Ok, happy belated birthday to me…I know it’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything and it seems like apologies are becoming my norm. Um, I’m sorry about being sorry all the time? In any case, there have been so many incredible things happening, so let’s give a rundown.

I spent my birthday weekend in Texas (weekend of the 15th) playing for Wild! Life! in Austin and then for Fallout Lounge in Dallas. Austin was gorgeous – we walked the streets, gawked at $1000 pairs of snakeskin boots, scored some vinyl (found Farley Jackmaster Funk’s “Jack Your Body”) and had frozen margaritas. To top it off – we went to the Austin Ice Cream Festival. Unfortunately, it amounted to little more than a couple booths devoted to italian ice and Dippin’ Dots, but we did come right when they were judging the homemade ice cream contest. Turns out if you stand next to the judges and VIPs (whatever that means at an Ice Cream Festival) and move with the crowd, no one questions if you’re supposed to be there. Envision, if you will, southern black tea ice cream with lemonheads – delicious. Now close your eyes and let me try and describe to you the pinnacle of ice cream creations. We. had. bacon. maple. ice. cream. It’s like a McGriddle in dessert form. *drool*

Dallas unfortunately was not as fun – though by no fault of the promoter or club. Let me preface this by saying I LOVE JUNK FOOD. Seriously, feed me burgers, chicken fingers, hot wings and chips all day long. That being said, as we were driving into Dallas I saw a sign for Sonic like a beacon on the horizon and decided I had to have it for dinner. One chicken fried steak and two hours later I was curled up on the back couch of Fallout Lounge with the worst stomachache trying not to cry and/or puke. Fortunately I was able to rally to play and went for an all vinyl old school disco house set. All the goodies made an appearance – Madison Avenue, Crystal Waters, Barbara Tucker, etc. In full awareness of sounding cheesy, the vibe in there was terrific. Bonus, during my set, I actually forgot about being sick (not so much after I was done playing). A BIG thanks to David and Sean for hosting me on my 21st birthday (what, you didn’t know I turn 21 every year? It’s a magical thing).

Tonight is also a special night for me. I’m debuting the music video for “Poppin Bottles” tonight at NV Penthouse Lounge (one of the locations we shot the video at). If you’re in Chicago and want to come, email me with your name ASAP so I can put you on the guest list: dani@danideahl.com. Will be posting the video in the next couple of days!

Now to get in the mood for some Saturday night fun. To start things off, here is a re-post of DJ DLG’s remix of Duck Sauce’s “aNYway.” He’s re-worked and re-mastered it and has sent over a new, final version.

Duck Sauce: aNYway (DJ DLG Remix)
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Duotone, who last brought dsquared the delicious remix of Amanda Blank and Yuksek, is back with a mix of Zoot Woman’s “We Won’t Break.” Duotone’s most successful remixes/originals are the ones that aren’t overworked, and this follows suit. The vocals are king here with synths playing a supporting role, only peaking in occasional moments. Melodic yet fitting for a peak drop.

Zoot Woman: We Won’t Break (Duotone Remix)
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“Shoes” is still my favorite tune from Tiga’s album “Ciao!” and it certainly is a divisive tune – some love it while others just cover their ears (including some of my friends). There have been some amazing remixes, including the Mr. Oizo and Noob, and now we can add one more to the list. Bang Gang’s mix might actually be my favorite to date. Dark and stripped, it capitalizes on a few fantastic sounds and builds around them, creating a dirty and sexy vibe that is driven by punchy drums. Yet again, less is more reigns king!

Tiga: Shoes (A Bang Gang Hot Shoe Re-Shuffle)
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Here’s a delicious trio from The American Dream Team. I feel like I have to present these with some over the top video and splashy graphic effects, as TADT are wont to do themselves…so you’ll have to imagine. All three are remixes with a nice electro push that are done well save a touch of muddled-ness. Regardless, these three remixes are relatively easy going in the world of electro remix work, making them appropriate no matter the audience (you know you have those top 40 crowds sometimes…).

