Posted by: Matt

I started to write up an epic post about how much I heart L.A. breakcore pop band Captain Ahab, about how they have a new album out in a few weeks and are touring the West Coast right f*cking NOW but the Wikipedia article pretty much sums up everything I wanted to say about them:

Captain Ahab is an electropop duo based in Los Angeles, California. They refer to their sound, a DIY take on dance music, as ravesploitation. The band is made up of Jonathan Snipes and Jim Merson. A typical Captain Ahab live performance consists of playback of recorded beats from a computer and vigorous singing by both members of the band. While performing, members of Captain Ahab are usually partially undressed, covered in sweat, and constantly forcing themselves into physical contact with members of the audience. While their lyrics are satirically misogynistic, their live performance is thoroughly homoerotic.

In June 2006, Captain Ahab won the Snakes on a Plane music contest, with their song “Snakes on the Brain”.

On September 28th, 2006, the song “Girls Gone Wild” was played briefly in “The Convention”, the second episode of the third season of The Office.

Their single “Was Love” was written for and played in the first season episode “Gravedancing” on the Syfy series Caprica.

Jonathan writes and performs the music. Jim gets naked and dances. Jonathan also teaches at UCLA and contributes music and sound design to several television shows. Jim rubs his sweat on you.

I’ve seen them twice at the Hemlock here in San Francisco and had an absolute blast both times. As luck would have it, they are playing there again this Friday (3.19), and I highly recommend you all go with me. Seriously.

Videos with music after the jump.
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Posted by: Matt

Hey party people! Not since the glorious days of the Comet Club have I had a recurring night to call my own. Until now that is!
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Posted by: Matt

Enjoy your day off, American Beatery readers. This rap is an oldie to be sure, but so good it should never be forgotten.

Posted by: Matt

One of the trickier club DJ techniques to learn is how to tastefully switch tempos between songs. It’s always an option to just do it; clubbers have short memories, and while a jarring switch may raise some eyebrows, five minutes later no one will remember. However, the momentum will definitely be broken and whatever vibe the DJ had been building will likely be set back a few tracks.

While it is totally possible to finesse a dramatic tempo change so that feels like a part of the flow instead of a rock in the middle of it, occasionally producers like to help us out. By building a BPM bump (or drop) into a track, the change can happen while the sonic elements remain steady, softening the blow by only making one leap at a time instead of two.

These tracks can come off as gimmicky though, which I think is why they aren’t made very often, but they can definitely be handy at the right time to shift styles or just give the floor a bit of a goose:

Atlantic Connection  - Rocksteady - LA Riots ‘Shake It All Night’ Mix

Calvertron, Banga - Whoop (Rudder’s There It Isn’t Remix)

Phonat - Learn to Recycle

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Posted by: Matt

DJ Hægen, now with more SCIENCE! Just a quick heads up here to let you all know that I’ll be dropping beats at Nightlife tomorrow night along with a bunch of other great FUSF DJs. Rumor has it that we are possibly the only crew to ever get invited back for a second night of hosting which means we must have done something right the first time! So if you missed it before (or have been craving another chance to learn shit and then drink it away immediately) I’ll be seeing you tomorrow night! Look for me upstairs this time, behind the planetarium.

Planning a set in that space is a little tricky. The building is absolutely cavernous, so definitely more stripped down, tech-y sounds will come through with the most clarity. Anything that is too complex or layered will just sound washed out and noisy, but no one wants to listen to minimal techno for four hours, so striking a balance is key. It also depends on where the party is. Earlier in the night when everyone is mingling out in the main part of the building it will probably be good to stick to propulsive, basic tracks to keep the energy flowing. Later on though you could be playing to a floor right in front of you (last time there was quite a dance party happening from 9-10pm) and then all bets are off.

I’ll be spinning for an hour, but I don’t know which slot it will be yet. Just plan on getting there as close to 6 as you can since there is usually a big ass line of people waiting to get in. To help you find me, I’ve posted a few tracks from my “crate” for the night below*. If you hear one of them, come find me in the booth!

Mogi - Wolkenfunken

Phonat - Ghetto Burnin (Sharooz mix)

Drop the Lime - Devil’s Eyes (CLASSIXX B-Live mix)

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*obviously not inclusive of all possible sounds

If FUSF DJs and everything the Academy has to offer aren’t enough, there will also be a coffee tasting and educational session with info on harvesting and sustainability featuring Blue Bottle, Ritual Roasters, Equator Coffee, Barefoot Coffee, and Four Barrel. DAYAMN.

Future Universal hosts Nightlife at Academy of Science - Event Info/RSVP

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