Straddling two different dimensions.

Ok, so first of all, this blogging thing is really hard. My good friend Morgan just started a blog and she's great at it and it makes me feel inferior (here's a link to it, http://morganlovescookingandcats.blogspot.com. Bookmark that shit). I guess practice makes perfect.

ANYWAY, last night I had a really strange experience. It was an awesome experience, but a pretty strange one. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Boston (and Cambridge, technically) scene, The Middle East is a venue that is made up of three different subvenues all located in the same building complex: Upstairs, Downstairs, and ZuZu. Many different types of acts roll in and out of these places, and it's rare to have two shows of a similar nature playing at the same time there. So, when I decided I was going to document the THROWED weekly dance party at MidEast Upstairs AND the 617 BOSTON PROJECT hip-hop showcase at MidEast Downstairs for ROCKSMITH, I had a vague idea of how different those shows were going to be.

It turned out that I had entered two completely different dimensions of space and time.

Oops?

First, I went Upstairs, since I figured the opening acts at the Downstairs show were most likely going to blow monkey balls. After about 5 minutes in there, I concluded that I was the oldest girl in the place. I started to feel like a nursing home resident after the first band took the stage, because the volume was too loud and I had to go sit by myself outside at the restaurant bar. TOO COOL!!!1!11!

Once JAY K set up shop, I realized that these barely-legal biddies can get down. I'm sure many of them pre-gamed thoroughly before getting those unmistakable X's on their hands, but they managed to seriously get down for the good majority of the night.

After I got to see some of E-MARCE's set, I headed Downstairs. Even while walking down the stairs to the show, I felt time slowing. I opened the doors and it was basically a room FULL of die-hard La Coka Nostra fanboys. Although this is the norm for many Boston hip-hop shows, after coming fresh from a room full of sweaty, saucy biddies, the change in audience was striking. SLAINE was on stage with JAYSAUN when I came in, and I quickly shimmied backstage thanks to BLACASTAN. The entire atmosphere felt so much more tense and raw Downstairs, compared the to lighthearted and good-time feel from Upstairs. Regardless, I had never seen Slaine live and I must admit, he puts on one hell of a show. I got some dope footage of Jaysaun explaining his love for the Bean too:

Then, went back Upstairs to catch the final moments of FRANK WHITE's set, which was awesome as per usual. Sadly, because Boston is weird and Puritanical, The Middle East shuts down all shows at 12:30AM, and thus the night came to a screeching halt at exactly that time. I feel lucky to have experienced such different scenes at the same [general] place, hopefully it can happen more often. And even though I'm cool riding solo-dolo, maybe others will like to join me next time!

CLICK HERE for some SWEET pics from the evening!

If you missed out on all this madness and want in for my next adventure, just holler.

Early Buds of Summer: Embracing Ladyhood

So I just became the sole Boston representative for Rocksmith Tokyo, which is totally boss. It's a great company with really sick gear, AND it was started by DJ Master Key in Tokyo. This new gig requires me to run around and document the music/clothing/culture scene in the Bean. This also meant that I needed to purchase a new camera to document said things. To begin, here are some random shots of adorable things, and a sw33t panoramic shot of my living room, complete with roommate and friends!

Here is a kitty in a box. (product placement??)

Here is a kitty in a boot.

Here is a panoramic shot of my living room w/ (L2R:) Elissa, Alex (roomie),

and their friend.

On to business: This past Thurs, I went to the Ladies 1st event that was put on my friends Mayan Tamang and Agari Crew at my favorite bar in Boston, Good Life. If you've never heard of 'em, WAKE UP!!

After having to translate multiple Japanese hip-hop songs for my independent study, I have SO much respect for Japanese MCs. Fun fact: up until the late 80's, nobody in Japan knew how to write hip-hop verses in a way that made sense in Japanese (check the facts here!).

ANYWAY, Ladies 1st is a new ladies night in Boston, bumpin mainly hip-hop and reggae jams. Even though it wasn't as packed as it usually is for Fresh Produce, it was still off-the chaaaain! I was just getting over a cold and wasn't drinking, and I STILL got busy on the dance floor. Check out some pics from the night:

Mark and JTronius of Agari Crew with some friends and me.

Ivan of the Floorlords Crew and yours truly lookin grimey.

