THE HOUSE OF VIRGO: A Musical Celebration for the Virgo's

Okay friends and family, we are coming back to the Absinthe Lounge for more in the month of September(Friday the 9th) with a special edition of DISCO'S REVENGE. We will be celebrating the astrological sign of Virgo with our patented "disco" blend of deep house, tech house, nu disco, classic disco and other audiotastic delights for your dancing feet.

Last month's edition was a blast and this one will be even more insane(we all know how Virgos love a good party).

This is gonna be a good one with resident dj's Israel Marcano and Mr. Daishiki Jones(throwing down a very special set for fellow Virgos) manning the decks...so this night has debauchery written all over it.

We've been busy spreading the DISCO'S REVENGE seed across the nation and around the globe(check out the recent interviews with the Snuff Crew from Germany, Lady D from Chicago and Duane Harriott from NYC). To our knowledge, there isn't any other event/project/blog in the Dallas metroplex that showcases the culture & music quite like we do.

And what EXACTLY is that we do you ask yourself???? Well for starters there isn't any other event in North Texas that features underground music ie. deep house, techno, nu disco, classic disco, tech house, classic house with one eye focused on the rich history of the culture while the other eye is creating new "classics" by featuring the hottest music from around the globe. Hence the tagline:

"Respecting the influences of the past that were the template for the present which in turn influences the future"

Here is a recent podcast from DJ Israel Marcano to tide you over until the 9th...see u there.

EXCLUSIVE: First U.S. Interview with Germany's SNUFF CREW

What's that old saying about how music works in cycles? That adage is even true in the underground music scene(see: the whole "nu disco"phenom) .

DISCO'S REVENGE is proud to introduce an act that has taken the old school Chicago "jack" and "acid house" sound and updated it for the 21st. century.

German based dj/producers, SNUFF CREW takes a decidedly "retro" approach to their music and if you close your eyes and listen, their music sounds as if you are transported back in time to a warehouse in Chicago in the late '80's during the formative years of House Music.

Performing in masks to hide their identity, Eins & Zwei are dedicated to preserving that "raw" feel of early Chicago House and Detroit techno. Their music is featured in the sets of a virtual "who's who" of international dj talent such as Seth Troxler, Larry Tee, Danny Howells, Luke Solomon, DJ Deep, Dubfire, A-Trak, Tim Sweeney and John Digweed.

What follows is a interview where they discuss their early influences, the nightlife scene in Berlin and their label, Snuff Trax.

enjoy.

Your sound is unique amongst many current artists for the fact that you have taken a decidedly "retro" approach that harkens back to early Chicago "jack" sound of labels such as Trax and DJ International. What were some early influences that helped to shape your style of djing and production?

It´s always hard to mention only a few names. But on one side we are of course strongly influenced by the 80´s Chicago House stuff from artists like Farley Jackmaster Funk, Chip E, Tyree, DJ Pierre, Larry Heard, Marshall Jefferson, Adonis, Fast Eddie (...) and also by recordings of the legendary Hot Mix 5 shows on WBMX. On the other side Techno, House and Acid from the early 90s was important for us. Releases from people like Laurent Garnier, LFO, Underworld, Hardfloor, Josh Wink and some others still kick us. All in all we can say that we are influenced by music that makes your body jack and that lets you scream and sweat on the dancefloor.


Can you give us a brief background on the reason you perform with masks and remain anonymous in this age of "superstar" djs and will there ever come a time when you will forgo the masks?

We always say: Music should be the main thing, not the people who make it. This is the the reason, why we wear masks. And actually we are far away from being superstars (unfortunately :-) )

Your remix of the Billy Ray Martin and Hard Ton´s remake of seminal Chicago classic "Fantasy Girl" was released earlier this year and you have remixed Chicago legend, Robert Owens; are you planning on any future projects with some of the old school legends?

