How good am I updating my blog with relevant information about y’know gigs and music and stuff that’s supposed to be important?

Look I know what’s important, okay? Anyway. I’m an artist. Or something.

Basically, I play gigs, I do. I’m active in that way, and songs, music, I make it, but y’know. What is that really relevant to in the history of the universe? Anyway.

I am playing this weekend and both the NSU launch party for the EP Escape.

December 12 at Rising SUn.

I should really have facebook links and all that jazz but this is an UNDERGROUND blog, nu underground, actually, which is super artistically pure, 100% free of posers. Respectable people still might heed the name of Romantech however so I try not to swear.

But the NSU EP features the original version of a song I went on to remix, it’s title is numeric – um, I forget quite what – which is just the kind of  trivia that you’d expect to find on this kind of blog so there’s a bone for all you dogs. And the bassline is out of tune on the remix so I’ll probably spend more years in purgatory redeeming myself for that particular sin, and probably being beaten with bats. And chased.

Sin, sin, my child! And juju. Bad Juju. Both my computers are working again and my hard drive with all my songs from 2006 and 2007 has been recovered, which I guess on this blog where that stuff matters, that is a big deal. It’s relevant to my circumstances. Computers that don’t make music and also actually destroy and lose music are definitely the work of unfavourable entities in any religion I’m likely to be a part of.

So computers that are making and storing music means happy faces and less jujutastic activity where just about everything is all going to hell, basically.

We are also playing as Soul Science at the Zen 2nd Birthday. We’re like at the bottom of the flyer, oh the ignominy! What? Okay, okay alright I’ll settle down.

But both will feature Micah aka Stray Theories on Sax with us and doing his own performances of the rich deep beats he makes at the NSU party. I was totally into this because basically it was my commitment to short circuit lifestyles. And beat dungeon lifestyles. Touring, gigs, jamming, putting down beats – filming it of course – it’s about creative vision and creative freedom, man! like, Dude!

To me, this music stuff has already branched off beyond whether your new tune was better than your last one, that’s what I saying like, I make music, so what? There’s a story, there’s a journey, there’s a message and all the rest. Lifestyle, ya moafz! Creative, artistic, and keeping it fresh with community and activity.

Speaking of messages, girls wont give you their phone number, they want you to message them on facebook. I got booted off Facebook for my marketeering. I want to launch my vibe onto that, y’know – my brand (the cauldron of which is this blog into which you now peer) – but it looks like I need to be expedient for my own personal welfare.

I’ve always known that I should get organised. I’m thinking after all these recent trials, maybe for once in my life I actually will. Except I’m a lunatic, but anyway.

Finally we’ll be playing the Detonate festival in Taranaki for new years, 11-1am the sweet spot basically, but of course this will be a separate dance/dj zone.

I don’t want to be twiddling my thumbs on new years. I played Fu last year, it was awesome. There was purity in it. Definitely, it was one of my best new years ever. Basically I just chilled at home after midnight, then cruised down to fu and rocked the crowd and then cruised home again in the morning light.

But anyway, check out this creepy apartment creeper. Imagine that! I’m sure I could paint up some metaphor for how this has a deep meaning in terms something going on but really it’s just some twisted, distinctly dislocated vibes. wtfoflcopter

Intro:

Voice over, beat dungeon radio 4 pm Sunday. Ivan is interviewing Shane and Matt about the forthcoming tour. Perhaps they have artificial kind of excitement, all very radio cliche.

Ivan may even make a haha funny point of the fact that one of the hosts is interviewing the other as if he were a guest ha-de-ha.

Cut to studio.

Ivan: “And so this is kind of like a progression from the short circuit tour? . . .”

Matt and Shane agree and spout more cliche soundbites about “new beginnings” and such.

Possibly, Ralph E and whoever might call up during the show with “questions” (can you fit me in the van?)

This fades to images from a short circuit montage, as the interview continues as a voice over – and gets reverbed out, fading into a daunting track.

Shane launch into a Hunter S. Thompson / Apocalypse now style monologue.

“The Truth was that . . .

Real fundamental exposition takes place covering the central themes of neive musicians clinging onto this idea that through touring you could make it, and their dashed dreams. Deano, Mitch and Volita are alluded to. This monologue gradually segues over to darcy and the fall of Short Circuit, but also continues to reference the goals of supporting local producers

And that was the truth . . . that was the end of short circuit.”

