How I create mixes...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Update 2006-10-15: Check the comments page for a long post I made about the legal implications of DJ mixes and other dj activities.

Just starting to get rolling on Disc 2, nothing new to report there. However, I thought I'd talk a little about my process for making a mix, the steps I take to produce a CD, as a lot of people have been asking that question lately. (probably 'cuz this one has taken so long)

Every DJ is different of course, as every DJ is an artist in their own way, and the making of a mix is an artistic process. Two painters may create pieces in the same style, similar brush strokes, but the way they approach the canvas can vary drastically. Some do it off the top of their heads, pulling the latest and greatest out of their crates and slamming it down as they feel it. Others obsessively plan each and every mix, carefully fine tuning their track list to perfection. I'd probably fit somewhere in the latter category.

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Hallelujah, Disc 1 is in the can...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

It's 2am on a school night, so this is going to be brief. I just finished doing a rough pass on cleaning up the mix for Disc 1 of the yet-untitled celebratory 25th mix, and I'm pretty happy with the results.

I've been struggling with this one for a few weeks now, trying to make time to work on the track list and figure out what goes where, etc. The track list was definitely the toughest. I mean, how do you widdle 10+ years of your favourite house and trance into a mix that's less than 120 mins? The answer, I found, lied it weeding out and tossing any tracks that were already featured on previous mixes. With the exception of two tracks, everything on Disc 1 is a grab of key, influential tracks that for one reason or another didn't make the cut over the years.

Now, I have to get Disc 2, a funky breaks affair, in the bag. Should be easier...I hope. :S

Good night!

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Coming up! ROFL 2006

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

I'll be dropping some beats on July 21st at ROFL 2006, a special show of stand up and sketch comedy! From the site:

On July 21st, 2006, be prepared to laugh! ROFL 2006 brings together multiple comics from the Toronto area for an evening out which you won't soon forget. Whether it's Ali Rizvi's breakdancing styles, the random and unexpected twists thrown by Trevor & Azed, Jane Luk's hilarious ability to take on different personas, Mohit Rajhans's impeccable delivery, or Deep (just a guy)'s not-so-sexy accent, you'll find yourself in the aisle, Rolling On the Floor Laughing. C'mon - check out the site and get more info, or head over to the online ticketing at http://www.artsboxoffice.ca and get yourself some tickets!

By all accounts, it should be a really great night of comedy! Online tickets available in the link above, hope to see you there!

BTW, I also took a shot at making Google Calendar and Yahoo Calendar quick links on the right, so you can fly that event right into your calendar app of choice. Let me know if any of you have any problems using them!

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Beats on Bloor Tonight, Top Ten Updated...

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Just a quick reminder about tonight's Beats on Bloor party at the Concorde Cafe, 973 Bloor St W (just 10 ft west of Long and McQuade, near Bloor and Ossington). Shaping up to be really good party, 'n I've got lots of new hip hop, funk and house to unleash on all y'all. :)

The Concorde Cafe and Bar is a really nice, warm, hip place that just opened recently. Lots of great drinks, coffee, espresso, beer, liquers, snacks 'n treats, 'n of course, the beats. And it's free! Party gets going 'round 9pm. Drop in to start your night or stop by later to chill.

Also, Top Ten's been updated for this month. The top 3 stayed relatively the same, but lots of shuffling going on after that with some of the afore mentioned new hip hop that I've picked up. Pay special attention to Ohmega Watts, a wholesome, witty, spiritually minded and fun MC with slick production skills to boot, proving that hip hop doesn't have to be all 50 Cent and Eminem.

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Beats on Bloor, June 2nd

Posted By: Shagz
Date:

Just wanted to let you all know about a little cafe/bar on Bloor St that I'll be spinning tunes at next Friday, June 2nd, 9pm onwards. The place is called The Concored Cafe Bar and it's located at 973 Bloor St West, just west of Ossington. This hip, intimate venue is a perfect place to start your evening or chill for the night, partaking in the Cafe's excellent coffee, drinks 'n snacks.

See you there!

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