Show me a Stronger Love

Show me a Stronger Love (Kanye West feat. Daft Punk vs. Mobin Master Feat. Karina Chavez)

Show me a Stronger Love (Kanye West feat. Daft Punk vs. Mobin Master Feat. Karina Chavez) by DJ Dain

Not a whole lot to say about this one. It took a while to find a good vocal and ended up settling upon Mobin Master's "Show me Love." I also found a neat little Speak 'n' Spell sample to fit into the instrumental's gaps in the opening of the song.

Real Money-Making Thang

Real Money-Making Thang (Eddie Mars vs. Erykah Badu)

Real Money-Making Thang (Eddie Mars vs. Erykah Badu) by DJ Dain

I Luv U Cornelius

It's Bloody Beetroots Week!



I Luv U Cornelius (The Bloody Beetroots vs. Ray Goody)

I Luv U Cornelius (The Bloody Beetroots vs. Ray Goody) by DJ Dain

Yeah, I couldn't find any photos of Ray Goody, so you get a photo-shopped picture of some guy named Cornelius.

This track really came together well. I like how the vocals maintain the same build-up as the instrumental during the breakdown - especially when the synth/siren blares and the vocals fall through a downward pitch-shift.

Destroy my Car

It's Bloody Beetroots Week! Stay tuned for another mash-up this Friday!



Destroy my Car (The Bloody Beetroots vs. The Pack) [Clean]

Destroy my Car (The Bloody Beetroots vs. The Pack) [Clean] by DJ Dain

"Ill to Destroy" is a great track to open or finish a set with, particularly because of how it sample's a Metallica track. The Pack provided some vocals that helped give the song a little more depth for me and maintained a steady flow throughout.

I Am Not Your Pusher

It's Bloody Beetroots week! Stay tuned for two more mash-ups on Wednesday and Friday!



I Am Not Your Pusher (Benny Banassi & The Bloody Beetroots vs. Ice-T)

I Am Not Your Pusher (Benny Banassi & The Bloody Beetroots vs. Ice-T) by DJ Dain

I've been in love with The Bloody Beetroots' remix of Benny Banassi's "I Am Not Drunk" for a long time, but it felt somewhat hallow with out a vocal. Ice-T's lyrics fit quite nicely between the banging and swelling synth and base lines.

...and sometimes I even do real work!

It makes a lot more to me to use this blog for everything rather than start up something new each time I want to discuss something different.

I'm leaving for the U.K. in less than two weeks as part of a student tour group via the 2009 English Cultural Landscape Harlow Program. I've spent the last month here in St. John's attending classes about English Architecture, Material Cultur,e and Museums/Historic Sites. It's pretty interesting stuff, albeit repetitive. It can get a bit daunting looking at the same items over different time periods, but it's a visually driven program (which is probably it's saving grace).

Part of the experience involves a two-part paper/project. The first half involves some preliminary research that's due the day we depart. I've selected English Pub (Public Houses, Free Houses) Signs and I'll be looking specifically at those in the Harlow area.

One of my professors, Gerald Pocius, forwarded me a link to an archive of photos of various English Pub signs. Here are a few sideshows from the said collection:



British Pubs & Pub Signs [Featured 26 January 2005]



British Pubs & Pub Signs [Part 2]



British Pubs & Pub Signs [Part 3]

I'm curious to know what some of you think of some of these signs. I thought some were quite nice and very promising from an advertising perspective. Others, however, just come across as (possibly unintentionally) hilarious (e.g., The Dog, The Starving Rascal, The Why Not). Please leave a comment noting some of your favourites. I'm also considering posting my progress with the second-half of my paper as it develops while I'm overseas. I won't know what time I'll have to commit to it once I'm over there, but I'll see what I can do!

Eleanor Rigby's Dance Tour

Eleanor Rigby's Dance Tour (Soulwax vs. The Beatles vs. Kraftwerk vs. Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'Donis)

Eleanor Rigby's Dance Tour (Soulwax vs. The Beatles vs. Kraftwerk vs. Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'Donis) by DJ Dain

Mashing up mash-ups? Have I gone mad? Arguably, but that's besides the point.

I really liked what Soulwax did with their blending of the strings from the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the percussion from a remix of Kraftwerk's "Tour de France." I had been wanting to try my own hand at mashing up Lady Gaga's hit single "Just Dance" for awhile, and the two seemed to complement each other quite well (alhtough the time signature of the Souwax mash-up required some more thinking in order to get everything to fit nicely).

Those of you who took to the time to listen to my live set on the "Sound art? Sounds eclectic..." show via the 2009 EMCA Radio will recognize this as my finishing track. I know it's taken me months to finally release the track as a single, but life got in the way.

"What You Got Wednesdays" DJ Tournament @ LOFT 709 - ROUND III

Another step in the right direction: Round 3 here we come!

That's right! Your support helped me make it into the semi-finals this coming Wednesday! I'll be up against 4 of the province's top DJs to determine St John's most versatile DJ. The venue is still the same: "The Loft 709," 371 Duckworth Street, St. John's, NL, Canada on June 17th, 2009. Last week's round started a little later than usual (approximately 10:45pm), so I would estimate that we'd be starting around the same time again. But remember: the earlier you get there the better as there are $2.00 drink specials until 12:00am!

