amongst the revilers at the Red Lion.

March has passed with probably my busiest diary for djing so far this year and has thrown up a welcome return to the Sun on the Hill and also a debut at the Yardbird in Birmimgham.

The month began with a trip to the Sun on the Hill alongside monthly resident and Discomendment DJ, Paul Kaminski.

Kaminski has been involved in the local B’ham club & DJ scene for a number of years and we seem to share a common ground on music, taste and stories.

The ‘back in the day’ phrase is apparent in our conversations about clubs that have been and gone, the records that rocked the dancefloor and our change in taste for music which now consists more on a soul, funk, disco and Balearic diet in these genres being a main stable in what we play out regularly to the bar goers on a weekend.

Infact the first three gigs of the month, we both shared DJ duties around Brum.

The monthly ‘Loose Joints’ event at the Rose Villa Tavern is fast becoming one of my favourites to play at and since becoming a ‘bi-monthly’ resident, I’ve really embraced the opportunity to stamp my sound on the evenings procedures.

On March 10th, the venue and the night seemed to share itself with a celebration of one punters 30^th bday. This was great for the venue as it was absolutely rammed when we began the set and its always nice to play to a busy venue when you start.

 However, a first occurred that night. One of the parties elder relatives politely knocked the DJ booth door which is situated above ground level. On answering, I bent down to talk to the sweet looking lady expecting a musical request or the ‘can you go on the mic and say’…….

This is something we get asked a lot, if we have a mic that is, which we don’t, we’re not that type of ‘Disc Jockey’.

 Her request (I imagined Glen Miller or something along that line) was to ask, “Can you please turn it down”? Now usually I probably would have looked at a person with distain in a music venue with  a kind of ‘What the fuck are you on about’ look, but I remained professional, respectful and looked her in the eye saying that I would see what I could do.

Ok, I lied and no offence to the women, we’re in a venue full of people, a music venue and we can’t and won’t act on a single persons instruction, unless the boss says so, which he didn’t. She didn’t notice either that we maintained the same level of sound throughout before she left.

We played on throughout and again a top night was had & I’m looking forward to the return this month on April 14th.

Finally, an added date to my calendar was for ‘Soulshake’ and  for a DJ that has been through the heady days of the first ‘Summer of Love’, the original ‘Acid House’ days, ‘Soulshares’ head honcho, Dean ‘Sunshine’ Smith. 

Dean is no stranger to the scene and his DJ’ing CV is more than impressive. One thing that I really respect about Smith, apart from his amazing record collection, is his passion for the music he plays. He’s educated me immensely since I met him at the Garden Festival in 2011. I was fortunate to DJ with him at my ‘Collective’ night back in November and his ‘groove, tempo and mood’ masterclass came across and I’ve taken that advice onboard for reference and hopefully in my sets.

The Yardbird is a great soul/Jazz venue that dips its wings in live music of all genres and DJ’s that again play against the commercial grain, which is refreshing!  It was my first trip in DJ’ing there and the varying age in crowd, breakdancers and music fans meet regular punters was a great mix for the night and I had a really enjoyable first apperance.

It also allowed me to play a different style, many of the records I selected a different tempo and beat than I usually play at other venues. I really looked into a style that breakdancers could flex their moves too and beats that provided a body popping ability, without completely neglecting others. I dug deep in uncovering old funk records with an up-to-date re-edit to them and boost to original drums & percussion, yet friendly on the ear.   

The warm weather also helped with the Yardbird using the outside terrace to their advantage. The set also went out live on the night and a recording has been made which is currently up on the ‘Southport Weekender’ and Sunbeat sites, all 5 hours which is a huge privilege and the links for these sites here should you wish to share the sounds: http://mixlr.com/soulshare/showreel

Looking forward

The month of April brings the first Bank Holiday of the year and it’s a time that see’s many DJ’s and promoters busier than usual as the extended break brings out the nights for people to enjoy and share.

For myself, the bank holiday weekend (6^th-8^th) brings 3 events, 2 of which I am DJing at, The Sun on the Hill on the 7^th and a welcome return to ‘Kitchen Disco’ on the 8^th, a firm favourite in annual parties that I’m associated with. As for the first event of the weekend (6^th), I’m thankfully off to enjoy the sounds of the Collective with Sam Kaseba.

Other events this month include; Loose Joints (RVT), my monthly residency at the Collective (Lord Clifden) and at the end of the month, a debut at another bar in the city, the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ alongside Paul Kaminksi which I’m really looking forward to spinning at and listed below.

ST.

Paradise Garage picture taken from: thegoodmorningpost.wordpress.com

April DJ Dates:

Sat 7th April: Sun on the Hill with Paul Kaminski

Sun 8th April: Kitchen Disco @ The Lord Clifden

Sat 14th April: Loose Joints @ RVT with Paul Kaminski

Fri 20th April: The Collective @ The Lord Clifden

Fri 27th April: Loose Joints Special @ The Jekyll & Hyde with Paul Kaminski 

picture taken from discoents.co.uk

A new week and a few blogs I have wrote for Habit Birmingham: 

27/2/12

The phrase usually indicates the end of a clubbing occasion, when the DJ has played his or her last record, the last pop and click from the vinyl has sounded or the noise of the CD being ejected from its armoury signals the night is over. 

For the faithful, they haven't given up or want to return to their homes/hotels, decide on which after party they can gain access to, it's a cry for that little extra slice of hedonism. 

On this occasion, the title reflects a documentary about the UK clubbing scene spaning from 1988 to 2008, celebrating what is now, more than just a pastime, its a institution, a way of life. 

Matt Trollope is the man behind the idea and today see's its release on DVD/Blueary, featuring the DJ's who were in the thick of a revolution. It's got names that may have slipped the consciousness in recent years, yet are the forefathers in how the scene became what it is today. 

