This is my entry into the Mason ft Róisín Murphy "Boadicea" "refurb" cover competition - recorded acapella in my bedroom using just my voice, a mic and Ableton. At first I thought this was a remix competition, but after reading the fine print I discovered that you weren't able to use the original parts and the finished article was not meant to be dance music. Which actually suited me better than doing a remix in the end. I'm happy with this :-)
First of a two part in depth interview with myself on the Edinburgh-based club listings blog Lo-Quality. In this part we chat about my background, Little Rock, and the inspiration for I Came: Keen to keep numerous projects on the go, on top of his latest release, the electro-disco / house / techno / acid / quirky electronic producer has just finished a Metatron EP for Black Lantern Music, and contributed lead vocals to ‘Infinite Capacity (For Love)’, the debut single from Ben Butler & Mousepad on digital download from Loaf Recordings. In between his production work, he appears as resident for Glasgow’s Menergy club, which returns in February 2011 at the School of Art’s Vic Bar: he helpfully advises that you can always download guest mixes from the Menergy blog, such as the recently compiled Hi-NRG mix by Frenchbloke, of music he was hearing at Glasgow’s Bennets venue in 1985 and 1986.
As much as I hate it (and hate to admit it), I have been drawn into this year's X Factor competition. Not for any particular reason other than it has been on, I have caught few episodes, and been sucked in. And, you know, sometimes it feels good to participate in the huge cultural happenings that bring us together as a nation. Sometimes.
This just arrived by electronic mail today - the forthcoming EP by Ben Butler & Mousepad on LOAF Recordings, that features me singing on the lead track "Infinite Capacity (For Love)". Niiiice! The EP is out for digital download now, you can purchase a copy here.
There's a re-edit of the track from when we originally recorded it, way back in early 2009, by Dolby Anol that is excellent and not included in the EP. I can see why though, as it doesn't fit the overall sound. Here it is for you lot to download anyway.
What is included on the EP is the remix by Dam Mantle, as well as a remix by Fugelance. The Dam Mantle mix has been editted to fit the release, so here is his original full length remix for you lucky buggers as well:
Glaswegian funk-machine-renaissance-man The Niallist is gearing up to release the rude and bouncy new track ‘I Came’, featuring the vocals of Miss Mac D.
Already a big figure on the Manchester and Glasgow gay scenes, we spoke to The Niallist about nights out, gay music culture, his fantasy gig and multiple orgasms.
Finish the sentence: A good track starts with... A cowbell.
A week today sees the release of my next single on vinyl, "I Came (Female Version)" with vocals by Ms Mac D. Exciting!! Some feedback is coming in already and so far so good. The 12" has remixes by me, Brassica and DFRNT. It's always satisfying to have your music on vinyl!
It's been great hanging out and catching up with Danny Wang this year, especially as he has been teaching me the darkest secrets of voguing. I love this photo - it's us tripping out to artist Richard Wright at Glasgow's Modern Institute.
Wow, the Menergy Fierce Ruling Divas Ball went better than I could have hoped! The atmosphere is electric, and even though it was quite chaotic, we pulled it off with aplomb. I mean, queens started walking without even being called first!! What is this world coming to? After a while I had to abandon the rule book and go with the flow - let the queens walk and announce them as they appeared. But the crowd loved it!
Overall winner Nigela Von Scrumptious was very popular, as was overall runner up Lady P (who actually had lights in her wig! Now THAT'S fierce!), and everyone who walked got a good cheer. Except from the judges, who threw down a whole world of shade. Eventually the crowd invaded the catwalk to celebrate the winners (see video below) before I had to go and literally throw them off to make room for our special guest Vanity Von Glow to do her thing. And she nailed it with much aplomb, possibly being the crowd favourite queen of the night. Kid Zipper played a blinder, followed by Graham Peel of Dolby Anol, and Jon Pleased Wimmin, who dragged up for the first time in ages. Big shouts to Camille and all at LVB for being great sports, and putting so much effort into making this happen. Next stop, Manchester!
