Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:58:45 — 271.9MB)
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sonic:torsion, ultrawizardsword, Proton Radio
San Jose, CA
I suppose one could say that my love affair with music began at an early age. Much to my chagrin, my mother thought it was beneficial to enroll me for piano lessons. Those lasted about 8 years before I decided to call it quits and move on to greener pastures. Ironically, it was during that time the transition from classical music to electronic music organically unfolded. Sometime in 2000 I began experimenting with blending music on my computer, with disastrous results… this was a time devoid of software sync. In the fall of 2001 I graduated to a pair of turntables and began my journey in collecting vinyl and honing my technical skills. I recall the first few months of practicing being quite frustrating as there was no one to turn to for advice and none of my friends were into DJing… but magically after about 3 months in, something just clicked inside of my head. The rest is, as they say, history. Musically, I've always leaned toward the deeper, weirder more abstract sounds, so my mainstay throughout the years has been a blend between quirky strange house and groovy stripped down techno. Thanks Mom, those piano lessons sure paid off.
My preferred method of playing consists of a harmonious marriage between Serato Scratch Live and vinyl from my record collection. I'm not one to use many effects, if at all, but if I am feeling especially mischievous I'll hook up my iPad mini in order to use Serato Remote to launch samples, loops, etc.
2013 ended on a rather high note, musically speaking (pun intended). I was fortunate to play several fun parties over the last few months; Hot Mass in Pittsburgh (Thanks Aaron Clark/Humanaut) and Beretta Music Halloween party in San Diego (Thanks Charley and Michael)… rounding off with two live shows on ultrawizardsword.net. 2014 so far has kept the momentum moving. I recently played an outstanding gig at the EndUp in SF, with a very up for it crowd on a late Sunday evening. I think something on the regular will be brewing with those guys. Looking forward, I have a few new podcasts coming up; MCast Sessions on Proton Radio in February, Honcho podcast in March and an All Things Minimal podcast whenever I get my lazy ass in gear. I also have another ultrawizardsword show planned for the end of April. Gig wise, I believe that I have some interesting things lined up for this year, but, I’m going to keep that pussy in the bag for now. However, I will say, one of my personal goals for 2014 is to play out more, go out more and put a face to the name that my atrocious Facebook wall has made for myself. I am definitely excited to see how 2014 unfolds.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:56:51 — 267.6MB)
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Jacktone Records (SF), Katabatik (Oakland), Record Label Records (Oakland) are the main crews I work with. Releases on Detroit Underground (MI) Frigio Records (Madrid), The Centrifuge (UK), Ad Noiseam (Berlin), Terminal Dusk (US), Component (CT), Puzzling (Liège), Zod Records (Milwaukee)
San Francisco, Oakland, some random warehouse, out in the woods, etc...
I grew up obsessed with music, either tinkering with drum machines like the Yamaha DD-5, mid-range Casio keyboards and small boomboxes as recording devices or penning the lyrics to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd albums as a kid. Later on, I played saxophone in school, drums and guitar with friends in our parents garages on weekends, inspired by Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Melvins and eventually bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Tony Williams, Weather Report. Hearing Plug/Luke Vibert, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Bogdan, Ovuca, Mike Dred (Universal Indicator) and all those folks on the Nothing Records sampler CD and seeing Come To Daddy on MTV as a teenager shifted things for me into the electronic space. Some friends of mine in High School turned me onto Impulse Tracker, Cool Edit Pro, ModPlug and AudioMulch and I just stuck with it. I liked doing everything myself and running with whatever vibe/feeling I felt at the time. Slowly, learning more software and eventually getting back into hardware and combining everything together while simultaneously learning more about the history of electronic music and dance/rave culture. After High School, I went to Ex'pressions in Emeryville (class# 8!) and School of Audio Engineering in Nashville - this gave me a good foundation for audio, I quickly realized I wasn't interested in recording shitty bands all day, hearing the drummer make the same mistakes over and over so I moved on, but that foundation is still applied every time I work on my own music. These days I'm more excited about working with other people who make music I like and creating something unique to us as a team. Abandoned Footwear (https://soundcloud.com/abandoned-footwear) is a project that Jynx (Nommo Ogo, Identity Theft, Seacrypt) and I started a year or so ago. Jynx prefers to stay all analog, whereas I tend to bring in more digital/software sources - so we've ended up with a super tight system combining everything together. Yes, there is a laptop involved but it's not handling audio, all the machines have their own voice but we are able to utilize some of the more modern features that software and digital machines bring to the table, while getting the warm, gritty, noisey, smooth, harsh and sometimes random sounds and textures from the analog machines.
