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Since this was the first Christmas I spent without snow, I thought I’d share a favorite photograph of winter :)
Hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday season spent with loved ones in a place that feels like home. Here’s to a new year, a new perspective and a new step forward for all of us toward our dreams!
12/13/11
It’s been quite some time since I’ve update my website - for a ton of reasons. If I’ve been fortunate enough to have you as a regular listener to The Gypsy Diaries:electronic radio, it’s no news that I had to depart from my beloved 90.7 to relocate to San Francisco. I’ve been so beyond blessed to have had the opportunities that I’ve experienced thanks to The Capstone - in addition to have been surrounded by amazing people doing amazing things. I was on 90.7 for a year, first as a guest on Parker White’s “Up Beat Up”, and I am forever indebted to him for introducing me to the station - not to mention showing me the ropes. He connected me with Claire Brucker, our former Station Manager and all-around sunshine supplier; Claire gave me more freedom than I was ever expecting to really push the artists I believed in and throw the spotlight onto those I felt were underexposed in the South. She both believed in and encouraged me, something that I feel deserves recognition. The last person I absolutely can’t leave out is our fantastic Station Director, Chris Dodson. Firstly, Chris is awesome. Secondly, you can call him at 10pm when you’ve forgotten your ID card and can’t get into the building…allegedly (I wouldn’t know about such irresponsibility). But in all seriousness, it’d be hard to find someone to run that station better, and I dare you to try.
My move West happened very suddenly, but I was beyond excited for it to come - except for the reality that I’d be leaving my radio show. TGD:radio connected me not only to my local community, but to people around the world. Learning that people oceans away were tuning in online and following along with my weekly picks was so inspiring - and really showed me the value of following what you love passionately, because when you do, you discover so many others who feel exactly the same. Before I get any more wispy, suffice to say that 90.7 will always have a prime piece of real estate in my heart.
The move to the Bay Area has been three years coming; my excuses to stay in the South were growing weaker and weaker until finally I had to admit that I simply couldn’t pursue the goals I had in that area. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things I miss until my heart aches. Tuscaloosa played the scene for some of the best moments of my life; also some of the worst. I came of age in that town, and regardless of its shortcomings it will forever be a special place to me.
This move marks the beginning of a new chapter for me and I can’t wait to see what the future holds! Finally getting to connect with so many members of our beautiful community in such an amazing environment has been incredible; there’s no shortage of inspiration in the Bay. It seeps in under the doors along with the mountain winds; it drips down the walls covered with street art; it tap-dances to Eryka Badu every afternoon outside the Powell B.A.R.T. station. In short, I love this place.
So, to wrap this all up, I’m excited to say that I’m looking into new outlets to continue TGD:radio and hope to get a new episode on the (virtual) airwaves as soon as possible! Stay tuned for updates and I’ll also be using this website as my primary communication - I’m reverting to my pre-TGD:radio format and keeping my readers informed of events, new releases, and interviews with my favorite artists. So please keep reading, emailing, tweeting, whatever you’d like! THANK YOU for all of your love and well wishes, they mean more than you know.
Much Love,
The city at night!
Happy Holidays from Union Square :)
(Source)
Some Things I Thought You Should Know
The Little Dragon remix that an-ten-nae just put out makes me extra happy, plus it’s available as a free download here so..what are you waiting for?
Ruff Hauser has a new release titled Entropy available now; some of which was featured on the last episode of TGD:radio. Check out more information on this major player in the LA underground scene here.
Skytree just released a re-work of a sMILOdon track featuring spoken word by Alan Watts (a fascinating philosopher most-known for relating Eastern and Western modes of thought). Check it out here as a free download and do yourself a favor by exploring Alan Watt’s interactive website to learn more about his theories.
The last episode of TGD:radio also featured an extended mix by Futexture of his upcoming Energetic Substrate. One of my Southern favorites, this is another gem by a rapidly-evolving, genre-bending artist.
In case you haven’t heard yet, Timonkey is hanging up his hat on this particular alter-ego after his 8th and final album, Cactus Highrise, has been released. Famous for his sunrise sets that seem to provide the perfect tone to end a night that for some began 12 hours prior, Santa Cruz native Tim Donlou is currently exploring new modes of musical expression and will definitely be back for more. Keep up with him via his website.
Zola Jesus has an (as-of-yet-unnanounced) new album coming out on October 4th; in celebration I played several of her songs off of Stridulum as well as “Vessel”, a song to be featured on her new release. Ok, I’ll try not to go off on some long tangent here about my love for her voice, but in an era where we have little to choose from other than poppy, synthetic vocals or birdlike folksy pipes (with the notable but rare exceptions of modern geniuses like Adele and Amy Winehouse, rest her soul), it’s incredibly refreshing to hear the fierce persona unleashed through this classically-trained vocalist. Rather than focusing on mere precision, Zola Jesus manages to hit bone-chilling notes while maintaing a certain wildness; an inexplicable ability to make you completely aware that she is, without any trace of doubt, releasing every ounce of her heart through her voice.
Plus she uses album artwork like this…we’re soulmates.
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8/24/2011
Some Things I Thought You Should Know
1. Wednesday’s featured artist was Edison, a Bay Area-based instrumental hip hop producer. I played People Are Bad Animals in its entirety because I just think it’s that good. You should probably go buy it now. While you’re at it, check out this awesome video of Edison performing part of Artemis Versus the City. I personally think the simple fact that this artist built controllers out of childhood lunchboxes is in itself pretty awesome, but seeing them utilized in a performance makes me giddy. Keep your ears on Edison, buy his music, check out his record label’s website and meander through some other top-notch artists as well.
