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Many of you have heard the rumors circulating that I was planning on moving away from Atlanta. Those rumors are officially confirmed. I have signed a lease on an apartment in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Jordan (my brother) and I will be moving on December 14th.
So, there have been a lot of questions thrown around: Why am I leaving? What will happen to KISSATLanta and the events? Will there be a going away party? Thank God, can we get you out of here any faster?
Why I’m leaving
As many of you know, I have an ever progressing genetic disorder known as FSH Muscular Dystrophy. Earlier this Summer, I finally lost the ability to drive. As my disease has progressed, I’ve always managed to adapt to my physical losses and keep some amount of my independence. Driving was a major part of this. Now, if I want to leave my house, I am 100% dependent on other people to do so. If I so much as want to get a coffee, I have to schedule it with someone else. This is something I am not coping well with. In fact, I’ve been horribly depressed and miserable about it.
I’ve lost the ability to do a lot of things in my life, and every time I make an adaptation to counter it. When I had a hard time walking, I went into a chair and was actually relieved to be able to get around so easily. Now, I just need to adapt again and move to a community where I can take a cab, bus, or walk anywhere I need to go regardless of time of day or night.
The future of KISSATLanta
I’ve made arrangements with my favorite DJ’s and promoters to continue operation of both the blog and my nights. Cobra Corps and Noize Industries will assume basic operations and I’ve asked Smiles and Skooter to fill in for me when I’m not available. I’ve played with virtually every DJ in Atlanta at some point, and these are the people that I feel best understand what I’ve been trying to do with KISSATLanta. In addition, I’ll also be flying back for special events like Disco 2000 as is feasible. Traveling can really suck for me, so I don’t know if I’ll make it back every month, but the plan is to be here for one weekend a month.
The going away celebration
I’ve lived my entire life in this city and I’ve been DJ’ing and throwing events for a total of 14 years. Simply having one event just isn’t enough for me to say goodbye.
Starting this Saturday Nov 7th, I’ve arranged a very special series of events, “La Famiglia”, at one of my favorite new spots in Atlanta: Noni’s. We’re going to be going back to our roots with an restaurant/bar based event that is more about friends, fun, and dancing than anything else.
Free entry… free PBR for the first hour… and a night of music that we’ve all grown up with. I’m not doing some massive promotional campaign. I just want to have a night where the people who come really want to be there. Every Saturday. Tell a friend.
November 13th, I’ll be opening up for Utah Saints at their first ever Atlanta performance at Halo!
November 14th will be my 34th birthday celebration at Noni’s.
Just before I leave, we are also planning a roast… where Atlanta can have a whole lot of fun at my expense. Whether you love me or hate me… I think this is going to be a cathartic experience for all. The Mayor of Ponce, Jay Winter, will be the roast master… along with many guest roasters from all over the Atlanta community. If you’d like to be a guest roaster please get in contact with me as soon as possible. if you are a venue that would like to host this roast, we are taking offers for Friday, December 11th.
Thank you all for being a part of my life… and for the honor of letting me be a part of yours.
Preston Craig
NOTICE – DISCO 2000 IS THIS WEEK… OCT 24TH… SO WE CAN MAKE ROOM FOR HALLOWEEN!
I guess if you’ve been reading since I came out of a mental coma, you could probably expect what was coming for this Disco 2000’s theme. After a few non-stop weeks of listening to Washed Out, then seeing Neon Indian in concert, and taking some time to backtrack through his other persona, Vega, it’s only fitting that we take a bit of an Italo Disco journey.
We’ll be focusing more on the contemporary nods to the iconic sound of the late 70’s/early 80’s. You’ll get lots of stuff from Vega, Washed Out, Penguin Prison, et al. However, it’s impossible to stay away from classics by Giorgio Moroder, Maurice Cavaleri, and Bobby Orlando… and the plethora of artists they cultivated.
Disco 2000 @ MJQ – Saturday October 24th – 11pm
DJ’s: Preston Craig, Skooter, The Funky Grandmother, and more.
