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Jimi Jaxon shares his newest mix, opening for Machinedrum w/ Tracklist

2015/04/23 //
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I remember the first time I interacted with Machinedrum aka Travis Stewart. I was given the opportunity to perform at Decibel Festival 2012’s Warp Records Showcase, opening up the night for Jimmy Edgar, Clark and Travis. It was the highest profile show I had played so far, and the challenge was just what I needed to think bigger and further develop my own voice. I remember him coming on stage towards the end of my set when I was playing some Slick Shoota, bobbing his head and singing along. From then on, I become more and more enamored by this man, both for his hefty amount of quality productions, and his friendly demeanor. Daft Punk are still my main dudes, but I watch them from afar. It’s just a pure gift to cross paths with Machinedrum over the years since that Warp show. He is truly one of the most talented and visionary artists around. I was there at the Vapor City Live debut at dB Fest 2013, the Jets show that same year, Vapor City live in Portland in 2014, and now this Machinedrum show at Crocodile in 2015. Once again, I felt like this was a culmination of everything I had learned, and another challenge to better myself and add my own energy into the night. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the artists creating these songs. Followers of this site should recognize a few friends that have come through in interviews over the years. Big shout-out to my favorite producer to come thru Disco Droppings, XI, whose on the very first track of the mix. Shout-outs to Embassy Recordings, Broodlings, Slick Shoota, HxdB and WD4D, who you’ll also hear. And respect to DJ Rashad and the Teklife family, who you’ll see represented..

It was a total joy to work with The Crocodile on this show. Thank you to all the staff, and especially Shaina for allowing my intern Beck Ninneman and I to bring in additional lights, and granting us some brand new subs. The vibes were fierce and rowdy. It was that show I’ve dreamed about since I started, where everything just clicks.

Tracklist

XI – Trinary

The Bug – Skeng (Kode9 Remix)

Broodlings – Two, Three (Embassy Recordings)

Stray – Chatterbox (Original Mix)

WD4D & Suttikeeree – Up On Something (Unreleased)

At The Drive-In – Pattern Against User

Ital Tek – Challenger Deep

Nine Inch Nails – Survivalism (Jimi Jaxon Remix) (Version 1)

DJ Rashad – Ride Dis Dikk (DJ Earl Remix)

HxdB & DJ Cure Feat. MC ThinkTank – Sound The Alarm (Firestar Soundsystem Remix)

Mincha & Ghost Town – Aberdeen (Howie Lee Remix)

Drake – All Me (DJ Paypal x DJ Taye)

Fracture – Loving Touch (Original Mix)

Rvdical The Kid – Tokyo

DRJ – With You

Etherwood – Unfolding (feat. Laurelle Robichaud)

SpectraSoul – Light In The Dark (Feat. Terri Walker)

DJ Jy – Kesha Wif The Fatty ;] (Drippin x Slick Shoota Remix)

Pascal – P-Funk Era (Original Remix)

DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, Alix Perez – Make It Worth (Original Mix)

DJ Earl, DJ Taye – Wurkinn da Bass (Original Mix)

Shy FX – Bambaata (Dillinja Remix)

 Video Credit: Cameron Jessup

Mix also available on Mixcloud, Video also on Vimeo

– Jimi Jaxon

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Juke It Out w/ DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn & Jimi Jaxon via Decibel 12/15 (SEA)

2013/12/10 //
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I hope to see you at The Crocodile this coming Sunday ($10 Advance TIX, FB event page). This is a part of Chance The Rapper’s ‘Social Experiment Tour’. That show at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, is sold out. Now, my feature on DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn and the prolific Teklife crew.

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As I read this recent interview with DJ Rashad aka Rashad Harden on Pitchfork, I connected deeply with his friendly energy. For someone of such influence and authority to be so kind shows me somethin’..nice guys can finish first.

 

It’s the same feeling I’ve gotten from my interactions with Machinedrum. After playing alongside him last year, sweatin’ it up at his Leisure System After Hours (w/ Jimmy Edgar, Jets) at Decibel Festival 2013, witnessing his Vapor City live show + the whole package around that album AND hearing his Essential Mix, I’ve developed such a strong connection with the man behind the music, Travis Stewart. Behind all this innovation and energy is a thoughtful and deep person that’s just very passionate about music.

