Blisspop DC, FUN 1 Year Anniversary BK, Space Cakes BK and more

I've been a big fan of Will Eastman and all of the good things he is doing down in D.C. His Blisspop party is the big one, the monthly rager that brings it all together at 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW) This one looks like the biggest and best yet, so it's not surprising that it's called Best Party Eva. 33HZ will play live, Dave Nada, DJ Meistro and Mr. Eastman himself will spin all night and you should be psyched for this one, District of Columbians! Sponsored by Scion and brightestyoungthings.com, this should be a great night of indie dance, hip-hop, disco, house, great band, great DJs. What the hell, best eva. $12, all ages, doors at 10pm. Take a minute and check out the video flier for this one, Pound for Pound goes viral:



-It's a big night in Williamsburg, nothing bigger than the one year anniversary party for FUN at Studio B (259 Banker St) They've clearly chosen their special guests for maximum Pound for Pound attention : electro legends Egyptian Lover and Newcleus. I mean, seriously, this is huge. It's not every day you get to take a trip back to the early 80s glory days, when machine music took over. Egg Foo Young of Turntable Lab is special guest DJ with residents Rok One and Eamon Harkin. There's also a NewYorkFuckinCity side room with DJ Elle and IXL, all your musical needs you should be covered. Hosted by Roxy Cottontail, presented 10 Deep, Re:Up Magazine and TTL, this is a fitting celebration for one of the city's best weekly. Open bar from 10-11, $10 advanced ticket, $13 at the door, doors at 10pm, 21+.



-Great party at Hugs tonight that appears to be called Space Cakes, not totally sure what the name means, but I do know that the DJs on hand are some of my favorites from NYC. Nick Catchdubs, Star Eyes and Rezound are joined by Seattle's Pretty Titty for this one. This one should be a fun, laid back night, as all of these DJs will spin great music from all genres. No cover, 21+.



-Still in Williamsburg, the Finger On The Pulse guys do their regular thing at Royal Oak (592 Union Ave) Tonight's edition is a birthday edition for Courtney featuring Heidy and Trebek of Montreal's Guilty Pleasures and Weekends Never End and of course Never Forget and Terry Diabolik. You know the deal, fun times, dancing, drinking, stop in early or late or stay all night. No cover, 21+.



-If you have to be in the city, there's one top choice and that's the Stop Progress party at APT (419 W. 13th St) where resident Max Pask is joined by DFA's Mock and Toof in the basement. Those names should have you already super psyched, so I won't hold you back. $10, 21+, awesome.

-I'm amazed at how much LA loves to do it big. Each night seems to have another massive party featuring some of the best of the local DJs. Tonight, it's the Hype LA party at Robertos (686 N. Spring St) with resident DJ Don't Believe The Hype being joined by guests DJ S!n and Hyphy Crunk in the main room. The side room is held down by guests Disk Jo Slim, Dmndays and Bul!m!atron. Expect big music all night, new ravelectro, Bmore, indie in both rooms. RSVP at the going.com site for $5 admission before 10:45, $10 otherwise. 18+, doors at 10pm, goes until 2am.



-The Mute party at the Proof Bar (215 N. Broadway) in Santa Ana has been a really consistent party, bringing in quality DJs week after week. Tonight, they host My! Gay! Husband!, who we mentioned earlier in the week. The Iheartcomix dude is definitely worth checking out, he will help DJ Legit, DJ Ben N. and Rockberry take this to the next level. Doors at 9, no cover, 21+.



-Let's end with one of the most consistent parties anywhere, the Lights Down Low party in San Fran. Tonight at the 222 Club (222 Hyde @ Turk), things are going back on some War Games 80s computer nerd shit. Laromlab brings along his Commodore 64, Atari, laptop and samplers to create computer music, which fits well with the name of the guest DJ, Commodore 69. Residents Sleazemore and Rchrd Oh will smash computers and melt your faces with dirty dance music. Parker Day takes the photos, you need to be a part of this party.

Wurst Monthly NYC, I Hate Music NYC and more

Every so often a party comes along that just seems perfect to me. The Wurst Monthly at APT (419 W. 13th Street) was already one of my favorite parties, featuring the DJs behind the Wurst edits spinning a night of disco, funk, soul and house. My Cousin Roy, the Runaway guys (Marcos Cabral and Jacques Renault) and Lee Douglas are at the top of my NYC list, as good as it gets. Tonight, add in the Chicago house legend Farley "Jackmaster" Funk and you have yourself a dream night down in the basement imo. Farley is responsible for a slew of acid and deep house classics, a seminal figure, this is a rare occasion to catch him spinning in NYC. $10, 21+, see you there.

