Tonights Hi On Pixels Exploration we tempt the laws of chaos to govern our track list. Per request we explore the Genre Of Random. Only the samples played are pre selected. Otherwise all other musical tracks were selected randomly using a bash shell script.
A Collection of Chow Yun Fat Movies: Tai Seng Box set: Including Full Contact Prison On Fire II A Better Tomorrow II
Jennifer from Arizona will be receiving this random item from our studio as a prize for selecting tonights genre.
Thank you for your email submittals. As stated in the broadcast. I am attempting a step into Minimalism and in doing so will be giving away random items from my studio/room. How can you win such a lucky prize? If I pick your suggested genre I will send you a random item from my room via Postal Mail.
Here is your track guide:
1991: Coil – Disco Hospital from the album – Loves Secret Domain
1999: Alex Empire – Black Sabbath – from the album Miss Black America
2005: Venetian Snares – Twelve – from the album Infolepsy Ep
2007: DEV/Null – Goblin – from the album Lazer Trash
2008: Flying Lotus – Robertaflack (Mike Slotts other mix) from the album L.A Limited
2009: Prefuse 73 – Four reels Collide – from the album Everything She Touched Turned Ampexian
2010: The Books – Group Augentics- from the album The Way out
2010: Madlib -Tradition – from the album Beat Konducta In Africa
2011: Made In heights -Goblin Sigh (Wildflowers Instrumental) – from the album Aporia In the Streets
2012: Datacat – Santogold [datacat X tapeworm] from the album 9 Doors
2012:Fancy Mike – Hipster Crack – from the album Madison Square Gardner
2012: Shigeto – Ann Arbor Part 3 & 4 – Lineage
2012: Jai Paul- Baby Beats – from the album Jai Paul
2012: Dan Deacon – Guilford Avenue Bridge – from the album America
2012:ZongaMin – Zongamin – Bongo Song (Mr Flash Remix) – from the album No Lovie Frenchie
2013:Darkside:Golden Arrow – From the album TBA
197X: Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem Chopin
1973: ELO: Track entitled Showdown – from the album Third Day
1975: Country Comfort: Track: Make it with you from the album We are the children
1975: 10cc: Track entitled- Im not in love from the album The Original
1977: Steely Dan – from the album AJA
1977:Player” Baby Come back” from the album Baby Come Back
1993: Greenflow – I gotcha from the album Gotcha
1999:Groove Armada – Dusk you and me from the album Vertigo
2000: Handsome Boy Modeling School- Sunshine: From the importSunshine
2010: Gayngs “The Gaudy Side Of Town ” From the Live performance The Last Prom on Earth
2011: The Step Kids – Legends in my own mind from the album The Stepkids
2011: Toro Yi Moi – Divina from the album Underneath the pine
2013: Inc – The Place from the album No World
2013: Vondelpark Dracula from the album Seabed
Mahalo for your emails and for supporting the show.
01 1982 Venom – Track:The Witching Hour from the album Welcome to Hell
02 1982 Pagan Altar – Track:The Black Mass from the album Pagan Altar
03 1984 Slayer- Track: Black magic from the album Live Undead
04 1998 Celtic Frost – Track : Procreation of the wicked from the album Morbid Tales
05 2004 Sun Burned The Hand Of Man – Track Every direction/The first degree from the album No Magic Man
06 2008 Grails – track : Belgan Wake Up Drill from the album Black Tar Prophecies
07 2008 Menace Ruine – Track The Die is Cast from the album The Die Is Cast.
08 2010 Death Spell Omega- Track: Abscission from the album Paracletus
09 2011 Subrosa – Track:Borrowed Time Borrowed Eyes from the album No Help for the Mighty Ones
10 2011 Earth – Track: Hell’s Winter from the Album Angels Of Darkness, Demons oF Light vol 1
11 2012 Chelsea Wolfe Track:Pale on Pale from the Album Apokalypsis
12 2012 Aluk Todolo Track Occult Rock from the Album Occult Rock
13 2013 Altar Of Plagues – Track:Scald Scar of Water from the album –Teethed Glory & Injury
Tonight we are introducing a new segment called the Hi ON Pixels Explorations. We basically select a user submitted genre (this week is Post Minimalism) and select an hour’s worth of tracks form our records. We then play the soundscape at 11 PM Oahu time to midnite for your listening pleasure.
01 1971 : Terry Riley and John Cale – Church of Anthrax from the album Church of Anthrax.
