Tuesday, May 29, 2012

WARNING: things are changing around here.

WARNING:  things are changing around here.

BABY.

My wife and I are expecting our first child and that will have a direct impact on the level of my activities here, as it should.
My time will be much more limited, my projects less focused, my gigs less prevalent.

I have been DJing dance parties less and less over the last few years, for a few reasons.  A big part of that is getting older and less and less of my friends being able to come out and party until 2am.
And another part of it is my disillusionment with the scene in general.  I realize that DJing is 50% fashion, and I just don't care about fashion.
Being a woman, when I held residencies I would get one or more random dudes come up to me on any given night and make creepy and/or sexual comments to me.
And being a larger woman immediately makes one less viable as a DJ.  Female DJs are always required to have sexy glossy shots for advertisements.  And if you can rock that look, less people care if you're that good.  I've read bios on female DJs that even state they only started last year, but oh they're already booking tours.  Oh look, a  photo gallery!
I have no animosity towards other DJs that have clothing sponsorships and model on the side or can rock the queerio hipster couture, but yes it is hugely important to recognize that it is 50% fashion.

Fashion is fine!  It's just not my scene.   I care about sound.
And family.


I will most likely continue to work in the area of dreamer beats and ambient music and experimental production.  Those were, after all, my first loves.  The slogan has always been: Bedroom music for bedroom people.
Dance music drifts in utility for me if I am not being hired to play it any more.    I will still do the occasional party.  I am still available for events and weddings.  But I won't be playing 4 times/month any more.
I will probably maintain the MP3 blog, as it occurs more organically.

After Djing a birthday party for a 2-year-old this weekend I will officially be taking a leave of absence from DJing and art projects until the end of the summer, where I already have 2 major private parties booked.  After that point, I'll just play it by ear.
I am going to be training 2 proteges in 2 different cities, but details on that later.  It might be a terrible disaster, you never know.  :)

With the gigs I will still be doing, I probably will not be taking any further gigs in places that do not recognize gay marriage.  There are many states in the USA where my wife and I would have no rights as a married couple if something were to go wrong.  We could be legally denied access to each other, and to our child.
And this is not a hypothetical, these kinds of horrible things happen far too frequently to gay families across your country.  (my stats counter says most of you are located in USA...)
THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, PEOPLE.
I want to make my request absolutely clear:  please do whatever you can to elect officials who will work enact full equality for LGBT people and families.   Marriage rights is only one of many complex issues, but it's a big one, and the most symbolic.
Gay families are everywhere, and if your government or state does not recognize and support them, they are hurting families and children.

That's it for now.  I will continue using the small snippets of free time I find to do what I love.   And when love is involved, who knows what can happen.

Caitlyn / CPI.

(picture by Amanda Wong)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

MP3 blog 2012/05/24

blog 2012/05/24 - tearing at the middle

MAYBE YOU MISSED IT, but I released a music video.
You should totally go check it out right now:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULkL0SYNjkU
I know right?  SO GOOD.


Balkansky & Theodosii Spassov - Kuker:  That motherfucking flute loop is SO GOOD.

Chalk And Numbers - Summer Nights:  Jangly TopOfThePops summertime-on-the-pier bubble pop!  Off the He Knew EP.

Doug Stanhope - What He Said:  This bit opens up Stig Of The Dump's Mood Swings album, but I thought it deserves special highlights.

Jesse Rose & Oliver $ - Park My Car:  PEOPLE LISTEN, DEEP HOUSE NEEDS MORE BOBBY MCFERRIN ACTION.  Get on that, Justin Martin.

jj - Beautiful Life:  Fey white people covering douchebag rap songs?  Are we tired of this yet?  No!

KO KO - Float
KO KO - So Strange:  Wonderful fingersnappy pop songs here.

Lee Burton - Breath
Lee Burton - You've Got Me:  Smooth clickbass, and then even some pitched down pop!  This guy's got it all.

