The Audiofiles: Let’s Get Mellow

September 17, 2012August 14, 20131 Comment

I don’t know about y’all, but I had a busy, busy, busy weekend. Several friends were enjoying birthday celebrations and to boot – the weather was absolutely phenomenal! It’s been nothing but heat wave after heat wave, but with gorgeous blue skies and pools, playful friendships and a city to paint all sort of neon colors – I don’t think I have any business complaining.

My head’s been in the clouds all day running through the hilarity of the weekend and I could use something mellow to soothe my soul (and my new tattoo!); these are the jams that are currently making my Monday more enjoyable. Enjoy!

Tracklist

Waifs & Strays – Body Shiver (Hot Natured Remix)
Solomun – After Rain Comes Sun
Infinity Ink – Infinity
Maceo Plex – Ain’t That Love
Fritz & Paul Kalkbrenner – Sky and Sand
Jan Blomvist – Something says
Maceo Plex – Frisky
OXIA – Harmonie

Quotable: Playtime

September 17, 2012September 17, 2012Leave a comment

“A wise man once said that all human activity is a form of play. And the highest form of play is the search for Truth, Beauty and Love. What more is needed? Should there be a ‘meaning’ as well, that will be a bonus?

If we waste time looking for life’s meaning, we may have no time to live — or to play.”

The Audiofiles: Ready for the Weekend

September 13, 2012August 14, 2013Leave a comment

Live music might be one of my favorite things in the history of ever. I know that’s a bold blanket statement, but believe you me – I stick by it 100%. Whether it’s Folk, Indie, Rock, Hip Hop, World Music or Electro – there’s nothing quite like the live experience. I eat up the energy in the crowd like it’s my job and the music fills me up like a balloon; it’s one of the only times I can say that yes – I’m truly satisfied with my surroundings.

Last weekend was no different than any other weekend for me; bouncing around from location to location, experiencing so many different types of music. On Friday night, I went and enjoyed Beats Antique, Bones, Russ Liquid and Jeremy Sole at Club Nokia thanks to the Do Lab; with that much it was such a phenomenal display of musicianship, bouncing from electronic world fusion to glitch and trap. Saturday, I found myself at Dim Mak studios in Hollywood getting my Superfreq on to some amazing deep house and tech house sounds and then ended my night at the infamous Secret Cinema, a warehouse party that doesn’t start until 1 am and doesn’t end…well, ever. And things were finally wrapped up that evening at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood for some typical Sunday Funday shenanigans. Each event boasted a completely different type of sound, crowd and vibe – and that is one of the reasons I love this city: there are so many nuanced, musical subcultures that there’s literally something for everyone to enjoy.And now, being Thursday – it’s time once again to prepare ourselves to take on the weekend; these are the songs that are currently getting me excited for the clock to hit 5pm tomorrow night…

Tracklist

Noosa – Walk On By (Sound Remedy Remix)
Metrik ft Reija Lee – Freefall (xKore Remix)
Sub Focus – Out of the Blue (Xilent Remix)
Sub Focus – Falling Down (Kaptain Bootleg)
Krewella – One Minute (DotEXE’s Dopest Dope Remix)
Spencer & Hill ft Nadia Ali – Believe It (Cazzette’s Androids Sound Hot Remix)

A Moment of Reflection

September 11, 2012September 11, 20131 Comment

Every generation has a moment they remember with lucid clarity, as if each of us were immediately transported back in time. The emotions, conversations and physical interactions with people run through our veins. We still get goosebumps. It was still yesterday. For those that are older, there were the Gulf Wars, Vietnam, MLK’s assassination, JFK Jr’s assassination, Pearl Harbor day….the list truly goes on and on. For my generation, it’s today.

When I woke up that day, it was to a phone call from my best friend – I will never forget the terror and anguish in her voice; I asked my mom why she would let anyone ring me so early in the morning and with a solemn wave of the hand, I was given the remote so I could turn on the television in my room. “Which channel, momma?” But it didn’t matter, it was the only thing on TV – a tower, standing so strong and tall, burning from the inside out. As I grappled with what I was seeing, together – my mom, my best friend and I – watched as the second plane hit. I was angry, scared, and confused; as a generation, we tried to put the pieces back together but we couldn’t make them fit.

My first class that morning, the second week of Junior year, was AP United States History. The teacher, a stickler for rules and outlines, put down his notebooks and erased our chalkboard. I had always considered him a stoic man, with a dry wit and a nice smile. His eyes spilled out sadness, even though there were no tears. His voice, a powerfully calm voice, swept the room – Today, there is no lesson…because today is the lesson. This class is about the thorough examination of American culture over time; but there is no use in discussing history while we are in the process of making it.

We will never forget. We will never forget that what tore us apart as a nation also brought us together. We will never forget that we are all brothers and sisters working toward a common goal of increased awareness and human community. We will never forget that we have each other.

And we will never stop making history.

Quotable: The Beauty Inside

September 11, 2012September 11, 20123 Comments

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

–Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

Happy Caturday!

September 8, 2012September 8, 2012Leave a comment

Now that we’ve cleared the air about me being a cat lady – it’s time for an obligatory Saturday-Caturday post!

Introducing: Sake

September 8, 2012September 8, 2012Leave a comment

I’ve already introduced my youngest ball of fur, Stella, but I think it’s about time everyone meets the main little man in my life – Sake!

Going to UC Santa Barbara for college, it was easy to get carried away in the party scene. Like, way easy. But first, you should consider my facts: I didn’t have a sip of alcohol until I started getting my college acceptance letters and I didn’t get drunk until the second semester of my senior year. The only parties I went to were at my then boyfriends house, and even then – I wasn’t that interested. But in Isla Vista, that all changed – and quickly!

I have a hard time saying no to fun and entering my final year I decided it was time to simmer down some; the only problem was – how was I supposed to develop that reflex where I was compelled to stay in? Having a pet at the time meant that I had to think outside of my party-induced, slightly selfish only child ways and devote time, energy and love to the growth of another creature. I was ecstatic at the notion; especially when my roommate at the time laughed at me and told me some women use that same line of reasoning to get pregnant and have children. Now, thinking back to that moment – I’ll now gladly take being a catlady any day of the week!