alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP for the rest of us) is a stimulant and also one of the first 2nd generation bath salts. Take a minute to understand what that signifies. We’re creating new psychedelic substances (NPS) so fast that we’re getting refinements on substances that haven’t been popular for 5 years. The original bath salt MDPV developed a reputation for turning people into those face-eating zombies from 28 Days Later, so people started looking for something that had all the energy, but a little less cannibalism. They found Alpha-PVP. Unfortunately for at least a couple of people so far, it killed them. If this drug sounds familiar at all, it’s because the kid who died at Ultra last year took it.
The drug can be smoked, snorted, left under your tongue to absorb, vaporized, added to joints & injected. There are terrifying side-effects including seizures, paranoia, PCP-style hulk outs & death by heart attack. In animal tests, the drug created similar activity to straight amphetamines when it came to how stimulated the rats were. But the weird, messed up part is that, at high doses, the rats displayed erratic, hyperactive & bizarre behavior. Which lines up with the stories we’ve seen about violent behavior & crazy cardiovascular distress. Additionally, reports of Gravel, or Alpha-PVP+ stuff have come in. This is a serious escalation that we all need to be aware of. Sometimes Alpha-PVP is mixed with methamphetamines or Klonopin. The idea that you’d be taking a drug that produces, and I quote “impressive degrees of paranoia” mixed with meth? No wonder these people are going on rampages & breaking crap with drug strength. Because this entire spectrum of aPVP containing options exist as “not for human consumption” bath salts, you can get it anywhere in the USA, UK & Australia. Another example of the lengths people will go to get high/stay productive in an ever changing world. If you look at the trip reports on Erowid (linked above), you’ll see a consistent feature, common to most American stimulant usage. It’s done for the sake of productivity, not to get “fucked up.” People are working harder & longer, doing less fulfilling stuff, so they’re frequently turning to prescription or over the counter stims. If I can’t get adderall & I feel like I need something, and my friend tells me about this shit that works great and I can buy at a gas station? I’m in. And that’s how we got here. Not only is the drug war making more dangerous drugs propagate because people can’t buy the things they actually want, it’s creating these drugs faster than ever before. 
I need to stress one last point that was gotten to me by the NY DanceSafe chapter leader. Currently, we can’t test for this stuff. Even though the test kits that you can get from DanceSafe & other places do test for cathinones (the family/class of drugs “bath salts” is in), Alpha-PVP doesn’t react to the test. This is super important information to get out to your people, especially because of the wacky side-effects aPVP has. To learn more, join me, Ravelrie, NY DanceSafe & Stay Safe Seattle at 4:30 EST, 1:30 PST on Twitter using #alphapvp!
Mix Of The Week: Memories by Liquicity, Mixed by Maduk
Too many Drum & Bass artists to name on this week’s Mix. Maduk of Liquicity fame has served up a fantastic trip down memory lane for us liquid fantatics. There’s a lot to love here, with tracks from Stan SB, Feint, Rameses B & like a dozen other artists. This is to celebrate their new compilation “Memories.” A good idea, as this allows them to get all of your (and my) favorite tracks from years of listening in one place. 30 of the best liquid tracks in years, and the compilation comes with a big 76min mix as well. The preview mix that’s posted here is just a taste to whet the appetite and honestly, it does exactly that. Tracks I’ve not heard in years, and others I’ve never heard, flow smoothly together as Maduk does work getting the word out about this compilation. So I want to give them money for it all. Which, you should do as well.
Midnight Music: Backdraft – R U Ready (Part 2) [Vintage Breaks]
Tonight, we’re taking it back to the roots with a classic track that I was recently reminded exists. This is that kind of menacing breaks style that hasn’t really filtered into modern EDM. There’s this menacing feel to it that is really only captured by dark D&B and hardstyle. Dubstep tried to get this gangster, but then Skrillex’s hair ruined that for everyone. I mean, sucks to be hard in the UK at Brixton, because a lot of those cats are legit hard, but back to the point. 1:20 is potent breaks. The track has a no nonsense female vocalist that could probably kick my ass. She doesn’t want to, but she could if she had to. This is backing some serious production that, while simplistic to some of our more technically oriented listeners, there’s some solid fundamentals here that we could all do well to remember.
Attend: The Athena Collective East Coast Kick-Off Showcase @ Verboten
This event is a little different than my usual party recommendations, as it takes place entirely during brunch hours. The days are getting longer, and with them, come day parties you actually want to go to. This Saturday, The Athena Collective shows up at Verboten Brunch. Working with ENTDECKEN, they’re going to be giving lucky Brooklynites a full day worth of lady DJ majesty. The lineup is stacked with some of the best DJs in NYC today, some I’ve swooned over before, with others entirely new to my mind. In the Control Room, Amy Rogers of The Hoop Movement will be getting us moving. While old people still associate hula hoops with disco, any casual attendee of Burner events, Figment and other flow arts events in the city know hoop dance is here to stay. Add Dollar Mimosas, one of the best brunch offerings in Brooklyn & the soaring sound system, this needs to be on your weekend’s itinerary. Continue reading
Amanda Palmer Made Something Really Important. Again.
