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Ni-Cd's Review!!
So as stated in my Rock the Boat review (click here to check er out), i came off of the boat feeling pretty darn asthmatic and only mildly satiated musically as a result. Again, this isn't necessarily because of the music or the vibe, but more so because of the environment--all that smoke trapped on the boat under the tarp. Dang rain!
Coming off the boat, I took a deep breath, cleared my mind, and said to the troop 'okay guys, let's hit the docks! after party time!'
In my experience, the after parties that i have been to are usually good, but lower key than the main party. That's ok, good way to chill out a bit, socialize, have some drinks in air conditioned, clean air heaven.
We got to the docks and saw RobSt*r and Jamie in line... their happy faces were a definite vibe bump. "where's the woman?" they asked -- referring to Leap Frog... "She's down south visiting her family in the US of A! Where the biggest 'scene' they got going is Karaoke bars." Suddenly, Robst*r started belting out some classic rock tunes and totally cracked me up. Yeah, just like that. "But she'll be back for Eric Entrena at Zone this Sunday (august 19th)!!" So I encouraged them to be there. Entrena + our locals + zone = no better thing on earth. Period.
I took a moment to take in the scenery and realized just how gorgeous the weather had gotten... figures. A little ironic. A little toooo ironic....
The view was beautiful; the sun was coming out, the air was fresh, I could hear solid beats softly thumping inside The Next Level @ the docks, and I had met some good friends in line--things were definitely off to a good start.
We paid the meagre cover charge (5 bucks! that's it? Nice!!) and headed up the stairs to the next level... I have to also say that the staff at the door were very friendly and professional; i didn't feel like one of the cattle being herded.
I had been to The Next Level once before, to hear Addy open for Chus & Ceballos (and what a freakin' party that was...Addy kicked it, and C&C spiked it!). Again I was struck with the beauty of the place; a huge, air conditioned green house. The sun rays were pouring in, we could see the gorgeous sky, and DJ Jeff Button was layin' down the beats.
Btw, i bet you never noticed the MIND control devices hanging from the ceiling. Be wary, true believers... these are the devices they use to hypnotize the crowd into liking top 40 for the non EDM nights. I made my way carefully around the dance floor, avoiding coming under their terrible grasp:
Let's face it...big brother, brig commerce, or big whoever that controls mass mentality, has to get it done somehow, right?
Luckily, these devices are orphaned on such a night of pure musical EDM bliss! So fear not, dear reader, when you hear those electronic beats, the only mind control you need is from losing yours!
I only caught a little of Jeff Buttons set. I remember talking to Jeff last year, when Irgo had setup gigs in Pur Supper club...he said that he had only been spinning for 8 months at that time; Sonic had just opened, he was promoting for them, and getting more and more into the mixing side of music. At that time, people said he was a little rough--but 8 months in, was off to a great start!. Now, here we are...august, 2007, and Jeff Button is opening gigs solidly with some GREAT sounds. Way to go Jeff--it was a pleasure to hear you spin. The tunes had some upbeat feeling to them, which suited the mood of the sunshine pouring in the windows.
Jonny White came on next, and was spinning minimal/tech-house sounds, which at first caused me a little dismay--i wanted it to stay upbeat with the sunrays shining in! But he started lacing in these HEAVY bass lines that i couldn't help but melt over. It was still dark (dare I say: zone-ish?) and I don't think really grabbed my mood considering the environment as well as I would have liked...but the tunes were SIC. The fact I could now breathe also helped immensely.
I saw lots of people from the other boat cruise, the Groove Cruise (they got in free to the docks...i'd complain, but who can complain over 5 dollar cover??!). The sun rays were pouring in so strong that people had shades on; it FELT like it was outside, but all air conditioned. Way cool. so far, ni-cd very happy.
Lauren and I grabbed a drink, and saw Samhouse and Lauren, as well as Miss Raquel dancing it up on the dance floor (fancy seeing them there!) They're gonna be at Entrena too this Sunday... sounds like an ARMY is gathering for that guy! (booyah!!).
I grabbed a couple smirnoff for us, and we sipped the suds and listened to Jonny White's set, talking about how pervasive tech-house and minimal has really become (so much more than last year, in my opinion). Jonny finished up his set, and a big smile crossed my face, because DJ Addy was up next, and I had heard so precious little of his set on the boat.
People, let me tell you, if I thought that I was happy before, when the HABIBI call came out and Addy started amping up on those electronic decks of his, the happy factor took a whole new level.
You don't have to take my word for it: ask anyone that was there. Addy blew the roof off that place with the beats he pounded out. A friend said to me 'ok. Get this., that simple switch up in music just took my vibe to a whole new level'--and I couldn't agree more. The sound system in there is pretty good too; Addy's style that i've observed in the precious few sets I have of his, he'd throw away for the bass beat, wind up the build up, and hammer down the drop with the bass beat one or two beats behind... mind blowing. I meant to ask him what software he's using on the mac, but i keep forgetting, or he's too busy mixing to entertain my curious conversation.