Yung LA feat. Young Dro & TI: Ain’t I (TADT Remix)
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Melanie Fiona: Give It To Me Right (TADT Remix)
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It’s been a while since Bryan Cox has sent anything over – but the wait was worth it. This dark mix of “I’ll House You” gives the song a completely different tonality. This is seriously evil, but I like it. From the affected vocals to echoey stabs, rumbly pads and of course, an all out wobbly mainline, this is a totally different take on a song we all know.

Bryan Cox vs. The Jungle Brothers: I’ll House You
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Aw, it’s DJ Grandtheft! One of my buddies from Canada has been spending some time in the studio lately and sent over this mix of “Best I Ever Had.” Regardless of how I feel about the original (IFIEVERHEARITONTHERADIOAGAINIWILLKILLMYSELF) this remix is certainly more than palatable for me. Chunky synths, a fun breakdown that keeps the energy up by never getting rid of the kick and a nice, compact time of around five minutes – yep, this could go in rotation.

Drake x Grandtheft: Best I Ever Had
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NROTB sent over a tune that is, well, quite unlike things they have sent over before. “Droplet” is yummy, minimal, tech-infused goodness. I would LOVE to hear this in a huge club on massive speakers at 1am while slightly drunk. Yeah…we all have hopes and dreams. The main focal of “Droplet” is a staccato synth, hence the name of the song (if you don’t understand you will when you listen). With an eerie female vocal and layers of intense secondary elements (skip to around 3 minutes for the OMG part), this is one tune I am seriously itching to play.

NROTB: Droplet
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Ok if you haven’t heard “Second Streets Have No Name” by The Bloody Beetroots, go listen and come back. Go ahead, we’ll still be here. This take on the song by The Sonixx makes it more peak hour dance floor friendly while still retaining some of the dreamy elements that make the original so great. So no worries, fans of the song, the violin is still there and the vocals are still there. What’s added – the bumpy kicks, synths and big fat snares just segway the tune into a more aggressive party animal.

The Bloody Beetroots: Second Streets Have No Name (The Sonixx Remix)
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A track called “We Just Came to Get the Party Started” has a lot to live up to in my book. While I don’t think I’d start a set with it, it could find a place in a set. Loopy with fun retro sounds in the breakdown, this remix of the track by Night Drugs does the song justice and is quite fun as well. It’s good, well constructed – but ultimately not entirely memorable in my opinion. Despite the inherent trackiness that lends to that conclusion, it’s still worth a few spins in my book! BONUS TRACKS: some alternate Disco Villains tunes if you don’t have them already.

The Disco Villains: We Just Came to Get the Party Started (Night Drugs Remix)
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Tommie Sunshine: Dance Among The Ruins (The Disco Villains Fresco Remix)
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Daft Punk: Human After All (The Disco Villains Remix)
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Slight influences of breakbeat, dubstep, electro and house all make appearances in this remix by Algeronics. “This Momentary” by Delphic is originally much dreamier than this mix, but I think Algeronics handles the conversion in intensity quite well. It’s a little hard for me to reconcile the first section with the wobbly mainline and the second section (around 3:30 on) which sounds like a more traditional remix since the way it’s timed makes it feel like two separate songs (the wobbly part doesn’t come back in until the very end). I guess for consistency’s sake I’d like to see a second version that embraces one sound or the other but I’m fine with this mix as well!

Delphic: This Momentary (Algeronics Remix)
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Glasnost has their debut release coming out shortly and in the meantime, have decided to share this song with us. “No Survivor” is a gorgeously made song that is something I could definitely mix in with my Moulinex, Xinobi, Sidechains, etc. Soaring strings and widely panned stuttering stabs make this a ethereal wonder that I think will definitely make Glasnost one to watch. Ideally I’d like the vocals bumped a notch in volume, but that’s my only complaint.

Glasnost: No Survivor
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Why am I not hearing “We All Wanna Be Prince” all over the damn place like I thought I would be? Regardless, at least theAmplid has brought us a remix that pays homage to the original while adding a tad more punch. Sigh…we all do wanna be Prince.

Felix da Housecat: We All Wanna Be Prince (theAmplid Remix)
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