The Milkcrate

New mini-dj mix + Fundraising...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Things have been pretty quiet here on the dj front as of late, no major gigs and I've cut back on teaching dj this year at the Off Centre DJ School (http://www.offcentredj.com - note that they're starting a new rotation of classes starting next week!) because of some new responsibilities in other areas.

To help keep my skills sharp, I've decided to try a little experiment. I was inspired by my friend Ryan's "Image a Day Journal", a project he started this past year where he posted a photo (either that he took or generated by software he made that spies on his daily computer activities) every single day. My version is a "DJ Mix a week" challenge where I'm going to post a new mini-mix once a week until Christmas or I break the chain, which ever happens first. :P

This mini-mix is ~40 mins of late 90's/early 00's trip hop, featuring tracks from Lamb, Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps, King Cobb Steelie, Cinematic Orchestra, FC Kahuna and more. Future mixes will vary in style, mood and length, depending on what's going on that week.

I'm trying out a file service called Drop.io to serve up the file, instead of using my own site, because I'm trying to reduce my monthly bandwidth overages. Let me know if the service works for you or not!

http://drop.io/8lkeawa

The link will expire after 1 week, so make sure you grab it *soon*.

Also, my choir, Univox, is celebrating its 5th season this year, and we're doing a fundraising campaign in order to help support our various initiatives, like tours, our composer in residence program, concerts in the Toronto area and hopefully a CD. (!!)

In keeping with the "5" theme, it doesn't take much to support us - $5 actually! (or more if you want :) Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt) You can donate to me in person, or online at our website. More about our activities and the link to donate can be found at http://univox.rigent.com/, or go directly to the donation form at http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d95560.

When you make a donation, be sure to mention my name or choir number (#24) so that I can get credit. ('n bragging rights!)

Thanks for your support!!

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DJ Dan, Glaude talking about controllers...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

A short video interview over at DJ Tech Tools.com with DJ Dan, Donald Glaude and others, talking about what they'd like to be doing as djs instead of just mixing records.

More and more of a push these days to have funky controllers and exert more influence over the sound, cutting up and firing cue points to do a kind of live remixing. I still think there's two camps though: the "dj as musician" camp and the "dj as party rocker" camp. I think I'm still in the latter, but been working on the former.

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Ha'F Speed, a new dubstep dj mix

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Happy Long Weekend! (Well, at least to the Canucks on the list :)

While everyone was out in the sun this weekend, enjoying the (finally) beautiful weather in Toronto, I was inside, working on a dark, ominous dj mix. Go figure. :)

I give you Ha'F Speed, a Dubstep DJ Mix. Inspired to give the genre another look by my man Shazbot (thanks to his excellent "Air Pressure" mix), and anchored around a few choice tracks that stumbled across (and one of which I totally ripped from Shazbot's mix :), I put this little mini-mix together as my own "take" on the music.

I'm not sure how many of you are actually going to like it, honestly. As the intro states, dubstep is kind of an "acquired taste". Deep, dark, bassy, and really, really slow. Some of you will get it right away (maybe you've already got it), others will be wondering how the heck you're supposed to dance to it. (answer: I think you're just supposed to nod your head)

Either way, fan or newbie, approach it with an open mind and see where it takes ya, from the heartbreak vocals of I Lied to the spanish back alley of In The Death Car. (Note: Listen for the debut of some beat juggling :)

Ha'F Speed, mixed by DJ Shagz
39 mins | 128 kbps vbr | ~38 mb

Fever Ray - When I Grow Up (Scuba's High Up Mix) - Rabid Records
Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone (Herve's See You At The Dub Parade Mix) - Fly Eye Records
Telefon Tel Aviv - I Lied - Hefty Records
Trill Bass - Lotus - Trill Bass Records
16Bit - In The Death Car - Boka
Youthman - Bombs Over Baghdad - Bionic Records
Bar 9 - Murda Sound (VIP Mix) - Z Audio
Woogie - End Dub (DZ Remix) - Aufect Records
Shock One - Adachigaharas Theme (Shagz Edit) - Viper Recordings
Kotchy - She Made It Easy (Plain Ensemble Remix) - Civil Music

If you like what you hear, you should check out Shazbot's original dubstep mix.

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Jazzy Jeff on DJ Hero

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Even though DJ Jazzy Jeff's statement in this video, that if you become really good at DJ Hero you might have a career in djing, is purely promotional...now that I've actually seen some video...I have to admit I'm intrigued.

It's *still* a rhythm/music game though, and those games have limited appeal to me unless I have a roster of willing friends to experience it with. All the same, I'd give it a whirl...

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Double performance this weekend

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Dropping off a double header this week, one dj gig and one choir performance. :)

I'll be dropping beats alongside *16* other djs this coming Saturday, June 13th, at the monthly Everyone's a DJ jam. It's a pretty fun party with a crazy mix of music. (last time I played, I had to mix out of Lionel Richie) You won't be bored, and if you are, just wait 20 mins 'cuz it's bound to change again. :)

I'll be spinning at the 10pm slot. I'm in a bit of a house mood as I recently bought a condo (nyuck, nyuck) so expect some deep/funky bizness.

Come for the music, stay for the fries!

Everyone's a DJ
Disgraceland, 965 Bloor St. West
June 13, 9pm - 2am (I'm on at 10)
NO COVER
FB Event Link

Also this weekend, Univox presents No Madrigals, No Motets. We're doing all (or mostly) pop tunes, with stuff from Alicia Keys, Gnarls Barkley, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Cinematic Orchestra, K-Os, Seal and more. Should be a really fun, awesome show! :)

Univox Choir, No Madrigals, No Motets
First Unitarian Church, 175 St. Clair Ave. West
June 14, 2pm
Door: $15 adults, $10 students/seniors
Advanced tickets: $10
FB Event Link

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