behind the decks with e

I want CANDY! Custom playlists - are they right for you?

2009-12-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

So The Daily Candy was kind enough to put together an article about the custom playlists that I do. You can find that article here.

Here's the more detailed skinny, in case you're looking for it:

Many of the people I work with (brides, companies, event planners) admit to me that they have NO CLUE what kind of music is out there, what their musical taste is, or even how to classify what they already like. They tell me that they often don't even really know where to start. As someone who untangles that complicated musical jumble for folks, and picks the right music for the right events for people for a living, I had one of those epiphany-type lightbulb over the head moments - custom playlists for people.

It's simple - I talk to the person, see what they like and what they don't like, figure out the context of the music, where it's going to be played, and step into my mental record store to get it all sorted out - whether the end result is performing live as a DJ, loading music onto an iPod for a restaurant, or burning a few hours worth of music onto CDs for a party - I can do it for you, and give you the experience that you're looking for!

You didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway - there are only 2 arenas where I don't believe this would work:

Weddings where dancing is desired.
Any other event where dancing is desired.

Here's why - and I'm hoping my DJ brethren will back me on this one - there is no substitute for the on-the-fly intuition of a good DJ. You can have the most rockin' playlist of all time - if the crowd isn't feeling it, and you don't have someone in control of the decks who can scream "starboard AHOY" (metaphorically speaking, of course), and turn the musical ship in a new direction, your dance party will fall totally flat, and there won't be a thing you can do about it.

That said, custom playlists are AWESOME in the following contexts:

Shops, restaurants, or other destinations that require atmosphere and background music to set a specific mood
Professional events that require said atmosphere
Dinner parties, or any other type of party that - again - needs atmosphere. Spontaneous boogie would not be kicked out of bed for eating crackers, but isn't the primary objective of the night.

Having a knowledgeable person in charge of giving you the vibe you're looking for is invaluable - shoot me a note, and let's talk!

TONIGHT - Opening for Super Diamond at the 9:30 club!

2009-11-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Tonight I'm opening for Super Diamond (the Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute Band!) at the 9:30 club - 815 V St NW, Washington, DC!

Super Diamond is a San Francisco-based tribute band for the legendary Neil Diamond. It was formed 10 years ago as a side act, it is headed by Randy Cordeiro, better known as Surreal Neil. Cordeiro is a 38-year-old singer-songwriter whose voice has an uncanny resemblance to that of Mr. Neil Diamond. "The Surreal Neil," Randy Cordeiro has astonished audiences with his live impersonations of the real Neil. Randy. He discovered his talent in 1989 when he discovered he had the ability to capture not only Diamond's voice, but also his mannerisms and performance style. Along with Cordeiro a select group of top stunt musicians bring to life the Neil Diamond concert experience.

I'll be doing a fun, dancey 80s set for about 2 hours, starting at 8:30pm, prior to Super Diamond!

Tickets are $22 - more information at www.930.com

Right Round - 10/17/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-10-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

In spite of the fact that I was at the Cat DJing 2 weekends in a row, the turnout was great - YAY, dancing fools! I took a bit of a departure with October's Right Round, and played some of the stuff I never ever play (and some stuff that I play lots, don't get me wrong), and it seemed like people had a blast!

Here's the list, for your viewing pleasure, with an "**" by requests:

The Pretenders - Brass In Pocket
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Captain Sensible - Wot
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
Howard Jones - Like to Get to Know You Well
Alphaville - Big In Japan ('88 Remix)
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
** Book of Love - Modigliani
Big Audio Dynamite - The Medicine Show
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities In Dust
** Visage - Fade to Grey
When In Rome - The Promise
Voyou - Germany Calling
** Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
** Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning
** Dead or Alive - Brand New Lover
Information Society - What's On Your Mind?
Yaz - Situation (remix)
Camoflage - The Great Commandment
Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon
** Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
** Erasure - Chains of Love
New Order - Sub Culture
Smiths - Panic
** James - Sit Down
** U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name
** Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
** Big Country - Big Country
** New Order - True Faith
Pet Shop Boys - I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another
Real Life - Send Me An Angel
** Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
The Specials - Little Bitch
** Aha - Take On Me
Blondie - Dreaming
** Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Depeche Mode - New Life
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Erasure - A Little Respect
Bowie - Let's Dance
REM - Stand
** Men At Work - Land Down Under
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Peek-A-Boo
Human League - Don't You Want Me
** The Clash - Train In Vain
** Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
The Cars - Hello Again
** New Order - Blue Monday
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
Erasure - Blue Savannah
** Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
** Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
Modern English - Melt With You
** Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me
B52s - Own Private Idaho
** The Vapors - Turning Japanese
Social Distortion - Ball & Chain
The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
Billi Idol - Dancing With Myself
Violent Femmes -Prove My Love
** Fugazi -Waiting Room

This just in!!!

2009-10-03T15:18:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to let you know that Right Round is coming at you TWICE in October - yes, you heard it right:

TWICE in October!!!!

