Miss Raquel’s Poppycock
Miss Raquel is Chief Scenester at Scenester Magazine/Scenester Radio but to some she’s the Scene Queen or Queen of the Dancefloor. To herself, she’s just a girl who loves her music and likes to rock out to it. She’s a VJ on bpm:tv’s 'electronica' where she writes and co-produces the show.
Miss Raquel has a lot to say on club culture and this is her rants, her raves and overall opinionated self.
In one of my past blogs I questioned whether I should work at Pride or just go for personal enjoyment. I was siding with personal enjoyment when I got the call asking me to host the Central Stage once again. I had to say yes. I love doing it, I love Pride and believe in what it truly stands for no matter how commercial it has gotten. It still has its purpose; freedom to be who you are!
I have this motto “Go big or go home!” so for me this meant a Pride photo shoot, outfits courtesy of my Official sponsor Stag Shop, a flyer shot by Andre M, promoting the event, and ensuring I had bpm:tv and Scenester swag to toss out to the crowd.
Last year I hosted Central Stage on a Saturday night, this year was during the day on the Sunday. I much prefer the night as I’m sure you can guess. The crowd wasn’t hard to warm up, but I can’t blame them the music was good, but definitely could have been better in my opinion.
One thing I do have to say is it’s a privilege to play Pride Toronto. And those booked to perform need to deliver the Pride vibe not their selfish vibe. Given the opportunity to play at one of the world’s most attended, well received events is an honour, and with this comes a musical strategy of playing for the crowd not yourself. I found the DJs last year honoured this gift, while this year I felt some didn’t.
This upsets me because this is a festival of unity, depth, inspiration, happiness and freedom. And I felt that some of the DJs didn’t express what they could have. Let me make it clear some did deliver, yet the majority didn’t. At one point the crowd literally stood still noticeably not impressed while some yelled boldly “Give us dirty beats”. Believe me its not a good thing when the crowed yells at the DJ.
While in the holding area I turned to the DJ who was to go on next after a not so good act, and told him “they’re depending on you to deliver. This is your time to make your mark, and to do it right!” He just looked at me dumbfounded. While he tossed my bpm:tv lanyard I gave him to the side. Maybe he was nervous, maybe he didn’t care. No matter what him and the other DJs got hired to deliver on the basis of their Pride touch and involvement within the LGBT community.
Whether you agree with me or not I do know what I’m talking about or I wouldn’t be doing what I do. My opinion is just that an opinion, but honestly these DJs now-a-days need to wake up and realize sending out links on Facebook, Sound Cloud or whatever click and listen site their using does not make them a DJ!
It’s an honour that I’ve been asked twice to host Central Stage. I take it seriously, and I’m blessed to have been given this opportunity. I grew up with my mother volunteering for seven years at Casey House and ACT. I grew up within the gay culture, seeing and knowing what AIDS can put upon oneself, and those who love them. I take this very seriously. Pride is very near and dear to me.
To play Pride is a gift, therefore honour it!
I’ve had something I’ve wanted to say for a while.
Upon the executions of radio hosts Deb Pearce, Shaun Proulx, Patrick Marano and Mark Wigmore (now more infamously known by angry fans as “The Fab Four” ) I told PROUD FM to take down my Scenester Magazine banner ads from their website, due to the unjust firings that occurred. I also took down the PROUD FM banner from Scenester’s site without hesitation and with no doubt.
I appeared on The Shaun Proulx Show several times in the past and always thoroughly enjoyed myself. I also built the relationship between PROUD FM and Fly Nightclub when I was Fly’s publicist.
Now there’s no “Pride of Toronto?”
Firing by email? Let Evanov Radio Group reap what they sow.
Sean Moreman, Evanov’s General Counsel, said “Once all the facts are public, people will get a clearer picture as to what is going on.”
Still waiting.
JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon came and went on April 23 at Footwork in Toronto. This one was more of a blur for me than the last eight. I guess shooting the whole event for the new Scenester Channel made everything move at F1 speed. I didn’t get to stop and enjoy the fruits of my labour.
I love putting on events, being apart of them and hosting them, but I do like to enjoy them. And I find when I’m deeply involved I don’t get that opportunity.
For instance, I’m thinking of shooting this year’s Pride for Scenester Channel; shoot the parade, interview some of the great talent as well as some proud boys and girls. The thing is, Pride has usually been a time for myself, to be with my friends and dance. And yes… get a little bit crazy, as we all tend to do.