-Not to be outdone, WhateverWhatever presents the I Hate Music party at Love (178 MacDougal Street) Trevor Jackson will spin, a guy who has had a huge impact on current dance music through his now-defunct Output Recordings, his work with Playgroup and his DJ Kicks mix and his DJ sets around the world. Expect to hear the best new techno and electro, but all sorts of warped, eclectic choices from across the musical spectrum. Justin Strauss, Billy C and Bryan Mette will also spin. It all happens on one of the city's best soundsystems in an amazing oasis away from the NYU kids and their beer pong games. $4 well drinks until midnight, supposedly the first time the club has offered this. $10, doors at 10 pm, 21+.




-If you are looking for something a little smaller, you can't go wrong with hitting up the Darkroom (165 Ludlow Street) for Tuned Up. Andy Pry does this one every Thursday night, was able to catch him Friday night in the side room at Studio B and loved what I heard. It looks like this party has a similar sound: "a night of weird beard freakouts, rock and rollerz, house vibes, heavy funk, space disco, soulful jamz, early electro and future rap." I can't think of a better soundtrack for a night out, this looks like a great weekly stop, check it out. No cover, 21+.



-Of course, you already know about the Common Folk party at Home Sweet Home (131 Chrystie Street) with the Sweatshop Labor guys. They've got a special guest for this one, as Air Jared of Purple Crush will come through to play some party jams and bangers. It's a really great choice for this night, one of the fun nights any day of the week. Shango rum open bar from 10:30-11:30, no cover, 21+.



-I don't really know if DJ Momjeans is any good, to be honest. I do know that the dude was on one of my favorite TV shows of all-time, That 70s Show. I mean, c'mon, you almost need to go to this just to show respect to Steven Hyde and find out Eric and Donna are doing. Even cooler, the Love Brigade are going to be modeling their fashion all night and presenting this night with Cheeky Bastard. Mellowdrone will play live and Alex English and Peter Makebish will spin. 2 for 1 vodka drinks from 2-3, no cover if you get on the guest list. Doors at 10pm, 21+.




-Down in Philly, I definitely recommend the Mo Money No Problems party at Silk City (425 Spring Garden) Hard to beat a night dedicated to the music of the 90s, the rap, the slow jams, some r&b and a little pop. I've always felt this was the best night to go out in the city, feel like this is definitely a top choice to keep that string going. No cover, 21+.



-More in Center City, the Seclusiasis Thursday night party happens at Sal's (200 S. 12th Street) This one's dedicated to the music of now, especially the bass-heavy, underground stuff. Tonight BD1982 and Digga Crates of Inciting will spin all night and give the underground a home upstairs at the club. No cover, $2 domestics, $3 mixed drinks until 11pm.



-Atlanta should be psyched as it's time again for the Fuck Yesss party at the Drunken Unicorn at the MJQ Concourse (736 Ponce De Leon Place) Resident DJs Le Castle Vania and Treasure Fingers have been traveling around the country headlining at parties everywhere; but you Atlantans get them at their own party, raging indielectro to melt your face. Show some love to the hometown stars, 18+, no cover.



-Finally, a little something darker happens in Chicago, as the Damaged party hit Lava (1270 N. Milwaukee Ave) Residents Mister S and Eddie Riot have made a great call and brought in Trancid from the Dark Wave Disco to kill it tonight. This night specializes on industrial, electro and new wave, with lots of other genres being thrown into the mix as well. Free before 10:30, $5 after, 21+.



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Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala

Jens Lekman, "The Opposite of Hallelujah" (YSI link)

Jens Lekman, "Your Arms Around Me" (YSI link)

This one's from last year, but it's so good that it deserves a place in an early 2008 post. Every so often, I have conjured up an image of what a particular artist sounds like and it is completely 100% wrong. Such is the case with Jens Lekman, who for some reason I placed in the Tom Vek category of soul singer backed by electronic beats. I truly wasn't prepared for the sound of this album or just how fucking rad Lekman is.

Night Falls Over Kortedala is an indie pop album, pure and simple. It's perfect late-night listening, for those sad and lonely nights when you only have music to keep you company. One hears echoes of Burt Bacharach, Belle and Sebastian, Scott Walker and others; of course, it's an updated version of all of those influences, as much of the music, from strings to drums, are sampled. It's not easy to know what's sampled and what's live, although I can't say I really cared when listening.