Lianne La Havas - Forget (Shlohmo Remix):  Oh I love Shlomo so much, and this bassy pop goodnedss has it all right.

Major Lazer - Get Free ft Amber of Dirty Projectors:  WHO SAW THIS COMING?  It barely sounds like what you'd expect from either party, but the synthesis is surprising and refreshing.  Give this a chance, it grows on you like best TUne-Yards.

Of Monsters and Men - Lakehouse:  Another lovely lovely pop chanter.

Purity Ring - Obedear:  New Purity Ring finds them back in top form!  The Canada electro revolution continues!

Supreme Cuts - Jacy:  Superbass chillfest mmmm

The Dead Milkmen - Fauxhemia
The Dead Milkmen - Meaningless Upbeat Happy Song:  Do you know the dead milkmen, kid?  They've been around for like _30 fucking years_.  Oh you might not understand them, but oh you should.  They are an American institution.  I saw them on tour this year and holy fuck what a good show.  The hits kept coming and coming.  What I DIDN'T KNOW was that last year they released a new album.  The King In Yellow picks up where they left off when they originally abandoned, and hardcore fans out there will enjoy it.  For the rest of you all, go get Death Rides A Pale Cow for all the hits, and do not miss them live!

The Green Kingdom - Crmbld:  Egress sparkles and shimmers and has many quiet meditative points, straddling the ambient and idm/folktronica worlds.

The Head And The Heart - Down in the Valley:  Sometimes you just want that down-home stripped folk.

The M Machine - Faces:  Pulsing and heady electropop!

The Reverb Junkie - Tear Down Walls:  She totally reminds me of Beth Ditto!  And oh that hiccup beat!



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Balkansky & Theodosii Spassov - Kuker
Chalk And Numbers - Summer Nights
Doug Stanhope - What He Said
Jesse Rose & Oliver $ - Park My Car
jj - Beautiful Life
KO KO - Float
KO KO - So Strange
Lee Burton - Breath
Lee Burton - You've Got Me
Lianne La Havas - Forget (Shlohmo Remix)
Major Lazer - Get Free ft Amber of Dirty Projectors
Of Monsters and Men - Lakehouse
Purity Ring - Obedear
Supreme Cuts - Jacy
The Dead Milkmen - Fauxhemia
The Dead Milkmen - Meaningless Upbeat Happy Song
The Green Kingdom - Crmbld
The Head And The Heart - Down in the Valley
The M Machine - Faces
The Reverb Junkie - Tear Down Walls


You can turn it off at any moment but why would you?  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20120524.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com


More info:
Enjoy!
~CPI

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

CPI - Shredding (music video)

CPI - Shredding (fox GX Jupitter-Larsen)

26 minutes of hot shredding action!   Audio recorded live 2012 at Pitch Black, performed by CPI.
Please reblog!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

MP3 blog 2012/05/16

blog 2012/05/16 - when everything speeds up and up and up you'll find that one place again.

Cold Specks - Holland
Cold Specks - Steady:  I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is one of those landmark albums of the year, the kind you hear and immediately guess if it will make the top 5 of the year, or just the top 10.  Another powerful Canadian voice has arrived.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DJ T - City Life ft Cari Golden (Maya Jane Coles Remix):  First of 2 MJC tracks up in this place, I've just been grooving on some excellent deep house as of late.  At first I was kind of digging the Maja Jane Coles DJ mix for its selection, but then you realize it could have been assembled much better so fuckit, do it yourself.

Doldrums - I'm Homesick Sittin' Up Here In My Satellite:  The party starts here with the ramshackle cacaphony!  From the new album Empire Sound.

Epic45 - People Say This Place Is Slowly Dying (Reworked By Charles Vaughan):  The album Weathered is mostly remixes, and all of it has a magical golden quality to it.  If you want that mid-90s AFX-styled electro ambience there is much to be had here.  Also tweaks the drone centres and the meowed-out downtempo bliss centres.  Recommended.

