remix monday : scissor sisters

Since the original version of Scissor Sisters' new track, Invisible Light, broke into the blogosphere, I have been a little obsessed. There's something about it that screams, as my friend Aaron would say, "FOG! MORE FOG!" Finally, after a few remixes (including a terrible one by Stuart Price) that sucked so hard they got pregnant, DJ ZAX dropped this one:

Invisible Light (DJ ZAX Full Club ReWork) - Scissor Sisters

This track does what a good remix of a difficult track should (especially this one): stays true to the song, picks up the pace, adds electro attitude/distortion, and puts more bite on beat. This is even better than the original.. I love it. Thank you to DJ MATT BAILER for hitting me up w/ this gem.

Bring on June 29! Scissor Sisters' new LP Night Work drops! woot.

thanks / SET LIST for memorial mayhem

Wow, Memorial weekend really is always a messy mayhem. I am so thankful for everyone who came out to dance, drink, have fun, and revel in the monthly awesomeness that is SHIFT. The next SHIFT is in 4 weeks, on June 26 (a week before my birthday.. woot).

4 Upcoming DJ Events for Me:

THR. 06/03 - FRESH (mova)

FRI. 06/11 - SIREN (apex)

SAT. 06/12 - HOMO ERECTUS (washington hilton) - GET TIX

SAT. 06/26 - SHIFT (cobalt)

Here's your delightful set-list

Under Control (Alex Metric remix DJ MAJR edit) - Adam Freeland

Kill Bill - LA Riots

In for the Kill (Le Castle Vania remix) - La Roux

What Are You Waiting For - Gwen Stefani

Bizarre Love Triangle (Automatic Panic remix) - New Order

Get Love (The Shoes remix) - Naive New Beaters

I Ran (So Far Away) - Darude ft. Blake Lewis

Talk Like That - The Presets

Jerk It - Thunderheist

3 (Dallas K remix) - Britney Spears

Y Control (Tommie Sunshine remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

I See You Baby (Fatboy Slim re

mix) - Groove Armada

Fixin to Thrill (Automatic Panic remix) - Dragonette

We Bite (Designer Drugs remix) - Spencer Product

Mercy (Dunproofin remix) - Duffy

Acapella (DJ MAJR edit) - Kelis

Crazy (Vengeance remix) - Gnarls Barkley

Get Shaky - The Ian Carey Project

Invisible Light (DJ ZAX remix) - Scissor Sisters

Push It - Salt N Pepa

Fire in Your New Shoes - Kaskade ft. Dragonette

Boots & Boys - Kesha

Gold Digger - Kanye West

Closer - Nine Inch Nails

Teeth - Lady Gaga

Crazy In Love - Beyonce

Got Your Money - Ol' Dirty Bastard ft. Kelis

Boys - Britney Spears

Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet

Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera

MAJR Megamix - Lady Gaga

Waiting for Bulletproof Love - Gwen vs. Kylie vs. La Roux

Breakin' Dishes - Rihanna

Diva (Speedy Graffiti remix) - Beyonce

ADD SUV (Armand Van Helden remix) - Uffie ft. Pharrell

Faster Kill Pussycat - Paul Oakenfold ft. Brittany Murphy (R.I.P. not sporadically)

Dancing on My Own (Buzz Junkies remix) - Robyn

I Like That - Richard Vission & Toxic Avenger ft. Luciana

2 Songs Crashed - Blur vs. Gwen Stefani

Special (DJ MAJR edit) - Garbage

Friday I'm in Love - The Cure

Celebrity Skin - Hole

Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz

Take on Me (The Twelves remix) - A-Ha

Toxic - Britney Spears

1901 - Phoenix

Under the Gun - The Killers

All These Things I've Done - The Killers

Photos are coming soon... mwuhahahaha..

guest DJ spotlight : DJs Zack Rosen + Wesley D

Our guest DJs this month are quite the treat, I must say. Not only do we have an opening DJ upstairs from 10p-12a, but we have a DJ downstairs in 30Degrees lounge from the very beginning of the night! When deciding the perfect people to ask for these two spots, I really wanted a solid pair that would bring exactly what SHIFT wants for the respective sets, and I really believe it could not have worked out any better.

