DUSTY CRATES

After a sensational DIRBversary! at The Lot last weekend, we are gearing up for another gigantic night with DJ Platurn this coming Saturday, March 12. The self-described “real-deal hip hop DJ who rocks the party the original way” just needs two turntables and a mixer to pull-off some classic DJing with top-notch selections and skills to back it up.

The Icelandic jock by way of the Bay is on a quick tour of the Texas region courtesy of all the SXSW festivities, but is making Houston his home-base for the duration. Platurn recently joined DJ Sun for a 45 session at Onion Creek last Wednesday before heading out to Corpus Christi today, then back to Houston to rock the decks with us at DIRB! Saturdays at The Lot on Washington (4212 Washington, 77007). More DIRB! deets and RSVP here.

But here’s how he’s sized up his trip so far:

Dusty Crates: You still play vinyl 45s and you rock on Serato. Do you have a preference?
Platurn: No preference, but 45s will always have a special place. You gotta know how to rock it with whatever format presented, be it analog or digital.

DC: Looks like you’re on a mini-Texas tour at the moment (hope your tall-ass is going first-class on that Greyhound). Where have you been and where are you going next?
Platurn: New Orleans, Mississippi, Houston, Corpus Christi & Austin. Lovin’ the South!

DC: If you could choose a song that represent each city/night you’ve been to since arrived, what would those be?
Platurn: Trip can be summed up in 3 songs so far:

1. Professor Longhair-Big Chief
2. Outkast-Spottieottiedopalicious
3. Archie Bell & The Drells-Tighten Up

DC: Who’s got better Mexican food: Texas or Cali? Don’t answer that! We awwready know.
Platurn: Pretty sure Texas whoops Cali’s ass, but I think it’s safe to say we place in the top 3. Can’t fux with our produce yo!

Keep It Rockin’
If you can’t make it out to see him this week, you still have one more chance. After all the Austin gigs, Platurn will be back for Rock Steady’s Bay Area Invasion on Monday, March 21, with OM’s J.Boogie and DJ Sun again.

Check out more of Platurn’s sound here.
Love & Hate (TRUE Clothing Mix) by platurn

As some of you may know, Dias de los Muertos happens to be one of my favorite annual holidays. Forget the Halloween hype–these two days in November (1st and 2nd) always remind you to celebrate life! So why not to start early.

Tonight, we kick off a weekend of celebration with Afro-electro beat freestyler Chico Mann in Houston. The lineup, brought to you by Squad Media, includes downtempo maestros DJ Sun and Mr. Bristle, and myself (Gracie Chavez) spinning un Bombón de cumbia and eclectic world beats upstairs at The Mink/Backroom (3718 Main @ Alabama, 77002).

Chico Mann was recently featured on one of my favorite remixer’s excursion, Mexicans with Guns’ “Me Gusto,” which is more of a banger for your soul than it is a soundtrack for the dead. Chico (aka Marco Garcia) describes his native style as “the convergence of electro, Afrobeat and freestyle.” “It’s kind of a statement to this genre of music that hasn’t really been developed until now,” he says.

Check out Chico’s “Oye, Mira, Cuidado!” live clip to see what’s in store tonight. Log on to Soular Grooves to get more insight or listen to my Cumbia Nena mix I recorded live on (now-extinct) KTRU radio station. Then, RSVP on FB to join us tonight.

Pero no se te olvide–Ponte los zapatos porque vamos a bailar!

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!

(l-r) Madlib & J.Rocc

Hip hop. Visionary. Dilla.

Those are the three words that come to mind when you think of Madlib. A trifecta of hip hop, this much sought-after rapper/producer/DJ has mastered a variety of ambitious projects, like recording Yesterday’s New Quintet, creating his alter-ego Quasimoto, and collaborating with the late J Dilla .

Since his rise in the late ’90s to last year’s Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6: A Tribute to Dilla, Madlib continues to explore the soundscape of hip hop, jazz and soul through his honorable tributes and music collaborations: from tha Alkaholics, Peanut Butter Wolf, to MF Doom, and most notably with Dilla (and J.Rocc) as Jaylib.

Madlib joins his Stones Throw label mate and turntablist, J.Rocc, at Numbers (300 Westheimer, 77006) this Saturday, February 27th in Houston. The Beat Junkie’s founder DJs during Madlib‘s live performances and has also put out his own Dilla tributes, Jaylib vs. J.Rocc (mp3) and Thank You Jay Dee mixtape series.

The doors open at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night and I highly suggest you get there early. Hosted by the ever prolific B Boy Craig, you won’t wanna miss Houston’s hip hop powerhouse HISD live show and a radiant set by one our own DJ Sun.

Get your money’s worth is all I’m sayin, ’cause these men deserve mad props!

Tickets are on sale now.

