Before I say anything else – we’ve picked our finalists for the Lolla Remix Throwdown!! They were decided by a combination of public vote with the judges’ scoring and now the selected four will battle live at the finals August 1st. It’s a free event in Chicago that also features Hot Pink Delorean and Hey Champ – not to be missed!! Check here for event info and check here to read about our finalists.
And now to recap last weekend. Nashville knows how to party! I know that’s what every DJ says about every city after a gig, but this was pretty epic. Not only was it completely slammed with a huge crowd spilling out onto the street, but the guys running the party bought pink wigs and temporary pink hairspray to get in the Dani Deahl mood. I accidentally sprayed the sound tech in the eye with the hair color, got about a dozen people partying in the booth and got everyone freaking out to some old school Chicago jams. More pictures in the gallery HERE (and I’m sure, more to come). Tomorrow, I’m at 414 Sound Bar in Minneapolis! If you’re in Minneapolis and want to come, dsquared readers are always good for guest list – email me at dani@danideahl.com.
By the way, I’m going to be offering all the songs in each post as a .zip at the bottom from now on, and will still continue to offer individual downloads as well.
There hasn’t been much FnDannyBoy on here lately…but damn he made up for that. I got an email from him with a HUGE selection of tracks, re-edits and party bangers. You might have one or two of these but I still selected my favorites from the pile and am offering them all here. From fun Bmore allusions in “Motown Fn” to a beefed up rendition of The Juan Maclean’s “Happy House”, I guarantee these will all kill. I love that all around, the songs/samples selected to rework all have a throwback, lighthearted feel to them. Trumpets, retro loops, and disco house drum patterns all mingle in these tunes and make me smile.
The Juan Maclean: Happy House (FnDannyBoy Rerub)
Crooklyn Clan: Crown Motivator (FnDannyBoy Remix)
DJ Nate Day: Ravelight Ravemore (FnDannyBoy Kazoo on Fire Remix)
Calvertron: Back 2 The Ghetto (Mother Superior Turf Invasion Edit)
Seems we can’t talk about FnDannyBoy without mentioning DJ Kue, and he’s also sent over some new stuff, including an edit he did of an FnDannyBoy remix (see how I transitioned there?) Aside from that edit, he’s also given us this new remix of Usher’s “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” which actually reminds me of a Chew Fu remix (the slightly older, better stuff). I love it when Kue exercises his electro muscles and while this is still arguably a mainstream electro remix, it’s still a departure from the more demure content seen from him lately. A strong, simple synth holds up the track without effort, leaving from for the more ravey, amped up layers in the background to have fun as they filter and drumroll up to fevered squeals at key points. Hope to hear from Kue in this vein. BTW, check the remix he did for the Lolla Remix Throwdown – it’s KILLER.
The Roots feat. John Legend: The Fire (FnDannyBoy Remix, Kue Edit)
Usher: DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (DJ Kue Remix)
Man, everyone’s sending in multiple tracks at once. Larry Tee also sent in a pack that included a couple mixes I completely fell in love with. His take on “Bulletproof” mixes influence from tech house and Dutch with a pinch of old-school. Parts of it almost has the tonality of something I would hear in Chicago years ago. The song has really interesting transitional elements to it, beginning with a dominant melody that I know will make at least one of you think of Robin S. It’s a minimal and sweet-sounding track that adds a twist after the break by dropping into a Dutch-esque sound. He manages to make the two disparate sounds meld together, making usual sounds a bit more unusual. There’s also a “Licky” re-edit offered with a new vocal by Santigold. Hell yes.
La Roux: Bulletproof (Larry Tee & Alexander Technique Blogula Remix)
Larry Tee & Princess Superstar: Licky (Blogula Re-Edit feat. Santigold)
Check this mixup/mash/re-edit….um…track from Morningstar, combining the Congorock mix of the Swedish House Mafia’s “One” with Lady Gaga vocals and a smattering of assorted samples. I know it sounds like a handful of mainstream bull, but it works. The combination lends a much needed grimy edge to the Gaga element that’s offset by peeks of original, more dreamy and big room sounds from “One”‘s original samples. Trust me, you’ll like it, and then the second time you listen, you’ll love it.
Swedish House Mafia: One Monster (Morningstar Mix)
I see something like this remix of “Black Betty” and I want to smack my forehead before even listening to the song. It’s completely unfair, especially since I used to jam the shit out of a Black Betty remix on vinyl years ago…wish I could remember what edit. In any case, I give everything a fair shake, so I listened, and I’m glad I did. ¡Borracho!‘s remix lies in the same general vein as most Black Betty remixes…i.e. it’s an electro mix…but it’s not as intense and over the top as most of the other remixes tend to be. It’s actually surprising how the remix meanders from more peaked points to grooving segments, all while maintaining a distinct point of view.
Ram Jam: Black Betty (¡Borracho! Remix)
Now this is freaking fun. I’m not sure where I would play this, but I would go out of my way to find the right context. The Knocks did a cover of Drake’s “Find Your Love” which alternately makes me want to laugh and bob my head. In all seriousness, they pulled this off, and with finesse and style. They still use some of the original sounds, but with the addition of their dulcet vocals, arpeggiated notes and bits of guitar, it becomes a darling plea with tons of heart.
Samuel: Find Your Love (Drake Cover prod. by The Knocks)
Bonus tracks:
Lexicon Don: December Sunset (U-Tern Remix)
Awolnation: Burn It Down (Innerpartysystem Remix)
Since waiting in line, buying drinks and paying to get past the door simply sucks, those in the club will have access to perks like free swag, drink tickets, access to members-only contests, mixes, free tracks and first stab at guest lists. Now that's music to anyone's ears.
click here to add additional info.
SICK SH*T this week, loving the bmore and breaks, plus the house stuff is good too! By far DD you are my music blogger! Think I might have that remix of Black Betty if it was a lime green vinyl white label
As always keep the sh*t pumpin thx!
Sorry meant to say favorite music blogger!!!!! Keep it rockin gurl!
Yeah Dani is awesome, I never skip a post here. You know the good music!!
just stumbled across your site. what an amazing post.