Flosstradamus - Rollup:  The whole footwurk phenom was kind of irritating since most producers had no idea how to really produce.  It was quaint.  But here we have a veteran producer riffin on the formula to some fabulous results.  And be sure to check their track with Kid Sister on it as well.

Gossip - Perfect World:  New Gossip out in 2012!  woot.

Hectic Zeniths - I Might Drown:  From the self-titled new album, this might as well be a dubbed out Flornce and the Machines remix.

John Zorn - The Invisibles
John Zorn - The Middle Pillar:  The Gnostic Preludes is the most beautiful thing on Tzadik out so far this year.  So accessible your mom would love it, but full of depth and and emotion.

Kate and Janelle - Star Witness (Neko Case cover) (in P.C.V.S. stairwell)
Neko Case - Star Witness:  If you didn't see this on youtube (And yes, this is a youtube rip), this is an achingly beautiful rendition of Case's track by two graduates from this Canadian arts-focused high school that was slated to be closed.   They are in a stairwell and are almost overwhelmed by the reverb, making it a fitting eulogy.  It makes me so sad to think it receives the arbitrary axe!  And despite this video going viral and it making Neko Case cry, and despite the tragedy of the school closing, the school also went ahead and raised over $50k this years for mosquito nets to prevent malaria.  Yeah, jaw dropping.  So here's the original, and the even superior cover.  Support the youth, people.

Maps & Atlases - Old & Gray
Maps & Atlases - Remote & Dark Years:  I think the new album Beware and Be Grateful sounds like what I wished TV On The Radio sounded like.

Parov Stelar - Song For The Crickets:  Deep jazzy grooviness is what they do best.  Forget flipping a swing groove for anthem house music, this is where it's at.

Philippe Petit with Herve Vincenti, Maria Grigoryeva, Alexander Mahniev, Vladimir Shubin - Many-Minds in Many Worlds:  Swirling, varied and challenging, Philippe Petit & Friends' Cordophony is at the very least one of the most interesting contemporary classical albums out this year.  Varied instrumental groupings produce tracks move in sometimes startling.  I don't find this an easy listen, but very compelling.  Recommended for fans of more difficult classical music and improv jazz.

Scenic - Another Sky (The Magician Remix):  The Magician rocks the nu-disco like none other.



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Cold Specks - Holland
Cold Specks - Steady
DJ T - City Life ft Cari Golden (Maya Jane Coles Remix)
Doldrums - I'm Homesick Sittin' Up Here In My Satellite
Epic45 - People Say This Place Is Slowly Dying (Reworked By Charles Vaughan)
Flosstradamus - Rollup
Gossip - Perfect World
Hectic Zeniths - I Might Drown
John Zorn - The Invisibles
John Zorn - The Middle Pillar
Kate and Janelle - Star Witness (Neko Case cover) (in P.C.V.S. stairwell)
Maps & Atlases - Old & Gray
Maps & Atlases - Remote & Dark Years
Neko Case - Star Witness
Parov Stelar - Song For The Crickets
Philippe Petit with Herve Vincenti, Maria Grigoryeva, Alexander Mahniev, Vladimir Shubin - Many-Minds in Many Worlds
Scenic - Another Sky (The Magician Remix)


This is the death of me, in slow motion:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20120516.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
Enjoy!
~CPI




Saturday, May 12, 2012

Divergence Movie Night presents "Queer China, ‘Comrade’ China (Zhi Tong Zhi)"



Wednesday, May 16, 8pm:
Divergence Movie Night presents "Queer China, ‘Comrade’ China (Zhi Tong Zhi)"
A comprehensive historical account of the queer movement in modern China. Queer China, 'Comrade' China documents the changes and developments in LGBT culture that have taken place in China over the last 80 years. Unlike any before, this film explores the historical milestones and ongoing advocacy efforts of the Chinese LGBT community. The film examines how shifting attitudes in law, media and education have transformed queer culture from being an unspeakable taboo to an accepted social identity. The film culminates with the submission of Dr. Li Yinhe’s Same-sex Marriage Bill to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress in 2003, a major landmark event in the ongoing struggle for acceptance of queer identity in China.
60 minutes                                                           
8pm at Shanghai Restaurant, 651 Somerset St West
Free admission, $5-$10 suggested donation.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

