DANCE FLOOR :: I don’t know why everyone is fretting over Paris Hilton releasing a house album later this year, do you? The fact that “they” and I are making news of it only means great PR on a release yet to be heard, and definitely a track or two which will now sell.

How do I know this? Well she’s working with “top DJs” don’t you know.

I think many people – maybe even you – like to jump on the #ihateparishilton train. I don’t hate her, I adore her. I even have all her fragrances (except Tease which I will get unless of course you want to get it for me? Believe me you’ll get full-on GGT credit with a kiss from moi).

In 2006 I was Paris’s Official Warner Brothers host during a launch of her first album Paris held at Toronto’s Voglie in the Village (Toronto) with djtk on the decks. Believe me I gave away a lot of Paris swag, books, CDs, pictures, etc… to many eager fans.

With her new house album Paris apparently wants to keep her producers a secret until it’s released. This has me a tad worried because producers help sell a track or album, yet I understand that in working with a celebrity and heiress such as Paris some producers might allow themselves to remain anonymous until the release date. After all I’m sure they’ve been paid accordingly. Hmmm sounds like she’s trying a Madonna move.

I haven’t heard anything from the album yet, but to keep the producers under lock and key could prove disastrous or downright phenomenal with no in-between, but I’m sure this is what her PR department ordered; music speculation being the PR stunt.

And she wants the label to be surprise as well. Hmmm, I think it’s her new label.

Paris says, “I’ve been working on the album with lots of other top DJs for a while now and I think people will be really surprised. It’s very modern and very catchy perfect party music”.

“Very catchy perfect party music…” Okay, now I am fretting.

RELATED READING :: Carl Cox – All Roads Lead To The USB

I call U.K. DJ/producer Carl Cox “my big bundle of musical joy”. For as long as I’ve been working within the Electronic Music Dance Scene (EMDS) I’ve never promoted, hosted, done PR or social media work for his events because he’s my private musical minister – my musical therapist if you will.

I find Cox a leader in technical innovation, style, and longevity. And he’s done something remarkable. His new ‘All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor’ is released on a USB stick. Yup, you read that right. This is the first album to be released in phases on continually updated USB format, offering far more than a conventional album ever could – or ever has.

Recorded at Cox’s Melbourne studio, ‘All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor’ showcases a range of genres featuring more than 20 tracks. “This album is aimed purely at the dancefloor,” says Cox. “Every track should be a winner too as I’ve been road-testing and remixing them to make sure they really do work.”

Here’s an awesome benefit: the USB interface is essentially a homepage with most features not requiring an internet connection making it usable on the train, in flight, in remote locations, etc. You can stream and download the album and remixes released over three phases. Through the USB interface there’s access to Carl’s latest four global radio shows, exclusive videos, Carl Cox news, and access to live (Realtime) video streams from Carl’s gigs, tutorials, tips and tricks for budding DJs with Cox, sound checks, and Pioneer Rekordbox tutorials, and more.

With the USB new content can be added even after they have been purchased. Simply plug in the USB and it connects automatically to its CMS location and it updates within seconds. So, being able to add content at any stage down the USB’s life makes it an album that essentially lives on.

Cox explains: “I’m asking people to buy the USB, and I’m promising that with the singles, the videos, the actual album, plus all the extras – they won’t be disappointed. I didn’t want to just put it online and let that be that. I’ve spent too long on it, and it’s too important to me to be degraded that way. I wanted to do something special with this release, something really forward thinking, and I think we’ve achieved it.”

The USB is exclusive through Cox’s own independent label Intec Digital. Intec’s innovative marketing and sales strategy is pay one price for the USB. And the USB will not only have the album, but it’ll also be the key to everything Cox does in the next 12 months. Intec presented the album in three phases taking advantage of never-before-seen USB technology – offering far more than a conventional album ever could or ever has.