I’m not sure if this year I want to be tied down having to make sure certain camera angles are right, the sun is cooperating, my make-up is just so, and remembering what I want to talk about and to whom. Pride in the past has usually been my time to not worry about these things.
Last year I hosted Central Stage and it was so much fun. I did costume changes courtesy of Stag Shop my Official sponsor as any good host should. It was a lot of work and a great experience I’ll cherish forever, and one I would gladly do again, but it did take away from my Pride time.
For the past two years I also had to be at the bpm:tv booth to meet and greet viewers and fans of my show “electronica” and the station. Although fun and exciting, I don’t really like heading down to Pride by myself, walking through the throngs of colourful people so I can go to work, when inside I want to be with my friends amongst the colourful people having fun, fun, fun! After I finish its always a hunt to try and find my friends, and we all know what that’s like. Again it took away from my Pride time.
So with this year’s Pride coming about I wonder whether I should shoot the Sunday events for Scenester Channel or put on my best Pride outfit, meet my Pride pals and hit up the South Stage on Sunday in the usual colourful tradition of looking for a seat, while complaining about the cost of beer and the long line-ups to get one. Seeing old friends I haven’t seen in a long time, all the while basking and dancing in the sun to the driving beats of; Deko-ze, Jelo, TK and the legendary Don Burns.
I would like to shoot Pride showing the world what Pride means to Toronto, but at the same time Pride is special for me.
I know it may sound like I’m complaining with all I’ve said but I’m not. My mom used to go to Pride, and would come home and tell me all about it. I always wondered what it was about it that made my mom have so much fun. I followed in her footsteps and found out for myself. For me it’s my own private Idaho so-to-speak. It’s the one party where I can just be me.
A good party doesn’t have to be in a large venue, it also doesn’t need hundreds of people. It only requires a good vibe, friendly folks, great music and enough room to dance, and no long line-ups for the washrooms.
This is one reason the College Street and the Bathurst and Bloor areas are the places to hit. These locals have always had nightlife, just not always dance nightlife.
Case in point I went with one of my BFFs Lauren and her man, and my fellow Scenester writer/DJ Samhouse to hit a private birthday party held in a rented loft. DJ Charles G, the birthday boy is a long time friend and affiliate. He was the first to hire me to write his bio back in the day.
The Loft where he had his birthday was on Bloor at Bathurst (Studio 56). It was very dark and the few cement steps within this small gallery loft could’ve used some lighting, but other than that this was a night when hearing music from DJs who I don’t get to experience that much. In a venue hand-picked for a party such as this reminded me why I love this scene, and electronic music so much.
The DJs at Charles G’s birthday were Audio Creeps who both took me on a bumpy, joyous dancefloor ride; O-God delivered some fresh beats as did Hubert K who’s been bringing his beats for years to dancefloors. Hotmess DJs who I never heard of before this night got me dancing without a care in the world, and dropped one kick-ass “Happy Birthday” track which no DJ should do without. Sorry at time of this blog I didn’t have the name, but Samhouse got it! I just need to get it from him!
We tend to pay attention to large venues putting on large events which are spoon fed to us through social networks and promotional advertising which only the fat cats can afford. Then of course there’s the popularity issue, but the one common complaint I hear is these events always have the same DJs booked pretty much all the time.
Since I was released from a “club political hold” three years ago I’ve been breathing fresh musical air thanks to the vast array of small venues booking talent who play with passion.
Scenester will be putting on a small event inside the Loft of MOD CLUB (yes I know MOD CLUB isn’t a small venue, but the Loft is!) Saturday April 10. It’s called “Scenester Soundz” and it’ll showcase Toronto’s Cam Maxwell, Samhouse, Mike Colas and Ryan Carlucci.
Then of course the little event which grew is fast approaching, JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Friday April 23rd. The barracks are Footwork Bar & Afterhours (425 Adelaide St. W, Toronto).
The musical Platoon is D-Unity, irGO playing an all vinyl set! Cam Maxwell and Samhouse. Dress in your army best, win prizes courtesy of Cinelli Hair, Stag Shop, Scenester, bpm:tv and more….Ooops! Now all that sounded like a fat cat, no?
Nonetheless I’m only trying to say to go out and hit places you never have before and hear DJs you’ve never heard before. You just might like the experience.