We also made a track with Robert (for Snuff Trax 005: "Clarity") and Mr K'Alexi Shely remixed the Raiders of the lost ARP release (Snuff Trax 004).
At the moment we are working on our next Snuff Crew album. This one will feature some great international guests like Kim Ann Foxman, Hard Ton and some others



It appears that Germany has become somewhat of a European centre for House Music in general and "deep house" specifically, what makes Germany such a nightlife destination spot and which parties/clubs would you recommend?

Well the reason for the popularity is actually only one city: Berlin. Many artists, producer, labelmakers, DJs and other creative people moved to here in the last years. The advantage of Berlin is maybe that it is no typical German city. It´s more an international hot spot where still more things are possible than in any other German city. For some people it became hyped too much, but Snuff Crew loves Berlin and one half of us moved to there.
In the city you can discover a lot of great small clubs and also some bigger venues with a fantastic music program. For us Berghain is still the most inspiring place, but we also like a lot of other venues.

You mentioned some of your early influences, can you share with us what current artists help to inspire you?

Well there are also a lot of great current artists and labels that inspire us. First of all the releases and sets of our friends KiNK & Neville Watson, Andreas Gehm, Hard Ton, Photonz, Steffi & Virginia, Kim Ann Foxman, Dance Disorder, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Tiger & Woods and many more.
Also releases from labels like Ostgut Ton, Skylax, Compost, Killekill, Rush Hour, Clone, Mojuba, Mathematics etc etc.

Can you give us some background on your label, Snuff Trax?

Snuff Trax is our playground. We´ve released our 5th record now - Snuff Crew feat Robert Owens - Clarity (with remixes by Steffi and Andreas Gehm)
Snuff Trax 006 will feature tracks by Humandrone from Japan and remixes by our Italian jackmates Marcello Napoletano and Simoncino..

Your live show is pretty intense. You use the latest technology to produce a "retro" sound. For the gear heads and techies out there, give us a brief description of your setup?

Our equipment live on stage is really minimized. We use two Macbooks, some controllers and effects... That´s it. We always do a kind of jam session with samples and elements of released and unreleased tracks. So every set is different and we like this fact very much.


Outside of Germany, what are some of your favorite places to play and have you plans to come to the U.S. or North America in general?

Actually we enjoy every gig in every city in every country that invites us. But especially the shows in Japan, Russia, Romania, Italy and Portugal were special! We hope to get booked to the US or North America soon. Would be great to do a little tour and jack with our fans..


5 tracks that get the punters on the dancefloor?

1. Kenny Jammin Jason & Fast Eddie - Can U Dance?
2. Laurent Garnier - Flashback
3. Phuture - Acid Tracks
4. KiNK & Neville Watson - Metropole
5. Inner City - Good Life

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Chicago DJ LADY D (D'lectable Music)

Darlene Jackson aka DJ Lady D, has been a fixture on the dance music scene for some time now. Besides being a dj, she can stake claim to being one of the hardest working people in the biz. Producer, label owner, vocalist and A&R are just a few of the hats she wears in a days work.

DISCO'S REVENGE had the chance to chat with her on various topics including her start, the changes in the dance music scene and her recent performance at the Lollapalooza festival.

Hey, D for the sake of brevity,can you give us a bit of background as to how you got started as a dj and who were some of your major influences?

I was playing records for fun in a shoestore one Saturday when Chicago's biggest party promoter came in watched me a while and told me to call him. He began to book me almost immediately and it took off from there. I used to watch and listen to Derrick Carter, Diz, Sneak, Ralphi Rosario & Teri Bristol & Psychobitch (they played together back then) for my influences. They are still my favorites to this day.

You were a part of the groundbreaking "SuperJane" collective, how did that relationship develop?

