Time Out Chicago editors weigh in on how blogs shape their worlds and name-check the sites they consider bookmark-worthy.

Clubs

Blogs have been nothing short of instrumental in the club-music universe in the last couple of years—witness the emergence of blog house, a term invented to describe the digital remix–sharing frenzy. With DJ-oriented MP3 blogs, the music files themselves can be DJ sets or track remixes, as well as original tracks that clubgoers and DJs can download and play at the club that night.

Discobelle.net DJs and fans of new club music around the world follow blogs like this to hear the next trend before it hits, bringing new styles and unsung classics to clubland faster than ever.

Trashmenagerie.com A small group of underground and industry insiders from Chicago (DJ Local Hero and Lovestar), New York and the U.K. contribute to this site, which features exclusive music from producer chums, alongside coverage of fashion and nightlife events. Inviting participation—it has a drop box for aspiring producers to leave their tracks—its critical function highlights unknown artists with potential. Trashmenagerie has broken out at least one act, Lillica Libertine, a teenage destruco-disco phenom, who released his first EP in January. DJs and producers also trade tracks, remixes and edits on secret, password-protected blogs—for added dance-floor freshness.

Everyoneisfamous.com, klickingandscreaming.com These Chicago-based nightlife photoblogs are an excellent way to find out if that club night you skipped was banging or boring, and whether a new venue is slick or just plain tacky.

—John Dugan

Red Foxx (aka Rod Forxx) just sent us this neato little interview for KarmaloopTV with the Chicago diva, Kid Sister, where they discuss ski jackets, premixed PB&J, and musical theatre.

As a bonus, here’s a stock photo of Mr. Foxxworthy after a recent 17 day ecstasy binge.

Heath Ledger slated to play the Joker in “The Dark Knight” - photo A.P.

“A Place To Be”, the video shot and edited by Heath Ledger, depicting Ledger drowning himself, in a tribute to Nick Drake, will not be released to the general public. This announcement comes straight from his estate, and those in possession of the video. At a time like this, my thoughts go to his family, and daughter, and his brilliant career. 28 is too early to lose a gifted actor and artist, who was well respected by his peers and the general public.

Ledger was perhaps recently best known for his Oscar nominated role in “Brokeback Mountain,” where he played the part of a cowboy, with co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, in which the characters had a secret romantic relationship.

From CNN.com
“I felt that choices were being made for me, so I feel this has been my time now to find the good stories and test myself,” Ledger told the Glasgow Herald in the 2005 interview. “It has been an interesting year, where I finally have a sense of accomplishment.”

Asked how he felt about filming love scenes with another man, Ledger said he and his co-star Gyllenhaal simply focused on their roles.

“We can’t say that we weren’t nervous about it,” Ledger told Oprah Winfrey in 2006. “But once the first take was over, it’s like, ‘OK. So what? It’s kissing another human being. How are we going to finish this scene? Let’s get on with it and let’s get out of here.’ ”

In a written statement, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it mourns Ledger’s death, adding that his portrayal of Del Mar “changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways.”

Ledger’s Eerie Drake Video Foreshadowed Death

January 22, 2008, 8:30 PM ET
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
The fate of an eerie video of actor Heath Ledger “drowning” himself, set to a song from late singer/songwriter Nick Drake, is now being mulled by the estate of Drake, who committed suicide in 1974.

Ledger was found dead today (Jan. 22) in a New York apartment, with prescription sleeping pills nearby. An autopsy will be performed tomorrow to determine the cause of death.

The black and white Drake clip, which Ledger shot and edited himself, was included in a multi-media installation, “A Place To Be,” devoted to Drake last summer at Seattle’s Bumbershoot festival. It was also on display during a Drake celebration of the same name in Los Angeles in October.

In it, Ledger turns the camera on himself while Drake’s “Black Eyed Dog” plays. At its conclusion, he drowns himself in a bathtub. “Black Eyed Dog” is allegedly the last song Drake wrote before overdosing on the antidepressant amitriptyline.

Sources confirm the video is the property of the Drake estate, which is deciding whether it will release it in any form.