First - on the Mainstage, this coming Friday, 10/9, I will be doing Right Round UP! for EQUALITY - an 80s/90s/00s dance party in support of the Equality Across America, the equal marriage rights march on Washington during the same weekend. I'll be spinning with guest DJ Joshua from the popular queer dance nights Hottboxx and be:XX - and will be spinning queertastic dance hits from the 80s, 90s, and 00s all night long!! Come out and show that you support the fight for equal rights for everyone!

Here's my flyer:

NEXT - on the backstage, on Saturday, 10/17, I will be spinning Right Round, and bringing you the best of 80s alternative pop for your dancing feets!

You should come to both. They will be equal parts good and awesome!

Right Round - 8/8/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-08-18T19:53:00.001-07:00

This one was a tribute to the music of John Hughes, which I think needs to be continued next month....

Good turnout, total sweatbox, but fun night overall.

Here's everything, with an "**" by all of the John Hughes Songs:

** Dr. Calculus - Full of Love
** Paul Young - Love of the Common People
** Big Audio Dynamite - BAD
Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now
** Danny Hutton Hitters - Would It Be Good
Alphaville - Big In Japan
Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better
** Echo and the Bunnymen - Bring on the Dancing Horses
Spandau Ballet - Promises, Promises
** New Order - Shellshock
** ABC - Look of Love
Yaz - Situation
** OMD - If You Leave
Aha - The Sun Always Shines on TV
** Flesh For Lulu - I Go Crazy
New Order - Temptation
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
U2 - I Will Follow
** Specials - Little Bitch
The Go Gos - We Got The Beat
** Psychadelic Furs - Pretty In Pink
** INXS - Do Wot You Do
Talk Talk - It's My Life
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
** Oingo Boingo vs. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Weird Science (DJ lil'e mashup)
Men without Hats - Safety Dance
Violent Femmes - Blister In the Sun
** The Smiths - You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby
OMD - Enola Gay
The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go
Nena - 99 Luft Balloons
Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Pet Shop Boys - Left To My Own Devices
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
** Yello - Oh Yeah
New Order - Blue Monday
The Cars - Hello Again
** Simple Minds - Don't You Forget About Me
Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
The Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
The Jam - Town Called Malice
Iggy Pop - Lust For Life
Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma
Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
Erasure - Drama
The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
** Real Life - Send Me An Angel
INXS - Don't Change
Aha - Take On Me
** Kim Wilde - Kids In America
** Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone

encore

Dee Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
The Smiths - Panic

Right Round UP! - 7/18/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-08-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

All I have to say for commentary is - 500 dancing fools came out, beeotches! How cool is that?

Here's the setlist, with an "**" by all of the requests:

Bat for Lashes - Pearl's Dream
** Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease
Love & Rockets - So Alive
Hot Chip - Just Like We Breakdown
Morrissey - Every Day Is Like Sunday
The Cars - Magic
** Pet Shop Boys - Domino Dancing
The Killers - All These Things That I've Done
The Las - There She Goes
** Eurythmics - Love Is A Stranger
** Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always
Erasure - Love to Hate You
Information Society - What's On Your Mind
Santogold - L.E.S. Artists
** Dead or Alive - Brand New Lover
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster
OMD - If You Leave
Stereo MCs - Step It Up
M.I.A. - Bucky Done Gun
The Rapture - Don Gone Do It
** New Order - True Faith
MGMT - Kids
Camoflauge - The Great Commandment
Peter Bjorn and John - Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
** Human League - Don't You Want Me?
** Blur - Girls and Boys
** Lady Gaga - Poker Face
The Cure - Close to Me
Lady Soverign - So Human
Hall and Oates - Maneater
** Violent Femmes - Add it Up
** Ace of Base - The Sign
Salt & Pepa - Shoop
Men at Work - Land Down Under
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
** Erasure - A Little Respect
** Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
** James - Laid
They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng
New Order - Blue Monday
The Rapture - Woo, Alright
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks
Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
Echo And the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar
** Dead or Alive - You Spin Me
** The Outfield - Your Love
** Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
The Clash - London Calling
** Nena - 99 Luft Balloons
** Le Tigre - Deceptacon
Aha - Take On Me
** Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Prince - Kiss
New Order - Temptation
The Killers - Human
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
Belle & Sebastian - Boy With the Arab Strap
The Cure - Killing An Arab

encore

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen
Lush - Ladykillers

Please to come to my MAINSTAGE dance party at the Cat on 7/18/09

2009-07-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is my flyer for my mainstage night at the black cat.

You should come.

I'm playing all of the best alternative music from the 80s, the 90s, and the 00s.

Any requests???

OH mah LAWD I'm soooo lazy! AKA Right Round - 6/20/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-07-09T18:45:00.001-07:00

SO, Right Round was just a rockin' little monster in June - lots of people came, lots of people stayed until the end, and I had a little surprise when Ian McKaye (yes, THAT Ian McKaye) popped through the backstage door and walked over to ask me what I'd be playing for the evening. He's an awfully nice fellow, and didn't completely cringe when I said, "blippy bleepy 80s dance music", so that's a plus...

