GUEST DJ spotlight : DJ DAVID MERRILL, POCKETGAYS

I'm so excited to be spinning with some of the best music tastes in the district TONIGHT at The ZOO BALL! It's going to be so much fun. I am so excited. Here's some awesome background info about the other DJs, as I'm sure you're tired of hearing about me. Haha... Check out (if you haven't already) my TEASERMIX for tonight! -> http://bit.ly/leUsmO (GET YO' ASS PUMPED!)

DJ DAVIL MERRILL

"I have a musical background as a keyboardist (since age 6), and I've been DJing since the 80s. I played all the big clubs in Florida back in the 80s & 90s, including the Copa, Parliament House, El Goya, and Tracks. I left DJing for awhile to pursue a career in computer science, then returned to what I really love, music. I've been DJing for a year since jumping back in, and just loving it.

Stylistically I love House music, especially Electro House, but I'll play anything that makes me want to shake my ass and DANCE HARD. I fucking love scorching hot remixes of old songs of all genres, including country, disco, folk music and rock, especially songs that you would never expect.

I'm resident at Truck Stop and CODE, which I also produce, and the Club Queer weekly radio show."

THE POCKETGAYS (Brett Andriesen & Devon Trotter)

"Born in the 80s, the Pocket Gays came dancing out of the womb to so of the best that pop music had to offer: Madonna, Donna Summer, Culture Club, Prince and David Bowie, and on and on... Off to a good start the wee Pockets forged through the plaid-clad 90s and and post 9/11 2000s, filtering out all that was terrible in music to form tastes that are beyond impeccable.

Having started their own Sunday (School) party at Local 16 the Pockets burst on the scene with giant ambitions. Eager to show DC what they got, the Pockets began DJing at major clubs and parties like WTF at Town, SHIFT at Cobalt, and the all-but-forgotten Pink Sock at Wonderland, with a spattering of nights at Velvet Lounge and the almost fabulous Rendezvous.

Meshing their East Coast/West Coast/European influences, the Pocket Gays are ready to lay down the best indie-, electro-, brit- pop and hip hop for you at SHIFT, so get ready to shake your money maker!!

BAM!! Sickening no?!"

Needless to say, these are great guys who will make you do what SHIFT does best: DANCE.YOUR.FACE.OFF. (which, btw is the only time you'll ever see me end a sentence with a preposition.. hahaha). Oh, lord, this party is going to be insane!

ZOOMORPHICA! - May 2011 TeaserMix

ZOOMORPHICA - DJ MAJR [May 2011 SHIFTeaserMix]

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This month's mix, as all months' teasermixes, manifested itself out of a combination of my mood and the music that moved me. Thematically, it's very obvious that I'm going after a more raw, animalistic sound to get you into the mood for The ZOO BALL on Saturday. From the booty-friendly opening two tracks, to the heavy electro vibe throughout, to the secretly classic ending, it is completely and aggressively danceable and raw. It took me a while to be happy with this one, and then the proverbial lightbulb beamed and the pieces finally started falling together. Enjoy, y'all!

Tracklisting

Intro

Wild Thing (Peaches remix) - Tone Loc ft. Peaches

Safari Disco Club (Jonaphant remix) - Yelle

Animal (Punks Jump Up remix) - Miike Snow

Government Hooker - Lady Gaga

Rumour Has It (Rascal remix) - Adele

Animal Rights (Kids At the Bar remix) - Deadmau5 & Wolfgang Gartner

Wet (David Guetta remix) - Snoop Dogg

Idealistic (A-Trak remix) - Digitalism

Revolution - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Ace Of Hz (Tiesto remix) - Ladytron

Boadicea (Oliver remix) - Mason ft. Roisin Murphy

Trip To Your Heart - Britney Spears

Bounce - Calvin Harris ft. Kelis

Americano - Lady Gaga

Black Cat - Janet Jackson

fresh: best of Born This Way / album review

So, you have heard the first few singles from the album Born This Way and aren't impressed? Are you depressed and/or upset about it? FRET NOT! There are 5 hidden gems in this LP that are so good that they almost make you (well they actually make me) MAD that her record company and/or she is too stupid to pick them out as singles. God knows what goes through their heads when they decide which songs are to be released... but that's okay. These songs are fantastic. Brilliant. Reminders of what one of pop's biggest stars is capable. Here are the TOP 5 songs on Born This Way. You will hear ALL of these on Saturday at THE ZOO BALL! Enjoy!

5.) BLOODY MARY (7.0/10)

This song just beats out Judas for the 5th spot. It does so because its mix of dark and melancholy minor chords are simply more memorable than the electo-clash meet disco of Judas. It's growing on me daily and is one of two tracks on the album that are a departure from her previous song equations (the other being #1). It is not higher on the rankings because it is simply not as good as they are (and the lame breakdown at 2:50 doesn't help, either), but it is a good song - a VERY good song.

4.) AMERICANO (8.5/10)

This song probably makes me dance harder than on the album. And, to be honest, that shocked me. I usually don't like any songs like this... but it's just so well done. It's quirky, funny, well produced, and is a perfect 128 dance bpm. It is probably the most explosive song on the album and begs you to put your hands in the air. And, at the end, the hilarious "don't you try to catch me" breakdown just kills me. Amazing.

