Image: Jeaux Janovsky
This is Manda. She’s more or less the central character in the comic that Jeaux Janovsky and I are busy drawing/writing. Manda is a DJ and record store employee. She’s smart-mouthed, but also very sensitive.
Anyhow, Jeaux just did this test sketch of Manda. He told me to let everyone know that she’s “way off model.” Still we wanted to give you a sneak peek of what’s to come. I like the pink hair on her.
Getting New Romantic with Japan (Photo: Liz O.)
We celebrated Valentine’s Day early at Underground last night with a New Romantic-themed party. People (i.e., my boyfriend) thought I was kidding when I said would wear a pirate skirt. Ha! I never kid about fashion. Actually, I do, but this time I didn’t. Whatever. As proof, here’s a particularly crappy Instagram photo. It’s a pretty amazing skirt, a layered, lacy h. NAOTO that I purchased from a friend thanks to one of Pacific Media Expo’s fashion swap meets.
Ooh pirate-y. (Instagram photo: Liz O.)
Anyhow, whilst channeling the ’80s in a pirate skirt and striped top, I think I was able to do a pretty decent job of mixing New Romantic stuff and things that go along with it. I was really happy to have the chance to play Ultravox, OMD and a lot of other old favorites. My personal highlight, though, was “Shout!” by Depeche Mode. That’s a b-side for “New Life,” written by Vince Clarke. I adore playing Depeche Mode B-sides, so if you ever want to hear one, let me know and, if I have it, I’ll bring it with me.
I played the Rio Mix last night, but I’ve included a live version after the jump.
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Fischerspooner "Emerge" single (Photo: Liz O.)
I’ve been trying to think of bands that go really well with the New Romantic stuff that we’ll be playing at Underground. I think some newer artists, like Cold Cave, Crystal Castles and Hot Chip will work really well. But, the best bet is probably the electro/electroclash/whatever stuff that came out in the ’00s. The pop-oriented tracks, and even a lot of the purely club-oriented numbers, were obviously influenced by bands like Visage, Soft Cell and Japan.
While I was going through the electro/synthpop section of my collection (yes, I organize the vinyl by theme, kind of, but I also kind of suck at it), I found this. It’s the single for “Emerge” by Fischerspooner, released on International Deejay Gigolo Records and with an ADULT. remix on the B-side.
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"Kiss Me" by Stephen "TinTin" Duffy (Photo: Liz O.)
Found this when I was going through my records for Underground today. Stephen “TinTin” Duffy was the original vocalist for Duran Duran. He went on to do a bunch of other stuff, my favorite of which is this single. This specific single only features the “mixe plural” version of “Kiss Me,” which is actually the version I prefer playing at clubs. It’s also a gatefold with a cool booklet that features a Q/A and some really awesome photos by Neil Kirk. Take a peek at the booklet after the jump.
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Perhaps you heard Larry G.’s announcement on Moheak last Saturday. If not, mark your calendars, we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day early with New Romantic Nite on Friday. Can I tell you how excited I am about this? That was rhetorical, I’ll tell you whether or not you care.
New Romantic Nite means I can play this:
Photo: Liz O.
I get a little swoony when I hear Ultravox. I won’t tell you which track I want to play off this album, though. Something has to be a surprise.
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Wam Bam Ashleyanne (Photo: Liz O.)
The lovely lady in the above photo is Wam Bam Ashleyanne. She’s a DJ for KALX in Berkeley. Last night, she stopped by Underground to drop some great soul 45s. Check out some of her vinyl below.
Classic tracks on 45. (Photo: Liz O.)
I danced my ass off during Ashleyanne’s set. You can catch her show on KALX Friday nights from 9-11:59 p.m.
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Event II by Peter Gric (Photo: Liz O.)
Recently, I went to CoproGallery in Santa Monica for the opening of “Conjoined II.” That same night, the gallery also hosted a separate show featuring the art of Peter Gric called “Android Awakening.”
Gric is from Europe and his work, at least what I’ve seen of it, has a cool post-apocalyptic sci-fi edge to it. There are a few more photos after the jump. While I hate to think of art as NSFW, I’m also not your boss, so proceed with caution as there’s some nudity in the images.
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I played this last night. Photo: Liz O.
Last night was Underground’s website launch party.
I went on a little after 11:30 and played until about 1:30. That’s peak time on the dance floor at clubs in L.A., which means time for the big hits. I did slip in some newer stuff, as well as a few old tracks that aren’t played at the party all that often. One of my friends ran up to me and asked about the Shit Robot track seen in the above photo. I think he said that he wouldn’t be able to get it out of his head. It’s been stuck in mine since I got home last night.
I’ve been hearing “Kernkraft 400″ a lot at the big EDM parties lately. It was one of the big hits of the early-’00s electro scene and it kind of took on a life of itself. (Seriously, I heard a remix of it at a Dodger game.) I played the original version, which is a little less bombastic than many of the mixes that exist, thinking it would be a nice counterpoint to the very sweet sound of Depeche Mode on “See You.” Also, it made for a good segue into a really awesome Basement Jaxx/Blancmange mash-up that I’ve had for probably close to a decade. The WhoMadeWho 7″ I picked up on Thursday night went over really well. You’ll be hearing that a lot.
Last night was also the rare night when I actually brought something that was requested (LCD Soundsystem). The last song of the set, “Blind,” was a request too, but my friend asked me to play it days in advance, so of course I had it.
The set list is below.
The crate for Underground tonight. Photo: Liz O.
‘Twas a sad morning thanks to my failed attempt at getting tickets for Pulp’s San Francisco show. Read about how fast that event sold out on Club Underground.
Speaking of Underground’s website, it’s new, so new that we’re having a launch party tonight. If you’re on Facebook, make sure you RSVP.
Here’s a sneak peek into my crate.
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Anniversary Cupcakes at Underground. Instragram Photo: Liz O.
Club Underground turned 11 last night. I wasn’t spinning, but stopped by for an hour after finishing a whopping three transcriptions in one day. They had cupcakes. It was fun.