Shit got real....

Rick Wilhite, Norm Talley, Rooftops and Tec-troit!

As you can see, summer is here and the dancing shoes are out!  After getting some band time in with  Alexis (music),  Judy and I made our rounds down to TV Bar for Rick Wilhites Birthday bash.  TV was PACKED, but luckily maintained that comfortable feeling now that they've remodeled it a bit and have that nice extra space they're using on their deck.  They had a DJ spinning funky house music outside with all the fancy techno-heads of Detroit gettin' down.  Back inside in the Red Room, Joshua Guerin (Mr. Joshooa) was playing an AWESOME set.  Wish I had his set list for that night....and it was about time someone played some Pubas!  We were making sandwiches...out there on the dance floor.  Sundiata was the burger, Judy and I were the bun.  It worked!  Rick and Bruce Bailey both threw down after Josh finished up, for the end of the night part of the celebration.  Twas an excellent night, all around.

 

From Left to right, Top to bottom: Tec-troit, TV Bar/Birthday Bash, Level 2 in Greektown, Norm Talley @ The Grasshopper.

 

 

 

The following week was a busy one.  Hugh Cleal celebrated his birthday at Level 2 in Greektown.  If you've ever been to Exodus, you might know that this is right next door yet somehow manages to be so much better!  There's way more space, 2 bars, and they have some great local beers on draft.  I picked up a Shorts Soft Parade for $5.50 which is pretty nice for a bar in that area.  I'm always trying to get the most bang for my buck, and a 9% beer for that price will do it!  Golf Clap (Hugh Cleal and Brian Jones) played a great set from 11-1am.  Here's some Golf Clap for your ears.

 

 

The following Wednesday night, Eric, Evan, Judy and I headed over to the Grasshopper Underground in Ferndale for some Bruce Bailey and Norm Talley action.  Got down on some good ol' house music, with those Detroit vibes. 



June isn't done yet.  Tec-troit happened this past weekend.  It's an awesome little 3 day electronic music festival with a ton of great local DJs coming through.  I think the thing is that everyone plays vinyls which is something we don't always get to see anymore! I spent most of my Sunday in Harmonie Park which was totally unplanned, but I can honestly say....I WASN'T MAD ABOUT IT!  Caught some Gabi and Asher, they threw the fuck down and played an awesome set.  Another memorable set was of course Terrence Parker.  He mixed in some Good Life (Inner City), which can make anyones afternoon better.  Some Spastik (Plastikman) which is always better in small doses vs the full 8 minutes, Cybotron - Clear and Model 500 - No UFOs, to name a few!  I'll definitely come back next year for some more Harmonie Park Techno action.  Great job to everyone that helped to put this on and make it happen, and I appreciate seeing all of the great artists in the area!  Put your hands up for Detroit, I LOVE THIS CITY!

Yes yes, to music chat.

Lets talk about Alexis.  They're one of my favorite Michigan bands from the Grand Rapids area.   I was so excited to see them in Detroit at the pride festival a couple weeks ago (I'm slightly upset I still haven't blogged about that either). It was such a pleasant surprise!!  When I figure out how to get my pictures downloaded from that day (I swear it's more complicated than you'd think) I will be sure to post.  Until then here's an action shot that sort of describes their awesomeness in one flip of the hair.  BAM!  The first time I saw them which was probably back a couple years ago, they were playing with Phantasmagoria and Nightlife (more great local bands) at the Magic Stick in Detroit.  Their set-up was simple, with a lead singer and a keyboardist, and they both did their part SO incredibly well.  Matt is your ideal lead singer, dancing around the stage with so much energy and excitement...you can really tell that he loves what he's doing.  But not just that,  Dan, their keyboardist....ALSO has great stage presence!  He jumps around while playing the keys, and hits the right notes? Shit, not everyone can pull that off! You definitely need to see them perform live, and in the meantime check out their website!   ==>>> Music of Alexis <<<===

 

 

 

 

 

you should also check out some of their videos while you're here.   :)

 

 

Fantastic maaagiiiiiic!!

Fail!

I wrote a paragraph or so the other day on this not-so-fancy app,  and it totally crashed...and deleted my "already saved" draft.  Since then I've been slightly turned off,  but never for good! 

