Tag: Dance

DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, Knowledge, Manifesto, Movers & Shakers, Music, New York, promoters, Reflections, theshineprjct, Toronto

Manifesto 11 – Toronto (June 2017)

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It’s with the utmost pride that I can say Toronto’s got an organization devoted to Urban Arts & Culture. Something I’ve always supported and it’s where my musical roots came from. Artists like Maestro,Kardi,Julli Black,Ghetto Concept and Dream Warriors is what I knew. I’ll always love Hip-Hop no doubt but I turned away when outlets remained bare.

I was so frustrated that I even started a talent showcase with fellow York U Undergrad (Dj Nana) we hoped to provide a platform for unsigned hype from Singers to Battle Rappers to Poets and it ran for a minute. We even tried to start an Urban Media Arts Association-but the work and support back then was bleak.

As I took stock of the many years learning about the music scene in Toronto, I started with my first internship at what was Flow 93.5 and from there I became a NXNE and Honey Jam volunteer to promoting parties and events over at CHRY college radio station. Manifesto is the evolved and growing version of what I’ve always hoped for.

An organization like @Manifesto_TO is something to be incredibly proud of. To see artists,acts and personalities rally around an incredible festival that’s put Toronto on the map (permanently) is quite amazing. With Canadian exports like the Biebs,Drake,Tory,Party Next Door,Weekend,Tika,Slakah,Majid Jordan and the list gets longer….. we’ve got so many more to put on display!

If you haven’t purchased tickets to anything; look for something and become a part of Toronto’s rich ‘Urban Culture’ landscape. Find an art installation, find a concert.Hit up the Opening/Closing Party and Artists Panel. If Urban isn’t your thing check it out, you’ll be blown away. Here’s the website: http://mnfsto.com/

This weekend the #theSHINEprjct is pretty excited to be stationed over at Echo Beach not just as a volunteer,intern or avid concert goer but a part of the festival reppin’ Toronto at Manifesto 11. Here’s to another groundbreaking decade!

Stay social:

Socials
Twitter: @Manifesto_TO
Instagram: @Manifesto_TO
Hashtag: #Manifesto11

 

Biography, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Movers & Shakers, Music, promoters, Reflections, Social Media, theshineprjct, Toronto, women & entrepreneurship

House Music Series -Typical Cat…everything bass. turntables only-LOCAL-Installment 6 (Toronto)

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Typical Cat

It’s amazing to have a blast from the past……a lady I met about 7-8 years ago we talked about turntables and vinyl. We stayed in touch. Look at what she’s up to now…..

Who are you? DJ Typical Cat

What’s Her Story?

As far back as she could remember her Dad was a drummer. He collected records. Her aunt was a country music singer. ‘When I was younger I was listening to House Music and stuff…I’d turn on the radio and I would just feel it in my heart…stuff like Electric Circus or Much Dance…you know that kinda shit?’ When she first heard something she liked she says, ‘I felt it in my chest, I felt it in my heart…. in high school about grade 8 or 9, Freaky Flow was the first guy I heard of when it came to Jungle or Drum N Bass. In high school I heard his ‘World Domination’ album  and it got me hooked. I heard Nelly Furtado on a track with the drums and bass and I wanted to understand this type of music more. So I got into guys like Andy C, Dj Craze, Dj Hype. I’d always loved this music without knowing what it was. I wanted to know about it and I started to go to raves by myself and I just knew that I wanted to DJ and I was just there for that.

About her first gig…. Her very first event and it was bigger than she expected. This was one of  her very first BIG events at Velvet Underground. ‘I was nervous as hell but I had fun with it and opening up for Plastician was a huge deal for me because he was a DJ, I looked up to in so many ways.’ She noticed that people loved what she was doing. She mentioned that this is something that women go through. She remarked that women should be confident especially when wanting to pursue a thing like Dj’ing. Some people will like that. Focus on the positives.

