Marvel Years‘ track “Turn It Loose” was recently featured on Pretty Lights – The Hot Sh*t, Episode 78 – May.2.2013. This is a huge accomplishment for such a young producer and all signs point to only bigger and better things. We appreciate everyone’s support, reposts, likes, retweets and all that social media buzz. It truly is the life blood of an online music label like Gravitas Recordings.

That said, jam the mix here:

FREE DOWNLOAD HERE

HIGH-QUALITY WAV AVAILABLE HERE

ONE4ALL comes out swinging in his most recent remix of “In the Air Tonight” by the legendary Phil Collins. This heavy rendition of an all-too-familiar classic does an incredible job of blending unique bass layers while still holding true to the original characteristics of the track. Typical to other remixes from this Texas based producer, ONE4ALL introduces the track in it’s traditional sense with deep vibes locking in the listener. Lightly textured percussions start to twist up the beat as the first modern additions become apparent and Phil Collin’s vocals intensely build up the emotion until the infamous drum roll explodes into a fury of growling bass lines. As the track progresses, we are introduced to an exciting section of glitched up vocals and more banging bass lines that ultimately erupt into the final chorus and all fading out into a fully harmonious echo.

Genre holds no boundary to ONE4ALL’s abilities as a producer and that’s more present than ever in this release. After his most recent EP release ‘Extrospect’ on Gravitas Recordings, ONE4ALL is continuing to build momentum and with this drop he is certain to become one of the rising stars in the bass music scene. Be on the lookout for a special collaboration release titled “Cloud Concepts” with Colorado native The Digital Connection dropping on Gravitas Recordings this May!

Some new Honey Claws are on the way, you can download the C Sides EP for for free.

[About me: currently playing an intelligent mix of new and old school hip hop, 80s and dance music in and around New York City, also love creating relaxed vibes with lounge oriented dubstep, glitch and other chill electronic and hip hop fused beats.  Excited about my residency at Von.]

I was thinking about my own development and evolution as a DJ, and also about the students I’ve worked with at the Scratch Academy.  In my three semesters, I’ve seen students go from never touching turntables to mixing perfectly in front of classmates and at graduation.  Sometimes it feels like the the longer you’ve been doing something, the harder it is to keep getting better, so I thought about how I’ve improved over the past year or so and what I need to do to keep pushing.

Try different genres

There’s so much great music out there, try something you haven’t played before – house, techno, hip hop, electro, indie, nu disco, dubstep, trap, glitch.  In one sense, mixing is mixing, but there are nuances between the song structures of the genres that can really help expand how to think about DJing.  Mastering other genres also gives you a lot more flexibility when playing out.  Personally, I started mixing house music in 2000, and most of my mixes were long blends over a minute or more.  Focusing on hip hop where tracks are shorter and mixes are quicker really taught me a lot.  At this point I feel comfortable playing old school and new hip hop, 80s, top 40, rock, deep house, classic house, techno, progressive, nu disco, edm, downtempo electronic / lounge, dubstep, and glitch.  I’ve played a bit of reggae and funk, but I want to get better at both, and classic disco is something I haven’t really touched that I’d like to pickup at some point.

Make mix tapes

Putting a mix tape together can really help find stuff that works together and define your sound.  I try to find mixes that really stand out, either because they’re really clean, they create complimentary sounds, it’s a clever or unexpected combination, or all of the above.  Recording mixes a few times (or more) makes me focus on it until it’s almost second nature, and it provides something to use in different situations playing out.  When I do a mix, I want it to be good enough that I’ll listen to it for years to come, so it really pushes me to raise my game.  I’ve done mixes of many different types the sound I’ve become known for is lounge-y hip hop mixed with chill electronic, I feel like while I can play lots of different music and cover most situations, that’s something that differentiates me as a DJ.

Expand your style

There are a lot of different elements to DJing and turntablism.  If you primarily blend records together, try incorporating scratching or dropping in on beat without mixing.  If you do a lot of drops, try working on longer blends and on the fly mash ups.  I’ve really tried to incorporate scratching into my mixes over the past year, it’s taken longer than expected, but working on techniques and patterns has really helped my hand control and drops when I’m mixing.  You can be a great DJ and not really mix or scratch, but doing it all creates a lot of flexibility and can take the audience to another level when used properly.  Here’s a great example of using lots of different techniques in a mix: [bd_youtube id=SKPzxmLGk74 width=620 height=375 float=none]

Watch other DJs

I love going out and listening to other DJs, a great set can be inspiring – I wrote posts about a Sasha set and seeing my friend Chad Cisneros of Tritonal.  I also try to get ideas for tracks I want to use and different transitions.  Don’t try to use other DJs specific routines, but take what you hear from other DJs and make it your own.