2. Mindelixir is coming to Birmingham on September 9th. Get your tickets here. If you’re on the fence about whether it’ll be a good time, check out the below photos. Come on. You’re not a square, you came to get down.
Sometimes stuff like this happens. You just never know.
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8/14/2011
Some Things I Thought You Should Know
1. Sugarpill just put out a brand new EP, Madeup Places - available now on Addictech. As per usual it features his signature glitch technique, but unlike so many EDM artists of the moment, Evan is able to maintain a distinct sound without becoming dry and repetitive. Matching a unique ear for melody with a complex layering of well-executed effects, Sugarpill’s Madeup Places receives top billing on this episode of TGD:radio.
2. An extended preview of Mochipet’s forthcoming release, Chicxulub, was also featured on this episode of TGD:radio. Available on August 16th via 1320 Records, you can both stream and download the entire 17-minute teaser here.
Tonight kicks off the 2011 Elevated Frequencies Tour, brought to you by Gruntworthy and Groove Style Entertainment. Featuring up-and-coming glitch, dubstep and psydub artists such as Dr. Knobz, Carly D, Knowa Knowone, Energy Alchemist and Bird of Prey, this tour is short but jam-packed with dates - check out the West Coast locations below:
August 13 - Los Angeles, CA (Secret Location)
August 16 - Santa Cruz, CA (The Catalyst)
August 17 - San Francisco, CA (Supper Club)
August 18 - Reno, NV (Wurk)
August 19 - Park City, UT (Sidecar)
August 20 - Denver, CO (Cervantes)
August 21 - Fort Collins, CO (Hodi’s Half Note)
For ticket information, please visit either Gruntworthy or Groove Style Entertainment’s websites! Also be sure to check out Gruntworthy artist and Street Ritual label-owner Knowa Knowone’s lastest EP, Sound Paintings, as featured on TGD:radio.
8/12/2011
Wes Frazer Photography (Source)
BIRMINGHAM: Tonight at my beloved Bottletree from 5pm - 9pm there will be on display a collection of paintings and photographs by my talented friend Wes Frazer. If you happen to be within driving distance of this event I highly recommend it - Frazer is a skilled eye combined with a thriving imagination, and definitely one of Alabama’s artists to watch.
DIRECTIONS: The Bottletree is located at 3719 3rd Avenue SOUTH in Birmingham, between 37th & 38th St.
FROM THE SOUTH:
FROM THE NORTH:
Dark Wheel by Judith Powell
8/7/11
Some Things I Thought You Should Know:
1. I had two featured artists/groups on this show - one being Auditory Canvas and the other Beats Antique. This was the first episode of TGD:radio that included work by the former; click on the images below for more information on my selected songs by Auditory Canvas:
2. Sunday’s episode of TGD:radio also included a brand new song by Skytree titled “The Goddess” —- check it out and grab it as a free download here. Also be sure to look out the upcoming album “Crystal Consciousness”; keep up with Skytree via his Twitter and Facebook pages.
3. If you need your bassfix, head up to Birmingham on Saturday, August 27th for Dub Squared w/ Trill Bass and Corey Biggs. Scoop your tickets online or head on over to Zydeco to pick them up in person.
7/24/2011
Some Things I Thought You Should Know
1. Lab Coat just put out their free summer sampler. Go get it. I could go into detail about how it’s great and all, but at this point if you haven’t figured out these guys can handle quality, you’re already ten steps behind the rest of us. Sunday’s episode of TGD:radio also included an unreleased track by Lab Coat crew member Bookworm, featuring vocals by Bexy Ribeiro (a Chattanooga-based performer who sings the band Digital Butter). If you didn’t catch it on Sunday keep your ears peeled - you’ll want to grab it while it’s hot.
2. Auditory Canvas just put out a new free EP titled Rise; spoiler alert - this one is definitely making it on the next episode of The Gypsy Diaries:electronic radio. Featuring a beautiful layering of sounds, Rise is quickly becoming a staple in my “Unwind&Rebind” collection - it’s mellow without becoming drowsy, rhythmic without becoming repetitive and includes just the right size dollop of bass. In short, I love it.
3. LOCALS: thanks to my good friends over at The Ugly Tusk (and by good friends I mean I have absolutely no idea who they are but laugh out loud at their blog and pretend its a two-way conversation), I was made aware that WellThatsCool.com is hosting a Brews Cruise on August 26th. I highly doubt electronic music will be involved. So really, there’s no pertinent need to notify my audience about this…OTHER than the fact that it looks like a freaking fantastic time and it involves booze and boats and…I mean, you saw that prom episode of Dawson’s Creek, right? Something crazy’s gotta go down. You can pick up your presale tickets at the Green Bar this Friday, July 29th. After that, all sales will be made online.
The Gypsy Diaries is: A Documentation of Wandering.
Send me your sounds
Former DJ/creator of The Gypsy Diaries radio show on 90.7 The Capstone. I've relocated to San Francisco and am reverting to my original focus of this site - exposing the best electronic artists I can find. Please use the above DropBox to send in your music for my lovely ears to enjoy.
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