02 1971 : Kraftwerk track: Franz Schubert from the album Trans Europe Express
03 1984 : 23skidoo -track: Drunken Reprisal from the album Urban Gamlan.
04 1994 : Aphex Twin – track: Hexagon from the album: Selected Ambient Works
05 1999 : COH – track :Silence is golden from the album: Vox Tinnitus.
06 2012 : Pye Corner Audio – track: They Know from the ep single.
07 2012 : Burial – track: Truant / Rough Sleeper from the single: Truant / Rough Sleeper.
08 2013 : Halls – track: White Chalk from the album: Ark
09 2013 : Young echo – track:Jupiter Rise from the album: Nexus
11 2013 : Pantha Du Prince and The Bell Laboratory – track: Wave from the album: Elements of Light
12 2013 : Boards Of Canada -track: Reach For the Dead from the album: Tomorrow’s Harvest.
Alchemy, even at its origins has been about transmutation. From the esoteric Hermetic, who through various forms of transcendence attempted to reach the bodies state of perfection, to the modern day chemist who attempts to transform molecules to produce everlasting energy.
Both practices use elements as a foundation and produce wonders through transformation.
DJ Sho’s periodical table is his vast record knowledge and influences of music styles, transformed into gold by his turn tables and DJ skills beyond measure.
I had the privilege of meeting this modern day alchemist and asked him about his craft.
When did you start DJing, how did you start and how long have you been doing it?
One night in 1997 when I was in high school back in Pittsburgh, I went to a house party and that was the first time I saw a DJ in real life. I literally stood there and just watched the DJ all night thinking to myself, “that’s what I want to do.” I was amazed on how he was mixing with vinyl and going through crates of records looking for the next song to play. Then, I remembered hearing him scratch. I was stunned! I didn’t have the money to buy my own set at the time and I remembered going to the downtown pawnshops every chance I can to look at turntables and mixers hoping one day I’d have them. By my senior year, I finally save enough money to get my own set. My friends and I would practice almost every day after school. We slowly got better and better. For the first 2 years, I was pretty much a bedroom DJ. I eventually started working for a mobile DJ company for about 3 years and then for the last 9 years working at various nightclubs here in Hawaii, San Francisco, San Jose and Las Vegas.
Do you have a particular style of DJing?
I still consider myself part of the old school generation. I grew up learning on vinyl. I also favored the turntabalist side of DJing. That is, I love to scratch and juggle records. It has an added visual performance to my sets. I also grew up listening to a lot of soul music like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, etc… So during my sets, I love to scratch some tracks hear and there but at the same time, I love sampling old tracks where people could recognize that certain melody, hook, or instrumental. Lastly, whenever I can, I try to play some “Golden Era” artists like Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Rakim, etc…
Who would you feel is the crème de la crème DJ of our time?
Without a doubt I feel that DJ Qbert is the “crème de la crème” of all the DJs. He takes it to a new level when it comes to scratching. Just when you think there’s nothing else that can be created or done, he showcases something from outer space. He keeps inventing new scratches and combos all the time.
Can you name some of your influential DJs?
Two of the DJs who have influenced me are DJ Qbert and DJ Packo for their scratching and creativeness. They both take it to a new level and always inspire me to achieve the same level as them. Next would be DJ Craze for his ridiculous juggling routines. I love the group C2C for their “soul” style and their performance as a DJ group. Locally, I enjoy listening to DJs KSM, Eskae, & Delve for their amazing library of music. They always play hidden gems.
DJ Q-Bert
What was the one the most difficult challenges you overcame in DJing?.
By far, the most difficult challenge I had to overcome was the first time I entered a DJ battle. I had already been DJ’ing in clubs for a couple of years and was very comfortable with it. But when I entered the first Mai Tai DJ battle a couple of years ago, I was so nervous. My hands couldn’t stop shaking for the first couple of minutes during my routine. My heart was pounding knowing that almost all the DJs on the island was there and all eyes were on me. It took a lot of nerve to walk up onto the stage. But I’m glad I did it and the next couple of battles weren’t as nerve racking as that first time. I would recommend that all DJs try to enter as much battles as they can. It built up my skills and eventually got my name out there more which ended up getting me more gigs.
Dj Sho Scratch Video (Go Dj)
What’s the best way for someone to start the craft? How important is it to find a mentor?