Anyway, here's the setlist, with ** by all the requests.

The Stranglers - Golden Brown
The Clash - Guns of Brixton
Sinead O'Connor - Stretched on Your Grave (remix)
The Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma
Pet Shop Boys - Domino Dancing
Nitzer Ebb - Join In the Chant
Talking Heads - Girlfriend Is Better
ABC - Look of Love
Automation - Obsession
Siouxsie - Cities In Dust
** Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (remix)
** Erasure - Lay All Your Love On Me
** New Order - True Faith
Madness - Our House
** Depeche Mode - Flexible
Human League - Don't You Want Me?
** The Godfathers - Birth, School, Work, Death
** Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
The Clash - London Calling
Blondie - Call Me
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
** OMD - Tesla Girls
B-Movie - Nowhere Girl
Toni Basil - Mickey
The Cars - Tonight She Comes
** Erasure - A Little Respect
** Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
James - Laid
** Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
New Order - Sub Culture
Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
** Ultravox - Reap the Wild Wind
** Dead or Alive - You Spin Me
New Order - Temptation
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
DEVO - Whip It
** Men Without Hats - Pop Goes the World
** Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
** Red Rockers - China
** The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Yaz - Don't Go
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
** Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind
** Big Country - Big Country
** Echo And the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar
Tiffany - I think We're Alone Now
New Order - Blue Monday
** Bananarama - Venus
Blondie - Atomic
They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng
The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before
The Cure - Let's Go To Bed
Violent Femmes - Add It Up
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
Aha - Take On Me
Tones On Tail - Go!

Right Round - 5/16/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-05-17T11:19:00.001-07:00

So, along with graduation weekend came a lower-than-normal turnout, however what the crowd lacked in size, they MORE than made up for in enthusiasm! I tried out a couple of things that I either haven't played in a while, or I just was never sure would work - and they TOTALLY did! It was super fun - I even jumped into the fray and danced with my peeps for a few songs, which was delightful! :)

Anyway, here's the set, with "**" by all of the requests:

Paul Young - Love of the Common People
The Clash - Guns of Brixton
Sinead O'Connor - I Want Your Hands All Over Me
Alphaville - Big In Japan
Ace of Base - The Sign
Smiths - Girlfriend In A Coma
Psychadelic Furs - Until She Comes
Nu Shooz - I Can't Wait
** Siouxsie - Peek-A-Boo
Depeche Mode - Nothing
Howard Jones - Things Will Only Get Better
Kajagoogoo - Too Shy
Blondie - Heart of Glass
** Pretty Poison - Catch Me, I'm Falling
** Dead or Alive - Brand New Lover
Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities
** Blur vs. Book of Love - Tubular Boys (lil'e mashup)
** Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax
** Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
Erasure - Chains of Love
New Order - Sub Culture
** Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon
** Yaz - Don't Go
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
** Pet Shop Boys - Left to My Own Devices
** Big Country - Big Country
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
OMD - We Love You
** New Order - Blue Monday
** Aha - The Sun Always Shines on TV
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Pseudo Echo - Funkytown
They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng
The Clash - London Calling
** Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
** Erasure - A Little Respect
** Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen
James - Laid
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
** Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
Tones on Tail - Go!
** The Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
** The Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep
Midnight Oil - The Dead Heart
** Dead or Alive - You Spin Me
** Real Life - Send Me An Angel
The Cars - Hello Again
** Depeche Mode - Strangelove
** New Order - True Faith
B52s - Love Shack
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
** Elvis Costello - Pump it Up
Toni Basil - Mickey
The Go Gos - We Got the Beat
Iggy Pop - The Passenger
Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me
Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Aha - Take On Me
** Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
General Public - Tenderness
** Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
** Bowie - Let's Dance
Violent Femmes - Add It Up

Right Round - 4/11/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-05-16T16:28:00.000-07:00

The Jam - That's Entertainment
Peter Gabriel - Games w/o Frontiers
U2 - Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Waterboys - Whole of the Moon
Smiths - Every Day is Like Sunday
Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down
OMD - So In Love
Human League - Doctor! Doctor!
Peter Schilling - The Different Story
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax
ABC - Look of Love
New Order - True Faith
Yaz - Situation (remix)
OMD - If You Leave
Erasure - Star
Echo and the Bunnymen - Killing Moon
Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
Pet Shop Boys - It's A Sin
Simple Minds - Love Song
Talk Talk - it's My Life
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
Depeche Mode - Dreaming of Me
Clash - Rock the Casbar
Flesh for Lulu - I go Crazy
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me
Tiffany - I think we're alone now
New Order - Blue Monday
Romantics - Talking In Your Sleep
Echo And the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar
Talking Heads - And She Was
Aha - Take On Me
Rational Youth - Saturdays in Silesia
Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
Bowie - Let's Dance
Baltimora - Tarzan Boy
Erasure - A Little Respect
Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go
Smiths - Panic
Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another
Real Life - Send Me An Angel
Men w/o Hats - Safety Dance
New Order -Temptation
Lightning Seeds - Life of Riley
Go Gos - We Got The
DEVO - Girl U Want
Vapors - Turning Japanese

ENCORE:
Violent Femmes - Kiss Off
INXS - Don't Change
Cure - Just Like Heaven

Right Round - 3/21/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-05-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

It was both my birthday and Right Round's birthday - YAY!

