Redfoo, one of dance music’s preeminent talents and son of Motown legend Berry Gordy, has taken the electronic dance music scene by storm, both through his solo DJ gigs and as part of the prolific LMFAO duo alongside Sky Blu. A remix of the single “I’m in Miami Bitch” launched the group’s initial stardom, while international acclaim came with the David Guetta collaboration “Gettin’ Over You,” which was subsequently crowned #1 in three countries and peaked in the Top 10 in eight others. LMFAO’s second album, Sorry for Party Rocking, sits at #1 on Billboard’s Dance/Electronic Albums and continued their success with the release of ubiquitous summer hit “Party Rock Anthem” – the single reached the coveted #1 spot in thirteen countries.

Currently, Redfoo has established himself as a one of the globes preeminent party DJs with his notorious residency at Marquee Las Vegas, LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs, Top 10 for Billboard Dance Club Songs and iTunes Top 10 Songs charts, and their headlining performance at the American Music Awards has reverberated through pop culture circles around the world. See the Redfoo Marquee Party Rock Contract Signing Video below.

Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109

702.333.9000

1. Fremont Street

The Fremont Street Experience is a haven for the vestige of the lusty old Vegas that once lived. It’s a glorious display of neon and hope. Taking a cue from Hollywood Blvd., Fremont Street is littered with “Legends” who mill amongst the tourists, posing for pictures adding to the ambiance. And it’s awesome!

Plus from 8pm until 1am at night, the ceiling lights up for something called “Vista Vision.” Kiss Over Vegas was the soundtrack for our walk. Maybe Fremont Street is so awesome because they’re living like it’s 80′s. All summer long, Nina Blackwood’s Absolutely 80s concerts are keeping it unreal with free concert performances from Loverboy, Wang Chung and Howard Jones. Blackwood was one of the first 5 original VJs when MTV first launched (and played music videos) back in 1981. In fact, August 1 will mark the 30th anniversary of MTV. So let’s party like it’s 1985.

2. Blueberry Hill

Found my thrill, and it is not to be confused with the classic song by Fats Domino or the St. Louis home of Chuck Berry and Rock ‘n Roll. The Las Vegas Blueberry Hill Family Restaurants has been family owned and operated since 1966. Their specialty: Homemade Blueberry Pancakes. Blueberry Hill is more than just a family diner, it’s a way of life. The sound system pumps in Oldies but Goodies like Frankie Ford’s “Sea Cruise,” Clarence “Frogman” Henry’s “Ain’t Got No Home” and Fat’s Domino’s “Blueberry Hill” (did you really think they wouldn’t play that one?!). It’s like if the soundtrack to American Graffiti spawned a utopian society that existed only within its walls.

There’s nothing cool about Blueberry Hill, except that it’s so uncool it’s cool. Which is… totally cool. As evidence when a group of young men, purported to be the eletro rock band The Anix, rolled up for breakfast (in a van shrink wrapped with their logo, so it was easy to figure out who they were). You never know who you’ll meet at Blueberry Hill.

3. G-ma Nancy Hip-Hop Rapper

Somehow, through the magic of Blueberry Hill no doubt, G-ma Nancy appeared. She’s a grandma and she likes to rap. And she has a message, and by golly you’ll listen.

“I do anti-gangster rap,” she explains. Which may or may not explain why she ended up in Vegas. Sharing is caring, so here’s a video of her “It’s Ok To Snitch Rap” from a Target parking lot in Las Vegas.

4. You Can Rent Fat Mike’s Vegas Punk House!

Yes, that’s right: Fat Mike from NOFX has a Vegas Punk House. And you and 9 and of your closest friends can sleep (and party) there. Think B&B for dignified punks, only the beds are bunk beds and other B is Beer.

“It’s my house for adults that live like teenagers,” Fat Mike says on the website. There’s also a salt water pool, a cave grotto hot tub, 9-hole putting green, pinball machine, pool table, and so much more.

http://vegaspunkhouse.com/

5. Endless amounts of Vegas Souvenirs

Kitsch gone wild. And completely irresistible. How many keychain bottle openers/mugs/personalized license plates/shot glasses does one need? A LOT! And The Hip Sack will never go out of fashion as long as Las Vegas makes branded souvenirs.

