It's the Supersound

I just got word that THE SHAKE is billed to open the JOKERS OF THE SCENE show happening at the Lo Pub tonight. Now I seem like a wanker for doing the post because I’m playing. The truth is I meant to post this long ago. MUSIC FIRST have brought some stellar acts, and what’s coming in the near future is super deluxe! Anyway, it’s going to get sweaty, sweaty tonight so head there early for some bass heavy, techy crunch.

‡ CLASSIC POST ‡ The Brash “Mute (Jokers of the Scene Remix)” by Jokers of the Scene

Chromeo “Hot Mess (Jokers of the Scene Remix)” by Jokers of the Scene

Les GIllettes “Pompeii (Jokers of the Scene Remix)” by Jokers of the Scene

Additional support by the one and only PHAZE-M.

Take a peep at some additional and very fine MUSIC FIRST bills here.

This isn’t your usual festival note but one definitely worthy of mentioning. THE HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL is a fairly small gathering that focuses on roots music. Acts like Romi Mayes, Nathan, Ridley Bent, John K Samson, and Christine Fellows are playing this year – all of whom have deep folksy traits – not exactly the right fit for a blog that exclusively showcases electronic music, specific to the beat variety.

Last year was my first forray into this realm. As one-half of THE SHAKE we closed out the Saturday night with a dance party. This year, we’re doing the same only a day earlier (Friday). What’s funny about last year is that LOTEK and I had absolutely no idea what we should play. We both agreed we couldn’t get too techy so in the end, we played a lot of mashups, disco and funk. Thankfully the dance enthusiasts in the crowd ate it and we’re lucky to play again this year.

For a taste of what’s to come, check the players below and click below to buy your tickets.
http://harvestmoonfestival.ca/tickets/

hugo – 99 problems (JPOD remix) (FREE DL IN DESCRIPTION) by JPOD the beat chef

Tim McVicar – For The Money (Bombastic Jam 020 – Out 18th JULY) [Bombastic Jam] by Tim Mcvicar

Dandy Warhols-Not if you were the Last Junkie…(Blunt Instrument Bootleg) click here for free download by bluntinstrument

The most iconic DJ pair Winnipeg has ever known are closing out the festival yet again. DJ HUNNICUTT and DJ CO-OP play are cross-genre playing masters but you can expect to find some funk, soul, hip hop, and probably some originals (Like Tim’s brand new long player out on WOVEN RECORDS).

Tim Hoover – More Napkins (Beauchamp’s Bootleg RMX) click here to download by Woven Records

I Heard it Through the Grapevine (DJ Hunnicutt Remix) click here to download by DJ Hunnicutt

It’s a bit weird when a few unrelated events simultaneously come together. For example, we received three items – from different sources mind you – all related to the iconic house label, STRICTLY RHYTHM.

First is this clubby mashup of an older Strictly cut with up-and-comer KAYLA (pictured above). Apparently this is a leak which may explain why there’s no download.

Kayla – “Step On It” Vs AFTC – “Tell U Y (Chris Lake Remix)” by megandF

Coming from Strictly themselves, we get a peep at BEN WESTBEECH‘s second single in anticipation of his long player coming out on September 12. “Something for the Weekend” is a house-inspired, disco-tinged number. Gerry Read provides the jazzed-out broken beats while Roska (below) and Ben’s alter ego Breach drop variations on dub step and some retro stabs respectively.

Catch the pre-order here.

Finally, and perhaps for a few bragging rights, we’ve been profiled in Strictly’s Strictly Scene. View the profile here.

Massive shouts go to all our writers, BONAVENTURE, CITY LIMITS, PEZNAKOV, and our fresh recruit CYCLIST. Also, big ups to MEME and the other half of THE SHAKE, DJ LOTEK.

The Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition (MEME) starts tomorrow!

This is the second annual event for the one-of-a-kind festival in Manitoba. Like last year, you’ll find a tonne of talent, both local and from abroad. International headliners include THOMAS FEHLMANN (Berlin, The Orb) and DANDY JACK (Geneva) with HITORI TORI (Vancouver) and Winnipeg’s own VENETIAN SNARES and LEBEATO.

Inspired by Montreal’s legendary Mutek festival, MEME’s outdoor performances at Old Market Square are the focus for this year. Every show in this space is free and features all the talent you want to see anyway. Plus, they’ve added a beer garden with local sponsor Half Pints providing my favourite malt beverages (honestly – their beer is soooo tasty!).

The shows at the Zoo, Whiskey Dix and Alive will also highlight more than the usual club fair these venues are known for. As half of THE SHAKE, I’ll be representing the locals on the opening night. LOTEK and I are playing a tag-team set as usual, except we’re patching together two midi controllers for a 6-deck set. We’re in some great company too, playing along side Dan Gilson, Encode, Dubz, Dave Rad, Freaky Alien, Jamal Knight, Just For Kicks, Frankie Wild, and fellow contributor to Manalogue, Owen Reynolds.

This year’s festival embraced the visual aspect of performance with vjs and artists providing additional enjoyments. It’s all led by MRGHOSTY with help from a bunch of others.

Not enough? Well there’s also two half-day workshops on June 24 and 25 on how to make electronic music, with presentations from performing DJs.

Visit www.memetic.ca for the full lineup.

There’s a lot going on in this town. People finally started to work together on building dancefloors and the stream of heavyweights coming our way isn’t stopping.

MUSIC FIRST sprouted about a year ago, throwing shows and gaining a reputation for quality parties. They’re bringing in some huge acts, the latest of which is NOM DE STRIP. I’m lucky enough to play with him that night too, as half of THE SHAKE, my mate LOTEK and I lay it down at 10:30.

Event Details:

Music First presents Nom de Strip
w/ locals Beesknees + The Shake  + C.H. Bassline
The Zoo (160 Osborne Street)
Saturday, May 7

Check it on facebook.

Nom De Strip & MC LOc-e – Step Back (vocal mix) by NomDeStrip

STEP BACK – NOM DE STRIP ft. LOC-E – DUSTIN HULTON REMIX – [SURFER ROSA 006] by Tim Healey

Nightriders – Hey (Nom De Strip remix) by NomDeStrip

I don’t know about you, but when you listen to hundreds of tunes a month, it’s not often something really sticks out. I’m happy to say THE FINGER PRINCE has an outstanding EP. They’re able to layer abstract electronics with an eerie warmth. “The Noi” is already in my top 5 for 2011 and it’ll stick around.

THE NOI by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH ♥♥♥

IMAGO by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH ♥♥♥

BEAU by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH

BEAU – BOWSKI REMIX by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH

IMAGO – USUARK SUSPEKT MIX BY ARK by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH

…but this is what you’re after. Such a deadly tune. Bassy with some minimal breaks. This tune needs to be heard loud! (Might drop this at Nom de Strip, just sayin.)

IT’S A MAYDAY – CHARLIE WHY REMIX by THE-FINGER-PRINCE-YEAH ♥♥♥