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Loscil and Toys

April 1, 2010 by morningaftershow

I love this album cover.  It is for Vancouver ambient artist Loscil… aka Scott Morgan.  I could look at this picture and just… look.

I read the review of his record, Endless Falls on Pitchfork the other day and downloaded a couple cuts right after.

I put the tracks on and let them space me out for a bit.  When they finished, I emailed Scott.  I went on the internet, and sent him a good old fashioned, “hey man, I like your style… how do you do it?”  And just like that, he messaged me back.

I was interested in HOW.  How does an electronic artist even make crazy ambient beats?  I’ve been listening and DJ other people’s music for so long that I am starting to get the itch to try and make my own.

Scott rocks the Ableton Live with something called Max. It looks sorta fun for a geek like me who stays up way too late at night thinking about stuff.  While trolling the net I also saw something from Akai that lets you “play” your Ableton.  The Akai APC 40.  Bad ass right?

of course, $$$ is a major road block.  Ableton with Max will run me somewhere north of $800 and then the Akai APC might be another $450.  Zoinks.  Not a poor man’s hobby, that is for sure.  This set up would run me something like $1,250 plus taxes and whatever other fees will end up in there.  Not an insurmountable cost, but one I don’t want to tackle right now as Coral and I aggressively continue our battle against consumer debt.

One idea I have is to try and get another DJ night or part-time job to generate the additional money I’ll need to buy toys without damaging our family finances.  I’d like to think, I’d buy the stuff… learn it quick like wizard… jam out some songs, sell them on iTunes and start shopping for sports cars… but seeing as I am the last person on the planet that still buys music… well I can only buy my own single so many times before Madelyn is wearing hand me down diapers, and that’s an ugly thought.

***

Toys aside, I did manage to jam out a very calming mix tonight, but Mixcloud and me are not getting along and it just won’t upload my set tonight, so that’ll be coming at you maybe tomorrow. Oh here it is, mix is uploaded: I love you, but you’re terrible at…

And in other podcasting news, Capital Rock City might be getting a bit of an overhaul as well.  Thinking about the idea of a “podcast” got me thinking… do I even need to make a long form “radio” show for the internet?  What if I just posted a weekly blog or maybe a “capital rock city” blog of its own.  I’d write about local Vic music and just post up the MP3s as I get them for download.   You could listen to songs individually, then if you like you’d download them and if not, you’d move on to the next cut?  Better or worse?

***

Go with yourself.

Posted in music, neat-O gang | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

MIX: Vanilla, Lavender, Comfort

March 30, 2010 by morningaftershow

Click to Listen: MIX: Vanilla, Lavender, Comfort

A collection of songs I discovered either as free downloads from http://pitchfork.com or trolling iTunes.

This mix takes on the same shape as my previous couple, starts out nice and calm before building to a more aggressive tempo, climaxing with some indie rock and then quickly calming down again with an instrumental from Real Estate.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my selections.

***

DJ Notes

01) A Tribe Called Quest – “Check the Rhime”
02) Blondes – “Spanish Fly” (mp3)
03) Toro Y Moi – “Talamak”
04) Twin Sister – “All Around and Away We Go” (mp3)
05) Dub Tractor – “It All Went Wrong”
06) Kisses – “Bermuda” (mp3)
07) Delorean – “Stay Close” (mp3)
08) Jay Reatard – “Can’t Do It Anymore”
09) Real Estate – “Saturday Morning”

I like these Blondes kids to start the set.  Brooklyn 20 somethings that like to “jam” electronic music?  Is that even possible?  It is for these cats.  Pitchfork was yapping about them as a rising artist.  The interview they did is pretty funny and will make you like this lead off cut all the more.

From Brooklym we had to the American south and some chillwave from Toro Y Moi… a graphic designer who’s Christian name is Chazwick Bundick…really?  that has to be someone fucking with me on wikipedia.  Your name is Chazwick and you need to change that to have a cooler stage name?  I don’t believe that for one moment, Chaz.

Twin Sister is from New York somewhere, the city of… maybe?  This song travels around space on a unicorn made out of drugs.  Super duper cute.  And beneath those jibberishy anti-gravity lyrics rests an unrelenting beat.  Locks this song down.

I love tractors and I love beats… so its about time someone put them together.  too bad it had to be a Dane.  We’ll never surrender an inch of Hans Island to you viking invaders! (but your music pretty darn rad).

Have you ever thought… “man, why did I go to BCIT, get a job, have a kid, get married and a mortgage?  I could have just as easily moved to Southern California,  invested in a quality pair of deck shoes and got a job as a hand claps artist.” Yeah, me neither.

