Category: Shows

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Weekend Vibes Kiki

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Just got back from a week in Vegas for a work conference. Great conference, Vegas… meh.

I’ve never been before and everyone kept being like “That’s crazy that you’ve never been!” I don’t think it’s that crazy. I already knew it wasn’t my vibe. Everything that people do for fun there is so not my ministry as they say. No shade to anyone whose ministry it is. It’s just crazy expensive and the majority of activities are not what interests me, so I wouldn’t pay money to go there.

Also, I can’t believe we ever used to be able to smoke indoors. We stayed at the MGM Grand and it just smelled like stale smoke when there wasn’t actually smoke just wafting through the air.

Conference 10/10. Vegas 5/10. I ate at some amazing restaurants, that’s where the 5 points come from. 😂 The food was awesome. Looooved Nomad Library Restaurant.

I got back on Friday at like 10pm and scurried to go see GLXY at System Error. I didn’t stay for Halogenix. I am a Halogenix fan, but I’ve seen him heaps before and was knackered. I’m happy I went. Smashing set. So many good tunes. Fun times were had.

Back and just doing some life maintenance and listening to tunes. I think it was on The Amen Brother! podcast the other day someone brought up Bassbin Recordings, which immediately made me think of one of my fave Random Movement tunes “Stars in the Dark”. Love me some Random Movement.

Currently listening to:

Tracklist:

Lenzman & Redeyes – High & Low (Zero T remix)
Flaco – Light Speed
Satl & Brandy Haze – Unfortunate
Artificial Intelligence & Lenzman – Drowning (GLXY remix)
Satl & Brandy Haze – Anxious
Redeyes – Patience (feat Karis Jade)
Workforce & Tyler Daley – Falling Down
SoulMotion & Phil Tangent – Only You
Sustance & Salo – Out The Storm
Zero T – Don’t Know
Technimatic – Lakota feat. A Little Sound (LSB remix)
Alix Perez – In Your Eyes
Satl – Night Out feat. Ellis Esco & Milansangar
Archangel – Nobody Else
Redeyes – Get A Hold
Alix Perez – False Promises
Alix Perez – Kauri feat. Visages
ZAR – Primavera
Fox & Satl – Revellin’
Intelligent Manners & Malaky – Get Funky
Note – What We Talk About… feat. Saint Harmony
ZAR & DRS – Partial Harmony

Drum n Bass · Shows · Tracks

Tulum Kiki

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Man! I’ve already been back from Mexico for 17 days?? It doesn’t seem like that at all. Covid really took me out. I’m in somewhat tip top shape again and back on the bullshit… begrudgingly.

Locus. I had a really really really lovely time. Much thanks to my homegirl Alley Cat for letting me be her +1. I loved her set so much! Not only did she play D Kay and Lee’s Wax’d, but she played a dope SPY remix of Piper. I guess it made the rounds last year, but that was my first time hearing it. It sounded amazing on that sound system in the forest. I love the Jonny L remix and SPY’s version does not disappoint. She also played an Alibi remix of Kosheen’s Hide U that was new to me and it was 🔥🔥🔥! I’m aware that some of these tunes have probably been making the rounds for a minute, but you know me, I am a bit rubbish at keeping up with the latest releases, so sorry if I’m late to the party on some of these gems.

I keep trying to pick a favourite set, but I can’t. The days were so fun and it was just a blast to be in super nice weather and listening to loud dnb. I loved LSB and Workforce’s sets from the day venue. Fabio and Dom & Roland killed it. I love the cenote venue. Such a vibe. Saturday night I raaaaaaved. 😂 I definitely danced for 8+ hours. Klute absolutely smashed it. I didn’t know the majority of the tunes he played, but it all just sounded amazing and I was so here for it. Kemal and Rob Data and Ed Rush and Optical were everything you wanted it to be. I left backstage for their sets and very much appreciated brockin out with my old JVC homies that were there as well. Shouts to MC Brace and Virgo. We deffo got our proper stomp on. 🥰

All the emcees were on point. Everyone brought it! I started feeling ill on the last day, but I’m happy I got to enjoy the majority of the festival. I was sorry to hear about all the issues some festival patrons were having with cartel and police. I was with the artists since I was staying with Alicia, and we didn’t really hear about everything that was happening til way after it happened. I had a fantastic time, but I do feel that next time safety for the festival patrons should be the number one priority.

