Dusty Crates

Can you spell FEBRUARY?

It’s playtime again!

After playing musical chairs with the lineup, DIRB! welcomes special guest DJ/remixer Panchitron. Along the same veins as Toy Selectah and Uproot Andy, Houston’s Panchitron mixes up tropical bass, cumbia, house and ghetto to get you to the floor. !Puro fuego! [Spanish lesson: straight fire!]

He’s starting things off for the Recess crew including that bad boy Squincy Jones who’s finally out of Time Out and ready to play nice!

Finally, thanks to Oahn (www.soundslike1.com) for the dope-ass flyer. If we would have have animated it, we could have played on it like this: SPEAK & SPELL.

GOODBYE,
D-I-R-B!

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)

The beats are kickin. The bass is thump, thump, thumpin.

Your toes are tappin. The tempo starts to travel from your toes, up your leg and through your body.

Your heart is pumpin just a bit faster than the cut that’s playin right now. But all you hear is the next one cued up in your headphones.

You look up for a sec…yep…they’re still dancin. Now you’re starting to feel their heat. A beam of light shines in your eyes. The disco ball showers the dance floor with color.

OK, focus…

Levels? Check!

Beats are on…

Timin’s right…

All right, here we go…

When it comes to DJing, Austin’s DJ Mel always maintains that next level. His eclectic musical taste blends well with his masterful mixing. This DJ innovator pulls out classic gems and current tracks for awe-inspiring mixes each and every time. He programs sets from a vast collection of history’s recorded dance music. Plus, it helps when you’ve been Waterloo Record’s perennial music buyer for years.

Mel’s broad criss-crossing knowledge of music genres coupled with an unbelievable dexterity behind the decks has earned him numerous credits–Lollapalooza’s stage manager (2008), Scion “Free Your Mix” Finalist (2004) and Austin’s “Best DJ” four-times over!

But, I personally consider DJ Mel a “DJ’s DJ.” He happens to be one of my top favorite DJs of all time and, I’ll even admit, a source of inspiration for my threading musical taste in my DJ journey. But I’m not gonna discount that he still makes me shake my ass pon de floor.

Mel made his debut at The Lot (4212 Washington, 77007) with us last month in the H. It was one of the coldest weekends in Houston, but he brought some heat with him and set shit on fire. The response was tremendous!

So, I’m happy to announce that he’s back this month to DIRB! with us again! This Saturday, February 6th, get there early because traffic on Washington Ave. gets pretty heavy after 10 p.m. Parking can be spotty, but there’s valet available right out front of the Lot. There’s no cover and drink specials include our favorite Texas beer: Lone Star tall boys. I’ll be on deck to warm it up before Mel, but save me a spot on that dance floor as soon as he’s on!

Now, if that ain’t enough to get you out to see this man live in 3-D this Saturday night, push play on the video link to see what you missed last month. Or just download DJ Mel’s mixes and remixes at www.smellyone.blogspot.com.

DJ Mel Mixes

• DJ Mel – The Motel Mix
• DJ Mel – The Funky Terrier.
• DJ Mel – Live @ Nasty’s – 06.11.07.
• DJ Mel – Live On East Village Radio – 11.17.06.

For more details, RSVP: DJ MEL at The Lot, Feb 2010 (Facebook)

Welp, this is the last day of the year, and the last December for the decade. What have you done that’s so important in the last ten years?

If you’re still thinking, maybe you should get back on track and join us for NYE at YAO’s Restaurant & Bar Downtown (1201 Main St., 77002). Dayta, Chris Miguel and yours truly will be Doin It Even Bigger as we recap the last decade, or two, of some of the best music you didn’t get to download on Napster when you should’ve.

We’ll be ringing in the new year with a traditional champagne toast (perhaps even the “Auld Lang Sine” mainstay ditty) and jammin’ the decade away from 9pm to 2am. There’s no cover and you gotta be 21+. Check the sideline flier —> for more info.

To reserve a table, email livingroomhouston@gmail.com and let them know you wanna DIRB! thru 2011!

That’s a good re-start, right?!

While I feverishly work out my top ten list as I go thru my music for tomorrow, here are a couple you should check out:

Top Ten Songs of the Decade according to…

ACCORDING TO…
PITCHFORK
ROLLING STONE

Tonight, Friday 12/11/09, the DIRB! Fam is live on MK Ultra Radio Show, KTRU’s only live electronic mix show in Houston since…oh, I’d say 1996.

After my webcast on Brick City House (ChicagoHouseFM.com) last week, we’re all doin’ it ol’ school and broadcasting live on the air waves.

Starting at 9pm, DJs on board to “bring the noise” are:

G.WIZZ
JEP
GRACIE CHAVEZ
TONIO
SQUINCY JONES

If you’re in the H, dial your radio knob into KTRU 91.7 FM. To give us BIG LOVE during the show, call in at 713-348-KTRU. Or, if you’re global, listen in at http://ktru.org/listen.shtml.