Hearing DJ Addy's distinct style was like water to my parched lips; I had flash backs to hearing Addy's re-TARDED set at Guv 10 (retarded in a good way. not in the short bus way). Coming back to reality and looking around, the crowd was LOVING this set (was it recorded?) The whole club was going off for the buildups this guy was dropping.
Robst*r and Jamie danced it up with us at the front...
And i finally met Jchung -- read many of his posts on TA, but had never officially met. So we squared off for a CAMERA war!
He won, because he looks more like a ninja than I do. I look sort of like a washed up Christian missionary with nice teeth. Does that count for anything? Damn.
The sun started to set, and then the lighting system came on inside the big green house. I knew I had to do one thing. I had to buy another smirnoff. I know...i know...the stops are coming OFF eh?!
On the way over there, I run into Jonathan Rinaldo (aka DJ Jon Jon), and the bar tender graciously offers to take a picture of us from STANDING on the bar. Nice!!
That bartender was AWESOME. She was dancing the whole time, and had our order down pat anytime we went back... she even put two straws together so that it'd be long enough to put in a smirnoff bottle!!! Uh...not that i drink my smirnoff out of a bottle through a straw...*cough* *scratch* *manly motions*
I had to hit the washroom (too many smirnoffs) and ran into these two guys... couldn't ask for a better vibe. I don't think it is possible for them NOT to smile...they're always smiling! In fact, i think it is in their genetic code to always be happy. They need to bottle that shiznit...and sell it to the rest of us!
I had a talk with simon briefly about a mutual friend of ours that was recently in a bad motorcycle racing accident (she'll be ok though!) and then about where vocal house is, vs. minimal tech, etc. It was great! I think i remember parts of the conversation.... :P
//quick food break
This review was interrupted by a necessary and fatning trip to... Macdonalds... "I'm lovin it!"
Was so hungry, had to run to Mickey D's in the middle of this review! Sorry for the delay!
//end food break
By this time, the sun was down, and the mood lighting was full in effect, rampin' the crowd up huge. Addy was still blowing the socks off of everyone--even if they weren't wearing them (that's a whole metaphysical thing going on right there).
(honestly, that's what it looked like....whoa!!)
The crowd was going bananas, and every time he threw the beats away to bring them back slowly one at a time (you know how he does that!) people were hootin' it up and yelling addy's name.
Loved the mix of Black Sabrina he played, and throughout his set, his signature 'habibi' lyrics woven and tastefully amped into many of the drops he put out.
Lauren and I danced our arses off (excuse my language). The vibe was awesome, people were lovin' the tunes, the lighting was amped, and the smirnoff never tasted so good.
Being wary of the hour drive home, soon impending, i settled off of any more smirnoff, got some water, and danced it up with lots of people just out to have a good time, and on a sunday no less. It amazes me that such a great vibe exists in the city on a Sunday evening--it's a good thing I don't live down there.
Around 10, realizing we both had to work, we retired to the parking lot to find our cars. Outside, I could hear the beats continuing...beckoning me back...but responsibility furnished my resolve and I hopped into the car, with a huge smile on my face. I've now heard five sets performed by Addy live--and every single one has met and exceeded my expectations. At this rate, if I catch some, 200 more sets by Addy, he'll be catching up with my near-perfect scorecard for Nathan Barato, lol. I know i know...No, it isn't a contest, but i have to admit that i'm increasingly STOKED about the local talent we have going on here. Addy coming back, Nathan Barato and Carlo Lio opening up for the likes of Danny Tenaglia at Labour of Love (w00t w00t), Vinyl Junkies taking their tunes to a whole new level with the recent release of a promo album with some seriously dark twisted tunes, Jon Jon, Jeff Button and others rising steadily in skill and ability, the nocturnal crew (Simon Jain, Andy Reid) bringin' it solid, SIC productions by Deadmau5, The Roaches and Vinyl Junkies... jeeze, any of you out there who only hit events that feature international DJs are missing OUT!
In conclusion...
I thought that the afterparty would be a tone-down, chill out time. Instead, it became the highlight of the day. Jeff opening up the floor, setting the tone; Jonny White throwing in the darker tunes with a sic underlying bass line that wouldn't let me rest... and then Addy comes along with his array of mac weaponry and blows the roof off the joint.
All I can say is: thanks guys--you totally made my day--my weekend! All of this wildness, and I was still able to get home and get a good night's sleep.
So, continuing in on my journey to find diversity in venues, JennyPie and Irgo (uh, moreso irgo in this specific case) steered me towards the mod club this Friday. Official launch party of Exposed! Low and behold, DJ Addy is playing next to DJ Neno!! Sweet! Another chance to hear Addy on his Mac-Weapon of audio bliss, and to hear a fresh set from a DJ i haven't had the pleasure of hearing yet? Oh yes my friend, oh yes. Some of the talent that Exposed (Friday night's at the mod club) are expecting to be bringing in sounds very very interesting indeed. It's a hard call, since my boy Eric Entrena (ha ha, "my boy") is spinning at one of my favourite clubs, Footwork this Friday, but Eric will be at Zone on Sunday, so i get the best of all worlds.
Mod club - Exposed links:
Official Web Site
Evite (not too shabby):
Evite Link
Eric Entrena @ zone:
click here for the event info!
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