Funeral scene – funeral for short circuit.

Matt preaches about the death of fallen producers and of the rave culture. Ivan and Micah + whoever else watch solemnly.

When the subject moves over to Short Circuit / Darcy, Shane states that it had to happen and the last time we saw Darcy he was dragged away by police in a disorderly state after the Wanaka gig.

But what about the producers?

At this point may go into another music bit = short circuit “do a number” perhapsa bangin electro acid jazz beat poetry anthem about letting the producers know its christmas time or similar, in the cemetary with dance moves and rocking out on gear.

. . . For the love of god won’t someone think of the producers?

Cut to Ivan + Micah + “whoever else” ie = other beat dungeon / short circuit producers with lots of gear / in the studio talking “seriously” and perhaps even “nerdily” and intensely about their music, probably Ralph E also.

This turns into a mash up, and goes into another tune, and a another montage of pretty straight up and down footage of the artists performing.

Finishes with one last monologue from Micah, Ivan, Shane and Matt which are more general reference to the tour and humourous.

The secondary goals of the Beat Dungeon – dirty beats dirty samples – book the shows, take the money, then we send one guy down while we have an all day arty rave jamfest for the benefit of youtube . . . – are foreshadowed and further exposed.

End Act I

Had an awesome interview with local retro futuristic dance act Pig Out today for the beat dungeon show on Upfm.

I dunno if it’s the beer but I’m pretty fired up tonight.

Well it’s not only the beer, it’s spending the whole weekend in the studio, the whole year, whole last 2-3 years – and particularly the last 6 months mainly engaged in business affairs getting me feeling pretty cooped up.

It’s sad to have to choose to work and grind because there are no decent vibes around to really celebrate. That’s kind of been my sub conscious state. If there’s no vibes, I may as well make my cash. Do what I do.

Look, I don’t want to be this idealistic chump who’s got all these grand ideas that just aren’t real. I can’t build a vibe by myself. People are crazy, I barely understand them, I’m best to look after my own interests, if there’s no opening, if there’s no space, why try to force it?

I’m quite similar in my approach to these things, I get very impatient when things don’t work out, I guess what I’m saying is that I have pretty high standards.

I know that sounds stupid, but that’s what I’m saying, I can’t be holding out for good vibes and hoping thats going to somehow mysteriously come together when I know how to do other things I understand – like make cash.

But it’s true, it can’t make you happy. I fear turning into a square, y’know just this rich dickhead with nothing real going on. I also think I should be chasing more girls but that’s not really real either, it’s just an indulgence.

I was staring out my window today when two dudes just pulled up started talking to these girls and the girls jumped in the car and they drove off. I may as well have been on another planet.

I mean, pretending everything is good for one night or 5 minutes is not real to me but it seems it’ll do for a lot of people. I can’t stand it.

I know that the truth behind a moment is that it can never last, but I can’t just pretend everythings fine and accept mediocrity.

But when you meet some guys like the kids from Pig Out and you’re talking about music and your talking about gigs and parties and music from back in the day, you realise there are still people out there serious about this kind of thing and willing to make a good thing happen.

Otherwise it’s too many wankers who aren’t real that’s what I can’t stand.

I’m stuck doing this business and making that choice because it’s hard to discern whether there’s enough real people out there to make anything truly special happen.

It started with Kit from Pig Out talking about the Serato using DJ kids these days and I was talking about how different rave ideals fitted into what they were doing.

Was I talking about it here? At one point I was buzzing out because it’s not that the rave ideals were gone . . . but they were almost forgotten! At least back in the data:bass days 4-5 years ago . . . at least I still held onto the ideas of free parties, and bringing back rave ideals.

I see Fu and The Carpark and how full of dumb kids it is and I realise things haven’t worked out. What am I talking about here? Where is the scene which is real and enriched, because I’m stuck in the bullshit scene.

Everybody thinks hipsterrunoff is a big joke but there’s some stuff right there, y’know – there’s a reason it’s funny, because it’s true – about wanting authenticity. Something that’s real. I know that sounds all very esoteric but I do mean some thing.