To get on the JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Soldier Guestlist by emailing guestlist@scenestermagazine.com.
See you on the dancefloor!
Deko-ze’s birthday is one of my favourite events to host, as hectic as events such as this may be it’s the urgency which keeps me going. This year his birthday was held at Footwork Bar & Afterhours on March 5th, 2010 with Adam K, Mark Falco and Deko-ze on deck.
The night started off with me ensuring a film crew was organized who were coming to shoot for an upcoming documentary, but at 8pm it started to get hairy; my phone was ringing off the hook, texts were flying in to the sound of my “knock-knock” tone, emails poured in all wanting guest list. (more…)
My Valentine’s sucked! That’s right my man didn’t get me anything! But than again many straight guys just don’t get Valentine’s Day. All I wanted was a card, a box of chocolates, or flowers. Even a “Happy Valentine’s Day” would’ve have sufficed.
To be honest who am I kidding I didn’t come home till 3:30pm on the 14th after my events I had to host at, and chillin with my friends. So, in his defense I may not have gotten me anything either.
What didn’t suck were the Valentine events. The Scenester Showdown at The Barn on the 12th was great! Jamal had the DJ booth set up on the dancefloor on the main floor of the venue which makes for far better interaction with the DJ.
I’ve seen one laptop set up during a set, maybe two while the next DJ is setting up, but never three alongside two CDJs, seriously! That’s a mad set up. Word on the dancefloor was that DJTK was the Showdown hands down!
And let me mention the sweet gift bag for the winner, Johnny T. He sure got a lot of goodies to make his Valentine’s complete alone or with that special someone courtesy of Stag Shop.
CiRCA’s “Love, Sex & Magic” was also great. Damn! My Scenester Radio producer and BFF gave me chocolates and even CiRCA brought tasty chocolate, strawberry treats to our table.
Joe Ghost who opened for Behrouz and Addy totally got me; his beats were bumpy and awesome. Yet I didn’t get a chance to see him. Hence the Ghost maybe?
All was good till the fire alarm went off. That’s right around 3am just as we were headed to the DJ booth area to get our dance on, the music shut off and firemen came in. Yes some were hot (no pun intended), but since it would be a bit for them to sort this fire thing out in a venue the size of CiRCA we decided to call it a night and head back to the studio.
My Valentine’s had no spark, and ended in a false alarm. Good times!
Now that it’s over I move into March hoping for warmer weather and some crazy parties upon us. I’ll be a host at Deko-ze’s birthday at Footwork on March 5th with Adam K and Mark Falco also on the bill.
March 6th is DJ Bliss’s “Elevate 1-year Anniversary” at LOL Lounge with Addy, DJ Saeed, Matt Gracie and more…
Let’s not forget infamous JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon will detonate April 2010. Talk about sexy men in army fatigues gyrating to tribal house. Yummy!
For guestlist for any of these events please email guestlist@scenestermagazine.com.
See you on the dancefloor!
Here we go with traditional Valentine’s Day and the somewhat new Family Day holiday upon us. I remember my first Family Day weekend it was when I was a host at the infamous Comfort Zone and it was just after the overly publicized Project White Rabbit raid. The club was so empty and clean I could actually smell bleach, yet it was great to be in that place only with those who genuinely loved the music and weren’t there for any other reason.
Three years later I’ll be celebrating this holiday with a buffet of beats with what will be packed dance floors, with music supplied by some of Toronto’s finest, and one American finest, Behrouz at CiRCA.
First up is The Scenester Showdown Friday February 12th at The Barn featuring four of The Village’s favourite DJs all battling it out on the decks; Jamal vs. Jeff Kirkwood vs. Rhubix vs. DJTK. It’s free till 12am and only $5 after. You can’t get a better Valentine’s deal than this!
And if you’re into winning sexy, luscious prizes Scenester is holding a contest to win a Valentine’s Day prize bag filled with sweet treats courtesy of Stag Shop, Scenester Magazine, The Barn and Hype energy drink. (Here’s how to enter). Maybe for some this might be the only chance of getting a Valentine’s Day gift.
I’ll only be getting a box of chocolates from one of my BFFs, and that’s cuz we already planned on buying each other a box of chocolates. Let’s face it, it’s really it’s an excuse to have chocolate!