MP3 blog 2012/05/10

blog 2012/05/10 - this is the now and this is the record of the now

Aesop Rock - Zero Dark Thirty:  Kicking off a hiphop-heavy week with the one, the only, Aesop Fucking Rock.  New album Skelethon out soon, and I'm super excited.

Akira Kosemura - Petrarca
Akira Kosemura - Xiao Ge Er:  Breezy electronic IDM beats with tinkley washes of piano and guitar is practically its own genre at this point.  The whole album Grassland is all like this:  super Sunday cobweb removal music.  This album has more going on than most in the genre.

Basket of Figs - Holland:  With a voice that could be straight from the 60s and off the album "Oh Eye, Oh Night", this single stirs something inside then finishes before you even know what it was.

Cultfever - Knew You Well:  Fabulous pop from the self-titled album.

Death Grips - Get Got
Death Grips - I've Seen Footage:  In some ways it's more intense than their debut, in some ways it's more listenable because there's a bit less growly-yelling.  Either way The Money Store is pretty damn amazing and you kind of owe it to yourself to check it out since everyone will be talking about it.  And apparently the 3rd album might even come later this year...

Earl Sweatshirt - Home:  Probably the best little nugget I've heard from the wolf gang crew.  Here's to hoping the brats keep growing up.

El-P - Works Every Time:  Yeah yeah yeah, it's a good fucking hiphop post.  Here's another track from Cancer For Cure.

Exile - Oh Word (Keep On Rising) ft Fahsawn:  We all know these tracks, Pharcyde made them an art unto themselves:  the goofy smoked out posse track that is always on the verge of falling apart.  Yessss.

Fun. - We Are Young ft Janelle Monáe:  Yes, this is a super fun track, but the puzzler is, if you have Janelle in the studio, why are you just having her do the backup vocals?

Holy Other - Touch:  Oh yes, I love me some pitched down swirl beats!

Kathryn Calder - Who By Fire (Leonard Cohen cover):  Can you believe Cohen is touring again?  Is he feasting of the blood of children or what?

LAKE R_DIO - Max Headroom:  I think I declared witchhouse dead some time last year, but this is another nail in that coffin, as the producers all give up the facade that they really like pleasant plonky electro music like the rest of us, funny characters in the name be damned!

Mirror Lady - Hands Are Tied:  Ready to go for soundtracking an episode of Gossip Girl!

Niia - BTSTU (Jai Paul cover):  Sometimes covering a hot contemporary song can be just as sublime as hitting the classics.

PTR1 - Cold (Teielte Remix):  Dubbing out vocals even further, this is some great snappy chillage.

Sharon Van Etten - Kevin's:  Folk crooner gold from the new album Tramp.

The Commas - Bottle:  Yes, between all the beats and the hippin an the hoppin we need a solid singer/songwriter folk contingent!

Utah Saints - What Can You Do For Me (Doorly Remix):  Utah Saints were always awesome, and oh thank goodness for the remix revival train that busts out the classic samples again.

Xiban - Drunk Ghost:  Oh wow this is super amazing and surprising.  I was not expecting to find something this awesome, but here we are.  



