Introducing: GHOSTED

I'm in a band! We're called Ghosted and we just released our first song.

Stay tuned for our upcoming EP and our first show on February 4th, 2017.

JAPAN!

DJ Mistychu at Shinjuku Loft

There are not enough words, instagram posts or hashtags in the world to describe how incredible this trip has been. I was able to take a month off of my full time job to visit Asia starting with Hong Kong, Macau and then (the ultimate!) Japan. My friend Cece and I spent time in Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Kyoto and I was honoured to have the opportunities to DJ in Tokyo (Halloween Ball 2016 at Shinjuku Loft) and Osaka (at The Buggy).

Tokyo's legendary Back From the Grave Halloween Ball hosts the best record collectors and DJ's in Japan and beyond as well as some of the best bands over two nights. I also got to meet and make some great friends!

Headlining was the debut of the movie Garage Rockin' Craze (all about the wild Tokyo garage and rock n' roll scene) and the 5.6.7.8's, celebrating their 30th Anniversary. Some of the other bands on the bill were King Salami & The Cumberland Three (England), The Howling Jaws (France), Stompin' Riffraffs, Texaco Leatherman, Mellvins, Tokyo Cramps, The Minnesota Voodoo Men and so many more over two nights.

The 5.6.7.8's

The 5.6.7.8's

Cecilia, Yoshiko from The 5.6.7.8's & DJ Misty

Yoshiko from The 5.6.7.8's with Cece & DJ Misty

Mr. Death!

We also wasted no time checking out lots of other rad night haunts like Club Heavy Sick, Poor Cow (owned by Fifi from the band Teengenerate!), Bamboo House, bars in Golden Gai, JBS and so many more. We ended our trip with one final outing to Studio Himawari where we did karaoke to a backing track as well as to live electric guitar and sax thanks to the husband and wife bar owner duo.

 

Club Heavy Sick with Cece and Mr. De

Fifi & DJ Misty at Poor Cow in Shimokitazawa

After spending a little over a week in Tokyo, we headed to Osaka to see the bright lights of Dontonbori and meet James, DJ and owner of Night Beat Records

While in Osaka, I was invited to guest DJ along with James and The 69 Donuts at a rad bar/cafe called The Buggy.

Night Beat Records w/ "staff" Phil Spector

Before heading back to Tokyo (and ultimately home), we went to Hiroshima and Kyoto which was both bustling AND peaceful but entirely magic. Getting to see a real Maiko perform traditional dance, drinking Japanese craft beer at bar F.S.N. (with the nicest owner imaginable) and visiting the thousands of red gates on the mountain at the Fushimi Inari shrine made for some of the most memorable days on the trip. 

Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island

Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

Finally, after a long flight we had a couple of days to spend in Chicago and along with eating deep dish pizza and overlooking the city from the John Hancock Tower, it was very important to visit Chess Records! Located at the famous address 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the studio still remains open as a museum today (it was unfortunately closed when we went!). 

DJ Misty at Chess Records in Chicago!

I got back to Toronto a week ago today and have finally kicked the jet lag so that I can party here again proper. I will have heaps of really fun gigs coming up so keep your eyes and ears open!

OFF THE GRID ART: #TORONTOSFINEST

Big thanks to the team at Off The Grid Art for interviewing me in their #TORONTOSFINEST series. This is a great window into my life; my energy, my passion and of course music! Check it out and follow their Youtube channel and instagram @otgaig

LISTEN TO: HOLD TIGHT VOL. 9

DJ Blush and I are coming back to STONES PLACE this Friday night to bring you the best SOUL TRAIN in the city with our 60's and 70's soul, funk, disco & rock n' roll dance party! Get the party started with our newest playlist and HOLD TIGHT!

HOLD TIGHT! VOL. 9 from djblush on 8tracks Radio.

Interview w/ DJ Misty on Artisans Exposed

Artisans Exposed Projects presents: One Flow: A series of short interviews with uniquely passionate performers and artisans.

