DUSTY CRATES

*Sniff, sniff*

I may not have tickets to see the sold-out Phoenix show tonight, but this HOB Klever-Sober-Dayta-Roy show should make up for it!

Bring your Phoenix ticket stubs and get in FREE!

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Download

Klever mix-tapes

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

In light of current events in the Middle East and even here at home in Arizona, MIA’s new video, “Born Free,” speaks volumes.

The 9-minute short film was directed by Romain Gavras, who also directed Justice’s thuggish “Stress,” so it’s no surprise she chose him to help convey her socio-political message by focusing on the persecution of society’s “red-headed stepchildren”.

Watch the video that’s been yanked from Youtube here and let me know what you think. But a word of warning: it’s brutal, raw and provocative.

If that’s too much, here’s MIA’s airy “There’s Space for Ol Dat I See” (also from her upcoming, yet-to-be-titled, but soon-to-be-landmark 3rd album) to temper an aggressive “Born Free”.

So how’s this for ending on a good note?

There’s Space for Ol Dat I See – MIA (filesavr)

Paper Planes (DFA remix) – MIA (filesavr)

Tech-house DJ/producer Henry Chow is rollin off his final Rekliner at Dean’s Downtown, which featured Austin’s JAMON. He wrapped up the monthly, an amalgam of house and techno featuring international and regional DJs, he has maintained with cohort Sasha Braverman for a couple of years now. They are moving the night over to Club FWD>> (510 Gray, 77002).

Formerly Deco in Midtown, FWD>> will usher a new era in Houston’s electronic music, says Henry. Currently, the local underground dance music community does not have a comfy home for regular, intimate house and techno events since La Strada closed. FWD>> looks to fill that gap with regular and special events starting in May. Sasha and Henry kick off their Saturday monthly Rekliner nights there on May 15th with San Antonio’s house playas, Sun City Hustlers (lovin’ the name).

Meanwhile, Sasha and Henry will maintain their more eclectic residency, Crossroads Fridays (Dean’s Montrose, 315 Fairview, 77006). This Friday, April 30th they host special guest DJ Jeff Shelton (Reverse, Houston).

And just to give you insight on what you may hear, Henry’s dropped his new house, disco and other rarities mix on us here at Dusty Crates.

About his To The Moon (Late Night Mix) release, he says:

…[it's] something for the ride, to do laundry to, dishes, exercise, and make love to! This mix set features a few new, a few old tracks by artists such as Lee Curtiss, Dirty Jesus, I:Cube, Manuel Tur, & many more. Pretty much a summary of tunes we play at our residencies.

Henry Chow – To The Moon (Late Night Mix) by Henry Chow

Track Listing

Mike Shannon – Under the Radar feat. Fadila (Massi DL Rmx)
Dirty Jesus – Don’t Fuck with My Shit (Plane Paper Edit)
I:Cube – Falling
Jozif – Just You
Guillaume & The Coutu Dumont – Raw
Sascha Dive – Suburban Night
Alvaro Ernesto – Inside My Soul (Pezzner Rmx)
Lee Curtiss – Sister
Hector – Suavecito (Nick Curly Rmx)
Jozif – Chicago
Lewie Day – That’s the Thing
Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go for That (Edit)
Manuel Tur – Beasts & the Birds
Lee Curtiss – The Glow
Tensnake – Coma Cat

Push play and enjoy!

KrackerNuttz1_768K_Stream
Uploaded by funkyfreshandres. – See the latest featured music videos.

By now Houston hip hop fans have noticed a void on the local air waves. The crazy Kracker Nuttz are no longer on KBXX 97.9 The Boxx for supposedly playing the Trae verse in a Chamillionaire song.

After 12 years on the radio, the say goodbye via their Kracker Nuttz blog:

…we want to thank everyone of you who tuned in. For all the times we felt like giving up on “corporate/commercial” radio & quitting… YOU were the only reason why we stayed. We felt like we owed it to YOU… the voice, the fan, or the listener who was never properly represented…

But these are not the last words on their abrupt departure. Taking a parting shot in an Open Letter addressed to The Boxx, writer/blogger and pusher of all things truly hip hop, my dude Matt Sonzala put it best on his AustinSurreal blog:

KBXX – you are in the wrong here. You initiated this problem, and now refuse to work to fix it. Your ban on Trae, and the subsequent actions you have taken on fairly innocent parties, is reprehensible and cowardly. It’s also lazy. I realize that in the age of 140 character tweets and Facebook updates, genuine conversations often take a back seat. This situation merits a genuine conversation, and a solution.