3.) GOVERNMENT HOOKER (9.0/10)

This song is sadistic, hilarious, sad, dark, and obviously a tongue-in-cheek social commentary. Musically this is nothing short of stellar and the first song on the album to really grab me (besides the "c'mon and ruuuun..." part in Marry The Night). And, let's face it, who in D.C. isn't a government hooker?

2.) SHEIßE (9.0/10)

Euro-electro-muthafuckin' dance, through and through. This song is pure get-the-fuck-up-and-move and I love every part of it. Favorite moment is easily "I'll take you out tonight..." Adore this song enough to originally say it was my favorite on the album - until the next track grew on me tremendously. Hands-in-air required.

1.) HEAVY METAL LOVER (9.5/10.0)

This song is pure and simple: it is good art. It is the direction a lot of us thought she'd go: quality dance electro with a stealthy, sexy edge that can't quite be mimicked by her contemporaries... at least not to the same quality level. Every part of this song is perfectly done. A rare 9.5/10.0 from DJ MAJR.

DOWNLOAD ALL 5 (1-CLICK)

Other track rankings/quick comments from DJ MAJR

7.0/10.0 - Marry The Night

Decent, could be better, but decent album entry track.

5.5/10.0 - Born This Way

For a gay anthem as big as it is, it could use more tweaking.

7.0/10.0 - Judas

Doesn't quite get the credit it deserves.

4.5/10.0 - Hair

Horribly written, but an infectious chorus.

7.0/10.0 - Black Jesus - Amen Fashion

I sort of love this song as a filler track. "Work it Black Jesus" kills me.

5.0/10.0 - Bad Kids

Has potential, but alas that potential isn't fulfilled.

3.5/10.0 - Fashion Of His Love

I'm not sure what she's thinking here... but she should just stop.

5.5/10.o - Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)

As a ridiculous dance pop track, it's on the same level as Born This Way, but better produced.

4.5/10.0 - Electric Chapel

Not good. Decent vocals. Terrible premise. Nothing more worth saying.

7.0/10.0 - The Queen

As far as the horribly written tracks, this is the cream of that crop. Infectious to a proverbial 'T.'

1.0/10.0 - You And I

Shit.

2.5/10.0 - The Edge Of Glory

Somewhere between contemporary christian rock music hell and Cher's cemetery of chord progressions lies this track.

ALBUM GRADE: 6.03/10.0

new Beyonce vidja

stunning.

Death Cab For Cutie keeps shocking me with their ability to keep producing good music. They really do embody resilience in music, and this new video really made me smile. So good. So simple. So perfect. I really was able to connect with this track, and I don't know why... and that became even more vivid when seeing this video depiction.

NEW Ladytron!

Ladytron returns with this sonic, lush single White Elephant. This is the Ladytron I love: simple, intoxicating, and balanced. It's the lead single from Ladytron's upcoming 5th studio album, Gravity The Seducer. Here you go!

Ladytron - White Elephant

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GAGA-PEACHES WEEK Day 3 - fav videos

Here are my favorite two videos from each artist. These are far (except Mommy Complex) from my favorite songs, but are easily my favorite videos by Lady Gaga and Peaches. Get excited! I'm starting to get really excited for Friday!

essentials: a GAGA vs. PEACHES samplermix

GAGA-PEACHES Week: Day 2

Today we explore DJ MAJR's new SIREN Sampler, which includes 8 tracks by Lady Gaga and 8 from Peaches. It also samples two others (one from each artist). Yep, that's 18 songs in 25 minutes. So sexy.

F**K THE FAME AWAY (Gaga vs. Peaches SIREN SamplerMix) - DJ MAJR

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You can expect to hear all these at SIREN: F**K THE FAME AWAY on Friday at Green Lantern!

Tracklisting

Intro

Talk To Me - Peaches

Just Dance - Lady Gaga

Operate - Peaches

Money Honey - Lady Gaga

I Feel Cream - Peaches

Bad Romance - Lady Gaga

Mommy Complex - Peaches

The Fame - Lady Gaga

Wild Thing - Peaches

Dance In The Dark - Lady Gaga

Downtown - Peaches

Judas - Lady Gaga

Fuck The Pain Away - Peaches

Love Game (Chew Fu remix) - Lady Gaga ft. M.Manson

AA XXX - Peaches

I Like It Rough - Lady Gaga

GAGA-PEACHES WEEK Day 1 - fav remixes

Here are my favorite remixes of Lady Gaga and Peaches. I'm getting so excited for Friday's SIREN: F**K THE FAME AWAY. It's going to be dark, sexy, dance-heavy, and a complete escape into the fun visceral side of pop music.

I chose the Alejandro remix because Bimbo Jones made me like my least favorite song on the Fame Monster album. Alejandro is simply a boring song, and he made it danceable and energetic. I found myself singing it while walking after hearing this and if you haven't heard it, you probably will too. (If it goes over downloads, just email me at SHIFTdc@gmail.com and I'll send it to you personally).

Alejandro (Bimbo Jones remix) - Lady Gaga

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On the other side of the ball is the heavy, angry, distorted (but still awesomely danceable) remix of Boys Wanna Be Her by the ultra-reliable Tommie Sunshine. Heart him. This song will make you dance, no matter if you know the song or not. It's a deliberate stomp-beat, and I love that. Do not listen to this song at a party if you have downstairs neighbors. Haha.

Boys Wanna Be Her (Tommy Sunshine remix) - Peaches

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