Nick Drake - Peel Sessions

Nick Drake - Black Eyed Dog

Buy Nick Drake - A Way to Blue on Amazon.com

Illustration courtesy of Neonskullz

As selfish as the title sounds it’s actually true! 2007 was definitely the year that Nottingham based dj’s MeMeMe broke the mould and unleashed their monster tunes on unsuspecting hipsters throughout the UK.

With hot DJ sets alongside the likes of Kissy Sell Out, Guns & Bombs, Friendly Fires, and Late of the Pier this duo are certainly delectable. They are in fact so delicious that their residency at Liars Club based at Stealth in Nottingham is the talk of the town.

The duo are not afraid to admit that they like bass and don’t shy away from utilising this when playing Electro, Techno, House or Baltimore. With influences in the form of Tony de Vit, Old School Hardcore, Pirate Station Garage, Boys Noize, Drop the Lime, Daft Punk, Switch, and Diplo it is easy to that the MeMeMe setlist is never predictable.

After their mammoth set alongside Erol Alkan New Years Eve at the Stealth vs Rescue Rooms event, we feel it is only fair that we unleash their greatness on you.

This dramatic ‘Obese Teens Can’t Dance’ Mix (below) will make your eyes water and you dance around like you have ants in your pants, mark my words! If that isn’t enough check out their upcoming sets around the UK in 2008 here to indulge your selfish side as much as you see fit.

Mememe’s Obese Teens Can’t Dance Mix

Drop The Lime - What about what I need
Faomo - Moving it over here
Lethal Bizzle - Selfridges Girls (Boy 8 Bit Remix)
Bart Bmore- So it goes
Congorock – Exodus
Radioclit - Divine Gosa (Brodinski Mix)
Crookers - Love to Edit
Alter Ego - and why not?
AC Slater - Bassline Time
Bloody Beetroots and Congorock - Bluto Fucks Popeye
Alter Ego - Why Not
L-Vis 1990 - Playing with Tom
Curses! - It’s the Way
3 is a Crowd - Minos Crunk (Ghetto mix)

Oh man! A DJ/Producer who goes by the name of Raffertie just sent us the most amazing mix called Baaaaaaaaaassline. The title is apt to say the least. He’s managed to take all the bassheavy subgenres and play them at 145bpm. There’s some breakstep, a buncha speed garage, ‘ardcore, some house and some electro all totally bassed out and banging. Raffertie hails from Birmingham and is a resident at a new night called “Oh My Gosh” at King Edward Inn over by The Q Club in Birmingham. As far as I can tell, he’s made entirely out of plaid and his production is quite unique. It incorporates all the elements that are found in his mix but without getting too messy like some cross-genre pollination can be. Lotsa bass, of course and honestly, it resembles Burial’s subdued, bassy style in the same way that TS7 resembles MJ Cole in that, its certainly not as well produced as the latter but it sticks to the same theme, it hits hard and will work on the floor. Anyways, without further ado, the mix followed by a pair of tracks.

Raffertie - Baaaaaaaaassline

01. kanji kinetic - the buffalo (intro)
02. dubchild - lethal riddim
03. lockdown - gunman (twocker remix)
04. klaxons - atlantis to interzone (destroy disco remix)
05. paleface - lady like (dj dandg vs. dezz jones remix)
06. destroy disco - fly or bounce
07. wideboys - dis station (rule da nation)
08. snap! - the power (kanji kinetic remix)
09. limewax - one of them (kanji kinetic vegeburger bootleg)
10. delerium - silence (raffertie’s garage revamp)
11. ja rule - always on time (agent x remix)
12. tapedeck - destiny (stdjs remix)
13. dexplicit - good for me
14. wideboys - west side (up norf 06 mix)
15. rip lash, sus and juicy joints - how we do
16. raffertie - back to the underground
17. kylie minogue - 2 hearts (destroy disco remix)

Lady Tigra - Bass On The Bottom (Raffertie’s Siiiiiiick rmx)

Chaka Kahn - Ain’t Nobody (Raffertie’s rmx)