I'm looking forward to catching some fancy bands at New Dodge Lodge in Hamtramck later tonight.  Gracing the stage will be Alexis and Revoir (plus another that I don't know much about).  I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about,  I already do.  Just scatterbrained at the moment...I wouldn't even know where to start.  I'll get it together.

Wang chung tonight.

My days have ranged from me being totally on,  to me being totally not.  Someone very close to me was/is going through a serious mental breakdown.  Straight up.   If you've ever dealt with a mental illness, you feel me.  It's like you are lost in a world where nothing seems real....but it's just all too real to handle.  Every day is a struggle, every day you hope it gets better for them and in return, for you.  Not only are they in a state of psychosis, they're also a completely slowed down version of themselves.  Slow talking, mumbling, drooling, too many meds, too much outside stimulation.  How do you handle it? Where do you take them/yourself for help? And why aren't there more hospitals and resources to help patients and families that have to struggle with these situations?  I feel helpless, hopeless, and overwhelmed. I can't even imagine how they feel in their situation.  It's heartbreaking.  But everyday I work through it, and I do my best to be supportive...even when they won't accept the help and support they're offered.  You keep pushing through it by doing the best that you can do, without losing your focus in your life.  That's whats its all about, that balance. Once you start to lose that, everything else becomes more of a struggle.  You get stuck in that downward spiral until you hit your idea of what the bottom is.  I've been there without even realizing it.  Stuck in the same shit doing the same thing every day, working the same job that I hated and not doing much about it.  It all becomes a big pile of fuck...and then you wake up and wonder "how the fuck did I get here? when did this happen?"  You've been there, going that direction for quite some time.  You just couldn't see it.  And that brings me to SELF AWARENESS! This is the key to life.  Every now again you should clear your mind.  Take a step back and try to take a good look at yourself and see yourself for what you are at that moment.  What are you doing? What would you rather be doing? Where do you want to be and how do you get there?  Think about it, and when you figure it out don't ever stop working towards that.  I don't think I have everything figured out by any means, but I try to keep myself in check by being open with my friends about who I am, who I want to be and where I see myself in the future.  By doing that your friends/family can help to keep you on track and vice versa.  You won't feel offended or like someone is telling you what to do, because they're just reminding you of all things that you've been open about doing or wanting to do.  Go from there, find peace within yourself and you'll find comfort from that.  I'm lucky to have found a piece of my spirituality through this and in this year from being open and talking to other people about life, ideas I have, they have, sharing stories, etc.  It's quite uplifting and I suggest everyone do this.  You might find something you've been looking for or something you didn't even realize you needed.  Ok ok...I'm done babbling for the moment.

 

 

 

On another note, my awesome friend Judy hooked dinner up tonight after a good workout at the gym.  I love having a good friend that can make killer Asian food....and being Chinese helps with that :) oh yes....I am a lucky one.

Ugh.

So sorry for not posting recently.  So much to talk about.....words can barely describe.  If you have ever had a family member with a mental illness you can feel me. Shit is rough.  I'm so mentally drained myself. Extended post to come, and more music reviews.  So many good shows to talk about.  Promise!

<3

From the top.

Back when this was released in 2006, I was lucky enough to make it to the release party at the Masonic Temple in Detroit.  It was followed up by an after party of course, which was downstairs with all the "founders" performing. Probably one of the most memorable music moments I've had to date. 

Enjoy.

One of my favorite performances to watch and listen to.  Great build up....beautiful piano.  Carl Craig and Francesco Tristano are a match made in techno heaven.

o

At Les. Doesn't get much better than this.

drafting. hold please.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-frazier/the-movement-festival_b_3307919.html

Don't mind me.

I'm testing out some blogging skills.  Haven't worked on a blog or the like since LiveJournal days back in '00 - '04.  It might be a little ugly sometimes, or unfinished....lots of random life situations always pop up.  But I will do my best. 

In the meantime...here's some Doc Waffles. He lives in Detroit (represent!), and so far I'm loving his page on bandcamp. His style reminds me of Slug (Atmosphere) when he did those Felt albums. Anyways, I'll talk more about Doc Waffles later...he's got a show coming up  ===>Event link!<===  with one of my other local favs, Phantasmagoria.