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In that same vein, Rashad matches a bright personality with ferocious and diverse productions, that have vastly fostered new sounds and styles into the world. Search on Google for “DJ Rashad Interviews 2013” and you’ll easily find out, this man is a big deal. Tiny Mixtapes eloquently said, “He might not be the most veteran footwork DJ (that would have to be RP Boo) or the most batshit (there are lots of people in the running for that title), but it’s become increasingly clear since TEKLIFE Vol. 1: Welcome To The Chi changed the game that, flanked by his longtime partner-in-crime DJ Spinn, Rashad is among the kings of footwork and juke — as both hometown bastion and ambassador abroad. Welcome To The Chi was a huge landmark for what was until then a more or less underground scene, in one bold stroke defining footwork for a new international audience and pushing it to its breaking point.”

 

Rashad has recently teamed up with Kode9’s Hyperdub label, and the results have been huuuuge. I can’t say enough positive things about this label. The pairing has encouraged Rashad’s evolution as an artist; showcasing a broad range of sounds, textures and moods. There’s the I Don’t Give A Fuck EP, with energy so high I want to move until I pass out from sheer excitement. His previous Rollin EP, with my personal favorite track, the emotional and freeing “Let It Go”. His newly released 2nd album, Double Cup further demonstrates his variety as a producer. It’s got plenty of soul, with an ultra smooth flow. Equally relaxing and gangsta’ in the best way.

 

I can’t talk about all this music without mentioning the Teklife crew. DJ Rashad is the chief member of this Chicago based unit, and you’ll notice many of the others in production collaborations. The releases I mentioned above also showcase DJ Spinn, Freshmoon (Tony Mundaca Jr. and Lacey Mundaca), DJ Manny, Taso, DJ Phil and DJ Earl (+ Addison Groove from across the water). There are others such as Traxman (see Teklife Vol.3 The Architek). Click over to their Soundcloud’s and take in this massive collection of vibrant tunes.

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It’s such an honor to not only be opening for DJ Spinn for a second time in just a few months, but to be joined by DJ Rashad, who was unable to perform at dB Fest 2013’s Hyperdub Showcase. This kind of thing doesn’t happen very often; it seems the universe demands these two come to Seattle and wake the city up. It’s exciting to note that DJ Spinn is working on his album for Hyperdub as well..

 

DJ Rashad – Soundcloud Facebook Twitter

DJ Spinn – Facebook Twitter

– Jimi Jaxon

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Hyperdub Welcomes Jessy Lanza

2013/10/13 //
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I’m playing Pull My Hair Back for the first time right now. I feel high and emotional, longing for someone special. I’ve been single for a long time, and it’s getting old. I want some romance.

If I were in a relationship, Jessy Lanza would be my ideal mindset. It’s very loving and cute to me. At the same time its got tight, polished, up-to-date beats that grab bits and pieces from the dance spectrum.

Also, as someone who spends a lot of time in the nightlife doing my music, this is exactly what I wanna’ hear the following day.

 

I already adored “5785021” and “Kathy Lee”, and now after hearing “Fuck Diamond” I’m head over heels for Jessy.

This album is a collaboration between Lanza and Jeremy Greenspan, member of Junior Boys. They both live in Hamilton, Ontario. The album was composed primarily with hardware; rare synthesizers and drum machines. The two of them love this approach to making music, and the execution is pure and easy. For the kids like me who grew up hearing Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah and Ashanti..the love for R&B is strong on this album, fresh and repackaged for 2013.

The title track “Pull My Hair Back” seems to say..if you want to be with me, you gotta’ take me at my best and worst. A powerful song, with a lot of vulnerability.

Jessy Lanza makes it clear that she is more of a songwriter and producer, and less of a singer. It’s easy for many to assume to Jeremy produced all the music and Jessy just sang on it. Not the case. She says in this Polari Magazine interview, “Jeremy is an already well-established producer and musician with Junior Boys and this album is under my name, with me singing, so I understand the confusion. However, I also think there’s a bigger picture in that it shows how the public can be sexist about what they consider women can do in music. It isn’t a huge surprise to me though, people see me and think “Oh you’re a musician, you must be a singer”. I’m always pretty quick to correct them. I originally wanted to put this album out under a band name but Jeremy thought it was a bad idea. He hates touring and he has enough trouble mustering up the will to tour with Junior Boys and couldn’t commit to a tour for this project. He said that if we put this under a band name, people would question where he was on stage. We basically think of it as we’re in a band, that just has my name on it.”

