2009: UP With Love! Black President! & What's Hot?

Designer Imposter speaks:  

At first I thought about calling my first blog on here:  "What's hot?  and What's not?..."  But I think part of my New Years resolution will be about focusing on the positive. Not that I am against the positive feelings that "Hating" can arouse, but what would it really be worth to you to read about what I am hating on? This is a dawn of new era.  We have a black president for christsakes!!

 Many of you know me as Designer Imposter the dee jay.  I spin records at many parties, including my personal favorite, "That's my Jam!".  But many of you might not know I also produce  music.  Its kinda been on the low since I never perform.  But a little bird whispered in my ear that I would be playing a show sometime in the summer of 2009.   So keep your eyes peeled and wait for me with baited breath.  I shall not disappoint.  I hope...

Most of you who personally know me.  Know that I am a total music nerd.  My taste runs the gamut.  But I am going attempt to narrow down a few artists who inspire, make me dance, or who  just plane ooze with talent and brilliance.

Let me first and foremost put it out there. My music Gods/Goddesses consist of: Prince and Grace Jones.  If there was a faith in which they could be worshipped, I would be a devotee.

1. Beyonce Knowles aka Sasha Fierce

(as if she needs more attention but...)

The dance floor award and best music video of this year by far goes to Miss Dream Girl herself, Beyonce Knowles aka Sasha Fierce.  She's hot,  she's thick,  and she can move and sing!   I am not so secretly studying this video so I can show off my new Beyonce dance routine. 

2.  Gravy Train 

Gravy Train are dance punk outfit from the San Francisco.  Have you seen this Gravy Train video?  Not sure when this video came out, either this year or last year.   What do I love about Gravy Train?  They are punk.  They are sex positive!  They are like 3/4 colored kids ( I think.)  And one of my favorite fags in the whole world, Brontez is in this band.  And he does this amazing zine called Fag School. 

2. THE KNIFE  (they raise there hand to the color Red)

Everybody loves The Knife  these days.  And why?   Because they are great.   Did anyone catch them live two years ago?   Amazing!  Have you heard  that they are putting out an opera. Apparently the Danish Hotel Pro Forma has invited The Knife to write music and libretto for "Tomorrow, in a year" a Darwin Opera.  Sounds interesting huh? 

Is there really an underground music scene?

I guess not.  Nowadays anyone one can start a myspace page for their band and become a star.  Which I think is fantastic.  We as musicians no longer need to rely on record labels to put out and distribute our music.   Which leads me to a few little known bands you might not know about,  but you can listen to them on myspace.   

3.Balls to the Wall:  

Balls to the Walls is a new band out of Brooklyn, NY.   They make weird punky dance music.  Jesse has this amazing operatic vocal style.  Their beats are like disco marches.  I can't wait to see them perform. They are playing a show in Brooklyn on Jan 24th 2009 @Monkey Town in Williamsburg Brooklyn.   Look out for them! 

5. Bangerz N Mash

I love these British ladies.  They are rappers from London.  They have super cute style.  And are super positive and fun.  They played a show a while back at Glasslands in Brooklyn.  I missed there actual performance.  But did get a chance to introduce myself.  Hopefully they will come and play a show in the summer at 'That's my jam!' Check them out on myspace: www.myspace.com/bangerznmash

5.  SWAN SONG

Swan Song is a solo artist from Toronto Canada.  She has this  beautiful sultry voice.  Her style ranges from moody and melancholy beats to abstract rhythms.  Lots of layering and heavy bass lines.  She is definitely one to look out for.  Plus who doesn't love Canadians???