My girl Kasumi, straight outta Tokyo, and our new friend.

Mayan and Mark about to get it in.

Dude with pigtails. Couldn't resist.

MMmmmm a selection of Mayan Tamang sneaks...

...And Mayan Tamang threads!

Bet you feel left out now, right? Don't worry, Ladies 1st will be happenin again sometime reeeeeal soon.

PEACE,

dory

SUCH A TIT

Wow, I have been slacking on updating this thing. I apologize, but so much has happened in the past 3 weeks that I am unsure of my abilities to put every detail into words. I'll try my damnedest though.

March 30th:

This show was butt themed, mostly because I was having a crap day and didn't have the mind power to think of something more clever. Whatever, everybody has a butt, so everybody can related, right? All those jams are pretty solid, but I highly recommend that P.O.S. track, and if you are into more alternative shit, that entire Wax Tailor album "Hope & Sorrow" is LEGIT.

April 6th:This show was literally BONKERS. First of all, XXXTina and DJ SuperSillyus were in the building... that in itself is always wonderful. Second of all, The Vader Boys dropped by to promote the Chinatown Throwdown that happened at Harper's Ferry, and they were such a pleasant surprise. Thirdly, the crazy-ass duo known as Physha-P called in with the help of their manager Simon and HOLY SHIT, that was a silly conversation. One of the highlights was the discovery of my jitterbox. Changed my life really. Stay tuned to see if Physha-P and The Throwbacks end up having an Upstate show sometime in the near future.

Thanks to technology (and wizkid Robert Sesek), you can re-hear the magic of the Physha-P interview by clicking HERE.

Also, if you haven't already, definitely check out Louis Logic. He's the kind of dude that makes you smile a little bit to yourself when you listen to it walking down the street.

April 13th:
This show was pretty solid. Chris Faraone, writer for the Boston Phoenix, among other publications, came by and literally dropped an entire truckful of knowledge on us. It was almost too much to handle, but with the help of some "apple juice", we managed to have a pretty kick-ass time. Honestly, take a look at Chris' "Get Sprung" article for the freshest hip-hop in season for spring. He had also requested that Quite Nyce & Raydar Ellis track, and I am glad he did because I had met them a couple days beforehand and they are GREAT individuals, not to mention a tight duo on stage. Watch out for "Champs vs. The League"! Unfortunately, Akrobatik had an emergency to tend to, so he wasn't able to make it. Maybe next time.
_______________________

As I was walking home with my friend Ryan last night from the New Boston Talent show, he was asking me if I have ever heard of so-and-so or this-and-him and so on. Of course, I hadn't. There is SO much music circulating in the atmosphere I cannot possibly know of it all. But, that's where you can help me! Please, do not hesitate to throw new music my way! I love new shit! Send me some RIGHT NOW! ..WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?

More to come,
Dory

Why Karma Is A Bitch: It's Lassie.

Oh hey, didn't see you there.

So, the show last night was really great. Big up to Francis Pina for stopping by the station, and also to Jack Nicas for calling in, even though he is a lazy bum. They were promoting the Speak For Yourself show, "Bring It Onomatopoeia", which is going to be on FRIDAY, March 27th, 7-9 PM, in Photonics Rm. 206 (really, really nice room). And I also just realized the BU Step Team X-Ception is going to be there, too. Rad!

In addition to all that fun we had with Francis and Jack, we also made some new friends last night. A girl named Sara, apparently a model from Chicago, tuned in last night and was convinced I was a human Tickle-Me-Elmo with special snort enhancements, but we appreciated her attention regardless.

And at the very end of the show, an anonymous PIKE brother called in, because he was not very happy with the way we were referring to frat boys in relation to Mardi Gras shouts (or rather Unpopular Mardi Gras Shouts, thanks to McSweeney's Lists). I apologized for offending him, and he said that we should come to their "Fast and Furious" Party this Saturday to see "what frat boys are really like". However, I cut him a deal and said that if he brought a couple brothers to the Rapper Steph/Burnt MD/Dead Prez show, of which I had been priorly engaged to, that we would show up to the F&F party.