If you don’t know who Amanda Fucking Palmer is, check out the Dresden Dolls, her TED Talk & record-breaking Kickstarter. People hate the player, but she’s redefined the game, that one should be hating. Her dedication, commiseration & open communication with her fans is rare, deeply personal & stupendously effective. This debut release on her Patreon is crushingly beautiful. Dedicated to Anthony Martgnetti, Jeff Rusch, husband of the cellist, who died from cancer after initially being denied treatment and Jeremy Geidt, legendary teacher & actor.
It’s the little things that Mrs. Palmer focuses on, and as we all know, they make all the difference. A ukelele & cello are the only instruments in use here, besides Mrs. Fucking Palmer’s stunning voice. Amanda Palmer is able to get into the small little corners of your heart with the slightest word or the simplest chords. And nowhere is that on display better than here. The lyrics are not only perfect, but they’re also crucial. There are so many people suffering around the world, with many doing so in the pursuit of helping others. Depression, illness, existential stress, rape, child abuse, creativity, hope & resolve are all topics she flies through with the wink of an eye or a single shed tear. Listen to the track, support Amanda Fucking Palmer & Zoe Keating in this tremendous effort, and hug the people you love. We are all bigger on the inside.
“We are so much bigger on the inside,
You, me, everybody
Some day when you’re lying where I am
You’ll finally get it, beautyWe are so much bigger
Than another one can ever seeBut
Trying is the point of life
So don’t stop tryingPromise me”
Some Interesting Vinyl Counterpoint
That’s one reason I suppose.
Mix Of The Week: Deuce Returns. Rejoice & Be Glad.
Like a crazy masked avenger, The Deuce Cake himself has reappeared on the scene. A new mix of significance has been dropped for us, so all you tech house & garage heads take note. My boy Deuce is one of the most talented sleeper agents in NYC. He was my first Hometown Fire for a reason. The first 10 minutes are some of the most crucial tech house I’ve heard in months. But the hits keep coming with clutch remixes and some stupendous transitions. I’ve watched this guy spin and even I don’t know when he starts some of these. He’s one of those DJs that will give you a taste of something and forget about it for 5 minutes. Making you think you lost your damn mind placing that sample incorrectly, then bam, it’s in your face, re-worked and grooving. I need the names of the tracks 36min in & just over an hour, as those are some of the high watermarks for me when it comes to the vibe that the combo between house & garage can be. By the time I was done with this mix I was even more sad I didn’t have Disclosure’s home phone number. This sound needs to get way bigger.
EP Of The Week: CMA – Dreams [Chill]
This week, drift away with CMA. This tight little EP is made of clouds. The excessive talent of CMA is on display as this sextet of relaxing sonic snowflakes float down upon you. Dream Away gets us off to a winking, almost uptempo start, before Caught In Out Thoughts pulls us back into that chillstep vibe. Don’t Look Back brings in some atmosphere that you wouldn’t find out of place in a Rameses B track, which given how much I love that dude, is high praise. The arpeggio work is solid and it never gets too intense. Moving Forward manages to both be heavy & soaring, while still keeping in the feel of the EP. So, an oppressive giant made of clouds. Or someone screaming but the only thing coming out is sparkles? Not sure if that metaphor is decidedly positive enough. Without You showcases CMA’s piano skill, which is on point. I am glad to see more and more producers coming from strong piano backgrounds, as I find it to be tremendously helpful to production. This gives a flexibility that we see throughout the EP, that other producers should take note of. Friends brings it back to the chillstep vibe we all showed up for. Great work by CMA & it’s a Creative Commons licensed EP, so go put it into your student film so people discover CMA.
Nile Rodgers Picked Up The Martinez Brothers For New Track. Funky Is An Understatement.
I’m a little late on this so please forgive me. I can’t stress how much mastery there is in this collaboration. Nile Rodgers is one of the greatest living guitarists of many generations. If you don’t think so, that’s adorable. The Martinez Brothers are stunningly good at what they do, and anyone who has seen them at a dank warehouse party in Brooklyn with a bunch of Europeans wearing sunglasses inside, can vouch for how stupendous they are. I did not see this collab coming, but fucking hell thanks for doing it. I could meander in dulcet tones about the composition or the harmonies, but really, stop what you’re reading and hit play. It’s Wednesday, the weekend is almost here, and with it, beats that sound like this.
Midnight Music – Brian Wilson Joins Mini Mansions (Indie)
Any emotions is a surprisingly compelling indie collab between Brian Wilson & the Mini Mansions. Mini Mansions is made up of Michael Schuman, Zach Dawes & Tyler Parkford, while Brian Wilson needs absolutely no explanation. Most people have only heard of these guys as what Queens of The Stone Age does when they’re bored, they’ve managed a huge pick up here. Connecting with the sound of the sun, Brian Wilson, they’ve put together a dreamy, almost indie track that really takes off. It’s really hard to find things that still rock, but this quietly does. It’s over far too soon, but before it’s done, you get classic Brian Wilson vocals, chords that don’t disappoint, and a performance by Mini Mansions that reveres who they’re working with & doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. Kudos again to Joy of Violent Movement for the clutch tag on this.
Terry Gotham 