The event kicked off with each producer giving the crowd a quick taste of their overall performance style on their “instrument.” Party Supplies had the crowd nodding their heads to his melodically complex beats, while Araabmuzik and Jeremy Ellis wowed with raw rhythmic showmanship. The trio next put their individual creativity on display, as each took turns constructing a track using the same limited pallet of sounds. The shackles then came off, and each performed an unrestricted set that delved deep into their formidable talents on the drum machine. The crowd was driven into a frenzy by the blinding flurry of fingers hitting the controller pads, highlighted by Ellis playing with both his elbows and chin. For the finale, all three producers came together on stage and collectively built one unique track. The evening ended with a high energy performance by dubstep favorite 12th Planet.

The drum machine (a.k.a. MPC) is an electronic musical instrument with multiple drum pads, each designed to cue a pre-programmed sound when hit. Performers on an MPC are able to simultaneously produce rapid, rhythmic drum patterns as well as melodies using various samples. Once a tool only seen in hip-hop studios, as of late several performers have taken this instrument out of the studio and onto the stage where they can sequence and manipulate sounds to create live on-the-spot tracks. The result is an awe-inspiring display of high-energy showmanship. This unique “hands-on” talent is a refreshing welcome back to truly live performances in the age of Serato, dicers and other automated DJ programs.

Photos by Jared Souney

“I’m with the DJ,” I blurt to the Samoan gentleman holding the clipboard of names. “Which one, jackass?” is the fair reply, for on any given Do Over Night, one might experience DJ’s the likes of Mick Boogie, Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak or DJ Quick. Since 2005, founders Jamie Strong, Haycock and Stones Throw alum Aloe Blacc have been hopping this party all over LA and the world as it tends to outgrow spot after dope spot. Portland, Brooklyn, and even Oslo have become the latest cities treated to a satellite throw down with spin doctors in tow.

Through the burly gates I pass into a tunnel with a blinding light which silhouettes the Palms in my future. It is here I am over come by the sound of Motown in polymeter and begin my dissection of the tongues voicing lines from the vinyl. I am weak from my travels and blessedly come across a gilded taco cart serving all manner of the flesh to glass eyed revelers. Tacos in hand I wring my way through the undulating masses towards an oasis of Sangria.

Once I have a Carafe in tow, I will begin to slosh my way through the now found souls anointing a varied few as misguided pelvic thrusts will be certain to land a plenty on my quest for turntable enlightenment.

Click here to find out about the next Do Over

Words and Images by Dustin Downing

The Mean Jeans are a good ol’ fashioned, party hard and get rowdy on stage, punk band from Portland. The trio, consisting of Billy Jeans (guitar/vocals), Jean Wilder (drums/vocals), and Howie Doodat (bass, vocals) recently played the Dark Horse (formerly Bordello) in Los Angeles.

After finishing up on stage and toweling off the sweat, Billy Jeans and Jean Wilder “attempted” a serious interview with ChinaShop. The guys told us all about how they are able to create such a powerful sound with only 3 members (a lot of it, according to Billy Jeans, comes down to the fact that they are too lazy to search for additional members), as well as discussed filling up swimming pools with Red Bull plus Jager and amazing parties they don’t quite remember.

What bands do you most associate your sound with? Are you greatly influenced by The Ramones?

BJ: Our new album sounds like Rick Springfield.

JW: In fact we are trying to change the name of the band to “Rick Springfield” but we’ve hit a few snags with the legal department over at Epic/Columbia. If all else fails we can still fall back on “Chris P. and the Crunchiez.” The Ramones are good too though, but I don’t think they are around anymore.

It sounds like you guys like to party and make that a pretty regular hobby. What are some of the more memorable partying experiences that come to mind?

BJ: “more memorable partying experience” is sort of an oxymoron, but when we were playing on a boat in Stockholm during the week the sun never sets I was reportedly seen walking on water in a jester hat with Jager shots balanced on my shoulders.