Practice

This may seem obvious, but practice makes perfect (and permanent).  Freestyle sessions are fun and chill, but when I practice, I try to focus on specific skills like scratching and juggling, building out tracks from a genre that I don’t play that often, or going through new music so I’m more comfortable incorporating into a live set or on a mix tape.  I end up trying new things when I’m playing out, but a lot of it ends up being stuff I’ve practiced before as well.  When you’re practicing, imagine you’re playing to a crowd, and record and listen to your sessions.  There’s a concept called the Hawthorne Effect, the idea is that when someone knows they are being monitored, they perform better, which I’ve found to be very true.  When I first started recording myself, I used a cd burner, and since I didn’t do it that often, I often felt like it made me a little tense – if you do feel this, it should go away the more times you do it.  Listening to your sessions will make you feel better about the things you are doing well, and help focus on areas for improvement.

What are you waiting for? GO PRACTICE!!!

After all that, I better have the chops to back it up, right? Check out this recent mix I did and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading, if you learned something, head over to my site and read more and let’s be friends on SoundCloud.

- DJ Analytic

A good friend and amazing performer, Agent Red, is putting together an amazing event on May 18th. There will a full showing of the video from her recent work “Land Without Evil” which was a multi-discipline performance art play that really impressed me. If you saw the show, then you already know. If you didn’t check out the video trailer below.

Land Without Evil Preview for May 18 Premier from Sarah Agent Red Johnston on Vimeo.

Not only that, but there will be world-class performance and bizarre characters in an interactive environment as they take the stage off it’s pedestal and bring it right into your arms. The show will take place at a secret East Side location. You must RSVP to receive details.

Lounge with guests and interactive characters, be blown away by fire, aerial, dance, and other performers in custom-made costumes, feast your eyes on projection mapping and interactive technology, and enjoy homemade treats and libations presented throughout the evening.

Interactive elements including:

Projection Mapping from Datagrama || Interactive Sound and Technology from Yago De Quay || Music Deep from the vault of Bigface

With Special Performances by:

Crash Alchemy and Sky Candy Studio Performers

including

Agent Red’s triumphant return || Erinina Debuting Fire Trapeze in Austin || Michael Price || Poet || Madi Ward || Chelsea Laumen || Brynn Route || Zoey Betz || Phillip Kidfury || Guardian ||

With roaming performances from characters including:

Wine Jesus || Rovo || Caylin the Tantra Yogi || Grace the Apothecarian || Arm Wrestling With Uncle Joe Bones || Kanaska The Serenading Tattooist ||

You must RSVP to attend and the address and all event information will be emailed to you. This is a private event and all invited guests must check in with their email address. All donations go to the space and participating performers.

Read what Red had to say about the upcoming event and her triumphant return to Aerial after a devastating fall two years ago.

I am an artist!! And so are you…

Agent Red was a name given to me many years ago for so so many reasons that fit. One main one is that I see myself as someone who’s purpose it was to spread “benevolent propaganda”, to open the potential for positive change through the malleable state of entertainment. When we are being entertained, we are open and vulnerable to change and impression, there is an opportunity for positivity and learning in that space. Now I see things a little bit deeper…

I am pushing further from entertainment toward the realms of experience and interaction. Giving the “audience” responsibility to interact, using technology to make it simple and extend the reach, and using expression, art, and design as the endless medium under it all. I am currently inspired to focus on directing performances, experiences, and interactive shows, events, and installations through Clever Maven, continuing evolutions of Land Without Evil, and a new project in Austin, Crash Alchemy.

Crash Alchemy is where performance, music, fine art, and technology merge in an interactive environment. We are so excited to be previewing our amazing new cast and some new material in a preview of this new kind of event in Austin, TX on May 18, 2013 with the full video of the closing performance of Land Without Evil in Austin.

Plus, I will be performing an aerial routine for the first time since my injury two years ago. I’ll be using a mat and it’s never going to be the same, but I’m going to have a great time doing it, and so will the audience This isn’t something I necessarily plan on doing all the time, so if you are in Austin or can get here I’d love to share it with you.

Plus, I am finally finished editing the entire full-length performance of Land Without Evil on video and we’ll be screening it as well on the 18th! There’s a preview of it on vimeo here. We know more than a few people missed the original performance, or have a new interest inspired by the PBS Arts in Context episode. This video will not be put online anytime soon and this screening is an exclusive chance to see the entire show. Crash Alchemy will be creating an interesting environment for guest and it promises to be an amazing an unique experience. An RSVP is required at http://crashalchemy.landwithoutevil.com/ to attend this private event at a secret East Austin location. See you on the 18th!

Brobible names Bronze Whale as one of their 20 Hot New and Rising Artists to Watch for in Summer 2013. Don’t let the name fool you, Brobible is out there doing some pretty cool stuff (See this hour long video of RJD2 playing in Ausitn, Tx, produced by Roxwel and Brobible). Also included in the list is Gravitas homnies ill.Gates, Cherub and PRFFT and Svyable.