For me, the sound that matters most is Lekman's voice, which sounds so perfect to me. For longtime readers, you know that I am not a huge rock or indie fan, it usually takes a unique and great voice to draw me in. Lekman's alternates between a deep crooner's voice to a fragile falsetto and I love it. On the refrain of "The Opposite of Hallelujah" especially, it seems on the verge of cracking. That song was the first one to blow me away, a bouncy number with piano and strings that has a twinge of melancholoy sweep through it, especially with each "You don't know what I'm going through" at the end. "Your Arms Around Me" is a slower number, a love song centering around a kitchen accident. Right now, this is probably my favorite track, it's so sweet and sincere, a wonderful respite from the irony and distance of so much of what I listen to. The strings are amazing on this, really add to that epic feel all good love songs should have. The rest of the album is just as good and in a similar stylistic vein.

I just want to lay in bed, sip tea, think about love lost and maybe even have a good cry when I listen to this album. Readers know that there is no higher compliment I can give. For me, it falls easily next to the music of Caribou, exquisite, lush pop music that makes me sad and a little happy. Highly recommended, grab a copy and listen for yourself. You can't sance 24/7, this is the music for the other times.

False - 2007

False, "Plus Plus" (YSI link)

False, "Face The Rain" (YSI link)

We've been doing more minimal techno here lately, the dominant sound in the genre for the past year or two. We've also mentioned Matthew Dear a ton lately, so why not extend both streaks with a post on False's 2007, Dear's recent album under his minimal alias. This one has the hallmarks of minimal with the stripped down, repetitive, glitchy, bleepy sound that slowly changes and unfolds. I haven't heard a ton of the genre yet, but I think that Dear is more committed to the minimal aspect than others. 2007 is in essence a mix, albeit a mix of original material. It should remind you a little of the live mix I put up from Dear a few weeks ago, as the album feels like one continuous movement, not individual singles.

Things kick of with what sounds like race cars screaming around the track (or possibly howling wind) in "Indy 3000," but the listener soon descends into a molecular world, where everything seems to be broken down into smaller parts than you normally hear in music. This isn't verging on silence or anything like that, there's a definite pulse throughout, one that stays consistently in the same BPM range, say 130-140ish. My description probably makes this sound as boring as hell, but it's really the complete opposite. These tiny notes and sounds draw your ear in and make you listen that much harder. For example, on "Face The Rain," out of this bass and drums groover comes these piano chords that completely blow me away, like the sun coming up during a rainstorm or something. "Plus Plus" precedes itI'm not sure that this CD is a good intro into the minimal techno world however, as this one can claustrophobic at times; as much as I love the subtle shifts, it also means that there isn't any big hooks or changes of pace.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of this CD, take a chance on something new and different. The minimal scene has started to draw me in over the past year, I look forward to exploring this world more in the future.

WadKlub NYC, No More Conversations SF and more

It's Fashion Week in New York City, this is probably the closest I'm going to get to all of that. One of my favorite magazines, Paris' Wad, is coming to the city and are throwing a party, WadKlub Invades NYC at Le Royale (21 Seventh Ave) Lots of Pound for Pound favorites are gonna be on hand, most notably a live show by Kudu at 11:30 and a fashion show by the rad Love Brigade. If that wasn't enough, you also get DJ sets by DJ Dee Nice from Paris, Egg Foo Young, Roxy Cottontail and Anthony 2Tone Cochran upstairs, plus Mike Nouveau & Sean Fightcats and Blu Jemz & Lloydski. There's also a Pink/Fuze open bar from 9-10 and 2 for 1 Pink/Fuze drinks from 2:30-3:30. Email heartbeat@roxycottontail.com or info@sauvagestudio.com for free admission, doors at 9pm, 21+.

-For something just as big and crazy, head downtown to 205 Club (205 Chrystie) for Lamazing's Sexpot Bday Extravaganza. It really is an extravaganza, with The Real Live Show, Heavy, DJ Equal, Stimulus & Dhundhee, Belinda Baker, Nick Hook and Kingston 19 will perform and spin tonight. There will be some added surprises and gifts and scantily dressed partygoers. RSVP to 205@thetastecrew.com to assure that you get in, presented by Taste, hosted by R. Napolean, this should be an epic night. Not sure who La Mazing is, but wish her a happy birthday when you see her. Doors at 10, 21+.