JW: Well he wasn’t exactly walking on water because I was riding a giant tuna underwater and holding him up by his feet. It all ended badly for me because I accidentally filled my oxygen tank up with Red Bull and Jagermeister. I keep those right next to my oxygen tanks so it was an honest mistake.

Who is the craziest in the band? Why is that?

BJ: Howie Doodat lives life like there is no tomorrow. We’re talking jet skis, prison, inhalants, bass solos, danger.

JW: I’d have to say the freshly recruited sax player, but you don’t know about him until a couple questions down from here, so just ignore this answer.

What is your favorite thing about being on stage?

BJ: Sometimes people bring us shots while we are on stage, which is awesome. Last time we played the Tonic Lounge in Portland I took an unnecessary amount of shots on stage, they were just handed to me. I fully blacked out, but someone said we were good I think.

JW: Honestly my favorite part of being on stage is being able to forget all of my problems in real life such as: paying off my loans that I used to open another Applebee’s in Portland, returning all the trophies that I’ve amassed from the various Pancake Eating Contests now that they’ve discovered that I cheated, paying off the $420 in late fees that I’ve accrued at Blockbuster Video because I lost their VHS copy of “House Guest” in the couch for a couple months, etc. etc. You know how it is.

Where’s your favorite place to play?

JW: Fast food chains, bowling alleys, bounce houses, IMAX movie theaters, in your dreams with special guest Freddie Krueger and anywhere with the White Wires.

What’s the best thing about living in Portland? Do you fit into the indie music scene there?

BJ: Tuff question. Probably the Jager bombs. Mean Jeans get in where they fit in.

JW: Yeah, the Jager bombs at Applebees are only 4 dollars after 10 pm. Anyway, we could get sponsored by Red Bull and Jagermeister and/or maybe secure some sort of lifetime supply of Jager bombs? We can discuss that privately if that’s more comfortable for you. But yeah I don’t think we are associated much with the indie scene over there.

What was the inspiration for the song “Steve Don’t Party No More?”

BJ: At first, we were literally raging together all day, every day. We’re talking jet skis, Jager bombs, whip-its, unemployment, the whole nine. Bros for life. Then one summer Steve stopped texting me back, I was like “dude I can’t believe you aren’t coming out tonight.” And he never came out ever again. To this day, I still can’t understand it.

JW: Yeah he obviously hasn’t taken the advice that is clearly laid out in front of you on the place-mats at Applebee’s: “Text your crew.”

What is the strangest thing that’s happened to you on the road?

BJ: One time we were partying really hard, I don’t really remember where, probably an Applebee’s, but I twisted it all the way around until it faced the front again. It was nuts.

JW: Strangest thing I’ve noticed on the road is that sometimes people actually come to our shows…

Have you always been a trio? Is it more of a challenge to create such an intense sound with just 3 members?

BJ: We were originally a 2-piece guitar and drums band. The addition of a bass helps, but in all honesty, every time I am ripping one of those annihilating guitar solos on stage, I hear like 55 harmonies in my head that would probably make the songs even more ripping. But we’re lazy, so we’ll probably just keep it to 3 dudes.

JW: Actually I don’t know about that. You see, I’ve been vacationing in San Diego since we played in LA, and I’ve slowly been filling up my parent’s swimming pool with Red Bull and Jagermeister. Anyways, to make a long story stupid, my dad called in the pool guys to come see what was up with all the discoloration and whatnot. The pool guys turned out to be complete party animals so I went ahead and invited them to join the band. So now there are approximately 69 of us in the band, including a soprano sax player named James Earl Jeans.

Is there any preparation involved in your on stage attire?

BJ: Howie Doodat rocks FUBU head-to-toe in his day-to-day life. I ain’t with that, so we dress him up like a punk when we hit the stage. We like to keep it tight. Always loose, but really tight – like a policeman in JNCO’s or the pope in leather.

JW: I generally try to align my multiple Aerosmith t-shirts so that it looks like just one 3D Aerosmith shirt. I tend to get a lot of comments on my Aerosmith t-shirt/vest combo after our shows…. those comments generally being: “Dude, get out of my face before I kick your ass”.

Words by Nicole Pajer. Photos by Dustin Downing.

