mixtape on friday

MIXTAPE happens this Friday. What does that mean? First, you must go. Second, refer to the first point. So, get over to The Warehouse at 7th & L St. NW, DC, to see DJ's Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn, who spin every genre and always have fun doing it.

The last DJ sound familiar? Yes, he was the same DJ Shea Van Horn who graced the SHIFT stages for March DJ guest hour. He has the SHIFT-style edge of electropop and indie rock, while Bailer bounces off him oh-so-nicely with his pop sensibilities. Soon, we hope to have a "blinky-link" (banner) for the Mixtape boys up on our site, but until then... JUST GO.

It's fun. You're doin' it.
-the Majr

homo/sonic tomorrow night

Big ups to everyone over at The New Gay for supporting SHIFT! Tomorrow night Zack & Mike put on their dancing shoes and DJ their monthly dance party at the Black Cat, Homo/Sonic. It's a great party in a great space and they spin a lot of fun, danceable indie/80's/whatever-pops-into-their-heads tunes - everyone should definitely check it out!

Homo/Sonic: An alternative co-ed dance party for queer folks and their friends.

Black Cat Mainstage, Saturday April 4, 9:30 PM, All ages, $10

1811 14th Street, NW (14th just above S St.).
-Lt. Lush

we just wanna dance

Just a quick status update on next week's kickoff dance party.

Lt. Lush and I have been working every spare moment to put this dynamic dance night together. As we form this creative, we are really happy to have support from a community that has made itself readily available. The New Gay, Mixtape, Cobalt, Razzmatazz, and Epic DC have especially been helpful.

After many months of putting this together, the Lt. and I really believe that this could be one of the best dance nights D.C. has ever seen, and we eventually hope to expand into other creative ventures. But, first things first...

Next Saturday February 28th from 10:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m., we look forward to an evening where the bitter, dividing lines often drawn in the social stratosphere are blurred. We hope for an atmosphere where people can revel in a genuine sense of acceptance (and even some androgynous ambiguity), because the music draws no lines. Come. Dance. Drink. Escape. F*** the rest.

It is, indeed, a lot to ask (and very idealistic)- but you either shoot high or shoot your foot, and we like to dance too much for the latter. In the meantime, we just wanna dance.

So, as we prepare for a genuinely all-inclusive dance night, we hope that you can come down, bring friends, and enjoy this ride as much as we have, already.

Stay tuned here on the blog for more Monday mixes to make your cubicle less dreadful, reviews of shows and albums, an up-to-date list of noteworthy upcoming shows, and everything in between and throughout the world of delightfully unpopular music.

Dance your face off, and join our mutiny on the monotony.
-the Majr

L.A. Riots - review

Act: L.A. Riots
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge, 02/07/09



[East Village, NYC] This weekend I had the opportunity to go to NYC and see a DJ duo that I have been following for a few months: L.A. Riots. I can only describe their style as aggressive, completely danceable electro. They manage to mix in a great deal of indie pop, as well, including some of my favorite songs.

LA Riots opened with a brilliant rendition of Hot Chip's "Ready for the Floor," which made the crowd break into a dancing frenzy. Track after track followed for the length of their 90 minute set, including the best remix of Crystal Castles' "Crimewave" that I have ever heard. The apex of the evening was when they dropped a remix of MSTRKRFT's newest single, "Bounce," which worked me hard. Hearing this (an amazing DJ duo mixing another) completely rocked my dupa. Toward the end of the set, they laid down a remix of their own remix of The Ting Tings' "That's Not My Name," which completed the experience.

I honestly can say that I had not danced this hard since the November '07 MSTRKRFT show. It was a warm reminder of how great a good disc jockey can make one's evening.

Sweaty and danced into the ground, I left with the perfect post-show high. After seeing a couple hundred bands and DJ's in my life, it was nice to be reminded that talent can still deliver.


For those of you who are looking to dive more deeply into this genre, or who simply like danceable indie rock/electro, definitely check out the links above, as well as Whitey and Fischerspooner, two of my favorite acts.

Rating: halfway between rocked my sh*t and totally the cat's pajamas


-the Majr

salutations

SHIFT is a mutiny on the monotony.

(IT'S ABOUT) THE MUSIC

I will be throwing down a mix of electro, indie rock, quality pop, nasty new wave, and anything that is worthy of an ass-shakin' dance floor. After years of discontent with gay clubs that drown themselves in stale, processed pop and straight bars that forget the dance beat, I decided to create this night for anyone and everyone who wants an alternative alternative in the neighborhood. Some of the Music you may hear.

WELCOME

Hello, and welcome to our home.

I would like to be the first to usher you onto our humble dance-floor digs through this accompanying blog that will comment on quality new music.

Since the idea of this party was created in the summer of 2008, a great deal of excitement has surrounded it. After many months of stumbling blocks, and teaming up with a partner (B), we launch SHIFT, the District of Columbia's newest dance-fest on Saturday February 28th, 2009.

(CHANGE ACTUALLY IS HERE) THE VENUE

Cobalt, an iconic gay bar for years, underwent a major face-lift. After remodeling the entire building (along with its policies and staff), and hiring a new operations manager, we felt that the bar's new and welcoming vibe fit ours, and now we are officially a 'go.' The cover is 1/2 of everywhere else on a Saturday, and the drink specials will kick ass.

Just in time for the weather to change and the bitter cold to be put to rest, we invite everyone (gay, straight, lesbian, hipster, toaster, hamster) to shimmy their asses for Spring on February 28th (Sat.), upstairs at Cobalt.

Look at all the good we do.

-the Majr