About raves….I wasn’t going to party and do drugs. I would just watch what the DJ was doing- I just knew that I wanted to DJ.

What did you do the first time around? In grade 9 my mom asked me if I wanted to sign up for-those program books for summer classes. And right away I was like I’ll take that! Then in grade 11 when I had enough money, I bought tables!

How were those classes? What did you learn? ‘I took that class and actually Oscar ‘DJ Grouch’ was the first person to teach me how to use a turntable. He taught me VERY basic stuff-he taught me motions like scratching and stuff, not cuts but feeling it out with drums and using levels. He was an awesome connect because he’s pretty big in the city. Knowing him made me feel like I was on the right path. He wasn’t just some guy turned DJ. He was part of the scene, he was a great teacher. He would even give me records. I started with Hip hop and I went from that to Jungle.

 What kind of music do you like? ‘My heart’s with Drum N Bass. I love listening to the radio. I love top 40. I love funk. I love listening to things I’ve never heard. My sound right now is Bass.’ She plays unreleased dubs straight from producers-I love things that are brand new!

How’d you find your style?  It was a journey. It’s taken her a few years to know her musical taste. She plays a more Housier Bass style now but for awhile she went through a Jackin’ House style even. But really, mostly ‘I need that Heavy Bass…I think I found my sound at Plastician-it has the same BPM as House’ (Yes, it does.)

Working with Alan Lam-what’s that like? Her partnership with Alan Lam (Stranjah) didn’t just happen, It came after some time. ‘He’s got a wikked business sense and very passionate about his work. I’ve thrown parties with him and I know there’s a huge following. Regardless of that-I love this music! She is grateful for her crew because they know what they are talking about. They are pioneers of Jungle. It makes her feel confident.  When they’ve produced tracks he asks her opinion. She never questions his decisions when putting together events or tracks. She recalls her first ever event headlined party with Demuir which was a huge success.

About Vinyl and Serato ‘I really need to learn not to carry records everywhere that I spent so much money on. I went switched to Serato. It’s the next best thing. It’s like faking records. So now I just stick with Serato. It’s funny cuz I feel like I’m stuck in the past with all of this. People are all up on their shit with CDJs and all that. There are USBs wherever you go. Something about the CDJs are just not my thing….I’m a record and turntable person…it’s not the same feel. I need to feel it. People now know that if they’re booking me I won’t show up without turntables….I made it that way.’ She doesn’t care that it’s a hassle. ‘People have told me I wasn’t gonna make it anywhere because I insist on turntables. So many people say it’s not industry standard.’ She thanks and shouts out club owners who come through with turntables.

About Old Skool tunes…. Some old heads have said that they’ve heard some parts of her mixes/sets. They listen to her mixes and they say that the samples or funk records are from back in their B-Boy days…..’If I hear it and I like it and it’s usually from an older genre’.

Vocals? No vocals? ‘I like some singing but not too much of it. It must be subtle….not too overdone. It’s hard when you have a set with too many vocals. Actually, it’s just not my style. Sometimes I like vocals every 2 or 3 tunes. I usually like vocals at the beginning of my mixes because it draws attention to the crowd.’

How do you prep for a gig? ‘You overcome your nerves. Even if the bar is empty I used to get nervous but like always I’m still riding off of it. The rush you get from it is amazing. You break walls after the first gig. You reach out to people you don’t even know. People tell me they’ve downloaded my shit and bump it in their car. And I’m thinking…. I did that just for me….I’m still riding off the gig I did 2 nights ago’ lol

Your Mom and Cousin were at your last gig…..

She told her Mom to wear black to fit in. She thought it was everything that her Mom felt it would be. I talked to her about what my mother said also. It was something out of a movie. ‘I didn’t think my cousin was gonna stick around but she stayed ’til the end of the show!’ She remembers how her mom used to yell at her because all she would hear is Bass shaking the entire house and she’d tell her to stop. Shockingly she kinda yells out ‘Now she’s coming to my parties?!!!! It was very weird. I haven’t even heard her opinion yet. I’m so scared. I don’t even think she has an opinion it was just something for her to experience in the moment. It was amazing. My mom would ask me back in the day about the Bass shaking the walls. I think my mom was very proud of me.’