FREE BEFORE MIDNIGHT WITH PASSWORD “ITALO“
Vega – She’s Electric (Vega Italo Dub)
Golden Shivers – True Romance (Penguin Prison Remix)
Jewelz – Spacer Woman 2009 (Swen Weber Remix)
Giorgio Moroder – I Wanna Rock You
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Under The Sheets is the first official single off of Ellie Goulding’s forthcoming album on Neon Gold. A while back Preston and I confessed our love for the new “it” label Neon Gold Sound, I mean who wouldn’t love the label that introduced the world to Passion Pit and Frank Music ? “Under the Sheets” is an awesome indie pop record, produced by Starsmith. Starsmith and Ellie Goulding have a great chemistry together and I’m always excited to see what they cook up. Be on the look out for their group effort Goldsmith, but until then enjoy Ellie’s latest release and a few bonuses.
Under The Sheets – Ellie Goulding
!!! Bonus !!!
Coin Laundry (starsmith Remix) – Lisa Mitchell
Hey everyone, last minute reminder that your favorite (and only) East Atlanta indie rock social and dance party is tonight at 529 EAV! We’re starting around 10pm and it’s free until 12:30am (and only 3 bucks to dance afterwards… the patio is always free!).
We’ve got a ton of new music for you tonight… some of my favorites coming from the new Julian Casablancas, Noah and the Whale, LCD Soundsystem, The Temper Trap, Neon Indian, Calvin Harris, and Washed Out.
DJ’s
Preston Craig vs C Will
Rob Jones vs Joseph Fuller
Seanny George vs Himself
EASC
1st and 3rd Fridays
@529 EAV
10pm-3am
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“DUCK SAUCE”, the random tweet you’ve been seeing since June…now out in the open as the disco house collaboration between A-Trak and Armand Van Halen, just released their second video for their amazing single aNYway.
As a disco house DJ, I see so many great artist and labels have a hard time getting attention or draw in the US. From the first time I heard Duck Sauce I was excited for my genre, hoping the big names would only spread the love of disco house to new ears.
The first video is an amazing Soul Train throwback, the second was done by Surface 2 Air, which doesn’t errrr….warrant a description, but is also amazing. They released aNYway and You’re Nasty on Beatport for a limited amount of time, the rest of the EP is coming this month and it’s sooooo good.
For those looking for a great disco house party, VDRK and myself started Discovery NYC in September and have been having a blast. The next one will be December 5th at Santos, I’ll post the details. Enjoy aNYway and the original Final Edition sample.
Final Edition – I Can Do It (Anyway That You Want It)
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Sometimes coming home drunk and not being able to sleep yields some rewards.
I just got a promo e-mail from Southern Fried Records. I immediately assumed it was something from a Southern US based label… but upon opening quickly realized it was from a Southern UK label.
If you have been a reader of this blog since 2007 or so, you’d know we’re a sucker for all things wobbly. I think we probably rode the Dubsided family bus for as long as anyone.
Well, I just got the following promo blast on behalf of the UK’s Black Noise and upon listening to the remix and watching the video, I was sold enough to pass it on along to you.
The propaganda says it as well as I can:
“Southern Fried Records have just authorised the release of this massive remix of Crookers – wobbly bass in full effect as “Business Man” feat. Wiley & Thomas Jules gets some serious treatment!
So who’s behind the remix? With one superbly received EP (on Southern Fried) and remixes for Travor Loveys & Sinden, Young Punx, Crookers, Tonka, Laidback Luke & Diplo, the South-Coast based trio called Black Noise have pricked some serious interest in recent months and with their next EP it seems there’s much, much more to come.
Their “EP2″ is out on Friday 16th October and as well as the Crookers give-away there’s also a Youtube video featuring an original track from the release.”
Crookers – Business Man (Black Noise means Business remix)
Black Noise – Jackin My Fresh from Southern Fried Records on Vimeo.
For those of you who were craving more music from Washed Out, your wait is over, kind of… depending on how resourceful you are. Back in late August, Pitchfork made a mention of, and posted a new song from, a new release coming out in cassette form on Mirror Universe Tapes. “High Times” was released in a very limited run of 200 cassette tapes, which quickly sold out.
Thanks to a tip off from my dearest Joel… and our indispensable mp3 community which provides us with all of our pre-release and hard to find music, I’m currently listening to this new release in all of it’s lo-fi compressed to hell glory.
