The first time I saw someone shuffling was reminiscent of the first time I saw Michael Jackson doing a moon walk. “I need to learn how to do that.” From that moment on, dancing became much more than grinding up on someone to Chingy for a few hours. As great as that may be, nothing compares. It’s the most fun you can have on the floor once you get it down. Everyone has their own style and spin to add to it, so no two are the same. These videos helped me a great deal (along with a shit load of practice). The dance has two parts that you have to learn separately before you put them together.

Running Man

Melbourne Shuffle

Compilation

Check these guys out. Pick out what you like and mix it into yours. I go to a lot of shows and see people do it, which helped me with mine.

The godfathers of electro funk have come out of hiatus to make the soundtrack for one of the most anticipated films of the year: Disney’s Tron Legacy. Leave it to the Disney marketing team to place the soundtrack honor in the hands of one of the most demanded acts of our time. Those crafty bastards. I caught a listen to some leaks of the early soundtrack, and most of it came off very…sountracky, if you catch my drift. Dark, low key songs that aren’t worth much to listen to, but would fit well in the background of a film. This track failed to fall into that category, as it sheds light on the future of this dynamic duo. It’s weird to see their evolved sound through the years. Which is great, but, as Chronic Mncher put it, lacks the funk we’re used to. Although, I am loving it and can’t wait to see the movie and hear what else they put together. Daft Punk is very much alive. Let’s just hope they actually come through with a tour this year…please!

Delightful Treats

Daft Punk – Derezzed Delightful Choice!
First Song on Tron Soundtrack
Daft Punk – Aerodynamic (The Twelves Remix) Delightful Choice!
Daft Punk – Hard, Better, Faster, Stronger (Deadmau5 Remix)

*EDIT: Chronic mncher last minute bonus

Daft Punk – Around the World (Sebastian Leger’s Not To Be Released Remix)
Daft Punk vs. Outkast – Punkroses
Daft Punk – Da Funk (Casino Inc Amazing Disco Remix)
Daft Punk vs. Wu-Tang – Da Cream
Daft Punk vs. LMFAO – One More Time In Miami Bitch
Daft Punk vs. Tristan vs. Afrojack – Break Da Riverside Down

Credit: Jason Shindler

Music world is keepin’ it quiet, it seems. Fortunately got a show lined up for Thursday that I’m pretty excited about: Sonny & The Sunsets, which I mentioned in YOLO Week 7. Still bummin’ on Dada Life getting shutdown on Friday, especially considering I heard they threw down at Santa Cruz. I’ll live, though. It’s all part of the game!

Ok from now on, I’ve decided to change it up a little bit. I feel like it would be better to split the YOLO mentions through the week and see how it goes. More reasons to check back on bands more specific to what you may have liked from the list. Again, comments and feedback is appreciated, so I can mold this to more of what you guys are down with. Remember, this is all for you.

Click to Download

So I just woke up from the nightmare that was Dada Life at Control Avalon last night to one of the most delightful treats you could ask for. I’m taking about Wolfgang Gartner‘s essential mix. This action packed, 120 minute mix is stuffed to the brim with 62 tracks and couldn’t have came at a better time. I was just thinking about how we haven’t had a big name essential mix in too long.

For those of you who don’t know what essential mixes are, allow me to explain. In the UK there’s this program called Radio 1 on BBC that’s hosted by the legendary Pete Tong, who DJs as well. What the program is most known for is their occasional essential mixes. They get the biggest names in the industry to make a 2 hour set, sometimes live/sometimes prerecorded, and broadcast it to the world. You can go on a google search frenzy, as they’re all downloadable. Some notable ones are by Fake Blood, Jack Beats, Deadmau5, The Twelves, Magnetic Man, Calvin Harris…you get the picture. Without further ado, let this tune be the soundtrack to your weekend!