6. Hidden in Plain Sight: Cool Corner of Awesome

Tucked at the end (or beginning, depending on how you measure) of Fremont Street at 6th is a pretty cool corner. On one corner sits the historic El Cortez. Across the street from there is a rather enticing spot with bright flashing lights called Mamita’s Mexican Cuban Restaurant. The food is as delicious as the decor. And the one laser disc they own plays on repeat tracks like the “Macarena,” “Mambo No. 5″ and Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine’s “Conga.” We couldn’t eat fast enough to avoid the disc repeating. But the agony made the experience all that more Vegas-y. It just wouldn’t end! And kitty-corner to Mamita’s is the equally enticing Emergency Arts at the Fremont Center which houses the Burlesque Hall Of Fame, and The Beat Coffeehouse And Records. Real Espresso drinks! Real sandwiches with fresh ingrediants! Cool air. Wifi. It’s kind of like home. A saving grace from the hustle and bustle of the slots and tables. And next door is the interesting Insert Coins, a video lounge game bar that looks futuristic. No kiddies! It’s 21 and over. Finally a fun place to play videos games and get plastered besides your parents’ basement! Only bummer is you’d probably have to wear more than your boxer shots.

7. Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival

It happens once a year, and it’s the best reason to have to go to Las Vegas. What started 13 years ago as a modest bowling tournament for a few punk record labels has exploded into a full-blown weekend of bowling and punk rock. The 12,000 music fans who descend upon the city bounce from club to club for exclusive shows, including reunions from Down By Law and All. All’s set included appearances from all three singers who have fronted the band since its inception. San Francisco’s Swingin’ Utters played the opening night party at Azul Tequila, basked in the glow from the glamourous El Cortez hotel and casino. Catch Swingin’ Utters at Hootenanny 2011 on July 2 in Irvine, California.

www.punkrockbowling.com/

8. Mystic Falls Park

Las Vegas has a plethora of water shows like the Treasure Island pirate show and the Bellagio Fountains. But none can compare to the serene wonder of the Mystic Falls Park show at Sam’s Town. It’s called Sunset Stampede, and with dancing waters, laser lights and a blistering soundtrack of the old west, it is best enjoyed amongst friends. Late at night (the 10pm show is really the best). After a few rounds from the bar.

9. Crashing Pool Parties!

Sneak into the pool at the MGM Grand Hotel to ride the lazy river, or crash a fabulous bash poolside at the Palms or Hard Rock. So it’s always great to find a killer pool party like the one Old Man Markley played at the Gold Spike a few weeks ago.

10. Elvis really IS Everywhere!

He really is! Everywhere you turn, there’s Elvis.

And those 10 things make Vegas not totally suck.

Words and photos by Lisa Johnson

Catch Skrillex playing tonight at The Venue in Scottsdale Arizona, along with ChinaShop favorites, INNERPARTYSYSTEM.

Photos by Joe Gall

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Upon being whisked into the MGM Resort and Hotel on this past Saturday imagine being confronted with a large boxing ring in the center of the hotel lobby. “What has the world of music come to?” “This can’t be for a music event could it?”  With closer examination the ring was promotion for the upcoming Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga WBA Junior Middleweight fight – so just a little sigh of relief on my part as I, as probably you, are a little new to this Soundclash idea.

6,000 plus spring breakers packed into the MGM Resorts International lot across from the Luxor to experience this Red Bull Soundclash. The event featured Grammy Award winner Cee Lo Green and British based art punk duo The Ting Tings on opposing stages with an audience sandwiched in-between.

Imagine a live version of Rock Band but with real stars playing, with real instruments and you may get a little closer to the concept. Based on five rounds Warm Up, Cover, Takeover, Clash and Wildcard two artists go toe to toe with an MC positioned in the middle.

Now if I had not just spent four days in Miami on a roller coaster ride covering many clubs, events and the biggest crazies on this planet my mouth might have been even more on the floor when I arrived at the outdoor venue. With the Luxor Pyramid beaming it’s light in the background and two full festival sized stages opposite each other and the biggest DJ/MC level in the middle, a throng of young, older and hipster fans already arriving I couldn’t help but be impressed.

But what of the music? What of the artists? Could they really give it their all in this environment? Quite simply the answer to these questions is full on and yes. Cee Lo Green pulled no punches – excuse the pun – backed by his all female band dressed in hipster short red dresses he came out as strong as he could with “Lady Killer”, “Bright Lights” and the Gnarls Barkley (he is one half if you didn’t know) monster hit “Crazy”. I was already thinking this is so over, the majority of the crowd were totally at the event to see Cee Lo, he was the odds on favorite with the unofficial betting and word on the street was The Ting Tings were an easy opponent unlikely to last the first 3 minutes. Oh how wrong could so many people be?