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Aesop Rock - Zero Dark Thirty
Akira Kosemura - Petrarca
Akira Kosemura - Xiao Ge Er
Basket of Figs - Holland
Cultfever - Knew You Well
Death Grips - Get Got
Death Grips - I've Seen Footage
Earl Sweatshirt - Home
El-P - Works Every Time
Exile - Oh Word (Keep On Rising) ft Fahsawn
Fun. - We Are Young ft Janelle Monáe
Holy Other - Touch
Kathryn Calder - Who By Fire (Leonard Cohen cover)
LAKE R_DIO - Max Headroom
Mirror Lady - Hands Are Tied
Niia - BTSTU (Jai Paul cover)
PTR1 - Cold (Teielte Remix)
Sharon Van Etten - Kevin's
The Commas - Bottle
Utah Saints - What Can You Do For Me (Doorly Remix)
Xiban - Drunk Ghost


this now includes everything that now always has:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20120510.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
Enjoy!
~CPI



Thursday, May 3, 2012

MP3 blog 2012/05/03

blog 2012/05/03 - I just want to feel it all inside a plastic wrapping.

Blawan - Getting Me Down:  BOOM!  Start things off with some slamming awesomeness.

Charli xcx - Nuclear Seasons:  Big shiny pop isn't exactly a rare commodity these days, but this one is still lovely.

David’s Lyre - Hidden Ground (Drugs Remix):  The moody affected pop gets a kick drumming rework and experiences that Noah And The Whale effect:  uber drama songs get a xanax shaped rework.

Dictaphone - Au Botanique
Dictaphone - The Conversation:  Poems From A Rooftop is new and another fantastic album in the genre of "IDM artist releases beautiul record of electronic jazz ambience sound works".  Namely, my favourite genre ever.  Highly recommended.

Dose - Is That You:  The big shiny vocal samples would make even Fat Boy Slim blush, but it the good vibes overpower on this, my favourite track off the new album When We Were High.

Francis - Traktor:  Fits nicely in that wide open field of pop between Grizzly Bear and Phoenix.

Fucked Up - The Other Shoe:  Did you know that Canada wins at everything?  David Comes To Life was released last year just to remind everyone that our #1 export is awesomeness.

Kinny - Suffocate
Kinny - Up/Side/Down:  Soul, RnB, hiphop and traditional downtempo production come together on the new album Can't Kill A Dame With Soul.  Recommended.

Lucky Paul - Thought We Were Alone (Gang Colours Remix):  The clicky drum machine program is downright QUAINT.  From last year's The Slow Ground EP

Miike Snow - Archipelago
Miike Snow - Pretender:  I've only heard a bit of the new Snow album but so far so good, he'll do Peter Gabriel proud yet.

Nihilist Spasm Band - Music Is Fun:  Remember when I said Canada was awesome?  For almost half a century these dudes have been making noise in London Ontario, and LO a new album!  Nothing Is Forever is almost a eulogy for themselves.  DO YOU THINK MUSIC IS FUN?  no fun no fun no fun.

Ray! - Good Thymes (Opiuo Remixx):  Funky jazz breaks?  What say you Little John?

Return To Mono - Framebreaker: 

Serenades - Oceans:  I love chanter choruses.  From the album Criminal Heaven.

Steinbrüchel & Cory Allen - Seam 06:  Seam is quickly rising as one of my favourite experimental albums of the year.  Lovely textures that just make you want to nap so fucking hard.

Steve Gates - Always On My Mind ft Catherine MacLellan:  Classic.  I grew up with the Willie Nelson version, but this song is over a decade old and really doesn't get the love it demands.




THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

Blawan - Getting Me Down
Charli xcx - Nuclear Seasons
David’s Lyre - Hidden Ground (Drugs Remix)
Dictaphone - Au Botanique
Dictaphone - The Conversation
Dose - Is That You
Francis - Traktor
Fucked Up - The Other Shoe
Kinny - Suffocate
Kinny - UpSideDown
Lucky Paul - Thought We Were Alone (Gang Colours Remix)
Miike Snow - Archipelago
Miike Snow - Pretender
Nihilist Spasm Band - Music Is Fun
Ray! - Good Thymes (Opiuo Remixx)
Return To Mono - Framebreaker
Serenades - Oceans
Steinbrüchel & Cory Allen - Seam 06
Steve Gates - Always On My Mind ft Catherine MacLellan


Give me empathy empathy empathy and I will try:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20120503.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
Enjoy!
~CPI


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

MP3 blog 2012/04/30

YES, I know this is a day late.  I was SLEEPY.
BTW people, I noticed that the stats on this blog are plummeting.  Like, HALF of the people out there are not downloading the blog anymore.  So tell you friends to set up their notifications, and spread word about this blog.  I'll only keep updating if people are finding this useful.  ~Caitlyn




blog 2012/04/30 - the place where you are is where you were looking for.


