Tag: international

DJ Culture & Music, events, House Music, Movers & Shakers, Music, Reflections, theshineprjct, Toronto, Vancouver

theshineprjct presents: From The Underground Up 🔼⬆️↗️⤴️ A Zoom Panel – Women Bringing Underground Based Businesses to Life- Nov.2020

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The Presentation: From the Underground Up, Women Bringing Underground Based Businesses to Life

Zoom Registration Here: https://bit.ly/2TsMI1a

The Talk: I bring a closer lens to these women and their brands, what it takes to build, grow, maintain and now in #COVID; pivot. Women have always had to maneuver to succeed-no matter the circumstance.

We’ll discuss the tools, inspirations and resilience required to keep going. (more stuff too….)

Panelists: Anané Vega (@nulumovement), Asya Shein (@fusicology), Czarina Mirani (@5.magazine), Dam Bee (@drumsradio), Jaidene Veda (@jaideneveda_), and Nneka Gryffyn (@aptentertainment)

#womeninspiringwomen #deephouse #industry #dancenation #housenation #afrohouseuk

The Team:🧿

Moderator/Creative Direction: ms.Chinedu Egwuenu (theshineprjct.com,urbcomgrp.com)

Designed by:@puffazmadeit

Social Media Management: @liliae.mcdonald

Japan, New Jersey, New York, theshineprjct, Toronto, Travel, Vancouver

10 Travel Tips While On The Road

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Are you a Snowbird or do you travel all year round for business? Are you switching climates or checking off your bucket list? Where are you headed? What do you need? How do you prepare for flights/trips? I’ve had a few things happen during trips and in some cases had to work around them here a few tips with bonus:

  1. Mail photocopies or digital versions of passport, birth certificates , frequent flyer cards or citizenship particulars. If/when those things go missing-if you’re able to get to an Embassy everything needed to travel can be replaced fast.
  2. Book your seat as soon as you book you ticket-most international flights and air carrier seats are gone right away-as fees have gone up on everything and most things that never used to be charged are now charged (emergency seating is now classified as extra-leg room seating) and can cost anywhere from $20-$100 more
  3. If you do have first aid training or emergency anything training-if you’re comfortable consider sitting at the emergency section. There are so many that panic during turbulence and may not remain calm during a REAL emergency-jus sayin’ (Ex-airline trainee over here!)
  4. Stay hydrated outside and inside (you’ll feel amazing once you land, no matter how long the flight is/was.) An Evian water atomizer or spring/distilled in a mini spray bottle is just fine
  5. Depending how far you go, stand-by is always a great option (Jet Blue’s stand-bys are cheap and organized)
  6. Save foreign currencies in jars so you can see what you have-you may not be headed to the same country again but you might be passing through a country’s airport and can use whatever bills and coins you have-it comes in handy and you don’t need to exchange any currency for a short stopover!
  7. Find the coldest place in your house when you return-leave your luggage there-let critters and bed bugs die. If it’s Winter where you are (even better) the garage. It is said that bed bugs and critters live in hotels in big cities and you may bring them back with you…..
  8. Get an effective mobile roaming package for your mobile-not all countries have the best wi-fi connections (if any). If your phone provider does not have a great one at least get one for free unlimited or broad text messaging. If that’s entirely not possible get an international SIM card with a local phone number i.e. Vodafone is an excellent company that operates in most cities worldwide.
  9. After I’ve used most of my travel sized products during my trip-I buy travel size products to re-fill my travel bag again from the country I’m in so it’s ready in my suitcase for the next trip. Don’t need to pack that again!
  10. If I plan on shopping and I’m staying in a country for a longer period of time and I know that I’ve used a small suitcase and I don’t want to carry anything around with me, I mail heavier items (via local post office) to my address. It usually arrives within days of arriving home and I’m still able to walk with a lighter load.
  • Bonus: Not all airlines have the same (flight) track record. Ask your travel agent to look up and research airlines that might not be well-known but have a flexible schedule and affordable price! I’ve generally always used Air Canada but there are other air carriers going to the same countries and leave more frequently, fly to other metropolitan cities in your designated country of choice and a few hundred dollars cheaper! 