Ghostland Observatory Announce Tour Dates, and get ready to release - Robotique Majestique

Ghostland Observatory - Heavy Heart

A landmark year for the Ghostland camp, 2007 found the group gaining notoriety for both their electrifying live shows and their acclaimed albums delete.delete.i.eat.meat. and Paparazzi Lightning, both self-released on their Trashy Moped imprint. What began as a challenge between two friends has developed into the duo wowing audiences from LA to London, creating 3 excellent LPs over the course of 2 years, and appearing on TV on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and PBS’ Austin City Limits (in which they just released a DVD Live from Austin, TX). Robotique Majestique, due February 26th, continues hammering loudly away at the safe and the soft and the easily defined.

Their 3rd full-length following up their breakout album Paparazzi Lightning, Robotique Majestique finds Ghostland Observatory staying on course of their electro-rock/soul mission: sweaty, raw-boned and direct from the future; committed to electronics, stuck on big beats, yet unmistakably powered by rock roll. Robotique Majestique is a stellar example of what makes Ghostland Observatory a stand out from the rest of the pack–electronic and fiercely dance friendly, but with the soul and personality of some of rock music’s most classic groups. Frontman Aaron Behrens plays guitar, sings and commands the stage. Producer Thomas Turner, plays drums and synths. They share a love for Vince Young and Daft Punk, Los Tigres del Norte and the Animals. They mostly prefer to let their music speak for itself. It’s not subtle.

They are gearing up for a spring tour kicking off in their hometown of Austin, TX. Ghostland Observatory will be touring heavily throughout 2008, bringing their legendary live show to perspiring, dancing audiences worldwide. More tour dates to be announced soon.

Ghostland Observatory Tour Dates
02/29/08 Austin Music Hall Austin, Texas
03/08/08 Langerado Music Festival Everglades Nat. Park, Florida
03/13/08 House of Blues New Orleans, Louisiana
03/28/08 Webster Hall New York, New York
03/29/08 Nightclub 9:30 Washington, D.C.
04/03/08 Crystal Ballroom Portland, Oregon
04/04/08 Showbox at The Market Seattle, Washington
04/05/08 Showbox at The Market Seattle, Washington
04/17/08 The Mezzanine San Francisco, California
04/18/08 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, California

This news made my day. . .Portishead is confirmed to headline this year’s Coachella Festival on Saturday night, according to a high-level source. The same source unequivocally denied rumors that Radiohead would appear at Coachella, but did confirm that the group would play the East Coast festival being planned by Coachella promoters Goldenvoice/AEG Live . The full Coachella line-up will be announced this Monday.

http://www.urb.com/permalink/2140/Radiohead/
Portishead-for-Coachella-East/West.html

Producer/singer/pianist/Jewish MC with Spanish moniker Gonzales, is dusting off his supervillian cape in anticipation of the April 7 release of Soft Power, the upbeat follow-up to Solo Piano. Thanks to his buddy Teki Latex, I scored a preview of “Working Together,” a nostalgic tune off the album that could’ve easily been sung during the choreographed “team spirit” segment of a 70s PBS kid’s show–but with added commentary about the drama that inevitably follows. It’s a trusty insight that only a seasoned collaborator-turned-one-man-band could make. I picked up a couple others during a brief Q&A session this morning. I look forward to what the rest of the songs on Soft Power have to say.

Gonzales - Working Together exclusive Teaser !Uploaded by JonathanBarre

Waxyjax: What are you up to right now?

Gonzales: Stroking my ego, coaxing it out of hibernation….it’s been a while since I put out an album so I’m remembering what self-promotion is. For example, I had a photo session yesterday and it took me some time to find that supervillain look. I am also putting the finishing touches on a 13-person remix for a disco track of my album (almost everyone I’ve worked with is on there).

Wj: You started playing music in Canada and are now based in Paris. How has living abroad affected your music and your creative process?
G: Living abroad keeps me on my musical toes. Something about feeling left out and alienated is good for risk-taking, because you inherently care less about a foreign culture’s opinions. I mean that iin a positive sense, it’s just psychology.