Wolfgang Gartner Essential Mix 11-06-10 Download

Tracklist

1. JFK & St. Mandrew — Beehive – Teenage Riot Records
2. Steve Angello — Rave ‘N’ Roll – Size
3. Noob — Warehouse – Discobelle
4. Ralph Falcon & Oscar G — Dark Beat (Murk Monster Mix) – Twisted
5. Gio Ft A Girl & A Gun — Whoop It Up (Mr. Vega Jungle Thunder Remix) – Rot10 Musik
6. Carte Blanche Ft Kid Sister — Do! Do! Do! (Laidback Luke Remix) – Ed Banger
7. Où est le swimming pool — Jackson’s Last Stand (Hook N Sling Remix) – Hussle
8. Wolfgang Gartner — Wolfgang’s 5th Symphony – Ultra
9. MSTRKRFT — Heartbreaker (feat Jon Legend) (Accapella) – Geffen
10. DJ Sneak & Armand van Helden — Psychic Bounty Killaz – Zyx
11. Mr Oizo & Gaspard Augé — Rubber – Because Music
12. Tim Healey & Deekline — The Mexican (feat Babe Ruth) – Superstar
13. Deadmau5 & Wolfgang Gartner — Animal Rights – Mau5trap
14. Martin Solveig — Poptimistic (Acappella) – D:Vision
15. Daniel Haaksman — Hands Up (feat Seguindo Sonhos) (Jan Driver Remix) – Man Recordings
16. Bobmo — Turn On Drop Out – Institubes
17. Symone — Runnin (JFK Edit) – Teenage Riot Records
18. Dooze Jackers — Kizzz (Dynasty Kizzz Jizzz Remix) – Rot10musik
19. Daniel Haaksman — Parolar De Veso – CDR
20. Van Toth — People Boots – Not On Label
21. Mark Knight — Drug Music (Acappella) – Toolroom
22. Style of Eye — Koka Cheva – Tronic Soundz
23. Hoxton Whores — Bite The Pill (Acappella) – Whore House
24. Rune RK — Less Rock – Underwater
25. Martin Venetjoki — Ghetto Tears (Acappella) – Subliminal
26. Kieran Brindley & Calvertron — Blender – Movement
27. Popmuschi — Body Heat (Housepussies Remix) – Popmuschi
28. Mercedes — Shock Absorber (Tony Senghore & Savage Skulls Remix) – Eye Industries
29. Daniel Haaksman — Senta Senta – Man Recordings
30. Adulture & Ocd Automatic — Paper Cat (The Phantoms Revenge Remix) – Solid Bump
31. Studionova — Surra De Bunda – Jetset
32. Tom Staar — Cannon – Moda Music
33. Basement Jaxx — Where’s Your Head At (Wolfgang Gartner Mashup) – XL
34. Boys Noize — Yeah – Boysnoize
35. Wolfgang Gartner — Illmerica – Ultra
36. Angger Dimas & Static Revenger — Long Time 2010 – Vicious
37. Martin Solveig — Cest La Vie (The Bloody Beetroots Remix) – Mixture
38. Wolfgang Gartner — Undertaker – Ultra
39. Will Bailey Vs Bucketheads — Break The Bomb (Respect To Kenny Dope Mix) – Not On Label
40. Matteo DiMarr — F This Club – Size
41. Hipp-e — Static Energy – Soco Audio
42. Wolfgang Gartner — Latin Fever – Ultra
43. Playgroup — Front To Back (feat KC Flightt) (Acappella) – Defected
44. Fatboy Slim — Right Here Right Now (Wolfgang Gartner Mashup) – Skint
45. Seductive — Heat It Up (feat Lady Bee) (Rene Kuppens Remix) – Dim Mak
46. The Black Eyed Peas — Imma Be (Wolfgang Gartner’s What Dub) – Interscope
47. Pase Rock — Nights (Nadatrom Remix / JFK Edit) – Dim Mak
48. Tommy Trash & Tom Piper — All My Friends (feat Mr. Wilson) – Ministry Of Sound Australia
49. Alan Made — Show You How – Mixmash
50. Swedish House Mafia — One (Congorock Remix) – Virgin
51. DJ Trajic — Head Bangers (Paul Anthony & Zxx’s 2010 Remix) – Nemek
52. Black Noise — Knock You Out (Andy George Remix / Wg Edit) – Southern Fried
53. Hostage — Versatile Sound (JFK Edit) – Teenage Riot
54. 1200 Warriors — The Call Out – 1200 Beats
55. I Square — Hey Sexy Lady (Laidback Luke Remix) – Interscope
56. Mr. Blink — Gecko – Burns Remix
57. Inner City — Good Life (Wolfgang Gartner Mashup) – Virgin
58. Djedjotronic — Computer Jerk – Boysnoize
59. Wolfgang Gartner — 818 – Ultra
60. Marc Romboy vs. Blake Baxter — Muzik (Kink Remix) – Systematic
61. Phil Kieran — Empty Vessels (Tool 3) – Electric Deluxe
62. Todd Terry — Keep On Jumpin (Rhythm Masters Thumpin Edit) – Manifesto

