The BCH is back!

Brick City House‘s very own Sista Stroke recently recorded an exclusive mix for a Chicago House FM webcast called, “Funk Force” hosted by Seraphim and airs Thursday evenings.

Stroke says:

The mix is called Backseat Bangers, and I did it with a long drive in mind. There’s some great cuts on here from some pretty great producers whose work I’ve really come to admire and love.

Hope you guys enjoy this mix. And please, feel free to pass it on to whomever you think might enjoy some boogie-bounce in their life! Enjoy Music and Freak Freely! Peace, Sista Stroke

And bangin it is, indeed! No need for foreplay with this one. Enjoy!

Backseat Bangers – Sista Stroke (mp3)

A couple of weeks ago, we are embarked on a showcase of new sounds in H-town with BOMBON. The takeaway: people have been waiting too long for this kind of night in Houston!

As cumbia is gaining momentum worldwide, it’s exciting to see how this folkloric tradition has been given so many new mezclas and treatments. The future of South American-inspired electronic riddim has no shortage of color or creativity.

MICHEL CLEIS – LA MEZCLA (ROBB G REMIX) by ROBB G

In the coming months, you’ll hear a collection of fresh uptempo melodies and bass-heavy beats that make up a variety of “Cumbiatron.” From Cumbia, Bajo Tropical, Salsa, Latin Beats, Baile Funk, Reggaeton, Moombahton, y Mezclas AfroLatinos, we have banded together to bring you this full-on Latino experience, without a need for a passport.

To see where the next sound of the Americas is headed next, mark your calendars para saborear BOMBON each month with yours truly, Gracie Chávez, plus DJs Navó, OG Bobby Trill and Tonio.

Starting January 7, 2011 and every first Friday of the month, centrally located Avant Garden (411 Westheimer, 77006) is hosting our first in a series of Latin parties full of irrepressible music, live instrumentation, cinematic loops, spirited libations and excessive dancing!  Now, why would you want to miss the next one?

¡Entonces, ponte los zapatos pa la pachanga!

To say that things move slow down South in the summer is an understatement. Doing things “as slow as molasses,” as we say, is just how we do ’round these parts.

So, there. That’s my excuse as to why I’m just now following up two-months later on Free Press SummerFest 2010. Day One’s highlights included the air-conditioned Fancy Pants stage, Brett Koshkin’s soul 45 session and Kid Sis dub steppin. And although Day Two was over-cast with showers, the dirty mud people, Mic Skill’s rhymes, big pimpin with Bun B and the A/C stage still ruled!

Thanks to all the folks over at Free Press and Pegstar that made this year’s festival such a success. And thanks to all the performers at that DIRB! with us on the Fancy Pants stage!

Here are some flicks from that SummerFest weekend:

SummerFest: Day 1
SummerFest: Day 2

And just ’cause I made you wait this long, here are my favorite irie summertime slow jams:

• Chase the Cumbia Devil (Tupolev Soundcrash remix) – Max Romeo (mp3)
• Uptight remix- Stevie Wonder & Jay “Dusty” Smith (mp3 taken from the compilation Motown Flies Jamaica)
• Get Lite (Reggae remix) – The Beatards (mp3)

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)

Gracie, Dayta, Morsy and DJ Sun huddled up. Photo by Article

A major cold front overcast a lot of SXSW plans on for many Saturday. After layering up as much as possible, we headed out to see if we could weather the last SXSW day/night.

The first stop was Levi’s Fader Fort. Once you braved the cold, long line to get in, Levi’s had the right idea by setting up a retail area right as you step in. This is where most Fader Fort guests snapped up whatever was left of long-sleeve T’s, hoodies and jackets just to stay warm.

Linked with DJ Sun, Dayta and Morsy to catch the end of Salem’s lackadaisical performance, which was literally “booed”. I can’t say that out of all the shows I’ve attended, I’ve never seen an act get the proverbial rotten tomatoes cast at them. Ouch!

It was too cold to stay and watch Poirier‘s DJ set outside so we warmed up to a bluegrass band inside the Fort.

I had Morsy photo bomb the poor lads!

Next up, it was Carnaville with Major Lazer. G.Wizz and I caught the end of “Pon de Floor” along with the thinning crowd. Not even a hot cup of chocolate could keep us there. Sorry Diplo and Switch! There were reports that the carnival eventually shut down early.

After grubbing at Cuba Libre and more photo bombing courtesy of G.Wizz, we moved on to Malverde for the highlight of my night: some git down funk, Latin and soul by none other than Chicken George. The spot was so bumpin, I didn’t wanna leave. But we also thought there was more left to see.

Later, we walked by the Vice party but the line was wrapped around the building. That nonsense got the big deuce! And so did the line at Beauty Bar down the street. Cover was $10 just to see Treasure Fingers at 1 a.m.

Finally, we caught the end of Rye Rye‘s performance at the Billboard stage, had a Lone Star at some random bar at the end of 6th Street and called it a night before 2 a.m. This is pretty much what the night cap looked like…

When you're in Texas, do it like Texans do--DIRB!