• Phase 1 has been available since August (2011) with the first release, ‘Family Guy’ a 10 minute slice of classic techno. ‘Family Guy’ remixes come from Layo & Bushwacka! and Jon Rundell. Also available is 12 new tracks, b-sides, and exclusives.
• Phase 2 has been available since September (2011) where USB owners received the second single ‘Nexus’ a vocal dub step mix complete with remixes and video followed by the final and complete album which was released in October (2011) including the third single, ‘Chemistry’ plus remixes and a video.
• Phase 3 will be released throughout 2012. The USB will be updated with ongoing live footage of Cox and his tour. Buyers will be able to follow Carl at rehearsals, on the road and on stage as the album gets performed live to thousands across five cities in Australia – the first ever live Carl Cox tour.

“We’ve already trialled it a couple of times here in Melbourne and I’m pleased to say it worked,” says Carl. “These shows will be a mix of both DJing and performing, which will be a challenge. But I’ve never taken the easy option. I take pride in that.”

The average price for the USB is $32.50 CDA and although many of the retailers are sold out and/or are hard to find but try Amazon.

Will USB releases be the way of the future for prominent producers? Time will tell.

ENJOY ::

ARMS DOWN :: I don’t come from solid stock. I was raised with parents always fighting and yelling at each other. My mom once pulled a chainsaw on my dad. My parents started their separation when I was five and I was sent to my nanny’s in North Bay where my dad ended up kidnapping me, insuring my nanny my mom was okay with him “picking me up”.

I remember us arriving in Calgary entering a stagnant furnished apartment which had one of those ironing boards that pulled out form the wall as part of a small clean kitchen, which to me as a child felt stealth and lonely. In this kitchen I sat on a hard wooden chair with my dad facing me holding a black receiver with a cord attached to a rotary phone forcing me while I was crying so hard to tell my mommy “I don’t want to with you anymore”.

I may have only been five but it was at this I realized this was wrong. Something was up. I wanted my mom. Not my dad, but my mom.

Between those tender years through age nine, my mom started to roll with bikers; the name of the gang shall remain anonymous. They made me feel safe and treated me like a princess. I remember my mom coming to Calgary to visit me with her biker boyfriend in a huge caddy. She was wearing skinny jeans, stilettos, looking cool and sexy. I remember taking forever to dress in my outfit to look good for her. I wore yellow pants and a blue sweatshirt with a teddy bear on it. I felt so un-cool, but to my mom I was perfect.

My mom’s biker boyfriend drove us to the local K-Mart so we could have a visit. We sat in the cheesy diner while my mom’s boyfriend left us alone so we could have some quality time.

I don’t remember what I had to eat I just remember I loved every minute I had with my mom and that I didn’t want that moment to end, and how awful it was – due to custody agreements – we were on a time limit. When my mom’s boyfriend came back it was time to take me home. I didn’t want to go.

They dropped me off. And all I did was cry and cry while my dad got mad at me for doing so. He didn’t like me crying for my mom because he knew that was where I wanted to be.

From what I can recall there was a lot of accusations and stories of what happened between my mom, the bikers and my dad. To be blunt my dad was and is an asshole. Whatever the bikers said or did to him they didn’t do enough to my dad for him to justify physically and emotionally beating me from when I was about four till I finally left him at eighteen.

Come present day the biker days are long gone, my mom still means the world to me. My uncle Harry who is my dad’s brother I now consider my father. With his wife and his sons, my cousins, and my nanny are my family.

My one holiday wish is for peace within all our families, with no domestic violence.

POLL :: How are you feeling this holiday season?

Baby's first Black & Blue

MEGA-BASH :: MONTREAL - Black & Blue is a festival of social, cultural, sports and party events that last for seven days. It all began in 1991 by a group of friends who decided they wanted to create a party, a big party. That party was a success and has been ever since. The proceeds go to Montreal AIDS organizations. The foundation is The BBCM Foundation. More than $1.6 million in grants and donations have been distributed by BBCM so far.

Black & Blue is a celebration that is non-discriminatory and includes men and women, straight and gay. And this was my first time going. I went with one of my BFF’s, Lauren, to the main event held at Stade Olympique/Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

The stadium was split in half with one half being the trance room and other the house room. There were fifteen trance DJs each playing an hour set, where in the house room there were six DJs each playing a about a two hour set, with Hernan Cattaneo closing the event, playing a three hour set.