Its time for some Love, Sex & Magic at CiRCA on Saturday February 13th with Behrouz and Toronto’s deep beat devil DJ Addy. Also on the bill are Chris Fresque and Joe Ghost.
Advance tickets are only $20 with guestlist being $25. For tickets or guestlist you can contact Scenester at guestlist@scenestermagazine.com.
As I wrote this I was trying to think of my most memorable Valentine’s Day and I have to say it was with another one of my BFFs. It was about four or five years ago. We left Comfort Zone on Valentine’s Day in the evening, her with a shiny glass decorative figurine her boyfriend bought her that lit up when she put it together showcasing a glass statue couple in the middle of it. Yes it was intricate and different, yet somehow strangely lovely.
I on the other hand had a rose my boyfriend gave me earlier in the day which by this time was wilted and crunchy. My BFF and I ended our sad Valentine’s Day with each other (no boyfriends they were bouncers and had to work) taking our somewhat paltry gifts back to her place, but not before buying a pint each of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I don’t know about you but I find it fascinating how everyone, well almost everyone you see on the street, on the subway, walking, running all have on a white pair of ear buds hanging from their ears; you know they’re listing to an iPod.
What wonderful branding this is, if only you or I were reaping the financial benefits of this musical invention. Nonetheless it’s bringing music of all genres, cultures, likes and dislikes to the forefront. I have to admit I love to see people plugged in and enjoying their simple pleasure; music.
Mind you getting from conception to execution, hence your ears isn’t an easy musical production feat by any measure, but seeing someone tap their foot, doing the 4 by 4 head nod is awesome to me.
Nothing pleases, uplifts, sets, creates, kills, saddens, and heightens the mood than music to our ears.
When you’re in a club you have no choice to but to listen to what is put forth upon you, but with your own mobile club you control the DJ with no overhead. How awesome is that?
I find when I’m upset, anxious, tired, happy or mad if I put on my iPod shuffle all is OK. Wow! Isn’t that an ad right there, but it’s true. I feel ten times better than I did before I plugged in.
You can subscribe to your Podcasts, buy your tracks (cuz you know you should!) and voila! There you have it; your perfect mobile club created for you, by you.
I’ve seen people inside a club wearing their pearly white buds, to this I question, “Why are you here? But to each his own.
The next time you’re plugged in and feel the need to tap your foot, nod your head go right ahead. Music is a universal language, and it’s something we all understand. No one will think anything of you except that you really like the track tickling your ears…and they’ll wonder just what it is!
Lets face it: Facebook is a great invention. I can only imagine for record labels, night clubs and promoters how this social network has worked greatly for them, and also worked as a royal pain in the neck.
Before Facebook I insisted on DJs/producers to mail me a demo which included a disc with artwork on its face enclosed in a jewel case with proper design illustrating the artist’s sound, personality by way of colour and/or design. If it looked appealing it then made me want to slide into my player to hear what the visual sounded like. Thus creating intrigue for the artist who produced it.
Move now to 2010 I receive (and I’m sure many of you do as well) links in my private Facebook inbox to so many DJ mixes. Before I go any further let me emphasize the astronomical amount of links I receive of what I call “nameless” links to a DJ’s latest mix. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the drive and enthusiasm. I don’t however appreciate the laziness behind it.
By this I mean a link with no description, no story. Just a link.
I’m not a label owner, or work for Sony, nor am I the biggest, baddest booking agent in this country, but then again who is? Yet I do have pull, but I’m not going to push anyone who sends me just a link to my Facebook inbox. Plain and simple, I’m not. Call me a bitch, call me an asshole. Call me a scene destroyer, but than again you should know better.
I love music (obviously) and I love receiving it. Unlike the label heads or some music critics I’m much kinder and don’t receive the pay cheques they receive. Therefore I’m open to new talent and new sounds. All I ask is to be PROFESSIONAL!
Sorry, just because you can illegally download a software program, or 
can mix like no other due to the many post production software programs out there, does not mean you can hold a crowd of 50, let alone 2000! Or that anyone will download and listen to your Facebook link and know who you are. Because many of those who blindly send these links never within their mix announce who the mix is by. Seriously! In this day and age a DJ can’t announce their name during intervals throughout the mix? Guess that’s why they end up forgotten or worse yet deleted from potential’s listener’s playlists, too bad.
Remember Facebook is a ‘social network’, not a ‘find a job’, ‘book me’, ‘add me to you roster’ network.