Usually, when I play out it's a "live" set with Ableton and machines or sometimes just one machine like the Machinedrum. This time around I did a "DJ set" of tracks I like with a few of my own thrown in. I say "DJ set", but it's more of a sequencing and editing of other people's songs, strewn together to tell a story - sort of like assembling an album or collage. I'm not a real DJ, I can't beatmatch two records to save my life, I don't read the crowd and I don't practice or follow the DJ discipline at all, really. I just like to layer stuff and (would like to think) I have a good ear for frequency and musical balance. This set was assembled with Ableton and effects and contains tracks I'd like to hear on a loud system or on headphones.
1) I started a label with Dabecy & Doc Sleep, please buy a copy of our first 12"!: We are about to release a compilation, more info soon - Jacktone Records - http://jacktonerecords.com/
2) Abandoned Footwear (me + Jynx) are playing a live, all hardware set at Monarch on July 12th with [a]pendics.shuffle, Dr. Rek & Antacid - https://www.facebook.com/events/183793405106801/
3) The 4th annual Katabatik Summer Solstice campout is coming up June 21-23rd and is the highlight event of the summer for me. They're my family of weirdo's who play great music out in the woods, always something new, old, forgotten and memorable - http://katabatik.org/2013/05/katabatik-summer-solstice-campout-2013/
4) I have a new 12" out on Frigio Records, it's a neat variation of tracks that I'm proud of
US - http://www.crosstalkintl.com/node/40078
UK/EU - http://boomkat.com/vinyl/686344-exillon-mind-techno-control-ep
Digital - http://frigiorecords.bandcamp.com/album/mind-techno-control-ep
5) There's some live sets here, including the Boiler Room LA set and a couple gigs that Dabecy and I did together, plus my older releases: http://nollixe.com/
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:20 — 227.5MB)
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San Francisco
This is James Demon's second outing for the podcast. Read more about him here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:48 — 150.7MB)
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Brussels & Rome
When I was a kid I listened often in my bedroom a radio show called Dj Mix on a Italian FM Radio, i used to recorded in tapes every session of the show. It was in 1984 and I played those tapes for years over and over before starting to buy those vinyls I was listening in my walkman. It was Acid House! At the same time I discovered the New Sound of Belgium called New Beat!
Some years later my vinyl collection were growing up more and more, collecting early house, italo disco, new wave, acid house, experimental music, rocksteady, minimal synth...
In the early nineties I played in Switzerland (Geneve) for the first time in a famous place called L’Usine, the sensation making and seeing people dancing started me as DJ until nowdays.
When I moved to Brussels in 1996 I started my radio show on an independant radio called Radio Panik (www.radiopanik.org). In 1999, with some friends we created our label called Pneu (www.pneu.org) and we start to run some parties. In 2005 I met some italian djs and I started to collaborate with them (Discolooser, Subwoofer, Cockette,...)
I mostly use vinyls but also cds. When I travel I use as well Serato Scratch.
I’m still running my radio show each wednesday from 8.30 to 10 pm on Radio Panik 105.4 FM Brussels
We recently released on Pneu Records the LP Palais Chalet: a compilation with some bands that played at our party during the last years.
Out soon my remix of Sambaca of ALIEN ALIEN on Roccodisco (featuring as well remixes by GM POP and Fabrizio Mammarella).. more remixes are coming.
Currently working with Hugo Sanchez & Rodion on a new project
.. Surprise soon!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:32 — 143.3MB)
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the Ribble Valley (British countryside)
I've always loved music especially from around the age of 17 when I started going to good clubs here in the UK like Gatecrasher, Sankeys, The Attic, The Music Box and Back to Basics.
I always wanted some decks at that age but could never afford them at the time. My friend got a pair of Technics for his 21st birthday, this was the first time I ever had a go at trying to mix but nothing serious. It wasn't until 3 years ago I got some turntables of my own at which stage I was really into the Deep House sound and that's what I started mixing with.
Personally I use Technics MK5 1210 turntables & Traktor Scratch Pro and I like both vinyl and digital formats. With so much good music out right now it's easier on the wallet to buy my music digitally.
I spend a lot of time searching for new music but DJ'ing is just a hobby, I've only ever done one gig before and that was last year for a mates birthday. Sadly I don't get much time to practice because of the neighbours. In the future I'd like to get more time behind the decks, maybe start a night of my own and dabble in some production.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:02 — 158.1MB)
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San Francisco
I got into producing about 2 years ago with Ableton Suite.
