SPIN IT! : Q&A part 2: DJ Dus

We heard of DJ DUS from a friend of a friend of a bunch of friends, which made us be so eager to see him play live so when we actually got to check him out at SXSW '09 at Creekside we were so happy that he did not only meet our expectations but went beyond and blew our minds. Blending Hip hop with Cumbia and making it appealing to any crowd! The Kinetic Crew asked him some questions and here are his answers.

K: Why DJ Dus?

D: My name is dusty and i've never been one for fancy stage names.. even tho now i wish i could add a T to the end.. i unno 

K: Have you always used that as your alias?

D: yup, since i was born. 

K: Your hood:

D: downtown corpitos texas 

K: Projects worked on:

D: Did a remix for los kumbia kings back in the day, produced paula deanda's album for arista records and sold like 400,000 records, did some stuff for dj kane's albums, produced and wrote for LA CONQUISTA an all girl band from monterrey, and now im doing my own label AMERICANO and am working with hip hop and alternative latin groups from TEXAS 

K: What kinda music do we jam to when you’re spinning?

D: electro cumbia and club hip hop.. crunk i guess 

K: How old where you when you started spinning?

D: 12 

K: Are you on a record label?

D: AMERICANO. 

K: What do you use when you dj (Serato, Diital dj, Ableton, Tracktor, etc.)?

D: serato itch and ableton 7 

K: Why do you use that?

D: cus i can add beats to the songs im playing live on ableton and skratch and mix with serato all at the same time 

K: Where can we see you spin?

D: with the peligrosa crew in austin texas. or at a neighborhood bar in corpus christi! 

K: Where can we catch you next?

D: ill be up for peligrosa in august 

K: Name of a must have track on your set:

D: enemigo publico #1 

K: Who’s coming up with crazy power jams right now?

D: thats easy: toy selectah, dj orion, and dj panik 

K: Partner you’d love to work with:

D: toy selectah! 

K: How has producing music evolved since you first began doing it?

D: i used to make beats strictly on my mpc2000, i would have to sample the records into the mpc, chop them up and then play them to the tempo on the mpc, bounce those tracks to a recorder, then layer it, then go to a big studio and record the artist, go to another studio to mix and master.. now i can do it all in my laptop. 

K: What has been your biggest challenge as a dj/producer so far?

D: not being shy about my music and actually playing it out instead of just making it for my ipod.

K: Favorite dj experience of all times so far?

D: mmm sxsw was cool but i didnt get any good time slots really... pachanga fest in austin was fun as hell, i did that set like a band would, i even stopped the set a few times and talked to the crowd, it was fun. cinco de mayo here in corpus was freaking nuts 

K: Worst request ever:

D: lady gaga "telephone"

K: Most cliché track played by djs right now? 

D: "my chick bad" by ludacris, freakin banger! haha i love it tho

K: What’s the advice you would give young upcoming dj producers who are barely steping into the music business?

D: drop as much music as u can, dont hold back ur bangers cus noone will ever hear them. I had the best unsigned band ever and we never showed anyone our stuff, and then we disbanded and noone ever will (el sancho)

K: Where do we get your music?

D: djdus.bandcamp.com 

K: Anything you’d like to add?

D: support anything local.  

Catch DJ Dus at Club Deville 900 Red River st. Austin, TX $3 21+

For more on Dus check out:
www.djdus.com
http://www.myspace.com/dustyoliveira
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-DUS/106184423128
http://twitter.com/djdus

The Must See: Titan Arum

BY: Z

Titan Arum is town!

What is Titan Arum? Titan Arum (believe it or not it means “ugly penis” o.O) but besides that it’s a flower and belongs to the group of the largest flowers in the world!!  Even though you can find it in many botanic gardens in the around the globe, it belongs to the Tropical forests of Sumatra only.  She’s known as the “Stinky Flower” or “The Corpse Flower” due to its smell.

The Corpse Flower is 7 to 10ft tall and from 5 to 6ft in circumference when it blooms, its bract or outer leaf is green and has the shape of a loaf French bread, when it booms its stretch is hollow and purple-ish.

Houston has it’s very own Stinky Flower at Houston Museum of Natural Science, they’ve named her Lois and for the next week you can see and smell for yourself one of the slinkiest flowers in the world, first explorers say this was a “Man Eating Plant”, the HMNS  will keep The Cockrell Butterfly Center open 24 when she blooms, Louis was expected to be in full bloom on the weekend of July 9-11^th but this flower is totally unpredictable, so keep an eye on her because it will only bloom once in a lifetime.

“We’ve had ours for over six years now and this is the first time it has bloomed, we’re very lucky. She might be the largest, smelliest flower in the world but its beauty is unparallel” said Dr. Nancy Greig.