Cat, who do you wanna work with? She wants to work with anyone specifically with the people who throw Promise parties. She wants to bring her sound to Costa Rica. She sees herself in Europe. (Anywhere in the UK) and many of the people she works with are always touring there. We talked about the Underground and how our scene is quite different from across the pond. For example how progressive and genre flexible the musical tastes are.

Any advice to those in the creative field who want to venture into production, promotion, Dj’ing anything related to the industry/scene? (As a woman to the ladies out there what would you say?) Throughout our talk she kept referring to the old her…’. I was so concerned what others thought about the music I played-now I don’t give a shit’….You don’t always have to play for everybody else just play for yourself. The people who like it will enjoy it….!

How about people who have an original skill/sound….We talked about upcoming female producer Wondagurl she comments ‘I can guarantee you she’s doing shit she loves. I’m not big time nothing but I’m just doing it cuz I love it. I wasn’t ready for it before. I’m ready now. And all the things I’ve always wanted are coming to me. I love this music!’

Cat emphasizes….‘I can’t stress enough…you need to stop caring what other people think of you. Just do it. Reach out to whatever connection you have-because not everyone has them-and if you know even one person that’s into the same thing as you or if you know one person that you’ve looked up to, reach out to them’. She’s reached out to people from across the world on Facebook alone…. ‘It’s that easy, some are flattered and will do everything they can to help you. Take the plunge and just ask. She realizes that she’s the only person holding her back and if it’s meant to be it’ll come’.

Typical Cat spins next at Round Venue in Kensington Market, August 25th 2016

 

Thanks, Cat!

Check out her set Typical Cat – Live @ Rumpshakers Present AMIT + COMPA – July 2nd, 2016 on SoundCloud!

Vinyl Rainbow

 

 

 

 

805 Studio, CDR Toronto, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Knowledge, Movers & Shakers, Music, promoters, Reflections, Social Media, theshineprjct, Toronto

CDR Toronto- Local Music Series – June 16 2016-Part 2 (cdr-projects.com)

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CDR (Create, Define, Release) – The night of ideas and tracks in the making at 805 Studio

CDR Cover Banner June 2016

I decided to re-cap the first CDR event of 2016. CDR thrives on genre differences and a lot of that was played a few weeks ago.  Musical differences are what CDR is all about.

The idea is for all participants to hear other sounds and maybe connect each other to the musicality of sound. CDR speaks to collaboration. The last session has seen a steady progression in participants reaching out mostly on the night of the event. Gavin mentioned that it was great to see extra layers of music people coming out of the word works.

‘We’re starting to see a bit of an organic development. There were a larger number of listeners. People are bringing in gangs of friends who are also interested in making music….It’s a discovery for everyone’

Some of the submissions are spontaneous and most were last minute. Gavin and Ramon specifically sent a shout out to Peter Delorum from Kingston, Ontario. He submitted a wikked track ‘Iliad’. He drove from Kingston, Ontario! CDR Toronto had an amazing Akai software giveaway. (Just one of the few reasons why it’s a great place to be!) The reason is to empower good production people and increase the potential to make great music!

The Dego event in April really helped CDR expand their reach! One of two mandates is to promote CDR artists at other clubs/events followed by the other to create a visual understanding of other artists’ creative process.

CDR continues to focus on supporting local Toronto/Canadian-based artists. Gavin believes that Canadians are poor at self promotion. Events like these are a great way to get your musical projects out there. Ramon shouts out DJ Gareth (Snafu 76) who is always ready and attended all 3 CDRs and as always the team is excited to see more new faces.  Special thanks to Elizabeth Da Costa for allowing CDR to run events at her community arts building! (805 Studio) It’s an amazing space which personifies CDR-be sure to check out the next event on June 16th! Have your submissions ready!