Nubby Twiglet is a blogger and graphic designer living in Portland

How did you get started as a designer?

I’d always been interested in art but I wasn’t sure how viable it was as a career option — I knew that I didn’t want to finish school only to find myself in the position of a starving artist. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered graphic design, after I’d already graduated with a business degree. Having a defined style came very naturally to me and I began picking up small freelance jobs. My technical skills weren’t the strongest but I was still pretty fearless and handed out my business cards everywhere I went — and the work followed.

I finally started taking design classes in 2006 and things just clicked. I knew that I was finally in the right place. By my second semester of community college classes, I was doing work for Virgin Records. My first agency internship led to my first design job and I’ve been working nonstop since. It hasn’t always been smooth but I feel lucky that I get to do what I love every day.

In addition to being a designer, you also display work in galleries around the world. Tell us about your fine art work.

My art is composed of collaged layers on wood or ceramic and features self portraits and strong type and is always topped off with a shiny coat of resin. If you sit in front of a computer for most of the day, changing things up is really important. Creating art and working with your hands gets your mind working in a completely different way. I love the imperfect aspect of working on fine art; there is no command to undo a mistake and I find that refreshing.

Your blog, NubbyTwiglet.com shares many aspects of your life, from your design and fine art work to how you dress, where you vacation and how you decorate your home, Wolfgang Manor. Why did you choose to share so much of yourself online, and how did it impact your career?

I’ve been blogging in some form since 2001 so it’s very natural for me to share more than just my design work. I feel that we are all more than our careers or job titles — my surroundings, personal style and work are all connected to form a much bigger picture. I am constantly inspired by looking at other people’s blogs online and in a way, I want to provide inspiration as well and give something back, whether that’s through sharing work or offering advice. Of course, at the same time it’s important to be aware and not over-share.

Overall, I’ve found that people appreciate a more personal connection and are interested in knowing more about who they choose to hire to bring their design project to life. The personal connection that I form with my clients and readers is really important; I want them to feel like they can trust me and on a certain level, know me because most of them are in other states or countries!

Your graphic design work has a very defined, Nubby Twiglet style- very clean lined and minimalist. What draws you to this aesthetic?

I’ve always been drawn to Swiss design of the 60s and 70s which is very minimal with a limited color palette. I feel that some of the best design really is the most simple. My goal is to have the work I produce feel timeless. Though at the same time, it’s really important to be well-rounded and to be able to do more than just ‘your’ style. I’ve worked on plenty of large-scale corporate jobs that stretched on for months where my personal aesthetics got completely thrown out the window! I always welcome a challenge because it forces me to grow as a designer.

What’s your dream project?

I’m working on some projects that I’m pretty excited about at the moment but my ultimate dream? To work as a designer at Elle Magazine in New York. Fashion and editorial design are huge passions of mine. Maybe, someday!

Words by Molly Crabapple

Ace Hotel is definitely the place to stay if you ever find yourself in Portland, Seattle, Palm Springs or New York City. Their offbeat, nouveau-bohemian interior design has been attracting artists, designers, geeks with style & international jet setters — you know, people just like you — since 1999.

 The New York City location has morphed into something beyond just a place to rest your head.

On any given day, you’ll find the lobby teeming with the meticulously disheveled, sunken into plush armchairs with cups of Stumptown coffee or staring seriously into glowing MacBooks. In addition to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, there’s a restaurant by the owners of The Spotted Pig called The Breslin which serves incredible British-inspired cuisine. And soon there will be an Opening Ceremony boutique to satisfy all your shopping urges. Talk about a one-stop shop!

 With a sprawling, 8-level boutique in Tokyo’s Shibuya district as well as a rabbit warren-esque location in Los Angeles, Opening Ceremony has made a name for itself as a painstakingly-curated store for the style obsessed.

They collaborate with designers to create individual shops within the store, which gives each label the ability to differentiate & brand themselves however they wish. In addition to hosting designers such as Alexander Wang & The Row, Opening Ceremony has also conjured up collaborations with Pendleton, indie style icon Chloë Sevigny & industry darling Rodarte. While Opening Ceremony already has a location in New York City, this one will be very different.  Owners Humberto Leon & Carol Lim said that they tried to think of what they would want on hand if they lived in a hotel, & plan to stock the boutique accordingly.

