Monsieur Adi just made your weekend (remixes of Beyoncé and Mikky Ekko)

Thanks to KICKKICKSNARE (especially the gloriously sexy Wesley) for the heads-up on the Beyoncé remix.  Good stuff.  Hopefully her album doesn't suck as much as her publicist.

As far as Mikky Ekko - what a difference the remix made.  That song is absolute asscrack without the sonic assistance of Monsieur Adi.  

Well done.

new video: "Think of You" - MS MR

The newest single/video from MS MR, from the LP Secondhand Rapture.  Kind of in love with this right now: 

M.I.A. = Still Amazing [new video!]

M.I.A. returns - and the world rejoices...  

Mathangi Arulpragasam is still a phenomenal balance of glamorous and raw.  I dig the track and don't hate the video.  It is, above all, comforting to see her back making music and invading dance floors instead of sitting back in her studio and producing other artists (but we do thank her for doing so with Rye Rye) at her record company (N.E.E.T. Recordings).

PS: the reference to Janis Joplin in the breakdown of this track makes my heart smile

Handshake (Amtrac remix) - Two Door Cinema Club

Things I Love 

1.) Two Door Cinema Club

2.) Well done ambient chill-pop

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"Ooh La La" (MAJR remix) - Britney Spears

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

So, Britney returns with a song that isn't absolutely horrible, but it felt disjointed and I was bored and wanted a project... so ta dah!

This song sounds extremely similar to SEAL IT WITH A KISS, to me at least.  What do you think?

SIREN presents: dj ADAM KOUSSARI-AMIN

Back in the days of my first (and dearest) party, SHIFT, there was always an attendee who would lose his mind in all the right ways to all the best songs – and that was Adam Koussari-Amin.  

After my promoting partner and I chose to end SHIFT at its peak (because God knows I have no idea how it could get any better), Adam came up to me and expressed how upset he was that there would be nothing like it to go out and dance.  Then, Adam took the kind of initiative I adore and kicked that void right in the balls.

In conjunction others (previous SIREN and SHIFT guest DJs The PocketGays and Jeff Prior), Adam helped spearhead CTRL, which is now arguably DC’s most popular monthly dance party - recently celebrating its 1-year anniversary with much hoopla.  I am proud to say that it if SHIFT inspired it, this party has done it justice and then some.  

  

Adam is a brilliant musical mind with a wonderful sense of dance.  His ability to find joy in so many genres resonates to the dance floor and will be on display when he pays homage to the Doyenne of Dance – Ms. Robyn Carlsson – on Friday. 

I recently asked him what he loved about Robyn and what his 10 favorite songs are.  

In his own words:

01. Time Machine

02. Criminal Intent

03. Bum Like You

04. Love Kills

05. Who's That Girl?

06. Cobrastyle

07. Dancing on My Own

08. Fembot

09. Crash and Burn Girl

10. Get Myself Together

Why do I love Robyn?  One word: talent.  Ever since I randomly heard Cobrastyle on that new fangled music service Pandora years ago, I've been entranced by her ability as an artist to produce original and unique music that's consumable for all tastes.  Amazing electropop beats, fantastic vocals, and one of the best, larger than life presences I've had the chance to see perform live add up to some of the best dance music and music period in the past few years.  I couldn't be happier to be paying respect to the best alternative pop star in the industry...and so, we dance to the beat!

I cannot wait to welcome Adam to the party which has paid host to so many superb DJs who were their way to or already at the top over the last 3 years:  Aaron Riggins, Shea Van Horn, The PocketGays (Devon and Brett), Wesley Della Volla, LEMZ, MadScience, Charlie Kordes, Jeff Prior and many others.  

Cheers and welcome, Adam.  You rock.

 May the spirits of SHIFT and CTRL work together to COMMAND the ALT. 

"Young & Beautiful" (Myndset v. MAJR edit) - Lana Del Rey

The newest in a long line of danceable cutter songs.  Hooray LANA DEL REY!

Charlie Kordes returns to kick some DJ ass for Madonna

"Madonna. How can you not love a woman who constantly reinvents herself and drives so much of music culture? But... when I really fell in love with Madonna was in a cabin next to the Allegheny River. I was seven years old and I vividly remember making up my very first dance routine to "Open Your Heart" which was playing on repeat from a radio recording on my tape deck. It was the first time a song just made me want to dance. I felt free and not like the little kid from middle of nowhere Ohio. Through the year Madonna continued to impress, reinvent, and be a constant part of my music rotation. So yes, I love Madonna. Bitch helped be grow up and taught me if something wasn't working to just reinvent it."

These words are from guest DJ (for Friday/tomorrow's SIREN: 10 Hail Marys - A True Blue Madonna Tribute), and one of my favorite people, DJ Kordes.  DJ Kordes got his big club debut right here at SIREN.  A favorite of mine, and any people in DC, Kordes (or simply Charlie to everyone else) has been a regular DJ at Duplex Diner, as well as many-a-house party.  After hearing him the first time, I was not only impressed, I was quite floored by his sense of danceable music.  He has that x-factor/intuition required to mold his own dance floor loves with those his audience would enjoy; to play from the proverbial venn diagram.  And, this is quite honestly why it will be his third run as a DJ @ SIREN (he also did the Beyoncé Ball and 2nd Annual Robyn Riot), and I could not be happier with the choice.  I want him to keep coming back and making me dance.  