Although I’ve only gotten one listen in… here’s my first impression:
Side A starts out with “Belong” which was posted in Pitchfork’s initial blurb about the upcoming release. The abrupt start gives you a feeling, true to cassette tape memories, like this recording was caught midway into the song while quickly loading a tape into the deck to catch a radio performance. I know a lot of you probably don’t have those memories… but I can’t tell you how many mix tapes I had where the first 10 seconds of the song got caught off.
Outside of that, Side A can be summed up as this: A holiday retreat in 1980 on an Italian beach. I can see Giorgio Moroder in his aviators, mustache, and a speedo.
Side B takes on a rather unexpected, yet completely natural turn into retro lounge funk stylings that are a tell tale sign of maturity, flexibility, and maturity from such a young person. “Yeah” might as well be a long lost except from a 70’s blaxploitation film. Just as abruptly as the Side A begins, Side B ends with this epic dose of funk… mid song.
This kid is such a tease… and well… don’t we all like the chase?
FEEL IT ALL AROUND from Northern Lights on Vimeo.
Back when we got flooded out, I spent most of my days indoors switching between listening to the rain and listening to a new favorite EP by Washed Out.
I was first tipped off by Tara Davies while DJing together at the Sorry Darlin’ party. Went home and did some research, only to find that not only was the man behind Washed Out from the small Georgia town of Perry, but is also one of Pitchfork’s new crushes.
To call Washed Out electronic pop is accurate and at the same time incredibly misleading. It is true that the backing tracks are entirely comprised of keyboards, synths, and drum machines… however the style of production and the vocals are more accurately described by the name alone… Washed Out.
If I had to pick a point of reference. Think if M83 and Royksopp had recorded in 1982… and you got a copy that had been recorded off the radio and then copied and passed down a few times.
If the recordings weren’t dreamy enough already, a fan made video surfaced that captured the feeling of the song “Feel It All Around” about as accurately as I would think possible. Shot by Chase Heavener on a Canon 5d MkII, the fixed focus and shallow depth of field produces an dream recall effect of friends on vacation. After talking to him for a bit online and visiting his blog, I determined that, not only is Chase an amazing photographer and filmmaker, but he and his friends go on the coolest vacations ever.
Now, if you’re still reading this and listening to Washed Out, then you’re going to want to make it out to a special event he’s playing tomorrow night. The Kia Soul Collective series (flyer below) starts tomorrow night and features free performances, alcohol, and all other kinds of goodies you’d come to expect from a corporate sponsored event aimed at attracting “young taste makers” to their brand.
Corporate sponsorship really ain’t so bad when it’s behind the right people!
Washed Out – Feel It All Around
The fall season of shows this year is pretty impressive and far too much to list in one shot. However if we just look at this week, I’ve got some highlights:
First, School of Seven Bells is at Drunken Unicorn tonight. I’ve seen them three times before and I can’t wait to see them again tonight. However, it was a tough decision with Ra Ra Riot at Masquerade and Dr. Dog at the Loft as other options.
School of Seven Bells – Half Asleep
Wednesday gives us the highly anticipated Phoenix show at the Variety Playhouse. If you weren’t able to get tickets to the sold out show, you’ve got a chance to see them at the free in-store appearance at Criminal Records. It’s an early show… 12pm for those of you who are funemployed, off work, calling in sick, or taking a well planned lunch.
Thursday marks the start of the A3C hip-hop festival, which looks like it’s going to be quite impressive this year. 3 days, 33+ events, and 150+ artists. You can find more information on the myriad of acts and venues here.
Friday is an 80’s lovers dream with The Psychadelic Furs and Happy Mondays performing together at the Masquerade.
If I’m still alive on Saturday… well… we’ll just play it by ear.
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It’s been months since I first heard The Big Pink’s “Velvet” while sitting on the empty dance floor of MJQ an hour after close. The song hit me in such a way that I came home and felt compelled to write about it immediately. Coming from a person who was all but convinced that he was done blogging… this was a big deal.
Since that night, I’ve eagerly awaited the release of The Big Pink’s debut “A Brief History Of Love.” However, the anticipation sparked something inside of me. I found myself looking for music again. I found myself looking to fill voids in my life… once again… with that music. To be honest, it’s a big hole to fill right now, and luckily The Big Pink has release an album that can only be labeled as one size fits all.
Over the past year or so, we’ve seen a great revival of the sounds that dominated the late 80’s and early 90’s… what many shoegaze lovers would consider a golden age that probably wouldn’t return. Now, we’re seeing impressive releases that have the potential to surpass all of our expectations.
