Mixtape Monday: On a Tuesday...

Well I may be a day late with this week's Mixtape Monday, but it is well worth it! This week's mixtape is a tribute to Phil Spector, the man behind the Wall of Sound production style. I wont bore you with the details of what that is in case you already know and if you don't, this Wikipedia entry does a fine job of explaining how this technique is done. Then you can listen to the following mixtape tracks and hear how it sounds in action! 

The 8 songs come from the Phil Spector box set, Back to Mono and I went through and found the songs that I thought to be the most innovative, or the best examples of how his production style sounded. There are tons more, and I love that artists and producers are still recreating this sound today, as you saw two blog posts below with the video for The Morning Bender's song, Excuses.

1. The Crystals - He's Sure The Boy I Love

2. Veronica - Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love

3. The Ronettes - Baby I Love You

4. Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans - Not Too Young To Get Married

5. Ike & Tina Turner - River Deep, Mountain High

6. Modern Folk Quartet - This Could Be The Night

7. The Ronettes - When I Saw You

8. The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody

Dia De Los Muertos Festival: Oct. 23rd

The Morning Benders - Excuses

 Fantastic! I adore The Morning Benders and anyone who knows me knows how much I love Phil Spector. He's the guy who shoegazers of today worship...his distinct Wall of Sound production style can be heard in tons of classics; The Ronettes' hit, 'Be My Baby' for example. 

I sure got a kick out of watching The Morning Benders version of a Wall of Sound for their last album and I remember how rad it was seeing them live where the singer tried to recreate that sound in the basement of The Drake Hotel. We were divided into three sections with three unique harmonies and the whole sold out audience made for a beautiful choir once our voices were merged together. 

I can't listen to it and not sing along...it's my current in the shower hit single.

So Much Greatness!

It's been a little more than a red hot minute since I've updated but you will have to bear with me as so much good stuff is going on! 

Starting all the fun off is this weekend's HUGE overnight art party! I'll be at The Gladstone Hotel for their Nuit "Nude" Blanche affair which is a world record breaking 12 hour and 3 minute long burlesque/variety show. You can find me there doing the sound/dj'ing for the whole show so make sure you pop in and check out the great tunes, beautiful dancers, acts, magic and more. Coffee/Red Bull's/Rockstar's brought to yours truly will also be appreciated...

After this weekend, I'm back holding it down over at The Phoenix Concert Theatre where I play new rock/alternative/punk rock/retro every Saturday night. I can't even tell you what a blast this night is, so please make sure you email me to get sorted out for the guestlist. djmistyrocknroll@gmail.com

Also on the not too distant horizon include my monthy night of sin and debauchery which now happens on the second Friday (no longer Saturday) of the month at Cloak & Dagger on College St., another DJ night alongside the fabulous Yvo Boom on the last Thursday of the month at 751 and plans for an awesome Halloween party (two, in fact!). 

Between all that excitement and awesome band practice's life is kicking ass. Hopefully I can return the awesomeness to the blog soon so stay tuned for more Mixtape Monday's and Youtube greatness to come.

Mixtape Monday: These Boots

I'm not going to lie, these eight tracks were taken directly from my DJ set at Disgraceland last night. Uh huh. A little sixties set from the bar, to my blog and finally to you at home. Enjoy!

1. Sam The Sham and The Pharohs - Little Red Riding Hood (1966)

2. The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1966)

3. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (1969)

4. Vanity Fare - Hitchin' A Ride (1969)

5. The Monkees - I'm A Believer (1966)

6. Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walking (1966)

7. Donovan - Season Of The Witch (1966)

8. The Turtles - Happy Together (1967)

Life is Good

The sun is coming up outside and I'm just getting ready to hit the hay as opposed to rising with the morning light but everything is alright all the same. These past couple of nights have been pretty fantastic. The Runway Lights practiced with our new lineup, I dj'ed a fun night at The Cloak & Dagger and had a packed dancefloor tonight at The Phoenix. Nothing feels better...and tomorrow, I'll up the soul a notch over at Disgraceland where I get to be your own personal jukebox. 

Any requests? Shoot em my way: djmistyrocknroll@gmail.com

p.s. hey breakdancing guy, you rule.

 

Mixtape Monday: No Laborious Work Today

This week's mixtape is all about a good time. Labour Day marks the end of the last long weekend of the season and for many a last chance to cram in the summer before it's gone. These eight tracks are fun, breezy tunes that reflect a summer of sunny days, friendship and love. How 1965, right?

"If I could turn the hands of time back into friends of mine, I'd chase away those skies of gray and things would be just fine."

1. The Barracudas - (I Wish it Could Be) 1965 Again

2. Andy G & The Roller Kings - Feelin' So Good

3. Rancid - Timebomb

4. Kings of Nuthin' - Waitin' to Leave

5. Reigning Sound - Stormy Weather

6. Sky Saxon & The Seeds - They Say

7. Best Coast - When I'm With You

8. The Queers - The Sun Always Shines Around You

Mixtape Monday: The Beginning of the End of Summer

I know that Summer is ending. The evenings are getting a little chillier and the days are a little shorter but I also know that I'm not quite ready to give it up yet. Thinking about cold, snow and everything Winter, it's hard not to feel bleak and dreary. But there is still so much to cram in the remaining time...The CNE, swimming, Toronto Island, patio pints...

This is my mix to declare that while the beginning of the end is nigh, Summer isn't quite over yet. Hopefully these 8 tracks of pop punk goodness will make you live your last days of Summer like it's the last.

1. The Copyrights - Stuck in Summertime

2. Screeching Weasel - First Day of Summer

3. The Ramones - California Sun

4. Groovie Ghoulies - School is In

5. Mean Jeans - Let's Pogo B4 U Gogo

6. Teenage Bottlerocket - Wasting Time

7. The Riverdales - Heart Out of Season

8. Fifteen - The End of the Summer