BONUS!

I had some extra essential mixes lying around that I figured I’d throw up for your listening pleasure.
The Twelves Delightful Choice!
Fake Blood Voted 4th Best of 2009
Calvin Harris
Wolfgang’s Liveset from Winter Music Conference 2010 haven’t been able to put this down since the beginning of summer

First off, sorry about keeping you guys in the dark this week. School’s been a beast this week, and HARD took it’s toll on me (more on that soon). Though, I come with good news…a new writer! I’m as excited as you are, and I’m assuming excited as fuck. It’s always so fresh to make someone else’s opinion live. And this is an opinion I can wholeheartedly back up. We’ve got almost mirror image music tastes, she told me about Hockey, which I’m still having trouble cutting down on, and she shares my undying love for The Strokes. If you can trust me, you can trust her. Welcome aboard Liz!

Even the best musicians often find difficulty in making a second album that surpasses its first, feeding off of hype and buckling under expectation. Taking into account the considerable success of his 2007 debut “Panic Prevention”—considered one of the hottest albums of 2007 and earning him the title of “the one-man Arctic Monkey”—you might think Jamie Treays’ (Jamie T) follow-up album would chase the trend, disappoint and ultimately go by unnoticed.

On the contrary, Treays again has stuck his middle finger to the establishment with his most recent chart climbing record Kings and Queens; he has nearly reincarnated himself in this atomic bomb of an album, straying from the gritty ragamuffin drum and bass of previous songs like “Sheila” and “Base Guitar.” It’s a punky, it’s poppy, it’s hip-hoppy, it’s raw, it’s in-your-face and it’s disgustingly catchy.

The album makes quite an entrance with the percussion and helium voiced chorus of “368,” a blunt and streetwise anthem about the milligrams of alcohol needed to be inebriated. The record then drops into the mystical and insanely catchy beat of “Hocus Pocus.”

“Sticks and Stones” is prime single material that will make on-the-fence listeners shameless fans. The tune is poppy and nostalgic as Treays recalls: “As I travel down the track all my memories flood back/ we were runnin’ at ease from enemies/and rushed back to your momma’s flat.” With hints of heartbreak and recovery—“I was hanging out with Louie in the shooting gallery/when the news got through to me about you and Jeremy/Pat on my back and a swig on my brew/You’re still my friend it’s impossible to hate you” the song is a musical manifestation of youth and folly.

Feeding off the energy of “Sticks and Stones” the album rolls over to “The Man’s Machine” an anthem of friendship, pain and who-knows-what. With hints of hip-hop and general Jamie T awesome-ness “Man’s Machine” is impossible not to sing along even if you haven’t a clue what it means to “Run, run boyo/Chase it to the border, border.”

The album reaches its pinnacle with the sunny, catchy-as-hell track “Spider’s Web.” Even if Treays does attempt to rhyme “dirty barbour” with “fits of laughter” and “intafada” with “strips in Gaza,” the song is utmost proof of Treays’ brilliance as a musician—it’s rhythmically captivating and lyrically luminous. The song revels in London life and the seeming indestructibility of youth, proclaiming: “Between a wheezing chest and a leaking ceiling/ Baby next door screaming all evening/ The beatings we got and the ones we’re seeking/We’re stubborn as fuck and I’m proud to say.”

