PORTISHEAD IN L.A.

Portishead, one of my favorite bands of all time, and let me repeat that – ALL TIME, was in Los Angeles this week for two sold out shows at The Shrine. In 1997 they released their self-titled sophomore album and my life would be forever changed. The lead single “Only You” perfectly encapsulated their sound of dark, moody melodies alongside amazing DJ scratching (it samples The Pharcyde’s “She Said), and was accompanied by a mind-bending video directed by Chris Cunningham. I owe a big credit to Portishead for my DJ career, they were the first non Hip-Hop group I ever saw with a DJ – before Linkin Park and all those terrible bands of the late 90s made it lame – and it really opened my eyes to exploring the technique further.

In their live show their DJ was really ripping it up, but if you’re a fan of Portishead, it’s most likely because you’ve fallen under the trance of Beth Gibbons’ unmatchable pipes. Her voice is unmistakable and inconceivable. In 2009 Golden Bloggen posted a list of our Top Current Female Singers and Beth Gibbons came in at #3.  One of the things that landed her so high on the list is her ability to perfectly duplicate that album sound in her live performances. There are no studio tricks with Portishead. The band, DJ, and singer are all top notch and when they perform it all comes together like a well-oiled musical family who has been playing together for almost 20 years. This trip to the Shrine marks Portishead’s first trip to LA in I believe 13 years. They came to Coachella 3 years ago, and yes I was there, but as far as touring it has been over a dozen years. If you have to drive several hours to attend their show, do it! You may not get another chance to see one of the most influential and musically groundbreaking bands of our time ever again.

NOTE: They must have very strict non-smoking rules at the Shrine because Beth Gibbons did not smoke a cigarette during her entire performance. It was like seeing a unicorn. I’ve never seen her without a cigarette in her hand.

YOU CAN CLICK HERE FOR CONCERT PHOTOS

Portishead – Sour Times

Portishead – Only You

Portishead – Machine Gun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRED FALKE @ CONTROL

Just before we took off to Taipei and Hong Kong we were lucky enough to catch Fred Falke at Avalon in Hollywood. The former funk bass player lit up the venue with his classic French House bangers reminiscent of Daft Punk and Cassius. The highlight of the show was undoubtedly when he dropped his remix of The Whitest Boy Alive’s “Golden Cage.” Check out the track below if you are unfamiliar, and picture Avalon HOPPING. A few people fell in love during this one.

We gotta give Avalon their proper respect. The venue has been steadily killing the music scene in Hollywood for quite some time now. In fact, Avaland is set to celebrate it’s 7th anniversary with Paul Oakenfold on Saturday October 22nd. CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

CONTROL Fridays have become a staple in Los Angeles EDM. Where other clubs have come and gone, Avalon has held strong by delivering an authentic and fun experience. We encourage anyone in the LA area to check out a show at Avalon especially if you notice Fred Falke coming into town.

Robyn – Dancing On My Own (Fred Falke Remix)

Whitest boy alive – Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix)

MUSIC VIDEO MONDAY – ANIKA “NO ONE’S THERE”

I was recently introduced to newcomer and relative enigma Anika. I’m not sure where she came from, but she is most definitely here. Quite literally. She will be performing in LA at the Echoplex on 10/22. Her debut album is set to be released on Stones Throw in December and was produced by none other than Geoff Barrow. Yes, THE Geoff Barrow who will be performing in LA the next two days with his band Portishead. With Stones Throw and Portishead behind her there is a very large chance you will be hearing about Anika a lot in the near future.

DIGITARIA

Digitaria is an Electro/Pop band from Brazil. They recently sent me their album via email and I am a sucker for their female lead singer’s sexy ethereal voice. The music is fast, poppy and dreamy with an electronic sound that is reminiscent of a Final Fantasy soundtrack. If you’re a fan of Freezepop or had the patience to stick with Crystal Castles, I think Digitaria would be right up your alley. They even provided a downtempo house remix of their single Paradise that will fill that hole in your heart if you are missing Ibiza.

Digitaria- Paradise

Digitaria – Paradise (Mad Zoo Hardware Mix)

Digitaria – Useless Fantasies

KOOL ETHAN @ THE CENTRAL

I’ll be spinning at The Central tonight under my alias Kool Ethan as part of Gotta Dance Dirty and Danceism’s Versus event. This is a real honor. Versus has housed some really great dance DJ’s in the past and I’m just excited to be added to the roster of talent. This thing goes down every Thursday at The Central in Santa Monica and it’s always a party. In somewhat related news, I recently saw the new Ryan Gosling film Drive and it was easily one of my favorite films of the year. The shots were well composed, the acting was top notch, and the gory action made it worth the ticket price. But the real scene stealer was the music. Johnny Jewel, one half of Glass Candy and founder of Italians Do It Better, did most of the memorable music for this piece. I’ve posted a few of the standout tracks below and will be opening my set tonight with that sexual “Nightcall”.

Kavinsky & Lovefoxxx -Nightcall

College – A Real Hero (ft. Electric Youth)

MVM & OOH LA LA FESTIVAL

The Ooh La La Festival celebrated it’s 3rd year in Los Angeles at the El Rey this past weekend. The third day of the festival featured three big time French DJs; Ed Banger’s Feadz, veteran DJ Cam, and headliner Etienne de Crecy. It was a battle royale of French House-meisters. Etienne may have been on the marquee, but fellow frog DJ Cam might have had the better set. Cam’s set was a little more soulful,  surprisingly so, than Etienne’s. Etienne is best known for performing in his giant luminescent Rubix Cube at Coachella and festival’s throughout Europe. But that was an amazing live music creation, Saturday night was DJ night. And DJ Cam, as the name would suggest, was the more skillful DJ moving the crowd just a little harder. He went from West Coast Rap to 80s Disco to French House. And my boy was still using the vinyl control on his Serrato (I still don’t understand why everyone uses the CDJ’s. Mind blowing).  His technique and musical selection both borrowed from the old school, as somewhat of a purist myself, I can appreciate that.

Check out the great video and song from Etienne above and click below for photos from the show.

CLICK HERE FOR PICS TO THE OOH LA LA FESTIVAL