There are plenty of tips and tricks out there to ensure an easier flight or travel experience. Is there anything YOU do to make the journey easier,cheaper or more organized? Please share! Safe travels 🙂

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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

 

 

 

 

Biography, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Japan, Knowledge, Movers & Shakers, Music, Osaka, promoters, Reflections, Toronto, Travel

END OF YEAR House Music Series – House of Pela – Afrobeta Bodega Boston (Max Pela)

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I got a flyer a few weeks back that read ‘House of Pela’.  It looked like the sticker label for a bottle of hot sauce. Hot sauce ain’t bad….. What’s a House of Pela? What’s an ‘Afrobeta Bodega’?  I asked proud Dominican DJ via Boston all that. So you buy House of Pela products at the Afrobeta Bodega….now I understand. You get a variety of beats, sounds and ideas at the Afrobeta Bodega on the corner all the way from Boston. Sooo…Afro sound, culture, vibe,essence+Beta (first test version)=Afrobeta.

What’s in Boston? I’d visited a few months back to visit a friend working there. I desperately checked all house outlets for shows, parties, events…..maybe it was Winter. Yes, that’s it. No house events happen in Boston because it’s too cold. I checked all my fave ‘selecta’ websites to see tour dates….NOTHING. I took to Twitter -my hub of information and asked a former BET VJ who happens to be a Boston native and she told me:

Free response on Twitter

Soooo to meet a Max Pela from Boston….I had some questions. Where’s the community? Where’s the underground? Who’s the audience? How did Afrobeta start? Why are you in Toronto? Boston seems VERY straight-laced is what I thought….I got schooled. NAGA  has a laid back vibe as a lounge, restaurant and club.  The home of House of Pela is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The home of MIT….the prestigious school. This is always where the underground thrives. Near the schools…the house community must be pretty awesome. Pela sites all kinds of musical influences that he enjoyed in phases- Afro Dominican roots music like Palo, Salve and Gaja from Haiti.

He grew up with rural Dominican cultural influences and he really emphasizes Haitian musical influences which is great to hear considering many of the sociopolitical cultural divides that’s rocked the Dominican Republic for many years. He transitioned from Rock to Old School Hip-Hop to 90s house (this is where it all begins), Tribal, Progressive overall he gravitated to anything with deeper content….

So what does Afrobeta do? Max describes on the site that he is constantly searching ‘ for a specific sound….and has a fondness for non-conventional producers’….what’s non-conventional? He answers ‘anyone can  make music, there many unknowns out there’d like to give them a platform to show what they have….show what makes them unique ; it could even be the old school music production’ I told him that I checked the roster of artists on the site:

All of them have a great body of work. But Marquez- Is the person who told him about US in Toronto! He gave Max the thumbs up and props to come to Toronto! (Shout out to all supporters and enthusiasts of the Toronto house scene!) At afrobetabodega you’ll find live sets, studio recordings, podcasts, news and general musings of  underground house. It’s a work in progress and he mentions that an international expansion is in order.

In 2014 Max wants to make House of Pela a household name and continue to throw successful events. He wants to continue putting Boston on the map. See: TRAXSOURCE. I always ask this because I do feel its important for anyone embarking down creative paths; What advice does House of Pela founder give? – Take risks. ‘If you’ve gotta leave the 9-5 makes sure it’s planned and calculated…..do what makes you happy. If it’s the energy of what you do that drives you, let it be the driving force…there will be times you want to quit…rest assured there will be that one person who will wake you up to keep you going’

House of Pela It’s been fun putting these blog posts out! Follow me in 2014 as I take @theshineprjct  in other directions…. -shine

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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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

Biography, DJ Culture & Music, Establishments, events, House Music, Knowledge, Music, Offering Recordings, promoters, Reflections, Social Media, theshineprjct, Toronto, Travel

Boddhi At Bunda Lounge in Toronto

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Boddi Satva (Offering Recordings)

Lights dimmed, incense burning (precisely Nag Champa), music is just right- Late night date? No, not at all. It was the Toronto leg of DJ/Producer Boddhi Satva’s Canadian tour. I had been wondering about Boddhi the artist after stumbling on a podcast a few years ago and was assigned his latest ‘Ancestral Interpretations Pt. 2’ (for review).