Upon arrival we were guided into the VIP area to obtain our bracelets, and then lead to the coat check where they gave our coat check ticket in a small blue plastic baggie. The coat check girl said the reason was for sanitary purposes: “You never know where people put these things.”

We then entered a room where there were several line-ups for security check. Never have I been searched like this. Shoes off, everything had to be taken out of my purse and I do mean everything. The female security checked inside my shoes, gave me a friendly foot rub checking for bumps of any kind, and frisked me, then checked all the belongings I had from my purse. After I was cleared I put back on my shoes and put my belongings back into my purse.

We then entered the stadium where it was darker and we could feel the bass beating through our bodies, but first stop was the washroom. And let me tell you having VIP bathroom access was pure pleasure, no long line-ups. I noticed signs warning about drug use and what it can do to you.

Then we hit the dance floor. The trance room had more lighting than the house room which was darker. Lauren informed me, “Trance people like more light, while house people like it darker.” All I can say was I was enthralled with the trance room’s lighting.

My trance room high lights were Canada’s own Max Graham and Super 8 & Tab. Marcus Schossow, whose energy was infectious, and Artento Divini came in a close second.

The sexy fembot dancers (Black Mohawk Productions) who performed during the first part of Graham’s set were intoxicating with their lit-up skimpy costumes and silver helmets.

The flashing, rotating lights, the spotting of various country’s flags relating to each DJ’s birthplace, DJ’s images flashed on playing cards splashed on the screens with dancing graphics, all of it was nothing less than surreal. I was literally transported into another realm – which was something I’ve missed lately – and I’m happy to say it hasn’t disappeared.

MISS RAQUEL :: “I miss is being on the dancefloor immersed in what my musical minister is preaching to me…”

Fembot Dancers. Image: Miss Raquel / Shaun Proulx Media

The house room is where I shook my booty like it was my last chance to dance. DJ’s Rosabel and Mark Vibe were spot on and made me bring moves back to the dancefloor that I knew were just waiting to tear out of me. My sore legs still today are proof of my wreckage.

But what if you're too G'd out to read? Image: Miss Raquel / Shaun Proulx Media

MISS RAQUEL :: ‘Proper’ Partying

Black & Blue was an event that I call “Proper”. Everything from security checks, washroom cleanliness, medics walking around to ensure everyone was okay, clean floors, the availability of food in both the VIP areas and in the general area, and fast moving lines at bars made this event a pure pleasure. Toronto really needs to step up its event organization game.

My first of only complaints is about the sound system. It was terrible, the acoustics in the stadium had far too much echo. The vocals were lost way above the crowd, if subs were placed on the ground it might helped keep the lows together. And sound curtains would have helped tremendously if placed on the perimeter of the stadium to help bounce the sound waves back into the centre of the stadium.

The second was the beer. They only served Coors Light and a few mixed drinks (vodka, rum and Jack), and juices. Maybe you don’t agree this is a worthwhile complaint, but for someone like me who prefers to have a few beers Coors Light made me feel like they were putting me on a diet. Never have I been to an event where the only beer I could find was light beer.

Upon leaving I asked the coat check girl if the numbers were lower this year when compared to past years, and she said yes. I could tell by the many empty hangers and how easy it was to move through the dancefloor and empty spaces.

Nonetheless the light beer, empty spaces and bouncy sound waves didn’t stop me from having one of the best times of my life. I dressed in my fancy black & blue best and danced till I hurt. This is a testament of a great party.

Too bad en route back to Toronto we hit gridlock. It took us eight hours to get home and sadly I missed Thanksgiving dinner with my family. That’s okay though, because I celebrated the weekend of thanks by being with one of my BFF’s and enjoying one of the things I am most thankful for: music.

STRONGER :: I may have grown up with Madonna, but it’s Britney Spears who joined in and continues with me on my journey. Madonna taught me what a virgin is. Spears taught me life may be hard, but it’s up to me to make it what I want.

Spears has been to hell and back, and she’s done it all in front of the world. And while she had to kind of know the price she would pay for having a public career, I’m sure she didn’t plan to have the type of public meltdown(s) she presented us with.