And thanks to Marina Maclean, Michael James, April McArdle, Les Garcons De Glasgow, the Nicest Kid in Town and Attention to Detail for the pics. There's lots lots more over at www.menergy.tv.
Quite frankly, the Fierce Ruling Divas Ball was the party of the year. Even if I say so myself.
Probably the most famous voguing house in the world is the House of Ninja, formed by the legendary Willi Ninja back (I'm guessing here) in the early 80's or late 70s. Even though drag balls already existed, as did the dance, Willi Ninja is regarded as the godfather of voguing, and is featured heavily in both the Paris Is Burning film and the "Deep In Vogue" video by Malcolm McLaren. In anticipation of our own Fierce Ruling Divas Ball on Saturday, here's a selection of some of the best moves by the house, that can also serve as a kind of introduction to how voguing (and "houses") work.
Last post for just now - I have a new 3 track Metatron EP about to drop on Black Lantern Music. Before they gat it up though, here it is for you my blog readers. This is more experimental than the last EP, though it still falls roughly within the boundaries of what we call "dubstep" 9this time with some industrial, house and techno influences). It's a bit rough and ready as I am trying to capture a certain naiveté of production, and it was made mostly on train journeys up and down the land, hence the name.
I went to a great event here on Sunday evening - the Manchester premiere of a new documentary on the American composer/inventor Raymond Scott, directed by his son Stan Warnow. On the bill, along with the film itself, were special Scott-themed live sets by local acts Demdike Stare, Illum Sphere v Kidkanevil and the one-off supergroup The Manhattan Research Transfer Project.
As well as publishing my interview with Shunda K, issue #5 of Lock Up Your Daughters also featured a piece I wrote called "Taxonomy of Bears". This was to describe to the girls what all the different terms associated with "bear" culture mean. I ended up writing it in a nursery rhyme fashion, and Lucy from LUYD did some cracking illustrations to boot. I'd love to get this printed on a t-shirt some day...
I did a short live set at Zombie Pride for Halloween this year - it were a right good laugh! Even the annoying French people who invaded the stage were useful, as I could just shout at them when I forgot the lyrics to "Paranoid". There was a great zombie walk off later on too, with the winner(s) being given a 5 litre bottle of lube. I wonder how long it will last.
I also got to see for the first time the fantastic Bad Taste Barbies in action. I really liked their Hi-NRG rock show, so much that I wish I had gone on before them. I reckon we will be working on stuff together at some point! Unfortunately there seems to be only one picture of me from this historic occassion, but it is a good picture:
Another spook-a-look mix, and another crosspost from Shallow Rave.
DJ Goatface Killah made a name for himself at the Satanic Toga Party a few months back by supplying the devil-worshipping revellers with a soundtrack of non-stop Dark Lord-themed hits. This being the witching season, we asked him to do a Satanic mix for Shallow Rave, and here it is. It's rather bloody good too, and surprisingly features nothing from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (no, that's a different Iron Maiden). HAIL SATAN! \m/
01. ANTON SZANDOR LAVEY (USA) / THE SATANIC MASS (EDIT) (1968) 02. ANTONIUS REX (ITALY) / NON FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA (1974) 03. BLACK WIDOW (UK) / IN ANCIENT DAYS (1969) 04. COVEN (USA) / BLACK SABBATH (1969) 05. BULBOUS CREATION (UK) / SATAN (1969) 06. THE RATTLES (GERMANY) / THE WITCH (1968) 07. THE GHOST (UK) / NOW YOU’RE DEAD (1970) 08. THE GUN (UK) / RACE WITH THE DEVIL (1968) 09. THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN (UK) / FIRE (1968) 10. ROKY ERICKSON & THE ALIENS (USA) / WHITE FACES (1977) 11. LOLLIPOP SHOPPE (USA) / YOU MUST BE A WITCH (1967) 12. DUFFY (UK) / JUDGEMENT DAY (1971) 13. BEDEMON (USA) / CHILD OF DARKNESS (1973) 14. LUCIFER’S FRIEND (UK / GERMANY) / LUCIFER’S FRIEND (1970) 15. IRON MAIDEN (UK) / GOD OF DARKNESS (1969) 16. AFFINITY (UK) / THREE SISTERS (1970) 17. SAM GOPAL (UK) / THE DARK LORD (1969) 18. BOBBY BEAUSOLEIL (USA) / LUCIFER RISING PART II (1972) Download "Ave Satanas" from this link.