I had a chance to sit down with Boddhi Satva last Saturday to discuss the album, the journey, the collaborations and most importantly; the person. He had a lot to say……..

About Being African: Born and raised in the Central African Republic and being well exposed to other parts of Africa and his approach to business and interaction with people in general- this is an integral part of who he is as well as the music he has chosen to share with the world. He is proud and says….’I’m African don’t get it twisted-I’m mixed but anyone who knows me knows I’m more African than any African’

On Being signed to Vega Records: Louie’s got a great heart, he’s family-oriented in business and in life. Our friendship is beyond business….it’s a team effort. He allows me to express my identity. It’s opened many doors for me…it’s definitely increased my credibility. People recognize me for my talent first and foremost……’

On his climb forward: ‘It was very slow, it was and still is lots of work….there are still challenges. Just because you tour, travel, have a label backing you up-the work never stops there. Money is a means to be able to direct your work but it’s not stop….I’m grateful for the all the opportunities awarded. I’m so blessed’

Collaborations with other artists: He’s always wanted to do this! In fact he says,’I wanted to collaborate-it’s the smartest way to get your brand out, it’s all about team work, I can’t have an ego when I know it takes a lot of collaboration with others….

On respecting those that paved the way: He sites Louie Vega, Alton Miller, Kai Alce, Osunlade among many that he has looked up to, worked with, those that have designed the music industry in a way that makes House what it is today….he lists tons of other producers from everywhere-‘I believe in Pan-Africanism especially with art/music’

On African artists namely (Oumou Sangare, Ade Alafia, Yuba, Mangala Camara) and their support of Boddhi Satva using their vocals for ‘house’ consumption- ‘They give me props, she (Oumou) is in full support and respects what I’ve done. The support is mutual-the connection is organic’

On the South African House Invasion: ‘No doubt that South Africa is a hub for house music but EDM in Africa has reached other African countries….Angola has been a runner-up for a few years now and Senegal’s hip hop music scene is stellar. Botswana is another heavy-hitter’

Music to look for: (For those looking for things he’s fond of….music and artists he mentioned during the interview……Paul Randolph (Soldier), Mara TK, Salif Keita, Jose James (Vicadin), Rancido, Offering Recordings vocalist Marie Jolie, Orgasm EP feat.Ade Alafia, Teedra Moses (My fave :D)……

Music as a spiritual connection: ‘Music can move a grown man to tears…..it can heal someone’s spirit, it invokes feelings…it can be sensual in nature’

Working with Promoters: ‘It can be tricky sometimes-my name has been used on events that I didn’t know about….you want to visit different cities but promoters don’t always come through’

On the future of Offering Recordings: ‘Offering Recordings is set to be persistent in providing quality music’

Advice to those on their hustle to succeed in the industry: ‘Stay true, work hard, collaborate, never forget to respect yourself, be grateful for all opportunities’

Impression of Canada (Canadian Tour cities): Winnipeg was happening. The festival (Manitoba Electronic Music Festival)…it was fireburn…a very organic city really peaceful. Lots of street art. Big ups to Winnipeg!’….He describes Toronto as ,vibrant with a mixture of people’ and, ‘good peoples’……’I hear Bunda’s the spot’

Expectations for that night’s (August 17) show (At Bunda Lounge): ‘I hear that Solid Garage and Booty Lounge are pretty good…..(laughs) I don’t have too many expectations but I plan to take the crowd on a journey’

Needless to say, the night was a journey. He traveled the world with music and brought tunes from countries where rhythm rules….no matter the language or dialect….you heard and felt the beats! Dancers of all ages and colours shook their butts (myself included) lol

Afrobeats and Eurobeats ran the night. The interview was as eclectic as the set that night….Boddhi, thanks for the visit!

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