Dj Afro Monk

I’ve been asked by a few people what are the events that I’m considering on going to this Winter Music Conference in Miami for 2010. WMC can get a bit wild and you never want to miss someone you’d want to see and found out about it too late (Rusko LIVE at Apple Store 2009). Right now this is what I’ve collected so far.

Wednesday:
Bang Bang @ White room
Facebook Event Page

ViRam @ Mekka
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Galaxy Music Gathering @ 90 Degrees
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Witness the Sickness @ Twelve Lounge
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Stanklove @ Jazzid

Thursday:
SMOG vs Basshead @ White Room
Facebook Event Page

World of Drum & Bass @ Mekka
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Friday:
Future Sound and Breaks @ Mekka
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Dub N Bass II @ Living Room
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Saturday:
Slippery @ Cinema (Upstairs + Patio)
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Dubstep Massive @ Cinema (Downstairs)
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Metal Headz vs Bassline @ Heathrow
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Sunday:
Down WMC Edition @ Cinema
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WMC 2010 So Far…
Alright I did a bit of searching to see what I could find out.
I figured many of the parties from last year were returning plus heard some rumors about other parties so here’s what I got so far.

I’m excited to see who is headlining these events.
Also hyped to know that Datsik & Caspa will be in town considering I haven’t seen either of the two.

March 24th
Bang Bang @ White Room
ViRam
Craze’s WMC Party
Stanklove WMC @ Jazid?
TruSkool Breaks @ Steel Toast

March 25th
Smog vs Basshead @ White Room
World of Drum & Bass @ Mecca

March 26th
Future Sound of Break
Dub N Bass 2

March 27th
Metal Headz vs Bassline @ Heathrow
Glitch Hop Showcase Party
Dubstep Showcase
Caspa somewhere…

March 28th
AM Showcase
Dubstep.fm + Down @ Cinema

Around the middle of 2009 after diving deep into the Miami Dubstep scene here I started to look for more. I knew of IDM and cats like The Glitch Mob but wondered if there was more. Eventually I found Glitch.fm. I’d tune into the station at work and hear whatever mix they had going. It was something different from the usualy dubstep shows I heard and completely new sound.

I had spent so much time looking for dubstep for the past 2-3 yrs that it consumed me. I went a bit overboard. I was listening to dubstep 24/7 and always looking for latest dubplate and ordering records.

Eventually one night I was hanging out just relaxing and thought hey let me go into the Glitch.fm chat room. What an experience! Just so happens that when I went in Sugarpill was doing a live show. While chatting it up and meeting all the regulars to the chat I find out Sugarpill is actually from FL but in Law School in California. What are the odds of me going in while a FL resident DJ is playing. I was hooked after that.

Glitch.fm has become a second family to me. They are a crazy bunch but some of the most helpful, caring, and interesting crew. I’ve come to meet all sorts of producers, DJs, programers, music lovers, etc… because of it.

Every day there’s most likely 1-2 shows and sometimes more if someone decides to pirate for awhile.

After becoming a regular and getting to know some of the DJs, I decided that I wanted my own show. I’m an aspiring DJ and know I might be a total newb stuff I want this. What other way to start than to have a 2hr show every week. It’ll keep me on the drive of keeping up to date with all the latest tracks plus PRACTICE!

If I could do a fresh 2hr set every week and have something of my own there with a crew than the sky’s the limit. I’ve switched all my energy, free time, and interest to glitch. I call Dubstep now my ex girlfriend which I’ll never forget and still love BUT it’s time to move on and find some new things. Wish I had time to explore IDM more but we’ll see. I have a lot of flexability when it comes to a radioshow rather than playing out at a party or club.

I can’t thank the Glitch.fm crew enough for everything. They’ve been such a huge part of everything I’m doing. Glad to feel part of something and giving back now with my new 2hr show.

Expect lots of crunk, glitch hop, and bass. Also will be throwing in some exclusive mixes from talented producers and DJs I’ve been in contact with. It’s only going up from here. Looking to form a solid crew here in Miami and bring them onto the show as well.

Starting January 25th 2010!

Mondays 11pm-1am EST
http://glitch.fm

Keeping in FRESH!

Also for you iPhone users you can get the Shoutcast App and listen to Glitch.fm on your iPhone if driving or hanging out somewhere. Once you have the App downloaded go into settings and scroll down to ShoutCast and turn on ‘Allow hi-bit streams’. After that just search for glitch and you’ll find the Glitch.fm station. There’s a good selection of archive mixes going on while there are no live shows.