Yes, its that time of year again, when darkness spreads across the land and the midnight hour is close at hand, etc etc. Due to the venue we had hired going out of business, we have been forced to cancel this years Rock'n'Shock festivities, which is a shame, but there's lots of other options for Samhain revelling (personally I highly recommend the Cry Parrot Art School party with Gary War, Ben Butler & Ultimate Thrush, and the return of Optimo Espookio). To get you in the mood, here are some free spookilicious download-able mixes.
The first two are from our own Menergy gang. We made these mixes back in May to promote the Italo Horror Party, but they seem more relevant at this time of year. Mine is a comp of all your favourite disco versions of horror themes while KZ's is a more brooding, modern take on John Carpenter atmospherics. But with some gay disco thrown in for good measure.
Halloween II - John Carpenter Cannibal Ferox - Fabio Frizzi Zombi - Goblin Amityville Frenzy - Lalo Schiffrin Prom Night Theme - Zaza & Zitter Phantasm - Captain Zorro Phantasmagoria / Silver Sphere Disco - Fred Myrow & Malcolm Seagrave NYC Theme - Budy-Maglione Demons (Disco Beard Edit) - Claudio Simonetti Friday The 13th Part III - Manfredini & Zager Lust - Rinder & Lewis Doin' It In A Haunted House - Yvonne Cage Disco Blood - The Vamps Soul Dracula - Hot Blood
Actress- Paint Straw and Bubbles Tobe Hooker- Haddonfield Fear Factory Mr Pauli- The Crunch Black Devil Disco Club- Timing, Forget The Timing Pat Hodges- Fly By Night Telespazio – Galileo – Rodion Mix Goblin- Tenebre Lory D – Bank Robbery Bunker 2 – Dark Side of The Moon Gique- Fulci's Rotting Children Patrick Cowley – They Came At Night Ajello and Daniele Baldelli – Cosmogony The Immortals- Ultimate Warlord Goblin- Suspira Solenoid- Suspiriosm Porn Darstellar- Holocaust
Next up we have a special festive mix from our chums at the disco/house blog Feel My Bicep. The whole thing is three hours long and available from their website. There are loads of great tracks up on the to download too, so get over there and get clickin'.
And finally here's an epic four hour mix from the producer Frenchbloke. Put together for a friend of his who had only just discovered Cabaret Voltaire, it features lots of cold-wave and minimal electronics form the early 80's. This is not specifially Halloween themed, but it is great, and some of these tunes are deliciously creepy!
xeno & oaklander - saracen psychic youth - the future is now ciaran harte - love is strange deux - felicita nightmoves - transdance (uk disco mix) fad gadget - the box the eurythmics - take me to your heart metal urbain - panik robert rental - a.c.c rude 666 - the 1000 year storm palais schaumburg - telefon victrola - maritime tatami rema rema - instrumental the normal - warm leatherette (mathew stone remix) cabaret voltaire - seconds too late das boomerang - suzanne oppenheimer analysis - the devil's dancers futurisk - poison ivy missing scientists - big city, bright lights hiroshima chair - tu eddie and sunshine - lines moderne - indicatif dark day - no, nothing, never gorilla aktiv - spiegelbild monte cazazza - kick that habit man the passage - xoyo ami marie - spiel mit mir our daughters wedding - lawnchairs (dance club version) daf - kebabtraume blah blah blah - in the army john bender - 06-27b4 (rainy day sunshine girl) martin rev - mari conrad schnitzler - auf dem schwarzen kanal severed heads - adolf a carrot emak - tanz in den himmel soft cell - bleak is my favourite cliche der plan - rot grun rot the gist - iambic pentameter yello - there is no reason bourbonese qualk - lies das kabinette - the cabinet die krupps - goldfinger klinik - moving hands hula - poison (club mix) chris and cosey - october (love song) he said - a.b.c.dicks love neon - lobotomy portion control - go talk john foxx - 20th century front 242 - operating tracks i start counting - my translucent hands kas product - loony bin spk - metal field silicon teens - sun flight dorothy - i confess hard corps - je suis passee daniel miller & boyd rice - cleanliness to order malaria! - tod holger hiller- jonny (du lump) heaven 17 - i'm your money voice farm - sleep die doraus und die marinas - fred vom jupiter
Taking a break from the music for a moment, here's a couple of vids of the kind of "esoteric" stuff that I like. People are so quick to assume that people who are interested in this kind of thing are somehow stupid or deluded - and yes of course there are a lot of charlatans peddling crap out there to some very gullible people - but it seems self-evident to me that the curious mind will not settle for accepting the answers handed down from above without question. Egyptology is the most glaring example of that. There are just far too many pieces of the "official" story that do not fit.
