Monthly Archives: May 2014

Apparently Tinactin Was The Go To Word In Late 90’s Hip Hop.

Posted on by

I had no idea. I vaguely recalled Tinactin being used in rhymes back when I was in High School, but this is intense. Questionable Lyrics, a segment on Werner von Wallenrod’s ill Hip Hop blog, compiled all of the lyrical utilizations of Tinactin over the course of two decades. The mind reels. Rappers have been using a brand name Jock Itch cure for rhyming purposes for most of my life. And some of these are kind of amazing. Some choice ones are listed below and get at the link here for the full list. Infinite props need to be given for the hours of listening and searching for the word Tinactin.

“Smackin’ those actin’ tough as Tinactin.” ~Mr. Black, 1995
“Fast actin’ like Tinactin, mo’ deeper than the Kraken.” ~The Lady of Rage, 1997
“I’ma tap in harder than Tinactin.” ~Raekwon (!!!!) 2007
“I’m on my feet like Tough Actin’ Tinactin.” ~Lil Wayne, 2009
“Me and my dogs go hard, and you just tough actin’ Tinactinin’ T-Pain, 2012

Raekwon, how could you?

Midnight Music: Andrew Rayel’s Minimix Showcasing Find Your Harmony [The Future Of Trance]

Posted on by

It’s Monday night. Congratulations, you made it. It’s all downhill to Friday from here. To help recharge you, I give you this sick minimix the great new hope of Trance, Andrew Rayel, put together to get you excited for his new album. That’s right, the guy who you’ve been hearing on ASOT podcasts and seeing at Trance shows hadn’t put out an album until now. This guy is responsible for so many of my favorite Trance tracks over the last couple of years. The minimix gives me hope for Trance. The vibe is unmistakably hopeful and full of the shimmering positivity that I demand from my Trance. It’s mixed in a tantalizing way, which means I’m totally hitting this album hard. Each track looks to be fun and if you’ve listened to Trance podcasts over the last few months you’ve already heard a few of these. Preorder the thing on iTunes and swim around the puddle of serotonin this album is eventually gonna bring out. (h/t to EDMTunes for the minimix tip off)

Three People From Texas Jam & Remind Us All What Being Human Is All About.

Posted on by

Three random strangers decided to bring it together for a wonderful freestyle jam session outside of a random store. Freestyle rap is added to some guest vocals on top of Jesse Rya. The fluidity and effortlessness have led people to call STAGED on this, but I’m not really sure I care. This kind of community based music production and impromptu jamming has been all but lost on us in Gotham these days. Too much production, too much performance, no courage and willingness to reach out and connect. Outside of drum circles, we don’t really see this at a lot of parties anymore. Not saying it would work in between big room house sets, but hey, playing music with friends isn’t something I’ve done since grade school.

EP Of The Week: Klient – Korosu [Tech Bass]

Posted on by

Trouble & Bass have continued their global campaign of bringing deep, dark, techy bass to wherever their filthy ilk will be allowed. This week, a tiny EP got pushed out by their heads, and FACT Mag managed to get my attention. I like how I need to be told to check out EPs by labels in Brooklyn by magazines based in the UK. Anyway, the trio of tracks by Klient are brooding, thumpy and fun. I can hear them at Resolute, Blkmrkt Membership and a handful of other spots in the city that are in the know. Check em out while you’re pre-gaming your Sunday brunch. Or if you’re already sweating Monday.

Arcade Fire Gets Andrew Garfield To Teach Us About Being Trans.

Posted on by

Arcade Fire is back and they’re not settling for just pushing into your ear drums. They’re using their significant fame & stage presence to push the idea of Trans acceptance into your universe. The music video for their new track “We Exist” features Amazing Spiderman star Andrew Garfield, which is a huge pick up considering how big the movie is right now. The video shows him on his quest to become a her. There’s a lot of touching work on the part of  Garfield in this video, with the track throbbing with energy but in that restrained, indie way that only the Arcade Fire could produce. The video crescendos into fame and confused acceptance, and is a lot more smartly done than your average PSA, especially when dudes are kicking ass wearing heels in the dance number a little over halfway in. I hope this starts a conversation for you. Kudos to Arcade Fire & Peter Parker for making this happen.

Skrillex Reminds You To Never Give Up.

Skrillex Reminds You To Never Give Up.

I’ve backed off the motivational quotes lately because I didn’t want to be tossed into those wacky positivist blog clusters that the internet is building. However, this is a bit too close to home. Skrillex wasn’t even Skrillex when he started working on playing in front of thousands of people. Don’t stop doing what you love, no matter how crazy people think it is. This advice is invalid if you love anything terrible like child pornography or big room house.

Mix Of The Weekend: When Did Collin McLoughlin Get Deep?

Posted on by

My people at EDMTunes have made a serious pick up when it comes to exclusive mixes. I don’t know who convinced Collin McLoughlin to go deep for his new mix, but the Gods sing their praises. This new direction from the dubstep remix maestro extraordinaire is astonishing. To not only switch gears, but to make it seem effortless is truly amazing. The mix convinces me we need to get the kid at a Verboten or Deep Space events ASAP. Someone call Reda Briki and get this kid at Sankeys please. Because if they don’t…I just might.

Midnight Music: Disclosure – Help Me Lose My Mind (SOHN Remix) [Chilled, Lush House]

Posted on by

An amazing friend from Boston turned me onto this SOHN, and I’m kind of super totes thankful. The lush, chilled vibes SOHN puts out is really something, and this remix of Disclosure’s moody hit “Help Me Lose My Mind” prove they can play with the big boys. This soothing but infectious vision of what Disclosure can sound like is right up my alley, and I think you’re going to dig it a lot.

East Village Radio Shuts Down After 11 Years.

Posted on by

It’s with a heavy heart I bring you news, directly from FACT Mag, that the infamous Internet Radio station East Village Radio will be closing its doors. The licensing deals it was able to procure meant that as it got bigger, broadcasting became more and more expensive. The shuttering of this institution reminds us all the stupefyingly archaic state of copyright & record licensing in this country and why new & innovative ways to get the music to the people will be impossible if they attempt to go legit without serious artistic co-opting by corporate interests. Not much info is known now, but I’ll update this page when I learn more.

::pours one out::

 

Midnight Music: London Grammar – Sights (Andy C Remix) [Melancholy Drum & Bass]

Posted on by

I’m absolutely floored. I had no idea you could put Andy C & London Grammar in the same zip code at the same time, much less have the former remix the latter. This reworking of “Sights” is hot off the presses and immediately reminds you how good at their job both London Grammar & Andy C are. The melancholy vocal energy of London Grammar’s original lines is preserved perfectly. The drum & bass elements come together slowly, like a master assembling his tool belt & workstation slowly but surely. As the energy shambles along, you arrive three minutes & 15 seconds in, and the triumphant build finally reveals itself. Pulling into the danceable back beat ever so slowly, you find yourself flying along before you know what’s going on. The vocals pull back in to remind you, yes this still was London Grammar, so be sad it’s over too.