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. Thing is though Pride has usually been 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 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 to 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 I 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 usual colourful tradition of constantly 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 23^rd. 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!

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 14^th 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 12^th 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 5^th with Adam K and Mark Falco also on the bill.

March 6^th 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!

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 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 to now to 2010 I receive (and I’m sure many of you do as well) links in my private Facebook inbox to so many DJs 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, or 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 whats it 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.