Here's the setlist, with "**" by all of the requests:

Freur - Doot Doot
Sugarcubes - Birthday
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (remix)
** Stone Roses - Fools Gold
Fad Gadget - Collapsing New People
** Human League - Love Action
Yaz - Situation
Erasure - Take A Chance On Me
** Red Flag - Russian Circles
** OMD - So In Love
New Order - True Faith (remix)
Information Society - What's On Your Mind
Split Enz - I Got U
Erasure - Drama
Aha - The Sun Always Shines On TV
Talk Talk - It's My Life
Madness - Our House
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me
Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
Pet Shop Boys - Left to my Own Devices
New Order - Temptation
The Go Gos - Our Lips Are Sealed
Altered Images - Happy Birthday
Billy Idol - Dancing With Myself
Tones on Tail - GO
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Smiths - You Just Haven't Earned it Yet, Baby
The Cars - Tonight She Comes
Alphaville - Dance With Me
Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
OMD - Enola Gay
The Cure - In Between Days
** U2 - I Will Follow
The Clash - I Fought the Law
Erasure - A Little Respect
Simple Minds - Don't U Forget About Me
James - Laid
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Violent Femmes - Prove My Love
INXS - Don't Change
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
Aha - Take On Me
Blondie - Dreaming
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Human League - Don't You Want Me?
Duran Duran - Girls On Film
Big Country - Big Country
Depeche Mode - Master & Servant

ENCORE:

The Clash - London Calling
Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning
Men At Work - Land Down Under
They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse

Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life

I realize that I've been freakishly absent from this blog...

2009-05-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

I actually have a good excuse - I've been SUPER busy!

But, check back with me soon, and I'll have a couple of new setlists up, and maybe some fun info about a new blog I'm thinking of.

OOOOOH - yay!

Taste of the Nation - tonighthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2009-03-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Come see me spinning at the Taste of the Nation - tonight!

More than 40 of the city’s finest restaurants will participate in this gastronomic event. Complementing the evening’s haute cuisine, guests can look forward to the new Wine Bar feature as well as specialty cocktails from the city’s top mixologists, including Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim from Las Vegas. Complete with the festive sounds of DJ Erin Myers plus fabulous live and silent auctions, this culinary celebration is sure to be a night to remember.

This year’s VIP section will launch its first interactive feature, as Chef Chair RJ Cooper and Chef Kaz Okochi lead hands-on demonstrations with VIP guests while top mixologists create innovative cocktails. Guests will also have the opportunity to sample sweet treats throughout the night from DC’s finest pastry chefs in the new VIP Dessert Den.

VIP guests will have the rare opportunity to mingle with notable DC chefs who will be honored for their long-standing dedication to the local culinary community. This year’s honorees are:

Jeffrey Buben, Roberto Donna, Bob Kinkead, Ris Lacoste, Kaz Okochi, Michel Richard, Jeff Tunks & Robert Wiedmaier

Right Round - 2/21/09 - Setlist and Commentary

2009-02-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

GREAT night!!! SO fun!!! YAY!

I think there were something like 370 people in the room - it was packed, the vibe was great, there were NO stalkers anywhere (although I got the distinct feeling that someone was vying for that title, but anyway...) - all in all, a winner.

Here's the setlist, with "**" by the requests. I've been TRYING to mix it up a bit (pardon the pun) and have been tracking the music I play month to month so that I can do it - some of the hits sneak their way in, but what can you do...?

Spandau Ballet - Chant No 1 (Don't Need This Pressure On)
Yanyou - Germany Calling
Talking Heads - Girlfriend is Better
Information Society - What's on Your Mind? (oh, and for the woman who INSISTED this was done in the '90s, I looked at the record. 1988. Neener.)
** New Order - True Faith
Animotion - Obsession
The Cars - Magic
ABC - The Look of Love
Oingo Boingo vs. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me with Weird Science (dj lil'e mashup)
** Human League - Don't U Want Me?
Dead or Alive - Brand New Lover
Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
** Kon Kan - I Beg Your Pardon
** James - Sit Down
Howard Jones - New Song (remix)
Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind
** Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again
Yaz - Don't Go
The Cure - Let's Go to Bed
** Alphaville - Forever Young (remix)
** New Order - Blue Monday
Blondie - Atomic
They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng
** Real Life - Send Me an Angel (I swear, something like 10 people requested this song... is it in a movie or something?)
Men at Work - Land Down Under
** Bangles - Walk Like An Egyptian
** The Jam - Town Called Malice
The Smiths - This Charming Man
** Erasure - A Little Respect
The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Siouxsie and the Banshees - The Passenger
** Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight
Echo and the Bunnymen - Lips Like Sugar
The Cars - I Like the Nightlife
** The Proclaimers - 500 Miles
Pet Shop Boys - Go West
Split Enz - I Got U
New Order - Temptation
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
INXS - Don't Change
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Big Country - Big Country
Pet Shop Boys - Left to My Own Devices
** Icicleworks - Birds Fly
** Franz Ferdinand vs. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on, Take Me Out Eileen (dj lil'e mashup)
Nena - 99 Luft Balloons
Peter Schilling - Major Tom
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
** Men w/o Hats - Pop Goes the World
** Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Red Rockers - China
Modern English - Melt With You
Level 42 - Always Something There to Remind Me
A-ha - Take On Me
** Devo - Whip It
** Erasure - Chains of Love
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
** Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
James - Laid

