Queen & David Bowie Isolated Vocal Track

Oh the glory days before auto tune... The harmonies, The Why, Why WHYYYYY! Oh man.

Around the Continent in 31 Days

Whew! If October was any indication, life is crazy and busy and awesome. In the span of one month my toes have been lucky enough to touch down in Halifax, Los Angeles and NYC in addition to my home here in Toronto. With that much excitement, it's going to be really hard to slow down now that I'm back so I think I'll just stay busy with great things. 

Flying over Manhattan/NYC and gee are my arms tired!

Starting with my big kid job! I recently moved from being a community housing worker with a rotating schedule that included many mind numbing graveyard shifts to a 9-5 housing worker position. What that means is now I'm working one on one with clients in the shelter to help them find, secure and keep housing. It also means I do a lot of fighting and advocating for safe, affordable housing here in Toronto. 

I'm keeping plenty busy with DJ gigs too, and you'll be able to find me getting a party started every week! Starting off November is one of my best girlfriend's big 30th birthday party. It's happening this Saturday night at Velvet Underground, where her and I spent many a night in our early twenties trying to master our best pseudo-goth dance moves and this weekend we're busting them back out. If you join us, you can expect lots of retro 80's and 90's, new rock and alternative and maybe a lil bit of goth goodness to remind us that we were BORN TO PARTY!

Pics or it didn't happen

HALIFAX

LA

 NYC

There's so many more that I'll keep adding over the next little bit, plus some from a couple earlier trips over the summer that I took. NYC, LA... I love them both but Toronto is my home, sweet home. xo.

Off to Halifax for the East Coast Rockabilly Riot!

I am so excited!! I get to make my debut in Halifax at the East Coast Rockabilly Riot, for three days of rockabilly, blues, burlesque, fashion and more. Plus, BEAUTIFUL HALIFAX. I'm making sure to spend an extra couple of days so I can see the sights and take in the Atlantic Ocean. If you're in Nova Scotia (or can get there), you don't want to miss this. To get in the mood, I've even recorded a set of rockabilly and vintage rhythm and blues tunes and I'd love for you to give it a listen and tell me what you think. See you on the East Coast, let's riot!

Happy Birthday, Joe Strummer

Happy Birthday, Joe. We miss you. 

DJ Misty talks tattoos in NOW Magazine

Photos: David Hawe

You can grab a free copy of NOW Magazine across Toronto or check it out online to see and read about some of my tattoos right HERE. You may also see a few other familiar faces too.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Isolated Vocal Track

WHOA. Someone took I Heard It Through the Grapevine and isolated Marvin Gaye's vocal track. If this doesn't give you the chills, you're a zombie.

Vitamin Water Canada #EverydayBrilliance features DJ Misty

Check out the mini interview HERE

Chills & Fever in Toronto

Hope everyone's staying warm & dry here in Toronto!!

My feet are soaked, but my pants are bone dry! Everything's coming up Misty!

DJ Misty in Missy/Ink Magazine for Akumu Ink Clothing

Not gonna lie, a few Saturdays ago was one of the most fun days I've had in awhile. I was still sleeping when I got called in for a favour by my pal, Leah. The unexpected result was a super amazing day with some of my favourite people, and a great set of photos for one of my favourite magazines, Missy/Ink. I'm definitely not a model by any means but hey, I'll pretend. ;)

Wanna check the magazine (and me) out in it's full glory? Grab it HERE.

Credits:
Photos - Bailey Northcott
Styling - Pretty Deadly Stylz
Hair - Vana Glory
Clothing - Akumu Ink

Bad Brains: Band In DC (Documentary Review)

*Originally posted for G33KPRON

Bad Brains exploded onto the D.C. music scene in 1979, and quickly became one of the most influential punk and hardcore groups of all time, largely due to being one of the first all black punk bands. They also became one of the most abohored, getting banned from pretty well every club in town, hence the title of their seminal album, 'Banned in DC' and documentary, 'Band in DC' which screened in Toronto during Canadian Music Week. 'Band in DC' takes us through Bad Brains' almost 40 year journey which includes their 9 studio albums, dozens of singles, and live albums, proving that truth really is often stranger than fiction. Using contemporary concert footage and interviews, archival footage and comic book style animated segments the film tells a story so compelling that even casual fans could be drawn in. After all, there are still only a handful of bands who have been able to successfully fuse the full-frontal assault of punk with the freer incantations of reggae - and rastafarian rockers Bad Brains were first.