Wj: Is there another city you might live in someday?
G: Anywhere to chase the glory.

Wj: The Dailymotion clip of Working Together is a fascinating look into how you produced the song and played all the instruments by yourself. It’s interesting that a song titled “Working Together” was created by one guy. Was there any meaning behind this?
G: Well I did spend the better part of five years working with others, living in their brains and rubbing up against their complexes. So to make an album on my own again was exciting but eventually harrowing because I started to live in my own brain and rub up against my own complexes.I never had to compare these two situations before, so this song is about a guy who doesn’t have to think about other people’s feelings being forced to think about other people’s feelings. Ouch!

Wj: “Working Together” gives me the impression that Soft Power might be peppier than Solo Piano. How on or off-point am I in this assumption?
G: On the point, into the point, IS the point.

Wj: Soft Power hits stores in a few months. What’s next in the pipeline?
G: More collaborations, but a bit more low-key and with more Canadians than Frenchies. Other than that, dinner with Teki Latex.

Wj: Not only have you collaborated with a wide array of artists like Teki Latex, Mocky, Feist, Peaches, Buck65 and Jamie Lidell, you’ve also remixed countless others (including our favorite, Daft Punk). Of all the artists you have NOT worked with, which would most likely intimidate you?
G: Barry Gibb, Lenny Kravitz, rappers.

Wj: What do you think of the Canadian Dollar surpassing the US Dollar?
G: Obama/Cronenberg ‘08!

Photo courtesy of EGR and DM of clinicastore, Mexico

For their first release of 2008, on SLUM records, DANDI WIND has crafted a beautiful full-sized digipack CD, featuring 16 tracks and remixes of nonstop goodness by the likes of Jokers Of The Scene, La Preist, South Central, Nick Catchdubs, Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya, Manderson, Stop Die, Mehr Licht, Kevvy Mental, The Royalists, and YoSoyDios!! Availability is extremely limited at 1000 copies, so act with a quickness and grab yours for a mere FIVE BUX! – total steal and you will have a gorgeous collectors item!! Purchase at the SLUM web shop.

Dandi and Szam are doing a small tour of the West, as well as SXSW, so make sure to check their My Space for details and stay posted for the highly anticipated, “Yolk of the Golden Egg”, due to come out very soon. They held off on the release, as they wanted to improve the final by adding new material, removing others and re-record what they had intitially. Later in the year they will be releasing a few more singles, 7 inches and a long running EP on other labels. DIY masters that go beyond the realm of just their music – every aspect of their image, including their latest video for “Searching Flesh”, is near perfection. Learn to paint your face with each changing still, whilst staring at Dandi’s giant doe eyes!!

Past features on Dandi Wind
Dandi Wind - Chicago Recap!
Dandi Wind - Refined Chaos

Photo courtesy of Michael Berrigan

Cosmo is back with a load of goods! He has teamed up with Mister Ed (up and coming DJ/promoter from Montreal), from Nu Ravers on the Block, with a remix of “Ce Jeu”, by the French group, Yelle. Lots of sidechain action on this and a great one for those on the dancefloor!!

He has also sent us two other tracks including a remix of “Armageddon”, by the early 90’s breakbeat hardcore duo, Altern-8, that played gigs in “chemical warfare suits” and “gas masks” filled with Vic’s Vapo Rub – A classic back when he was a young lad at the tender age of 17. (Hostage has also remixed an Altern-8 track, “Frequency”) Check the old skool video below, it’s a real pleaser! “Teaser”, is another great track that will definitely wind things up at your next session. I love it, and think you will too.

Some more exciting projects finalizing soon, that include a 5 song EP with Cosmo’s group, The Junkies, which is about to be released sometime this January on Petrol/emi. His remix of Shiny Toy Guns’, “Rainy Monday”, was picked by Universal/Motown Records for immediate release as both hard press and digital. Nice one.

Yelle - Ce Jeu (Cosmo & Mr. Ed Remix)

Altern-8 - Armageddon (Cosmo Remix)

Cosmo & Mr. Ed - Teaser

WATCH YOUR BASS BINS!!