Friday, 30 March 2007
Ghetto 10 Things: Part 2
This was the interview we did about a year ago for the Dummy Magazine feature '10 Things You Wish You'd Never Done.' No one's clocked yet there's not actually 10. Ha. About you're so clever. Derkhead.
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Just Noticed
That when I go on myspace and those smiley faces announce 'say something' it's usually at a most appropriate moment. Take for example when I'm on yet another poo music page, with recycled, dusty, trash lyrics like 'I'm going to shoot you' or "here I come, bang..." Check the news and say something indeed. You bore me and uninspire me to the point of writing this where I too am saying something about nothing, but something about everything.
London Paper 15
On The Scene: Chantelle Fiddy
South London is better known for its gun crime than as a force to be reckoned within the nightlife racket. Only last year, the Ministry of Sound, probably south London’s best-known club and the UK’s first super-club, featured in the press when it was alleged a British terror cell had talked of blowing it up. It certainly bought a whole new meaning to murder on the dance floor. But the locals won’t be beaten. Just as the community has come together, once again, following the spate of teen murders, so have 16 of Brixton’s focal clubs and bars. The Brixton Collective – which includes Plan B, Mass and The Dogstar - hope to restore Londoners faith in the area and put Brixton back on the map as one of the city’s best nightlife districts. A number of special events are planned for this year, revolving around a spring carnival, details of which are soon to be unveiled.
Causing real excitement, even further south of the river, is the re-launch of The White House this Friday. Located on Clapham Park Road, it’s long being popular with those looking for a dose of something less Cheers and more Sex In The City. Renowned for it’s cocktails and music selection, nights out can range from champagne on a Thursday while watching Eclectic Method VJ, to full on dancefloor business at the weekend. Having first opened in 2001, with a DJ set from Felix of Basement Jaxx, guests who’ve since headed for the roof terrace include celebrities ranging from the Black Eyed Peas to Gordan Ramsay. Even the Cheeky Girls once took to the decks for the Pink Charity Party. But the venue is now upping the stakes of sophistication even higher. Due to changes in licensing laws and clubbing habits, The White House has reacted and intends to present one of the first ‘hybrid’ clubs, blending a stylish atmosphere with high quality drinks, food and service. Having spent in the region of £750,000, among the new assets is a sound system installed by Santi Arrabas (who did Fabric and Chinawhite) and a completely redesigned 2nd floor. The new Friday in-house night, Origami, supplies a cutting edge line-up including Annie Mac (Radio 1), Princess Superstar and Tom Middleton. Another big selling point should be the extensive cocktails now on offer. “We have tried to create an experience to suit people from early evening though to the small hours of the morning,” says Yann Roberts, Operations Director of The White House. “We now believe The White House is the leading venue of it's type in London and with upcoming artists like Annie Mac, Bodyrox, Krafty Kuts and Tom Middleton appearing alongside an indulgent cocktail list and dim sum - every aspect of your night out has been planned for, but don't just take my word for it come and see for yourselves.”
A version of this article appeared in last weeks London Paper.
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Kano Mixtape
Currently in production, it will be available from the end of March. Listen to Layer Cake over at www.myspace.com/kano679. More tunes from the mixtape will be uploaded there over next few weeks. Album, London Town, will follow June/July time.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Logans Chart
From last month...
1. Skepta - Sweet Mother
2. Ruff Sqwad - From A Place
3. JME - Boy Better Know
4. Tinchy Stryder - Breakaway
5. Ghetto - Top 3 Selected
6. Wretch 32 - Cycle
7. Aftershock ft Teddy Bruckshot - Work
8. Roll Deep - Celebrate That Remix
9. Scorcher - Fly Away
10. Footsie – Showerman
Hear Logan Sama on Kiss100 FM, Monday's 11-1am. http://www.logansama.blogspot.com Enquiries: info@logansama.com
1. Skepta - Sweet Mother
2. Ruff Sqwad - From A Place
3. JME - Boy Better Know
4. Tinchy Stryder - Breakaway
5. Ghetto - Top 3 Selected
6. Wretch 32 - Cycle
7. Aftershock ft Teddy Bruckshot - Work
8. Roll Deep - Celebrate That Remix
9. Scorcher - Fly Away
10. Footsie – Showerman
Hear Logan Sama on Kiss100 FM, Monday's 11-1am. http://www.logansama.blogspot.com Enquiries: info@logansama.com
Monday, 12 March 2007
Sunday, 11 March 2007
RIP Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tapes.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isnt always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (dont spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not chidren, are in charge)
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, Teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parentel consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a band aid to a student- but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband. Churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common sense took a beating when you couldnt defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common sense was preceded in his death by his parents, Truth and Trust. his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason
He is survived by three stepbrothers, I know my rights, Someone else is to blame, and I'm a victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him pass this on, If not join the majority and do nothing.
Nuvole Bianche
Perfect for a Sunday afternoon kicking back and recovering from Saturday (or life in general), if you don't have Ludovico Einaudi's album Divenire, it comes highly recommended. I don't know much about classical except what I like and since getting this yesterday haven't taken it off. Standout track definitely Primavera.
London Paper 14
ON THE SCENE: CHANTELLE FIDDY
If you’re looking for an injection of bass this weekend, there’s only one place to achieve a high this legal – DMZ at Mass, Brixton. Renowned for their soul imploding sound system, fresh beat dropping and more, it looks set to be another road block affair for the bi-monthly event celebrating it’s 2nd Birthday on Saturday.