Treays shows off his range as album takes an indie spin with “Chaka Demus” and even dabbles in acoustic heartbreak ballads with “Emily’s Heart” and “Jilly Armeen.” The album, as glossy and nearly flawless as it is, is not without its duds however. “Earth, Wind and Fire” and “Castro Dies” though almost catchy are swing-and-miss aim to reproduce The Clash.

The album as a whole is a booming success overflowing with a contagious lust for life that will leave you subconsciously smiling. Good luck getting these tunes out of your head.

8.0/10

Tracklist

1. 368
2. Hocus Pocus
3. Sticks ‘N’ Stones
4. The Man’s Machine
5. Emily’s Heart
6. Chaka Demus
7. Spider’s Web
8. Castro Dies
9. Earth, Wind and Fire
10. British Intelligence
11. Jilly Armeen

Credit: Jason Shindler

It’s hard to believe that I’m half way through this weekend already. Last night was everything that I had been patiently waiting for. Everyone I was so excited to see threw down harder than I could have asked, played everything I was itching to hear, and I was front and center for it all. I could go on and on about it, but I’ll save it for the review. I’ve got some really good videos and tracks for you guys in the near future. Until then, here’s this week’s YOLO.

Click to Download

Delightful Mention!

Artist: Cut Copy
You know those bands that you constantly see getting remixed by the big names? Klaxons, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, La Roux, Miike Snow, etc., etc. They all have that indie sound with electronic extras that make for some pretty sweet, dancy remixes if they’re done right. Cut Copy, who hails from the down under, is no different. The three piece band, consisting of Dan Whitford, Tim Hoey, and Mitchell Scott, have been remixed by the likes of Boys Noize, BetatraXx, and more. Whitford’s, I’m gonna go far enough to say, dreamy voice contrasts so well with the synthy, upbeat drum and bass lines. Their album “In Ghost Colours” got an 8.8/10 on Pitchfork and was voted the 4th best album of 2008. Great album. Great Band. Great vibes. I’ve included the Boys Noize remix that I heard at the beginning of my electronic endeavors. Essential track for anyone and everyone.

Cut Copy – Lights & Music (Boys Noize Remix)

Track: Duck Sauce – Barbra Streisand (Afrojack Meaty Mix)
Leave it to Afrojack to take an all ready over remixed song and take it to a whole new level. This raved out, dirty dutch beauty brings you the best of Afrojack, teamed up with the catchy harmonics of a song we all know and love.

The new Skrillex (aka Sonny Moore) album took me by complete surprise. Seems like just yesterday he released “My Name Is Skrillex,” which he recorded, produced and released on his own early in the summer. You can download it free here. His remix of “In For the Kill” and “Alejandro” earned him most of his acclaim early on. His talents didn’t go unnoticed. Recently signed to Deadmau5’s Mau5trap Recordings, Skrillex wasn’t about to disappoint with his latest titled “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” I’ve never heard electronic and dubstep so seamlessly intertwined in the way that Skrillex does. A lot of it is from his hardcore background as the frontman in From First To Last. He leads you up to the dubstep breakdowns with fast paced, sliced-and-diced, electronic samples and then drops into the nastiest, hurricane of bass and wobbles. If horror was a genre, this would definitely fall into it. He doesn’t seem to give us a break with his constant releases of tracks/remixes/albums, and this seems to be only the beginning.

Tracklist

1. Rock N’ Roll (Will Take You To The Mountain)
2. Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites
3. Kill Everybody
4. All I Ask Of You (with Penny)
5. Scatta (with Foreign Beggars and Bare Noize)
6. With Your Friends (Long Drive)
7. Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites (Noisia Remix)
8. Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites (Zedd Remix)
9. Kill Everybody (Bare Noize Remix)