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214

2012/02/28 //
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Today I’ll be featuring a NW producer/DJ whose been showcasing his productions for many years and shows no signs of stopping. Forthcoming sounds in 2012. Get to know 214 below..

Don’t miss Saturday’s Lo-Fi show 3/3 – $5 ADVANCE for this wonderful, upcoming  extravaganza. Performers include 214, MikeQ, DJAO, Kid Smpl and Cedaa.

Preview 214’s Fortified Audio EP here

DD Welcome to Disco Droppings, 214. You have a lot of material for me to listen through! I want to first discuss my favorite releases of yours, followed by the forthcoming 214 tracks, out this year.

214 Thanks for the interview.

DD Going back to 2004, your Esemplastic LP came out of Mikrolux. I really enjoyed listening through this release on Beatport. The track “Above See Level” feels very dreamy and contemplative. What did you hope to accomplish with this album, and where did you envision yourself around this present time?

214 Thank you. These were actually the first set of tracks I was comfortable with after producing for a few years. I wanted to hone my skills and sound before I was confident sending out a demo. There were 3 labels that were interested, but 2 of them just wanted an ep. I felt the collection of tracks as a whole came across better as an album so I signed on to the now defunct Mikrolux to release the LP.  My only goal was just to get myself out there at the time. Sign onto a label with an eye for aesthetic and good promotion.  

DD Last year in 2011 you released Drift Driving on Harbour City Sorrow. This stood out to me as a very solid and balanced collection of songs. The car revving samples used for the title track are well done and the last track “Sidestepping” has a lot of movement. This among others, was a release you pressed vinyl for. How long have you been collecting vinyl, and were there any specific records that inspired you to want your own 214 vinyl presses?

214 Thanks for the compliment. To date that has been my favorite EP.  Both in sound/production and it was released on a sublabel of one of my favorite labels, Frustrated Funk. (Just a quick note though, no cars were sampled or harmed in the making of the title tune). That was just a synth.  

I’ve been buying vinyl since the mid 90s. I was a dj first. I don’t buy as much these days with the advent of the digital age, but I still pick up what I can. I don’t know if there was one specific record(s) that inspired me, but to me the mid-90s was a time when some of the best electronic music was released. Lots of records with raw emotion. I am also a huge fan of Electro and those were the best years for releases for that style of music.  

DD I’ve been learning more about Hypercolour, the label you’ll be releasing music on this year. This underground house/techno label has featured tracks by Maya Jane Coles, Mosca, Tom Demac and many others since 2006. Maya Jane Coles continues to amaze me, each time I listen to her Essential Mix from last year. How do you plan to spice things up on Hypercolour with your new 214 tracks? What is your favorite release from the label?

214 Well the main thing is that I’m not releasing as 214, but debuting my J.Alvarez moniker on the label. This alias was set up to explore all things house, so it will be a much different sound than my usual. I’m really happy with those tracks and even more excited to be debuting on such a great label.  They grow in strength with each release. To date, my favorite EP is probably Maya’s Hummingbird release. Followed by Huxley’s latest.  

DD Each time I’ve seen you perform live I’ve enjoyed it more and more. You’ve got a strong sense of dance-floor dynamics and the sounds your producing are refreshing to hear in Seattle. Who have you most enjoyed playing shows alongside? Where can we see you play next?

214 Thank you. Live shows are tedious to put together so I appreciate the kind words. This year I plan on reserving those sets for special events, festivals, one offs, etc. They can really drain you during the process of putting them together.  

Last year, playing live for BLOC festival over in England and then home here for Decibel were 2 of my favorites. I played alongside so many great acts.  

I’m playing a short live set on March 8th @ the Electric Tea Garden as part of a Grammy Social mixer for the PAC NW chapter. There will be a lot more information around that at the show and there’s a couple of us working together to get some things happening in Seattle we’re excited about. Outside of the that, the rest are dj sets.

Mar 3 – with MikeQ at LoFi

Mar 9 – with Kenny Larkin @ LoFi

DD Last words?

214 Be on the lookout for my upcoming Fortified Audio EP. Should be out within the month. That will be followed by my Hypercolour EP, which is actually being cut today. Then an EP for Frustrated Funk. All vinyl releases, too, for all you acetate lovers.  

214: Soundcloud Twitter Facebook

– Jimi Jaxon

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13 FNGRS – Interview for True Love Art Gallery Show (2/9)

2012/02/08 //
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Join us tomorrow night from 6-10, I’ll be supplying the music for this rad gallery opening. Along with 13 FNGERS, pieces will be featured from Solace, Dear Earthling and Ricardo Ramirez. Here is the Facebook event Below is my interview with 13 FNGRS. Oh and p.s…there’s free beer and wine ya’ll 

DD Welcome to Disco Droppings! Please introduce yourself, with a quick description of what you do. 

13FNGRS I’m seattle based artist 13fngrs, I paint things… and lots of other stuff.