Founded by south London based producers Mala and Coki (of Digital Mystikz) alongside Loefah, DMZ promotes a community atmosphere, bringing together people who like to ‘meditate on bass weight.’ “That came into my head when Loefah was designing the first flyer, because it’s what I do when I’m making beats,” explained Mala, who’s responsible for speaker-shattering tracks like ‘Bury Da Bwoy’ and ‘Da Wrath’. “I don’t understand why so many clubs in the world and London, catering for people who are coming out to hear music, don’t have a good sound system. Ultimately DMZ is about sound, not fancy visuals or what you look like. We want you to get what we’re dealing with; the high frequencies and the sub low frequencies which you can’t hear but you feel (that shit) in your chest.”
Commonly regarded as a dubstep night, a sound that was spawned from the dark 2step made by the likes of EL-B, Zed Bias and Steve Gurley in the late 90’s, it’s not strictly true. Every DJ on the line-up (the majority of whom are also producers primarily playing their own music) comes with a fresh perspective, crossing over into the techno, breaks, electro and grime arenas.
But a lot’s changed since the first event that had them filling the 3rd Base room in Mass with 200 people. With attendance figures growing at every event, DMZ has quickly garnered cult status, even making their debut in New York last week. “We have international visitors from Europe and America who come over specifically for the event. They’ll go record shopping on Saturday at Blackmarket then come to us in the evening - it’s like the DMZ weekender… A lot of friendships have been formed, call me hippy but it’s about spreading love.” Thankfully it’s no PR spin and the regulars agree. “For me it’s all about community,” said Mark Guerney, a project manager by day. “The fact you can go to either FWD>> at Plastic People or DMZ and mingle with the very creators and pioneers of the sound is a revolutionary attitude in dance music.”
You’ll need to get in the queue early though. On the first anniversary last March, they full capacity within the first hour of opening, with an expectant 400 revellers waiting for a slice of the action outside. So what did they do? Moved the party into the main room of course - and they haven’t gone back since.
Among the many DJs making sure the party pounds through the night this time around are Kode 9, Plastician (Radio 1), Benny Ill, Benga, Random Trio, Distance, Hatcha, Skream, Youngsta and D1. And given the event runs from 8pm till 6am, you’re advised to bring earplugs if you want to hear the Eastenders omnibus on Sunday.
Go to www.dmzuk.com for more info
A version of this article appeared in The London Paper
Lonon Paper 13
When I first moved to London, thanks to films, television and romantic visions, I had some rather unrealistic view of what to expect on the club scene. The local clubs I was accustomed to, you went to simply because it was better than sitting in the park with a bottle of Thunderbird. Bad platform shoe spotting or market outfit spotting aside, there was very little on offer to stimulate the imagination.
But London hasn’t lived up to expectations either. My most memorable evenings over the last six years tend to be due to the company, exceptionally good DJs, or more commonly because of obscured recollections courtesy of lethal alcoholic concoctions. Come to think of it, one of my most wild nights out in 2006 was down to my mate White Russian. Accompanied by white wine and black sambucca, flashbacks include joining a gay rapper in sequin hot pants on stage and trying to reenact a scene from Dirty Dancing. I’m not talking about the samba either. Yes, In front of a hoard of colleagues I got on all four and drunkenly crawled across the stage. Sex bomb no. Laughing stock yes.
So where is the effort? Obviously, when running a nightclub or being a promoter cost is a big factor, but anyone’s who watched Blue Peter will know, with a bit of resourcefulness and time, a lot is possible.
There are nights out there, on the quest for innovative experiences, that don’t require liver damage to endure. Regrettably, they’re often invite only or strictly on a need to know the organiser tip. Without a doubt the best party I’ve ever been to was the work of Face Party, an online company who were celebrating their birthday with a heaven or hell theme. On arriving at the east end venue the two entrances, sluts and virgins, were guarded by burly looking women in S&M gear, armed with fake weapons and whips. That was nothing compared to what greeted you inside. The main room boasted bloodied (plastic) bodies hanging from the ceiling, waiters provided shots in urine sample containers, raw meat lined the underneath of the glass bar, performance artists swung from Chandeliers, while topless teens and drag queens danced alongside one another. Then there were the ice sculptures, a lovers lounge, a mystical forest and cave area - even the toilets were modeled around a peep show.
While this was probably a once in a lifetime adventure, with a bit of know-how, you can find spots in London to get a fix of something other than the norm. Tonight, at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on Kennington Lane, the VauxhallVille Cabaret Spit ‘n’ Sawdust Spectacular promises cabaret, risqué screenings, burlesque, drag queens and no frills fizz. And if you’re fed up of lazy Sunday nights, pay the Bloomsbury Bowling Lane on Russell Square a visit. This weekend We Came From The Moon present live bands alongside cabaret, film screenings and art performance. If you come dressed as a robot or don a silver mask, trilby hat, leggings, baby dool pyjamas or zoot suits, among other things, entry is only £4. All you have to hope is that your attire matches those awfully mundane bowling shoes.
A version of this article appeared in The London Paper
Monday, 5 March 2007
DMZ Memories?
I'm doing my London Paper clubs column on DMZ, who celebrate their 2nd birthday this coming weekend. Have you been before? If so what's your best memory? And why do you think DMZ hold the reputation they do? What are you most looking forward to next Saturday? All contributions much appreciated...
Thursday, 1 March 2007
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