You used to be able to go to a rave and buzz out and usually it was cheap or free and the vibe of the place was so much different from a club.The purpose of the party was real. It wasn’t just to sell beer and shots, I’ve known this for so long. Something changed when it went in the club.

And just getting drunk is dreary, taking euphoric drugs and getting uplifted is just so amazing, so instantaneously adventurous. Sorry for the blase endorsement but that’s me. There’s a reason I never did drugs all the time because it is a dangerous habit but it’s a hell of a good time too.

Am I going to have the party? Am I going to conjure up the scene to make it happen? I don’t know, all I know is that not accepting mediocrity or saying what we’ve got is okay is a good thing.

It’s worthwhile calling for a new underground, because Auckland has become a true international metropolis and now there is a need to create an enclave for people who aren’t sold on some ridiculous notion because they’re young and have no clue, or they’re stupid celebruty bottomfeeder types that need adoration.

Don’t get me wrong, I think this is about providing for young people and educating them into knowing that just because you wear a short skirt and pay $8 a drink that’s not sophisticated.

It’s a sell out.

Okay I think I’m calming down a bit. But I know I can come off as a bit of an upstart sometimes but it just comes back to having standards. Not just settling for whatevers available and going with that.

Sometimes I’ve been a big mouth and not thought through what I’ve had to say because I wanted to express a desire. And I wasn’t very pragmatic about doing it. It’s not enough to simply be unimpressed with thatever exist or is presented – that’s too easy – you’ve got to want to make a better alternative.

I’m not ready to let go of the idea that is . . . I can get closer to where I want to be. I can do something thats more important than business, it just takes some inspiration.

What’s inspiring about wanting to do something that impresses dickhead 21 year olds?

At least Kit and Marie from Pig Out gave me confidence that there are still people out there making music for the right reasons. There are still musicians who are artists who have a background and are serious about their art.

I’m still serious about my art, and my art is all about having these dreams about something more, and wanting something else, that’s why I run a business so I can afford for money not to be a huge issue, so I can afford to dream.

And though it’s not so lofty I do have a dream, sure I wanna be loaded and be a rich playboy, I’m sure that will be a lot of fun, but more importantly I want to be part of something that involves connections that will inspire me to be more than what I am now, to expand my art, to build something that is meaningful in a significant way.

Do I want to be a little mini star and star of my own little universe? Sure, but again if I realise my art and get somewhere in the end in terms of saying my piece, than anything else is just a bonus.

Just about to upload these place holder pages for the new romantech archive – good gloss over exactly 27 different chapters of the musical projects I’ve been involved in.

PROJECT ARCHIVES:

Dojo Inspectors – Soul Science
Album Project 2009

Soul
Science – Music Project 2007

Beat
Dungeon Radio – Radio / Podcast 2007 -

Such
Heavy Wings – Sampler Project 2007

Special
Times – Sampler Project 2007

Reality
Compound – Mixtape series 2006-2007

Soul
Science – Club Night 2006-2007

Result!
- Sampler Project 2006

Oceanic
Chill – Album Project 2006

Get
Real – Reality Compound CD-Rom 2006

Catguts
Collaborations – Music Project 2005-2006

Reality Compound – Music Project 2005-2008

Viper
Club / Liquid Underground / DBA – Club Nights 2005

Decks
and the City – Mixtape 2005

Short
Circuit – Tour Project

Lickwicked
- Album project 2005

Who
Loves Ya? – Mixtape 2004

Distance
- Further Album 2004

Further
- Music Project 2004

Style
Over Substance – Music Project 2003-2005

Paradise
Bar Etc – Data:Bass Nights 2003-2005

Mental
Illness – Music Project 2003-2004

Data:
Bass Network – Music Project 2002-2005

Data:bass
- Club Night 2002 – 2003

Pre-August
2002

Evil
Robot – Manuscript 2000-2002

Furver
- Music Project 1995-1997

NSU -”NEUTRON STAR” ROMANTECH REMIX (2007) – FREE NZ DRUM AND BASS DOWNLOAD

DIGITAL RE RELEASE ON WWW.NEWCLEARMUSIC.COM

So let me remember I believe this remix is over 2 years old.

This is a personal fave of mine because it was when I had really mastered basslines and was able to start writing tunes faster, which gave me more time to think about what I was doing.