The closest this set dives into house music is Spain’s Delorean.  Pitchfork calls their style Blisscore.  ha, I love that.

RIP Jay Reatard.  Earlier this year, Memphis punker Jay Reatard was found dead in his apartment.  He was 29.  What a downer.

The set ends with an instrumental from another Brooklyn based band, Real Estate. Wikipedia calls is Psychedelic Surf Pop.  Coming up with music genres must be the best time ever.  I bet some nerd is out there right now inventing an online genre generator that will put a lot of music critics out of work.  Damn you Obama.

I can’t do it anymore, go with yourself.

Posted in music | 3 Comments »

Another Interview: Glee’s Cory Monteith

March 25, 2010 by morningaftershow

Cory Monteith is my homeboy.

Victoria’s favourite son, Cory Monteith took 5 on the set of Fox Broadcasting’s Glee to chit chat with me again on the radio.

Download: Cory Monteith on the Zone Afternoon Show, again

The first time Cory came on my show, we talked about growing up in Victoria and his rise to Hollywood to land on the popular TV show Glee.

We talked about his early indie rocker band Porchlife.

Then Cory honoured The ZAS with an epic shout out on The Hour.

This time, we pick up in Hollywood where Cory is hard at work on the set of season two of Glee.  He didn’t really want to talk about too many spoilers… they sing a Madonna song?

So I ask him, are you gunna be a movie star yet or what?  And he explains that process.  My phone connection with Mr. Monteith is kinda weak so most the interview is just me riffing off what I barely hear from him… I think I watch too many late night talk shows on TV.

That’s all I got, thank you for reading my blog.

Go with yourself.

Posted in neat-O gang, radio | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

come on everybody, grab your skate let’s go!

March 23, 2010 by morningaftershow

Fire up some S.T.R.E.E.T.S. on your music player.

The other night I had a dream where I took up skateboarding.  It was one of those dreams that seems so real, that when you wake up in the morning, it feels weird that you don’t know how to skateboard.

Talking to Lincoln over at 5:AM Skateboards, the dude dropped off a little present to get me on my way.

The Steve Buscemi, "Big Lebowski" board

A montage of characters board

I guess I need some wheels… you know, something round to make it go.  And Lincoln said something about grip tape?  And I guess I’ll need a helmet.  If toddler helmets are a good price, I might as well get one for Mads too.  She has really taken to the boards and “rides” them in the living room.  My man Scott McCord over in Edmonton said he tried getting into skateboarding as an old man too… lots of falling.  Maybe I’ll need a full kit of body armour?

Go with yourself.

Posted in neat-O gang | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Capital Rock City #95 // Cadboro Collective, The Gruff, Synapse, Sound and Science

March 23, 2010 by morningaftershow

A group of Victoria musicians team up to perform as the Cadboro Collective for http://nakedjams.com.  A very pretty song that fits in well with the harmonies and melodies of The Gruff… who oddly, are breaking up?

The show ends with some bands that might be in the running for a future as Zone Band of the Month.  Synapse and Science and Sound. or is it Sound and Science?  damn, now I can remember.  Thank you for downloading, if you like the show, please tell a friend about it.

Download: Capital Rock City #95

Sorry, I don’t have time to write longer DJ notes right now…

Go with yourself.

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One is not enough MIX

March 23, 2010 by morningaftershow

Have a listen to my second Mixcloud Mix: One is not enough MIX

***

DJ Notes

01) Fang Island – Absolute Place (yeasayer remix)
02) The XX – Islands (CHLLNGR RemiXX)
03) Interpol – Not Even Jail (Daniel Kessler Remix)
04) Ladytron – Ghosts (Tonic Avenger Remix)
05) Yeasayer – O.N.E. (XXXChange Remix)
06) Pantha du Prince – Stick to My Side (Four Tet Remix)
07) Tanlines – Real Life
Sample: Steven Brown of the Listen Hear Sound Project – “Sunset and Stars, Nidri, Lefkas”
08) Happy Birthday – Girls FM
09) Dum Dum Girls – Jall La La
10) Best Coast – Wish He Was You
11) My Robot Friend – By Your Side

My second mix on the Numark NS7 using Serato ITCH for popular consumption. The set begins with some audio anarchy that I recorded of my two-year old Madelyn, then I launch into my favourite band of today, Fang Island. I am also enjoying an Interpol lust these past few days so I thought I’d get that indulgence out of the way early. Things get a bit more aggressive with Ladytron and Yeasayer before calming down with a Four Tet remix of Pantha du Prince.

Tanlines have an interesting sound to me then I dive into some garagey, lo-fi pop music. Lots of harmonies, fuzz, making out and guitars.

