Stereo - June 30, 2009

Parking in July 2009

Piknic electronik @ Parc Jean-Drapeau - June 28, 2009

The schedule:

2:00pm Stefny Winter (NY)
4:00pm Pheek (CA)
5:00pm Ambivalent (US)
6:30pm Barem (AR)
8:00pm Richie Hawtin (CA)

Once again the weather forecast was wrong, it was supposed to rain in the afternoon, and instead it was such a beautiful day to be outdoors. I went by the Piknic at around 3:00pm and the place was starting to get packed, and very nice tunes by Stefny Winter. Didn't go in, just wanted to check out the vibe, and I have also decided I won't listen to the weather people from Montreal anymore.

I officially arrived a bit after 7:00pm to this party - my friends had already ditched me, but there was no way I was going to miss Richie Hawtin. The place was fully packed and I must say, the Piknic has gone main stream, and it is now considered part of the Montreal Summer activities for a lot of people.

Wanting to see Richie, and as a bonus got to see Mauricio Barembuem (aka Barem), this young talented dj/producer from Buenos Aires, which plays something called ponymal techno and ponymal house - and guess what? Loved it! and so did the crowd because everyone was so excited and happy, actually there were some sicking happy people around.

By 7:45pm Richie had already arrived to the tent, just imagine the reaction when people saw him, but he kept his cool, giving Barem his time to end his fantastic set. What a phenomenal transition between those 2 guys, really outstanding job, just to show you don't need to start from the beginning, just jump in while the bus is running and keep going.

Confession of the day, this was my first time seeing Richie Hawtin live. I've been his fan for a while now (thanks to the "internets"), but his Piknic set just won me over forever. Great Detroit style techno, tinted with some electro, minimal and house, which make it impossible for you not to dance. Your body just feel the urge to move when you hear his music, and that is what I did during his entire set.

Another plus to Richie is the way he reads the crowd, gave us his best and made people happy with his performance. Now, if great music, amazing people, contagious vibe, Montreal skyline in the background while the sunset is happening, great weather, if all those ingredients cannot make you happy to live in a city such as Montreal, you are in trouble.

New York City Pride 2009 - Compact Review

Just because I wasn't in New York City, it doesn't mean this blog doesn't have correspondents from the big apple. JB is a good friend of mine, and regarding music & party wise his taste is very similar to mine, and this is what JB filed at 5:46pm today:

"Just got home from Alegria, which I would rate as 'really good'. Work party yesterday left a lot to be desired and the music of all 4 djs was well under what I've heard them be capable of in the past. Overall, DJ Paulo was the best and once again Offer was probably the worst, party was 'okay' but not great."

Work Party: DJ Paulo, Offer Nissim, Peter Rauhofer and Oscar G
Alegria Party: Tony Moran, Abel and Micky Friedmann

other friends have also mentioned they had an incredible weekend, and now lets just give them a couple of days to fully recover from the "xmas festivities".

Piknic - June 28, 2009

Boys and girls, the Piknic electronik has confirmed, today's party will go on with or without rain:

2:00pm Stefny Winter (NY)
4:00pm Pheek (CA)
5:00pm Ambivalent (US)
6:30pm Barem (AR)
8:00pm Richie Hawtin (CA)

Weather forecast Sunday Afternoon:
Temp 24°C
Feels Like 30°C
Probability of Precipitation: 60% (Thunder-showers)

Weather forecast Sunday Evening:
Temp 22°C
Probability of Precipitation: 90% (Thunder-showers)

Lippé @ Parking & Torrence @ Unity

Obviously the younger crowd will be at Unity, and the not so young at Parking, and if I return tonight from the USA, I shall be at Parking for Lippé. Due to the fact lots of our friends are celebrating pride in TO & NYC, I'm asking both DJs to be extra good tonight.

