round 2: FIGHT... March SHIFT in photos...

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moniker

It is really very simple, I must say. First, the Majr is my DJ moniker because of the title homonym, the major. I got this name, in a loving fashion of course, through my no-wire-hangers approach to event planning, as well as my often militant control over the music at any party or event I was organizing.

Secondly, it is because those are my initials: Michael Adolphson, Jr. I have had this moniker for a long time, and I feel like changing it would be useless. So, alas, I am here, your majr pain in the ass. I come to provide good times with good music, and let the follow suit.
-the Majr

dj set at duplex

SHIFT is happy to announce that yours truly, the Mhajr, has been asked to DJ at Duplex on 18th & U on Wednesday (April 1) from 9:30p-12:00a. This event is part of GAGA WEEK DC, a week that culminates with Lady Gaga's two performances at Nightclub 9:30 on Thursday (April 2).

So, for those of you looking to get pumped up with great music the night before, or if you are on your way to or from The Presets (amazing live!) show at 9:30, stop in and say "Hi." It looks to be a great chance to play quality music at an established bar that perhaps rarely gets a chance to hear it.

Spreading the gospel of non-suck tunes,

-the Majr

thank you / set-list (march)

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone (all 500+) who made it out last night to SHIFT. I hope you loved the music and danced your face off. DJ Shea Van Horn, who kicked so much ass during DJ guest hour, deserves a round of applause (and drinks). Also, a special thanks to Mark Rutstein who helped manage the venue, despite being his day off. Additionally, Aaron Riggins, who allowed us to kickoff GAGA WEEK DC in style, gets a big high-five. Last night rocked my sh*t. You all are amazing.

We look forward to seeing everyone again on SATURDAY APRIL 25th.

-the Majr


my set-list

Abandoned Pools - Seed
Middle Distance Runner - Man Of The People
Peaches - AA XXX
Stars - Bitches In Tokyo
The Killers - Spaceman
LCD Soundsystem - Watch the Tapes
Scissor Sisters - Music Is The Victim
Bloc Party - Two More Years [MSTRKRFT Remix]
Louis XIV - Finding Out True Love Is Blind
The Hives - Try It Again
Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine
She Wants Revenge - I Don't Want to Fall In Love
Infadels - Topboy
Kaiser Chiefs - Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Garbage - Why Do You Love Me
The Cloud Room - Blackout!
Green Day - Hitchin' A Ride
Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm
The Faint - Worked Up So Sexual
The Ting Tings - Fruit Machine
Santogold - Say Aha
Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls
No Doubt - Just a Girl
Nine Inch Nails - Meet Your Master (The Faint Remix)
Lady Gaga - Money Honey
Moby - Disco Lies
Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
Hot Chip - Over and Over
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Me + Yr Daughter
Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Chromeo Remix)

Dragonette - I Get Around
M.I.A. - 10 Dollar
Sneaky Sound System - When We Were Young
Lady GaGa - BoysBoysBoys
The Dandy Warhols - Scientist
Madonna - Impressive Instant
Chromeo - Tenderoni (MSTRKRFT Remix)
Rihanna - Breakin' Dishes
Ladytron - Ghosts (Cassette Jam Mix)
Whitey - Wrap It Up
Paul Oakenfold feat. Brittany Murphy - Faster Kill Pussycat
The Presets - My People
Lady Gaga - The Fame
Pharrell feat. Santogold & J. Cassablancas - My Drive Thru
Cut Copy - Out There On the Ice
Kylie Minogue - Boombox (LA Riots Remix)
Heartsrevolution - Switchblade
Calvin Harris - The Girls
M.I.A. - Bucky Done Gun
Friendly Fires - On Board
The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful
Mission Control - Innerspace
Freezepop - Frontload (Designer Drugs Remix)
Daniel Bedingfield - James Dean (I Wanna Know)
Milke - Love Get Out of My Way
Mariah Carey - I'll Be Lovin U Long Time (Designer Drugs Remix)
Britney Spears - Do Somethin'
The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers
Infadels - Jagger '67
Scissor Sisters - Filthy/Gorgeous
Eskimo Disco - Japanese Girl
Pay TV - Miss Capitalist
Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)
The Presets - Talk Like That
Frankmusik - In Step
Beck - Timebomb
Gwen Stefani - What Are You Waiting For
Melody Club - Electric
Metric - Dead Disco
Le Tigre - TKO
Rilo Kiley - Portions For Foxes
Fischerspooner - Emerge
Chris Lilley - Naughty Girl (Summer Heights High)
LCD Soundsystem/Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends

Bloc Party - review

I have been to a lot of shows at Nightclub 9:30, but I cannot remember the last time I saw it as packed as when I witnessed Bloc Party there on Sunday. The British sonic dance-punk band played to an adoring crowd of every demographic and orientation. For the 90 minutes of their set, I was reminded with each well-crafted performance of how I had heard of their inability to reproduce their sound live. Perhaps they had a "good night" at 9:30, but I genuinely doubt it. I can see how their sound is at its optimum in a small club of condensed acoustics, but cannot imagine someone not appreciating the quality of many of their stage presence.