The Ting Tings burst onto stage starting with “Keep Your Head”, Katie White dressed like a cheerleader from a Tim Burtonesque high school and Jules De Martino pounding the drums like his life depended on it. By the way the crowd surged towards The Tings Tings this clash could suddenly be an underdog’s dream and it’s only their first song. By the time they had finished “Hit Me Down Sonny” and “Shut Up and Let Me Go.” I looked across to the Cee Lo Green stage and seriously thought this Lady killer heavyweight could be in really big big trouble.

Cee Lo came back strong in the cover round with his performance of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” Then The Tings Tings came back with drums and a bass heavy boombox and killed it and I mean came back with counter punch after counter punch after counter punch, they nailed it so hard Cee Lo’s corner had a towel ready to throw in.

This was turning simply into a classic, blow after blow musically was traded between the two until we reached round four “The Clash” where styles included reggae, acoustic and rock/metal. This was the only point in the evening where I felt some music purists may start to take offense as the flow of performance for each artist is being interrupted. The acoustic section probably needed to be a little earlier in proceedings, but that may just be this critics choice. However, considering this was also being filmed for a TV show compared to usual TV musical performances the bands were at least getting to perform several songs in a row and able to hit their stride.

The Wildcard round where the bands invite a special guest had myself and the people around me on the floor in fits of laughter when an Elvis impersonator came on with The Ting Tings and performed their hit single “That’s Not My Name”.  CeeLo invited Khujo, T-Mo and Big Gipp to reunite Goodie Mob for a performance of “Get Rich to This.” But in my mind it was all over, it was clear to me The Ting Tings were going to take this crown along with their fake Elvis and paint Vegas at least a multicolored red with a bit of Pollock thrown in.

But wait a technicality is announced by the umpire, well actually Cee Lo himself with a massive grin “This is not a competition but a collaboration!” as the two groups met on one stage performing the grand finale, a collaborative rendition of Cee Lo’s current hit “Fu*k You.”.

So as the Lady killer was saved by the bell and The Ting Tings were able to swear quite openly in public I started to chuckle to myself. Like all true champions you need a little luck on your side and you need to know how to take it. The Tings Tings were winners as they have made many new friends here in America after such a powerful performance. Then looking at the size of Cee Lo Green’s smile, limo and entourage as he was leaving, no one was crying.

I may just have to fly to  South Padre Island in Texas on March 17^th to witness Snoop Dog vs Ghostland Observatory in another crazy clash. I hear you say “What?” I reply “Do it”.

Words and photos by Graham John Bell.

3 of the nicest men you’d ever want to share a beer with, (insert your favorite uncle image here) got sick of the machinery of corporate fashion. Having all worked together at one point in their illustrious careers or other, Jack Steinweis, Mark Kane and Kevin Crowley finally decided to put up or shut up and Unstitched Utilities was found. Hailing from New Jersey, Baltimore and New Hampshire, the men connected to hatch a vision that their individual talents, know how and charisma might be the building blocks to launching a truly environmentally thoughtful brand.

Step one, find a truly remarkable, environmentally friendly, durable material for manufacturing footwear.

Hello Tyvek!

“Tyvek (pronounced /taɪˈvɛk/) is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of DuPont. The material is very strong; it is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or a knife. Water vapor can pass through Tyvek (highly breathable), but not liquid water, so the material lends itself to a variety of applications: envelopes, car covers, air and water intrusion barriers (housewrap) under house siding, labels, wristbands, mycology, and graphics.” – Wiki

This is the very material that Fed Ex and the Post office uses for those really strong envelopes that are tissue thin. Talk about pushing the envelope…literally. This material lends itself to all manner of thoughts and uses. In fact, when you take this wonder stuff and color it with eco friendly dies, use eco friendly glues, recycled rubber tires and add lining made from recycled water bottles you get a shoe that’s not only reminiscent of a classic sneaker, but one that makes you feel pretty darn good in general.

Launched only last year, already Unstitched Utilities has garnered strong interest. Their most popular design, “Next Day” is selling in boutique and mainstream stores alike. You can easily order a pair online from unstitchedutilities.com directly. And I promise you, these are the kind of guys you actually want to see succeed. They aren’t out there trying to talk the environmental talk to look good. They are seasoned men, long in the industry, who want to see something happen to change the complexion of what’s to come.