-Sometimes, it only takes a few people to have a rager. If those two people are the Sweatshop Labor DJs, you're set. They are throwing a party tonight at Lit (93 Second Ave) called Scraps. Definitely check this one out, as the Lit basement is a great space that is ripe for a comeback and these are the guys who can do it. No cover, 11 pm-4 am, let's hope this becomes a regular night.



-Man, Wednesdays really is the night to go out in the city. Here's another favorite, the Moonwalk party at Happy Ending (302 Broome St) Rezound and Cousin Cole do this biweekly party and needs to be a permanent spot on your calendar. Great crowd, great DJs spinning a variety of genres, from electronic to rap to 80s to mashups, you'll hear it all. 2 for 1 drinks from 11-midnight, get there early or come late, highly recommend. No cover, 21+.



-Finally, there's ole reliable High Voltage at The Annex (152 Orchard St) Let me first say, what a rad flier, just fantastic. For the record, the dude there is the guest DJ tonight, Huggs, in from Montreal to kill another dancefloor. Dude can spin all kinds of music, from classic hip-hop to funk to recent bangers, has spun with everyone from Diplo to DJ AM. He's starting out on a tour of the US and Canada, this is his only stop in NYC. Stop by to find out why he's so popular. Residents Dimitry!!! and Prince Terrence will do their thing as well. I'm hearing news that MTV will be in the house filming, while I'm more of a VH1 guy, that's still pretty cool. The Zygo open bar from 11 until its gone should help you get over being camera-shy. No cover, 21+.



-If you don't want to leave Brooklyn, you can check out the ChiefMag.com Issue Release Party at Savalas (285 Bedford Ave @ S. 1st) Rev McFly and Dirty Fingers will spin all night, should be a nice way to remember to check out a cool new magazine and dance right through the hump day. Free Yuengling beer at 10:30, no cover, 21+.



-I've said a lot about the Robotic Wednesdays party at the Electro Lounge (5929 N. May Ave) in Oklahoma City. I'm gonna be brief this time, no one wants to be beat over the head, I understand that. I will simply recommend everyone who can check this party, let the Dance Robots Dance DJs take care of you for the night. You won't regret it. $3, 21+.


-This looks like a super rad party in San Francisco, No More Conversations at 222 Club (222 Hyde Street @ Turk) Presented by Emily Betty, Tiri and thegentleking.com with photos by Jerome Pour Homme, it's a night specializing in "electro, trap rap, bangers, coke rap, heavy bass, and party jams for dancing pleasure. Throw in some acid, ghetto house and disco and you pretty much don't need this blog. Each month features a new set of DJs; this month you get Richie Panic from Frisco Disco, Sake One of Pacific Standard Time and DJ LXNDR of the Fling party. Show some support to this monthly, really good stuff. RSVP at the going.com site or message their myspace page for $3 admission, $5 otherwise. 10pm-2am, 21+, yeah!




-LA loves the big parties and that spirit has moved into the suburbs as well, as Riverside has its own weekly indie dance rager in the form of Club Avenue at Trilussa (3737 Main St) Tonight's special guest, My!Gay!Husband!, is in from Vancouver for a little mini-LA tour. Expect a great mix of indie dance, Bmore, juke and lots of his own excellent edits, should be really rad. He'll join residents DJ Jimmy Boy and Billy Noorlag, plus Sleazy V and Bul!m!atron for a great night. 2 rooms, 5 DJs, free parking, drink specials, giveaways from American Apparel and MooL.A. Message your first and last name on their myspace page to get on the $5 reduced list, 18+, doors at 10pm.

Sylvester - Step II

Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" (YSI link)
Sylvester, "Dance (Disco Heat)" (YSI link)

Sylvester, "Was It Something That I Said" (YSI link)

Oh boy, this is a good one. We've been slowly bringing this site around to the disco sounds, this one's essential stuff. Sylvester is one of the pivotal male singers in the genre's history, a larger than life figure who sang on some of the greatest songs of the late 70s and early 80s. Born Sylvester James, he would actually start out making rock music in San Francisco in the early 70s. Over the course of that decade, he would begin to make funkier and dancier music, until it all came together when he began collaborating with Patrick Cowley in 1978. They began to work together after Sylvester heard Cowley's work on a synthesizer in the San Francisco studio he was using.