encore
** Violent Femmes - Prove My Love
** New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle

Vote for me!

2009-02-19T19:01:00.000-08:00

For best DJ in DC, according to the Washington City Paper:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofpoll/nominees/143/vote

Thanks!

Buh-bye 2008!!!!

2009-01-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

before I officially say "fuck off" to 2008, a slight diversion:

This is a t-shirt design for my special edition "Right Round - Inauguration Week" dance party! It's happening on Saturday, 1/17 - the first day of the madness in our fair city, as far as I can tell. I'm actually pretty stoked cause I just found out that I'm going to be sitting on the parade route on 1/20 - woot! Thank you Canadaland! not sure what I did that was so nice to you, but I appreciate the invite!

Lots of stuff is coming up - I shall post about all of it in the next few days.

SOOOO, that said, I wanted to say a little farewell to stupid, crappy 2008. It wasn't as bad as 2007 by a long shot, but it was a close 2nd for me. I had to let some things go, make some painful decisions, say some very difficult goodbyes, and dump every last cent I earned into my crazy old broke-assed house, but without jinxing it all, I finally feel like I can close the door on several very difficult chapters of my life, and finally take some steps forward. On the upside, my work as a DJ is progressing beautifully, and I'm hoping I can finally put a studio together and get to work on all the remixes and stuff floating around in my noggin.

A toast to 2009, new opportunities, and putting one foot in front of the other! With that in mind, here's a New Year's quiz I got from the lovely Ms. Sweetney. Here goes:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Several things:

Participated in pure, mass, public bliss (the night of the presidential election)
Turned the year of meat into the life of meat (yeah, it's true...)
Experienced the joy of being married to a lovely fella for 10 years
Ran a 5k and a 10k successfully

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolution last year was "no more drama". I was, sadly, unable to fulfill that resolution. Therefore, it shall be my resolution again this year. I also would like to resolve to keep my ego out of things, and let lots of my own "stuff" go.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep! Our darling friends Kristen and Jason welcomed Ike to the Southern family!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Does West Virginia count? Other than that, none...

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A better sense of myself, and definitely a more peaceful mind.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

September 19 - my 10th wedding anniversary
November 3rd - duh

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally fixing the damn house

9. What was your biggest failure?
Hard to articulate...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Pneumonia and a broken toe. Both sucked.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
It's a tie between the new roof for my house and Andy's anniversary present "Aeronautical Battle" by Hunter Stabler.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Tina Fey as Sara Palin

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I plead the 5th

14. Where did most of your money go?
The roof, the outside walls, the inside wall, painting all of the above, and replacing all of the appliances in our kitchen. 'Twas spensive.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Obama

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Foundations" by Kate Nash

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? happier!
b) thinner or fatter? fitter, actually.
c) richer or poorer? I have no clue...

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Diving

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Drama-related crap

20. How did you spend Christmas?
with the fam

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Absolutely - for about the millionth time.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Don't watch TV - but my favorite TV clips were the Saturday Night Live Palin parodies.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Absolutely not, contrary to what some may believe.

24. What was the best book you read?
"Annie Leibovitz At Work". As a student of and lover of photography, I absolutely enjoyed this book from start to finish!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
It was actually more personal - that I could remix a song and it would actually sound pretty great.

26. What did you want and get?
I honestly didn't want a single thing. But I did get a lovely ring for my anniversary

27. What did you want and not get?
A new heater. Saving my 2009 pocket change for that.... brrrrrr!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
That's a hard one...

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a very nice dinner with my fella. I turned 34.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I have absolutely no idea.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Whatever, whenever - as long as I have a cute pair of shoes to match...

32. What kept you sane?
Therapy, Andy, and running. Lots and lots of running.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Johnny Depp. zzzzzzz, I know....

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election, and all of it's many twists and turns.

35. Who did you miss?
Mr. Phil. That one still just gets me every time.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't know - I have a horrible memory for such things...

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Sometimes what's best hurts more than what works.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run..." which is, of course, The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.

Right Round UP - DJing on the MAINSTAGE of the Black Cat with very special guests - The Opposite Sex

2008-12-18T07:01:00.001-08:00

After many many moons of talking, scheming, and preparing for this, I'm happy to say that the lovely and talented band The Opposite Sex is teaming up with me tomorrow - Friday - to bring you a DJ / band extravaganza. How will this work, you ask? Well, I shall tell you!