Here are the rules and details for the uninitiaed:

All Disc Jockeys will be judged on five criteria: (1) Creativity, (2) track selection, (3) skills, (4) stage presence, and (5) audience response. Each DJ must play 3 distinct styles before a panel of three judges consisting of (1) a representative from Music City, (2) a music critique from a local publication, and (3) DJ Sina. The first night is open to all who apply. The top eight will be selected based on their respective 15 minute sets, and will move on to the second night where four more will be eliminated (also based on a 15 minute set limit). The remaining top four will compete on night three with a 30 minute set limit. The top two from this round will go on the final night in a one-hour set showdown to determine the number one most versatile DJ. All time slots will be chosen at random. DJs must be present for their time slot and may not exceed their time limit. The Loft 709 will provide a Pioneer DJ M800 mixer, 2 Technic 12s, 2 CDJ 800s and Serato Scratch Live. However, participants may bring their own equipment if desired.

The top prize will be valued at $1500, but more importantly, the winner will be crowned St John's most versatile DJ. The champion will have the opportunity to open for Canada's #1 Party Rocker DJ Shortcut (Shortcut was recently awarded #1 DJ and #1 Club DJ for Montreal). Drink specials during this event include $2.00 until 12:00am. All competitors are entitled to $2/drink specials all night. DJ Sina will be closing each night of the competition with a one hour set.

Don't forget, you can help get your favourite DJ through to the next round by tearing up the dance-floor! Get creative! Start a sing-a-long or a conga line! Chant their name for an encore! Show the judges exactly who you think deserves the title "St John's most versatile DJ!"

"What You Got Wednesdays" DJ Tournament @ LOFT 709 - ROUND II

Tonight I head back into the brink: going head to head against 7 of the province's top DJs in an epic battle to determine St John's most versatile DJ. Come on down to "The Loft 709," 371 Duckworth Street, St. John's, NL, Canada tonight: June 10th, 2009 at 9:00pm and show your support!

In case you missed the last update, all Disc Jockeys will be judged on five criteria: (1) Creativity, (2) track selection, (3) skills, (4) stage presence, and (5) audience response. Each DJ must play 3 distinct styles before a panel of three judges consisting of (1) a representative from Music City, (2) a music critique from a local publication, and (3) DJ Sina. The first night is open to all who apply. The top eight will be selected based on their respective 15 minute sets, and will move on to the second night where four more will be eliminated (also based on a 15 minute set limit). The remaining top four will compete on night three with a 30 minute set limit. The top two from this round will go on the final night in a one-hour set showdown to determine the number one most versatile DJ. All time slots will be chosen at random. DJs must be present for their time slot and may not exceed their time limit. The Loft 709 will provide a Pioneer DJ M800 mixer, 2 Technic 12s, 2 CDJ 800s and Serato Scratch Live. However, participants may bring their own equipment if desired.

The top prize will be valued at $1500, but more importantly, the winner will be crowned St John's most versatile DJ. The champion will have the opportunity to open for Canada's #1 Party Rocker DJ Shortcut (Shortcut was recently awarded #1 DJ and #1 Club DJ for Montreal). Drink specials during this event include $2.00 until 12:00am. All competitors are entitled to $2/drink specials all night. DJ Sina will be closing each night of the competition with a one hour set.

Your support is greatly appreciated! Show the judges who your favorite DJ is on the dancefloor! Dance! Sing! Start a revolution! Go crazy out there!

Dog Zoo

Dog Zoo (SebastiAn vs. Base Alert)

Dog Zoo (SebastiAn vs. Base Alert) by DJ Dain

For the longest time I believed that the acapella I had by "Base Alert" was in fact from a song called "Rage" by "Atari Teenage Riot." I did some online digging and double checked the song (I found it odd that the lyrics in Rage didn't match up and initally figured I had a remix of the song with new lyrics). Eventually I found the original "Base Alert" track - much to my relief in fact (as I researched ATR, I found more and more of their tracks were annoying).

I instantly fell in love with Sebastian's single "Dog." I tried to use the lyrics from "Zoo" to complement the more "metal" vibe of the song, and produce a banging track to finish a set with. Let me know what you think.

Success!

After an intense battle of styles, tracks, skills, showmanship and your support and participation, I managed to make it into the top 8! Many thanks to everyone who showed their support - you helped make this happen! Thanks to all the DJs who put on a great show, and a special thanks to my good friend, "That Mexican DJ" who put on an excellent show. Please join his facebook group and give him your support!

The battle to determine St. John's most versatile DJ rages on as the top 8 compete the same time next week: Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 9:00pm. Come on out to the LOFT 709 (371 Duckworth Street, St. John's, NL, Canada) and show your support! Details can be found on the facebook event page.

Krazy Love Rollercoaster

Let's Try this again, shall we?

Krazy Love Rollercoaster (Ohio Players vs. Pitbull Feat. Lil John) by DJ Dain