DUSTY CRATES

It looks like tomorrow’s Houston date and Austin the following night will be the only Texas dates for DFA’s DJ Tim Sweeney. The northeast snow storms are to blame for tonight’s canceled show in Dallas.

As we pray to the snow gods from up above for better weather, the last time we were graced with Sweeney’s blissful disco sounds was at Club A38 back in ’06, or there abouts.

So what brings him around these parts again? In a recent interview with The Dallas Observer, Sweeney explains:

…I just haven’t been back in Texas in a long time — I think it’s been over a year. Maybe it was two years ago, so this is basically to go out DJing for the weekend. But I am starting, finally, this “Beats in Space” record label, and for that I’ll be doing some more tours involved with that once the releases start coming out. For that, I’m just going to be focusing on some of the music I play on the show that’s unreleased that I really like and I want to put it out that has nice artwork, and just keep a record label that’s sort of similar to the radio show — broad, but keep the level at a high degree.

For over a decade, Sweeney has been broadcasting his “Beats in Space” live mix radio show on WNYU every Tuesday night from 10:30 pm to 1 am (EST).  But he’s perhaps best known for his work at DFA records and soundtracks at Rockstar Games.

Following Fixed Gear’s Grand Opening/DUAL Art Show, Sweeney performs at Club FWD (510 Gray, 77002) with special guests Cuba Gooding Jr. of Glastnost, Hater’s Make Us Famous’ Angie Audio and Fahrenheit-Media‘s DJ G.Wizz.

For more info and to RSVP, go to the FB event page.

FRI 01/28/11 — Tim Sweeney @ FWD, Houston

It’s that time again, mi gente! Our monthly pachanga, Bombón, is in full swing again!

So bring your güiros, maracas, cowbell or anything else you wanna shake tonight at Avant Garden (411 Westheimer, 77006). DJs Navo, OG Bobby Trill and yours truly (Gracie Chavez) will keep you moving, so step your cumbia game up! DJ/MC Bobby will lead the “grito” contest–aye, aye, ayeeee!

While we get our hustle-on, peep out Houston’s own Panchitron, who’s raverton tracks were recently featured online.

Panchitron-Everyday by Panchitron

RSVP for Bombón – Houston (www.facebook.com/BombonHouston) now and check back for updates and upcoming events every First Friday!

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!

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!

The end has come, my fellow DJs. The tables have turned–one last time.

It’s time to find a special place to store your Technics turntables because Panasonic has just announced that they are no longer making the analog, direct drive record player. For nearly four decades, Technics have been the reliable standard for DJ equipment, keeping the music going for disc jockeys and party-goers well into the wee hours of the morning weekend after weekend since 1972.

After a year of speculation, the recent decision from Panasonic comes because of “a decline in demand for these analog products and also the growing difficulty of procuring key analog components necessary to sustain production.” But don’t run out with $2Gs to buy a pair of Pioneer 2000 CDJs just yet!

There are a few places that are still selling parts and servicing turntables. You can find replacement parts online and in the Greater Houston area, you can still take your decks to shops like Sound Exchange. Or, on the home front, get them repaired by Chris Cardenas (aka DJ G.Wizz) of  Fahrenheit-Media who has been servicing decks by WOM for years now. I personally like this DJ’s personal touch ;P!

So before you retire your tables to a place where they collect dust next to Edison’s “sound writer,” phonographs and other antiques, collectibles, curios, let’s hope true audiophiles with a love for wax and DJs with expansive record collections alike keep these record players and their legacy well preserved for years to come.

The new Def Jam Rapstar game releases this weekend nationwide and we’ve got the (promo) goods here in the H to keep you in the know.

On October 5th, you’ll be able to experience the first true interactive hip hop music game on any popular gaming console. The final seven tracks, which includes Beastie Boys, Snoop and Kanye, available on the MC game were announced today, bringing the total to more than 40 of the all-time hottest hip hop cuts to be featured on Rapstar.

Newly added tracks include:

ARTIST – TRACK
Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey
Kanye West – Stronger
N-Dubz – I Need You *UK Exclusive
Notorious B.I.G. – Big Poppa
Rob Base – It Takes Two
Roots Manuva – Witness The Fitness *UK Exclusive
Snoop Dogg Gin and Juice
So Solid Crew – 21 Seconds *UK Exclusive
Soulja Boy Tell’em – Turn My Swag On

More than a karaoke game,

…Def Jam Rapstar allows YOU to be the star by rhyming, using your console camera, and uploading your video to the fully integrated Def Jam Rapstar community at www.defjamrapstar.com.

Our Def Jam/Fahrenheit-Media street team will be out in full-force this weekend giving away promotional items at a show or venue near you. Look for us at Bassnectar at Warehouse Live on Friday, Michael Franti at HOB on Saturday, and at the usual DIRB! spots like The Lot on Washington, The Flat, Grand Hall and Boondocks.

So get ready, ’cause the world is your stage!

This weekend marks the end of the summertime with most school semesters gearing up within the week or so. And the only way we could cure the summertime blues and send this hot-ass summer off properly was with a gang of even hotter ladies.

The Tipping Point sneaker boutique, in collaboration with Charly East, put together a line-up of local female artists, performers and yours truly to DJ The ArtBreak: Ladies First Edition this Friday night at Betz Gallery (1208 West Gray, 77019). The show starts at 7pm and includes performances by IB3, No Name Jane and Charly East on violin. Free dranks courtesy of Dripping Springs and Grey Goose.

Wear your best skeakys, ladies, ’cause this is the spot to show ‘em out. But if you’re not up on your latest kicks, you can always enter the raffle for a new pair!

Here’s some lady-killer jams to get you ready:

Summertime Blues – Joan Jett (mp3)

Talk to Me – Peaches (mp3)

DIRB! Recess pt. 1

As superstition holds, tomorrow stands to be a day of bad luck. So it’s no surprise that Go Go Garcia and Johnny Moon had the same idea to kill it on a Friday night and, not to mention, get you there with damn-near the same wicked flyer!

So in true Friday the 13th movie fashion, it’s up to you to choose your poison. Which maligned feature will you show for–Part 1 or 2?

Friday the 13th: PART 1

We’ll be across town slaying it real big for DIRB! Recess: Friday the 13th Edition at Club FWD (510 Gray, 77002) with DIRB! crew SDF-one, Squincy Jones, Antonio, Criminal V and yours truly, Gracie Chavez!

Wizard Status pt. 2

Friday the 13th: PART 2

Meanwhile, back in the ‘Trose, “Wizard Status” Friday the 13th Murder Party Addition goes six-feet down at Boondocks (1417 Westheimer, 77006) with Go Go and Johnny.

But which ever one you choose, take heed: you wanna make it out alive!

Check each FB event for more details and to RSVP.