MK Ultra has a rotating staff of radio jocks, like DJ Great Scott, from Rice University each semester; many thanks to you guys for the invites each time, and also for keeping us on the ayre!

And Sandeep, I know you’re out there somewhere. Thanks for getting this show off the ground; It’s still goin’ strong here in the H. Holler at a girl if you’re still tuning in!

For more on the MK Ultra radio show, visit www.myspace.com/mkultrashow.

Check back for downloads and track listings, or go to our sister forum at www.subcrates.com for more rambling comments. Yep, yep!

Update: G.Wizz, Jep and I played on the radio for 3 hours. Thanks to Manny and Paul at KTRU’s MK Ultra for having us out. The cozy mix session was just perfect for a cold and rainy Friday night!

DIRB! Live on MK Ultra Radio (KTRU) 12/2009 (3-hour mix)

1st hour – G.WIZZ
2nd hour – JEP
3rd hour – GRACIE CHAVEZ

Gracie Chavez & Jep DIRB! on MK Ultra 12/2009 (zshare)

GRACIE CHAVEZ Track Listing

1. Heads Will Roll (A-Trak remix) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2. Right Hand High (Kingdom remix) – Kid Sister
3. Black & Blue (Savage Skulls remix) – Miike Snow
4. Kids (Soul Wax remix) – MGMT
5. Woz Not Woz (Dub mix) – Eryk Prydz & Steve Angello
6. Sweat on the Walls – John Tejada
7. Be Alone No More (Another Level) – Rip Groove
8. Spin Spin Sugar – Sneaker Pimps
9. Hold the Line (Golden Gloves Wobble & Shake remix) – Major Lazer
10. Animal (Fake Blood remix) – Miike Snow
11. Let You Go – Bounce Camp
12. Replacement Girl (Illo Bounce Edit) – Drake & Trey
13. Flashing Lights (Diplo remix) – Kanye West
14. I’m Here You’re There (MWG) – Ernest Gonzales
15. A Man’s World (Regrooved by Parker) – James Brown

Earlier this week I recorded HouseWife, an exclusive hour-long mix and a short interview for today’s Brick City House (BCH) on ChicagoHouseFM.com. The online weekly show is run by none other than my girl Sista Stroke and it features mixes by DJ staples of the house scene worldwide. I’m extremely honored to be part of this set. Many thanks, girl!

Now, it’s no secret that some of my DJ roots go deep into house, so doing this mix was the perfect opportunity to go back to one of my first loves. So I dug thru a few of my favorite classics and added a dash of new house to come up with HouseWife, a mix I feel truly represents the house I get down to. It’s so house, it’ll make you wanna do your house chores! Here’s this Mami’s track listing:

“HouseWife” – Gracie Chavez (DIRB! 2009)

1. It’s Just Begun (Larry Levan remix) – Jimmy Castor Bunch
2. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – Dcup’s Bootleg Remix
3. Enjoy Yourself – Soul Avengers
4. Stepping Out (Frankie J mix) – Candy Dealers
5. Why Don’t You – Gramophonedzie
6. Phat Mama (Sub Dub) – Troydon
7. Sweat of Your Brow – Jully Black
8. Hit the Ground – Mario Fabriani
9. Baby How Long (Johnny Fiasco remix) – Da Sunlounge
10. Bushes (Norman Cook remix) – Markus Nikolai
11. Fix My Sink – DJ Sneak
12. Hot City Bass – Hot City
13. Come On Girl – Magik J
14. Let You Go (Got The Funk Mix) (Da Fresh Remix) – The Freshmakers
15. Life is Changing – Cricco Castelli
16. Vision of Paradise – Bob Sinclair
17. Big Love – Pete Heller

After today’s live webcast at 1 p.m. CST (if you’re DIRB! in Texas), I’ll sideline I have sidelined the HouseWife mix here on DustyCrates’s Mixes. You can also catch the entire show, plus more, as a podcast at SistaStroke.Podmatic.com.

In short, BCH is all about those solid house tracks that make you wanna put your fist up in the air and say “Amen, Sista!” And you can’t hate on that!

Coincidentally, this BCH show is also a preview of what’s in store for this weekend.

Ladies of the Kitchen

Before she returns to Mr. Hun in London, Stroke is wrapping up her stay in Texas with a stop in Houston this Friday, December 4. The Kitchen Family has teamed up with renowned Les Femmes de la Nuit DJs Jessica Lozano, Candice Elliott and myself to support the all-female DJ event, Les Femmes de la Cuisine (Ladies of The Kitchen), at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer, 77006). The Kitchen Family — Drew, Pooks, Mr.Bristle, and Criminal V and Brad of the Lamborghini Crew–will play more delicious house, UKG and funky upstairs. There’s no cover for ladies all night.

So bundle up! It’s gonna be cold (and possibly snowy) outside, but it’ll be oh-so hott in The Kitchen with Les Femmes de la Cusine!