Some of the best moments of my entire life, times where I have felt to be at the pinnacle of my existance, have been dancing with my friends to this kind of music, particularily deeper minimal/house. Having so much bass in this kind of music enables a very rare and intimate form of collective joy with those around you, because you're all simultaneously moving together while not just hearing the music, but (more importantly IMO) you're also feeling it together. That's been my experience with it, and being as touched as I am, and because of musics over all capabilities for my personal growth, I feel the need to contribute. I feel the need for others to have these feelings that music makes me have when I'm dancing with those dear to me. So I bought Ableton.
I've only ever DJ'd with Ableton + APC 40. As I just mentioned, I got into Ableton for producing, I'm much more interested in producing than I am in DJing, but I certainly love to DJ. I'm still pretty new with production and everyone can hear it, but over all I improve in leaps and bounds with every new track I make. They're all on my soundcloud page, soundcloud.com/tisdale
That being said, after learning production basics in Ableton, I just kind of inherently knew how to DJ based on everything I had already learned, so why not put it to use? Oh, also I made this mix "live" in my room in one shot with said software/hardware.
I've recently begun my most exciting musical venture called "WHAT?" with Trevor Sigler, Joe Pickett, and Dima, which is every wednesday at 222 hyde from 7 to midnight. I'm enjoying DJing but am even more passionate about making music and learning. I would love a mentor who's well versed in production that might want to take on a n00b 🙂 Also if you like my mix and want me to DJ for you, just ask, I'd love that!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:42:12 — 140.5MB)
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Oxford, CT
I started playing around with production when I was 11 or 12 with a software called DM2 I believe. Haven't stopped ever since. I started out playing off a laptop but I've taken up playing vinyl exclusively instead. I occasionally bring some CD's out as well. The recording set up was very basic (it's all we can get in the forest) Two turntables. 1 CD player, a Behringer mixer and my Abelton Live to capture the audio.
I am simply floating around these days, occasionally playing parties in Brooklyn a few times a year for the Sunrise Over Monitor kids. Looking forward to playing for some fresh faces before the end of the year and generally I'm just looking to have lots of fun!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:48 — 87.8MB)
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BerettaMusic/OpenBordersLounge (Detroit/Telepresent)
I am an intermedia artist who has been utilizing dj sets for over a decade to lure listeners into a sensorial state of deep rhythmic and melodic abandon. I'm thoroughly obsessed with collecting and playing with all the different types of deep sounds that the universe has to offer.
After a hearty career of fledgling undergrounding, I got involved with various crews throwing parties in Los Angeles in 1998 and by the year 2000 I had already amassed a sizable collection of deep wax. After finishing fashion school, I got a job with Ovum Recordings from 2003-2005 in marketing and promotions. It was really great experience getting to help out with Ovum shows around the states and especially at WMC. In mid 2004 I met one of the founders of BerettaMusic, Ryski, as we were constantly running into each other at gigs in Southern California. 2005 was the first year I attended DEMF, and became great friends with the rest of the Beretta Crew. I have been integrally involved with the label ever since. I started the deep podcast "Distance Over Time" (http://feeds.feedburner.com/distance_over_time) in March of 2009 which serves as a broader musical framework for Beretta artists to contextualize their work within and also as a gourmet supplement to their personal musical visions.
My ideal setup employs vinyl and serato scratch live with a kontrol x-1 on technics and all routed through a xone mixer - this is setup I created my GaysHateTechno mix with.
www.charleyten.com
www.berettamusic.com
www.openborderslounge.com
http://feeds.feedburner.com/distance_over_time
http://soundcloud.com/distance-over-time-pod
http://www.urbnnsnnds.com
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:46 — 96.0MB)
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BerettaMusic/OpenBordersLounge (Detroit/Telepresent)
I am an intermedia artist who has been utilizing dj sets for over a decade to lure listeners into a sensorial state of deep rhythmic and melodic abandon. I'm thoroughly obsessed with collecting and playing with all the different types of deep sounds that the universe has to offer.