 

Establishments, events, House Music, Movers & Shakers, Music, Toronto

House Music Series Toronto LOCAL – Summer 2014 – Installment 2 – Bunda Lounge: The Meeting Place to Dance

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Bunda Logo

 

Bunda Lounge has hosted some fabulous DJs in the last FOUR years! Bunda just celebrated its fourth year this year!  I always wondered where the club name came from. It has a ring to it. Ivan explained, “It’s a slang word for a ladies’ derriere…..I won’t go into anymore details”LOL. Apparently this is the slang used in a few countries (Angola,Brazil,Haiti)! It’s quite a catchy name with staying power just like the transformational steps it took to start this joint……

I sat down last week to talk to owner Ivan Fialho of Toronto’s Bunda Lounge. I had an awesome conversation all about one of the hottest homes of the ‘international house’ scene in our city.

shine:Congratulations on celebrating 4 years! I had no idea. It takes a lot of dedication to keep something going let alone a business…What started Bunda?

Ivan:My involvement in music started this. I came to Toronto at 14 and began helping my brother with his music thing. He used to DJ and spin at different places and I’d carry his records. After he threw in the towel-I started spinning out at parties (specifically African music, Zouk & Kizomba etc.)

shine:What type of place did you want Bunda to be? What’s the best thing about running events here?

Ivan:All elements of Bunda including the music featured here, the acts that play here are reflective of my musical background. It’s not by chance but by design!I specifically wanted to focus on my (Angolan) roots music- the kinds of music I grew up dancing to with my Mother. As a child she would force me to dance with her and as I got older I learned to like and really appreciate this music! Bunda was born out of  wanting to move  forward without having to move from venue to venue. I wanted a place where my musical tastes could have a unique exposition of culture.

shine: Bunda’s location-Why Dundas/Ossington?

Ivan: When I first got to this neighbourhood, no one was here! I knew this area was gonna be a bustling area. This area was initially 90% Portuguese and 10% Vietnamese. Now the area caters to all kinds of people bringing business to the area! People here are open to all kinds of foods, music and services!

shine: Last Summer Bunda Lounge was quite the hotspot, EVERY WEEKEND….you  collaborated  with United Soul/Groove Institute extensively last year; what’s in store this year?

Ivan: The partnership continues this year! It’s been quiet the last few weeks because of this year’s World Cup and the games brought some good business lol. We’ve got some big acts lined up for  the next 5 months. Some of the big acts from last year are returning and of course, we will always continue to work with local talent.

shine: What was the best event you’ve held at Bunda Lounge?

Ivan: Hands down, the Boddhi Satva party! That party was on of the ones that stood out. He took us on a journey! The vibe that night was incredible. He showcased all kinds of real good music. He told a story! (I totally agree with him about this.)

shine: What’s the future of Bunda Lounge and the Bunda Lounge brand?

Ivan: Bunda Lounge is here to stay. We’re gonna keep going. We’ll continue to showcase what Bunda does best. With whatever you do understand that you can’t please everyone but you’ve gotta try. When I started I didn’t know anyone-no one knew about this venue. Now,I take time to build solid relationships with the establishments around Bunda and others in the industry. I’m creating a sort of Bunda Renaissance.

The Lounge is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays every week! They are open occasionally during the day for games/matches on TV (World Cup). For folks who don’t know, Toronto is a PATIO city!There’s a patio outside where you can grab a few drinks and chill. Bunda is available on Sundays for private events. They’ve got a Hump Wednesday night coming up. Thursdays and Fridays usually have some dope house nights and Saturdays are usually the best nights around!