Check 'em out. 

http://phantasmagoria.bandcamp.com/

http://docwaffles.bandcamp.com/album/ambulance-chasers

Always sunny in Philadelphia is one of my favorite shows.  I feel like the characters are so real that they're already in my life or I will get to know them later.  Here's one of my favorite Charlie Day clips.



 
did you fuck my mom? from a on Vimeo.

Groove on down.

Nicolas Jaar - Time for Us by Nicolas Jaar on SoundCloud

Yesss!

Got a random invite to the Tigers game on Friday night.   Figured, why not!  My reason for sticking with my "go with the flow" attitude, is you never know where it'll take you.  Sometimes it's the small things! Like when I dropped of my friend to go get the tickets, and drove around listening to techno for 20 minutes trying to find a spot (excuse to keep the music on).  Found one a few blocks down from DBC (==>Detroit Beer Company<==)  and walked the John R way up to the stadium.  Bravo Bravo!  was happening at the Detroit Opera House, which I would have attended if I had known!  Anyways, like usual...I'm walking somewhere in Detroit and I hear techno playing from afar.  Kept heading towards the stadium...coming up on the opera house...and there it was.  All the fancy people dressed up, having a good ol' time...and the DJ is playing Nicolas Jaar. These are my favorite moments....when I'm wandering down the streets of Detroit, and it's like I arrived right on time...and they played something I love, just for me.  I know that is not the case, but in this instance it came full circle.  Later that night I was at Temple bar for a random dance party, bumped into a friend...told her about my awesome moment and she said "oh, so I was there! I knew the DJ playing and I had told him earlier he needed to play some Nicolas Jaar" so from him, to him, to her, to me, to everyone else, and back around.  FUCKING. AWESOME! Here's the track they played....


and another one that I love of his...
 

This one goes out to you, Renee.

Thanks, Amanda...even though it was not intentional.  This put everyone in good spirits.

It's

about

to go

down.


Jay-Z - I Just Wanna Love U by kay-slay

Lowfish Reel Electronics

Lowfish Reel Electronics - Volume 11

This mix caught my attention as soon as I hit play.  After playing a few minutes of this awesome electro-industrial-synth sounding goodness....I discovered that I love it because of its roots. [Something Cold],  I totally appreciate you and this genre being kept alive in our city at the least.  Musically speaking, Detroit will have you covered.  Anyways,  I'm glad I looked for this.  My last Lowfish mix was #9, which Jordin and I had on repeat for at least a solid month.  Modeselektor....yes!  It's unfortunate how much dubstep as a whole has made me throw my hands up when someone says it, but dub is still where it's at.  The dub influenced tracks that are on here have a nice vibe...don't hate it...but I'd be fine without it too.  Now, I've loved Solvent since the beginning of my never ending electronic music phase that started 10+ years ago.  More, always, yes. It's the low-fi sound that always draws me in with this music.  And Nicolas Jaar!? So good....my brother from another mother...fellow Chilean.  Caught his set for a little bit at Movement as well...SO SAD that I wasn't able to catch all of it.  ANOTHER TIME!  Ok ok...last but not least...I HAVE to note the last few minutes of this had me in utter bliss.  This [Aphex Twin] brings me all the way back down...right back to my happy place.  18 years old, laying in the grass (or it felt like it), in the sun, on ballons and other fun things...having all around good times with amazing people.  It's like the feeling you get after a huge hug that was totally necessary. 

P-e-r-f-e-c-t.

And it goes!

I'm pretty sad that I missed George Fitzgerald at movement this year.  To be fair, there were a lot of people I missed out on,  or didn't see enough of.  And I caught a lot of really important acts on my list... like Audion!  Which was one of my top performances of the weekend...hands down.

Oh yea,  so my point is...this Duke Dumont song. So good I can't stop listening to it.  It reminds me of how good life made me feel when I first heard it.  I think Eric and I need to remix this for kicks.  Need you 100, need you 100%.  Double bonus! The video is awesome. I want these people in my life!  I love watching people get down.

 

 George Fitzgerald @ Movement Detroit 2013. I had a list of artists I was ready to see on Monday...and then rain happened....ALL DAY! SUCKED! Here's a few acts I missed or did not get to see all that long :/





Art Department starting off with some Moodyman. Love it.




