From Philly with Love
It’s been a minute, and i don’t know where to start, but i’ll give it a go…
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The philly scene has been rippin and runnin’ with a few highlights, a few new djs & clubs, a few new shows. Benetton opened its doors on Chestnut street with a grand opening featuring dj Qool Marv, and dj Sasha (Codek records) as well as myself. We got to rock it out with mr. Benetton himself, and the champagne flowed! it’s been a great start to the year with a cool show by Ladytron @ the Trocadero (which by the way is a fabulous venue to see any live band). The girls were so adorable- they seemed a little shy at first but warmed up into it, surrounded by vintage synths and chunky modular moogy type keyboards… Simian opened up for them with a solid, melodic set that set the mood for their U.S debut. Sweet!
Ladyfest rolled into town with tons of bands, dancers, films, spoken word artists and djs all over town. I got to perform @ Transit, opening for Bahamadia and Ursula Rucker with Le Tigre remixer Lauren Flax, Bangha beat meister dj Rekha and those dope “Bombay to Brazil” dj sisters Darshna and Chetana. The whole event was 100% Slammin. There was a dance performance by the B-girl group Montazh, and Ursula Rucker was amazing. She quietly blew the roof off with her spoken rap poem style, speaking of the politics of love, gender equality, music and the responsibilities of the black artist in mainstream music. Backed by Tim Motzer on guitar, the songs went from ethereal electro-acoustic soundscapes and washes to funky guitar grooves. Dope! Then Bahamadia tore up the place with her wordy rap style and everyone went crazy. She was tight and so was her dj, Dice. The party went on till 3 am and was a great success. Shout outs to the DC dj collective in the house, Dj Rekha for her bangin’ Banghra beats and laid back style…
On the production tip, all this studio hibernation has paid off, as I finally got to release my first e.p. entitled “From Philly with Love”. it’s a collaboration with the British bad boy (one of my best friends) Lorne, as well as deep house head dj Jon Gill. We each did one track on the e.p. Jon Gill’s track is groovy uplifting house, Lorne’s is a break-beaty ragga joint and mine is loungy and jazzy. We held the release party @ Nexus Gallery last monday. The party was fresh, everyone came out and supported which was beautiful to see. There were sick visuals projected on the walls with crazy footage, live camera action, and computer graphics. Free food, free cds and Yards beer kept everyone happy and chillin’ groovin or schmoozin’ as the case may be. Distibution from Downtown 161 will keep our record in the stores, and we’re already on to the next!
I hear Josh Wink is gonna remix a GusGus track “Desire”- Stebbi a.k.a President Bongo from GusGus is psyched about it- i loved Wink’s Ladytron remix and can’t wait to hear what he’s gonna do with that crazy collective from Iceland! The movers and shakers have been working hard- King Britt’s album release was last week-it’s a hiphop album thats been getting good reviews all over. Victor Duplaix showcased his “International Affairs” CD up @ Pod in West Philly last week as well, while Philly’s house diva Lady Alma shot a video this week and killed them @ the Ladyfest performance with MC Flo’ Brown…The parties keep comin’ and all is beautiful in Philadelphia except for the opening of a Coyote Ugly chain bar in Old City which was Ugly ugly ugly. Oh well, Life goes on 
till next time, have a Stella for me ok? Shout outs to lady miss Tiffanny…
Peace Cozmic Cat
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