A couple of these transitions I wish I could have back after listening… but I guess that is practise right. The Ladytron/Yeasayer transition should have contained 600 percent more rad. Next time.

True story, I downloaded the band My Robot Friend because I liked the band name. I’m not ashamed. Cool band names win.

Go with yourself.

Posted in music | 4 Comments »

For 3 days // I’ve bathed in nothing but sweat

March 22, 2010 by morningaftershow

Walked into the Zone today.  Seeing as it was so nice and Coral and I didn’t have a chance to do our weekend hike.  On ym way in, i rocked my one armed backpack which is quickly becoming my second fave purchase (the hiking shoes being number 1!).

I using this backpack for all sorts of stuff, lunch kit seems to be the best use.  But it is also my handy dandy diaper bag when out with Madelyn.  Diaper bags are the most emasculating invention ever.  Its bad enough its a purse type bag.  If it were filled with gun powder and musket balls, then I could at least handle it… but then its filled with baby powder and diapers.  No fun central.

This handy little bag, way smaller, out of the way, frees my hands.  Plus I think it’ll be a godsend at the Sasquatch Festival this year (If I can get there!).

If there is one thing I hate, its being encumbered with stuff.  I want to be free.  The flip is, free equals cold, or hungry or thirsty.

This year, I’ll have a little pack, outta the way.  Next, I’ll need some hipster pants that let me zip off the legs during the day to make shorts, then at night, zip them back on.  Plus some sort of sweater that can be tucked into this pack and pulled out when I when Coral gets cold at night.

This year I applied for a proper media pass.  I hope to get a chance to record the shenanigans for a kickass podcast.  My little pack might be big enough for an audio recorder too.  I’ll let the photog haul around the visual apparatus.

With the laptop and the motor home, I can produce up a show every night for broadcast. Go technology!

***

Stone Temple Pilots s/t album cover

The Stone Temple Pilots record cover looks pretty groovy… man.

The new record is supposed to have a 60s vibe.  really?  I’d believe that.

We all go through a classic rock phase at some point, I am glad that Scott and the rest of the boys are going through theirs.

STP released their first new single since… 2003? on Friday night.  Pretty weird, but the stunt worked.  According Alan Cross over at Explore Music, the single was spun over 500 times in a 60 hour period across North America.  Not bad.

Now if you really want to dive into some syrupy, 60’s acid rock from California, get involved with this band, Best Coast.  The song “When I’m With You” is rad (scroll down to the bottom of the player).  “When I’m with you I have fun.”  Oh very lo-fi a dirty.  Looks like the jumping off point for this week’s mix.  Plus I’ll tuck into some “Best New” tracks and music from Pitchfork and a couple other faves.  We’ll see what plays out.  Its hard to say before I am in pajamas standing in front of the blinking lights of my rig.  I kinda want to play “Show My Ass” (MP3) but uh, yeah that might not be my style.   Coming at you tonight or tomorrow.

Go with yourself.

Posted in ...this is your father speaking, life or something like it, music, neat-O gang | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

I have to have more virtual cowbell

March 21, 2010 by morningaftershow

Man, I really wrecked my button pushing finger by getting all techno wizard sample heavy during my set tonight.  If you ever wondered how a DJ could possibly injure himself on the job, now you know.  I looked like a 14 year old playing Guitar Hero on extra hard, tap tap tap on my hot key, ringing the bell during a Neon Indian song.  Now my finger is sore.

Tonight was a night at the lounge for sure.  Lots of groovy people came to visit and say hi and listen to music.  That was great, so thank you if you you’re that people.  Some people more challenging.

I’ve been DJing for a lot  of years now at some level.  I would never say that the music I listen to is “better” than the music you listen to.  Its such a subjective thing that there is no way to qualify that.  The only thing I ever ask, is that you recognize that most the time… I’ve at least thought about the music I am presenting.

I hope to never have this conversation again: “hey I can’t remember the guys name… its like Mojo something and the song is, ‘Tie My Penis in a Knot.'”

“yeah I’m sorry, I don’t have that song.”

“Well, just play something good, the music you’re playing right now sucks.”

***
I’ve really been loving my new hiking shoes.  They make my feet feel magical (though I didn’t wear them DJing).  I’ve only gone hiking in them once, but just the sheer fact that I own hiking shoes makes me feel like a hiker  I am such a weekend warrior.  Its why I hate going into Mountain Equipment Co-op.  I see all the shit in there and want to buy it.

$25 for a rock climbing harness?  Shit that’s a good deal.  Whoa, I need to buy a kayak.  What would I ever do with a kayak?

I better stay focused on the hiking.  Coral and I are in such  bad shape that walking to the top of a moderately small hill is an epic challenge.

I’ll have to save the cross country skis for a future purchase.

