Tikka's Opening for Pharoahe Monch : Saturday : October 17, 2009

Sputnik, is after all a Hip Hop centric venue, so come see what happens when TMJ's resident DJ Tikka gets in the mix before Pharoahe Monch. Our DJ's are opening for some really accomplished Hip Hop artists, thanks to Sputnik. Thanks Sputnik!

The Queerist Wrote us UP

Thanks Queerist!
Check this out.

And the party people last TMJ were HOT.

Thanks Shay!



TMJ wants to let folks know that we're having our next TMJ at Tandem, in Bushwick. This is a new venue, that deserves our attention and support. It's two sisters starting up a club space on the Jefferson stop on th L train. It's the type of project that we should feel good about putting queer cash into. They have queer staff, are focused on having diverse programming, and have a genuine interest in supporting queer programming and people.

We are also looking at another Gowanus venue, The Bell House, as a possible new home. The space is massive, but we want to see how the crowd feels about it before committing.

We've got some video clips from our first anniversary bash. Yalini Dream, Princess Lockaroo, and Ganessa James graced us with their fabulous spoken word, dance, and musical performances.



And TMJ veterans, She-Dick, are simply... amazing. We have been in love with them since the first time they played for us at Sputnik in the Spring.

April 18th TMJ

!!!

Kingdom's List

KINGDOM'S TOP 10 3/13/09


Kingdom - Mind Reader ft. Shyvonne
I finally finished this new track with a very talented young singer name Shyvonne. It's a 4x4 heavy bass banger but is also definitely an R&B song at the same time. Hopefully this will be seeing official release soon!

Crazy Cousinz - Bongo Jam (L-Vis 1990 & Bok Bok's refix)
Up and coming London-based producers L-Vis 1990 & Bok Bok have created this bass-heavy remix of the UK Funky anthem, probably the biggest club song in London right now.

Piddy Py - Giggle Riddim
Possibly the best Bassline / 4x4 Grime instrumental ever. Insane hyperactive wobble bass and a menacing baby giggle sample mixed with gunshot clicks.

Pitbull - Floor On Fire (Feat. Machel Montana & Lil Jon)
Pitbull always genre-hops but I didn't expect him to do a Soca track. This is a high energy banger. Hearing Lil Jon on a Soca beat is a little disarming but it works.

Jamie Foxx - Blame It (DJ Tedsmooth Remix)
They're playing this every other minute in Hot97 and Power105 right now. This remix combines the horn part from C-Murder's classic "Down for my Ni**as" with an old breakbeat.

Serani - No Games (Unfinished Business Riddim)
A heartbreaking yet danceable track from Reggae crooner Serani, also a big hit on NYC radio. Whenever I play it people say he sounds like Tracy Chapman!

Lenny Fontana - Spirit of the Sun (Bump And Flex Mix)
Just when I thought I'd heard every organ-bass driven 2-Step Garage track, I discovered this one, complete with beautiful uplifting diva vox.

Monica - Knock Knock
This is an impeccable R&B song. Monica and Missy work well as a producer / vocalist team I think. When I drop this my crew and I are immediately going crazy singing every word and ad-lib.

Roska - Elevated Level
I wonder if UK Funky producers realize that they are channeling first wave Reggaeton?

Kill Franzy - Uuuh!
Juke was born in Chicago but I'm obsessed with where Belgian producer Kill Frenzy has gone with it. Abstracted Juke-Rave with lion roar samples. 160 BPM!!!

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