Parking, if you want to add an extra sexy feeling to the night, move those boxes, were people dance on, to the middle of the dance floor. Unity, you already have your boxes in the middle of the dance floor, but two are enough, don't add the little third one because that takes space away from the dancers.

Happy Pride Toronto & New York City

I know there are many other cities celebrating Pride this weekend, and happy pride to all of you as well, and I because Toronto and New York City are receiving lots of Montrealers this weekend, this is why the special note in these two cities.

Have fun, enjoy yourself, and get to know people you don't know yet. Be a good host and a good visitor, and most important of all, please be safe in everything you do.

Unfortunately due to some "vacation" issues, I'm unable to attend the celebrations in either city, but I will celebrate in Montreal as if it was pride here as well.

Happy Pride boys and girls.

R.I.P. Michael

D-Formation @ Parking

This weekend might feel a bit empty in the village, as you know a lot of Montrealers are taking off to either Toronto or New York City for Pride celebrations, and if wasn't because I can't take any day off until December 2020, I would probably not be in the city as well.

Anyway, D-Formation is going to be taking care of the boys and girls at Parking this Friday, am I going to be there? It all depends how my day goes on Friday, and how busy I'm going to be on Saturday.

and Parking, I do have a suggestion to give you for your Saturday night party, read my upcoming post.

Happy Saint-Jean-Baptiste

and yes, this is the same video I used last year, couldn't find another one that I wanted to use, and although I must work (that is what happens when you work in international business), I know most of you will be enjoying your day off.

Parking and Unity - Weekend 25

I'll quick and to the point for this ultra-mini review for this past weekend.

DJ K.Nox @ Parking on Friday (June 19) was interesting and refresing, good music, great crowd, at times the sound was not happening, it was getting a bit of distortion when the volume was up, Parking please tune up those machines. K.Nox was sexy as usual.

Ana Paula @ Unity on Saturday (June 20) - I've seen her doing a better job, don't take me wrong, she was ultra excited to be here again, jumping, dancing, and doing all her stuff, but I found the music to be all over the place. It was my best friend's first time seen her, and borrowing his expression to describe the night, she was ordinary with good moments. I had a lot of fun, but music wise was not a memorable night, and loved the new light panels right behind the new DJ booth.

Grondin @ The Week Sampa

I was too tired to go to see Mr. Grondin last night at Parking, but if you are in São Paulo this weekend, make sure to check him out eh?

Black & Blue 2009 - Post 2

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Summer 2009 - Northern Hemisphere

Due to the fact this blog has readers in both sides of the hemisphere, I have to specify this post is valid only for the Northern one - Happy Summer people, even if in somes places it doesn't feel like we are there yet.

In the Northern Hemisphere, based on astronomical definition, summer begins on the day of the June solstice, which is at 1:45 A.M. EDT on June 21, 2009.

Facebook

for the longest time I have been resisting to become a Facebook member, but I have finally caved in - I was looking for something specifically and in order to get it, I had to join, can you imagine?

Don't know how long I'll have the profile up, and it is not related to Patius, only for ultra super personal use at the moment. Depending how it goes, I might create a Patius profile, but thinking about it, the blog is enough work as a hobby already.

Parking - Weekend 25

Weekend 25 and I must say I was not too happy with Weekend 24 at Parking. Junior Vasquez I find to be either a hit or a miss, and we all know he is a legend in the business, but unfortunately once again he kind of disappointed me last weekend. Didn't stay too long, so if he improved after I left, good for you if you were there. The only good thing was that I got to see someone that I wanted to see.

Moving on, DJ K.Nox is taking charge of the night this coming Friday, and I'm sure you've seen him, he is one of the bartenders at Parking (didn't know he was also a DJ until recently), sometimes I get a drink from him because I just want to see his smile. I'm definitely checking out his skills as a DJ, and if his positive attitude is able to be transmitted through the music, I believe we might be in for a treat.