By: Jojo D 

http://artisansexposedprojects.blogspot.ca

The Real Deal...
If you've been out & about in Toronto and visited a number of retro dance venues/special events in the last 10 years then you may have had the privilege of experiencing a sweat soaked, sore back session of dance floors gyrating unleashed by the one and only DJ Misty. 
Dj Misty specializes in spinning Rock n' Roll, Soul, Vintage R&B, Punk &  Alternative Rock and has established herself as one of Toronto's best.  



This is Dj Misty's Flow.....

Who:
DJ Misty
What:
Housing worker in a women's shelter by day, DJ by night
When:
In my early 20's :P

Where:
Toronto is my home but I travel far and wide
Why:
Because it's fun, makes me happy and music is a great way to make other people happy too.
How:
Both! Vinyl and digital



The One:

Music begins at home. Take us back to your childhood for a moment. Was music a big part of your childhood? In what way?

I grew up in a house full of music and musicians. My dad has always played guitar in a band and we had instruments all over the house that I was always encouraged to pick up and play. My real fascination was with my parents' stereo and record collection though - and I still have and play most of those records today.

Was there a defining moment when you realized that you wanted music to be a constant & extensive part of your life? 

I don't think there was a single defining moment. I can't imagine music not being a constant and extensive part of my life, it's never not been!

I remember one of my first album purchase. It was Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam & the Ants. I bought it at a yard sale. It was in great condition and I knew nothing of them but I really liked the cover so I bought it. It is still one of my favourite albums! Do you recall your first album purchase?

My first as a kid was The Specials first album because I loved 'A Message To You Rudy' but then when I was a teenager my first three CD's were '3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of...' By Arrested Development, 'Hints, Allegations & Things Left Unsaid' by Collective Development and 'Dookie' by Green Day. Random, right?

There are some bands/artists I will never get tired of listening to. They have become my 'go to's' for my life's triumphs & failures because they remind me of who I am. Are there any artists/bands that you hold in the same regard? Who & why?

Funny enough Green Day always stuck with me and I've remained a fan but for the most part a lot of the music that have become my go-to's are the classic artists I grew up listening to through my parents. A lot of soul, Motown in particular, has remained because it's so timeless. And artists like Nina Simone will always remind me of life's triumphs and failures because so much of what she addressed with her music as a black woman are still very relevant. 

Read the rest HERE

HIPSHAKERS! Mexico City

I just got back from Mexico City after spending nearly two weeks with some of the best DJ's and record collectors in the country! I am truly lucky, I was shown so much hospitality, friendship and fun. I was also lucky enough to be invited to DJ at three parties in the DF and be the guest on RADIO PAAX's show, BRIGADAS ANTIVICIO which airs tomorrow and will be archived online after (link is below). 

I DJ'ed alongside Carlos Rene and Elisse Locomotion for their wild 60's party, HIPSHAKERS! (seen below), got to join Psych A Go Go's Denepa Panky and OOBA GOOBA's Matt Watson behind the decks at La Chicha and was invited to DJ the party, OH YEAH w/ Moises Chez (of Chez Nobody Records) and BAM BAM & Ritzmonzon (of RADIO PAAX). I also got to check out some pretty stellar parties c/o Psych A Go Go, King Crab's Sound System and really get to see what Mexico City has to offer fans of 50's, 60's and 70's era's of music. There's almost always somewhere to listen to 45 rpm records and dance your ass off!

See the rest of the HIPSHAKERS! gallery here

In addition to some great parties, I made time for lots of fun too... even if it meant impromtu record parties on a boat and at the park in Xochimilco! ;)

You can also tune in to RADIO PAAX 24/7 or to BRIGADAS ANTIVICIO w/ guest DJ Misty on Friday February 26 at 7pm EST via: the web or mobile (and the show will be archived on mixcloud after!)

HOLD TIGHT! has a new home!

On Friday February 5th, HOLD TIGHT! moved to its new home, The Rivoli (334 Queen St. W.) and DJ Blush and I had the best time! Thank you so much to everyone who came out and shook their asses, to the amazing women of GO-GO TO, and to all the Rivoli staff. We look forward to coming back on Friday March 4 and every first Friday of the month after that. See you on the dancefloor soon! 

Thanks to Ogi S. for the photos!

Don't miss next month's HOLD TIGHT!