After a hearty career of fledgling undergrounding, I got involved with various crews throwing parties in Los Angeles in 1998 and by the year 2000 I had already amassed a sizable collection of deep wax. After finishing fashion school, I got a job with Ovum Recordings from 2003-2005 in marketing and promotions. It was really great experience getting to help out with Ovum shows around the states and especially at WMC. In mid 2004 I met one of the founders of BerettaMusic, Ryski, as we were constantly running into each other at gigs in Southern California. 2005 was the first year I attended DEMF, and became great friends with the rest of the Beretta Crew. I have been integrally involved with the label ever since. I started the deep podcast "Distance Over Time" (http://feeds.feedburner.com/distance_over_time) in March of 2009 which serves as a broader musical framework for Beretta artists to contextualize their work within and also as a gourmet supplement to their personal musical visions.
My ideal setup employs vinyl and serato scratch live with a kontrol x-1 on technics and all routed through a xone mixer - this is setup I created my GaysHateTechno mix with.
This year (2012) at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, BerettaMusic is proud to present their 10th birthday party which is bound to be legendary. Please feel free to check out all of my current and past projects at:
www.charleyten.com
www.berettamusic.com
www.openborderslounge.com
http://feeds.feedburner.com/distance_over_time
http://soundcloud.com/distance-over-time-pod
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:23 — 96.8MB)
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east coast underground, A/Vclub
Portland, ME
I got into djing because I had to. It was the natural progression of things. I had been dancing and listening for SO long, the music is a part of me. I was collecting music and mixing it in my head. Djing was the next obvious step. It still hasn't been that long, but I am truly loving this new outlet. Really submersing myself in it. It's been a healthy addition to my life. I always have a project going on or thinking about what to do next. Still collecting lots of great tracks and building my library. I've been to some AMAZING parties with some fantastic dj's. That has set the standard pretty high... .I know what I think is good..... Well, don't we all?
I Use Traktor Pro, Vestax VCI-100, M-Audio FastTrack Pro, and my Dell Laptop
I host and dj a party every first friday called LOVE, located at Flask Lounge in Portland, ME.
I'm almost half way through my second year and it's going strong.
Other than that I usually do one or two other local gigs per month.
Check some other mixes out @ http://www.mixcloud.com/jamieosullivan/
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:59:34 — 164.4MB)
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Dancing Demons
San Francisco, Miami, Las Vegas
I had always had a love for music at a young age. I never even considered DJing until I was still in high school when I started going to raves. I started buying my first vinyl records shortly after that. My first gigs and residencies were in Las Vegas the city that I grew up in. After too many years of sin city I decided to pack my bags and head off to cities with more of a Techno following. This brought me to Miami after only one short year in Miami I packed my bags again and headed to San Francisco to follow my techno dreams.
2 Technic 1200 MK5, Serato, Timecoded Vinyl, Vinyl, and a good attitude 😉
Right now I'm finishing up school in Music Business and am on the lookout for talented girls, gays, and gay friendly artists in Techno who share the same vision as me. That vision is to create a quality Techno brand with a diverse spectrum of music and a uniqueness that makes each artist special 🙂 I'm also ready to get into the studio soon to work on some original James Demon material.
Photo by Christine H. Wetzel
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:25:51 — 118.1MB)
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Conception
Seattle, Washington
After years as a drummer, electronic music enthusiast and dancer, I began DJing in 2007 at a radical faerie gathering in the mountains of central Oregon.
I use Traktor Pro 2 with a Traktor S4 mixer. This mix was recorded directly within the software.
As resident DJ and musical director of Burning Man Camp Conception, I'm proud of the gorgeous parties we hosted this year at Burning Man: Rites of Passage 2011, with amazing artists and collaborators from across the spectrum. This live mix was from a Thursday night party called XenoConception, loosely structured around a narrative in my head about a small xenozygote wiggling its way through the cosmos looking for a mate (or three, or eight) and the adventures it had along the way, replete with chance interactions and changes of direction as with the party itself. The evening also featured DJs PG Tomasi & Tatar tag teaming from Want-It! (SF) and Bert & Chewy from Starborne (Seattle).
The Conception Artists Collective is a growing cooperative, aimed at bringing events, arts, music and spectacle both to the playa and year round in our Seattle base and partner cities up and down the west coast. You can learn more about our DJs, artists and events at: http://facebook.com/campconception, and can check my DJ page for more mixes and the like at http://facebook.com/djspaceotter.
Photo by Val Mohney, valmohney.com.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:25 — 91.4MB)
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Budapest
I started DJ-ing when I was 16, I was a big techno fan that times, that was the genre I started with.. mostly the european scene. bpitch control, etc..
Not sure about the future, I'm doing it because it's a vital part of my life. I'm also getting deeper and deeper into production, on my way to find the best environment and tools I can work with..