Listen >>

J.Rocc

Jaylib vs J.Rocc (Stones Throw, mp3)

Hueston Independent Spit District (H.I.S.D.)

PeaceUvMine.com (videos, clips)

DJ Sun

Soular Grooves Podcasts (SoularGrooves.com)

Thanks to my homie Witnes who also contributed to this post.

DJ Sun (Soular Grooves) and Witnes (LateNiteSnax) are teaming up to host the holiday edition of Rock Steady Mondays.

This is the only gig Witnes has locked in for the holiday break during his visit back to the Dirty South, so you don’t want to miss out! The two will be manning the decks all night for a guaranteed night of holiday cheer!

To keep things festive, DJ Sun and Witnes would like to encourage you to bust out your Bill Cosby sweater and any other festive outfits you’ve been dying to wear out on the town.

FB RSVP >>

Soularium at HOB

DJ Sun has been a staple in Houston’s electronic music scene. I don’t need to go on and on about how much he and his Soular Grooves collective has influenced the local music community. He’s releasing his next EP, Para, and is poppin’ champage at House of Blues-Houston to celebrate.

Let’s take some time out on Sunday and share in celebrating his latest triumph. OM Record’s J Boogie, who remixed a track for Para will be there to kick off Soularium, Sun’s monthly gig.

DJ Sun: Para EP
By Craig Hlavaty, www.houstonpress.com

DJ Sun has been the DJ laureate for Houston at large for almost two decades. His KPFT radio show Soular Grooves was required listening for all electro heads through the ’90s, and in the process made him a pioneer of sorts. He single-handedly helped created an electro scene in H-Town that led the way for modern collectives to thrive. Sun’s new Para EP is the follow-up to 2007′s well-received The Monday Drive EP,…

Read more >>

This past Sunday afternoon was simply a beautiful day, not just because the weather in Houston was unseasonably cool, but also because DJ Melodic (aka Paco, ne Ben Jennings) is on his way back to a full recovery. An eclectic mix of friends and family got together for the benefit and raffle to help raise money for Paco’s mounting medical expenses.

Nick Cooper and company played a little live jazz and then some under Block 21‘s grand Moroccan tent. That performance was followed by DJ Sun and Chicken George inside the lounge area. A few local media outlets covered the event. The links below are slideshows of the event, including DustyCrates’ own pics.

If you get a chance, give Paco a shout and let him know we hope he feels better. Houston’s music scene needs to have him back in place rockin it out as he should.

-Gracie

SLIDESHOWS & PICS

Houston Press Slideshow–DJ Melodic Benefit

Chron.com Slideshow–DJ Melodic Benefit

DustyCrates.com Pics–DJ Melodic Benefit

On November 3rd, Ben “Paco” Jennings, best known in Houston as DJ Melodic, suffered a cardiac arrest and was admitted to St. Luke’s Hospital in critical condition. Yesterday, he was finally able to go home. This Sunday, November 16, Soular Grooves and friends are organizing a benefit to offset medical expenses and support his family during this difficult time.

Please join us for an afternoon benefit filled with great music, light bites and prizes. Paco’s closest friends DJ SUN, DJ Chicken George and musician Nick Cooper will perform a musical tribute.

Plus, you can purchase raffle tickets and win some of the coolest things from shops like Barney’s Co-op, Sloan/Hall, Peel Gallery, Raye, Melodrama, Vanessa Riley plus prizes from great businesses like SugarHill Recording Studios, Soundwaves, Warehouse Live, Boheme, AvantGarden, Dolce Vita, CDs from local DJs and much more! 

Light bites will be provided by Gravitas, La Strada and Stir-It-Up Coffee House. Event tickets are $10, available at the door only, and raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. You can view raffle items here or make a monetary donation.

Thanks to Ziggy at Block 21 for generously offering to donate a portion of the bar sales to support the cause. And, thank you in advance for your donations, positive thoughts and help in spreading the word about this upcoming benefit for DJ Melodic.  He is aware of your participation and extremely grateful.

ABOUT PACO

“A genuine good guy…A great DJ and great, positive person…A truly positive dude.”

These and many other quotes like those are what people who have been touched by Paco aka Ben Jennings IV (aka DJ Melodic) express when they think of the person, the DJ, friend. His gentle and positive spirit has touched many. His humility is unmatched.

Paco came to Soular Grooves and entered the Houston DJ community with the same genuine positive spirit and humility that so many describe about him. He learned as much as he could about DJing from as many as he could and applied those characteristics to his vast knowledge of music, to become one of the most respected, well-liked, and precision-like DJs in Houston.

His aesthetic is unique and contributes to creating an uncompromising signature of sounds that have no match. To listen to Paco, DJ Melodic, as he DJs, is to be taken on a course of great music that blends together seamlessly and continuously. All his selections, he intuitively knows, belong together. It is a truly joyful experience to listen to him and watch him perform.