Boom Bip has talked exclusively to Big Shot about his group Neon Neon’s nomination this week for a Mercury Music Prize. As previously reported, this year’s shortlist of nominees includes a diverse array of artists, including Estelle, Robert Plant and Radiohead.
“It’s a bit surreal really,” he says. “I had always heard the Mercury was a big deal over here but it wasn’t until I was in the face of every major media giant in the UK at the nomination ceremony that I realized not too many Americans get to be part of this. So I feel blessed, shocked and most of all happy that the people ‘get’ the record. The record goes deeper than face value and a lot of intentions from Gruff and I are involved. To have people realize that and support us is a phenomenal feeling.”
Kelly Osbourne has joined co-host Nick Grimshaw on the six-date BBC Switch DJ tour which kicked off on Tuesday. In addition to Nick and Kelly, teen clubbers will also see live performances from Basshunter, N’Dubz, H “Two” 0 feat. Platinum, Fugative, J Majik, Delinquent and other acts across the six venues. BBC Switch will be photographing and filming at each event and encouraging teenagers to share their own pictures and videos after each event online.
Obligatory press gush from Nick “Grimmy” Grimshaw: “I’m really excited about taking BBC Switch on the road with Kelly, can’t wait to ‘ave it with the listeners! We’ve got some sick acts and DJs. It’s gonna be awesome.”
Obligatory press gush from Kelly Osbourne: “I’m really excited about taking BBC Switch on tour. Not only do I get to DJ and dance but I get to meet our listeners and find out what they really want to hear on BBC Switch. It’s going to be so much fun.”
For your viewing pleasure, here’s Kelly and Grimmy singing “Summer Lovin’.”
“The first one was a botched job,” says Scotty Lancaster, owner of Montréal’s biggest nightclub, Stereo. “This time they tried to finish what they started.”
The second of two fires blazed through Montréal’s Stereo on the night of July 3. The first one, set a few weeks before by an unknown arsonist, barely damaged the club, but the second sparked a blaze big enough to cause smoke damage throughout the property, though their sound system, designed by Integral Sound’s George Stavro, was left mostly unharmed.
The culprit busted through the club’s back entrance, doused the place in gasoline, and lit a match around midnight. Considering the high cost of gas in North America, the vandal’s commitment to damaging the club is pretty undisputed. While Lancaster speculated as to who it might have been, he preferred not to share his theories on the record.
Since the fire, a swirl of rumors have ignited, seeking to burn the club and its reputation. The club’s owners remain undeterred. While they are still having damage evaluated by insurance agents and appraisers, they plan on beginning repair work as soon as the Quebec province-wide construction holiday ends on August 4. Lancaster plans to have the reno work finished in time for Stereo’s tenth anniversary this November. In the meantime, the smaller, more low-key StereoBar downstairs has remained unaffected by the fire and is open for business as usual.
“Whoever did this,” Lancaster added, “all they’re going to do is have a brand new club to compete with.”
Khia Edgerton, better known to music fans as DJ K-Swift, died early Monday morning after diving into an above ground pool at her home in northeast Baltimore. Edgerton was 29 years old. Dubbed the Queen of Baltimore Club Edgerton’s radio show Off the Hook Radio aired on 92.3 WERQ-FM, Baltimore’s 92Q for the past ten years and was instrumental in getting Baltimore club music on to the radio in the genre’s fledgling years. Edgerton was also the founder of Club Queen Entertainment, a group that focused on graphics, production and management in the music industry. On Tuesday her death was ruled an accident with an autopsy revealing the cause to be severe neck injuries.
“She pushed the Baltimore Club scene on her own,” said Ultra Nate, a Baltimore-based dance artist and international DJ. “You don’t find that kind of confidence in a lot of women DJs.” Words: Tim McLaughlin
A quiet ripple was cast through North America’s club land when Vital Talent’s Donovan Cobbins abruptly left Vital Talent a few weeks ago. Vital is the merged talent agency between former Chaotica and TCA, The Collective Agency, and is one of the leading agencies for DJs in the world. Their roster boasts over 100 top acts including Sasha, The Chemical Brothers, Sander Kleinenberg, and Midnight Juggernauts. Cobbins’ departure was noted because he was one of the few agents at TCA before the merger and was thought to be a key player in Vital’s day-to-day operations.
Cobbins had been recruited by Joel Zimmerman, once an agent at TCA, to join the century-old William Morris Agency’s new EDM division. While lips are still tight at WMA about who will be on their roster and how this agency is different from all others, it’s understdood that several of Cobbins’ artists will follow him from Vital, including Modeselektor and Matt Edwards’s projects Radio Slave and Quiet Village.
When we spoke with Cobbins, he expressed his “love” for his former colleagues at Vital, but had this to say about his new position: “WMA represents some of the world’s finest clients across the board. I believe their ability to focus on putting their clients in the right outlets while actively seeking non-traditional ways for artists to express themselves and be properly looked after will make it an exciting environment to work in and most importantly, a place where the clients are given the opportunity to fulfill their maximum potential.”
Also this month, Ultra Records artist Kaskade left longtime agent Nikki Solgot of Ten In One Talent to join WMA. This move is especially abrupt given that Kaskade is still amid the promotion cycle for his new album, Stroblite Seduction. Ten In One’s other artists include The Shapeshifters, David Morales, and Kaskade’s former Om Records compadres Andy Caldwell and Colette. This move further separates the one-time deep house DJ from his past, putting him in company we’re not sure how to musically classify.
We’re also not sure what kind of deals WMA is offering, but we do know in a time when record sales aren’t making anyone a profit, the continually touring DJ is a safe way to earn that 10% agent’s fee.