DD How does music intertwine with your pieces? What artists help you get in the zone lately? 

13 FNGRS When I’m creating the concept of a piece, or collection, whatever I am listening to at that time plays a huge part on the story I tell. Music always sets the tone. I was really listening to The Knux (eraser album) and Archers of Loaf (Icky Mettle album) When I came up with the work for Thursday’s “It Loves Me, It Loves Me Not” show. But lately I’ve been listening to He is Legend, Fever Ray, and Portugal. the man.

 

DD How would you describe the showcase at True Love Art Gallery tomorrow?

13 FNGRS Nuts! I’m showing for the first time  in 3 years (out side of my own space), the group of artist for this show is crazy talented, and I’ll be showing a newer style that’s pretty fun to look at, also, lots of Axes!

– Jimi Jaxon

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DJ Alex aka Alex Ruder of KEXP – SEA Living Room Bar, 2/13

2012/01/31 //
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For those old enough to drink in the U.S., I’ll have the privilege of dj’ing with Alex Ruder of KEXP and III Cosby, head of Car Crash Set on February 13th (Living Room Bar, No Cover). I recently learned more about friend, Alex Ruder in his recent Stranger article. As you’ll see in my interview below, he is incredibly enveloped with his craft of dj’ing, and missing his show at the Living Room Bar will be a mistake!

INTERVIEW

DD Sup Alex! I enjoyed learning more about your show in that Stranger article, I feel we are kindred music spirits. What are you up to right now? 

AR Hey Jimi! Thanks! Definitely feel like there’s a wonderful community of new music diggers in Seattle and just really happy to be a part of it. I’m chilling on my break from pushing movies at the video store I manage on Queen Anne, trying to sneak in a quick listening session to some new sounds before heading back to work…

DD I’ll be DJ’ing with you and III Cosby on 2/13 at The Living Room. Very hyped on this! What kind of set will you be playing? For those who listen to your show, are there any favorite tunes you’ll be adding to your living room set? 

AR Yes, really excited to get to share a set with you and Ill Cosby for Street Halo on the 13th! I’ll most likely be putting a set together of new stuff I’m digging and go heavy on some lush/introspective/sexy beats (my fave!) before getting into some more uptempo (but still moody) UK dancefloor flavors. I try not to repeat myself too often, and I try to find something new everyday that blows my mind, but right now I’m really feeling some new and forthcoming releases from Shlohmo, Lapalux, The Host, Ghost Mutt, and Time Wharp on the beats tip, and new UK material from Scuba, Throwing Snow, Disclosure, and Dauwd in the more dance-friendly realm. I’ll probably throw in some Burial as well. Gotta pay respect to the night!

DD How would you describe the NW electronic community? How has it evolved since you first became interested in it? Which artists around here have really stood out to you? 

AR Super hard to put it into words, but I feel that the NW electronic community is a group of genuine, dedicated music lovers, explorers, and creators that are doing what they do out of the sheer love for it. It’s been a treat to not only become more involved in the local scene over the past 8 years but also see the community grow, both in our own circle and on an international scale with the continual rise and success of Decibel Festival. Some of the newish artists that have stood out to me include Ill Cosby and a lot of local folks that have been affiliated with his Car Crash Set label, like Kid Smpl, DJAO, and Kimnusico Trio (who just moved back to New Mexico at the end of last year). I’m also super hyped on Chris Roman’s new house project J.Alvarez. Everything I’ve heard him produce under the new alias are some serious jams! Couple other new local producers that I’ve been feeling recently are Keyboard Kid and Giorgio Momurda. There’s loads more, but those are some of my 206 faves as of late.

 

DD Walk us through your show last Saturday morning. What songs were you especially hyped to play? Any NW artists in the track listing? 

AR I was extra giddy before this past weekend’s overnight show, as I felt like I had an extra heavy dose of new jams I was excited to share on the airwaves! As usual, I started off uptempo before chilling out towards the end of the first hour, and then just tried to keep an interesting vibe and flow throughout the rest of the show, hitting various genres from indie rock, worldly flavors, spacey ambience, pretty folk, to banging hip-hop, as well as the usual assortment of fresh contemporary beats that span the hip-hop and electronic realms. It’s a long list, but I was especially hyped to play Shlohmo’s “The Way U Do,” Lapalux’s “Moments,” Scuba’s “The Hope,” Tom Flynn’s remix of Niki & The Dove’s “DJ Ease My Mind,” Amusement’s remix of Disclosure’s “Flow,” Keep Shelly in Athens’ remix of Solar Bear’s “Cub,” Matthew Dear’s “In the Middle (I Met You There),” Todd Terje’s “Inspector Norse,” Two Inch Punch’s remix of Metronomy’s “The Look,” Eliot Lipp’s “I Wanted To Be A Rock & Roll Star,” Panoram’s “Mute City Blues,” Jacaszek’s “As Each Tucked String Tells,” Elephant & Castle’s “En Memoria (feat. tUnE-yArDs),” Goldie’s remix of Joker’s “On My Mind,” Plug’s “Feeling So Special,” Machinedrum’s “Van Vogue,” Gonjasufi’s “Blaksuit,” John Talabot’s “Journeys,” Mmoths’ “Heart (feat. Keep Shelly in Athens),” and Sonnymoon’s “Goddess.” There was still a lot of new tracks I couldn’t fit into the show that I’m looking forward to sharing on my next shift! Some local acts that I was stoked to sneak into the show were Kid Smpl’s latest unreleased track called “Corridor,” Gabriel Teodros’ “Mind Power,” “Format” by J.Alvarez, the new house-oriented alias of Seattle’ Chris Roman (aka 214),  Filastine’s “Ja Helo,” DJAO’s “Engraving” off the killer new Gem Drops Two compilation, and Keyboard Kid’s “Get Based.”