Don’t miss out on checking out one of the rarest flowers in the world brought to you. The HMNS will be open around the clock for you to come have a look at this beauty, tickets are $8 and discounts may apply so no excuses! Schedule your visit here http://store.hmns.org/Default.aspx?dspgrp=5

See you guys there.

Pictures by Kim Montgomery check out her blog here: http://whitegirlridingthebus.blogspot.com/2010/02/white-girl-riding-bus-will-debut-on.html

Spin it! : Q&A part 1: Sonora.

We met Sonora a few months ago, but got to actually see him spin at Sonido Mundial in one of the clubs in San Antonio, TX in late May. We wanted to share with you his cumbia rhythms that will keep you dancing all night long. Check out his work on www.myspace.com/soycumbia. Here's a little about Sonora.  

K: Why Sonora?

S: It means "loud" in Spanish. so if you personally knew me, you'd understand.

K: Have you always used that as your alias?
S:Sonora Longoria, I could just use my full name DJ Joseph Albert Perez De Longoria ha ha. :)

K:Your hood: 
S:At the moment I currently reside in San Antonio TX.


K: Projects worked on:
S: Right now I'm finishing up a digital release for "Cabeza Netlabel" .working on an EP/mix for late summer and producing some tracks for a couple artists.


K: What kinda music do we jam to when you’re spinning?
S: besides cumbia and all of its sub genres, everything can range from African riddims to soca to kuduro to baile funk and dirty tropical bass. Its a trip, its like expressing adhd through music.


K: How old where you when you started spinning? 
S:16? around there.


K: What do you use when you spin (Serato, Digital DJ, Ableton, Tracktor, etc.)?
S: I PREFER serato, but have had to play on just about everything. I'll rock an ableton set time to time though.


K: Where can we catch you next? 
S:Will be heading to north Carolina and DC in July, and Houston with Mexicans With Guns in August.


K: Name of a must have track on your set: 
S: Fauna - Mira (hongo x hongo) that track will always set things off. never fails.


K: Who’s coming up with crazy power jams right now? 
S: A lot of homies are really coming out with fire. peligrosa boys Orion and Dus, Uproot Andy, and my boy MWG


K: Partner you’d love to work with: 
S: Lido Pimienta (girls got mad talent, big things from her in the future!)


K: How has producing music evolved since you first began doing it? 
S: When I was 13 i was making screwed and chopped music, now I'm bouncing all over sounds the world has to      offer.


K: What has been your biggest challenge as a DJ/producer so far? 
S: In my opinion i think its the "what makes you different from EVERYONE else" part. Finding your own sound and what makes it you, and yours.


K: Favorite DJ experience of all times so far?
S: Playing and opening up for the craziest show put together, Tormenta Tropical SXSW 2010. That was like the dream team of tropical/cumbia heads, sharing the decks with Oro11 Disco Shawn, Isa GT, Chief Boima, Maluca, nguzunguzu, toy selectah, lvis1990, poirer, kingdom. this list goes on. 


K: Worst request ever: 
S: i think everyone has gotten there share of lady caca. but the WORST thing anyone has ever asked/requested from me was "i don't understand what they're saying can you play something in English, something like new order"


K: Most cliché track played by djs right now? 
S: i wouldn't call it cliche, but i would say just about everyone has and probly always will include nguzunguzu's "el bebe ambiente"  that track is a heavy  hitter! they actually blew the power out at sxsw with that track


K:What’s the advice you would give young upcoming DJ producers who are barely stepping into the music business? 
S: have fun. 


K: Where do we get your music? 
S:you can check out my soundcloud at soundcloud.com/sonoraaa or sonoralongoria.tumblr.com for updates on
where you can find some stuff, or just do it up google style.




Sonora will be playing with Mexican with Gunz in August in Houston, TX. Dates and Venues to be confirmed soon.

   

Free Press Summer Fest brought it!

By: Z

I played sick on June 5th and 6th at work so i could go to the Festival, the heat was terrible even though i was wearing sunblock but hey! we're in Texas and great shows awaited. The Festival was amazing!! The Line up was great awesome artists from local bands to well known around the country and Europe rocked Eleanor Tinsley Park like it had never been before.

I barely made it to Medeski Martin and Wood who started the party with a much different sound than before while almost at the same time Houston-based Perseph1 (have a listen www.myspace.com/perseph1) was rocking the 29-95 stage. Yokomono, representing my hood, jammed their tunes while everyone dance to them, I'm glad i got to see Shina Rae at the KTRU Stage, i didn't wanna miss her. One of the things i loved was to see The wild Moccasins, which is one of my favorite local bands sharing the stage with Ra Ra Riot followed by every one's favorite Kid Sister at the Main Stage. Girl Talk was insane, we all got on the stage and danced, toilet paper everywhere, his set included Ciara's "My Goodies" Gun's n Roses "Paradise City" and Dr. Dre's "Next Episode" At one point Gillis aka Girl Talk lost his shirt, got on the DJ table and said "Houston dance or go home" the crowd went crazy trying to keep up with Gillis losing more than their shirts.