Some of my favorite releases as to date have teamed up with the founding fathers of the sound.
M83 recorded with Ken Thomas known for his work with The Sugarcubes, Cocteau Twins, and Suede. School of Seven Bells worked with Robin Guthrie, also the principal sound designer of Cocteau Twins. However, The Big Pink recorded their entirely on their own while still paying homage to their inspirations.
This blog has always had one focus… to talk about music from an entirely subjective and emotional viewpoint. There are few, if any, examples of a track by track analysis contained in these achives.
There is only hope that one day I’ll hear something that gives me a reason to wake up a bit earlier the next day.
For now, I’m more than content that this album has fueled the fire and renewed my passion for music. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I have… and if not… that you find something that gets you through your day.
The Big Pink – Crystal Visions
The Big Pink – Love Song (The Cure Cover)
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Jesus Jumping Christ… there’s nothing I love more than seeing something like “ATLANTA’S LARGEST LABOR DAY CELEBRATION AT PRIMAL, ON SATURDAY!”
Ok… First of all Labor Day was Monday, but I’ll give you the fact that it was technically Labor Day Weekend. Second, if we’re talking about celebrations in general, then Dragon*Con was the largest party of the weekend in Atlanta. Hell… I’m sure there was probably a Church gathering that was bigger on Sunday/Monday.
Why am I being picky here? Because I’m sick of dbag midtown promoters not picking their hype wisely. If I see one more flyer hyping up an event to be the “LARGEST AND SEXIEST IN ATLANTA” I’m going to lose it. As far as I can see the the term “largest” might only qualify in the size of the people and the examples of “sexy” make my penis recoil like a frightened turtle.
Next thing you know, someplace is going to open an Ed Hardy shop right inside the club. Oh wait… fuck.
We put together this party to be a an inexpensive disco house event while thinking about parties back in our respective hometowns (Atlanta and Madison). Little did we know that DFA would pick up our little party and choose it as the venue for Holy Ghost! new promo video, just fucking WaCKeY if you ask me.
I’ve never started a party, just played and helped by default with promotion, so this is all new to me (helps to have patient friends!) To be honest our goal here was to create something similar to the Disco 2000 feel as Aaron and I had an absolute blast in Atlanta. A non pretentious cheap party (hard to do in NYC) that was about great music, dancing, and an everyone’s invited feel… I think we’ve gotten close to our goal, and can’t wait for this Saturday. If you’re in the area, be sure to use the RSVP link below!
Holy Ghost! – I Will Come Back
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It’s one of those moments… where eight drinks and a half of a pack of cigarettes later, you find yourself laying in bed trying to keep the room from spinning out from underneath you.
Honestly, it wasn’t the seven drinks or the cigarettes. It was, however, the eighth drink poured in a Dragon*Con room party at the Hyatt hotel that did me in.
If you should be afraid of one thing… fear 100k + geeks that gain control of a city for a weekend. It’s quite obvious that these guys don’t drink that often, because even seasoned veterans understand that vodka is a drink… not a mixer.
When it gets down to this point, there’s little else to do other than to pull out some Helios to try to slow things down. Because, if I don’t get off this ride tonight, I might not make it back in time to do shots with the chick from Dayton, Ohio who decided that liquid latex and and 50 extra pounds was a fucking perfect combination.
I love you.
Helios – Dragonfly Across An Ancient Sky
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My favorite weekend of the year here in Atlanta is upon us. The epic geek-fest known as Dragon Con starts tomorrow and goes through Monday. It’s a weekend of non-stop drinking, dressing up, people watching, and trying to find out what room the Storm Trooper gang bang is going down in.
However, it is also time for our bi-monthly geek fest of our own… East Atlanta Social Club. This week, we’re making it special for all of you coming back in from Dragon Con for more drinking and dancing. If you have a Dragon Con badge or you’re in costume… it’s free to get inside. If we really love your costume… we’ll even buy you some drinks.
I asked Kimber, my favorite resident dj du jour, to put together her favorite tracks she’ll be playing. Here’s what she came back with. Enjoy!
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Die Slow (Tobacco Remix) by HEALTH
I’m pretty excited about their album, which drops on Tuesday. I love the original of this song but Tobacco from Black Moth Super Rainbow puts a bit more groove in it.