I don’t think I will go again if they have it next year. The main reason I had so much fun is because I got to hang out with Alley Cat who is a good friend and I didn’t have to deal with any bullshit. That was my second time going to Tulum, and even though it was wonderful, I don’t think Tulum is spectacular enough for me to spend money to go there a 3rd time. There are heaps more places all over Mexico that are even more fantastic and a lot less expensive.

All in all, a fab time with some great people and amazing music. 💕

I’ve spent the whole week writing thesis chapters. I know it’s old, but this Workforce remix has matched my temperament for the past couple of days. Such a great tune.

Drum n Bass · Events · Shows

Locus & Kiki

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Hi hi hi hi hi! I’ve been trying to update for a month. I hate it when people make being busy their personality trait, but for realz I’ve been swamped!

This is my last semester of this second masters. I’ll be done in May. Even though it’s been running me ragged, I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve learned so much and the program really has been wonderful. Great instructors and excellent guidance throughout. I’m working on my thesis and final instructional product. I complain about this often, but I really would love an extra 3 hours in the day. It would make my life so much easier!

A lot happening with my dad’s estate… still. That’s all I’ll say for now. There are so many good tunes to discuss, I don’t want to make this post too depressing.💕

The best news to report – I’m going to Tulum for the Locus event!! I can’t remember if I posted about it before or not.

A little backstory. I’ve been trying to go to Sun and Bass forever, and I do mean forever. I met Stefano back in like 2006 or so when he was in Illinois for a work training. He was stuck out in the middle of nowhere, so A-Sides hit me up and was like – Yo rescue him! LOL. Me and Stunna showed him a good time over that weekend and he was like “Come to this event I do in Sardinia!” and I was like “I’m coming!!!” — I never went. 😂

Stunna went though, and like everyone who goes, talked about how amazing it is and how I have to go. I’ve enviously streamed the mixes and scrolled through everyone’s pics every year. As much of a dnb fan as I am, I just can’t drop that much money on a dnb holiday. From this side of the pond, it’s pretty pricey and I travel enough to know how the dollars start racking up. With flight, accommodations and spending money, it’s just never been feasible for me.

The idea of enjoying my fave music in a beautiful location and having a proper hols at the same time gets more and more enticing as I age. I loved deejaying when I did it, but it honestly was never a huge aspiration of mine. I fell into it, enjoyed it while I did it and kept it moving. Through and through, I’ve always just been a massive fan of the music and just want to listen, dance and feel the bass in my chest.

Anyway, last year Submorphics told me about some event they were doing in Tulum. He was playing. It sounded like fun, but was too short notice for me to sort myself out. I’ve been to Tulum before and really loved it. So I promised myself, if they did it again the next year, I would most def go.

I made this plan for myself. It wasn’t a secret or anything, I just didn’t advertise it since I didn’t care if anyone I knew was going or not. It’s a graduation present from me to me. Then everything started to unfold serendipitously. My friend Alley Cat is playing. My old dnb homies from Chicago, Dan and Lisa, are going. A bunch of other people I know are going too. I’m excited!

It’s going to be an enjoyable event. I am so burnt out from work and school. The break can’t come soon enough!

This post is entirely too long. I’ll write a couple more.

Drum n Bass · Events · Mixes · Shows

Content Chaos Kiki

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My life is def chaotic at the moment. I’m somewhat content though, so it’s not as stressful as it could be.

This semester will be done in a couple of weeks. My program requires that I do a summer semester, but I’ll still get a two week break, which I’m very much looking forward to.