New bands i enjoyed: The Eastern sea.

All time favorite djs: Fat Tony, Squincy Jones, Fixture, Damon Allen, Fredster, Grrrl Parts and Dayta.

We had a blast on Sunday, people spread picnic blankets over the hillside to enjoy post-rock band Lymbyc System at the Main Stage following Uh huh her, which  I've always liked playing at the Main Stage, it didn't rain but poured during Lucero's performance. Canadian band Stars had the stage full of white roses while they play new tunes to promote their coming album "The 5 ghosts".  

The "special guest" was Bun B and Slim Thug although we already knew this weeks before the festival, they surprised us with the performance they put on, showing why they're Houston's underground kings. Their show lasted an hour, Slim thug starting off with "Yo it's hot as fuck but i came to party" pimping out the stage with "i ain't heard of that" "Thug from around the way" and of course "Three Kings" which fit perfect to a transition, Bun B's set was next, he's a local artist supporter, he shows up at any hip hop gig in town and people still can't believe he's there. He performed songs like "Big Pimping" and "International Players Anthem"

Flaming Lips was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. what a show! We all know about their shows, right? If you don't let me describe it to you, there are always psychedelic lights, bubbles and confetti with drug-free and drugged fans having a blast jamming to songs like "The Fear" dancing among balloons, what i had no idea of was the way they were gonna get on the stage in which was coming out of a woman's womb and Houston welcomed them excited to see them play. It had been 10 years since The Flaming Lips last came to town.

The Lips played "Worm Mountain" to open their set and suddenly there we were from confetti cannons, to humongous balloons in which Wayne got in and walked over the crowds hands, bear costumes and dozens of dancers. They also played old tunes like "In the morning of the magicians" The Lips front man asked the crowd to feel love in the air and smoke weed, apologizing for their 10 year absence. People actually played an important part while the Lips performed "I can be a frog" making animal noises to break out with laser giant hands for "The Science of sleep" to close the show with "Do you realize" Eleanor Tinsley filled with confetti, everyone came together, what a way to close the two day festival.

New band crush: The Manichean

Local band favorite of all times: Tax the wolf.

Band we wanted to perform at FPSF: The Live Lights

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                        The Manichean at FPSF '10

I've been to many festivals and I'm so glad Free Press Summer Fest didn't disappoint me, even though it rained, mostly on the second day and we became mud-people the festival was amazing, local bands playing next to the best, the shows were on time, stages were on point and food and drink vendors were everywhere. I'm glad to know Houston wants good shows!

Pictures by Breakfast on tour

Bonnaroo, say what?

Yeah, Bonnaroo, for those who don’t know (I didn’t) Bonnaroo is a Music and Arts Festival held annually in the city of Manchester, TN. (Tennessee? Random? Heck Yes!) The Great Stage Park is the place, multiple stages of live music including reggae, country, electronica, hip hop, gospel, alternative, Americana, folk, etc. (So eclectic, I love it!) Craftsmen and Artisans have on sale their unique and awesome work, which I think it’s pretty cool. Boonnaroo was named the “Best Festival” by the Rolling Stone Magazine in 2008 calling it “The ultimate over the top summer festival”. This year’s Bonnaroo will start rocking our summer from June 10th to June 13th, every year close to 80, 000 souls gather in the countryside to tear it up!
First held in 2002, with only 72 bands and artists on their lineup, Bonnaroo had a major success and has been that way for the past 8 years. In 2004 Bonnaroo had scheduled 2 Latin alternative bands for the first time, which were The Lonely Boys and Los Lobos. Bonnaroo has grown throughout the years from only less than half of the acts for this year’s festival, 8 years ago to 160 + on 2010.
Bonnaroo has gone all out for this year’s Latin alternative lineup, there will actually be a special tent featuring some of the best Latin Alternative acts these days, Nacional Records, who has already joined forces with Bonnaroo in the past, has been invited to assist at this year’s Bonnaroo for the Latino Alternativo lineup, so all day long on Saturday attendees will be jamming to awesome music from the Latin Alternative scene, plus djs, visual arts and more. Grammy award winners Los Angeles basedOzomatli *will be headliners at this tent and not only that but they’ll also be mc’s during the whole day, also Los *Amigos Invisibles (Venezuela),Aterciopelados (Colombia), Nortec Collective: presents Bostich y Fussible(Mexico), Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico), Bomba Estereo (Colombia), who is on the top 5 bands to check out at Bonnaroo by Spin Magazine.
Bonnaroo is not done! If you are like me and love soccer, they’re screening World Cup matches over the weekend on the Field of Dreams on large screen projections of matches! Don’t you just love it? Don’t miss it!
For schedules, info, music and arts, tickets, activities + attractions, FAQ’s, contests and more check out www.bonnaroo.com or www.indieoma.com/

La Maldita Vecindad from a white girls perspective.