It’s a lot easier now to start learning it. Back when I started there weren’t many people doing it, so it was difficult to practice. Nowadays, there are so many resources for upcoming DJs. The setups are cheaper now; it’s easier to DJ with just a laptop and a hard drive filled with mp3s, compared to carry around a hundred pounds of records. Also, youtube is very helpful for anyone to learn any aspect of DJ’ing. I still do recommend a mentor. Nothing is better than a one-on-one training session. My mentor is DJ Big John. He’s been DJ’ing for..I don’t know how long. He’s from the old school era. He taught me a majority of what I know now when we worked together at The Celler back in early 2000s.
How has DJ’ing evolved through the years? From the Sugar Hill Gang to the C2C franchise?
Just like everything DJ’ing has evolved with technology. Before, all you needed were two turntables, a mixer, and your favorite records. Now, with the introduction of Serato and Traktor, DJs store all their music on their laptops instead of lugging around crates of records. This makes it easier for DJs and they have bigger libraries when they go to gigs. Nowadays, you don’t even need a turntable, which weighs about 35 lbs. Another thing that was introduced to DJs was the midi controller. This gave DJs a chance to become more creative with their sets, which eventually led to the new type of DJs called “Producers.” With their midi controllers and programs like Logic, Sound Forge, and Ableton they are to create songs and beats live during their sets.
What is your gear setup? What do you use?
The tools of the trade are two Technics sl-1210MKII, Rane TTM-57 mixer, Vestax PMC07 mixer, Sony 7506 headphones, pair of Shure M44-7 needles w/ extra stylus’, and an Akai MPD26 controller. At home I use vinyl but for gigs I take my Macbook because it’s a lot easier to bring music plu,s it’s not as heavy as one crate of records. I get my music from a couple of online subscriptions sites I get free subscription because I’m a club DJ. A subscription can usually run a new DJ about $50 each.
DJ SHO scratch clip
How do you see DJing in the next 10 years? Technology, Styles?
In the next 10 years, I feel that a lot of new devices will be introduced to DJs. New battles will be created because of technology. For example, the famous DMC battle were usually held at different cities every year. But now they have enabled online submissions, so that everyone can enter without having to travel to another city or country. But for DJs like myself, I will always stick with turntables and stay true to the old school ways.
Where can someone go to see your shows or hear your mixes?
Every other Fridays at Pearl Ultra Lounge at Ala Moana Shopping Center and every Saturday at Rumfire, located in the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
DJ SHO at Live Lounge at Pasadena
Complete the sentence: I will survive the zombie apocalypse by…
…going down a hill on a fixed gear and pray I can keep up with the pedals.
Urban dictionary defines Audiophile as “ A person who thoroughly enjoys listening to a wide selection of music, and of varied musical genres.” I have always felt this is the only way to listen to music. Why settle for a few genres when music like art should be tasted in variety?
Can we leave this up to our radio stations to show us the latest and greatest tunes? I am afraid not, outside of college radio, radio stations work off of a top xxx list. If it’s not on a billboard hit list, chances are you won’t ever hear of it.
Today I am going to be sharing what I have found to be the best method for discovering new music, using what I dub Associative Music Searching
Definitions:
Associative wha??
Associative Music Search is hijacked from the principle of Associative learning
Or as Wikipedia states:
Associative learning is the process by which an association between two stimuli or a behavior and a stimulus is learned. The two forms of associative learning are classical and operant conditioning. In the former a previously neutral stimulus is repeatedly presented together with a reflex eliciting stimuli until eventually the neutral stimulus will elicit a response on its own.
Clear as the Ala Wai water right? – Lets try this again – Associative learning = You like deep fried shrimp? You’ll probably like deep fried mahi-mahi.
On that basis AMS – Associative Music Searching : Is the result of searching for an Artist or band that you are familiar with and finding similar sounding or like-minded genres.
Example = I think Skinny Puppy is a cool Band = I’ll search for similar bands that either sound or are associated with Skinny Puppy in some way.
Requirements:
Formula for Associative Music Searching =
[ A Compared to B = Result ] [Validate Data]
A: Artist / Band we think is cool.
B : will be our Data Set or Database- We will be using The Last Fm.
Results = New Discovery!
Validate Data: Optional, verify your results.
With terms and conditions out of the way lets begin with the actual walkthrough
The Walkthrough
A: Artist or Band we think sounds superb.
I have selected the works of the magi duo Cyclobe for our example.
Again, We like the sound of the Cyclobe (who doesn’t?) and we want to find similar artists that sound like them.
Or similar genres relating to Cyclobe.
B:Our Data Set or Database: We will be using the last.fm as our database.
Open your web browser (or click on the link provided) of choice and go to: www.last.fm .
Once you arrive at the site locate the music search entry.