DJ Escape is spinning on Saturday, and Stephan Grondin is closing the week with a "Perfect Sunday". Have you noticed some nice booking happening for Sunday's now? I know there are many followers of Sunday's parties, and I think "Perfect Sunday" might just go global if those bookings continue.

São Paulo Pride 2009 - acabou

I still don't understand why São Paulo hold their pride celebration during their winter time, I know most of the cities want to keep the date around the Stonewall riots (NYC), but come on, I'm sure they would be forgiven if they were to held this celebration during their Summer instead.

Awesome parties according to my friends, and The Week International probably was the club most visited during the celebrations last week, but don't think that is the only place to go while there, there are many other venues in this great city.

Our correspondent in São Paulo, Lindinalva, prepared a clip of one of the parties at the Week (Pacheco & Cecin), so here it is:



By the way, there is another Brazilian DJ coming up to Parking in July, Allan Natal from the city of Belo Horizonte. My understanding is that he is a great producer, young, and I hope he is a great DJ as well. One last thing, I have noticed most of the Brazilian DJs are adding this "baladaish" moments during their sets, kind of cool, specially if you have someone in your arms.

and here is another clip from our Brazilian correspondent Lindinalva:

Blended - 5th Anniversay - July 5, 2009

The Blended boys are celebrating their 5th anniversary in style this year, none other than Chus & Ceballos will be in charge of the celebration at the Beach Club. Bruno Brown, Erik El, Danny Torrence and Malick are also part of the menu. Happy Anniversary boys.

To fully celebrate this unique event, Blended proposes a nice day in the sun with 6 DJs who have left their mark during this course of 5 years and that will perform under the "versus" concept

This day will also mark the return of the popular duo Chus & Ceballos, back in Montreal for the first time in 2009, and first since the Opera anniversary back in early September 2008!

Presales: $15
(call JF at 514-567-9096 or
Chris at 514-688-0044)

Piknic Electronik 2009

By the way, I had the chance to stop by for a bit at the Piknic Electronik this past weekend, and what a great day to go - too bad I had my bicycle with no lock on me, so I had to stay outside. Got to see some friends going in, and I must say I was super jealous of them. Yes, I know I could had gone home to leave the bike, and returned but I didn't. The tunes I could hear were really amazing, and stayed for at least 30 minutes enjoying what I could. Anyway, here is the schedule for the next couple of weeks boy and girls, and really looking forward June 28:

June 21: Noisia (NL) + Recloose (US) + Corey K (CA) + Dj Mayday (CA)
June 28: Richie Hawtin (CA) + Barem (AR) + Stefny Winter (US) + Pheek (CA) + Ambivalent (US)
July 5: Joris Voorn (NL) + Soundshaper (CA) + Baya (CA)
July 12: Justin Long (US) + JT Donaldson (US) + Fred Everything (CA/US) + Slim Jim (CAN)
July 19: Alex Under (ES) + Damian Schwartz (ES) + Vincent Lemieux (CA) + Mossa (CA)
August 1: OSHEAGA @ PIKNIC : Ghislain Poirier (CA) + artistes d’Osheaga en Dj set, TBA
August 2: OSHEAGA @ PIKNIC : Mateo Murphy (CA) + Alexis Bowles (CA) + Nathan (CAN) + TBC
August 9: H.O.S.H (DE) + Roux Soundsystem (Clifford Brown Vs Marinelli) (CA)
August 16: TECHNO.FM @ PIKNIC : Fairmont (CA) + Techno.fm dj’s
August 23: SIESTES ÉLECTRONIQUES @ PIKNIC : Joakim (FR) + Jackson (FR) + TBC + Guests made in Toulouse, TBA !
August 30: NINJA TUNE @ PIKNIC : Amon Tobin (WW) + Speakerbruiser (Megasoid) (CA) + Ghostbeard (CA) + Boom Monk Ben (UK)
September 5: James Holden (UK) + Creator (CA) + FM Radio Gods (CA)
September 6: Misstress Barbara (CA) + Romeo Kardec (CA) + PFreud (CA)
September 7: TBA
September 13: Kalkbrenner (DE) + Sasha Funke (DE) + Mini (CA)
September 20: Skream (UK) + Benga (UK) + Komodo (CA) + Dj Hosta (CA)
September 27: Dusty Kid (DE) + Bender (CA) + Michel Lloyd (CA) + Green & LaTeez (CA)
October 4: POP MONTRÉAL @ PIKNIC : Zombie Disco Squad (UK) + Mike Simonetti (US) + Dj Valeo (ex-Khiasma) (CA)