By Sindy Lagunas and E. C. Girls

I was excited to hear that one of my favorite Mexican rock bands, La Maldita Vecindad, would be playing at the House of Blues.

NAME: La Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del 5to Patio (The damned neighborhood and the son's of the fifth patio.)

BIRTHDATE: Mexico City 1985

SOUNDS LIKE: Rock, Ska, and a bit of Mexican bolero.

WARDROBE: Pachuco ALL ABOUT: Adventures, dilemmas, delivering a positive message of peace and improvement in all societies. This was definitely one of the craziest Latin shows i have attended in a while. The energy was loud and the audience was eager to hear them play. It was around song #3 that Shannon and Mary found me, I must admit that i was nervous to invite them. I wasn't sure if they would like it or how they would react to the guys in Mexican wrestling masks and the loud aggressive girls. When i turned and saw them having a killer time all my worries melted away and went back to the screaming and dancing like the other nuts.

In between songs the singer would say a couple positive words, mostly about peace on earth, unity, and the best of all, "STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN"

I left the House of Blues soaked in beer, sore form all the pushing, and filled with great vibes from the people

Mary:

Knowing absolutely nothing about the band i was about to see other than Sindy mentioning that we should review it for the blog,  I finally entered the main concert hall after a mazeof halls and elevators leading form the plush and over the top Foundation Room  at the House of Blues.

The confusing and somewhat questionable route to getting to my destination made me feel as though i was going further down the rabbit hole, one step behind Alice herself.
Once the last door opened i Could hear the crowd, sense the energy of the fans as the rhythmic sounds of the aforementioned band ingested my being. I walked into a large performance space and was at once seized by th "Malditas" energys and endorphins. As i tried to ignore the energetic rotation of the mosh pit (yes, I said mosh pit!) in front of the stage i noticed the singer. He was jumping into the air, and skanking hard core, fueling an already ecstatic audience.

I was enchanted. I scanned the stage more carefully. The singer was wearing a wife beater with wide hanging trousers akin to the zoot suit style of the 20's, all whilst dancing up a storm in a pair of black and white tipped shoes. Near by the saxophonist played his part invigorating us with his sax solo riffs while clad in long black trench coat matching his long black hair.
These guys were stylish, musically trained and knew how to pout on a performance while having fun themselves. The band also consisted of a trumpet player, keyboard player, bassist and lead guitarist. The upbeat Latin ska style melody fed the hungry crowd and kept them going.

Upon finding Sindy standing center stage with her camera, Shannon and i joined in the fun. We were located directly between the stage and the mosh pit, our elbows only protecting us from the wave of equally if not more enchanted crowd going crazy. What a show!!! Crowd-surfing ensued the entire time as well as the rain of water and beer that was being thrown across the crowd. We danced, we cheered, we skanked and clapped our hands in the air as though possessed by a spell. I saw the largest man ever get carried by the crowd to the stage to the humorous dismay of the stage bouncers who caught all the crowd-surfers. The look on the fatty's face was of sheer accomplishment and disbelief. More than a few guys were sporting Mexican wrestling masks sans shirts, bringing to mind Jack Black in Nacho Libre thus adding to the hilarity of this sweaty and outrageous wonderland.
As i left the show, my clothes drenched in sweat and beer, my left elbow slightly skinned, my hair matted to my face, i couldn't help but feel as though i had truly been wonderful.

Shannon Pipper:

There's nothingn that i love more than my city, but music trumps Montrose and sometimes that means venturing out into the unknown... downtown. The Maldita had a message and i heard it loud and clear, streaming through the speakers, straight into my heart.
Music is love. Love is universal.

My kitchen Spanish is quite pathetic and it barely gets me through a work day. Needless to say, i probably only understood six words during the whole show and one of them was "Houston". That didn't seem to matter. I understood the passion that the lead singer spoke with. I felt his heart beat as he spoke between songs to the crowd who got louder and louder with every word he said. I understood the music because it knows no ethnicity, embracing anyone who will reciprocate the emotion.

Would i go back? Heck yess! i would and you guys are coming with me. After the show, our praises continue. We have told everyone and anyone about the show. The bruises i proudly sported for days have faded, leaving no proof of how we let go and got swallowed up by the Maldita Madness.

Source http://ecmontrosegirls.blogspot.com/ thanks to Shannon, Sindy and Mary. Y'all rule.