My new Years Eve Play List (Some oldies but goodies and some new shit!):

1. Hercules & Love Affair "Blind"

2. Beyonce,  "Single Lady"

3. Anthony Hamilton "Aint Nobody Worryin'"

4. The Knife "Is it Medicine"

5 .Kid Cudi "Day N' Nite"

6.  Bobby Valentino & Lil Wayne "Officer"

7. Crime Mobb "Stilletto Pumps"

8.Ginuwine "Ride it my Pony"

9. Aliyah "If your Girl only Knew"

10.Kanye West "Love Lockdown"

ender wiggin is gay!!

hey! im dj'ing TMJ this saturday and im stoked!! im going to write about my favorite queer dance music. music not necessarily made by queer artists, just queer music. don’t get me wrong, i love the queers making music but shomi noise already covered that nicely.

to me, music becomes queer by possessing that certain something that hits you right in the gayplace. the same place that tingled whenever the ellen show came on. That’s ellen the sitcom, not the talk show. i mean, bonus if they experiment with music norms but really, its like-does this make me feel awesome and gay? or does it make me feel like queen latifah playing will smith’s love interest in the fresh prince of belair. booored.

hmm, maybe i should just call this a queer’s favorite music.

well, here are my current queer music favorites. each one hits hard enough to make even the stiffest wrist go limp.

METRONOMY


who said french guys don’t know how to dance? did anyone? nobody did? oh. well nevermind then. because obviously, they do. and metronomy’s videos are awesome. please note their old albums are boring.

FRANKMUSIK


who knows, maybe i just like music videos, but the song feels like a bunch of doves being let off in my chest. but they don’t bite or anything, they just want to hang out and drink milkshakes or something.

LE CORPS MINCE DE FRANÇOISE


this song and video makes me love being gay. Why not.

MARNIE STERN


marnie stern isn’t really dance music.bBut as a guitar hero virtuoso (i play on expert. believe it) i recognize and celebrate her shredding abilities.

well, i will save the rest of my favorites for this saturday night at sputnik!

umbrella helen! tikka masala! saturday night will be rad!!

xoender wiggin

Check MC Yogi

What's up people? I just wanted folks to take a look at this video. MC Yogi is worth checking out. His lyrics are always inclusive, thoughtful, and positive. The production values are pretty tight too, keeping that bay area flavor alive and well.

What's also notable about this artist is that his life is centered around his yoga practice. I guess that's why his lyrics are all about peace, change, and spiritual growth... Nonetheless he knows how to make hip hop well enough that his message comes across in a credible vehicle that even cynical apocalyptic types can appreciate.

Shomi Noise's Queer Band Picks

Shomi Noise reporting for duty. So I was asked to make a couple of reviews for the TMJ blog about queer artists/bands that I am into. I was very excited about this, because I love the queers, and I especially love the queers who are making some sort of noise and putting it out there. These are some bands/artists that are queertastic and who totally rock.



SGT. SASS
So i'm currently obsessed with this band. They're a Fag Duo from Philly who list their influences as follows: "Salt-N-Pepa, Lil' Kim, the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Remy Ma, Missy Elliott, Foxy Brown, Courtney Love, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bikini Kill." I mean, hip-hop fags who love Lil' Kim AND Bikini Kill? I wanna be best friends with these dudes. But you have to hear their rhymes, they are SOLID. Check out the track "faggot snappin (Japattack Remix)" on their myspace, that shit is FIRE.
http://www.myspace.com/herecumdemfags



OMG MICHELLE
This is a local BK queer girl group i adore, not only are these girls awesome and full of passion, they are hella nice too and full of sass. Their track "You Don't Know Michelle" produced by Kingdom, is already a classic in my mind.
http://www.myspace.com/michellethegroup

BALLS to THE WALL
This band is made up of two very rad queers doing awesome lo-fi D.I.Y. experimental post-punk electro music. If you are into Tracy and The Plastics, you are sure to dig em. I am all about this.
http://www.myspace.com/ballstothewalljm

DESIGNER IMPOSTER
She is fierce and has DJed many awesome queer parties, including the first TMJ, but did you know she also makes her own music? And it is hella awesome/radical. Listen to Jaguar, I love that track.
http://www.myspace.com/djdesignerimposter