Last Fm Music search
Type in your band’s name: Cyclobe for our example and hit enter or click the magnifying glass.
Click on View Cyclobe or view (bandname)
In blue we can view what genre in the instance is associated with our band. We could at this point explore similar bands by clicking on any of the genre types.
However what we are data mining for particularly are bands that sound like Cyclobe specifically.
Near the bottom of the page you will see
Let’s click on the Similar artists link for a better view.
We can now see a short summary of the like-sounding bands, the level of similarity, and listeners. We can use the results to assist us in our search.
For our example, I will select the Artist Kreng.
Kreng
13,294 listeners
Kreng started out as a strictly sample-based project, incorporating sounds from various sources: free-jazz, new electronic generated sounds, classical modernism & vintage geographical recordings.
The description alone warrants exploration.
Let’s click on the Kreng link and find out more about the artist.
We see a similar results to our Cyclobe search. Our genre tags, similar artists,Photos of the artist and music samples. Listening to a few sample tracks of Kreng. I am very pleased with the sound of the artist and yes the sound is very akin to Cyclobe. But how do we know if Kreng is indictive to Cyclobe in terms of all music or philosphy?
As you can see from the search results there is a Myspace page for the artist, artist interviews, Miasmah recordings (the label of the band) page and more.
This a good start for your result research on the band. Feel free to add Google search parameters to focus your Google searching. Here is a great article on Google Search strings
A Youtube search will give you videos the band has done. This will provide a visual representation of the band.
Youtube is also a quick way to hear most of the bands’ catalogues of sound.
Other Sources of Validation? If you are lucky enough to have a local music store. My favorites locally are Jelly’s Hawaii Hungry Ear Records
I can assure you the employees are walking Smithsonians of music lore.
Otherwise
Amazon.com will give you online reviews based on user data. Although this can be a bit hit-or-miss as you may stumble across troll postings, statistically the reviews should give you a good idea.
Periodicals? Under The Radar. In my opinion the best printed reference for not only music discovery but reviews and interviews.
You are now ready to begin your AMS. I must forewarn you about music discovery and the illuminating effects it may cause. I will do so in the text of the Simalarion.
At first Eru Ilúvatar, the One, the All-Father, lived alone in the Timeless Halls amid the Void. Out of his thought he bore the Ainur, the Holy Ones, whom he kindled with the Flame Imperishable. Teaching them to sing, he gave them a theme on which all of them here to sing together.
One of the Ainur, Melkor, whom Ilúvatar had given the greatest gifts of power and knowledge, had gone often into the Void in quest of the Flame Imperishable. This he wanted to use to make things of his own. He did not find it there; it lives only with Ilúvatar. Melkor, though, grew different from the other Ainur as he wandered in the Void.
When the Ainur sang together, then, Melkor did not sing Ilúvatar’s theme, but put his own themes into the great music. Discord arose. Most of the Ainur stayed with Il´uvatar’s theme. Some of them, though, grew downcast at the discord and lost track of the music; others even followed Melkor’s lead. Twice, to bring the music back into line with its goal, Ilúvatar put new themes into the music. Twice Melkor kept the discord going till Ilúvatar ended the music with a mighty crash.
I began doing my research for this article by reading and listening to interviews by former Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ guitarist, the late John Frusciante, who had a quote that really put the interview into context.
The force that created us is expressing itself through our existence. I don’t think a musical idea starts in your brain. I believe it starts at a place before that we don’t have any direct contact with. And I believe that everything that we do or everything that we create is nature expressing itself.
Cataylst channels the nature of not only their environment. But of generations of musicians before them.
It is my privilege to present an interview that took place at the Waianae Piilau Skate park on “Rusty’s Ramp”.
Mahalo
Could you begin by introducing the band, who the members are the instruments they play and the sound of your music?
Tom Talkington shredding on guitar, Jeromey hoots on slapping bass and Aaron Overbay kicking drums. Our sound is little bit of all the music we listen to and smash it into a catalyst.
What’s the origin of the band Catalyst and how did the name come into being?
Tom and Jeromey started jamming in 1989 in Makaha with various friends. When Aaron was only two years old haha. Several starts and stops and long hiatus from Hawaii to Portland and back again…finally to reemerge in a fabrication warehouse in Sand Island in the summer of 2010. Our original drummer Chris “Critter” Wilcox came up with the name Catalyst because we all surf and they work with catalysts all day long. We appreciate the other definitions of ‘catalyst’ which really describe our approach to music in general. Now with our new drummer faster guitar and sicker lyrics we are the Catalyst you hear today.