Words by Barbie Brady. Photos by Dustin Downing.

This March, Las Vegas and South Padre Island, TX will be THE destination for music lovers during spring break as Red Bull Soundclash presents two unprecedented live music showcases featuring first-time ever match ups between Cee Lo Green and the Ting Tings in Las Vegas (outdoors at the MGM Resorts International property across from the Luxor on Las Vegas Blvd.) on March 12, 2011; and Snoop Dogg and Ghostland Observatory at Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, Texas on March 17, 2011.  Pre-sale tickets for each show are available now for $10 at www.redbullusa.com/soundclash.  Tickets for the Las Vegas show will be $15 at the door.

Red Bull Soundclash is a totally unique clash of sounds, styles and creativity, where two bands don’t battle each other, but instead collaborate to create an innovative live music performance.  The show features two bands with different music styles (e.g. Hip Hop vs. Electronic) facing off on two stages positioned on opposite ends of the venue with the audience in the middle.  In a series of four rounds, the bands perform various tasks, some rehearsed, and some improvised, to showcase the array of their musical abilities.

The Red Bull Soundclash format takes each band through a series of collaborative challenges that makes it less of a battle and more of a musical conversation.  In round one (the cover), both bands play their own version of the same cover song.  Round two (the takeover), begins with the first band playing one of its original songs and mid-way through the other band takes over, seamlessly finishing the song in their own style.   The third round (the clash), highlights each band’s musical versatility by having them perform songs in three different styles – for example: country, reggae and techno/dance. The fourth and final round is full of surprises, as each act is allowed to bring on a special guest to join their performance.

Cee Lo Green
Rapper, songwriter, and record producer, Cee Lo Green originally came to prominence as a member of the southern Hip-Hop group Goodie Mob.  He later launched a critically acclaimed solo career enticing audiences across the country.   Immediately to follow, he merged into a dynamic duo pronounced Gnarls Barkley with DJ/producer Danger Mouse and the odd couple swiftly received international acclaim for multiple hit songs including “Crazy.”  Fast forward to this year, Cee Lo is nominated for a total of four Grammys including Record of the Year for his current smash hit “Fu** You” which may also be  noted as the most controversial, most blogged-about and most listened-to song of the year.

When asked what attendees can expect from him at the Red Bull Soundclash, Cee Lo Green said, “The experience will be an extension of energy and atmosphere that is positive to people that come to party. Enjoying that experience is a promise I can make.”

The Ting Tings
Grammy nominated, DIY pop-art titans –The Ting Tings is that rarest of pop phenomena: a globally successful pop band with the heart of art-school punk. The dynamic duo made up of Jules De Martino (drums, loop pedals, bass, piano, keyboards, songs, backing vocals) and Katie White (vocals, bass drum, guitar, cowbell, lyrics, melodies) struck gold with the singles ‘That’s Not My Name’ and ‘Shut Up and Let Me Go’ from their critically acclaimed first album, ‘We Started Nothing.’ They are currently working on their follow up release due later this year.

Snoop Dogg & The Snoopadelics
Rap icon, record producer, actor and Creative Chairman of EMI’s newly reintroduced Priority Records—Snoop Dogg helped define the laid back decadent West Coast Sound and has remained one of hip hop’s most enduring and in-demand stars. Known for countless classics throughout the years, Snoop is releasing his 11th album, Doggumentary, this spring. From music to movies, Twitter posts to TV shows, Snoop Dogg remains not just at the forefront of the rap game but also at the apex of popular culture. When he takes the stage at Red Bull Soundclash, he will be backed by his in-house band the Snoopadelics.

Ghostland Observatory
Austin, Texas based music duo Ghostland Observatory has been described as a combination of electro, rock and funk by Allmusic and “electro-dance soul rock” by Gothamist. Front man Aaron Behrens provides vocals in addition to occasionally playing the guitar. Thomas Ross Turner plays the drums or synthesizer.

With their spectral blend of electronics, drums, guitar and vocals, they have emerged with a sound that is the culmination of past influence and present. They have released 4 albums, their latest– codename: rondo– is available now.

On their pairing with Snoop Dogg, Ghostland Observatory noted: “Red Bull Soundclash is a very exciting opportunity for us to twist up some of our original material and work together with one of the most legendary rappers ever!”