Thief by The Lost Valentinos (original)
Thief by The Lost Valentinos (Shinichi Osawa Remix)
We all know how much I love Aussie boys. Why look, here’re some now. A friend from Sydney put me onto these guys. The remix gets a little heavy-handed in the second half but both are worth a listen. Their album is also out on Tuesday. Tuesday’s gonna be fun, eh?
I put this song on repeat the other day for about twenty minutes while I was working and never stopped bouncing in my chair. Dear Delorean, I <3 u. Love, Kimber.
Looking Glass by Little Dragon
Who can resist Swedish electro-pop with tinges of the eighties? Not me. Not at all. Their album came out last week and is fun in the way that Swedish electro-pop is fun.
Everybody’s all about their song “Los Feeling” and the remixes of that, but this is my favorite. Admittedly, something about it feels a little nineties, but in more of a lovely British way and less of a wearing-flannels-everyday way if you know what I mean.
Trouble Is A Friend (Japanster Remix) by Lenka
I’ve been playing this for a while because I’m straight-up addicted to it, junkie-style. Another Aussie here, but I didn’t know her until I saw her showcase at SXSW and got a girl-crush on her. There are lots of remixes. This one doesn’t seem to be too popular but is my fave. I’ve been asked about this one a lot at EASC so I’m including it even though it’s not factory new.
audio/mpeg (6 136 ko) audio/mpeg (8 915 ko) audio/mpeg (7 92 ko) audio/mpeg (8 204 ko) I fell in love with Friendly Fires with the release of their self titled album last year, from start to finish it has been a staple in my playlist. Almost a year later I heard the new single “Kiss of Life” by way of this video. XL re-released the self titled album on August 31 as the “Deluxe Version”?!? with 3 new singles, live tracks, as well as remixes (Aeroplane, Thin White Duke, and Ray Mang)
It’s rare that I go back to a music video more than once (unless it’s really funny and from 87)… but everything about this video comes together perfectly. Here’s the new single as well as the Aeroplane remix of Paris that came out last November.
Friendly Fires – Paris (Aeroplane Remix)
audio/mpeg (6 4 ko) I’m sorry… I just can’t help myself. I’m gonna have to start adding captions to all the dbagalicious photos I come across here in Atlanta. Feel free to add your own captions in the comments. If I like yours the most, I’ll make a new version for everyone to enjoy!
OK… seriously… someone tell me what the deal is. Ever since hearing The Big Pink’s single “Velvet” I’ve been eagerly awaiting the full length leak… errr release. However, here we are two weeks from the official September 14th release date, and yet there doesn’t appear to be an advance copy out in the wild. I say this with some confidence, because if there was an advance copy out there anywhere… I would have seen it by now. Alas, I’ve only seen some streams. What is the world coming to when you actually have to wait for the official release?!
You’d never guess that I never peeked at my Christmas presents as a kid.
Now, the real reason I was reminded of The Big Pink’s upcoming release was because I paid a visit to Neon Gold Record’s blog. Whether you know it or not, you probably already love these guys if you’ve been part of the Passion Pit love club.
I personally have a major crush on Marina & The Diamonds. She’s a near perfect blend of Feist and more importantly… Fiona Apple. The Obsessions EP has me dying to hear more. If this is just the start, then I have no doubt very good things are to come in the future.
Fact is, when it comes to pop/new wave/disco/revival, it seems no one has their finger on the pulse more than Neon Gold. Not only is the label cranking out a solid catalog, but their blog also shines light on some of the best up and coming music out there. I have seriously just loaded up an entire playlist ganked from the blog and I don’t think there’s a bad track in it. It’s so good, I’ve got no problems reposting some of the songs here for you all to hear as well.
Thank god we finally have a domestic label that shows that the Aussies don’t have the monopoly on pop.
Neon Gold Family
Passion Pit – The Reeling (Miike Snow Remix)
Gotye – Learnalilgivinanlovin’ (Passion Pit Remix)
Marina & The Diamonds – Obsessions
Marina & The Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith 24 Carat Remix)
Marina & The Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot (Penguin Prison Remix)
… and my favorite thing discovered thanks to Neon Gold…
Yeah… they’re fucking 15 & 18 years old… suck it Jonas Brothers.