What influences played a part in the band’s style? Have your influences changed over time and in doing so morphed the sound of Catalyst?
Aaron’s influence is more metal based. He is a total metal head with a lot of punk influences.
He’s a huge Dead Kennedy’s fan, and is also into Slipknot , Mudvayne and Stevie Ray Vaughun.
What are some of the challenges you faced starting out as a band and how did you overcome them?
The challenges we face are many. We have a formula for making music and we try to use that same formula to extinguish any doubt that music is dying. We don’t worry if people love or hate the music. The biggest challenge really, is being a band in Hawaii because of the clicks of music…if it’s not reggae, ska, or crappy cover songs nobody wants to hear them…sorry guys no ukuleles in this band. We just try to shut people up an listen to music by just bringing it and ignoring that fact that some people will not like it. We keep playing what we like to play and we hope our audience finds us. Keeping up with trends is not what we’re about.
How would you define punk rock?
Our definition of punk rock is our definition of our style playing what you want to play and not giving a crap what anyone thinks of it, just as long as no matter what or where we are playing, we are having the most fun at the show. Punk should not be a genre of music but really an attitude or lifestyle. The same way that alternative is a genre, because it really doesn’t describe anything it just gives it a vague description of something that can’t be classified.
I’m sure you’re familiar with the 1981 Exploited song titled Punk’s Not Dead. Although the album and title may be a bit outdated, what is your opinion on the state of the Punk scene?
“Punk’s not dead…it just deserves to die when it’s become another stale cartoon. A closed-minded self-centered social club, ideas don’t matter, it’s who you know.” – Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)
I have been doing my best to keep up with the modern punk sounds. However I must admit I’ve been a bit disappointed at the direction of most popular bands. What is your opinion on the neu-punk culture and sound? Can every band be a Rancid and still be hardcore? Also how fares the Hawaii Punk Scene?
A lot of bands are restricted because they want to be popular and are stuck in a certain sound that they think will make them famous. I feel bad because they still try but it’s like taking a drink out of an empty bottle of Jameson. You don’t get anything from it. As much as the sound culture has changed people still want to hear something new and strange. I would like to give shout out to all the bands who want people to hear something new like: Sandpaper Handjob , Hell Caminos ,Above Reproach, Old Habits Die Hard , Knumbskulls , The SUBSTITOOTS , Black square , Unit. 101 and also Simon from Black Flys for keeping it alive.
I personally have noticed over time, how the mod/punk/metal/Goth fashion trends of our yesterday has become common place in society today. What are your opinions on this?
I have definitely noticed that the underground culture has manifested it’s way into the mainstream. I grew up in Makaha and back then you would get slapped and have a hard time making it through the day if you showed up with blue hair and a nose-ring. My schoolmates and I would constantly be accused of worshiping the devil for wearing Minor Threat, Dead Milkmen t-shirts or anything that veered from the norm. It’s a lot easier now days to express individuality, but as we have learned from the past, everything comes full circle, including the expression of music: No genre will ever be forgotten in our day to day lives, we relive the past so modern times will always accept things of the unnorm because they love differences.
What advice could you give to some up and coming punk bands in Hawaii?
My advice would be to do your research. Don’t let someone tell you what is punk or cool. The net has made everything so accessible. Listen as far back as you can and find something you like and make it your own. Trust what you feel good and run with it. All good things come full circle. Don’t be afraid of things that make you uncomfortable, because if it makes you feel good it must be good. Just remember, everyone is different just like everyone else.
What is your opinion on digital downloading of music as a means of advertisement and distribution?
If anyone wants our music bad enough and they illegally download, that’s an honor that they would go to any means to get it. Record stores are things of the past, so music is either in your face or your search will always continue. Our music can be found on Facebook. But what about album art and the people that should be recognized for the album? A lot of people are forgotten and they shouldn’t be because they are just as big a part of the music being made as the band is. It’s tragic that people just don’t care about anything anymore. There is no recognition in music anymore. Do a test for me name a amazing guitarist, bass player, or drummer from the 21st century. You can’t because unless you’re behind a computer making a stupid beat, acting like you have knowledge of music theory, you’re nothing in our world of music. What can a musician do in a world of technology where anyone can be original but pressing the space bar key on a computer to change the bass drums timing? What’s the talent in that? I miss musicians in music .
I would like to dedicate this article to all the hardcore Hawaii punk bands who are still cranking out tunes for their loyal fans. I would also like to dedicate this article to a friend who passed long ago. Rusty Hoots, who will forever be in our hearts.