Ivan still spins in the city and will be playing at this year’s Festival Kompa Zouk Toronto – The festivities run from July 26th to August 4th 2014. More things to do in Toronto! Check it out here: http://www.fkzo.ca/events.html

This Saturday Groove Institute is back with legendary locals Dino + Terry this Sat July 19th at Bunda! It’s always a dope party! For locals, see you there! For out-of-towners and international visitors to Toronto, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind party! If you’re visiting Toronto find Bunda on Twitter @BundaLoungeTO or Facebook!

 

July 19th bunda

  -shine

 

DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Movers & Shakers, Music, promoters, Social Media, theshineprjct, Toronto

House Music Series Toronto LOCAL – Summer 2014 – Installment 1 – LetThereBeHouse.ca

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This year’s House Music segment is gonna be off the charts! I’m looking forward to it! Just so you know….blog readers and viewers have visited the SHINE prjct from all over the world! shine2u gets the most hits and shares for its House music features….

Canadians are talented! 

Toronto’s got talent! The Toronto House/Dance/Electro Music scene is burgeoning. This year it’ll be local, ALL local……look out DJs, promoters, club owners….I might be at your doorstep! 🙂

See you on the dancefloor people! LMAO #dancenation #beatjunkies#vinyljunkies #flyers #promotion #interviews #toronto #nightlife

 ———————————————————————————————-

soiree

Sometimes it’s a one person machine other times it’s a collaborative cipher. Let There Be House has truly made its mark on the small but tight-knit Toronto House scene. Let There Be House was a creative project designed as a go –to everyday-all day-what’s–going-on- in-the-Toronto-scene-one-stop-shop.

On that site you’ll find DJ listings, podcasts, interviews, events and more!

What brought this team together? Simply put, the collective love of music that emerged from the early 90s house catalogue. Front lady and promoter Tas felt the need to do things a little differently while embracing the challenge to jump into the existing “HOUSE” and make a noticeable difference!
This difference was attained with the use of more recent methods of promotion. Back in the day mainly flyers and sometimes email got the word out. A website, a Tumblr blog, a Twitter page and FB page allowed for a little more reach. The site (www.lettherebehouse.ca ) began by giving house music lovers the chance to self-inform. This is absolutely one of the main ways that the music and the culture has remained and stayed very much alive in Toronto. This seemed like a better alternative to pushing promo material both on and offline.
What started as online house music hub housing Jack Declared “@jackdeclared” (a play on the classic house song…… ‘In the beginning there was Jack … and Jack had a groove …And from this groove came the grooves of all grooves….And while one day viciously throwing down on his box, Jack boldly declared “Let There Be House” that is how Lettherebehouse.ca was born. (Pretty clever) 🙂
This site’s been around for almost 4 years this November and naturally there’s been a transition. With this transition comes ‘Soiree’-A night where ‘Let There Be House’ is VERY concerned about ambience. A night where the focus is on THIS city. A night where there’s a different line-up EVERY time, a night where people come out of the woodwork to dance their asses off….did I mention it’s a night where the goal is to grab DJs  from other dance scenes?
‘Soiree’ takes place on Sundays which for some time has been a rarity in Toronto. For a big city you’d think Sunday would be a weekend add-on but it’s hasn’t been until last year. Let There Be House took a risk that pays off and with Summer under way…it’s one of the few places you’ll wanna be at!
Here’s a little something about Toronto that LTBH wants the world to know: No matter what you like musically; it exists HERE. (in Toronto) There are a number of movements operating synonymously! All good quality music. Whatever your flavour of “dance” music, just like this city and its people-there’s a scene for it! At ‘Soiree’ DJs and dancers have the freedom to do what they want. It’s not genre specific. Let There Be House states that House is House is House. Whether it’s Deep, Techy, Soulful, Jazzy or Afro. Expect anything…..expect to DANCE.
For those from out-of-town coming to Toronto and you’re interested in the dance in this city…..you’ve got an extra day to take it all in there was a ‘Soiree’  last Sunday, this past Thursday for the Canada Day Long Weekend and there’s another one coming up for the Caribana Long Weekend- going LATE into the night (yay!) and just so you know……

‘Soiree’ locales are always a surprise!!! That’s the fun part. It could happen at its home ‘Bassline ’ (865 Bloor St. West) or it could be anywhere in the city! All you need to know is that it’s gonna be a good time, it’s gonna go late and you’ll be served some great music TORONTO underground style. Where can you find this info? www.lettherebehouse.ca!