Yet it was her strength which she gave her the come back of all come backs: She was presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at this year’s MTV Awards, and honoured with a dance performance dedicated solely to her.

It was nothing but epic.

I admire Spears’ strength. Her 2000 hit “Stronger” is one of the tracks I’ve placed on my own Life Soundtrack. Although the song is about a girl who’s tired of her cheating boyfriend, for me it means something entirely different, it means to have strength in who I am and all I set out to do.

It also reminds me that no one can tell me differently.

CONCERT :: Britney Does Toronto

The video for that song is one of my favourites due to it’s simplicity. The dancing sequences features Spears alone except for a chair. The concept was entirely created by Spears. Her dancing is fantastic and makes me wish it was me in the video.

The brand that is Britney Spears is by now a well-oiled machine. Her every step is strategically planned. Even her meltdowns inside the 30 Mile Zone were all planned. (No one shows such behaviour in the 30 Mile Zone unless they want/need the publicity.) Her songs all have a robotic vocal, which has become her signature sound. Her videos are shot and released like feature films. Her TV appearances and her performances are well-organized. Spears simply shows up when she’s told to, gets dressed in what she has to wear. She’s scripted on what she’s to say and not say and then walks out on stage to execute.

INTERVIEW :: Miss Raquel One-On-One With Paul Oakenfold

When the lights dim she quietly leaves to go back into her world without the press and onlookers.

I come from both the Madonna and Britney Spears generations. Madonna taught me to be brave. Spears taught me anything can be accomplished and overcome.

Just like the lyrics in “Stronger”, I’m stronger than yesterday.

- Like us on Facebook / Join us on Twitter / Join TheGayGuideNetwork

TIME WARP :: What I miss is being on the dancefloor immersed in what my musical minister is preaching to me.  I remember about five years ago a popular Canadian DJ/producer telling me how he missed paying his cover to get into a club and have fun.

Funny how this comment has kept with me for all these years and now I understand what he was saying.

I entered Canada’s electronic music scene (EMS) pretty much just as I started working in it. Being of the mind set I had – and still do – of wanting to work in the music industry, I took the industry and made it work for me.

Little did I know I’d lose a bit of enjoyment along the way.

Don’t get me wrong I truly love what I do, but I’ve discovered year after year it’s getting harder for me to be on a dancefloor and just dance and disappear into my musical journey.

I don’t mind people dancing into my space and asking me about the EMDS. If I did I would have gotten out a long time ago. You know when you’re on the dance floor feeling the groove, feeling your move, singing the vocal while your feet move to the four by four beat being instructed from the speakers. It’s this experience which is yours and yours alone.

You know what I’m talking about.

Halloween 2010 I saw Carl Cox at Toronto’s The Guvernment. This was the last time I was free on a dancefloor until Pride Toronto 2011.  I had one last event to host, at CZ Toronto’s infamous after-hours. It was here I intended to dance, no matter what.

And I did! I danced for five solid hours to the sounds of Tom Stephan a.k.a. Superchumbo, Deko-ze and Jon Herbert.

My legs hurt, my hair was up, I was sweaty and didn’t care that my lip gloss wasn’t on.

It was the music, dancefloor and me.

Not everybody understands house music; it’s a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing. – Eddie Amador – Yoshitoshi Recordings 1998

Pride always has been in my life. I remember when I was my teens my mom going to various Pride events. She used to tell me about the Pride Parade, describing to me the massive floats, lavish costumes, vibrant colours and fabulous music.

My mom volunteered at ACT and Casey House for seven years as a Buddy to those with AIDS. I learned from her the impact AIDS has on those who suffer from it, and for those who love them.

A vague memory I have is staying at one of my mom’s friend’s apartment on Queen Street West just above where the Black Bull is now. I could clearly see the CN Tower from the room I slept in. The apartment belonged to Jeff, a man my mom cared for who had AIDS. I was around eight years old but I remember Jeff’s apartment so vividly for the warmth, space and the waterbed. remember looking out at the CN tower and marvelled at how it could stand so tall.

