Can anyone tell me how the game of DJing has become a popularity contest? I am noticing lots of New Jacks expecting to headline events, and demanding respect without putting in any work. I am not going to put this solely on technology, but this generation’s need for instant gratification is disheartening. In my view to earn your title of DJ there are a few things you must do. First you must be willing to dedicate countless hours to harnessing your craft. There is no way you can expect to purchase a controller buy two hundred cuts and reasonably expect to be called a DJ. Second if you are DJing to be seen and for popularity this is the wrong art form for you. Ninety nine percent of DJs and producers never make it big. However, if you are measuring success by how much money you make or how large of a crowd you play for you will be extremely disappointed. To all the trust fund kids no matter how much money you have it cannot buy you taste. As well paying dancers to jump on a stage and then claim diversity is foolhardy at best. This is a slow road and nothing in this game happens quickly.
Over the past week Aaron Paar released another gem on his Worldship Music Imprint. The Pur Royale Project by way of Greg Ski Royal is a blast to the golden era of house music. Christopher featuring Greg Bowers is not just a track but it is a song with meaning. Too often times we are dancing to music that says nothing. Christopher resonates deeply with me. It’s speaking of someone trying make their life better. The simplicity and grit of the cut is a testament to using your musical elements wisely to make mayhem happen. Aaron Paar has again curated a timeless EP that will stand the test of time. I’d suggest to grab this now because anything on Worldship moves like a thief in the night.
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/the-pur-royale-project-christopher/749575-01/
It is fun to watch artists come into their own and that is exactly what is happening with LADYMONIX. She is a phenomenal DJ and as a producer her sound is becoming more and more defined. Baby EP on her imprint Frizner Electric is a piece of wax not to pass up at all. It is evident that LADYMONIX has taken on the sounds of her native Baltimore and her home of Detroit. Baby my favorite cut and the title track on the EP takes the Soul of Baltimore and Detroit’s raw emotional Deepness to create something so beautiful it is difficult to not keep repeating this track. This is proof you can always honor the past while looking forward and that is most certainly what LADYMONIX does here. Big things are in store for her in 2020 so keep your ears to the ground.
https://friznerelectric.bandcamp.com/album/baby-ep
On November 23rd if you are in Southern California I would advise to attend Into The Woods with Louie Vega. I have had the opportunity to play ITW and the meticulous thought that goes into these event is impressive. From the sound to the atmosphere the curation of Jimmy Maheras enables his event to stand out as one of the best in the L.A. Underground. Vega will be playing a four hour set and I would expect him to go through NYC’s history of house and disco from classics to new. Warming the floor will be ITW resident Maheras. The party starts at 9pm and goes until 3am at Lot 613. Dress to sweat as this one stands to be quite possibly the party of the year in Southern California. Grab tix now as this is on it’s way to selling out.