They would first come up with the LP Step II and Sylvester's voice with Cowley's synth work gave us these two disco classics. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" kicks things off and it will make you feel mighty real too. Oh man, this is so good, joyous, peak-time stuff. It's all about Sylvester's vocals, he seems able to be able to bring the song to various high points with the soaring voice and little hollers. Underneath all of that, there's a lush classic disco sound; there's a funky bass, bongos and claps and a strong 4/4 beat, some effects and keys and an oscilllating synth that helps build the tension in the middle section. "Dance (Disco Heat)" features the vocal talents of Izora Rhodes and Martha Wash, i.e. Two Tons O' Fun, who are all over this one. The bass is just massive, the keys and harp are nice, the pace is more furious and consistent than "You Make Me Feel." "Dance with me in the disco heat, dance with me in the disco heat." Yeah!

The album's B side is less dancefloor-centric, which isn't a bad thing. You get slower, more melancholic cuts, including a Bacharac-David tune ("I Took My Strength From You"). "Was It Something That I Said" has a soul-ballad feel, with Sylvester's tender vocals trying to figure out why a relationship ended, horns and strings and the ladies singing great backup vocals. I love it, even if it isn't a classic.

You need these songs in your life. This is beautiful music, this will brighten your day and, yes, save your life. Now, if it would just get Obama to support universal health care.

Black Disco 205 Tuesdays, Hot Chip Scion House Party LA, dANCE LA

Okay, this is gonna be quick one, got lots of music to get to shortly. But, it's Tuesday night and I have to hype my favorite party, 205 Tuesdays at 205 Club (205 Chrystie) This is a special night, as it's a Blackdisco EP release party and the first night with Prince Language as resident. Blackdisco features DJs Nitedog and Lovefingers, who spin that underground disco sound that will fit in perfectly in the basement, can't wait to check this out. To take it up a notch, No Disco Comprendo's Prince Language join DFA's Justin Miller for the month of February as resident DJ. I mean, what more could you ever ask for?

-Out in LA, Scion is doing house party and it's not on some kegs and iPod thing. It's actually at the Viper Room (8852 W. Sunset Blvd) and Hot Chip is DJing, so it's pretty much the complete opposite of a house party. Let's not get bogged down in semantics though, let's appreciate a party featuring Hot Chip, Spank Rock DJs Devlin and Darko and Franki Chan. Let's also appreciate that it's free, as long as you click over to the RSVP site. Once on the list, get there early, as space will fill up fast. Doors at 10pm, 21+.


-If you can't get in to that one, head over to Arena (6655 Santa Monica Blvd) for the weekly dANCE party. Tonight's edition might be the best so far, as they have globe-trotting indielectro superstar Le Castle Vania playing the main room. You should not miss this guy, for real. Paparazzi will join him in the main room, while Spy Vs Spy, Bip Jeffington and Joaquin do it up in The Attic. This party has been a big success with big, young crowds every week; tonight is definitely a can't-miss one, good time to get on board. $5 before 10:30 with flier, 18+.

Traxmen - Give The People What They Want

Above is a great shot of some graffiti scrawlings on a wall in Quito, Ecuador, taken by Pound for Pound correspondant JH-B. Note the Jessica Te Amo, proof that she already has fans in South America.

Gant-Man, "Still Bangin" (YSI link)

Gant-Man, "Umn" (YSI link)

Gant-Man, "Untitled" (YSI link)

I saw hell this weekend and it was the L train running on one track. Ugh, body to body, 5 deep on the platform, my worst nightmare right now, ahead of breast reductions and a McCain presidency. When I'm feeling down and shook like this, I turn to one of Pound for Pound's spiritual homelands, Chicago, specifically the Chicago of the 80s, when the house sound took shape.

Let's go to our favorite source, Dance Mania Records, for today's dose. These tracks come from Dance Mania 257, released in 1998, the final record the Traxmen would put out under that name, one of the final releases documenting the second wave on the label, i.e. the ghetto/booty house period, led by DJ Funk and Robert Armani. This followed the acid house one of the 80s, which the Traxmen had a say in as well.

Give The People What They Want features one side of tracks by Eric Martin, the other by Gant-Man. The Gant-Man ones are my favorites, classic minimal jack trax with male and female call and responses, filthy lyrics. G-d, the drums on all three are so sick. Love the slow build-up on my favorite "Still Bangin'," with hi-hats, claps and rare keys. It's when that huge bass drum comes in that things get real serious real fast. This one is relentless, a runaway train, the vocals only add to it amazingly, as they fly out at a furious pace. "Umn" continues the nice use of a synth, which a nice melodic line lying on top of the banging below. Finally, there's the weed anthem "Untitled," which has a little extra bounce on the drums, a great combo with the male-female back and forth about getting free weed. All in all, a pretty essential B side, a must have for those who love the booty sound. Yeah!