Some fantastic stories of excess, music, changes, DJ's and the clubs. Well worth a visit! 

Here's a clip form the 'Press Screening' 

For more info, check out the website: http://www.1more.co.uk/

Here is a round up of my lastest posts that I have been making. Some are for Habit in Birmingham & others are solo blogs, things that have interested me & have decided to share on various other platforms. 

7/2/12

Tuesday & another fine mix on the cards. Allow this thumping set wake you up at the desk or wherever you may be.

He's just been announced on the increasingly strong line up at this years Electric Elephant in Croatia and is a DJ that's always in demand.

Crank this up...... Ivan Smagghe is in the house!

10/2/12

They say that 3 is the magic number. That things (whatever that maybe) come in 3, so instead of racking our brains to dispel that myth, we'll just go with it & supply you lot 3 mixes for the weekend. 

This first gem comes courtesy of Jody Wisternoff, a member of Sub Love & the seriously good Way Out West. It's deep, its dark & its quality! 

Jody Wisternoff: 

If that wasn't enough to blow the working week cobwebs out of the mind, numero 2 mix is from the guys at FaithRadio. This is a great podcast in terms of musical selection & genre crossing, featuring the likes of Bob Marley to PBR to Tony Lionni, lovingly crafted and delivered with style.

FaithRadio

And if you want more, we posted this yesterday & if you missed out, lucky Friday for you. 

Celebrating 10 years in the industry, Futureboogie know their musical noodles. 

Laced with quality, uplifting beats and sunset esq vibes, this is the perfect showcase as next week, they make a pitstop at the Hare & Hounds for their 10th b'day celebrations alongside Julio Bashmore. 

El Harvo (Futureboogie) 

Happy weekend people & rave safe! 

13/2/12

Morning all. How was the weekend? Who went out, who's still a casualty of burning the midnight oil?

Well hopefully it was worth it? 

Another week, another corking mix to kick off this Monday, thanks to the superb Tiger & Woods. 

They recently gave away their EP, 'Wiki & Leaks', a 15 track bonus music giveaway and have also been announced at this years 'Garden Festival' in Croatia. 

Happy Monday(s) 

Here's my latest post I did for Habit Birmingham

Another day, another mix! It's the 1st of a new month, so why not start it in style?! 

Currently there seems to be an abundance of fine music floating around the internet at present. Rich pickings are on offer and we couldn't resist starting the month with a large slice of house music.

Todays offering comes from another housemaster, DJ Sneak! 

He's been there, done it, got the T-shirt, remixed it, smashed it. A true DJ in every sense. 

Another quality offering from the man himself, turn it up! 

*thanks to R_co for uploading the mix onto soundcloud*

A morning of anti-freeze, cold breath, dreams of hibernation automatically spring to mind after another cold day in January, UK.

Thankfully, the Met Office prediction for ‘more of the same’ failed to damper my spirits this morning thanks to another slice of sun drenched, crafted beats from the musical talent of ‘Poolside’.

These 2 musicians/DJ’s/producers are currently doing the rounds in the musical stratosphere in grabbing the attention and ear space of the natives by churning out quality beats and uplifting sets.

This thankfully arrived on soundcloud this morning as I made my usual morning commute through the rush hour and grey skies. Needless to say, this brought some well deserved warmth to my ears & journey.

Brilliant choice of music, tempo and set structure. Well worth a listen!

Photo:letthemeattiramisu.blogspot.com

As we reach the month of February, we at Habit HQ have our feet firmly on the music pedals as we supply yet another slice of quality assured house music.

If supplying 2 sets recorded live last week and then yesterday with a brand new ‘5 Years of Habit’, mixed by one of our own, DJ Andy Price, we can’t rest on our laurels, so sit back wherever you may be and please turn the following up.

Andrew Weatherall is a musical pioneer.

A true dj who knows how to rock it, set the stall out and firmly bring you up and down on a tidal wave of tunes and tempo.

This mix was thankfully brought into the consciousness last Friday and it’s been on repeat ever since.

Wetherall’s mixing is exemplary, his tune selection in this set, second to none, showing his sheer brilliance and experience, this is how you do it.

For us folk in Brum, it’s a perfect warm up on this freezing Tuesday for his forthcoming DJ set this weekend at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath.

Getting ready for the weekend!

I'll keep this short & sweet. 

I haven't blogged in ages. no point in giving the bullshit behind it. 1 of them. 

Will return shortly. 

So I admit, slack has been my middle name when it comes to blogging of late. I've been busy working, promoting & DJ'ing. 

Time has been firmly taken up so here is a small catch up of what's been happening. 

November- DJ'ing has again been busy and I'm very greatful of the opportunities I have been getting of late. I've taken over Friday nights at the Lord Clifden in Bham where under the 'Collective', a rotation of DJ's that each week bring their eclectic selection of 'Soul, Funk, Boogie, Disco, Balearic, Reggae, Ska, Mod, Indie & 80's. 

It's been going down well and interesting to get each DJ's individual taste onto the Clifden turtables. This ensures a varried selection of tunes each and every week and keeping the sound fresh through its rotation policy.  

Since the last blog, I've also been made monthly resident at the 'Sun on the Hill' and bi-monthly resident at the Rose Villa Tavern, both in B'ham which increases my monthly schedule and also allows me to play out regualrly to different crowds which is a brilliant learning curve in my early record playing career. 

Aside from the DJ'ing, this video grabbed my attention. It's taken from the RBMA and features a wonderful and insightful interview with one of the scenes most influential DJ's and producer, whose music taste and remixes, have spanned decades of electronica; the brilliant Andrew Weatherall. 

Get the kettle on, put your feet up and crack open the biscuits!