A summer vacation has been the furthest thing from the minds of Dave1 and P-Thugg, whose combined forces make-up electro pop duo Chromeo. They kicked off their summer with a gig at Coachella Festival and on July 8, re-released their debut album Fancy Footwork as Fancier Footwork, a re-worked two-disc package that included nine remixes, five videos and four “greatest hits.” Individually, Dave1 played a surprise DJ set at Rogers Picnic in Toronto on July 20 and has worked on a track that may be featured on Kid Sister’s much-anticipated album, Dream Date. The group will round out July and August on their Fancier Footwork tour intermixing their own club dates with some of music’s most exciting festivals at The Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle and Lollapalooza in Chicago before heading overseas to play a number of festivals. Aside from their live shows, Chromeo’s DJ sets are getting attention for the party they bring to the after party. After their show at the Henry Fonda Theater on July 30, they’ll be spinning at the Ivar for the Big Shot-sponsored Official After Party presented by Giant. Words: Tim McLaughlin
Lazaro Casanova is set to take over Vanguard in Hollywood this Saturday, July 26. The Miami native who has toured with the likes of MSTRKRFT and The Juan Maclean is known for his crazy remixes and bootleg re-edits. After getting a pair of decks as a younger, Casanova started making the club rounds in Miami making a name for himself as the DJ boy wonder. Now, barely in his twenties and armed with a remix catalogue that includes The Knife, The Teenagers and Crystal Castles, Casanova’s set is sure to bring in the house while still retaining an electro-street feel.
The event will also feature a DJ set from Does It Offend You, Yeah?, the British electro-rock band known for their drunken debauchery, stage diving and smashing of instruments. Since their breakout single “We Are Rockstars” dropped last year, the band has come out of obscurity to open for the Bloc Party on their forthcoming US tour. Earlier that night they headline a show with The Black Ghosts.
Casanova’s buddy Felix Cartal (whom he affectionately callse Feezy) opens the Vanguard event with his wild electro remixes including Dragonette, Julien K and maybe even a Britney Spears electroclash track. Yeah, you know you wanna hear the Britney, bitch.
Lykke Li will release Youth Novels next month and is readying a North American tour in support of the 14-track effort. She’s also just announced her next UK single is “Breaking it Up,” and we’re offering two stellar remixes by Black Kids and Metronomy for your downloading pleasure.
Lykke Li On The Road
8.25.08 - Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Café (SOLD OUT)
8.28.08 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
10.19.08 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
10.23.08 - Boston, MA - Paradise
10.24.08 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
10.25.08 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
10.28.08 - Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards
10.29.08 - Seattle, WA - Neumo’s
10.30.08 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
11.01.08 - San Francisco, CA - Independent
11.03.08 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
If you’re like us, then you’ve been counting down the days until the release of Danny Tenaglia’s first mix CD in six years, Futurism. Fueled by his latest single, “The Space Dance,” Danny will host a gala record release party on August 2 at Pacha NYC to celebrate the release of the double-disc set. Fortunately for Big Shot readers, we’re giving away a pair of VIP passes and a copy of Futurism for one lucky reader. Could it be you?
To enter tell us the name of your favorite Danny Tenaglia remix by July 31, 2008. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law and all that legal mumbo jumbo.
Simon Baker is heading to North America for a string of select dates (August 2 at Sullivan Room in NYC; August 7 at Phonic at Endup, SF; August 8 at Droog, LA and August 10 at Piknic Electronik, Montreal). In addition to giving us a special Big Shot Guest Mix (see tracklisting below), Simon took time out to answer some of our silly questions.
How’s your summer going? Any highlights/great gigs to report?
Very well, keeping busy. Partying too much, but that’s just pretty standard with me. I recently toured South America which was really cool, Brazil and Argentina. Lots of crazy clubbers and ridiculously hot women!
What’s your favorite tune of the moment?
Todd Terje’s remix of my tune from 2007 “Plastik” (on Playhouse). He has done an truly amazing job, Turkish house music! Check it out.
What’s the best bit of gossip you can share with us?
The British queen is actually part German!!!
You’re playing three US gigs and one gig in Montreal. What can people expect when you take hold of the decks?
I like to play from deep house up to techno. I will always cover all aspects in my sets. Expect it to be a builder, but never boring.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I am busy in the studio, just made a track with Jamie Jones which will be released on Get Physical soon. I’m also busy with releases for my label Infant Records, amongst other labels.
Other than that, I might move apartments soon; I need a proper studio space… then basically just have as much fun as possible like I normally do!
What are your plans for New Year’s?
I am going to Australia. Love it over there. I like to go every January, but this year I will be there for New Year and DJing. Not sure on the gig yet.
Tracklisting for Simon Baker’s Big Shot Guest Mix
1. Jenn / “Pleasure” (Simon Baker Deep Down mix) (Karate Klub)
2. Anthony Collins / “Rabouine House” (Dyed Soundorom Tropical mix)(FnC)
3. Bearweasel / “Pillow Head” (Murmur)
4. Jamie Jones / “Pin The Cushin” (CDR)
5. Alex Flatner feat. Lopazz / “Perfect Circles” (Reboot mix) (Circle Music)
6. Simon Baker & Jamie Jones / “Kaskazi” (CDR)
7. Mark Broom / “Bounce” (2020 Vision)
8. Soul Minority / “Mozambique” (Pack up & Dance)
9. Mountain People / “Show You Love” (Audio Fly re edit) (CDR)
10. Burnski / “Smoke Machine” (Dub Mix) (Skint)
11. Alex Flatner feat. Lopazz / “Perfect Circles” (Damian Schwartz mix) (Circle Music)
