guest dj's michael+zack (homo/sonic) tomorrow

We are extremely excited to have our dance party happening tomorrow! It is going to be phenomenal, and we hope everyone comes out to play with us.

From 10:00 p.m. to about 11:30 p.m., I will be spinning the best in electro, indie rock, and quality pop. At that time, we are honored to have our guest deejays, Michael + Zack from Homo/Sonic spinning. They are great guys with fantastic music sense, and are sure to keep you moving on the floor. After they finish, I will be spinning the rest of the evening (12:30 a.m.-3:00 a.m.).

We would like to take a moment to especially thank Michael + Zack, of The New Gay, for their support of SHIFT. They have been stellar with helping us get the word out, and are superb guys, to boot. We always enjoy Homo/Sonic, and implore anyone who has yet to attend one of their dance parties to do so with haste.
Click to keep track of all their doings at The New Gay, or simply scroll down and look for the tab on the right side of your screen. It is an excellent resource for all-inclusive queer ideas and events. An elephantine thank you to TNG, especially our inaugural guest deejays, Michael + Zack. You are seriously the cat's pajamas and the Mary to our Rhoda.
-the Majr

return of the kings

Depeche Mode has returned! And, they are touring their arses off this spring and summer in support of their new album, Sounds of the Universe, to be released on April 21 in the US. This (sure to be brilliant) tour includes a stop at local Nissan Pavilion, in Bristow, Virginia (TUE. 7/28). Always one to embrace a bit of strife, DM's international tour begins in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 10th, and ends September 5th in Sunrise, Florida.

Depeche Mode is also the first to sign onto the new iTunes venture called "iTunes Pass," its first foray into anything remotely close to subscription music. In this, fans can periodically snag extra tracks, remixes, and any extra goodies the label or artist decides to make available for an all-inclusive fee for that particular artist. For Depeche Mode, this is perfect for the hordes of hardcore fans (like Lt. Lush), and those who would sell their first born to have front row tickets (*ahem*).

Check out DM's new single, "Wrong," on Myspace Music.

In other formidable news, one of my favorite bands, The Helio Sequence, has been signed to open up for Keane on their approaching tour. This includes a stop at the dreadful (but tolerable for this performance) D.A.R. Constitution Hall, here in the District (TUE. 5/19). Do not miss this fantastic 2-piece band whose latest LP, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, was one of the best albums I have heard in years.

Stay up to date with tour dates of non-suck bands/acts, as well as great dance nights, and general magnificent goings-on, with our "Events that Matter" tab to the right--->
-the Majr

how sexy

Washington City Paper's Amanda Hess took the time to interview us yesterday. Click to see her perspective (on her blog platform), The Sexist. It was a really great opportunity to chat about some of the aspects of SHIFT to which everyone can look forward.

Dance your face off.
-the Majr

but watch yourself

Six ass-shakin' songs worth the listen...

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

-the Majr

Ticketmaster/Live Nation - news

Today in less than an hour, the world of concerts and ticketing will hold its breath, as the U.S. Department of Justice antitrust division begins its initial hearing in the scheduled merger of Ticketmaster and ClearChannel's Live Nation. Upon further cognition, the consequences of such a powerful combination could be either very bad or very good for the consumer.

On that note, having such control over shows, they could raise their already large (and somewhat arbitrary) "convenience" fees, which would be an economic blow for the common concert attendee. The positive aspect of such a merger is the convergence of big-money technology that will help getting tickets and attending shows easier than ever (which is overly optimistic in nature).

The subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights, chaired by Herb Kohl, D-Wis., will meet at 2:30 p.m. EST in Dirksen Senate Office Room 226. “The Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger: What Does it Mean for Consumers and the Future of the Concert Business?” will be the label of the hearing, and will hopefully put into spotlight the often borderline-abusive fees and charges, as well as big corporation competition intimidation for which both of these companies are known.

According to Pollstar.com, "It could be a lively session, considering the subcommitte’s membership includes Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has called for an investigation into Ticketmaster’s handling of the recent Bruce Springsteen ticket onsale, and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who has recorded music in his own right and has been an outspoken critic of music piracy."

Among the first witnesses scheduled today are Ticketmaster's Irving Azoff, Live Nation's Michael Rapino and Jam Productions’ Jerry Mickelsen. The hope, on this end, is that the DOJ takes the most balanced position between consumer interest and economic consequence. Witnesses listed on the committee’s Web site are Azoff, Rapino, Mickelson and David A. Balto, a senior fellow with the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C.

What do you think?
-the Majr

because the 'bitter, party of 1' reservation is already taken

Some tunes to anticipate, as we approach our premiere this Saturday, the 28th!