Magda @ Made in Detroit Stage Matthew Dear as Audion on the main stage in Hart Plaza at Movement in Detroit



 

Audion @ Movement - Mouth to mouth --> Noiser

 

Audion - Noiser

 

I just love you...

Watch "George FitzGerald - Every Inch (Deetron Remix)" on YouTube

https://www.facebook.com/#!/GeorgeFitzGeraldOfficial?fref=ts

That song,  right there.... made my night.  I've heard it out here and there but couldn't find it!  after consulting google and about 10 minutes.... I found it!!  If you have 7 minutes, I highly suggest  listening to the full version.  This clip will give you a great idea why.

 And thanks to Shawn Michaels and Jay Faust for dropping this track tonight at the Grasshopper Underground in Ferndale.  Everyone was so into it.  Awesome set!  I'll tag appropriately in the morning :]

Oh,  and that sample they used is Tyrese..... "Every inch of my body! "  Get it!

 

 

Ugh.  Love it.

 

 

Shawn Michaels & Jay Faust

 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/582200755161128/ 

Song of the night/morning. Mmmhmm.

Jewelry I've recently made.

Movement keeps on moving.

The first week after Movement [DEMF] is always the hardest.  I've been attending movement religiously since 2001.  By now,  I know the likely story.  All weekend long we've probably been on our own little mission to see our favorites, the people that help create this soundtrack to our lives.  We've waited all year for this.  Luckily, living near or in Detroit gives you a chance to catch great shows all year long...and I do....but this is different.  It's like I'm at  home...or one huge house party with all of my friends and some of the best underground (and not) DJs and other performers, from around the world!  The feeling you can achieve with a handpicked lineup of some of your favorite artists,  an expensive sound system and some fancy lights...is out of this universe.  Throw in a little help from your friends,  and you're on top of the world until next year.  Detroit's electronic music festival does this for me and I'm sure so many others.  I go into my own little happy space that I would be glad to share if you'd like.  Follow my hearts desires.  See where that takes me for the minute, hour,  day, weekend. bla bla bla.  And then it's over...gotta suck it up.  If I'm not creating music (which is more likely the story), I'm out gathering my mind while listening to techno, laughing, dancing.  Having a good time with friends old and new.  Renewed.

But this is just one piece of the puzzle. fuck. puzzle fuck.          

On that note,  if you need your music fix this wednesday come check these guys out in Ferndale.

https://www.facebook.com/mes1984?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/582200755161128/   


                 

Movement 2013, Monday...enjoying Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May in the pouring rain at 11pm.  Mental preparation for the next act at city club, Matthew Dear, Ryan Elliot, Seth Troxler and friends!

Avocado on pasta? Yes!

From time to time I've been asked to share a recipe or 2...here's a good one and a good start to this...new space.

avocado & herbed pasta


[  two-four  ] servings of your pasta of choice (I have used penne and bowtie). you'll want this cooked and ready to go.

[  One  ]  med-large, quite ripe avocado


a handfull of your favorite herbs

....I recently acquired some delicious, fresh herbs from a friends garden. I used spicy oregano, a handful of basil, fresh sprig of sage, thyme, rosemary, and more basil for good measure. 

In a saute pan, I used a bit of olive oil to saute some garlic and onion.  If you're craving more veggies, I have cooked the garlic and onion down with tomato, peppers, squash, etc...it's delicious. Cook this down a bit...salt and pepper it. I also used a bit of turmeric for good measure along with ancho chili power. Toss in the pasta, let it warm of for a bit on med-low heat.  Get the avocado ready by scooping it into a little blender of some sort. Throw in the herbs after they're rinsed and squeeze a 1/2 lemon (or to taste) in the blender as well as a scoop of greek or regular plain yogurt.  I added some feta and mozzarella cheese to make sort of an avocado-herb cream sauce.  Blend to desired consistency....VOILA! Almost done.
Using a spatula scoop all the avocado goodness into the heated/jazzed up pasta.  Turn up to medium heat for a few minutes to melt cheese and heat through.  Serve with more fresh herbs and parmesan if you'd like.  Don't forget a glass of semi-sweet wine....if you're into that.


pictures maybe later  :]

enjoy!

one...two...

is this thing on?