Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Midsummer's Daydream

This is probably one of my favorite mixes that I've done in a while. It spans the current hits with a sprinkling of my favorite summer classics Download and enjoy.


A Midsummer's Daydream by DJ Ghozt


1. Oasis- Wonderwall (A cappella)
2. Travy McCoy ft. Bruno Mars- Billionare
3. Eminem ft. Rihanna- Love The Way You Lie
4. Arrested Development- Everyday People
5. Fresh Prince & Jazzy Jeff- Summertime
6. Sublime- What I Got
7. Train- Hey Soul Sister
8. Drake- Find Your Love
9. Len- Steal My Sunshine
10. Bobby Brackins ft. Ray-J- 143
11. Jay-Z ft. Pharrell- I Just Wanna Love You (Give it to Me)
12. Flo-Rida ft. Ke$ha- Right Round
13. Usher ft. Pitbull- DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love (DJ Kue Remix)
14. Lil' Jon ft. 3OH!3- Hey
15. Ne-yo- Beautiful Monster
16. Yolanda Be Cool & D-Cup- We No Speak Americano (Original Mix)
17. David Guetta ft. Chris Willis, Fergie & LMFAO- Gettin' Over You (Original Mix)
18. A-Trak ft. Lil' Wayne & Gucci Mane- We Don't Want No Goblins
19. MGMT- Kids
20. Chiddy Bang- Opposite of Adults

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Honey, I Shrunk the Nightclub

Nightlife in this town isn’t dying, it’s downsizing.  It’s a phenomenon that is happening all across the country. I’ve played both big and small venues and both have their pros and cons.

With a big crowd it’s almost impossible to play a record that bombs.  This is due to a few factors, the most important of these being that people in a large group are as equally stimulated by the situation as they are the music.  Simply put, being in a large crowd of people that are all ready to get down, is an intense experience by itself.  A lot of people in Virginia have no idea what it feels like to be in a room full of 500+ people and the song breaks down to almost silence and everyone around you is screaming in anticipation of the beat dropping back in.  Go to RVAlution at Hat Factory on a Tuesday if you want to get a glimpse of what it’s like. Also with a crowd that large, once it gets rolling, it’s momentum will carry it through to where you could drop something completely random like polka and they probably wouldn’t care.

The downside to a big crowd is that you lose the intimacy of programming for the individual.  Whenever I DJ for a big room, I look out and find one or two people that seem to be an accurate representation of the whole and program based off their reactions.  Another thing that I dislike about big crowds is what it turns DJs into.  I absolutely hate DJs that pre-plan sets knowing that the crowd is so big that no one will care.  I’m a huge advocate for spontaneity while DJing. I played a party with Steve Aoki in Chicago on July 18th and I walked in having no idea of what I was going to play.  I went with the flow and played to the people and they enjoyed it.

Small crowds are a lot harder to play for simply because the mindset of a smaller group tends to be more judgmental.  If you’ve got a room full of 100 and half the people aren’t feeling it, that 50 person negativity is going to spread a lot quicker than half of 1500 at a large party. You can lose a dance floor at a small club a lot easier than you can lose a one at a big club. My first experience with DJing to a smaller crowd was 3 years ago at Lucky Buddha.  It taught me that I could be more selective with my music, but that I had to gain the trust of the crowd first because if 5 people left the dance floor the rest would follow suit quickly.

The upside to the smaller crowd for me is the challenge of trying to keep as many people happy as possible. Sometimes a smaller crowd has a much more refined taste and are looking for a little bit more than your typical programming.  When I DJ for smaller crowds, I tend to look more at the individuals than I do at the whole group. It also allows me to interact more personably with the crowd.  Usually the DJ booth is more accessible in smaller venues.  This allows me to take requests easier and talk to people who want to talk to me if I so choose.

In Virginia, the trend is moving towards smaller venues and parties, but it’s not a bad thing.  Having a lot of smaller parties to choose from ensures that you will eventually find one that’s right for you as opposed to having to settle for going to that one big club where the music is okay and the people are tolerable.


Friday, July 23, 2010

My Set From V-Live in Chicago

@ V-Live in Chicago by DJ Ghozt


Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed playing it. This was totally improved. Nothing about it was planned out in advance. I played to the crowd. That's what real DJs do.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Lack of Originality in RVA

This post was sparked by a comment on a general Facebook status update of mine last night.


"You have a website, 3 facebook pages, a twitter account all with contradictory or old information and I bet you're still scratching you're head wondering why your club is empty."