200 Years - Solar System:  From the self-titled album, I never would have expected such a beautifully small folk song to be named after a period of time so long, or a span of space so large...

Ava Luna - Wrenning Day:  There's something a bit gritty and overwrought going on here, but it still has that Jamie Lidell-style deepfunk goodness.  From the new album Ice Level.

Beck - Farewell Ride (myles AWAY bootleg):  Slamming beat, with of course of Notorious tossed in for good measure.

Doseone - Last Life:  EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE NEW DOSEONE!  I love this man so much, and have been jonesing for new stuff since last year's 13 & God album.  New album G is for Deep out soon!!!!

Gramatik - Dungeon Sound:  You generally know what you're going to get with Gramatik, and that's OK.  Street Bangerz Volume 3 delivers the boombap goodness you expect and deserve.

LCMDF - Mountains (Skeetskeet Remix):  Sweet beat electro pop boomin.

Maddslinky - Special (Chimpo Remix):  I love the grimey garage riddims with the soul vocals on top, they're really my faves.

Mates Of State - Unless I'm Led:  Another fabulous track from last year's Mountaintops.

Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Life in Muscle
Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Must Be Blind:  All hail record store day!  Another fabulous single springs forth from that collector-frothing event.

Raekwon - Chinese Marines ft Mobb Deep:  How is Raekwon still dropping it so hot???  New tape is Unexpected Victory and holy shit is it all this good?

Silencio - Gone
Silencio - Home:  2 delicate tracks from the new album When I'm Gone.

Skruncha-roo - Deer and I:  Dreamy chopped vox downtempo oh yes.

The Mountain Goats - Damn These Vampires (live 2011-03-28 Bowery Ballroom NYC)
The Mountain Goats - This Year ft Craig Finn of Hold Steady (live 2011-03-28 Bowery Ballroom NYC):  Do you remember reading that crazy incident where Craig Finn came on stage to sing with Mountain Goats?  Well holy shit, the NYC Taper recorded that show and here is the magical moment.  Amazing.

The Walkmen - 138th St (iTunes Session):  Itunes sessions might just be cheap ways to drum up extra exclusive sales, but ahhh how can I resist?

Toe - Goodbye ft Toki Asako:  Japanese instrumentalist proggers toe get some much-appreciated vocals on the track and the results are stunning.



THIS WEEK'S TRACKS

200 Years - Solar System
Ava Luna - Wrenning Day
Beck - Farewell Ride (myles AWAY bootleg)
Doseone - Last Life
Gramatik - Dungeon Sound
LCMDF - Mountains (Skeetskeet Remix)
Maddslinky - Special (Chimpo Remix)
Mates Of State - Unless I'm Led
Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Life in Muscle
Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Must Be Blind
Raekwon - Chinese Marines ft Mobb Deep
Silencio - Gone
Silencio - Home
Skruncha-roo - Deer and I
The Mountain Goats - Damn These Vampires (live 2011-03-28 Bowery Ballroom NYC)
The Mountain Goats - This Year ft Craig Finn of Hold Steady (live 2011-03-28 Bowery Ballroom NYC)
The Walkmen - 138th St (iTunes Session)
Toe - Goodbye ft Toki Asako

There is this place where you click and the magic happens:  http://thetastates.com/mp3s/blog/blog20120430.zip


Stay on top of everything new at http://djcpi.blogspot.com

More info:
Enjoy!
~CPI