When asked about the upcoming performance, the band shared:  “We’re fans of fusion; using many styles in our recordings. The Red Bull Soundclash gig gives us a chance to step inside unfamiliar music territory live on stage.”

As the official travel partner of Red Bull Soundclash, STA Travel is offering specially discounted flight and hotel packages for these spring break events.  Book online at www.redbullusa.com/soundclash.  MGM Resorts International has partnered with Red Bull Soundclash to provide exclusive venue space for the event in Las Vegas.  For more information about rooms at MGM properties go to www.mgmresorts.com or www.mgmgrand.com.

Touring the globe since 2007, Red Bull Soundclash has entertained music lovers with incredible match ups including The Roots /Miniature Tigers; Erykah Badu and the Cannabinoids /Shiny Toy Guns; Talib Kweli/ Ozomatli; Wale/Tokyo Police Club and many others.  For more information, visit www.redbullusa.com/soundclash.

THIS SPRING BREAK, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC

RED BULL SOUNDCLASH PRESENTS:

CEE LO GREEN & THE TING TINGS
LAS VEGAS, MARCH 12
**
SNOOP DOGG & GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY:
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, MARCH 17

The two gentlemen you see before you are Graham Funke and StoneRokk. Like Mixmaster and Long Haul (of the infamous Constructicons posse), they are strong and capable individuals known to shake the floor and break ground. And like their transforming robot counterparts, they form a devastating mix of talent and dexterity when joined together. They are The Captains of Industry, silver-tongued mixologists whose reverence for party rocking and true school DJ skills may only be matched by their love of irony, eyewear and well groomed facial hair. In 2010, they brought you some of the illest DJ mixes on the planet: Ditch Fridays and Trabajo, both of which can be downloaded here. In 2011, they will bless you with a whole lot more.

The venerable Captains took some time out of their busy yule-logging and egg-nogging schedules to chat with us about Money Shots, $6,000 coats, and what it takes to put fickle Vegas and LA crowds in the palm of your hand. Read on, my friends. Read on.

I seem to notice a distinct nautical theme on the Captains of Industry website. When was the last time you guys were “on a boat?”

The Captains: We spend more time on “aeroplanes” than any watercraft, a circumstance rife with downsides, the most unfortunate being that we have no influence over who flies with us. So we choose to let that which we strive to more readily attain—an abundance of leisure, for instance—dictate that which defines us. We are not the first to do so, though the way in which we present ourselves falls perfectly into step with those who have done it best. A simple answer to your question would be “We are on a boat as much as possible,” but given our obligations, we must compensate with aged scotch, a fine briar, and a good book in many cases. It’s the projection of the “captain” that captures the imagination. And everybody loves seamen.

Graham, I read somewhere that Sting dug your set so much at Forty Deuce in Vegas that he asked you to make him a mix? How did all that go down? Did you make it, and did you toss any Police tunes on there?

Graham Funke: If Kanye West ever said anything pertinent, it’s that he speaks in colors and the journalist repeats it in black & white; the news item you are referring to is a bit queered. Sting did indeed ask if I would make him a mix, though I simply supplied him with our current mix CD, which was laden with rock anyway. I have DJed a few of Sting’s soirees over the years, and I tend to always avoid playing songs by the Police. We find that the more legendary the artist, the less they enjoy hearing their own jams in that kind of environment. Prince, for instance, has informed us before that he will leave if any of his music is played while present. Meanwhile, you have some rappers and many new rock bands asking the DJ for their singles the second they step in the club. But you take someone like Mick Jagger—who has been in Forty Deuce—and if I drop “(Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” while he’s there, every eye in the joint goes directly to him to see what his reaction  to hearing his own song is. As someone who is getting a lot of attention already, I’m sure it’s the last thing he wants. And I try to be sensitive to that. This isn’t “Vanilla Sky.” It’s not “Inception.”

I know it’s kinda a played out argument, but every year I rap out with a DJ friend of mine about how “awesome” these new tools and programs are for mixing records. (I think the last thing he tried to push on me was the new deejay iPad app.) I know I’m kinda in the minority, but having an algorithm mix my tunes is like having some other dude do all my “heavy petting” when I’m getting down with a chick. Seriously, though, do you subscribe to the argument that you can never really (really) be a true DJ until/unless you can mix records and have that rhythmical connection with two pieces of music playing in synergy? Maybe Mike can answer this one?