The film, directed by Mandy Stein and Benjamen Logan delves deep into the intimate and inner workings of the legendary band, stretching back to the mid-1970's when four black teenagers met and started playing music in a scene largely made up of white kids. 'Band in DC' also includes interviews with notable musicians; The Beastie Boys, Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi) and Henry Rollins (Black Flag) among others, who underscore the Bad Brains' importance to the birth of hardcore punk. The movie switches between the band's high energy past, and their turbulant 2007 tour which shows the band's struggle to move forward despite the challenges they experience as a result of lead singer, Paul "HR" Hudson's ongoing mental health issues.

 
It was hard not to watch without some sadness, comparing HR's infamous performances where the then wild front man would writhe and backflip off the stage to his current behaviour which is still erratic, but disturbing. We watch as HR dons bullet proof vests, motorcycle helmets and delusions, which the rest of the band write off as attempts of "sabotage" but actually seem more indicative of schizophrenia. The movie quickly glosses over this potential diagnosis though, so his behaviour just comes across as dismissive, or for lack of a better term, batshit-crazy. There was a large part of me that wished HR's mental health could have been shown with a little more tolerance and understanding, but I also get that the film was simply showing the honest reactions and frustrations from his bandmates who want to move forward, but can't seem to get the right musical chemistry without him.

Overall, 'Band in DC' was a real and honest look at the iconoclastic band, and shared many insightful stories that any music fan would get a kick out of. One of the film's most memorable scenes was created by comic book artist Rita Lux and animator Grant Nellessen, and shows an incarcerated HR sneaking out of his cell to record the song 'Sacred Love' for 1986's album, 'I Against I' through a payphone. The best part was that the pot smoking singer was able to get stoned beforehand by ripping out a resin coated page from his bible and smoking that before the impromptu recording session. The movie highlights most of the Bad Brains' history and even addresses the early band's homophobic stance, which still remains a topic of controversy despite bassist Darryl Jenifer insisting they had been young and over-zealous, and that they are now "loving and have nothing against any of God's creatures."

'Band in DC' will leave you feeling like there are many more stories to be told, and there are, especially when it comes to frontman HR and his own struggles. That all being said, the filmmakers set out to tell the story of a unique and influential band, and after watching there is no debate that there has never been anyone like the Bad Brains, and probably never will be again. You can find out more about the movie at www.badbrainsmovie.com and see them live on their 2013 tour which brings the Bad Brains to Toronto on June 13.

SOURCE: G33KPRON

SOLIDARITY SOIREE / Thursday March 21 / The Augusta House - 152A Augusta Ave.

Facebook Event: SOLIDARITY SOIREE - Support Homes First Workers

Remember that time I "retired" from DJ'ing to work full time in a women's shelter?

Welllll we all know how the "retirement" worked out but anyone who knows me also knows how much I love my "big kid" job. Unfortunately, for the past month 70 of my co-workers and I have been on strike, trying to negotiate a fair contract with our management team. It was a long, frustrating process and one that has left us all without our regular income for the past month, but at last! We have a contract and will be returning to work on Monday. Phew!! That being said, we started organizing an epic fundraiser all the same, and the show must go on!!

Come on out, we are still hoping to raise funds to recoup some of the money lost but even more than that we are now having a celebration. We told our management team that we would not settle and we stood in solidarity with one another on the picket lines and behind the scenes to achieve a fair contract.

There will be comedy, prizes, music and a good time. I also want to take the night to appreciate my strong co-workers, and my friends and family who stood by and offered support and kind words throughout the strike. It's also going to be my last "hurrah" for a little while! Now that I'm back at work the flurry of DJ gigs will slow down and you won't see me out and about *quite* as much.

So see youon Thursday, In Solidarity!

Breathing Life...

These posts can be few and far between but that doesn't mean I don't love you! I've been keeping busy with working and DJ'ing and... life! If you follow me on Facebook (or *gasp* in real life!) you'd know that right now my big kid job is on strike. What that means, is I've been keeping busy both on the picket lines, organizing a great fundraiser and DJ'ing lots of fun gigs. So don't blame me if I'm a lil' behind in correspondence and a little out of breath here and there. I'm trying really hard not to let the stress of being on strike wear me out, and instead keep busy focusing on things I really love to do, playing great tunes!

Photo By: Hector Vasquez & Good Kids

So in addition to catching me every week behind the decks at Barchef (Fridays, 472 Queen St. W.)  I really hope to see you out on March 21 at The Augusta House (152A Augusta Ave.) in support of my co-workers and I as we host a fundraiser to support us as we're on strike. There will be comedy, music, prizes, snacks and a really enticing drink special. All the event info is here: SOLIDARITY SOIRÉE - Support Homes First Workers!

See ya groovy babies there!