This talk form Graham Hancock (which has got little to nothing to do with 2012) is excellent, and points out many of the flaws in received wisdom about Egyptian culture, its age, and the use of the Pyramids and the Sphynx. The most popular comment on this video compares Hancock to David Icke, which is a kind of travesty. Icke is, at best, a disinformation agent. Hancock (who may not be right, after all) is a serious scholar.
If you like that talk, then check this series out. It's waaay further out than Hancock (even though Hancock's colleague Robert Bauvall is featured heavily), positing as it does that the Pyramids are actually giant, ancient energy domes. I'm not sure about that, but it makes for some excellent viewing:
As I mentioned before, we are putting on a drag/vogue ball in Glasgow on Saturday, in association with Che Camille and Glasgay, called the "Fierce Ruling Diva's Ball". There has been a bit of a buzz about this event, and people are excited, but lots of them just don't know what voguing is or what you do at a ball. So, I have put together a post on the legendary "House Of Ninja", probably the world's premiere voguing family, over on the Menergy blog. I will spare you yet another epic un-cut post on LJ tonight, but it's definitely worth a read and a watch.
Now this doesn't take into account the drag aspects of a ball, just the dance side, and I will do another post on the drag element soon (or get Munter to do it instead). But this has really tapped into something in me - the music, the dancing, the sense of respect that voguing can give to kids that society casts out - it's all there and I feel it very strongly. It's going to have an effect on my future music, I can tell already.
In terms of my own role I am not going to be competing, instead I will be MCing (and maybe doing a small bit of live performing). I'm really excited because I LOVE the camp vogue-MCing style, and I shall be channeling the great Selvin Mizrahi from the House of Mizrahi. And of course I can't help but be influenced by Horse Meat Disco's legendary ball host Filthy Luka.
There is a fashion show on the night too, and guest DJ sets from Jon Pleased Wimmin and Graham Peel of Dolby Anol. It's shaping up to be a very special night indeed, in a fantastic location, with some fantastic folk already involved (Vanity von Glow, Lock Up Your Daughters, Illa Masqua make-up and more), and I have to admit I am a bit nervous! :-D
Shunda K is one half of the awesome Yo! Majesty, who have been making some serious waves the last couple of years with their outspoken, openly gay, dancefloor-dominating hip-hop. This weeks sees the release of "I'm Da Best", the second single to be taken from Shunda's upcoming solo album, due out in January next year. I was asked to interview Shunda for the Lock Up Your Daughters fanzine (it appears in issue 5 which has just been released and is highly recommended), and they've let me reprint it here for all you Shallow Ravers. Dat's Wassup!
Where are you right now and how is it?
I live in Brandon, FL and the weather has been pretty wishy washy, sunshine in between the rain.
When is your album coming out?
My album, "The Most Wanted", will drop 1/11/11 and will have every genre from Rock to Pop, Electronic, R&B, and Hip Hop.