What does this mean for the discerning traveler? It means that in addition to a selection of the very best & most stylish clothing (Hussein Chalayan & Christopher Kane, anyone?), you’ll also be able to buy condoms by Proper Attire, fantastic toothpaste, toiletries by Proenza Schouler and a range of snacks, including imported potato chips & “the best gummies from France.” The Leons said they plan on installing a McSweeney’s bookshop, too — which means you no longer need to resort to the Gideon Bible for bathtub reading. Very thoughtful!

 Opening Ceremony is set to open in Ace Hotel’s New York City location in February 2010. We can’t wait.

Words by Gala Darling

Kill Rock Stars | Though they bill themselves as “Progressive/Concrete/Fusion”, The Shaky Hands‘ self-appointed genre categorization might prove a little misleading for some: First, all you prog-heads might be disappointed to learn they’re not exactly Yes or Dream Theater or Rush; second, the term ‘Concrete’ might conjure up notions of sludge, stoner, or some derivative of hard rock, which for all intents and purposes they eschew as well. With that extremely relative label ‘fusion’, however, we have what is probably the most appropriate of terms, as elements of folk, indie, and — dare I say — a sprinkling of shoegaze (Don’t believe me? check out the track “Air Better Come”) successfully blend together for an album both ingenuitive and unapologetically nostalgic.

The Shaky Hands – Let It Die

Let It Die fondly conjures up the ghosts of folk years past, with songs like Allison and the Ancient Eyes invoking the lingering phantoms of a pre-Victoria’s Secret-advertising Bob Dylan, and even a bit of Bruce Springsteen. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the quartet of gifted musicians which comprise The Shaky Hands have a new record due for release at the end of September. Those of you looking for something both original and unabashedly sentimental should find something to love in Let It Die.

Words by Jeff Nau

As Hockey’s “Song Away” would tell you, they make truthful songs over eighties grooves, but their music goes further than that – more diverse, but a good start in trying to describe their unique sound.

Hockey started their musical adventure as a two-piece. Jerm Reynolds (Jeremy, but nobody calls him that) and Ben Grubin got together when the two attended college together in Redlands, California. After moving to Spokane, Washington (on a whim) in hope of finding new band mates, they soon re-located to Portland (adding drummer Anthony, and later Brian on bass). Although Hockey calls Portland home when they aren’t spreading the gospel from the west coast to the UK, the band members hail from every corner of the United States and their musical style is the sum of their disparate parts.

The guys from Hockey are fun loving, laid back friends with nomadic tendencies (too edgy to be considered hippies), and the music is a reflection of their personality.  Hockey seamlessly weaves over and through genres with a powerful brand of soulful dance-rock -  infusing their tracks with all sorts of heavy textural sounds and strange samples. Mostly resembling “indie” on most of their songs, singer Ben Grubin’s punchy one-liners (and great hooks) make Hockey even harder to peg. Never shy of intelligence or sharing his thoughts, Ben Grubin’s lyrics often tell witty stories of past experience, often wrenched out with his raspy (sometimes gutteral) howl – adding spices of soul into their highly infectious melodies and up-beat rhythms.

Hockey talks about what they know, where they have been and what is on their minds, which seem to be fairly simpatico across the board – one of the main reasons that Hockey’s style seems so genuine – they are musicians on a mission to have their stories heard. After the release of their “Mind Chaos” EP, Hockey headed back into the studio to cut a full-length album of the same name, scheduled for release in the first half of 2009. The chaos inside the minds of the Hockey team must run deep, as they decided to stick with the title, shedding some light on what inspires their crazy brand of “New Wave Soul.”

Hockey are constantly hitting the road taking their game to venues across the US and the UK (and beyond), check out www.myspace.com/hockey for updates on their travels and tribulations.

Words and photos by Jamie Newman

Hockey – Too Fake