Happy Anniversary Unity - 7 Years

No worries people, I haven't forgotten this month is the 7th anniversary celebration of the Unity Club, I've just been too busy with my upcoming trip. My question is this 7 years includes the time the Unity club didn't exist? Remember after they closed Unity (1st incarnation), then it became a straight club for a while? Is it 7 years since the opening of Unity II? or from the original Unity?

This past weekend they decided to bring the Israeli flavour to the house (how was it?), followed by some hot Brazilian rhythm this coming weekend, and climaxing with our own Montreal Danny Torrence at the end of the month. By the way, I think is time to use another Ana Paula's picture.

I've had a lot of fun a Unity, I just wished the demographic was a little bit more mixed (age wise), but it has been open for 7 years already - that's like 50 in human years - so they must be doing something right. Happy Anniversary Unity, and I'll make sure to hit your dance floor soon.

Toronto Pride - June 25-28, 2009

and this is what the boys and girls, from Toronto, have prepared for their Pride celebration this year, and there are more parties you just have to find them when you get there. I keep repeating myself, but it is too bad NYC & TO pride celebrations happen at the same time.

Prism Toronto 2009

Human Foosball - the next level

This could become one of the most popular sports in human history, soccer (or football) to the next level - sign me up please.

NYC Pride 2009

A couple of things are happening in NYC for Pride, and among the parties, one you cannot miss is Alegria. I'll be back with more info, not just for NYC but for Toronto as well.

and there is the "We Can" party as well, brought to you by Peter Rauhofer, and talking about Peter, he is spinning at Pride São Paulo (June 13), at Pride in NYC (June 27), and ending at the Pride party in Toronto (June 28) - busy busy busy eh?

and I would love to go down to NYC or Toronto, but unfortunately my work schedule won't allow me this year.

Overdose Thursday @ Parking

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Scott Bradlee - Ragtime Piano

Taken from the video description:

Ever wonder what your favorite 80's jams would sound like if they were written around the turn of the century, at the height of the ragtime piano era?

The songs featured are:
Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
Don't You Want Me Baby - Human League
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - Europe
Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer
Material Girl - Madonna
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Never Gonna Give You Up - You've Been Rickrolled!
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

Insanity - the new P90X?

anyway, I'm on week 2 of round 3 of my P90X workout, and I just found this clip about this new workout called INSANITY, inspired by the P90X, and it really looks insane, and in 60 days?

DJ Felipe Lira @ Parking - June 6, 2009

Vancouver I’ve heard is beautiful, Toronto is interesting, but I believe it was Montreal where Felipe Lira found what he came for, a crowd that challenged him to play his best.

Scheduled to start playing at 12:30am, I had the chance to catch up with him before and exchange some words. What can I say, a very down-to-earth type of guy, with such a great smile in his face. Felipe Lira got called to play in Toronto after someone at Fly Nightclub heard one of his podcast, don’t know how he ended up in Vancouver, and thank you Parking for bringing him to Montreal.

Remember, this is my personal view of the night, and I’ll try to be short because I know everyone has such busy schedule, working life eh?

Patrick Guay finished his set, great warm up by the way, the music stopped and this is when Felipe Lira started to play with and for the crowd. One thing I realized with the new DJ booth set up, from the dance floor is hard to see what the DJ is doing now, not so important for some Djs (we might miss Peter Rauhofer smiling), but in some cases, as with Felipe Lira, some of the human energy is not fully transferred to the crowd. Nevertheless, you can always go behind the booth and check what is going on.