Kordes will be taking up the 'vital hour' from 11-12:00 on Friday.  He is the perfect kind of DJ for the job, as he is skilled beyond his experience at building a crowd.  And, he also plays just prior to my first set (12:00-1:00)- which should speak volumes (if you know me) on how much I trust his skills.  Kordes' favorite three Madonna tracks are definitely interesting, as well:

1. Human Nature

2. Express Yourself

3. Vogue

The attitude of Human Nature + the uplifting honesty of Express Yourself + the daring sass of Vogue basically sum up Charlie as a person and a performer.   When asked to be a part of 10 HAIL MARYS, Charlie was excited and ready to pounce on the opportunity.  He transfers this same enthusiasm to the booth, and people relish in his energy.  I cannot wait to hear what he plays on Friday, as he honors the queen.

 Nature - Madonna from sueños de seda on Vimeo.

So, DON'T MISS IT:

11:00-12:00 SET (right after the 10:00-11:00 open vodka hour) 

Tomorrow's SIREN Guest DJ RAD Gives Us Madge Realness

SIREN is elated to welcome DJ RAD to the booth for 10 HAIL MARYS, on Friday.  The only other DJ I know whose stage moniker is also his initials, Ryan Adam Duncan has been a friend and fellow music-obsessed DJ/promoter colleague for almost 5 years.  Soon after I produced SHIFT, he developed the monthly party Pink Sock at Wonderland in Columbia Heights, at which I was able to guest DJ (March 2010).  

Here's an example of his style (aside from Madonna): 


One of my favorite parties, Pink Sock went into hibernation for a couple years until recently rewoven into the programming of Number 9 - one of the best bars in DC.  Ryan has also guest DJ'd with me on multiple occasions for (a party which shall never be replaced) SHIFT, which still owns many records for attendance, liquor sales, questionable makeout dancing, and confetti-stained footwear - especially when he was able to share the stage.

To say RAD is a massive fan of Madonna is a gargantuan understatement.  When pondering who I wanted to have guest DJ, it was easy (in addition to SIREN favorite Charlie Kordes).  The first time I met him, he was wearing a torn Like a Virgin-era t-shirt, True Blue-era top hat, and an array of her signature necklaces/rosaries.  He almost always drops an old school Madge track in his sets, with flawless execution.  His adoration for the Queen of Pop, especially her Bedtime Stories/Erotica era, will be a perfect balance to my True Blue/Ray of Light, as we destroy the floor Friday night.  

It also helps that he's a hell of a fucking human being and one of the nice, most genuine people you'll ever meet.  

RAD's TOP 10 MADONNA VIDEOS

1. Express Yourself "Blonde Ambition Tour"

2. Vogue - MTV Awards 1990

3. Hung Up

4. Open Your Heart

5. Everybody

6. Lucky Star

7. Papa Don't Preach

8. Fever, Girlie Show Tour

9. Beautiful Stranger

10. Human Nature

In his own words:

"Madonna is my biggest role model. Hands down. Her entire life has basically been a text book documentary on how to be a flawless human being. The first time I remember hearing Madonna on the radio, I was driving in a car with my Mom...

...and "Erotica" started to play. It was so different than anything else I'd ever heard at the time. I was like, WHAT IS THIS?! My Mom's reaction was, "Turn this filth off! That slut!"...

...which only made me more intrigued. I figured out who she was and was immediately obsessed. She was perfect. I did some research. Became even more obsessed with earlier Madonna. I feel like I've been studying everything Madonna since then. I'm basically like Maureen McFarland. Her best friend from her youth. I taught Madonna how to insert a tampon! I couldn't have asked for a better role model. She moved to NYC with nothing but her ambitions, her talent, her beauty, and $20 in her pocket and became MADONNA. She is also the ULTIMATE shameless slut $ucce$$ story (wear a condom)!!! She broke through societal barriers, social norms, and confronted sexism and homophobia, all while looking flawless, grabbing her crotch, and giving anyone who had a problem with it the middle finger. And she's still making us dance! And I hope she never stops."

Additionally, for your enjoyment, here's a video of the two of us (along with many others) dancing on a booze bus on the way to see Robyn.

Madonna MAJRmix - 37 songs | 57 mins

One of the most tedious mixes I've made.  So difficult to piece together some of Madonna these tracks- especially with production qualities varying from 1983-2006.  It was worth it, and then some.  I CANNOT WAIT for Friday's Madonna party: http://www.facebook.com/events/490789950983345/

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[Intro: A Tale to Tell]

Impressive Instant

Get Together

Express Yourself

Hollywood

Hung Up

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Into the Groove

Celebration

Ray of Light

Material Girl

Dress You Up

Burning Up

[Interlude: The World]

Open Your Heart

Vogue

Where's the Party

Forbidden Love

Deeper and Deeper

Lucky Star

Jump

Like a Virgin

Borderline

How High

Die Another Day

Holiday

Everybody

Music

Papa Don't Preach

Beautiful Stranger

[Interlude: Abandonment]

The Power of Goodbye

Human Nature

Candy Perfume Girl

La Isla Bonita

Secret

Erotica

Who's that Girl

Like a Prayer

[Interlude: Vulnerable]

True Blue