(organ music plays in the background)
WILL PIKE PULL THROUGH AND REFORM THE STEREOTYPE OF FRAT BOYS EVERYWHERE? WILL JACK RECOVER FROM BEING EATEN BY A PACK OF WILD BOARS? WILL THE HARDY BOYS SOLVE THE CASE OF THE SPILLED MILK? IF YOUR BUSH IS YOUR "CARPET" AND YOUR HEAD-HAIRS ARE YOUR "DRAPES", THEN ARE YOUR ARMPIT-HAIRS YOUR "WINDOW SHADES IN THE FOYER"? YOUR "BEDSKIRT"?
WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE WEEKEND TO FIND OUT...

Anyway, here's the playlist:

Please note: I played that Joell Ortiz song as requested from Mr. Pina.
Check out Rapper Steph's, Burnt MD's, and DP's myspaces for a taste of what's to come SATURDAY, March 28th, 9 PM @ HARPER'S FERRY. Tickets are $20, but I mean, c'mon, have you SEEN this line-up?! (psst, click here for the entire line up). Worth every penny.

And besides, I'LL BE THERE WITH BELLS ON! REAL BELLS!

See you this weekend,
Dowy Geywl

(p.s. more fun)

FRESHMEN 15

Hey ya'll, sorry this is so late but I had somewhat of a stress week post-Monday.
Here is the playlist from our Fr3$Hm3n 15 show (click to enlarge):

Like I said in the message, these are OUR personal opinions on who WE think is really making an impact on hip-hop today. If YOU differ and would like to share your thoughts, call into the next show, or message me, or, I dunno, tickle my belly, whatever will make you feel good (unless your thoughts include Lil' Wayne, then you can go drink a hot cup of shutthefuckup).

Also, side note: If you came to Paper last night to see The Throwbacks, give yourself a big pat on the back. Everybody who came out to support is a real pal. I at least hope you got to enjoy my Ft.Laudy-Goin-To-Da-Club-May-See-Some-Side-Boob outfit I was sporting. I know I did!

Going to see The Knux @ BU Central tonightz and Canibus tomorrow. There are seriously SO many shows coming up, I have no idea what to do with myself. Let me know if you ever want to join me!

Enjoy yer weekend, partypeeple,
DG

LOOPY WITH GOUT

For those of you who tuned in last night and listened to my pathetic lil' self play some chill beats, I thank you from the bottom of my sickly heart. At least I hope you enjoyed the jams, as well as the interview with George Reefah (http://www.georgereefah.com/main.html). Here is the playlist I promised you:


Sorry if they are a little out of order, but if you liked one song in particular but forget what it was called, you can sing a couple bars for me and I will deduce what song that is for ya. Three tracks were from the album Mushroom Jazz 6, produced by Mark Farina, and it is awesome to kick back and relax to. That old Outkast song and basically any Nappy Roots song really embody some down-home, southern hip-hop, you can almost feel the humidity listening to it sometimes.

In conclusion, I mean it when I say EFF YOU, FEBRUARY, you poor excuse for a month. For those of you with a birthday in February, Happy Belated Birthday and whatever, but this month was 70% HELL for me. Next Monday will be the beginning of March, and I only have high hopes for what this month could bring.

Stay fresh,
Dory

100%

Well, last night really did turn into Texas Pete's Rootin', Tootin' Pulled Pork 'n' Fellatio Funfactory. I finally figured out a good way to share the show, so CLICK HERE for last night's.

Use wisely, or else.

And of course, here is last night's playlist:

Although I really liked all the songs from last nights show (even the ones the interns picked out! ;) those are the last 3), I gotta say that Louis Logic and AmpLive have been all up in my ears for the past couple of days, so I highly recommend them. PackFM, D Willz (Olivia's big bro) and Camp Lo's tracks are pretty dancey, and for a more mellow feel, try Dela's recent collab. with Talib Kweli or The Roots classic song with Erykah Badu.

Also, Rob Uslan (aka Super Sillyus) has enlightened me to the magic that is StumbleUpon. If you use Mozilla Firefox, you NEED to get this Add-On. Just google "stumbleupon" and d/l from there. It's opened my world to things like this:
http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/box/
http://www.drugpolicycentral.com/bot/images/killerdrug.jpg
http://www.anxietyculture.com/
http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Shelter/Organizing-Cleaning/Extraordinary-Uses-for-16-Ordinary-Household-Items
http://www.5ives.com/

Enjoi.
Dory Gail