Ultra Music Festival Line up Phase 1 is out! There are some quality acts that even make me curious about it.

I’m not a fan of Ultra to be honest. Right now tickets are $140 and thats without service charges I imagine. The reason why it doesn’t go down well with me is because most of the talent I enjoy you can catch a smaller more personal parties throughout the week. Not to mention as a Miami native I’ve done Ultra 3x already back in the day when FL Breaks and Electro was alive. Now the festival has acts like Will.I.Am and even some bands I’m sure will be added. It was never like this. Quite surprised to see guys like Skream and Rusko on the line up. Considering last year I saw Rusko for free with FREE redstripes and bacardi at WMC. Also saw Skream about 3x last year and dont think I paid once except for ViRam event.

What I’m very happy to see is Glitch Mob in town for once! Thats big! Not to mention Pretty Lights coming back. I’m praying someone books Glitch Mob for a smaller party.

Day 1
Tiesto
Swedish House Mafia
Eric Prydz
The Crystal Method
The Disco Biscuits
Carl Cox
Dirty South
Rabbit in the Moon
Will.I.Am
Infected Mushroom
Plump DJs
Adam Freeland
Felix Da Housecat
Pretty Lights
Green Velvet
Lotus
Alex Metric
Bassbin Twins vs. Uberzone
Evil Nine
Afrobeta
Kevens

Day 2
Deadmau5
Groove Armada
Carl Cox
Faithless Sound System
Armin Van Buuren
Above & Beyond
Ghostland Observatory
Crookers
Bloody Beetroots
Major Lazer
Bassnectar
Steve Aoki
ATB
The Glitch Mob
Diplo
LTJ Bukem
A-Trak
Rusko
Skream
Eddie Halliwell

I was asked awhile back by my amazing new friend, Adam aka Munkz, if I wanted to DJ a house party. It would have to be a glitch hop funk oriented set similar to Pretty Lights show we had recently been to. I Agreed.

Women are silly creatures and turns out party was a no go at their place. I let Adam know that I have no problem moving the event to my house. I’ve been working on this parties set for awhile and had tons of friends asking if they could attend this event. He said forsure and December 18th is my first small glitch event. I’ve been hard at work and in a matter of less than a month I’ve picked up Ableton and APC40. It’s going to be the start of something BIG!

The party is a few days away now and feel fairly comfortable and ready for this. Instead of recording a live mix for December I plan on recording my set at this party and releasing it as my December mix.

Get ready Miami I’m going to try my best to bring this glitch sound to the mainstream as much as I can. Makes me sad when I see the events that go on the other side of the States. Miami, I believe in you and hope you embrace this.

Expect a more IDM Glitch mix for January. December has been more oriented to the glitch-hop and going to start 2010 with more of a mellow IDM feel of glitch.

After I record this mix on Friday hopefully it’ll be the last piece of my resume for Glitch.FM. This might get me the radioshow I’ve always wanted and goal for 2009 reached.

Big things popping in 2010!

Pretty Lights is a SHOW. When I mean show I mean these guys are one of those few names in the business that do their sets live. He’s not just a DJ he rocks mad hardware and shows off literally pretty lights as he preforms with laptop, MPD, & Monome. Pretty Lights also consist of live drums. The full combo is Derek Smith & Cory Eberhard on drums. These guys go all out and bring a light show if they can.

I’m a huge follower of the Glitch Hop scene and these guys are bringing it hard. I’m so excited to know that they’ll be in Miami this Wednesday at Vagabond hopefully in the main room rocking the Funktion1 Sound System! It’s going to be the first time to experience this style on a BIG BIG system.

Check out Derek rocking the Monome and showing how it’s done when doing LIVE work!

Expect pure energy! This tour has already sold out some venues. Hopefully Vagabond will be popping and people will come show their respects by getting down! This event is big and can’t wait to see and hopefully meet people who are actually into these guys. It’s been a hella crazy week for Miami with event after event! Glad to be in this city and Thank you for whoever booked these guys!

This is what happens when Pretty Lights goes on Tour!

One of the biggest things I have to give them credit for is that they release all their music for FREE. That’s right FREE! You can download their latest album that came out early October at their website. Passing By Behind Your Eyes, is such a great album that most people will enjoy as long as you got groove and feel that bass. Their two other albums are also available for download there as well.

Get ready Miami because PRETTY LIGHTS is almost here. Get ready for some serious bass and grooving! Miami time for visual and audio journey brought to you by pretty lights.

I’m a big fan of vinyl toys. Ever since I saw the customizable Munny’s, I totally dug the whole customize culture.