The Captains: It doesn’t matter what technology yields. The primary goal of a DJ is to create a cohesion among songs to maximize the manipulation of your audience. Every night we must find a way to get these people in the palm of our hand. It involves a philosophy that requires years of field work, in addition to multiple investments of emotion. There will never be any machine, no series of 1′s and 0′s, that can replicate that. At least not before 2012 when the world ends, which we are counting on.

What does it take to really have a good, solid, credible career in the Hollywood DJ world? Is overexposure ever a bad thing?

The Captains: Things are different now than when we were cutting our teeth in Hollywood. The very style that defined us is what drove the importation of LA-based DJs into the other markets. At a certain point, sometime just after the turn of the century, there was a void of these DJs in Hollywood, most of whom had taken to the road, which forced the next wave of DJs to rely less on our influence and more on the resources at their disposal—for better or worse; there is no formula for taste. Hollywood is a unique market in that you could be the hottest DJ in town—doing all the most popular clubs and high profile events—but since the crowd that has access to these functions is so small, you can easily continue working without any real exposure at all.

As kind of a follow-up to that, how does the Vegas scene differ, and how do you survive in that? I kinda look at Vegas and LA as two hot-but-totally-mental chicks; one blonde one brunette. Each needs a little unique finessing. Help me understand how you do it.

Graham Funke: In my experience—and this may not ring true for everybody—there are markets that cultivate programming that their crowds respond to and markets that import programming that their crowds respond to. In cities like Miami and Chicago and Vegas, for example, the crowd is expecting a specific product and a DJ must be versatile enough to deliver that, which is why you hear so many horror stories of DJs being pulled: they failed to tame the beast. If you come to Vegas to DJ, unless you are on the level of Jazzy Jeff or Swedish House Mafia—acts who have a distinct sound that may outweigh the draw of the venue’s reputation—then it does not suffice to simply come here and “do you.”

StoneRokk: Because of the constant consumer turnaround in Vegas, you are playing to the widest spectrum of tastes on Earth, and it is never the same. DJs need to be able to switch gears at a moments notice, keeping in mind that there are hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake. We go to the mattresses every night; and Graham and I fancy ourselves war-time Consiglieris, with a a long standing track record to boot.

So which items, clothing or otherwise, are on your wishlists this year? Would love to get items from both of you.

Graham Funke: Three years ago, Burberry Prorsum made a leather coat with shearling. It cost $6,000. We referred to it as the “drug dealer status jacket.” Yes, price versus worth is totally relative, and that was too rich for my blood, even when it dropped to $3,000. Things looked on the up-and-up when the tag dipped to $1,750, though by that time, my size was not readily available. If I could find one this year, I might consider paying the $6,000, if it would free me from waking up every morning weighed down by regret.

StoneRokk: With a sui generis approach to life, most everything is affected. From our conversations to how we spend the rare moments of down time and, of course, what we wear. Much like most of the world, clothes do not get made to fit the masses, so we have forged a relationship with Eamon Springall and Ryan Doherty at Stitched in Las Vegas where we get everything from suits to custom whiskey that awaits our arrival in a private locker.

Man, that “Do They Know It’s Christmas” video is amazing. Saw Cheapshot in there…Morty. Crazy to see Adam in there. But it made me think…whatdoes it take to really keep a brotherhood of DJs together in this day and age?

The Captains: This gets discussed a lot. Here is an easy way to describe it: our immediate peer group all became DJs in an organic manner. We loved records and that was the sole impetus. There was no fame or money or media attention. Now that these elements are part of the equation, you are forced to question what draws somebody to want to be a DJ in the first place. Guaranteed, some motivations aren’t as pure as ours were.

What’s the most inappropriate song request you’ve ever gotten? Where you’re like, “Dude/Girl, wrong place, wrong time, wrong DJ.”

Graham Funke: The list for most appropriate song request is shorter and probably more interesting.

StoneRokk: For the consumers who try and solicit my attention, I say this: make a suggestion as to what will make your experience more enjoyable. Your sense of entitlement only makes me want to play the song less.

Mike, how’s the Money Shot project coming along? Getting more familiar with the camera?

StoneRokk: That started as a chronicle of my life and development as a shutterbug. Due to the name, Money Shot Project, it garnered attention from the more salacious intranet scout, which made for some interesting web wooers.

What do you guys have popping off in 2011? What’s the latest with Mas Trabajo?