They began their set by throwing two of the more upbeat tracks off their latest LP, Intimacy, One Month Off and Trojan Horse, followed by a single from their last album, titled "Hunting for Witches." Despite never really liking the latter track, I enjoyed it live (which is one of my favorite live performance phenomena).

For the next 45 minutes they reeled off tracks from all three of their full lengths, with a HUGE highlight occurring when they piggybacked two of my favorite songs, Song for Clay (Disappear Here) and Banquet. The latter, one of the best indie dance songs of the last 5 years, came beautifully out of the aggressive former. Still, it got better. Kele, the lead vocalist, ran into the crowd with his microphone cord almost tripping me (which I obviously did not mind) during a crowd-pleasing Mercury, the first single off Intimacy. He then crowd-surfed his way back to the stage. It was delicious.

The band closed the first set and took their pre-encore rest, but not before shelling out a sonorous execution of Ion Square, my favorite track from Intimacy. After returning, they played two tracks, the synth-dance Flux and overtly dance-punk Helicopter that both (especially the latter) got the crowd moving uncontrollably for the first time in the show. It was nice to see a D.C. crowd pull the stick out and actually let loose a bit. People were bouncing off one another in comfortable chaos- just as jeebus intended.

But- they were not done yet. After witnessing "the random show of enthusiasm," (per Kele) Bloc Party came back out and performed two final tunes. They started with the cleverly belligerent (and oh so danceable) Ares, the opening track off the new album. I must state that this track pumps me up so much every time I hear it, that I basically single-handedly re-created the pit. Finally, and much to the crowd's pleasure, they finished with the eloquently written and soothingly bittersweet This Modern Love.

Though I have seen amazing shows- some much better and many MANY much worse- I can say that this great performance was just what I needed. As a person who is rarely drawn to seeing a band more than once, Bloc Party warrants seeing at least twice more.

Rating: f***ing great
-the Majr

SHIFT featured in MetroWeekly

Hats off to MetroWeekly!

We greatly appreciate the medium featuring us, as well as its positive influence on the DC/Metro community.


Major SHIFT: Cobalt's latest hit is a new alternative dance party


-the Majr


(PS: If you request Toni Basil's "Mickey" on Saturday, you will be destroyed.)

wake up DC

time to shake it hard.

SHIFT mix #8

like a British nanny.

(dance your face off)

The Ting Tings - review

Katie White and that other guy (Jules de Martino), who comprise The Ting Tings played at 9:30 club this past Friday evening, and here is the breakdown...

Katie was a fantastic front lady for the two-piece, as she projected her vocals well and kept a great rapport with the audience. Jules hit the drums a bit and wore yellow Ferris Bueller meets Bono shades that made him appear wonderfully mysterious. Except, not. Katie sounded especially well in Great DJ and Fruit Machine, while slightly below par on Shut Up and Let Me Go and That's Not My Name. I enjoyed the entire set of 11 or so songs, but I was definitely waiting for more as the show ended. I guess playing cover songs is not in their repertoire, as they basically performed the entire debut album, We Started Nothing, on shuffle- and then called it a night. It is a good thing that their audience was made up of mostly MTV fans and other such pleasant beings, to say the least.

The set was just okay, the crowd's energy felt like the Republican National Convention, and the evening left something to be desired. Other than those, the scallops were delightful.

Still, I give a huge high-five to White for her personal energy and vocal quality, and I will continue to cheer this duo on as they ascend from their humble Leigh, Greater Manchester roots to international stardom. Someone needs to bridge the gap between the taste-retarded and the ones who listen.
Rating: just okay
-the Majr

we are electric

fully laminated.
freely lubricated.
frantically laciniated.

SHIFT mix #7

gaga week dc / dj shea van horn

SHIFT is proud to announce that this month's dance party will be the official launch party for GAGA WEEK DC, a week of parties and promotions leading up to Lady Gaga's Thursday (4/2) concert(s) at 9:30 club. Organized by District social emperor, Aaron Riggins, GAGA WEEK DC is a great chance for fans to celebrate an artist who succeeds at bridging the gap between pop and electro quite well.

Within the popular spectrum, Lady Gaga leans more toward our musical taste (played "Boys Boys Boys" at the last SHIFT), and I look forward to kicking off the week-long celebration at SHIFT with a few songs of hers. Reliably, we will also be throwing down my sidereal set of indie rock, electro-dance, and quality pop tracks.

Also, we will have the pleasure of welcoming one of the best Disc Jockeys on the east coast, DJ Shea Van Horn (of Mixtape) as this month's guest DJ. Last month, Zack+Michael of Homo/Sonic did a fantastic job, and we hope to some day have them back. Shea has impeccable music taste, dynamite DJ diction, is a talented technician, and is the only DJ who dances as much as I do in the booth. With our powers combined, we will keep you dancing to songs you will want to hear again and again.

Bring on the 28th!
-the Majr