Another memory of my mom’s time volunteering at ACT is Michael. He had a dog, a greyhound named Lucy and they lived in East York. Michael had a great garden which was laden with herbs and spices that smelt so wonderful. My mom was close to Michael. Once he passed away I remember my mom telling me how she was there with him in his home as he breathed his last breath.

I’ve learned a lot from my mom. She is a strong woman to have been a Buddy to those who needed it most. My mom is a true living angel for the care and time she gave to ACT and to those she now cares for as a personal support worker.

As an adult I experienced Pride and all its glory with one of my bffs Erin, and Deko-ze along with many of our friends.

Because of all the stories my mom told me about Pride all I ever wanted to do was be on a float never did I think I’d host stages or events. I’ve since hosted Central Stage in 2009 and 2010. And now will host Labatt’s South Stage for the Dirty Disco Collective Sunday July 3.

Thanks to the strength of my mom I live without fear or stereotype. Although I am straight I prefer being around the LGBTTQ community; its here I belong.

Although Pride is a celebration in who we are, we should be celebrating who we are all year through. After all: we all piss, shit, laugh, cry, eat and need love.

Join me, and Dream Big!

More Miss Raquel

Here’s the thing: We know it’s mildly incestuous to crown our own pot-stirring blogger Miss Raquel (Poppycock!) our latest Woman of the Hour, but we have a thing for conscientious women who work hard, devotedly, and with a spirit that is broad and fierce.  And despite prepping to be everywhere this Toronto Pride with gigs galore, the indefatigable TV host, writer, web and club queen took time to put pen to our TMI Questionnaire:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Libra.

I’m: 35 come Sept. 27, 2011

I was born: A girl in Toronto at Women’s College Hospital.

I wear many hats: Owner/editor of Scenester Magazine, host of Electronica on bpm:tv and host of Scenester Channel. I call myself a ‘Creative Communications Specialist’.

My fave colour: Pink.

Passion: Music.

Fantasy entourage: Vin Diesel and Dwyane Johnson.

Turn-ons: Fast decision making, honesty, and an up-front personality.

Irresistible in a mate: Brains and muscles.

Phrase I most overuse: “Get er done!”

Most people would be surprised to know I: Live quietly. 8/10 I work without music on. Red wine makes me sleepy.

Fictional best friend: Green Girl

Talent I wish I had: Drawing.

When I order a cocktail I ask for: Whatever comes to mind at the moment. I bartend part-time and always come up with drinks.

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Trash TV baby! TMZ, Joan & Melissa, All the Housewives from all the counties and cities. bpm:tv. Discovery, TLC and the list goes on.

Song: iio – Rapture (Acapella)

Greatest extravagance: Not too extravagant: my laptop and iPhone.

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: Anything that makes my ass look good, and doesn’t cost the moon and the stars. I don’t wear whatever else is wearing. Jeans are to be original.

Footwear: Heels the higher the better!

Watch: Fossil.

Eyewear: My Burberry and Lady GaGa sunglasses.

Casual: Shorts and t-shirts. I’m shopping for skirts this season.

Formal: I don’t do formal. When I’ve had to do formal I have to funk it up. Formal is boring.

Perfume / Cologne: Sheesh! Which one to start with I own a shop of perfumes. I get the most compliments on Paris Hilton’s “Paris” and Brittany Spears “Fantasy”. Whatever makes you smell sexy wear it!

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Moroccan Oil shampoo and condition. Ask Peter at Cinelli Hair he’ll tell ya all about it. It’s amazing!

Face wash: Aveda Fresh Essentials

Moisturizer: I change it up. As long as it has an SPF of 15 or more and keeps my skin feeling fresh and not dry. I do like NeoStrata, Oil of Olay, Nutrogena. And specialty organic creams.

Body Lotion: Vaseline Intensive Care; the aloe or cocoa butter one.

Indulgence: Perfumes, purses, shoes and lip glosses. Honestly I don’t need any more of any of them!

GOTTA GETTA GADGET

Gadgets: Mini-sound system, mini-home theatre, iPhone, iPad. And if I drove I’d drive a Smart Car you can park it anywhere!

