Dallas Rules

Saturday, April 11th, 2009 >> Blog
Written by Dani Deahl

Ok, granted I had my doubts about Disqo Disco, stemming purely because it is held on Tuesday nights, but Sean the promoter (in the black t-shirt) and all of Dallas blew me away. Not only was it slammed, but these people knew their music. I got to drop some old gems like “Strings of Life” along with material from Chicago artists like The Yank and Green Velvet and got amazing responses. I really hope they have me back, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

On a side, but somewhat related note, the site that posted the pics for the night, We Shot JR, sparked some interesting commentary regarding my playing there (these comments were all posted anonymously):

“Stripper or DJ? How many of these dudes went because they thought they might get a chance to spike her drink..”

“Seriously? Grow up. I didn’t think a woman wearing t-shirt and jeans while playing music could be so offensive, but there’s a specific deranged reaction to every situation I suppose.”

“I guess we know at least 1!”

“she was actually good. not expecting that at all.”

“pretty lame… come on people she writes for Urb, has her own label and probably knows 100 times more about music than the any jerkoff that’s judging her for being a girl…”

“I am mainly judging her pictures on her website not her being a girl.. oh and the date rapists that make up the filthy Dallas scene.”

“excuses excuses… if you were good looking, stylish and smart you’d show off the whole package as well – that’s what entertainment is… people are “surprised” when she’s good – but what about a guy DJ has any more credibility? – usually they made a hit track which has nothing to do with their DJing ability. Unless someone has been around for a while you won’t know how good they are until you hear them.”

“Yeah, well judging people by their “pictures” is pretty intelligent. You sound like a smart one.”

I’m never really sure what to say when I run into comments like the first one. The second to last commenter hit it on the head – why does a male DJ instantly have more credibility? It sucks to walk into gigs with the feeling that you have something to prove, not just for yourself as an artist, but because people expect you to not be good because of your gender. In most interviews, I’m always asked about what it’s like to be a female DJ. The truth is, I try to posit myself as a DJ who happens to be female, not the other way around. Unfortunately, there are people like Playboy DJs who just lower the bar for the rest of us and make it nearly impossible for someone like myself to simply be a DJ and not a female DJ. Thank you though, anonymous posters who spoke in my defense .

And on to the music, enough soapboxing for now. I’m happy to say that FnDannyBoy found it in his heart to send over a ton of tracks, and I know you all enjoy his remixes. A couple are actually older ones that he has taken the time to revisit and polish up a bit and the results are definitely worth the effort. Though I can be against remixes that feature simple breakdowns with the original track (in essence, making a simple A-B-A structure and calling it a proper remix) I’m very happy that FnDannyBoy chose this with “Beggin’.” I’m such a fan of the original song and the contrast between it and what FnDannyBoy has done is very nice, especially the segway around 3:00 when he adds his own touch under the sample. The other tracks follow in suit with what we have come to expect from this remix king.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/Madcon_Beggin_FnDannyBoyRemix.mp3]
Madcon: Beggin’ (FnDannyBoy Remix)
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[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/FnDannyBoy_RainingBlood.mp3]
Slayer: Raining Blood (FnDannyBoy Remix)
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[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/SydneySamson_Riverside_FnDannyBoyBigJackinReRub.mp3]
Sydney Samson: Riverside (FnDannyBoy Big Jackin ReRub)
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[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/SydneySamson_Riverside_FnReRub_DuB.mp3]
Sydney Samson: Riverside (FnReRub & Dub)
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[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/FnDannyBoy_900DanceRedux.mp3]
FnDannyBoy: 900 Dance (Redux)
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Normally I wouldn’t post slower, more downtempo songs, but I’m in a melodic mood thanks to Tuesday in Dallas and this remix is actually very nice. AutoRock‘s take on Deleted Scenes‘ “Ithaca” would be gorgeous for opening a set. The remix manages to have a nice mix of live and programmed, put together as if it’s self-aware that it’s a computer-made track even though the instruments are quite organic for the most part. The bassline is very nice and crisp (it’s pleasant to hear one without loads of effect) and background piano chords play exquisitely off the layers of synths and pads.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/IthacaAutoRockRemix.mp3]
Deleted Scenes: Ithaca (AutoRock Remix)
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Finally, not much to say about this one. The Dolby Anol remix of Kap10kurt‘s “Mission Complete” is pretty much at 11 the entire time, due to an angry snare and loads of variation in the mainline which keeps the listener on their toes the entire time. Not to mention a delicious revved-up build around 3:30 that suddenly drops into programming that’s relatively melodic compared to some of the more intense sections of the track.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/04_11_09/MissionComplete_DolbyRmx.mp3]
Kap10kurt: Mission Complete (Dolby Anol Remix)
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