Note that I didn't mention any club by name.  And yet the owner of a local "nightclub" decided to post the following:

"Now I understand why ur such a douchbag. Always easier to criticize others when u have nothing to look forward to in your own life. Go make something of urself instead of spending ur time worrying about my success"


For the record:

I'm a self-proclaimed nightclub snob.  I've partied and/or DJed in the big cities/nightclubs across the world. When I walk into a nightlife venue, I can't help but be super critical of everything. I have three main mantras I follow when evaluating the legitimacy of a nightclub:

If it looks like you bought it at Wal-mart, it shouldn't be in a club.  Whether it's plastic cups at the bar or cheap futons in the VIP, it's not right.  People pay money to get into your club so they shouldn't feel like their sitting in the confines of a cheap Fraternity party.  I know of two clubs that even have brought in inflatable pools to try and wow their patrons.  One of those clubs is now closed.  We'll see how the other fairs. However, the most egregious violation of this concept is christmas lights.  Really? I don't even feel the need to elaborate as to how cheap and tacky this makes your club look.

Just because it worked somewhere else, doesn't mean it will work here.  Trust me, I've been to Vegas, Chicago, DC, London and a laundry list of other cities that have really cool nightlife, but Richmond is a completely different city. You have to factor in all of this city's subtle nuances into your concept.  One of the things that I love about this city is that the people want a simple experience. They don't want super glitzy over the top decor or flashy concepts.  If you look at the longest lasting nightclub in this town, Tobacco Company, the decor is simple and subdued. The farthest they stray from being a "four walls with a bar and a sound system" night club is a blackjack table and cigarette girls. Leave the ice bars, aerial performers, dueling pianos and other cheeseball add-ons to the spots in touristy markets, because no one here really cares. I understand why you do it, but get the basics right before you try to get flashy.

Atmosphere is more than just music.  As a DJ, I can't stress this enough.  While music is a very important part of it, there are so many more aspects to a club's atmosphere.  It should start as soon as you get in line.  The outside of the club should be as clean and well kept as possible.  Your door people should keep the line moving as quickly as possible.  If you're at capacity, they should preemptively check IDs/dress code and wristband/X those waiting to ensure as quick an entry as possible. They should be better dressed and far exceed your dress code expectations. Also they should be personable and not standoffish.  There is nothing more off putting and likely to start a confrontation than a security person who looks like they're looking for a fight. In fact your entire staff should exceed your dress code, but don't go over the top.  I hate seeing bartenders who are supposed to be dressing "sexy" who come off as slutty. They type of music that is playing is inconsequential in comparison to how it is presented:

1.  Your DJ should be visible, but not overly accessible.  If your internal marketing people or outside promoters have done their job correctly, the DJ will be playing the right music and requests will not be necessary.  The idea is to not just open your door for whoever wants to come, but to target a specific crowd that you want in there.

2.  If you have an MC, they need to be audible and creative with their delivery.  Repeating your typical Lil' Jon or Fatman Scoop like vocal catch phrases gets really annoying, really quick.  Unless you feel like it's absolutely necessary, avoid a "hype man" all together.

3.  Most importantly. INVEST IN A GOOD SOUND SYSTEM.  Take the time to do your research about what kind of sound you will need to accurately fill your establishment.  You want good quality sound so that the sound isn't distorted or too loud.  Also be mindful of placement.  If the bartender can't hear my drink order, that's a bad thing for both the bar and I

The last part of the atmosphere can be summed up in three words, Lights, Camera, Action.  Clubs need lights to properly accentuate the music.  I'm not talking about a disco ball and some moving heads that are sound triggered.  I'm talking about a true to life club lighting system that is either controlled by a programmed computer or by a lighting director. Also someone with a camera whether it's an internal employee or a contracted photog snapping pictures, it's another way for the patron to connect to the club.  The action I'm talking about is movement. Go-go dancers or something of the like to provide the appearance of constant energy in the club when there is none.

I can't help but think that some of the club owners in Richmond are taking advantage of the fact that most of the people here haven't had the opportunity to experience a well executed nightclub concept. In talking to others, I know that I'm not the only person to feel this way.  It feels like many things are half-assed. A couple of places have done it right, but most fall short and I think it has more to do with unwillingness than lack of knowledge.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Daggering 101

 You've heard everyone talk about daggering.  Major Lazer made this video to clear up any confusion.


Mash-up Magic

I've found that Mash-ups are the logical follow up to DJing. I was spinning at Baja, a local spot here in Richmond, and I tried to do both of these live, but the phrasing was off on either the vocals or the instrumental.  Ipso facto I threw them in Acid and within 10 minutes each were finished.