Hurrah PHILA, Blow The Speakers CHI and more

I've been getting more and more excited by all of the great parties in Philly devoted to the music we love like acid house, electro, house and even disco and techno. Hip Replacement, Restless Leg Syndrome, Robotique are a few, tonight's heaadliner is another. The Hurrah party at Medusa (21st and Chestnut) happens the first Saturday of every month and it needs to have a permanent place on your calendar. Shawn Ryan and Chris Ego spin a mix of face-melting dance stuff and that spiky, danceable post-punk funk stuff. Tonight, the guy's are joined by Dave Tat of the aforementioned Restless Leg Syndrome party, who will fit right in with a similar mix of music. Best of all, it goes down in the dark basement space, which is just made for dancing and debauching. Get behind this Philly, it's gonna be the scene. No cover, 21+.

-Afterwards, head to Transit for the city's only afterhours party, Mad Pu$$y. This one's bringing in a ton of great guests every Saturday, tonight is more for the regulars and local stars. Brendan Bring'em will spin in the main room, the Philadelphyinz will hold down the basement and C Sharp spins reggae upstairs. Click here to get on the list, which gets you in free before midnight, $5 after. Get there early and enjoy free PBR from 10-12, per usual, 21+.



-Speaking of Philly, Dave P has brought The Teenagers to Brooklyn with him for the Fixed party tonight at Studio B (259 Banker St). This is your last chance to catch the guys in NYC, they'll play at 11pm so don't dilly dally. To take it all up a notch, this one's the Hot Chip official afterparty and those guys will do a guest DJ set. The hype may bring the building down, so be careful. $10 advanced tickets, $12 at the door, 18+.



-I was thinking of just mentioning the U.N.I.T.Y. 90s party at Hugs (108 N. 6th St), not putting up the flier. But, they flipped the script and remade the flier and it has to go up. Marky Mark in his underpants, I mean whatever, I don't think he's hot, not one bit. I'm not attracted to him or rippling muscles at all, so just deal with it. I am into this party, Lauren Flax and JD Samson's party dedicated to the music of the 90s. The ladies are joined by Chelsea Star from the legendary gay SF party Hot Pants, should be as good as ever. I can say that this party packs people in, get there early to find a good spot on the dancefloor.



-The Dark Wave Disco are back with an all-ages party tonight at Subterranean (2011 W. North Ave) and they're going to turn the volume and bass way up. It's the Blow The Speakers party, a mix of rock and dance music, where Trancid, Mark Gertz and Greg Corner join with Kid Color to destroy your eardrums. In a good way. $7 for 18+, $5 for 21+, doors at 10:30 pm, the party goes until 3am.



-The battle between the decades is on tonight, as the Dance Robots, Dance DJs are throwing The Eighties Dance Party at Electro Lounge (5929 N. May Ave) Ahh, what a decade, especially if you forget about Reagan. New wave, real electro, late disco, post punk, I trust that the DRD guys will have a field day with all of this material. This looks like it's the fourth (and possibly final) edition of this party, so don't sleep. $1 if you dress up, $3 if you don't, doors at 9pm, 21+.



-You think the Frisco Disco guys are soft? Think again, Jefrodisiac and Richie Panic carry big guns and even bigger tunes to kill dancefloors. Tonight at The Transfer (198 Church St) they remind you why this is one of the most fun and crazy weeklies anywhere. Check out the photos from the January 26th edition to see just as crazy and awesome, this many people kissing, hugging and dancing can't be wrong. Awesome photos by Lady Meleksah, awesome party. Free before 10:30, $5 after.



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Jamie Jones - Should Have Gone Home

Jamie Jones, "Should Have Gone Home" (YSI link) 320

Late-night post here, which is the only time I could put up this track from rising techno star Jamie Jones. For everyone who has ever been out to a club, hell anyone who has ever been out at a bar or a party or anything, "Should Have Gone Home" will only make you nod your head. A drugged voice tells the common lament: "It was 2 am, so we started to rock. It was 4 am and the place got hot. It was 6 am, I was all alone. When did they leave me? I should have gone home." Indeed. This song should be played for every grade school student in the world, the lesson that nothing comes in the final few hours of the night is way more important than stupid fractions and shit. This is a life lesson people! Go home!