The Captains: We aim to create a circumstance in which people come to expect quality product at a consistent pace as opposed to any one specific offering. Mas Trabajo is definitely coming to the masses in Q1 of 2011, along with a slew of other amazing ideas and items to compliment it. Any and all visits to our blog will keep you abreast of the things you need in your life.

Interview by Rich Thomas

I was recently hired to shoot the 2010 North American Body Paint Championships in a quaint little Nevada town called… LAS VEGAS!!! Due to those A-holes over at Homeland Security, I am not able to post the images captured over the course of the 3 days of intense naked competition. However, whilst on photo safari about town with my trusty lil’ pocket rocket camera, I happened upon some of the unclothed contestants in the midst of the regular Vegas crazies…

Photographs by Dustin Downing

Rising DJ and freestyle dynamo Jay Electronica kicked enough ass at Club Haze in Las Vegas last February to earn him a welcome back March 8th. As per usual, he tore up the show up in his traditional fashion, driving the crowd wild and (especially) making the girls go crazy. Performing excerpts from his limited release of LPs, the hip-hop equivalent of a progressive rock album in the form of Act 1: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge), which is, in the man’s own biography, “laced with movie samples and Beatles film soundtracks.” Shorter compositions like “Hard to Get” served as a bit of a break from the longer ones, with the crowd moving to every groove they could.

It makes for more than a captivating album apparently, and an equally riveting live performance; the crowd stood in awe of his on-stage stream-of-consciousness prose and filled in on what often seemed like the more difficult to memorize verses, when Jay’s wordplay was at its wittiest: “I got the rap game singing “At Last” like Etta James/Lames they got planes shot down like John McCain/It’s a dream, it’s a dream/ The flow is elegant like Miss Coretta Scott King/A lot of kings seen death and turned queen/Crack they 24 inch rims in the ravine.”

]]> http://www.chinashopmag.com/2010/03/the-red-bull-music-academy-welcomes-jay-electronica-to-club-haze-las-vegas/feed/ 0 http://www.chinashopmag.com/2009/12/chris-gore-book-signing-diy-or-die-trying/ http://www.chinashopmag.com/2009/12/chris-gore-book-signing-diy-or-die-trying/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:45:37 +0000 Jeff Nau http://chinashop.designenginela.com/?p=18673 Continue reading →]]>

ChinaShop Film curator and Patron Saint of Indie Filmmaker Counseling Chris Gore was in Las Vegas and Los Angeles recently for a signing of his latest opus, Chris Gore’s Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. In addition to the autographing, Gore lived up to his reputation as an advice hound, doling out a dozen different ways he could think of to help the aspiring filmmakers who were there to seek out the film festivals. If they didn’t confess their secret projects, he became a sort of benevolent Torquemada, and had ways to make you talk — even if you didn’t want to.

After all, Gore was once an aspiring somewhat unsure-of-himself director too before he founded Film Threat and made My Big Fat Independent Movie– and knew that sometimes the only way to succeed is to get advice, whether you want it or not. He’d listen to your problem, and offer a specific solution (or at least his best guess). And most importantly: rejection? Learn it. Know it. LIVE it. Take a veritable bath in it. You’ll get it a lot, especially as an aspiring film-maker.

Among the highlights: Learning that Red and Reservoir Dogs star Lawrence Tierney, who played the notorious Jersey City Tube Bar owner and name-0bsessed old man, respectively (“You’re Mr. Pink! Be thankful you’re not Mr. Yellow!”), could be quite a handful on the set of Gore’s cult film Red. “He was a great actor, but you never knew when he was going to go off,” recalled Gore of working with Tierney. With no place to live during the making of the film, Tierney slept on the floor of the Film Threat offices — and from the sounds of things, exhibited behavior that still makes Steve McQueen and Colin Farrell look like sissy boys. Gore also had plenty of inspiring words to give hopefuls, with plenty of examples of different outlets for ways to express yourself — some directors and actors have taken to the Internet, like Felicia Day, star of Joss Whedon’s Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along and her own The Guild series. Of course, there is the veritable bible of festival/filmmaking survival and easy way to get in touch with Gore at www.chrisgore.com. In the meantime, here’s a retrospective of some of Gore’s greatest hits on ChinaShop:

The Best and Worst Movie Deaths of All Time

Transformers 2: Bay Curious?

What Stays in Vegas

Words by Jeff Nau

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