FRIDAY 9/25

We look fly! We feel GOOD!…Come out and play with us!

FB RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131841798479

SATURDAY 9/26

11am-3pm – GRACIE CHAVEZ DJs DANA DAVIS Fall ‘09 Trunk Show
at Nordstrom – Galleria, Houston.

THEN…

10pm-2am – Nacional Records, Fahrenheit-Media & Lunaface Promotions combine forces to present PACHA MASSIVE listening party & KINKY after party with DJ GIL CEREZO (Kinky, MEX) at DEAN’s Montrose.

The Pacha listening party is followed by the official Kinky after party with none other than Kinky lead vocalist DJing Gil Cerezo on the 1s and 2s. Check out the interview with Gil and more info at Lunaface’s blog.

Be the first to hear their NEW sophomore album, If You Want It, and get FREE CDs. Their music is a funky bilingual fusion of traditional Latin rhythms, like Colombian cumbia, Dominican palo, reggae, dancehall, sexy dub and electronica.

Then, DJ Gil joins Gracie & G.Wizz as we spin new sounds of Latin music (bajo tropical, cumbia bounce, dance rock, disco, electro and beyond) for the night.

FB RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131405053068

See you on the dance floor!

UPDATE: Houston Chronicle’s write up on tonight’s Steel Lounge for you to peep: Steel Lounge Goes Underground to get its Groove Back (published 7/30/09 on chron.com).

Gracie’s Night at the Museums

This Friday (7/31), I’ll be performing at this month’s Steel Lounge Underground at the CAMH (10 pm) right after DJing my cocktail hour (6-7 pm) at Friday’s Mixers & Elixirs at Museum of Natural Science. The Chromatics are playing live from 7-10 pm.

Join me for a tour of Houston’s Museum District because this night is gonna be cooler than lounging at home!

—

DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu host the next edition of Steel Lounge Underground Friday, July 31st at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (5216 Montrose, 77006) from 8pm-11pm.

Steel Lounge Underground is a monthly event showcasing Houston based musical artists performing live in the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Steel Lounge Underground showcases Houston’s diversity and talent by bringing together musical artists representing a variety of genres and attracts an audience representing all walks of life.

During the event, the audience is free to explore the exhibitions currently on display within the CAM. This is a FREE event!

Musical Lineup Features:
Sasha Braverman vs. Henry Chow (8-9 pm)

Spain Colored Orange (9-10 pm)

Gracie Chavez (10-11 pm)

MIXES
“Cumbia Nena” mix live on KTRU (2009): http://www.zshare.net/audio/61629779537d2a8f/
Squincy Jones with Gracie Chavez DIRB! live on KTRU (2009): http://www.zshare.net/audio/616304082588f349/
“YO! Mami” (2008): http://www.dustycrates.com/blog_mixes/Gracie_Chavez-Yo_Mami.mp3

Twitter, I wish I could quit you!

JUST IN TIME FOR OUR ALL-OUT DIRB! BLOCK PARTY (aka SDF-One’s B-day) THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT BLOCK 21 (2420 WASHINGTON) …

DIRB! DJs took over the KTRU Rice Radio airwaves on May 22. Here’s the first installment of the 3-hour long mix we recorded. SQUINCY JONES, GRACIE CHAVEZ, ANTONIO, G.WIZZ & JEP were on hand to make it happen. The only thing that didn’t happen was that awkward family photo Antonio forgot to take!

First up, it’s a dubstep mix (PT. 1) by Squincy Jones featuring an intro by moi–Gracie Chavez.

Enjoy!

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD DIRB! PT. 1 here:

http://www.zshare.net/audio/616304082588f349/

GRACIE CHAVEZ (INTRO)

Faust – Feel.Love.Thinking.Of (Mexicans with Guns Remix)
M83 – We Own The Sky (Udachi Dubstep Edit)
The Postal Service – We Will Become Silhouettes (Mexicans With Guns Remix)

SQUINCY JONES

Rumblejunkie – Training
Rusko – Bionic Commando Theme
Skream – Sandsnake Ft. Cluekid
Prodigy – Breathe (NumberNin6 Remix)
Dread Foxx – Pump up the Volume Remix
Chase & Status – Eastern jam (Vaski VIP)
AC Slater – Calm Down
The Streets – Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix)
Marchmellow – YoungFolkDub
Dubbel Dutch – Dem Bones (EXCLUSIVE DEMO)
DatsiK – Nuke Em
Joker – Do It

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE MIXES AT WWW.AWWREADY.BLOGSPOT.COM >>

Yo! Mami is DIRB! with Tittsworth tonight, June 4, at Escobar (2905 Travis, Houston).

I’ve got a guest list going for those that wanna go. Just holler at me by 10 p.m., when doors open. List closes at 11:30.

Download these mixes:

Broke These Days – Tittsworth (mp3)

Yo! Mami – Gracie Chavez (mp3)