Your half assed, one sided solution is not the answer…

Word.

Best of luck to Clean Kutt, Baby Jay and the Nuttz; I’m sure I’ll see you out rockin more clubs where now we’ll all get that first-hand “all up in yo mouth” experience.

Read the entire Open Letter to 97.9 The Boxx at AustinSurreal.com >>

If I had this Saturday night off, I’d be off to see ATX’s Nick Nack at Top Notch HTX (Boondocks, 1417 Westheimer, 77006).

So who’s the DJ with the odd sing-songy name, you might ask?

Well, if you’ve browsed thru GigaCrate for music (see our widget –>), then chances are you know the man behind the Texas-based DJ-friendly digital download music site. And like most top-notch talent worthy enough to play out of town often, Nick Nack has been rockin it for quite some time, covering everything from golden-era hip hop and psych rock to more current dance/electro via performances (2000’s SXSW show with the late all-mighty Guru ain’t too bad) and a gang of mixes. Plus it helps when you also own your own record label, Crowd Control Records. Nick Nack is gearing up for an upcoming full-length CD/mp3 release, Dearly Departed, of original music and remixes any day now. The album’s first single, “Strangest Secret,” is available on limited 7-inch vinyl.

Here at Dusty Crates, we can admire that ability to turn the drop in vinyl use in the DJ game (more on that later) and parlay that into a new opportunity–it’s precisely why this blog was initially established as a shared ftp site for digital music in ‘06.

But digital downloads and tool use aside, I’m just down for a DJ that makes me work up the dance floor. However, this Saturday, April 24, I won’t be able to make it; but perhaps you will, and I hope to get a full report from the floor as DJ Nick Nack joins them two, Sober and Dayta, and El Roy Boogie for the usual mayhem.

Meanwhile, Squincy & yours truly are cueing up requests and workin up The Lot on Washington. So post up your Tweets or send me a postcard from Top Notch with, “Wish you were here. <3 Nick Nack”

Download, Buy or Listen

>> Nick Nack’s Mixes

>> Nick Nack’s Soundcloud

Rapper/composer Guru (born Keith Elam, 7/17/66 – 4/19/10) of the hip hop duo Gang Starr died yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

Guru’s style and finesse on the mic, along with his smooth voice, will always have that mass appeal.

Rest in peace, brotha. You will be missed.

Our dude Squincy is growing. And so are his followers. Check out his recent interview on Desired Hearts.

And, oh yeah, happy birthday awwready! Do it real BIG! =)

– The DIRB! fam

SDF-one in his element. Photo by Jessie Weber

UPDATE: It took a minute, but I finally pieced this monumental night together thru photos and actual accounts. I unfortunately got there late and missed Joker entirely. But from the looks of it, a lot of people should be able to fill in more of the gaps and help me experience the sounds radiating from the stack of rumbling subwoofers vicariously.

Here are a few quotes and flicks from the Houston Beats and FB Joker/Gritsy recaps:

That had to be one of the best top 5 nights of my whole freaking LIFE! My entire body still hurts from dancing. Absolutely unbelievable! Thanks again to all the Gritsy family for bringing it proper. You guys are ridiculous! — HB

Ohmydays! big up gritsy for bringin that UK grime to Houston…now, i dont wanna sound greedy..but who’s next? big sets all around tonight and joker put the show to rest! — FB

Joker & MC Nomad on deck.

Purple H City!

OE and Drank was flowin'.

Gilbert feelin top notch!

There were too many great photos to post. But you can see more photos here, thanks to Jessie Weber. Other photos here. If you got ‘em, feel free to toss me more links to photos in the comments area below.

Noted! I’m not gonna miss it either, that’s for damned sure, and neither should you.

Gritsy DJs Live, Pt. 1,2,3 – 4/10/10 (mp3)