I DJ from 9:30 - 11:00
The Opposite Sex plays from 11:00 - 11:30ish
I DJ from 11:30ish - 2:00am

Very very simple, no?

Here's the 411, for those who have not been following my every movement for the last 7 years:

Right Round UP with The Opposite Sex
Friday, December 19
9:30pm - 2:00am
The Black Cat - Mainstage
1811 14th St NW
www.blackcatdc.com
$10

Hope to see you all there!
e

Right Round - 11/21/08 AND Tinderbox - 12/4/08 - Setlist and Commentary

2008-12-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

WORD UP!

I know, I know, I've been utterly horrific in my duties lately. Can I just say, for the record, that November has been INSANE? Between wrapping up fixing my broke-assed house (STILL not done - can I just tell you how much I hate doing grout and caulk work??? Apparently it's super easy to fuck it up repeatedly and get so frustrated that you have a nervous breakdown at 6pm on a Thursday - look into it!) and getting geared up for the holiday party rush AND training for the Jingle All the Way 10k in December, I've found myself with little to no downtime to post this stuff. I peeped at my blog this morning, let out a few expletives, and decided to get down to bid-nez.

So, without further delay, here are a few setlists for your viewing pleasure (and, of course, since it's been a bit of time since I did the first one, I don't remember the requests....):

RIGHT ROUND - 11/21/08

Missing Persons - Destination Unknown
Love & Rockets - So Alive
The Cars - Best Friend's Girl
Blancmange - Living on the Ceiling
Echo ATB - Bring on the Dancing Horses (remix)
Kajagoogoo - Too Shy
Automaton - Obsession
Tears for Fears - Mother's Talk
Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax (remix)
Miss Kitten - Rippen Kitten
The Smiths - There is a Light That Never Goes Out
The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another
New Order - Crystal
Depeche Mode - Pleasure, Little Treasure
Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You
Peter Murphy - Cuts You Up
Erasure - A Little Respect
Human League - Don't You Want Me Baby?
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Talk Talk - It's My Life
Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (FBS Remix)
Nena - 99 Luft Balloons
Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
Aha - Take On Me
Rational Youth - Saturdays in Silesia
Smiths - Ask
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
James - Laid
Franz Ferdinand vs. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on, Take Me Out, Eileen (lil'e mashup)
New Order - True Faith
The Killers - All These Things that I've Done
Pet Shop Boys - Where the Streets Have No Name
Big Country - Big Country
Peter Bjorn and John - Young folks
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Right Round
Real Life - Send Me An Angel
Erasure - Chains of Love
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
The Rapture - Woo, Alright
Romantics - Talking in Your Sleep
Pulp - Common People
The Killers vs. Styx - Domo Arigato, Mr. Brightside (lil'e mashup)
OMD - Enola Gay
Killing Joke - Eighties
Peter Schilling - Major Tom
Billy Idol -Rebel Yell
Le Tigre - Deceptacon
Fugazi - Waiting Room
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Ting Tings vs. the Cars - That's Just Not What I Needed (DJ Matt Hite Mashup)
Go Gos - We Got the Beat
New Order - Temptation
The Clash - London Calling
The Smiths - Panic

TINDERBOX - 12/4/08

This was bartender Ciam's last night - after working with him for the last... I dunno... 3 years??? I was heartbroken to hear that he wasn't going to be there with me every first Thursday anymore. He's a wonderful chap, and St. Ex just won't be the same without him. I hope this set "rocked [his] ass" as I was instructed by him to do so for his last night.

Cocteau Twins - Carolyn's Fingers
DJ Y alias JY - La De Soul
The Police vs. Ben E. King - Stand by Me (mashup)
B52s - Mesopotamia
Ratatat - Seventeen Years
Suede - Love the Way You
Tegan and Sara - Walking with a Ghost
MIA - 10 Dollar
Soul Coughing - Super Bon Bon (remix)
Morrissey - Every Day is Like Sunday
Wham - Wham Rap
Hot Chip - Over and Over
Shannon - Let the Music Play
Sean Paul - We Be Burnin'
Lily Allen - Alfie
Radiohead vs. PJ Harvey vs. Miss Kitten - the Night of Kitten's Messy Dream (mashup)
Eurythmics - Love is a Stranger
Wiseguys - Ooh La La
Feist (feat. Oi Oi Oi) - My Moon My Man (remix)
Kraftwerk - The Robots
Royskopp - Remind Me
Daft Punk - don't know the title... sorry...
Lady Soverign - Love Me or Hate Me
Squeeze - Take Me, I'm Yours
Tenor Saw - Ring the Alarm
MIA - Paper Planes
Beanie Man - Nuff Gal
El General - Pun Tun Tun
Maccabees - Precious Time
The Only Ones - Another Girl, Another Planet
Against Me - Don't Lose Touch
Interpol - Evil
The Smiths - There is A Light
Damian Marley - All Night
Toto - Rosanna
Sister Nancy - Bam Bam
Shaggy - Mr. Boombastic
The Bug - Poison Dart
Junior Mu - Police & Thieves
Distance & Skream - Bahl Fwd
Lee Perry - Clint Eastwood
Wall of Voodoo - Mexican Radio
OOiOO - Umo
The Kinks - You Really Got Me
Ninjaman - Murder Dem
Fu Schnickens - Ring the Alarm
Swizz Beats - It's Me Snitches (instrumental)
Shinehead - Gimme No Crack
Notorious B.I.G. - The What
Beanie Man - Sim Sima
Roots Manuva - Too Cold
Roots Manuva - Again and Again
Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacherman
Matisyahu - Jerusalem
Saqi - Saqi Da Dhol
Joy Division - She's Lost Control
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
RJD2 - Ghost Writer
Maurice Fulton - I Wish I Was A Little Bit
Fugees - Nappy Heads
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke (the BEST feel good song there is, by the way)