Anyway, these words are spoken over a minimal, bleepy track that works so well, suitably eerie and ominous for a song about the late, late hours. I hate to use the minimal tag, as there's so much going on here. The drums are amazing, it sounds like 3 or 4 layers of them at times. They drive the track, giving it that perfect feel for an end of the night themed song, wound down but still driving forward. I'm never great with the genre labels, but for me there's a slight house feel to this one, a little more rhythm than what I traditionally associate with techno.

London-based Jones, with releases on Crosstown Rebels, Freak 'n' Chic, Get Physical and B Pitch Control, is a young artist that everyone is going to have keep an eye. Hopefully, there's a full LP on the way, in the meantime, go to Beatport and check out his other work. Check out his myspace page for more info and club dates. Let us know what you think, as I may

Jonathan K's Booty Shakin Birthday Blow Out BK, Hotel MPLS and more

It's a big night so we might as well start with one of the biggest parties I've seen, Jonathan K's Booty Shakin Birthday Blow Out at Studio B (259 Banker St) in Greenpoint. Take a look at the line-up and be in awe - Spank Rock live, DJ sets from The Rapture, Busy P and So Me, Le Tigre's JD Samson and Eamon Harkin, plus Dances With White Girls and Andy Pry of Throne Of Blood in the side room all night. Late Update: two new live performers were just announced: some guy named The GZA and Amanda Blank. Yeah, this is crazy. You're gonna want to grab a ticket right now as they have been selling at a crazy rate, esp for a Studio B party. You may not get in at the door is what I am sayin'. Check the info here on how to purchase advance tickets, $18, 21+.

-More good stuff in Williamsburg, as the Finger On The Pulse guys are doing their Royal Oak party tonight and it's a good one. They've brought in special guest DJ Treasure Fingers from ATL, it's the first NYC appearance for the Fool's Gold/Fuck Yesss dude. This one should be a great night of new electro, indie dance stuff, plus the old soul and r&b that you always get at FOTP parties. RSVP at music@fotpnyc.com to get on the list, no cover, 21+.



-Sometimes you just want to act like an adult, dress nice and enjoy a cocktail. If that is the case, head to Macri Park (462 Union Ave) tonight for Cocktails with Sweatshop Labor. Bring a date, impress with your style and sophistication, listen to great music, get blindingly drunk because you aren't used to drinking real drinks instead of shitty beer. Seriously though, this is a nice choice for anyone looking for a chiller, more intimate or a good pre or post game for some of the other festivities.



-The final Williamsburg piece is at the Lucky Cat (245 Grand St) where the Philadelphyinz meet Flagrant Fowl, Apt One and Skinny Friedman join Cousin Cole and Pocketknife for a night of genre-hopping musical exploration. I feel like this has become a regular gig for the Philadelphyinz, definitely recommend checking them out, always good to hear people willing to spin songs that came before 2007. No cover, $1 off well drinks for women before midnight, 21+.



-You know I recommend not going into the city on weekends anymore. However, I think that I have come up with a plan to do that and have fun: go to the heart of darkness, into the beast of the belly, hit up a mega-club in the Meatpacking District! I know what you're thinking: have you gone mad, Jack? No, no I have not. This is a brilliant strategic move, as you will go where they least expect you and you expect to have the least fun. Thankfully, you have allies waiting to make your night rad in the form of the Top Billin' party that Project Matt, Nicole Nelch, Yossi C and C. Dedan and others throw every Friday. Tonight's is a good one, as The Rub's DJ Ayres is joined by Turntable Lab's Lloydski for a night of dancefloor Email topbillinfridays@gmail.com for guestlist, 21+.



You can also head downstairs for Michael T's Pornography party in the basement, as it's look like a good one with Jimmy Edgar from Warp Records spinning. Hell, you also get Melody Nelson and Ole from Diesel and Raw, rsvp at the going.com site for free entry.



-There's also GBH's Robot Rock party at Le Royale (21 7th Ave South), which features a guest DJ set by Fanny of Fannypack. He should provide a nice change-up at this rock party, hopefully bring a little bass to the kids. There's also TKOmri, who will spin robot rock and electro, along with residents Dimitry!!! and Alex English. Email list@gbh.tv to get on the list for free admission, $10 otherwise, 21+.



