A Crazy, Crazy Feast Of Talent!
The array of DJ talent performing this weekend in Chicago is so scarily good it’s breathtaking…
Thursday, November 18th
Djing music journo Duke Shin takes center base at Beviamo tonight with guests Saville of FatBoy Slim’s Southern Fried Label, and Londoner-turned-Windy City local Lee Jarvis. Duke has been stationed at this Little Italy wine bar for the last six months keeping those in the know delectified with his musical tapestry of the “loud and strange, gentle and nuanced, mid tempo slow burns, and torrid electronic freak outs all wrapped up in deep house love, driven with a cybernetic techno heart” (check out his generously lengthy podcasts! http://dukeshin.podomatic.com/player/web/2010-04-14T18_11_47-07_00). And if that isn’t enough to get you down to west Taylor Street, then I don’t what is. You can just tell the sleepless Duke (opener for Moby, after party DJ for Dandy Warhols and the likes) is in it for the love on his never-ending journey to musical enlightenment, while delighting lovers of the eclectic club mix with house, techno-house, nu-disco, and indie. From 9pm, free.
Friday, November 19th
Cooking up a “Theater of Madness” mix every clubber would die to taste is one-time wannabe chef-turned-DJ-legend Paul Oakenfold! Yes that’s right, he’s here at House of Blues tonight with fellow highroller Roger Sanchez, and new electro sensations DJ Chuckie and stunning Aussie sister duo Nervo. Oakenfold of course doesn’t really need any introduction, but for those less familiar with the history of one of the greatest names in modern dance histort let’s just say being in his presence in Chicago will be an honor, privilege and unparalleled joy. But it’s true, Oakenfold was all set to be a chef until he started Djing in his London bedroom and got into the lure of the music vibe. Once lured he came to the States with a buddy Ian Paul, and using fake passes, masqueraded as NME and Melody Maker journalists to interview such luminaries as Bob Marley and Bobby Womack. Oakenfold’s DJ career began in the late 70s, but really took off when he went to Ibiza with some more pals and kickstarted the Ibiza party legend that launched him to the starry world of global DJ icon. Oakenfold and Paul opened the now famous Heaven club on Ibiza that attracted 1,500 a night, and the rest is, as they say, history. So for a chance to savor some of that history, and see a true clubland god in action, get down to the HOB on north Dearborn Street for 10.30pm. $35, 17 and over.
Just to prove that it’s not only males who make great DJs, here’s a nod to lusciously talented Moneypenny who have been turning heads, and moving bodies with their excellent Beauty Bar Spandexx sessions for the last year or so, as well as entertaining clubbers at many other Chicago club gigs. Formerly known as Rocktapussy, this girl team comprises DJ Mother Hubbard (Chess Hubbard) and DJ A-Cup (Jessica Gonyea). So where’s the talent I hear you ask, apart from being two gorgeous-looking gals? Well my friends, the talent lies in their unique and dynamite live band/DJ mix set involving three turntables, two laptops, two mixers, a kaoss pad, all laced together with pop-tonal vocals for a stomping indie-electro-rock dance vibe. Lifelong pals since sandbox days, Jess and Chess first got into music by discussing the meaning and origins of Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’. It would be fair to say that once upon a time it would have been an oddity to see a female DJ, but not in Chicago these days as this regular venture at the Beauty Bar will testify. Supporting Moneypenny tonight are indie-boogie trio Brilliant Pebbles performing live electro-pop in Bedazzled gear, with Brooklyn duo Narcisse and Sparkletone keeping the DJ spins throbbing nicely till late. Free from 9pm, west Chicago Avenue.
It all began for this guy yesterday, November 18, 1996, when his first album ‘Endtroducing’ became an instant worldwide phenomenon. I am talking of course about the now mega-star-studded DJ Shadow. Renowned for his skill at sampling, looping, rearranging, and layering of sound fragments, Shadow creates tracks that sound completely original. Beginning his career as a DJ with the University of California, Shadow started honing his style merging funk, rock, hip-hop, ambient, jazz, and soul until in 1994 music journo Andy Pemberton coined the term “trip hop” to describe Shadow’s then unique musical creations. A few years later and ‘Endtroducing’ was entering the Guinness Book of Records as the first “Completely Sampled Album.” He now has his own very slick, yet personable website for all things Shadow, and is a major influence on the world music scene…whatsmore, he has a self-declared affinity for the Windy City, naming it as one of his favorite cities in the world. He’s here tonight at Park West which he describes as “one of my favorite venues to play in America” because of its unique panoramic floor space, and intimate vibe. And if you think he says that about every city he goes to you’d be wrong. As the man himself says, “Check my frequent flier miles…I’m in Chi all the time, business and pleasure!” And it will be a pleasure for any of us to catch him live, making this a must-go. Left-field California rapper Pigeon John opens. $30, from 9pm, west Armitage Avenue.
Saturday, November 20th
Chicago’s own DJ Demchuk is at Subterranean tonight with his genre gamut-running selection of Brazilian Funk, Baltimore Booty beats, classic Soul breaks, and Electro cuts to create what he unashamedly describes as the “perfect party atmosphere”! This man lives and sleeps music, and even got suspended from high school for stuffing fliers advertising his first mix tape into the kids’ lockers back in ‘99. But that couldn’t stop the son of a marine who when he’s not DJing is re-circuiting kids electronic toys and connecting them to cheap synths to make crazy sounds. Believe it or not, Demchuk even shares this knowledge via Art Institute of Chicago classes! As he says, “I just love making music and can’t stop making art”. That’s fine by us Demchuk! If you’re like me and get off on the energy-vibe great DJs exude, then you need to get over to west North Avenue tonight to savor the delights of one of our most fanatic of dance music creators. From 10pm, $5, free before midnight.