Yes we DID!!!!

2008-11-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

I was literally in bed when I heard it start. It was a buzz at first, a slight whisper above the hum of the heater and the fuzz of the white noise machine. But it was noticeable, audible, and getting louder.

It was cheering.

I saw it this morning with the half-entered password - I started to log into my computer to see what happened - was it possible that I wasn't just dreaming, but that we, the people, made history? Knowing that DC has consistently voted blue in past elections, that was the guess.

I stopped logging in and decided to get into the fray - jumped out of bed and pulled on a makeshift outfit, expecting to step outside and back in again - not expecting what I found - pure, incredible, and unbridled joy for the next 4 hours. Who knew I'd spend that time out amongst the revelers, celebrating in my pjs?

Every age, every race, from downtrodden to wealthy, punk rock to preppy - I saw friends and aquaintences and co-workers - whoever it was, we were one people united in happiness. I hugged absolute strangers, kissed one man's hand rather than fist-bump him (not only cause I hate that, but just cause... well, you COULD), and danced in the street from 14th and U, ALL the way down to the White House. The scene was INSANE the entire way - people on busses were dancing and cheering; people hanging out of their car windows and sunroofs were high-fiving those running down the middle of the street - when I cheered out to one stranger in her car, she jumped out, ran up, and gave me one of those high pitched, girly, "ohmygodohmygodohmyGOD" jumping up and down-type hugs.

You can see the picture above, courtesy of my friend Brian, who was standing in the window at Marvin restaurant - people were LITERALLY going nuts, and did not let up on the momentum for hours, hours, hours, HOURS. The crowd at the white house was no different - alternating their chants between "Yes we CAN" and "na na naaa naaa, na na naaa naaa, hey hey hey, GOODBYE". The police, ever vigilantly standing by, needen't have worried - this was delight, this was relief, this was epic bliss.

I've lived in DC all of my life. I've been through 8 presidential elections. I can tell you with absolute certainty that I've never seen ANYTHING quite like this. It was amazing, ferocious, and beautiful pride and joy.

We are fucking stoked.

Halloween ALL week

2008-10-28T17:58:00.001-07:00

It's like Christmas every day... except, well, it's Halloween every day, and it's with me! YAY.

Here are your options:

WEDNESDAY, XX AT BEBAR:

Theme: Goth. spooky, spooky goth.

.....

THURSDAY, REFORM SCHOOL AT ASYLUM:

get info here (I = lame and can't seem to load the image into my blog...)

Theme: Schoolgirl Zombies eat your brains. Then they eat some tacos.

.....

FRIDAY, RIGHT ROUND AT BLACK CAT:

Theme - half naked chicks and some hells yeah!

.....

If I'm not completely dead by Saturday, it should be a pretty good week - come out for the get-down, y'all!

A New "Take" on an Old Classic...

2008-10-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to like this at first, but it's pretty friggin funny....

Right Round - 9/20/08 AND Tinderbox - 10/2/08 - Setlist and Commentary

2008-10-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been so derelict in my duties as a DJ. I have been ridiculously busy for the last few weeks, and totally forgot to post my setlists for the last Right Round and Tinderbox - FOR SHAME!! I shall now get 'er done, as they say...

First, without further delay, here is the setlist from the last Right Round, which I have to say did an excellent job redeeming itself from the abysmal attendance of July and August. Also, I made the decision to go super off the beaten path with this set, which made one particularly drunk attendee comment, "You know, I ordinarily don't like this alternative shit at all... but you did a pretty good job pulling it off". Thanks so much - by chance have you been channeling my dead Nana from the grave with the thinly veiled, sarcastic half-compliments...?