On my music player now: Carl Cox Live @ Sensation White

I always PVR: Sadly I currently don’t PVR.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: Jenna Jameson How to Make Love Like a Pornstar. A Cautionairy Tale. Currently reading Ann Rule‘s But I Trusted You and Other True Cases.

Last movie seen: Sharkwater.

Last concert: I’m gathering seeing an international DJ does not apply here, therefore I can’t remember my last concert.

Last play: I don’t remember but it was at the Rose Theatre in Brampton.

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: Ben & Jerry’s ice cream

Past obsession: The gym

Future obsession: The gym

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: This I don’t share.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: “Never work with desperate people. – John Dillinger.

Catch Miss Raquel as she takes on this bananas schedule this Toronto Pride:

Friday July 1

One World – Where The Wild Things Are!

Join us in Cawthra Square Park for the best Canada Day party in the village! The Green Space on Church, home of TreeHouse Party and Lipstick Jungle heats up on July 1 with killer music by:

3PM – 4:30: GREG GOW

4:30 – 6:00: SHAWN RIKER

6:00 – 7:30: JO-JO FLORES

7:30 – 9:00: ADDY

9:00 – 10:30: DEKO-ZE

10:30 – 12:00: TICKY TY

KAYA BONGOS on the drums!

Hosted by Miss Raquel (bpm:tv/Scenester Magazine)
Advisory group: Deko-ze and Charles Pavia

All proceeds to support The 519
*Donations are appreciated and necessary.

INFO

Monday July 4

Deko-ze Presents: Come Get Your Fcuk’in Beats Pride Edition

Tom Stephan a.k.a. Superchumbo (London/New York)

Deko-ze l Budah Moderno l Jon Herbert l Josh Karmin l Neill Mcleod l Nick Bertossi

Hosts: Miss Raquel l Erin l ClubStan l Brandon Morgan-Melo l Sean Star

The Comfort Zone, 480 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON

When it comes to clubland, are the parties you play at proper?  Miss Raquel defines proper partying across Canada and chats further with Shaun Proulx:

My friends and I have a saying about partying. “Proper”, we say, when describing a venue or event we feel is run and put together professionally with care. There’s partying and then there’s proper partying. I don’t think you get to fully understanding proper until you’ve had at least four to five years experience under your dancing shoes.

It’s about knowing what you like and how to seek it out. Picking the venue to spend your hard-earned money and precious time at, their sound system, the calibre of the DJ(s) booked, and the price for drinks are all part of the proper process that makes a great night out.

When it comes to the most proper city to party in, I’ve been to many different venues in cities around the world; for me Montreal is proper. It was a trip there in April that was the reminder to me what exactly proper partying is.

Montreal club Stereo’s sound system, for example, is constructed from a DJ’s perspective (Angel Moraes) and delivers delicate pounding sound waves that let you talk while being right in front of the speakers. They don’t allow gum inside the venue. The floor is so clean and sheen you could eat off it (seriously). There’s vending machines not bartenders (although there is one on the upper level) selling water, pop and energy drinks to quench your thirst. And the calibres of DJs who play there are high: Steve Lawler, Danny Tenaglia, D-Unity, for example.

Toronto has many proper venues such as Footwork, fly Nightclub, Wrongbar, Stone Lounge, Sound Academy, and The Guvernment for example. It’s too bad thought that several venues in Toronto fall short in too many areas such as cover charges way too high for what you get (bad sound, bad service, etc.), and the same DJs all the time (or hearing ones that don’t understand the concept of programming). And then there are those venues which are downright dirty, with filthy washrooms, or wet floors. These places aren’t exactly the type that should be asking for $20 or $30 at the door.

Now that I’m a senior in proper partying – and damn proud of it – I lean towards smaller venues that have lasted in the scene for some time. They step outside the musical box and book all kinds of electronic music talent, the kind of talent which doesn’t always get the chance to play but should, club cool politics be damned.

Across Canada there are many proper places to party. In Calgary there’s the Warehouse, in St. John’s, Newfoundland there’s Liquid, but for best in Canada Montreal is where it’s at.

It’s proper.