***
I should probably go to sleep now but I’m not tired.  I just want to tell stories and listen to music.

Posted in life or something like it | 7 Comments »

Capital Rock City #94 //Mindil Beach Markets, Hot Hot Heat, Treelines, Santa Clara

March 16, 2010 by morningaftershow

CRC 94 starts with some announcements and a contest. Listen to find out how to win a pair of tickets to see band number one this week, Mindil Beach Markets. I have some brand spanking new Hot Hot Heat that sounds good, really really good. Kelowna’s Treelines is coming back to Victoria, I got a song from them and the show ends with a Top 40 sounding pop anthem from a group called Santa Clara. That’s a podcast, thank you for downloading the show and please tell a friend about it.

Download: Capital Rock City #94

It helps me a great deal when you share Capital Rock City with a friend or post a link on your blog or social network.  You can subscribe to Capital Rock City from the iTunes podcast store for the low low price of zero or maybe by clicking this RSS feed.

***

DJ Notes

01) Mindil Beach Markets – “Drink Up”
02) Hot Hot Heat – “Future Breeds”
03) Treelines – “Canadian Airlines”
04) Santa Clara – “Save Me”

Did you ever watch that Aussie outback epic, Australia?  Terrible film… well not terrible but also not good.  In that movie our protagonist has to drive some cattle to Darwin.  Darwin is also home to Mindil Beach and during the dry season (in the tropics that have a dry season) Mindil Beach is home to the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Go wikipedia!  I guess sunset was a word too far for MBM… so that go dropped.  Good party sound.  Check out Mindil Beach Markets when they play a fundraiser for Haiti on March 26th at the Victoria Event Center.  Punch up the podcast and listen for how to win a pair of tickets.

Hot Hot Heat were dropped from their label, Warner (or at least we think they are/were).  C’est dommage because Hot Hot Heat might be on to their best music of their career.  So what Canadian band is Warner putting their marketing might behind? Hail the Villain.  BARF central.

The new HHH record is called, oddly enough, Future Breeds.  Fun Fact, the new HHH bass player is Parker Bossley of Pol Plastino championed band, Fake Shark – Real Zombie!

Treelines might feature an alumni of former Zone band of the Month, The Greatest Explorers in the world.  I think.  What I do know, they are playing Lucky Bar on March 20.  If I can make that show, I’ll NEED a Treelines t-shirt.  Like NEED.

The show ends with a band that gives me an Armchair Cynics kind of vibe.  A very polished, high octane pop rock song.  I don’t know a ton about these cats…

That’s all I got, thank you for downloading.

Go with yourself.

Posted in Capital Rock City | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments »

Plants and Records Mix

March 16, 2010 by morningaftershow

Alrighty friends my first experiment with a podcast mix.  I uploaded it to Mixcloud for your streaming pleasure as I have not upgraded my blog for audio yet and likely won’t for a bit as I still decide… uhhh stuff.

Have a Listen: Plants and Records MIX

I figured out how to record a Serato Itch mix and set my Numark NS7 up in my living room on the coffee table.  I plugged in to my home stereo for a monitor.  A little dance party at Casa La Corj while everyone is asleep.

Then I  imported the file into Garageband and fooled around in there adding a little voice intro and bed.  I still had troubles getting around Garageband.  It feels very awkward to me to edit with this software, but I’m sure with time and practise it’ll come.

Lets talk about the music.

***

DJ Notes

01) Neon Indian – “Should Have Taken Acid With You”
02) Millionyoung – “Cynthia”
03) Kleerup – “Until We Bleed (Feat. Lykke Li)”
04) Winter Gloves – “Invisible”
05) Memory Cassette – “Surfin”
06) Frightened Rabbit – “Things”

And I do feature a taste of Cassie’s award winning Buckerfield’s commercial, hence the inspiration for the title of the mix.  The voice is Sheldon.

I downloaded her commercial last week to hear her great work writing and Sheldon’s production.  As I sat down today to draft up a mix and practise, I punched up the commercial (I am such a procrastinator) and played it through my rig.  It changed the whole direction and I needed to kick off with Neon Indian’s tale of regret… man he really should have taken acid with you then removed this clothes and jumped in the swimming pool.  Funny story… that exact same thing happened to me many moons ago in another life.

Millionyoung is pretty hot right now, I read about his style of chillwave on Pitchfork and downloaded the ep.  I love it, its like the emo of electronic beats.

I don’t hate this presentation until my final mix from Winter Gloves into Memory Cassette which I fuck up pretty good.  What can you do?  The whole set is basically 120 beats per minute, give or take, until Frightened Rabbit.

I hope you enjoy the 20 minutes.

Go with yourself.

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