SHIFT mix #4

Dance to your own drum machine.

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

faintron '09

File under f'awesome news.

The Faint and Ladytron, two of the most popular electo-based bands of the the last 10 years, have decided to co-headline a tour this Spring. This is resplendent news for anyone who has seen The Faint live (amazing), loves the dark ambience of Ladytron's stage presence, or is simply looking for a quality show where you do not want to drink yourself into Betty Ford waiting for the cacophony of the opening band to cease.

Though each of their most recent full-length albums have been a bit of a let down, the positive note is that nearly a year has passed since. In this, we know that the initial push to play new material is over, and older material will be joyfully resurrected! I cannot bash either of the bands' latest LPs too much, but it barely takes half a listen to either Danse Macabre (The Faint) or Witching Hour (Ladytron), to feel the quality dichotomy.

So, for all you big fans, they are coming to 9:30 Club April 14th. Get your tickets here.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, below is a fun playlist for your listening pleasure.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

because mondays just aren't as sexy without mrs. connor

Some more fun music from the sovereign state of SHIFT.

SHIFT mix #3

Dance until they're pretty.

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - review

On January 28, 2009, Franz Ferdinand returned with an album that turns down the BPMs, as well as the lights, and adds a sultry swagger to the aggressive and clever dance-punk genre that they helped expand. In the early 00's, Franz Ferdinand gloriously debuted with Franz Ferdinand, which was incredibly well received with hits like "Take Me Out," and "Dark of the Matinee." This also helped open the door for bands that immediately followed (or concurrently had less talent), like The Futureheads, Kaiser Chiefs, The Rakes, and The Cribs.

After an obviously rushed follow-up album, You Could Have It So Much Better (that was still quality), Franz took some time off to produce their latest. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand shows the band taking everything down a notch, yet still making you want to shake your ass. Beginning with a brilliant three-song run of sexy braggadocio, the album maintains and reinforces constantly, with another stellar four-song set toward the end. It is rare that a band has seven excellent songs on one LP, but nothing Franz Ferdinand has ever done has been ordinary.

After nearly two years of genre-mates producing horrid follow-ups, I am happy to have the boys back. Best Tracks: "Turn It On", "Ulysses", "Bite Hard", "Can't Stop Feeling" & "Live Alone"

Rating: Own it.

*Since they are not yet coming to DC, click here to get tickets to their NYC show*

What do you think?

-the Majr

cobalt press release

The New Cobalt

The District has changed a lot over the last few years: people, neighborhoods, administrations (!!!). Nightlife in DC has evolved, as well. In the fall of 2008, Cobalt/30° hired me as their new general manager, resulting in a staff overhaul, a new restaurant, LevelOne, and, most importantly, a reversal of many of the old exclusionary policies.

The “no high heel” rule is gone. Done. Check out this article in the Washington City Paper. So, welcome back ladies, we’re sorry. We are also working on recreating our identity. While Cobalt/30° will always self-identify as a gay bar, it is in no way meant to be strictly a “gay establishment for gay people.” Dupont Circle is no longer the gay ghetto it was in the past; it is now a mixed neighborhood, filled with all sorts of people of different sexualities, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. And all are welcome.

We’ve also begun holding a series of events reaching out to often-marginalized communities. Our rotating Saturday nights include the successful aZen, produced by Aqua for the Asian and Pacific Islander queer community. Bare, by luRe, catering to queer women. And at the end of this month we will be debuting SHIFT, an indie/electro night geared towards the alternative community.

Cobalt/30° strives to be a neighborhood bar; a space where anyone can feel welcome and comfortable. Change takes time (we know, the website needs work), so please be patient with us, we’re working on it. So, come by, have a drink (we’ve got buy-one-get-one-free happy hours every day, $1 drinks on Thursdays and open bar Friday nights – hey, times are tough!) and check out the New Cobalt. And if you’ve got any suggestions or ideas, let us know; we’re listening.

See you all at the bar!

Mark Rutstein
General Manager, Cobalt/30°/LevelOne
Mark@IKnowDC.com

favs of '08

As it is still early in 2009, I would like to reflect upon my favorite music of 2008.