Interesting start of the night, right away tribal established itself as the music for the evening, but I wasn’t sure what kind of tribal. I believe at the beginning Lira started to test the crowd, looking for “the” music he was going to dish out, and finally when he had found the magic touch, I felt like I got slapped in the face with tunes that made my body shake of pleasure.

House music, some with a minor touch of electro, great vocals, some of which were initially presented in a cappella, then plunged into some known and others into unknown music. Sometimes you would start hearing a song and you would recognized it right away, what you didn’t expect was the Lira twist added to the song, most of the time he would speed up the dance floor with his drums; other times he would slow it down, with some baladaish type of moment, then rapidly returning to the tribal, with the help of several divas. Also heard some new stuff, which I’m sure are either Felipe’s own production, or coming from somewhere in the Southern hemisphere.

One thing I noticed was of the explosion of sensual energy at Parking, a little bit more and it would had become a musical orgy, or maybe it did and perhaps because I was so tangled in the moment I might have missed to witness such a beautiful thing, or maybe I was part of it? - I have to think about that. Everyone was so happy and “touchy”, and the dance floor did not stop one minute, and when the music is good, hot sweaty bodies will be found everywhere in the premises of the building.

I did go behind the DJ booth a couple of times, and let me tell you, this guy is not only good as a DJ, but he also knows how to dance, now try to synchronize spinning and dancing at the same time, that is a show by itself, and if you saw it you know what I’m talking about.



First time seeing Felipe Lira, and after such a wonderful evening I’m almost sure this is not going to be his last visit to Montreal. I couldn’t stayed until the end, left at around 3:00am and the place was still rocking.

D-Day - 65 years

"This is RARE and authentic footage of D-Day.All footage here is real and was taken back during the war."

Whitney Houston is back

I can't believe this is going to be her first album sinse 2002, and my feeling is she is going to do very well.

Jay Brannan taking over the world

Don't know if you recall, but I while back I wrote about this amazing upcoming singer from New York (Houston is actually his home town). Anyway, glad to report he has been playing to sold out shows around the world. I know it took him a lot of work, dedication and persistence, and all of that has finally paid off. Just check his schedule for the next couple of weeks:

July 8 - New York, NY
July 9 - Annapolis, MD
July 10 - Philadelphia, PA
July 11 - Hoboken, NJ
July 13 - Minneapolis, MN
July 14 - Chicago, IL
July 15 - Columbus, OH
July 17 - Houston, TX
July 18 - Austin, TX
July 19 - Dallas, TX
July 21 - Los Angeles, CA
July 24 - San Francisco, CA
July 25 - Portland, OR
July 26 - Seattle, WA
July 29 - New York, NY
July 30 - Boston, MA
Sept 4 - Amsterdam, NL
Sept 7 - Köln, DE
Sept 8 - Frankfurt am Main, DE
Sept 9 - München, DE
Sept 11 - Berlin, DE
Sept 12 - Hamburg, DE
Sept 14 - Milano, IT
Sept 15 - Roma, IT

Richie Hawtin @ Piknic Electronik

If you haven't experienced the Piknic Electronic yet, Sunday, June 28 would be a good excuse to go, because the Canadian Richie Hawtin is scheduled to play for us. Stefny Winter, Pheek, Barem and Ambivalent will also be on the turntables for the day.

and how does he do it? See below:



Piknic Electronik Website

DJ Felipe Lira @ Parking

Felipe has date with the Celebrities Night Club (Vancouver) this coming Thursday, and another one with Parking on Saturday. I believe this is a great opportunity, for this Brazilian Jewel, to showcase his talent in Canada, and as I wrote before if he plays well at Parking, I can see many more good things happening to him - no pressure Felipe - really looking forward what he has prepared for us.