DJ Zack Rosen will be manning the downstairs, and is no stranger to playing long sets for big crowds. His Homo/Sonic has done quite well over the past 2 years at the Black Cat. His style can best be labeled as an eclectic mix that's heavy on the guess factor and light on the bullsh*t. He has a great respect for indie dance and brit-pop, as well as a healthy affection for riot girl ra-ra and post-punk dance. His style will be perfectlyp placed for those entering the bar in need of a diversion from the normal bump and fizzle of any other dance bar that night. Rosen is also a huge part of The New Gay, a very popular blog, especially in the metro area. Make sure you check it out.

DJ Wesley D is the sacron of the evening. He brings the pop... in hordes. But, before you assume that you'll hear Britney and Gaga all evening, it must be reminded that pop is simply the default common quality of a lot of his musical style. An agile DJ who is heavy on the UK version of the stigmatic terminology, Wesley D will give you the pop that should be pop, not what you hear on the radio. From Annie to Alphabeat, Grum to Goldfrapp, La Roux to Little Boots, Wesley knows what makes you flail around like a nun on fire. One-half of the music blog Coffee&Bars, he is opening up for resident DJ MAJR (me!) from 10p-12a, and is the one you must blame for getting you started so early on the dancefloor (you know, when you are so dance-tired Sunday morning that you can barely make it to your lushy cookout/brunch).

Get ready for some messy mooseknuckle mayhem. See you Saturday & Happy Memorial Day weekend!

3 tracks: deep inside my love mouse

These are three tracks that you should know and love... and should get you ready to shake it this Saturday at SHIFT: memorial mayhem! So step back, put your dancin' dress on, and embrace the chaos.

Deep Inside These Walls - JJ Flores & Steve Smooth

My Love Is Better - Annie

Cat & Mouse (LA Riots remix DJ MAJR edit) - Nikki & Rich

fresh : macy gray returns

Macy Gray is not washed up. Maybe all the booze and hallucinogens slowed her down over the last 10 years, but she is finally back to where she started: making good music with vivid emotion and a sly sense of humor. She's really come a long way from playing the lead in Sanford and Son, I must say. Haha. All kidding aside, here are three fantastic tracks from her new album The Sellout, due out June 22. The supervenus freak is back... and I'm really happy to celebrate her as an artist, once again. The Sellout (title track) reminds me of her debut album (one of the best albums in history, IMO), On How Life Is. Kissed It samples the drumbeat from Rock & Roll Pt. 2 (The Hey Song), and includes a fantastic swing provided by Velvet Revolver. This is probably my favorite track, by far. Finally, we have a song that samples what seems to be the Batman theme, That Man, which makes sense considering the title. Enough said. This bitch has her shit together and I'm thoroughly enjoying this album (which was sent to me very kindly by DJ Matt Bailer)... here are the three highlights:

Kissed It (Feat. Velvet Revolver) - Macy Gray

The Sellout - Macy Gray

That Man - Macy Gray

essential tuesday - garbage

Garbage changed everything.

Think what you will, but they are the keystone band of my youth that allowed me to not only span my adoration for music across multiple genres, but allowed me to hear what 'quality' music should be: great writing, flawless production, and a balance of messy and beautiful. I have only seen them once, in 2002, but still consider it in the top 4 live shows I've ever experienced. Shirley Manson is the ultimate front-woman. She dominates every inch of the stage and is perhaps the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in person. No joke. She is petite, model-esque, and has these distinctive (gigantic) eyes that you can see in detail from the back of the venue. THE BIG NEWS is that they are recording again. Yep! Since February, they have been recording at their old studios in Madison, Wisconsin, in preparation for their fifth album. It has been 5 years since Bleed Like Me, and I'm salivating to hear Manson, Vig & co. come out with something new. There's a hole in my musical heart until that happens.

Here are my SEVEN favorite Garbage tracks, followed by my favorite video of theirs. The tracks include a favorite from each album (Version 2.0 has two because it is their best), as well as two b-sides (one written for the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack, and another is from the Version 2.0 sessions that didn't make the record). Enjoy!