It was the last of quite a creative string of tunes I did over the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007  which included “Past Lives” – Ivan NSU had contacted me on Myspace about a remix and I had agreed not realising he was actually in NZ, so I was pretty lax about it until I was quickly able to throw down a demo in a night. After months of dicking around.

It was cool, but I insisted I wanted to bring up the engineering. But I’d been really influenced by a recent D-Bridge gig whcih was of course full of minimal melodic tech and so I began to break down the melody, or more kind of fuse it, to give more room for the bass grooves to push through.

In fact I totally rewrote the bass so it dropped with a heavier more insistent roll, again, part of me fusing down the raw elements into a more forceful concept.

Also for some reason, I was able to avoid making a complete bollocks of the mastering, so aside from perhaps Positive Vibes and maybe one or two others, it’s one the better sounding tunes from that era.

This was an important tune for me because actually it was after this tune I decided to think more about the kinds of tunes I’m putting together, which really slowed down my output just until recently when I’ve been busy again.

Look see I don’t only write on my blog when I’m feeling messed up.

I was feeling pretty messed up earlier in the year, it was straight up John Kirwan business.

That’s when I started writing whatever the hell I liked on here.

Depressed, bro. It was shitty, it’s like chemical. Chemical imbalances from external stimuli, stimuli that suck, basically. If I see any stimuli I’m not down with . . . then I’m not into it.

Because I have got to get on with it. I can’t be sitting around buzzing out. I was just sitting there going, shit, I know what I have to do, but I just feel like behaving lumpishly instead.

That’s life as a living human lump. Life can be a drag, which however and moreover, eats ass, but then you get a rainbow up your silver lining and you’re good to go.

I got a lot of shit going on. My business affairs are all going pretty sweet so I’ve actually managed to start kicking out tunes again, I’ve busted out like 3 new drum’n bass tracks and they’re all going to be Soul Science numbers, all my  straight up D’n B is gonna be Soul Science.

And I was excited. Doing my tunes, taking care of my business, it’s a pretty crucial time. Y’know I talked to my man Shane Hollands and I wanted to go off down what could of been the wrong path.

Down to John Kirwan’s house, face of mental illness in New Zealand.

There was a girl involved.

There was a Lasagna from the Bluebird cafe in Mt. Eden, and now there’s not.

There was a girl involved, then I left to get drunk.

That didn’t happen, that was just something I wrote. That was like, my poem.

But there was a girl involved, I wanted to put her on youtube. I want to do that shit, this is art, man.

I was going to put me stalking Camille on youtube also, but y’know.

Oh, you don’t? Well it’s only going to work as long as the feeling is there. You can’t just fudge it, that’s the art of the Reality Compound, it’s somewhat real.

I mean come on, am I to go after some chick and have it not work out and then not make it into art?

What about what she wants?

Oh I see. It’s all about you, I get it. I mean . . .

I wanted to go to her gig tomorrow. But I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Well, actually I do.

I’ve almost got my shit together, I’m actually making money and music at THE SAME TIME.

Only for the last 3 days but still, pretty awesome. This is how I want my life to be. I make money because I can, I write tunes because I feel like it. No, because I have to!

I do!

Got several new bits I’m working on, I got this new tune “Cooler” which i’m pretty stoked about, it’s not massive or anything it’s just got a deep 80’s vibe which is down, like it’s still got a drum and bass feel, but it’s also got quite authentic 80’s vibes and beats, I think I managed to bring those vibes together nicely!

And there’s a  new beat dungeon radio show recording, damn me and Ivan were getting dumb.

Crazy dumb stooopid . . . dicks basically.

We talk pretty much too loud aswell but y’know, that’s the way it is, this is the 21st century so I think you better be ready for a new and imperfect kind of superstar. Unprofessional but absolutely real.

Y’know, so I’m getting there. We had the gig for the Downbeat Syndrome at Lot 44, that was all good, that’s me jamming with Micah aka Stray Theories, he was killing it on the sax i must have said that.

And Mr. Shane Hollands was on the mic it was like . . . it was unruly but you could tell there was a bit of action on it and really we were just messing around, if we got serious on it, we could be pulling some shit.

