SONG OF THE DAY (SUNDAY FUNDAY): KAPTN – La La Land

While most of the dance world is looking at the ’90s for inspiration, leave it to the White Tyrese to relive the ’00s. Using Green Velvet’s “La La Land” is absolutely brilliant because the original track was a scathing and sarcastic attack on drug abuse in clubland. Kaptn flips the song by adding a few lines to fit his party boy lothario persona, and suddenly it has the same vibe as his buzz record “Ricky Ricardo.” The first verse is about the availability of drugs and their pleasurable results, while the second focuses on an aspiring actress/model who messes up her life by doing too much, which makes it kind of disjointed when half of it is similar in theme to Tiesto’s “Wasted” and the second half is all Grandmaster Flash “The Message.” The video featuring clips from ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ is quite brilliant and even further blurs the intent. Regardless, it’s great to hear an underground classic get rediscovered as we look forward to the year 2024 when the 2000s house revival is scheduled to kick in.

Image Courtesy of Win Music.

Notable Dance Podcast #019

Sharam – My Way
Jack & Joy vs Menini & Viani ft Greg Stainer – AAHM All About House Music (Jack and Joy Mix)
The ReLOUD ft Crystal Waters – Say Yeah (Private Extended)
The Blackhats – Ralph and Vicky
Paul Oakenfold ft Azealia Banks – Venus (DJ Bl3nd)
Cash Cash ft Bebe Rexha – Take Me Home
Static Revenger ft Kay – Back Off (Mixshow)
Green Velvet & Nicky Romero vs Illegal Beatz – Flash & Wild (Psycholi Mash)
Da Rave – Big
dBerrie – Decibel
Andreas Rodlund & Matt Hewie ft Jonny Rose – All We Have (Vocal)
Dank – Wonder Child (Dank LIRR)
Project 46 vs Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day
Alex Metric & Jacques Lu Cont ft Malin – Safe With You (Extended)

INTERVIEW: Dave Clarke (2013)

After ten years of interviewing DJs, producers and artists, I rarely get nervous when speaking them.? However, approaching Dave Clarke was a bit nerve-wracking, because people that are into techno are REALLY into techno and are practically experts, so it’s kind of intimidating to techno purists.? Imagine my pleasant surprise to discover that the “baron of techno” is cordial, friendly and helpful.? Dave Clarke is one of the most respected DJs in the world and his radio show/podcast has a loyal (almost cult-like) following of listeners (its available through 2FM RTE and iTunes).

DJ Ron Slomowicz: Starting with the basics, who would be 5 artists, including yourself, that someone should follow to learn about techno?
Dave Clarke:? Jeff Mills definitely needs to be there; he is less abrasive now with his sets and has been in his Spaceship vibe for the last couple years. Occasionally he can be a bit abrasive, and that is when he is my favorite. If you are looking for someone from a vinyl or heritage prospective, I would say DJ Bone.?? If you are looking for someone that is bridging the gap and latecoming into the scene, I would say Chris Liebing, he has his own sound that is very specific to him. I would also say Derrick May because he can be funky, which a lot of people forget how to be- and also Green Velvet.
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