There are many toy designers out there but one stands out of the crowd, Julie West.

Julie West has a definite unique style and theme with all her work. She is not limited in toy design but also creates beautiful illustrations and prints. Although her style is very feminine I can appreciate her work and see how many women around the world collect her work.

We are lucky enough to have Julie West in town this week-end for a solo show at Pink Ghost! The event is October 24th at 7pm. She will be signing her art book at the store. Be sure to check it out!

For more information and directions check out the Pink Ghost site.
Also if you want to check out some of Julie West’s work online visit her site as well.

All you need to know is that this Saturday one of the Godfathers of Breakcore will be in town, Venetian Snares.

Along side him he brings one of the most creative IDM producers, Wisp. The combination of these two isn’t all that is in store in West Palm Beach. Dino Felipe a FL resident will be openning it all up.

Saturday will be quite an experience. It’s not often you find an event playing experiemental, IDM, and breakcore.

Venetian Snares, Wisp, & Dino Felipe
Saturday October 24th, 2009
Respectable Street Cafe
518 Clematis St
West Palm Beach 33401
$15 advanced - $20 at door

WMC 2010 Dates are Official, Tuesday March 23rd to Saturday March 27th.

I have such a great feeling about the upcoming events. I know lots of people here have already started making arrangements. Looks like I’ll also be involved in an event if all goes well. Recently been quite active in the Glitch community and they might be trying to throw a party. Right now it’s being discussed so we’ll have to see what the future holds.

WMC is one of the biggest events that goes on in the city of Miami when it comes to electronic music. The infamous Ultra Music Festival is a massive event that people from all over the world come into town for. The week is full of madness and parties non-stop.

If 2010’s WMC is anything close to WMC 2009 I’ll die happy, probably will die considering don’t know how I survived work or sleep deprivation.

Last year I was lucky enough to catch: Plastician, Skream, Benga, Shy FX, 12th Planet, Mala, Rusko, Kutz, Juan Basshead, & many more.

The most exciting part of this upcoming WMC is the fact that Glitch will be present. I don’t care if we have to setup a party in the park or small venue, it will happen.

Dubstep is gaining some groups all over the world. I am fortunate enough to be in a solid location for Dubstep. Miami has become a common place for electronic DJs from all over the world to visit since the Winter Music Conference (WMC) is held here.

For the past couple of years we’ve had the pleasure to see someone of the greatest and pioneers in Dubstep visit us. We have to thank all the promoters and investors because we’ve become quite spoiled.

With the success of these events more parties have been able to happen. At the current time there is a chance you can hit up a solid party with the underground sounds of Drum & Bass and Dubstep every week. If you live in Miami or just a visitor be sure to check out any of these events.

Get Low at Vagabond
This is the big party everyone waits for. It always has a promising line up.  Never have gone to one of these events and not had a great time. Not to mention Vagabond sports a sick Funktion One sound system and never disappoints.

Upcoming artist: Borgore, Joker with Nomad, & Noah D (maybe?)

Arcade at White Room (Saturday’s)
This is a brand new night that has big promises all over it. My major concern is the setup for some of these big DJs. I have yet to go to an event there where there was no issue with sound or technical difficulties. I’m sure they’ll have it in control with all these big names passing through.

Upcoming artist: Bassnectar, Klever, Drop the Lime, & Rusko

Dubbed Out at Hulas (Thursday’s)
This has more of an underground feel from even stepping into the venue. Construction isn’t done but they’ve agreed to keep the party going on. Tons of old sounds of Drum & Bass with some Dubstep and Reggae

Stank Love at Jazid (Last Saturday of Month)
I’ve gone to a couple of these and got to love the feel of this event. It’s at Jazid which is a great venue for these parties. Upstairs the bass is pumping and just enough room to dance around. Even features live artist at times.

Takeover at Maracas (second Saturday of month)
I’ve yet to check this event out but from what I’ve heard its a smasher. Can’t go wrong mixing Tacos and Bass. You’ll be sure to find some dubstep in the wide variety of sounds going on there with the Digital Felon crew.

Digital:Insight at Fat Cats (ever first Monday of month)
This is another event I have yet to show up for. I have been to Fat Cats and it’s a chill bar. Have great memories of the last time I went out to Fat Cats. One of best nights of the year =)

Drum and Dub at The Living Room (Wednesday’s)
I’ve yet to go to this location ever. The line up is always solid with some of the favorite local Dubstep DJs. This is another event I need to make some time for during the week.