1. A 1901- Lil' Wayne vs. Phoenix:  I saw someone try to do this on HypeM, but it was horribly executed so I tried it live, figured out the problems and redid it.  This is a custom edit that is intended for DJing as it has an a cappella out ending





2.  Wishplanes- Skee-Lo vs. B.o.B.: The first thing I do when I listen to a new record is to think about what kind of story I can tell with it.  When I heard Airplanes, I couldn't help but notice the emphasis on wishes throughout the verses and chorus. It was either R. Kelly's I Wish or Skee-Lo's I wish.  I tried the R.Kelly, but Skee-Lo worked better.  I did an entire Mash and a custom re-edit for DJs with an a cappella out



Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Don't Play Music...Feel Music

Do I like the fact that this dude is like 100?
Do I like the fact that he's playing on a laptop?
Do I like the fact that he's not even mixing?


The answer to all is a fervent NO, but what I do like is that he has more energy than 99% of the DJs who have top of the line kit.


I'm looking at you Nick Cannon


Sunday, July 11, 2010

No Parliamo Italiano, but this track is AWESOME

Quick story:  I was hanging with my boy Tony going through one of the millions of downloads he had acquired.  I swear I need to submit his story to Intervention or MTV True Life: I'm a Download Whore. Anyway, we ran across this track and I vividly remember saying: "What the fuck is this? This is either the best or worst idea ever."

Fast forward one week. I was in Chicago at Crescendo and this song comes on at about 1:00am, peak hour in Chi-city, and the place ERUPTS.

If you hear this and don't wanna dance, you might be dead.  This is the epitome of happy music.


Download
Original Version
Chew Fu Remix

Friday, July 9, 2010

Dancing Ban in VA

On July 12th, the city council of Richmond will vote on an ordinance that will place restrictions on what they have vaguely labeled as "dance halls." Everyone is quicker to throw around Footloose references than to examine the reasoning behind why this legislation was even conceived in the first place.  Violence, drugs and disorder are common amongst all aspects of nightlife.  From concert venues to clubs, I feel comfortable in saying that on any given night the possibility of problems arising are equal regardless of what kind of music is playing or what the age/gender/race/sexual orientation the crowd is.  People in large groups are dangerous.  Look at what kind of catastrophes have happened at sporting events.  This isn't due to the size of the crowd as much as it does the energy surrounding it.  Whether it's a sporting event, concert, or club people get amped on the idea of being surrounded by a bunch of like minded people who have made the conscious decision to congregate together. They become energized when something happens that collectively resonates with everyone.  This energy can be either positive or negative.



The disturbing part of this entire situation is that even though the intentions of trying to better handle crowd control in negative situations are valiant, they are being done under the presupposition of this only being a problem in places where people dance.  Has there been a lot of club related violence? Yes.  If you said no, you're lying to yourself.  Don't believe me? Get on the Richmond City Police website and search the address any of your favorite nightclubs or bars in their crime reports section. Shit happens. Does that mean it's because of the dancing? NO! It's a combination of a lot of different variables.  Alcohol and demographic composition are the main catalysts to violence.  Please do not misinterpret this as a form of sexism or age discrimination, but I'd gather that the majority of problems that occur at these "dance halls" involve males 18-26. Does this mean that every dude under 26 should be seen as a threat to start trouble? No.  I'd like to think that if I walk into a bar being a 26 year old male, that I wouldn't be considered a possible threat.




Long story short, I think that the way to tackle this problem is to look at who is causing the trouble as opposed to what is. 

Monday, July 5, 2010

DJ Intervention...effing hilarious

This is how a lot of us feel about the so called DJs that are infiltrating the scene







Bang That Box Setlist- New York Deli 7/2/10

Don't bother asking me about my logic, even I couldn't tell you what I was thinking :-)

10:00pm

Nappy Roots- Good Day
Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley ft. Lil' Wayne- My Generation (Clean)
Sublime feat. Snoop Dogg- Doin' Time (Snoop Time Remix)
The Pharcyde- Passin' Me By
Bobby V./Ludacris- Pimpin' All Over the World
Toto- Africa
Mos Def- Ms. Fat Booty
Drake- Find Your Love
Nicki Minaj- Your Love
Outkast- Ms. Jackson
Fresh Prince- Summertime
Sublime- What I Got
Kid Cudi- My Time
Radiohead- High & Dry (Isaac Jordan ReDrum)
B.o.B- Airplanes Part II
Lupe Fiasco- Supastar
Train- Hey Soul Sister
Fatboy Slim- Weapon Of Choice (Junkie Xl Mix)
Black Sheep- The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)
Beastie Boys- Super Disco Breakin'
Limp Bizkit- N 2 Gether Now
3 Bad Brothaz™- Walk of Vain
Run DMC- Walk This Way
INXS- Need You Tonight
Prince- Kiss