Please stop sending me links with no presentation. Statistically they’re not downloaded as much as you think.
Here’s an example. You receive a piece of junk mail in your mailbox. Yes another piece of junk (which costs far more than your mix). Yet the image on the envelope is enticing to you. It’s full of the colours you like and has an image you can’t help but stare at wondering what it’s all about. So you open it.
Whether the outcome is successful or not, the point is it was inspiring, opened and read. Thus targeted to you!
Yes the demographics, the market audience all hold true no matter the industry. So, before you decide to send me a private message (or post a link on my Wall) on Facebook to what you think is an awesome mix, think before you click Send.
Give me and others a reason to listen. Do something different.
As we descend from ‘09 I’d like to recall some of those whom brought musical joy to our electronica music scene and beyond.
PHOTO: Ryan Parks
Evil P was the most recent passing of one of Toronto’s forerunners of the electronic underground music scene in Toronto. Patryk a.k.a. Evil P’s demise came at 9:15pm on Tuesday Dec 23 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital due to a long battle with Alcohol.
As I mentioned in my last Poppycock! R.I.P. Evil P , I interviewed him for a DJ Report in issue 3 of Scenester Magazine when it was in print. In my DJ Report, I asked him what his favourite song was. He replied, “Guns & Roses “November Rain”. Why? I asked. He replied, “The song’s ability to make you feel a wide range of emotions in less than 10 minutes.”
When reading the last two paragraphs of the DJ Report it now appears so foreshadowing.
I’ll always remember dancing with my BFF, Erin, to Evil P’s dark beats on the dance floors of System Soundbar and Comfort Zone.
Evil P – R.I.P. my decknician.
Brittany Murphy “…was an incredibly loving and passionate person and an artist to her core – she loved acting, singing, dancing and performing” – her family. She died on Sunday Dec. 20, aged 32, at her Los Angeles home.
She may not be an exclusive electronic artist but she did a great job on Paul Oakenfold’s “Faster Kill Pussycat”. I remember playing this video on my show “electronica” on bpm:tv and trying to sneak into as many episodes as I could!
She was laid to rest on Christmas Eve in a twilight ceremony at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. Her husband, Simon Monjack, gave a eulogy in which he described her as his best friend and “soul mate”.
Brittany Murphy, was in many films including Clueless, 8 Mile and the wicked Sin City to name a few. She collapsed at her home on Dec 20 in the morning. She was pronounced dead two hours later.
Ten different prescription drugs were found at the house and toxicology results are awaited. There’s no suspicion of foul play but the cause of death remains unknown.
Murphy’s husband has denied rumours the death was linked to drugs or eating disorders.
“These rumours that she was anorexic? It’s crazy. She was slim, but that was her natural physique,” he told People Magazine.
R.I.P. My film beauty.
DJ AM was found dead of an apparent drug overdose inside his Manhattan apartment Friday August 28 at approx 5:20pm.
DJ AM a.k.a. Adam Goldstein, was discovered surrounded by drug paraphernalia inside his $2 million Tribeca pad.
AM narrowly escaped death when a plane he was riding in skidded off of a South Carolina runway and burst into flames.
Some may know of DJ AM as Nicole Richie’s boyfriend, but to others he was one of the most heavily booked DJs in 2009 playing every venue around the world, including the Playboy Mansion to right here in Toronto at The Guvernment.
I have always found AM very interesting for all he had encountered in his life.
R.I.P. DJ AM. My musical laptopnician.
Michael Jackson is an artist I wrote about in Poppycock! Entitled “Fearlessness”. This was probably the biggest musical shocker to date for my generation.
After his death you could hear nothing but Jackson originals, remixes and bootlegs across the many dance floors. And you still do, and let’s be honest you always will. So whether you liked him or not, you’re stuck hearing his music until you can’t hear any longer.
R.I.P. My inspiration.
As we move forth into 2010 let music be in our hearts and goodness in our souls. Treasure each moment; musical or otherwise because you never know when or if it will happen again.
And check out my Top 10 Beatport Drops Chart.
Thanks to Shaun Proulx for the wonderful beltolicious gift!
Thanks to you for reading Poppycock! Yes even all you haters who’ve read this far! LOL!
See you on the dance floor!
| Copyright © 2010 Shaun Proulx Media. |  |