It was kinda for me like . . . you get those stupid moments where you’re like . . . why in hell is this only happening now??? Don’t complain. Just get on with it.

Nice things are coming together.

I’d love to crash the party tomorrow and make some big statement but I have to be patient.

What’s the point? Where are you gonna go with it?

There’s no point any more in being half arsed about this, I would love to dive in head long and start waving my camera about and being absolute retard but thats not going to come up with anything sustainable.

It’s not going to be that worthwhile, and I’ll see that and want to go sit down again for 6 months, I can’t do that, I gotta pick up my camera and start rolling and never stop but if that’s gonna happen I gotta be prepared.

So motivational yall! I can do ittt!!! YESSSS!!!

I used to have a diary in school. I thought I’d want to remember.

When I finally became part of the cool group when I was 15, I used to write in my diary about all the drinking and teenage bullshit. But more often then not I only wrote in it when I felt angsty, so reading back over it just made me feel like my life was fucking depressing.

Let’s hope this blog doesn’t head that way!

So now, even though things are going well, I still have to write the damn thing. Work is paying off again now, I seem to be making progress. Progress towards that point where I’m not slogging any more, but I’ve had some big breakthroughs recently so I’m looking forward to that time I can live the lifestyle.

Don’t really wanna be writing on some blog when I’m on a energy high. Gotta make dat hay.

One day when I was about 23 I was at this party with my girlfriend and she introduced me to this chick who had moved into a flat after I’d cleared out – probably I think after some drug shit, so she found some of my stuff, including my diary.

She’s read the whole damn thing so needless it to say it was a buzz out.

I’d planned to go get it but it was something I just didn’t do.

Somebody had my intimate thoughts, my wildest unself-conscious  ramblings.

But now I have this blog so I guess it’s all on.

Here’s my story:

There was a piece of delicious vegan lasagna which had me reaching for the grated cheese, and now their ain’t.

There was a girl involved, then I went into town and got drunk.

Playing a free party this sunday at Fu, sounds weird, but hey, it’s free and A-Sides is playing.

Then wednesday, first gig at Lot 44 right up top on Ponsonby Rd, downbeat syndrome with the beat dungeon group.

Just got back from the http://Upfm.dj Solar Series at Tahaki reserve in Mt. Eden.
Basically the radio station where i play with our Beat Dungeon outfit every Sunday at 4pm – except not today because they’re doing a live broadcast from the gig – upfm, holds summer parties and Beat Dungeon was lucky enough to get to open up when the party kicked off at 12pm.

We only had 40 minutes between the two of us, NSU and I  but I wasn’t complaining, I’m trying to get more active “raising my profile” and I’m happy to help the upfm crew because though they’re more on the doof doof tip, they’re solid into the scene and the parties, and y’know – I can get into some “dance” beats.

I played:

“Vale of Tears” Lenzman

“Ghetto Blues” Zyon Base

“With You” Electro Soul System

“Far From Down To Earth” Bionic1

“I Can’t Get Over You” Calibre

“Balaclava” – Nu:tone

“Aware” – Er.ic

Also wanted to play “Tell Me” by Specific which is wicked and “Brother” by Eros and Atmospherix but I don’t know if it’s some crazy DRM bullshit from Beatport or my burner, or my discs or what – it wasn’t too flash to be honest, still having problems getting the discs to play sweet, and those last two wouldn’t play at all.

Usually I’m backed up to the hilt when I play, but today uhm yah. Y’know I was up till all hours dreaming about my money. I’m tellin’ you I gotta start hiring.

“FInd me 5 good men, I say!”

I just need to find people to do what I do for me so I can focus on just being y’know. All neurotic over here, having my little life dramas and maybe even writing a tune or two.

So yeah, you know me, I didn’t get up til 11.40 I just grabbed a shower, my discs and my camera and cruised over to see what was required of me.

After our set the crowd was steadily building, I bought my old video camera so we could get around and get a few sound bites, which is sort of a tradition we’re trying to kick off, all about more video happening, more stories, more authenticity . . . although the footage I took from our last upfm party at the secret garden is still yet to see the light of day, to me it’s about training and experience in getting on with it.

Just want to get to the point where I can play a set and film some stuff and take care of both, handle it.