I had been playing for a couple years already when I was approached by Dayhota (Shannon Ialongo) about an idea she said she and Colette and Heather had and was considering starting a collective and they were looking for a fourth member to keep it balanced. I told her I would be down. I already had a collective I had started that was me and six other guys (Jevon Jackson, Mel Hammond, Frique, Matty, E Smoove & Mark Grant) called FSO - For Soul Only, but the idea of a collective of girls was appealing, since I was friends with them already and you know girl power and everything.

It seems that with the advances in technology there are more dj's then ever before. What makes a Lady D set stand out from everyone else?

You're right! So many out there! I think a Lady D stands apart for a few reasons. My playlist being the first as I don't play things most other DJ's are playing. I dig deep to find music that is amazing that no one else is up on yet--why not? There is so much music out there. I shouldn't have to play anything someone else is playing-at least not for the sake of it being popular. I throw in some familiar elements but my music is pretty unique and current! The other thing is my performance level. When I get on the decks it's pure energy and I don't let up until I get off so my performance is dynamic and stands out. Finally, it's what I can do instinctively as well as technically behind the decks. I have enough experience to pump up any room I play.

What changes have you noticed in the underground music scene from when you started to the current state of the biz...both positive and negative?

The underground music scene has undergone some changes in the vibrancy and age of people. I do see younger people coming into the scene now more than a few years ago so that's a good sign. As people get older they get more mature musically. Some of the scene has become more resistant to change or to partying with younger kids. The flipside of that is that there are lots of burgeoning underground scenes with newer people doing newer things. I'm happy that I've stayed relevant with some of these new undergrounds that have been popping up. I make it a point to be open to checking out their parties and getting to know some of the new promoters and party kids.

You recently performed at the recent Lollapalooza festival in Chicago alongside such diverse acts as Scrillex, Kid Cudi, Cee Lo, Eminem, Glitch Mob, Coldplay, Afrojack, Girl Talk and Collie Buddz and one of your songs was included in their annual remix contest. How did your participation in such a prestigious event develop and how was it performing in front of over 20,000 dance music fans?

I went to Lolla in 2009 and was blown away by the whole thing. I was a guest of Thievery Corporation so I had all access and it made me want to be a part of it. I wrote myself an email to find out about playing Lolla. I wanted it to be the next year but as Lolla approached I realized it may not happen in 2010. What did happen was I was invited to a party with the Lolla organizers from Austin based C3 where we met and hit it off. They had heard good things about me and said they were interested in having me play in 2011. In January they kept their word and I got a phone call. That email served as a visualization that manifested itself into the actual thing.

Once I was at Lolla, it was incredible to be an artist. The stage was absolutely massive and the sound was phenomenal and I got a real education on advancing a show as big as that one. I put together a team (production manager, tour manager, PR point person) so I could handle everything that was coming in for the show. I began rehearsing a set so I would be on point and believe me--it was! The feeling was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Your label, D'lectable was re-launched in 2009. What do you have in store in the near future?

D'lectable is distributed digitally by a company in Germany called Finetunes. They have relationships with over 140 different download sites. My last release was in June with an artist from NYC named Baghdaddy and because of my summer schedule the next two won't be out until September and October. One is a release by a production partnership called Adam & Jackson. The other release will be my first fully licensed mixed compilation for sale since Naked Kaleidoscope. The tracks will be of the future sound of Chicago with cuts from the house and techno community both of which I work intimately with; including such names as Colette, Green Velvet, Kate Simko, Tevo Howard, Ron Carroll, Gurtz and a whole lot more. I will be touring around the release both domestically and internationally.


Top 5 tracks that are working your dancefloors?

The Return of Disco (Gramaphonedzie Remix) Gene Farris
Muzzaik & Dave Martin - Black Day
Chicago Tribute (MFR Classic Mix) - Mr. V & Julius Papp
Millie Vanillie - Green Velvet feat Russoul
Funky (Obando remix) - Denis Nicola


Best place(s) to find an Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago?

Hahaha! Portillos or Mr. Beef. Please don't even think about Al's. It says No.1 but it will make you no.2. Sorry! :(