-Finally, down in the Lower East Side, it's a new party called Deprogram at Revolver (210 Rivington btwn Pitt and Ridge) I haven't heard much out of this club since the summer, hopefully this is a sign that they are going to put on some good parties again. The Art After Midnight guys, Chris Alker and Sushi Steve, are the residents and they are joined by June D of White Dove and various other parties. It should be a fun night of electro rock indie music at a nice bar on the edge of all the horribleness. No cover, 21+.



-Huge night down in Philly, as two of its biggest parties go down tonight. First up, Making Time takes over Pure (1221 St. James Place) with The Teenagers in tow. They've been the belle of the balls in NYC this week, now they can see what a great crowd and city look like. All the other usual suspects will be there, Dave P, Dave Pak, Dave Z, Adam Sparkles, Pink Skull, the Broadzilla crew. Down in the basement, the Rock Tits crew are actually have a live performance tonight, as Dark Horse and the Carousels will play live in the basement. I mean, you know the deal, this one will be insane. Open bar with Sparks and PBR from 9-11, $10, 21+.



-The White Ts White Belts juggernaut continues to reign. Fresh off of the Freeway live performance (and surprise appearances by Beanie Sigel and Peedi) Emynd, Bo Bliz and Dan the Swede have brought in Blaqstarr from Mad Decent to keep the momentum going. I mean, $10, open bar, BYOB, rap, Bmore and bangers, late night until 4 am. Get to the Arts Garage (1511 Parrish St), 21+, Philly's finest here.



-Ugh, thank G-d for Will Eastman or I just wouldn't even be able to look at D.C. I mean, telecom immunity? Are fucking kidding me? Will's Friday night jawn Le Freak at Napoleon (1847 Columbia Rd) should help you feel better about your city, big, diverse crowd enjoying themselves. Get behind this one people! Half-priced champagne from 9-11, house, disco, booty, r&b, rap, awesome.



-This week was the 5th anniversary of Life During Wartime, as Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard started their little dance party on January 29, 2003. Fast forward 5 years and LDW is all grown up. They've hosted everyone from Soulwax/2 Many DJs, The Rapture, James Murphy, Bloc Party and ton more rad bands and DJs. Head out to the Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago Ave) to celebrate one of Chicago's best parties with the OGs, Bald Eagle and Mother Hubbard. Jessica of the band Office is a special guest DJ, email rsvp@enpriseentertainment.com to get in on the VIP Bushmill's open bar from 9-11. Go to the going.com site and let them know you are coming, it's free before 11pm, $5 after, 21+. Happy anniversary LDW!



-Wow, here's a super rad party in Minneapolis, the Hotel party at The Kitty Kat Klub (315 14th Ave SE) I'm not sure if it's a regular thing or what, but who cares? Live for the moment. Minneapolis' own Jonathan Ackerman and Dan Cruse is joined by amazing Max Pask of the Stop Progress party and 205 on Friday nights, it's gonna be cosmic in there. Keep your ears open, there may be an afterparty. No cover, 21+.



-The Loaded party in San Fran has a great tagline - Love Music Fuck Genres. It also has a great line-up with We Are Wolves playing their dancerock live, Kompakt's Tobias Thomas spinning minimal, Jeffrey Paradise and Audorock giving you everything else you need. Get to the Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell St) for the festivities, $10, doors at 10pm, 18+. Down with genres!



-In LA, it's the return of the Rockognized vs Hush Hush party, as it looks like a good one. Classix, Royal Rumble, Dan Oh and Damager will spin at the Abacot Gallery (970 N. Broadway Suite 201) It should be a good time for those looking for something a little different than the cloub scene out there. $5, 18+, all kinds of music, awesome flier!



-Or head to Safari Sam's (5214 Sunset Blvd) for another head-to-head party, as Blow Up LA vs Le Disko clash tonight. Keith Wilson and Anne Lee present, Keith 2.0, Anne Lee, DJ 19 a.k.a. Young Sunn and DJ (N) spin, Shadowscene is taking photos and you will be dancing and drinking. Free before 10:30 with flier, 18+, cheap drinks, doors at 10.



-In Santa Ana, the Mute Fridays party at Proof Bar (215 N. Broadway) has their biggest guest yet, Peter of Peter, Bjorn and John. Dude DJs quite a bit, so he should be worth checking out as opposed a lot of the band dude DJs out there. It's also a Steve Aoki album release party as well, the residents Clifford Lidell, Legit, Ben N and Rockberry have taken it up a notch tonight. Email rsvp@mute97.com for $5 entry, 21+.