The gig isn’t over yet but it was getting damn hot out there and after a couple of hours and a couple of beers I figured I’d be best placed heading home to smoke a big joint and get on with my shit.

I don’t know if it was the beers I had but I was kind of reflective, you know me, I’m always kind of reflective if you give me half a chance – as in , alcohol – but hey, don’t worry when I’m having a good time I’ll let you know.

The beats were booming and it was a Scorcher. There were dudes getting sporty playing cricket and there were plenty of girls “dressed in their summer clothes”, it was good vibes. Y’know the quintessential New Zealand summer experience, Sunday, relaxing . . .

I was trying to connect with it.

Y’know summer vibes.

When was the last time I did this kind of thing, went to an outdoor event with friends, drunk some beers, chilled out? Y’know, what normal people do?

Y’know? I write songs about this shit, that’s what liquid funk is all about. The sun is out, the beats are good, the vibes are positive. Girl, you look good, and all our friends are here and we’re having a great time.

But I’m not connected with it. I’m connected with a bunch of dreams, a bunch of ideas of what is supposed to be, but it’s not really real, and it can never last. And so instead I chain myself to my computer, running my businesses, making my beats, planning gigs, trying to recreate the feeling, the meaning of simple contentment, hoping that somehow I’ll get there.

I guess, some of us are different. We’re not normal. We can’t just stand in the sun and be content, and that’s my problem, I can’t be satisfied, not yet.

I have to go home. I have to get on with it. You can stand in the sun for a minute, an hour, a day, but night always comes, and I need something that will satisfy me tomorrow and the next day, something that feels so good that I’m not afraid to die, and whether that’s really something I saw in a movie or it’s just because I “haven’t met the right girl yet” . . .  I have to get back to it.

Maybe if I write a song, maybe if I smoke a cigarette, maybe if I go out tonight, I’ll think about it and know it’s there. The sun is out, and we can play.

But I’m not there yet, and maybe I’m heading in the wrong direction but things have never been simple for me so I’ve got to take my own path.

Definitely time to get moving again on the drum’n bass business!

Been focused on building my business kurb promotions for a while now because let’s face it, the world is a better place when you’ve got money in the bank and you’re free to explore your passions and romantech notions at your leisure.

Maybe I’m getting older but I just don’t see the point in being a broke ass guy, it’s all good to have passion, but it’s also important to have wisdom in the game so you’re in it for the long run if you’re in it for real at all!

So what you need to know for now is that gigs coming up include Snapshot, our legendary free drum’n bass sunday, this labour weekend going doen at fu bar on Wolfe St, Auckland on Sunday 26th of October!

There you got Funkshun, Mash Up Mafia, Myself and Control plus Zpac, Jacey, Paul G and more guests, and like I said. Free!

On the following Thursday courtesy of the Mash Up Mafia, you got Danny Byrd – legend and devastatingly funky hard liquid assasin – teamed up with newcomers the Brookes Brothers which is set to be a mad night of futuristic funk and hard edged nu soul again, for free at the Carpark, Oct 30. I’m not on the bill but I won’t be missing a big night like this.
My new mixtape, “Gentleman Caller” is actually in the can, but I got no photo and presntation for it, and I’m also trying to pin down the best place to host it.

Meantimes you can still check out http://beatdungeonradio.blogspot.com for weekly shows from myself and NSU featuring heaps of new zealand beats and electronica, classic dance anthems, freaky business, looseness and tight ass liquid in the mix from myself.
So I’ve actually been killing it in the studio rocking out new Soul Science colabs with Control, that are pretty much exclusively under wraps as we level up to a bigger new sound.

We’re also working with guys at Touch Tone Drum and Bass who are going to be repping some of these new tunes, head a long to their site to check out some of the stuff they’ve got on release, look for Halflite on one of the more dubwise cuts for my pick.

But yeah – It’s just a little bit frustrating not being able to show off your new tunes, and pimp them out everywhere, but that’s part of getting more proffesional on it and issuing new goodies in a sensible way that decent tunage deserves.

Back soon!

Big tips on the tunes are definitely Donnie Dubson’s “Anti depressing . . .” EP and look for MC Tali back on the DJ SS Remix of “Blue Magic”, aswell as Submorphics + Lensman teaming up on “Way Back When”.