The album features over 11 collaborations with artist from all over the world including my wifey Ms. Tedra, Lady Lash, Tanisjah Matthews, SNAX, WeHaveLove, Raspberry Cocaine, B Coney (my lil cuz), The Real Fiasco & Flyy Git (a couple of my artists), and, of course, Cindy Wonderful of Scream Club and Shon B of Yo! Majesty.
With this album comes knowledge and wisdom about life, from the church to the club and everything else in between. It is a record that will encourage and inspire, raise questions and debates, and explain to the world who I be: The Most Wanted, The Best To Eva Came Grande Dame, Shunda K!
Who's producing on that?
Producers include Raspberry Cocaine, B Coney, Tha Pumpsta, DJ Flore, Tori Fixx, Les Gourmets, Chrissy, ElectroSexual, B.A.T.S., Deekline, PureSX, Sick Rick, SNAX, DJ Keshkoon, and Robots Are The Future aka Nerdz With Gunz.
When are you next coming to Europe?
Ill be back over to the UK headlining London's Lady Fest 2010 November 12th, so make sure to come out and witness nothing but the truth!
What are your main musical influences?
My life is my influence, the things I witness and go through and a daily basis. I have a lot to talk about.
Yo Majesty had such a distinct sound and vibe it makes me wonder what the music scene like in Tampa? Is it different from other parts of the States?
The music scene here is like the music scenes every where else. I've always stayed within my realm, doing me because being gay and bragging and boasting about it really didn't go over well in the late 90's early 2000's (as I started writing in '97). It's been a pretty lonely road I must say. How did Yo Majesty come together?
I formed Yo! Majesty as a solo artist in 1998. I met Shon B in 2000 and we met Jwl B in 2001.
After meeting Shon and feeling what she brung to the table, we agreed that Yo! Majesty should be the group name.
And if you don't mind me asking, how did it come to an end?
I walked away because everybody deserves respect and I wasn't getting that, even though I was the one carrying everything in many cases. And so moving right along, if I cant do what I love with others and be happy doing it, it's not worth doing it with 'em. So, Im keepin it movin!!!
At a time when the gay rights movement is having big clashes with the religious right in the US, it's very fresh and surprising to hear an openly gay AND religious performer. Do you have any trouble squaring off those two sides to your persona?
God is love and with that knowledge, I move forward with my head held high. The word of God says, to "study to show yourselves approved." It doesn't say that to encourage us jus to study for the book smarts alone, but we need to study the word of God so we can get an understanding of how God deals with His people, where we can apply these same principles to our lives. The word also says that "whoever believes and confesses the name of Jesus Christ will be saved." God says that everything He made is good and very good, so its all good.
My mission is to spread the truth about who God is and what His purpose is for us all. And so, because another human tells me that I'm not worthy to do that, I'm suppose to stop? Hell naw, the devil is a liar. I have peace with my maker and that's what we all need to be doing, making peace with Jesus so we can live our lives in the fullness and be happy. God loves each and everyone of us, so don't you let nobody else tell you He doesn't. Stop em right in their tracks.
Get to know the Lord for yourself and stop relying on pastor and this one and that one to lay hands on you to be healed. Believe and lay hands on yourselves. Pray for yourselves. Get up out of that pit you in. All excuses was nailed to the cross, so I cant use the excuse, because people don't agree with my life style, I can't be what I want to be. I'm free to do me, through the grace and mercy of God. We all are!!!
How is the whole Homo-Hop scene going over there?
I can only answer for myself and as far as I'm concerned, I'm doing dis!
Any fresh young talent you'd like to give shout outs to?
Stay tuned for some new artist coming up out of the GMEQCA camp. That's my label which is an acronym that stand for God's & Man's Eternal Quest to Conquer All. They include Blaque Pop, Fly Gitt, The Real Fiasco, and Ghetto C.
"I'm Da Best" is out now. You can buy it on iTunes, and you can hear it right now:
The week before Halloween I was back in Glasgow to DJ at Lock Up Your Daughters fifth fanzine launch party, where the special live guests were none other than Scraem Club & Electrosexual. They rocked it!