 

Her XLR8R mix is also highly rewarding, and to me confirms Jessy Lanza as the clubbers daytime music. Its a ballsy and slick combination of styles, and the mixing is smooth.

Hyperdub Records is on their A+ game with this release, alongside Walton, DJ Rashad and Ikonika.

Jessy Lanza – Twitter Facebook

– Jimi Jaxon

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dBx Spotlight – Hyperdub Records Showcase w/ Kode9, DJ Spinn, Ikonika and Jimi Jaxon

2013/09/16 //
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Decibel Festival celebrates its 10 year anniversary next week, and I’m putting the spotlight on a few artists and showcases. When I first found out that a Hyperdub Records Showcase was happening (9/25 @ The Crocodile, All-Ages, 21+ Bar), I lost it. I felt confident it would be one of the best ones to experience at dBx. Seattle is quite blessed to have the hugely influential Hyperdub Records, with label boss, Kode9. Real name Steve Goodman started Hyperdub in 2004, innovating with releases from Burial, Zomby, King Midas Sound, Ikonika and more recently DJ Rashad, Laurel Halo and a personal new favorite of mine, Walton. Styles include Dubstep, 2-Step, Grime, Funky, Juke, Techno, House and Future Bass. Basically, Hyperdub covers a lot of ground with its mutated rhythms, and the music can often times have a darker perspective.

 

In a detailed conversation with Red Bull Music Academy, Kode9 understands that “the DJ has this kind of shamanistic role, a circuit bender, mediating between an abstract and a physical realm.” Last year, I traveled with Decibel Festival founder and curator Sean Horton to Vancouver, Canada for New Forms Festival. One of the main acts of 2012 was Kode9 and his DJ set was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Knowing that Goodman is a professor, with a Ph.D in philosophy, his New Forms performance felt like an education of dance music. Almost every strain of rhythm currently at work in the dance world seemed to be in his set, effortlessly strung together. It had so much raw energy, demanding movement and engagement with the audience.

 

I enjoy the imagination in Ikonika‘s music. Her newest album Aerotropolis on Hyperdub is an adventure, invoking feelings of the past and future, fantasy and reality. Those who appreciate house music, video games, sci-fi or the 80’s will find something to love in Ikonika’s sound. If you’re about to see her at Decibel Festival, I like knowing that she connects a club to a church, believing “It’s a place to meditate, it’s a place to find something new, it’s a place to remember something. (Quietus Interview)”

In addition to her work with Hyperdub she runs the Hum + Buzz label with Optimum.

 

Come to The Crocodile on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 and experience the Hyperdub Records Showcase. I will be opening the night with a 9-10pm DJ set. Visuals by Zach Walker.

Hyperdub – Facebook Twitter Soundcloud

hyperdub.net

– Jimi Jaxon

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Wheez-ie / Moldy – Five Fingered Salute / All I Want via Embassy Recordings

2013/09/13 //
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Pumped on this new Embassy Recordings release. Label boss Distal and label mate Wheez-ie are friends of Disco Droppings, we’ve talked at length via interview about a variety of topics. Since then I’ve kept my eyes on Embassy, and included tracks from the label in my sets (Sleepyhead, Thefft).

I’ve grown a little tired of being told to put my hands up, too many rave mc’s and dj’s demanding it. However, I will do it for Wheez-ie’s “Five Fingered Salute”. It’s a sassy exception; booty bumpin’ freak music. His “You Lose” goes in the direction of a bad trip or a ritual of some techno sort. Wheez-ie shows versatility here, and it’s exciting for me to think about what else he’s got in the works. * A few months ago Wheez-ie announced that he’s started a record label, with vinyl/digital releases on the way. Just be patient!

There’s a slowmo, badass feel to Moldy’s “All I Want”, could hear this one all day. This track was on heavy rotation at Dub War, the historic first dubstep night in America (2005), which featured Kode9, Skream, Digital Mystikz and Shackleton. The release ends on a spooky, A-class note with “Through The Rain”.

Vinyl release here digital forthcoming

Wheez-ie – Soundcloud Twitter Facebook

Moldy – Soundcloud Twitter Facebook

Embassy Recordings – Soundcloud Twitter Facebook

– Jimi Jaxon

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