Although this year’s SXSW seemed a bit lack luster, here are a few of the Dusty Crates highlights:

Squincy ain't skurred of la Chupacabra.

Bobby def was.

HTX deep!

Finally, a nice shot!

See more Dusty Crates SXSW 2010 photos.

And last but not least, Dave Wrangler wrapped it up best with this recap mix. You went the distance with this one, bro!

SXDW: The Unofficial Guide to SXSW 2010 (Soundcloud)– Dave Wrangler

Track Listing:
1. Sleigh Bells – Beach Girls
2. Theophilus London – Enjoy the Sun
3. Gorillaz – Stylo
4. The Hood Internet – Just-A-Friendomania
5. Little Boots – New In Town (Golden Filter Remix)
6. The Golden Filter – Hide Me
7. Hot Chip – One Life Stand
8. LCD Soundsystem – Too Much Love
9. The Gossip – Heavy Cross (Yuksek Remix)
10. La Roux – Quicksand (AutoKratz Drags to Riches Remix)
11. David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi – Memories (Armand Van Helden Remix)
12. The Juan Maclean – No Time (Shit Robot Remix)
13. Phoenix – 1901 (The Dirty Tees Remix)
14. Yeasayer – O.N.E. (XXXChange Remix)
15. Asher Roth – She Don’t Wanna Man (Yes Giantess Remix)
16. Gorillaz – Stylo (Alex Metric Remix)

Hope to see ya’ll  in Austin again next year!

Photo courtesy of Psyne for Mattsizzle

Last night (Friday) we rolled into Austin and set up the very first, official Dusty Crates showcase at Chupacabra Cantina (400 6th St, ATX). G.Wizz kicked it off with some rock and other choice selections before Squincy and I stepped up (literally). Did I mention that the DJ booth was set up for Godzilla?

Chupacabra was HTX deep with familiar faces in the crowd–shout out goes to Bjorn, Dessa, Denise and company, Bobby, Go Go Garcia, my boy Psyne (you’re a soldier!), sis Maggie and Keith for keeping the dance floor (and drinks) moving.

OKC’s Blake Ward and cohort Dylan stepped in for DJ Cat NYC, who was DJing over at the Vice Party. Meanwhile, G.Wizz and I stepped out on 6th for a bit and ran into the jazztronica man himself, DJ Chicken George, who hipped us to a screen printing session by The Hit and Run crew. Thanks for the t-shirts, dudes!

Back at Chupacabra, I got a surprise visit by Daniel Allen, my arch nemesis. Ha! He joined me on the decks for a little back and forth before closing it out.

Thanks to Reprogram, Marcus and Nikki at LegitArt Entertainment for making us feel so welcome. And a big nod goes to G.Wizz for coming thru with sound–as always. Photos up soon.

And did I mention: Squincy Jones just hates me.

Writing, posting and SXSWing makes for some serious multitasking. So, to make it easier just follow me at @djgraciechavez.

Finding the Blogger’s Lounge at Levi’s Fader Fort today made me feel like I wasn’t alone!

Thursday night I DJed the Magic VIP Nite at the museum. They set me up on the mezzanine overlooking the paleontology exhibit and it almost seemed like the dinos were gonna lean in to start making requests! And as it turns out, hanging with diplo was more fun than I thought.

I got to play a lot of rare cuts and set a vibe for the artsy, smartsy set. On my playlist was Mayer Hawthorne, Pretty Lights and Passion Pit–stuff I rarely get to play out. I did, however, have to dedicate “Crazy” for the old bat that insisted I turn it down. [Insert proverbial too loud/too old phrase].

Hoping for more good-time people, I’m sure my sets at HMNS’s Mixers and Elixirs this summer will be more lively and welcome.

It’s been a while since Witnes was back home and last night was a hellova visit! It almost felt like Rock Box all over again, but with better bathrooms (kinda). Even the Mathmatechs reunited for a split second.

At the start of the night, El Roy got all futuristic on us and Ustreamed the first two hours at Boondocks…

Dayta and Wit got it dancy and raised the roof! But Squincy pretty much recapped the rest of the night better than I could here. So I’ll just toss you over Awwready!

Thanks to primo Nonsense for some of the blurry flicks. LastNightPics has nothin on ‘em! Cheers to that!!

Austin’s Big Face couldn’t make this SDC pre-Valentine’s event last week, so G.Wizz and I stepped in to cover at the last minute. Get well soon, *smiley face.

Meanwhile, I’m not sure I can top Squincy‘s Awwready rave review (sic), so I had to repost it hurr…

Hey look a rave

Last week I opened up for Drop the Lime and played a gnar gnar DARSHSTEP set. I was nervous as shit the whole week pretty much because I was supposed to play 2 gigs that night, DTL & Gritsy, but ended up not playing Gritsy due to time constraints. =/ Heres a couple flicks from the portyyyyy. (Flicks by Mad Bass & Steven Sartini)