I got to DJ a lot of music I wouldn't normally play at Menergy, namely electro-house, dubstep, and a smattering of indie. It was great fun. I put together a promo mix for the night, which you can hear:
SHUNDA K I'm Da Best ft Shon B (Niallist Duh Mixx) AZZIDO DA BASS I Want U (Beats/Parts 1&2) NOISY PIG Hey Jumper (Hawnay Troof Remix) LESLIE & THE LYS Blame Tha Booty (NSL Remix) FERAL Dskasting (Big Fi Remix) GRACE JONES Pull Up To The Bumper (!2" Version) ALEX PASTERNIAK Yela Boom CRYSTAL FIGHTERS I Love London (Matt Walsh & Alex Jones Met Police Re-Think) THE SQUIRE OF GOTHOS Flex Hype DAFT PUNK Superheroes BILL CONTI Gonna Fly Now
Andy Blake has put a bunch of Dissident releases up for limited edition, 100-only download sale on Juno, including my own "The Hots" from last year. You can listen and/or buy it here:
Horsepower Productions – Mexican Slayride – Tempa Scientist vs Guido – Korg Back Dub – Tectonic DJ / Rupture & Matt Shadatek – Sunset B35 – Dutty Artz Girl Unit – Wut – Night Slugs Gold Panda – Vanilla Minus – Notown SBTRKT – Look At Stars – Young Turks The Niallist – I Came – Little Rock Rustie – Neko – Warp Records These New Piritons ft Main Attraktionz – 3000 – Domino Tan Lines – Bees (Capracara Remix) – CDR Pearson Sound – Blanked – Hesson Audio Warrior One – Lord Of Bashy (Douster Remix) – Mixpak The 2 Bears – Church – Southern Fried Ramadanman & Appleblim – Void 23 (Carl Craig Re-Edit) – AUS Brackles & Shortstuff ft Terrible Shock – Good Foundations – Blunted Robots
As I have been putting this new blog together I have gone through some of the pics I have been tagged in on Facebook, and there's some good ones I thought I would share with the world:
Nigella, Babs and Hilda outside the Admiral when Horse Meat played, Glasgow, June. Note: I am the one with the MOST hair!
Me and Dan Dan mimic his lipless pose from the flyer of It's Music, Cork, January.
Me and Mauro Notch giving face, round the back of the Revolver bar, Glasgow.
Me and Stephen Sheriff at Optimo's "End of the 00s" Hogmanay bash, Old Fruitmarket.
And this is me live in 2006, at the Chateau "Miami" party.
The Niallist hosts a two hour special for Little Rock, featuring unreleased numbers from Ben Butler and Mousepad, Gold Blood and Miss Cheescake.
Stalwart of the Manchester music scene, and previous resident at the now legendary Electric Chair, Eyes Down and Plastic People, Kelvin’s approach to music is as uncompromising as it is broad, taking him around the world, from Loose Joints in San Francisco to the Big Chill festival, Outlook and Garden Festivals in Croatia. Tracklist
1. Silverclub – Your Headphones – (Unreleased) 2. Divorce - The 29 Steps to Achieving Personal Actualisation – (Winning Sperm Party/Milk) 3. Ben Butler & Mouse Pad – Dela-Ware – (Unreleased) 4. Brassica – New Jam City – (Nocturnes) 5. Gold Blood – Saturday Night – (Unreleased) 6. Cave Paintings – 2 – (Cave Paintings) 7. Miss Cheesecake – Get Off The Floor (Unreleased) 8. The Niallist - I Like Sex – (Little Rock Records) 9. Silverclub – Fine Print – (Factory Foundations)
Well, since I went to London to work with Shunda K, she passed the I Came beat on to the other half of Yo! Majesty Shon B, who has also recorded a verse, and now the track is slated to be on their next album.
FUCK ME. That's pretty amazing right there - Y!M are easily my favourite hip-hop group of recent years, not just cos of their awesome music, but also all the awesome shit they stand for. I feel really honoured that they liked the track so much!! I am going to put some new beats together for them soon too, let's hope they like them too...