Parade - Garbage

#1 Crush - Garbage

When I Grow Up - Garbage

Enough Is Never Enough - Garbage

You Look So Fine - Garbage

As Heaven Is Wide - Garbage

Happy Home - Garbage

remix monday : bad boy bill

Chicago-based Bad Boy Bill has always been at the forefront of house music, but now has dabbled quite successfully in the electro scene. Here are the original and remixed (by fellow Chicago house legend Tony Arzadon) versions of my favorite BBB track, 2009's Do What U Like. Click the down arrow to download. Dig it.

Do What U Like - Bad Boy Bill

Do What U Like (Tony Arzadon remix) - Bad Boy Bill

embrace the mayhem

MayhemMix SHIFTeaser 5.2010 - DJ MAJR

DOWNLOAD.m4a

Under Control (Alex Metric remix) - Adam Freeland

ADD SUV (Armand Van Helden vocal remix) - Uffie ft. Pharrell

New in Town (Bimbo Jones remix) - Little Boots

Blame it on the Girls (Wolfgang Gartner's dry remix) - Mika

Dancing on my Own (Buzz Junkies club remix) - Robyn

Get Shaky - The Ian Carey Project

Restless (Fake Blood remix) - UNKLE

Scream - Kelis

The Phoenix Alive (Kris Menace remix) - Monarchy

These New Knights (Tiesto remix) - Ou Est La Swimming Pool

Cat & Mouse (LA Riots remix) - Nikki & Rich

Knocked Up (Death to the Throne remix) - Lykke Li

Fire in Your New Shoes - Kaskade ft. Dragonette

new video - robyn

My favorite new song of Robyn's now has an awesome video. Love it.

Robyn 'Dancing On My Own' (Official Video) from Robyn on Vimeo.

three track thursdays 05.20.10 - sadfacefest

I think that today we should celebrate the sad face. There are so many great songs, of varying tempos and tones, that exploit the morose and depressing portions of our existences, that a day must be set aside to celebrate them. So, today's for all the cutters, depressives, excessive escapists, and adroit masochists out there. *cheers*

Who knew sadness could be so diverse in sound?... Well, I did, but that's beside the point. Here are three designations of desolation, dejection, despair, and dolefullness to get your Thursday off to the right start!

Included in this celebration of sadness is my favorite new cuttertastic tune, Sorrow by The National. This song almost made me cry the first time I heard it. Prepare yourself, ye with souls. Also thrown in are Au Revoir Simone's Sad Song, and Hole's Awful. These two tracks are in stark contrast not only to one another (Sad Song is delightfully upbeat in tone but meditative in nature, while Awful is pop-rock with moments of glam-inspired irritation), but when compared to Sorrow, they're completely the selectiveness the psychiatrist ordered.

So, say au revoir to your awful hole and suck on some sorrow.
Awful - Hole
by shiftdc1
Sad Song - Au Revoir Simone
by shiftdc1
Sorrow - The National
by shiftdc1

fresh wed. : monarchy

Monarchy is a mystery. No one knows for sure who they are. No one seems to care too much, either, as the music they've produced is intelligent pop; dense with subtleties, pensive simplicity, and the kind of minor key tonality that makes me cream my jeans. The rumor is that the vocalist is the same as the since-defunct Milke (mentioned in yesterday's entry) and the programming is all the fantastic Stuart Price.

I hope you like them as much as I do. Check out two tracks I really like (downloadable), with (even better) remixes of each, as well as a video for their first hit, The Phoenix Alive:

The Phoenix Alive - Monarchy

The Phoenix Alive (Kris Menace remix) - Monarchy

Gold in the Fire - Monarchy

Gold In The Fire (Diamond Cut remix) - Monarchy

essential tuesday - best of designer drugs

We all need a little pick-me-up every once in a while, and few DJs have brought the dance better than Brooklyn's Designer Drugs. They have consistently made me dance, inspired me to make others move, and reminded me that you can cross the darker sounds of pop with the heaviest of dance beats. I really don't think any other DJ duos out there have a better energy and more distinctive sound than DD, and I hope they keep making music. Here are my favorite three remixes of theirs, that you should love:

Love Get Out of My Way (Designer Drugs Remix) - Milke

Your Heart Feels (Designer Drugs Remix) - Thieves Like Us

Youth And Vitality (Designer Drugs Remix) - Tigersapien

remix monday : uffie

I love this track, and you should too. I've been blaring ADD SUV like a sad hooker on good speed all week, and have been requesting it at every dance party I attend. The artist, Uffie, is young (23), but her breakout predates all the current electro-pop wenches out there (Gaga, La Roux, Little Boots, et al). Despite this, I am only just starting to love her... and I'm overdue.

There are an abundance of remixes I could have dropped this week, but this one has me shaking my moneymaker like a proper recessionista. This is all in spite of me not being a very big fan of Pharrell Williams. Maybe that has more to do with the amazing work that Armand Van Helden did on this track... either way, it's straight-up dance. I dare you to sit still. Check it:

ADD SUV (Armand Van Helden Vocal Remix) - Uffie ft. Pharrell

newsflash: NEW Kylie single

DOWNLOAD HERE

three track thursdays 05.13.10 - igby comes back

I'm a gigantic fan of a good score or soundtrack, and one of the most influential soundtracks of my life has been that of Igby Goes Down. A coming of age comedic drama about a young adult coming to terms with his world, in all its joys and faults, this movie hit me at the right time in my life. With amazing performances by an all-star cast (who were paid beans, but did the film anyway because the script was so good), I still can watch it any day. Musically, this film drew from a great deal of popular, brit-rock, and indie rock acts including Travis, Driftland, Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay (when they were still young and trying), and (my personal favorite) The Dandy Warhols. Here are my 3 favorite tracks from the down-tempo, beautiful, introspective soundtrack:

The Weight - Travis

Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols

Youth is Wasted on the Young - Driftland

fresh wednesday : donora

So, apparently in December 2008 when their self-titled LP was released, I had no idea who Donora was. Alas, now I do. I recently came across their single, Shout, and I am a bit smitten. It's straight-up indie pop-rock circa early 2000's sound. I am addicted and consistently find myself turning off the shuffle and seeking out the track on my walk to work.

Named after the small town in Pennsylvania, this Pittsburgh-based act consists of Jake and Casey Herner (siblings) and Jake Churton. Casey's vocals definitely have a Veronicas/Avril Lavigne sound to them, but without making me want to mix a hot razor with a warm bath. I hope you like it as much as I do, but if you don't, that's okay. We all can't be slumber budding bosom party girls inside.

Shout - Donora

essential tuesday: the killers b-sides

The Killers have risen from the indie-dance post-punk haze into pop prominence in less than 7 years. No matter how much I progressively dislike their musical direction, I still love the root of their sound. I can't help but adore Brandon Flowers' false sense of entitlement. And, I still still look forward to each new record with the hope that they return to the dirty, belligerent dance-rock that made them famous.

Here are my favorite b-sides/rarities of Flowers & Co, beginning with the song I hailed as my anthem in 2004, Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll, which now can only be seen as ironic considering the band's last album. I love all these tracks, especially Under the Gun, one of the first songs I ever heard by them, and their cover of The Smiths' Why Don't You Find Out for Yourself. I also threw in the best song they never recorded, Where Is She/Soft Surrender, a track only heard live in the cut below.. but you can tell that it's quite good. Additionally, I love The Ballad of Michael Valentine... just because- so deal!

In any case, these songs rock and always remind me why I love The Killers. Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll is what I want. It's in my SOUL, it's what I need. Indie Rock & Roll, it's time!

Enjoy... and feel free to download with the down arrow on the right of the soundcloud.

Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll - The Killers

Under the Gun - The Killers

The Ballad of Michael Valentine - The Killers

Why Don't You Find Out for Yourself (The Smiths Cover) - The Killers

Where is She / Soft Surrender (Live) - The Killers

Stay if you wanna love me, stay
Oh don't be shy, let's cause a scene
Like lovers do on silver screens
Let's make it yeah, we'll cause a scene

It's Indie rock'n'roll for me.

remix monday : UNKLE

Here are two remixes I really like, and you should too! Each of these include the fabulous duo UNKLE. They are both impeccably danceable and have been rocking me hard all week. The Fake Blood remix is one that I came across last week, while the Depeche Mode remixed by UNKLE is one that I have had for years. Enjoy!

Restless (Fake Blood Remix) - UNKLE

John the Revelator (UNKLE remix) - Depeche Mode

release: DJ MAJR spinning Pride again!

Get Your Tix HERE!

random: deradoorian & ellie goulding remixes

Here are two tracks that I can't help but post right now. They have been haunting me recently, and I'm happy to spread the spirit. Make what you will of them- I won't drown your perspective with mine this time. I will say they are exactly what I needed: ambient, relaxing, and the harmonic remedy to my currently cacophonous life.

You Carry the Deed (Hidden Cat Remix) - Deradoorian

Guns and Horses (Monsieur Adi Remix) - Ellie Goulding

three track thursdays 05.06.10 - pick up the phone(s)

I noticed recently that the title Pick Up the Phone is quite popular. So, for this week's three track thursday, I decided to give you the same song three times... except by different artists... and completely different actual tracks. Even greater than the coincidence of a common name, the tunes are all of great quality. [Feel free to download these tracks below.]

The most famous of these artists is probably Dragonette. Their version of Pick Up the Phone has been blazing through indie/electro playlists for a few months now. It is easily one of the most pop-sensitive tracks out there, and is growing exponentially in popularity since the video (see below) debuted. A song about losing the ones we love through time, this track has a nostalgic, bittersweet tone that becomes infectious.

Next, we have the best electro/post-punk band you'll never know: Moving Units. After two stellar albums, they STILL are unknown. An L.A.-based band for lovers of The Faint, The Killers, etc., they are currently recording their third album.

Lastly, we have a band that I still listen to often, The Notwist, whose 2002 LP, Neon Golden, is a solid downtempo, electronic, introspective masterpiece. Their take on Pick Up the Phone holds its own against the great standard set by the previous two (and they also predate them by 6 and 8 years). If you ever want to hear more great stuff from The Notwist, definitely look up the track Consequence, which is easily my favorite tune of theirs.

Pick Up the Phone - Dragonette

Pick Up the Phone - Moving Units

(Download only- unable to preview because SoundCloud sucks at life)

Pick Up the Phone - The Notwist

fresh wednesday : the good natured

Here is a great new track with a fresh remixed tunes that you should have.

The Good Natured is a current obsession of mine. For lovers of Little Boots, Lily Allen, Florence + The Machine, and Kate Nash. Apparently I missed the boat on this one when she broke in November of 2009 in the U.K., but this 18-year-old girl is quite the phenom. Well written, synthetically appropriate, and a complete prodigy. Take your meds, because she's spreading faster than Kelly Clarkson's girth.

Your Body is a Machine - The Good Natured

Your Body is a Machine (Zebra & Snake Remix) - The Good Natured

fresh wednesday : new interpol, the helio sequence

Interpol, easily one of my favorite bands, has returned with a new track, Lights. It's vintage Interpol: eerily honest with soft harmonies and a genuine post-punk early 2000's sound that is heavy on the love affair between vocalist Paul Banks' voice and lead guitar. It builds on Sam Fogarino's percussion and Banks' ability to do repetition like no other.

I can't help but think that this is a return to the sound that made their debut LP, Turn on the Bright Lights, one of the best albums of the last 10 years (and one of my favorites- easily one of the most shaping albums of my life). Give the new one a listen:

Lights - Interpol

Secondly we have a new track from The Helio Sequence, one of my favorite discoveries of the last two years. Their last LP, Keep Your Eyes Ahead, was my favorite album (hands down) of 2008. This track, their first since lead singer damaged his vocal chords and had to re-learn how to sing. How insane is that? Anyway, it's not bad:

Converter - The Helio Sequence