 

Don’t forget!

 

-shine

I’m really excited to showcase Toronto’s scene. Hope you enjoy reading the series as much as I enjoy interviewing everyone!

There’s more for this Toronto Summer series…stayed tuned!

Biography, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Music, promoters, theshineprjct, Toronto, Travel

House Music Series – Nothin’ But a Little Monday Night Reading – TRIBE – Zepherin Dean Saint Brings the Heat with Some Thoughts…..

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zepherin-saint-01.jpg

After reading so much about his accomplishments and time spent in the industry- the descriptions I heard were all positive. His intense level of creativity…his tenacity for music and his jet-setting Tribe crew….I had questions about what started it all and what keeps the whole thing going…

I hit up the TRIBE website and was graced with some new and current tunes from an awesome podcast and as I scrolled around I saw the growing list of label artists who hands down seem to be one of the hardest working artists collective in house music…I smiled at my fave-Kristel (props), Peven Everett, Tim Regisford, Djeff Afrozila (see July interview) Nathan Adams….the list is growing. As I met up with Zepherin ‘Dean’ Saint last weekend, I understood that he had been travelling extensively…..the kitchen corridor at the new Ricky Ricardo’s became our interview space and I fired away….

I asked him about the artists and why he signed them…. he answered straight with no chaser ‘it’s all soul music, with depth’…..I liked his answer this set me up to understand the way he perceived music……I asked him ‘why house music?’ He had grown up playing a wide variety of instruments (drums and piano) and he adds ‘house music is one of the only genres to encompass all styles sounds under one umbrella’ For what house music represents this is a very unifying answer. What’s the one trend changing the UK house scene today? The new generation is embracing the sound of the 90s and re-working it to suit the modern taste  and style.

What do you think of the South African music scene? Simply put ‘I’ve been visiting SA since the 90s…from then until now they stay hungry (about the music) South Africa had a bourgeoning scene in the 90s they’ve now been able to create something tangible and lasting, they’ve nurtured something that is uniquely their own.’ Similarly he argues that the South African House is differentiated by the drive and hunger of the people who make up that scene. From dance floors to studios it’s all authentic…… Very candid and well thought out!

I asked him how he feels the Miami Winter Music Conference (WMC) had changed in the last 15 years and one of the most interesting answers I’ve heard…He believes that ‘it hasn’t translated into a new audience, numbers haven’t grown or expanded which mean they haven’t connected with audiences’….Could Zepherin ‘Dean’ Saint be onto somethin’?

If things haven’t changed too much in the industry and you have trailblazers carving out their paths where does all his energy come from? How does he keep going artistically? It comes from the various musical genres he can draw from to make good music-no matter what it is. Disco, Latin, African, Caribbean, Tech….. pretty much anything. His comments veer into production styles he says that these genres can allow him to play with musical tempos and make use of some great production software. (He’s a techie)

With all this travelling the team’s been doing where has TRIBE been well received? He lists first and foremost France (See DJOON podcasts), New York, Atlanta, Montreal and Greece (Kefalonia) The energy in those cities is on a completely different level. You can see that the TRIBE family often promote and travel to these places together!  They support one another-this seems to be the formula!
With TRIBE making so many waves this year, what should we look out for with TRIBE in 2014? New music from Miranda Nicole and Stephanie Cooke and a string of singles he’s working on!
Advice he offers to those trying to get ahead and make waves with their music, projects, talent, production, promotion: Believe in yourself, stay focused, keep your passions alive!

Thanks for reading people!

-shine