11:00pm


Groove Armada- If Everybody Looked The Same
Asher Roth- She Don't Wanna Man (Ft. Keri Hilson)
Far East Movement- Girls On The Dancefloor
Jesse Rose- You Know It (Jesse's Made To Play Edit)
The Roots ft. Dice Raw- How I Got Over (Dirty)
Crookers- Superiore
MC Flipside- In The Zone (Bart B More Vocal Mix)
Sean Finn- My Sharona (Hook Grip Edit)
A-Trak ft. Lil' Wayne, Gucci Mane- We Don't Want No Goblins
Uffie- Add Suv feat. Pharrel Williams - AVH Vocal Remix
Mr. Vega- Don't Kiss The Kroc
Lionel Ritchie- All Night Long (Mightyfools Remix)
Yello- Oh Yeah 'Oh Six (Bodzin & Huntemann Remix)
Deadmau5- Ghosts 'n Stuff (Original Instrumental Mix)
Tag Team- Whoomp There It Is (A cappella)
LMFAO- La La La
Black Eyed Peas- Meet Me Halfway (Club Killers ReDrum)
Daft Punk- One More Time
MGMT- Kids (Soulwax Remix)
Kidda- Under The Sun - Herve Remix
Pitbull- Culo 2009 (CrowdCTRL Quick Edit)


12:00am


Oliver Twizt- Rich Bitch (Original Mix)
Cold Blank- Raver Booty (Original Mix)
Boogie Pimps- All Day And All Of The Night (Tune Brothers Alert Mix)
Dennis Ferrer- Hey Hey (Vandalism Remix)
Mike Posner- Cooler Than Me (Alex Dreamz Bootleg)
Three 6 Mafia- Feel It (Jump Smokers Extended Remix)
Lil' Wayne- A Milli Transition
Excision & Datsik- A Milli (Remix)
David Banner - Like a Pimp
DJ Khaled Ft. Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes...- All I Do Is Win (Remix)
Lil Wayne- Lolli-Hot Transition
Ice Cube- You Can Do It
Big Freedia- Azz Everywhere
DJ Kool- Let Me Clear My Throat
DJ XMind- Faithfully Fucking Tonight Anthem Out
Major Lazer- Pon de Floor (feat. VYBZ Kartel)
Major Lazer- Pon De Foley (Ludachrist Remix)
Reel 2 Real- I Like To Move It (Klaas Remix)
A-Trak- Loonies To Blow (ft. Drake, Birdman)
A-Trak- O Let's Overdo It
Coco Brown- Fuck My Face
Usher vs. Oliver Twizt- OMG (Original to ClubKillers Edit)
LMFAO- Shots
Lil' Jon- VA Drinks!!!
Fatman Scoop- Wanna Get Wasted (A cappella Loop)
DJ Felli Fel- I Wanna Get Drunk


1:00am


Excision- Whalestep feat. Stickybuds - Original Mix
T.C.- Wheres My Money (Caspa Remix - Jack Beats Re-Edit)
Bad Boy Bill- Do What U Like (Push That Feeling Remix)
Wolfgang Gartner- Clap (Original Mix)
Sawgood- Ctrl Ur Brain (Calvertron's Jedi Mind Trick Mix)
Switch, Diplo- Get Off - Jack Beats Remix
The Prodigy- Invaders Must Die
Brooklyn Bounce- Sex, Bass & Rock N Roll
Steve Aoki- I’m In The House (Herve Remix)
Jay-Z Feat. Mr. Hudson- Young Forever
O-zone vs. T.I. & Rihanna- Live Your Life Transition
Missy Elliott- Get Ur Freak On
Bubba Sparxxx ft. Timbaland, Missy Elliott- Ugly
Dr. Dre- Still D.R.E. (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg- The Next Episode
Snoop Dogg- Gin and Juice
Ludacris- Southern Hospitality
Ludacris- Ho
Naughty By Nature- Hip Hop Hooray
Kriss Kross- Jump
House of Pain- Jump Around
Bell Biv Devoe- Poison
Boyz II Men- Motown Philly
Vanilla Ice- Ice Ice Baby
Sugar Hill Gang- Apache (Amen Ra Edit)
Fatman Scoop/DJ Kool- It Takes Two Remix
Fatman Scoop/DJ Kool- It Takes Rock (DJ A.M. Remix)
Lady Gaga- Just Dance
Lady Gaga- Just Dance (A cappella)
Journey- Don't Stop Believing
La Roux- In For The Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)