Also, there are "**" by requests:

B52s - Mesopotamia
Stone Roses - Elephant Stone
The Cars - Best Friend's Girl
OMD - So In Love
Echo ATB - Killing Moon
** Love & Rockets - So Alive
Cetu Javu - Have In Mind (Kaluba mix)
** Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
Big Pig - Break Away
** Human League - Fascination
The Cure - Let's Go To Bed
Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
Tears for Fears - Change
** Talking Heads - And She Was
The Las - There She Goes
Pixies - Here Comes Your Man
Erasure - Chains of Love
** ABC - The Look of Love
Jesus & Mary Chain - Far Out & Gone
** Siouxsie - Cities in Dust
Blancmange - Do't Tell Me
Ministry - Halloween
Camoflage - The Great Commandment
Nitzer Ebb - Join in the Chant
** Men w/o Hats - Safety Dance
Men At Work - Land Down Under
** Erasure - A Little Respect
Blur vs. Book of Love - Tubular Boys (lil'e mashup)
Dead or Alive - Brand New Lover
Duran Duran - Girls on Film
Madness - Our House
New Order - Blue Monday
Pet Shop Boys - Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind of Thing
** Tiffany - I Think We're Alone Now
TMBG - Ana Ng
** B52s - Love Shack
** Clash - London Calling
Smiths - Panic
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
Blondie - Atomic
Real Life - Send Me An Angel
Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star
** Echo ATB - Lips Like Sugar
Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka
Depeche Mode - Just Can't Get Enough
The Cars vs. The Ting Tings - That is Just Not What I Needed (DJ Matt Hite mashup)
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Soft Cell - Tainted Love
Killing Joke - Eighties
Flock of Seagulls - I Ran
OMD - Enola Gay
** Modern English - Melt With You
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
James - Laid
Jam - Town Called Malice
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Adam Ant - Goody 2 Shoes
Violent Femmes - Prove My Love

encores
Fugazi - Waiting Room

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Balloon Man

=-=-=-=-=

Okay, now here's the setlist for Tinderbox. While attendance for Right Round was excellent, let's just say the bartender and I enjoyed this setlist for Tinderbox. It was nice and crowded during the VP debates - I guess everyone had pesky "sleep" to attend to afterwards. Whatever, here's your list:

Tom Petty - Don't Come Around Here No More
Beasties - She's Crafty
Add N to (X) - Take Me to Your Leader
Information Society - Knife & A Fork
Sahara - Dhol Track
Gorillaz - Get the Cool Shoe Shine
Ladytron - Miss Black
The Damned - Eloise
B-Movie - Nowhere Girl
XTC - Mayor of Simpleton
Elvis Costello - What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?
Maccabees - Precious Time
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Roots Manuva - Again & Again
Nortorious BIG - The What
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - Parents Just Don't Understand
Girl Talk - Once Again
Berlin - The Metro
DJ Nasty - Who the Fuck Is That
Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
Squeeze - Is That Love
Outkast - Hey Ya
Uffie - Pop the Glock
Ratatat - Cryos
Scissor Sisters - I don't Feel Like Dancing
KRS One - Can't Wake Up
Santogold - Creator
Swizz Beats - It's Me Snitches (Instrumental)
Saqi - Saqi Da Don
The Bug - Poison Dart
Wiley - Treddin' on Thin Ice
Lady Soverign - Love Me or Hate Me
Wiseguys - Ooh La La
Up, Bustle & Out - Carbine

Needless to say, I ended a bit early. WHATever. :)

Re-run of Andy's article

2008-10-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

You can find it here, on page E8

10 years. Holy shit.

2008-10-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

9/19 was my 10th wedding anniversary. For it, A & I renewed our vows and had a little party with our family and friends. Duff from Charm City Cakes gave us this amazing cake as a gift:

All in all, it was a lovely, amazing day. I'll post more pics in my flickr account later on. For now, drink in the words of "Love Letter", by the lovely and talented Nick Cave, who couldn't have written a more appropriate song for the likes of A & I if he tried. (For the uninitiated, A & I dated in high school, broke up, then our relationship came back together 15 years ago with letters to and from Scotland, solidifying itself when A flew over the ocean to tell me he was in love. That's the super abbriviated version, but you get the picture):

I hold this letter in my hand
A plea, a petition, a kind of prayer
I hope it does as I have planned
Losing her again is more than I can bear
I kiss the cold, white envelope
I press my lips against her name
Two hundred words. We live in hope
The sky hangs heavy with rain

Love Letter Love Letter
Go get her Go get her
Love Letter Love Letter
Go tell her Go tell her

A wicked wind whips up the hill
A handful of hopeful words
I love her and I always will
The sky is ready to burst
Said something I did not mean to say
Said something I did not mean to say
Said something I did not mean to say
It all came out the wrong way

Love Letter Love letter
Go get her Go get her
Love Letter Love letter
Go tell her Go tell her

Rain your kisses down upon me
Rain your kisses down in storms
And for all who'll come before me
In your slowly fading forms
I'm going out of my mind
Will leave me standing in
The rain with a letter and a prayer
Whispered on the wind

Come back to me
Come back to me
O baby please come back to me

=-=-=-=

I heard this song last night at the show, and it wrecked me.

Quote of the Day

2008-10-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

Walking to work behind a woman talking on her cell phone.

"That woman with the mustache - is she your aunt, or your cousin?"

I swear, I'm not making that up.