::

See ya’ll on the 13th! 

Jimi Jaxon 

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The Vanguard Touch (Work It Baby Records)

2012/01/26 //
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I urge you to snag the debut E.P. from Vanguard, Oysters In The Half Shell. Fans of french filter house, Le Knight Club, Fred Falke, Thomas Bangalter & Alan Braxe will be hyped on Vanguard’s tunes. This is an incredibly talented duo and I’m excited to talk with them about their art. Thanks to Sphyramid for showing me this music..let’s go! 

DD Hello Vanguard! What are you up to right now? 

V Right now, working on a new mix, new tracks and a couple of remixes while watching White Men Can’t Jump.

DD I feel like you guys and I would get along very well. Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 was my first electronic show, and from there I got hyped on filter house and Ed Banger Records..

V How could we not when you have such impeccable taste in music?

DD Listening through your debut EP “Oysters In The Half Shell” is very open-hearted experience. The productions are warm, balanced with that strong throwback feel. Nothing sounds overdone. My favorite track is “Mount Helicon”, that drop at about 2:06 is just perfect! A smooth loop that could last forever. When it was in the works, did you get constructive advice from Kris Menace or any other producers you respect? What kind of narrative do you feel this release has? 

V The EP itself we made without any input from anyone else, we had complete free reign to do whatever we wanted and Kris liked it and released it just the way it was. Wouldn’t have had it any other way though. It’s important to us to be able to release the music exactly the way we first envisioned it and WIB is a record label that allowed us to do exactly that.

Narrative-wise; heart break on a Miami Beach…

DD To have your EP released on Kris Menace’s Work It Baby Records, which has played a huge role in showcasing this style of house music must be a total dream. What is your favorite Work It Baby release? 

V A toss up between fred Falke’s ‘Look Into Your Eyes’ or Xinobi’s ‘Best Of Me’ EP.

DD When producing, how often do you have to stop and just groove out to the samples and loops? Sounds like a blast to put together! 

V We hear the same loops over and over, often, we can’t groove out to it until we’ve finished the track. It’s fun at the start, then we get to the serious part of mixing the track which can get a bit boring, then the last hour or so when the song is nearly finished it gets exciting again and we can groove the fuck out.

DD I love these old school Vanguard graphics. Who designs these? Do you have any stickers? :]

V No we don’t have any stickers. Our friend Hefin designed our logo then we just find cool pics from the 80s and put our logo on them. 

DD After listening to these three Vanguard remixes (“Because If I Die”, “Eskimo Boy”, “Uptown Beat”) and the original versions, your character and energy comes through instantly. The use of filters, EQ and reverb on the vocals brings everything up to a more ideal level. Does the production process with these remixes feel the same as your EP productions?

V Remixing is very different because we already have something to start with so sometimes it can be a lot easier to get a remix done and it can be a challenge if the track isn’t something we’d usually work with. Our own tracks can sometimes be difficult because there’s no pressure to finish them and we we want to get them perfect and improve on older tracks.

DD Lastly, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave with Vanguard? 

V We aren’t thinking of a legacy at the moment, we’re just concentrating on making the best music we possibly can.

Vanguard on Facebook Soundcloud Twitter 

– Jimi Jaxon

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Categories House, Interviews

Addison Groove Suggests

2012/01/17 //
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Addison Groove is an artist that enjoys melding ideas, many of which come from unconventional places. I want to take this great opportunity and have Addison Groove guide us along with some music suggestions. The idea for these questions came from his RBMA lecture where he mentions some of his varied influences.

DD A hardcore track you get hyped on?

 

DD Something more African?

 

DD A DJ Rashad track you find most inspiring?

 

DD What something you play in sets lately, that confuses crowds a bit?

 
AG The juke stuff still turns a few heads but once people see that you can dance to it, everyone tends to get involved.

Happy to share that Addison Groove will be releasing his debut LP, with a whopping 13 tracks on Modeselektor’s 50Weapons label, April 3. Thanks XLR8R for the heads up.

Addison Groove on Twitter Facebook & Soundcloud

– Jimi Jaxon

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