Wheels of Steel

Turntabling (or DJing) has evolved a long way since the mid-1970s and the birth of hip hop. What started as serving up dance hits to a disco crowd has become a performance itself. It transformed a few pieces of equipment into an instrument that is one of the building blocks of hip hop music.

The basic instrument is 2 turntables and a mixer. The mixer has two vertical faders to control the volume (one for each deck) and a horizontal crossfader to switch between the two. Add scratching and you have all you need to start creating music.

The cross fader is used to create different scratches by cutting or breaking up the sound of the scratch. Some DJ's have created a notation for scratching to help learn and document scratches.

Check out the transcriptions especially in the Advanced Scratches section:
TT Method

Here's a video of DJ Tyra from Saigon and DJ Annalyze practicing scratches:
Practice sessions

And to top it off a sick, sick video of DJ Troubl doing some juggling of Prefuse 73 (CORRECTED: This Troubl, not Scott Herren, aka, Prefuse 73):
Bedroom DJ

I really love the Prefuse 73 blend of electronic and hip hop but I love it so much more seeing how it's created. Actually, after watching the video, I'm amazed that he can turn such a strange style and blend of music into album after album of tracks that are not at all hindered by the form or the instruments, but that are instead so enjoyable to just sit and listen to. Wow.

Edit from Dan (1 April 2006): sorry, just gotta stick this link in: DJ Kentaro

Go! Team

Go! Team is an inventive band from the UK that released their first album "Thunder, Lightning, Strike" late 2004 in the US. It was created by Ian Parton at first with songs created from a diverse collection of samples but now with a full band of instruments just as varied.

If anything was ever infectious pop, this is. Go! Team is fronted by Ninja who's vocals are a blend of Salt-N-Peppa, cheerleader, and Jackson 5. The band has a sound that is a mash of Beck, disco, funk, pop, and hip hop. And by mash I don't mean the fad of putting 2 random albums together to make one spectacularly crappy album. I mean cutting-and-pasting, layering, smooshing together everything and the kitchen sink. You'd think the result would be a giant train wreck but somehow they manage to keep it all headed in the right direction.

It might be a little strange at first but give it a minute. : )

Bottle Rocket
Get It Together
Ladyflash video

There's a couple of live sets and an interview on the 24 January podcast of KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Podcasts

Since transferring to a new job, I actually have a commute to work now, and, as a result, my music consumption has bumped up a bit more. And since listening to my iPod all day has pretty completely replaced my radio, the need for mongering more music is greater as well. But instead of the usual avenues, I decided to dive into more podcasts for a change of pace. Ideally the podcasts I'd want would feature new music, or perhaps discuss music related things. Let's have a look at what I've found so far...

Summaries updated: 23 March 2006

IndieFeed- One song each podcast plus some details about the song/band. They have a variety of podcasts including Hip Hop, Alternative, and Electronic. The Alternative feed was a bit all over the place and not too well produced. I've liked the hip hop podcast so far.
Web page - iTunes Music Store page

WXRT- Morning DJ Lin Brehmer answers music related viewer mail with music and movie clips as he likes to do. A great bite-sized podcast that's funny and entertaining. 5 minute podcast.
Web page - iTunes Music Store page

KCRW-
Morning Becomes Eclectic- Nic Harcourt is the host of Morning Becomes Eclectic. A diverse collection of emerging artists are showcased. The range of bands and kinds of music really is eclectic and plain weird at times and other times amazing. Harcourt knows his music and the music industry and the interviews are usually interesting. A 30-40 minute podcast.

Music Exchange- is a 5 minute segment during Morning Becomes Eclectic where Steve Lemac from BBC Radio talks about indie British bands. Probably my favorite podcast so far. It's short and the right mix of talking and music. Harcourt and Lemac chat for a bit before they feature an up-and-coming band each week.
Web page - iTunes Music Store page

NPR- The NPR website has links to a crapload of podcasts from the many NPR radio stations (including KCRW). There are a few general NPR podcasts including "All Songs Considered". It's a 30 minute podcast featuring two or more artists from all genres. It's kind of long and I wish there'd be more interviews or information about the artists but it's good if you just want to listen to new music.
All Songs Considered - iTunes Music Store page

Spin.com- 30 minute podcast of a variety of Alternative rock songs. Not bad but I kind of like more talking about music because I listen to podcasts as a break from my music collection.
Web page - iTunes Music Store page

So there you have it. To listen try a podcast program like Juice or subscribe in iTunes.

Aqualung concert

I saw Aqualung at the Metro this weekend. Not exactly my kind of music but Gracebot and her friends were going and I was already going to be in Chicago on the tail end of a bachelor party, so why not.

The Metro, by the way, is pretty cool. It's a true Chicago venue on the north side near Wrigley Field and is notable for being the place where the Smashing Pumpkins started out and many others have passed through. It's mostly standing room (as any good venue should be) with some tables/chairs. If you don't get there too late you can find a spot to lean up against a railing and get a great view in the balcony.

Aqualung is primarily Matt Hales, a British singer-songwriter. On Saturday, he put on a good show with his wit, banter with the audience, and impromtu made-up songs which kept us entertained. The Metro's 500+ people was their largest concert in the US so far. His songs are pretty mellow and sometimes emotional.

Here's cheery emotional: Brighter Than Sunshine
and here's melancholy emotional: Tongue-Tied.