ANNIE AND THE DREAMBOATS
This band is not electro or hip/hop, they actually kick it back to old school riot grrrl queercore punk. These girls are from Portland and they are totally fun/amazing. The songs on their myspace are live recordings and not as great, but listen close enough and they’ll get stuck in your head. I can’t wait till they put up better recordings and tour the east coast.
http://www.myspace.com/anniethedreamboats



NEW BLOODS
Another Portland band that I adore. Their sound is very unique. Drums, bass, violin and harmonious vocals. It brings me back to the days when all I would listen to was late 70s women punk bands. You’ll definitely hear some Raincoats & Liliput/Kleenex influences in their music.
http://www.myspace.com/thenewbloods



THE SHONDES
This is another queer rock band that incorporates violin to their sound. Hailing from Brooklyn and comprised of 4 radical queer Jews, The Shondes are passionately dedicated to their art and it shows. This is for all of you who are into very developed and intense post-punk/post riot grrrl indie rock sounds. I am a huge fan.
http://www.myspace.com/theshondes



MKNG FRIENDZ & CROOKEDLEGS
So my co-DJ for the night, Tami Hart, is a musical genius. I always loved her solo stuff from way back then, and fell completely in love with her now defunct punk band/duo Winning Looks. Her current projects are just as exciting. Making Friendz are here to put the queer in R&B hardcore and their songs are incredibly catchy and heartfelt. If you are in the NYC/BK area make sure to catch their live shows, they are tons of fun. CrookedLEGS only has one track up online, but it’s pretty amazing and danceable. If Crystal Castles and M.I.A. had a baby, it would sound like CrookedLEGS.
http://www.myspace.com/crookedlegsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/makingfriendz



YO! MAJESTY
Of course, how could I write about queer bands/artists and not mention Yo! Majesty? I remember seeing them almost 2 years ago at some loft party in BK when they were still a trio and the buzz on them still wasn't as huge. I was completely blown away by how passionate and tight their set was. It was just so refreshing to see 3 female rappers who were totally out dykes and rapping about loving the ladies. They are now a duo and have finally put out a great full-length album out titled "Futuristically Speaking...Never Be Afraid." I actually really hope they go mainstream in that big chart-toppin kinda way because that would be huge, like Obama's election.
http://www.myspace.com/yomajesty4life


So That’s My Jam # 3 is this Saturday and I am extremely excited. This party is just so much fun and it’s a total honor for me to DJ for you all.

Here is a small list of some of the songs I’ll be playing:

1. Crystal Castles – Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs. Health Remix)
2. Lady Gaga – Just Dance (Akon & Kardinal Offishall Remix)
3. The Count & Sinden featuring Kid Sister – Beeper
4. KillaQueenz – Sweaty Wet
5. Hotstylz – Go Looney
6. Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)
7. Ivy Queen – Yo Quiero Saber
8. Young Dro – Shoulder Lean
9. Young Jeezy ft. Kanye West – I put on
10. Catcall – Chicky Babe (Spruce Lee Remix)

So put on your best dancing shoes and outfits and come around on Saturday. Tami Hart and Tikka Massala will be DJing as well. Sputnik Bar, 9pm - 4am. $5 cover! Free coat check! $3 PBR all night! $ 3vodka special from 9-12! 1 block from Pratt 262 Taaffe Place. Take the G to Classon Ave.

Hello Brooklyn!

Party people, look what you have done!

From Press

TMJ #2 Photos!

Hello Jam-Stars! As you can see, that last party was a doozy! With Chelsea Starr bringing some flavor from the bay, and Nasty holding down the fort with jams so hot I think I just got a tan...



But the biggest stars of all were all of you dancefloor divas, undeterred by the flooded basement situation and loooong line out the door at Sputnik. The next big queer That's My Jam (#3) wll be on November 15th. Tammy Hart and Shomi Noise will help you update your dance music repertoire with some fresh tunes and evergreen classics. We also have some very special super surprise really amazing art stuff going on around this party, so keep your eyes on the blog for hints!

This one is for the lesbians...

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