My favorite 10 albums of 2008
(complete with links and doodads)

10. ...Earth to The Dandy Warhols, The Dandy Warhols
They had a new album? Yes, they did, and it is vintage DH: ambient, sarcastic, politically relevant, and well produced. It was released on their website only, for quite some time, but was genuinely enjoyable. The only knock is its vintage appeal (after 15 years), which can often border redundancy.
Best Tracks: "And Then I Dreamt of Yes", "Mis Amigos" & "Mission Control"

9. Re-Arrange Us, Mates of State
For the second album in a row, MoS has earned its niche in my D.I.D.-esque listening moods. This album has few flaws, and I recommend it for anyone with indie roots and pop sensibilities.
Best Tracks: "Get Better" & "Now"

8. You Have No Idea What You're Getting Yourself Into, Does It Offend You, Yeah?
After producing some really great remixes, DIOYY put out a fantastically aggressive electro-dance album. After seeing them at dc9, I am still in awe of how well polished and delightfully dirty they are.
Best Tracks: "Let's Make Out", "We Are Rockstars" & "With a Heavy Heart (I Regret to Inform You)"

7. In Ghost Colours, Cut Copy
The CTRL-X boys came back in the right way, producing an album that had me dancing most of the year, despite being played out the wazoo by every major DJ looking to crowd-please.
Best Tracks: "Hearts on Fire", "Lights & Music", & "Unforgettable Season"

6. Santogold, Santogold
So, a girl in Brooklyn produces an album that screams of influences from nearly every style of popular music, and becomes an underground sensation. Santogold was quickly discovered and yanked by Coldplay to open, and she did not disappoint, despite the huge task. "I hope it will be worth what I give up," she sings in L.E.S. Artistes. It definitely was, and is.
Best Tracks: "L.E.S. Artistes", "Say Aha" & "You'll Find a Way"

5. Modern Guilt, Beck
Modern Guilt not only provided die-hard Beck fans some new meat, but proved that Beck is still one of those artists whose albums progressively show their depth with every spin. This album comes off as "just ok" in the beginning, but quickly reveals its brilliance.
Best Tracks: "Profanity Prayers", "Youthless", & "Gamma Ray"

4. The Rhumb Line, Ra Ra Riot
Debut of the year easily goes to Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this album is that it resonates a great deal of promise in a young band, making one salivate at hearing a follow-up.
Best Tracks: "Dying Is Fine" & "Winter 'o5"

3. Way to Normal, Ben Folds
Perhaps the most overlooked album of the year was the triumphant comeback of Ben Folds. After trying to play Leonard Cohen on piano for a few records, Folds regained his balls (and his amp) and made the best piano rock album I have heard since, well, Rockin' the Suburbs.
Best Tracks: "Dr. Yang", "You Don't Know Me (feat. Regina Spektor)" & "Cologne"

2. Apocalypso, The Presets
The best dance album of the year belonged to a 2-piece band that has rocked me hard since their debut album, Beams. The Presets returned with a sensationally shellacked sound, while also gaining some pugnacity. The result was an album that begins as overtly electro, delves into industrial samples, and bridges the gap between modern electronica and 80's new wave.
Best Tracks: "Kicking and Screaming", "My People" & "Talk Like That"

1. Keep Your Eyes Ahead, The Helio Sequence
In early 2008, Sub-Pop records released an album to very little fanfare by a 2-piece band that has been around for 10 years, The Helio Sequence. Their fourth LP, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, is the complete album (including beautiful artwork). It is a 10-track tour-de-force of nothing but quality. In a time when I doubted that bands could still make perfect, succinct, polished records- I was proven wrong. There are obvious inspirations of Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, u2, Wolf Parade, Fleet Foxes, The New Pornographers, and Rogue Wave- all wrapped into a 10-song opus. True, it is no (2008's top two) Boxer (The National) or In Rainbows (Radiohead), but it is very close behind. Best Tracks: "Lately", "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" & "Shed Your Love"

My Favorite 10 Singles of 2008
10. "Out at the Pictures" - Hot Chip
9. "Talking Bird" - Death Cab for Cutie
8. "Quiet Times" - Dido
7. "Talk Like That" - The Presets
6. "Dr. Yang" - Ben Folds
5. "Kids" - MGMT
4. "L.E.S. Artistes" - Santogold
3. "Dying Is Fine" - Ra Ra Riot
2. "Ion Square" - Bloc Party
1. "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" - The Helio Sequence

Favorite Music Video
"Talk Like That" - The Presets

Favorite Pop Song
"Breakin' Dishes" - Rihanna
(with Dance Interp. by Tubs McSass & the Bitches)

Favorite Live Show
Radiohead, Nissan Pavilion, May 11
We were freezing and soaking wet. For 2.5 hours and 25 songs, Radiohead made it all go away.

Favorite Live Song
"Fake Plastic Trees" - Radiohead

Don't worry- Coldplay, TV on the Radio, and Fleet Foxes are honorable mentions for those of you who read the magazine lists.

What are your favorites?

-the Majr

all caffeine free and faux-punk fatigues

Some more fun music from the sovereign state of SHIFT.

SHIFT mix #2

Dance your face off.

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