IDM Mailing Archive

Hello - I was wondering how many of you guys regularly play your music for a crowd? Or even have regular gigs or radio shows? Some time ago I got to the point where I have so much music, I think a natural need to share arose. And luckily over the past few months (for some crazy unknown reason) I've been getting more and bigger gigs (house parties,huge clubs, raves even hehe;). What bugs me is that everyone is keen on when I spin deep house, but if I try to throw down a few IDM tracks, It's just not well received. i mean people like it, but I'm under the solid impression that when people go out they want to engage their bodies way more than their minds. Recording a set in the studio is much fun too, but I like the immediate feedback of seeing people smile or have the classic "WTF" look on their faces. I was wondering about the list's feelings on such public exposure to IDM and other weirdness. Also, would anyone be interested in an IDM DJ mailing list? (plz reply privately for that one). -Gil pico reviews: supersoul 2: nothin' i hadn't heard in '91, sounds like updated MBM but funkier pita,get out: wtf, I don't get it kickboardgirl ep: transalpin ep kicks it's butt. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On Sat, 9 Sep 2000, Catfish Gil wrote:

quoted 4 lines What bugs me is that everyone is keen on when I spin deep house, but if I

> What bugs me is that everyone is keen on when I spin deep house, but if I > try to throw down a few IDM tracks, It's just not well received. i mean > people like it, but I'm under the solid impression that when people go out > they want to engage their bodies way more than their minds.

Well, I guess it depends on what particular "idm" you're mixing in to what. Obviously, if you throw on, say, the Autechre mix of Phoenecia on after an Aquanote or Kid Scientific track.. then folks will probably runs screaming (not to accuse of you of ever trying to do such a mix)... Ever since I saw the E.L.M. guys DJ at the Phoenecia show earlier this year at the deserted pet store in Silver Lake, any doubts I had about this-listy style music being able to do some booty damage were removed. Those guys just..made it work. ======================================================================= Brian MacDonald <brianm@kuci.org> KUCI 88.9 fM in Irvine, CA -- Orange County "Zee Robot attacked zee computer -- in zee outer space...!" ======================================================================= --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On Sat, 9 Sep 2000, Catfish Gil wrote:

quoted 4 lines I was wondering how many of you guys regularly play your music for a

> > I was wondering how many of you guys regularly play your music for a > crowd? Or even have regular gigs or radio shows? >

*Holds up hand*

quoted 5 lines What bugs me is that everyone is keen on when I spin deep house, but if I

> What bugs me is that everyone is keen on when I spin deep house, but if I > try to throw down a few IDM tracks, It's just not well received. i mean > people like it, but I'm under the solid impression that when people go out > they want to engage their bodies way more than their minds. >

I've been work and occasionally spinning at a club night for the past 2 years. I just think that it's a set and setting thing. People who go to a dance event want to dance, and house music is purpose built to make you want to dance. IDM isn't really dance music by and large -- it's listening music. The average clubber doesn't give a good goddamn about sound design and rhythmic innovation. They want to get their drink on and try for a little sweaty frottage on the dance floor. Another factor is that the average or even above average club system completely murders any subtlety in the music. I found this out playing live, where I'd bring sounds into the mix and they'd be completely lost. My suspicion is that what really drives the IDM market is cubicle rats like you & me who spend our days in the belly of the corporate beast with headphones on. And I hope this thread doesn't descend into elitist complaints about club and rave events. I think there's a place for both 'true' dance music and electronic listening music. I love both equally. And there are IDM tracks that work on the dance floor if you do it right -- my all time favorites are 'La Soleil Et La Mer" by Reload, and "Draun Quarter" by Autechre. I have used both of these in tech-house sets and the Reload track in particular gets a positive crowd reaction. I've also done pure-IDM sets, and most of the dancers use that as an opportunity to freshen their drinks. There are always 5 geeky looking teenage boys that think it's great. But while that might be who I most closely resemble, I'm like most DJs -- at least the straight ones -- I'm a whole lot more excited about impressing the girls in halters and leather pants, at least when I'm out at a club. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On 11 Sep 2000, Kent williams wrote re Re: [idm] IDM DJs ?: Nice mail, Kent !

quoted 2 lines the girls in halters and leather pants, at least when I'm out at a

> the girls in halters and leather pants, at least when I'm out at a > club.

Yeah well... that's me, both in the booth and on the floor :-) So I'm not out to 'impress the girls' but certainly would like to feel that people are being suitably entertained, and if they're out for a night's dancing, you cannot fiorce feed them way out experimental sounds. Well, you CAN, but you'll soon clear the floor, which is hardly the point. I've found that playing out live depends largely on what drugs your audience are on... sorry, but there it is. You can get away with lazy dubby beats if they're doped out on weed, but if it's 3 in the morning and they've been popping pills, then no WAY will they want weird and wonderful experimental stuff. Deep house seems to go down well in those situations. However, the worst offenders are the acid-laced trance crowd, who I'll avoid in future <shakes head>. And I don't mean the soft-core Euro-trance bunnies, but the real deal trrrrance tribes. They're intolerant and condescending. *** IMO IMO *** Excuse these gross generalisations /// I do not wish to offend with these views. These are just situations I have witnessed personally. I do enjoy doing mixes for radio broadcast - sure, you don't get the same rush of having a heaving dancefloor at your feet, but you can certainly explore textures and nuances that would get lost in a club situation.

quoted 2 lines even above average club system

> even above average club system > completely murders any subtlety in the music

Quite so. It's geared for Big Bass and four beats to the bar. I * --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org