Shows are back in full force! The Xcellerated lineup this weekend tho… 😮

Getting all my work done early so I can go and proper enjoy myself. Totally thought my eyes were deceiving me when I first saw the flyer. I’ve seen Zero T, Artificial Intelligence and Commix before, but not Redeyes. We know how I love my French dnb.

Very excited to just go listen to great music and dance. 🥰

Up early doing aforementioned work and listening to some Zero T. So many bangers. That Groove Theory tune at the end! 🔥🔥🔥

Don’t mind me, just up raving and doing homework at 3:45 am on a Tuesday. 😂

Drum n Bass · Shows · Tracks

Old Lady Raver Kiki

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The North Quarter label night was so fun! It was great to see Greg and the music was amazing! Just good vibes and people dancing. I really enjoyed myself. Me and my old bones stayed out til 4am. I heard so many great new remixes. All round everyone just had wicked sets.

My time is London is coming to an end for now. I’m headed back to LA on Sunday.

Currently trying to get ahead on school work so I don’t have to frantically catch up when I get back.

I had been keeping my eye out for this Monty tune ever since I heard it on that Redeyes and Monty Outlines mix back in June and have pretty much had it on repeat ever since it got released. Really looking forward to his album. 🥰

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Rinse Wash Repeat Kiki

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Still in London. Still got heaps to sort out with the house. I’ve kind of developed a routine, so the process of going through all my dad’s stuff, albeit repetitive, has become a little easier. I had to sort out his clothes the other day though and that broke me. I have also somewhat figured what I need to do to get the house emptied and ready to be sold, and I’m still doing all my school assignments. Basically, I’m hanging in there. 🙃

Me and Kathy are going to see the homie Submorphics this weekend. I’m very much looking forward to this show: a) It will be great to see Greg! b) We all know how much I love Lenzman. c) The whole lineup is actually great and d) I haven’t been to a show in almost 2 years!

Ideally I’d post a North Quarter tune, but I’ve been listening to this Tatora & Satl on repeat for the past couple of days, so I think I should share that instead. 🥰

Drum n Bass · Shows · Tracks

December

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So far December has been wonderful.  I’m pretty sure I’m just super excited to go home on Thursday, so I’m unnecessarily geeked about everything.

I somehow managed to talk my 85 year old dad through fixing the internet on his new computer and video chatting with me.  I was so proud of him and it was so awesome to see his face.  Technology is cool yo.  So that was awesome.

Next I went to the Human Elements night on Saturday.  Makoto, Velocity, Tokyo Prose, Akira, Dx, Aya… Everyone was amazing.  I don’t use this phrase, but for real, that gave me life.  LOL.

I listen to drum n bass every day.  Here, I listen to it in my headphones at work or and have little speakers in my apartment.  They have dnb nights in Tokyo and I don’t go because I don’t lead that life anymore where I can just stay out all night and party and roll up to work like it was nothing.

But hallelujah, this night was on a Saturday.  I danced for 5 hours.  The venue was nice and intimate with loads of people dancing and good sound.  I had so much fun.  So much good music.

I felt like it gave me a boost.  My life here is not even anywhere close to the life I lead in the States.   And I’m not really that bothered by that, but the one thing I do miss terribly, is not having regular access to go listen to dnb with other peeps who are as crazy about it as I am.

This is one of my fave Makoto tunes. ❤ (Besides Golden Girl of course. :P)

 

Drum n Bass · Mixes · Shows

Wilin’ Out

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This term has been so so so busy.  I’m exhausted and just excited to get a 3 week holiday at home for Christmas.

Exams are coming up and we’ve got 4 finals to write.  I already wrote one, so only 3 more to go.  *sigh*

I’m rewarding myself for all the good teacher behaviour by going to this Human Elements show on the 12th.

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I will most definitely be that old lady shaking my booty to some dnb for endless amounts of hours.  I mean come on, Makoto, Velocity and Tokyo Prose… bruh.  I’ll be wilin’ out fo sho.

Currently listening to this Zero T gem.  So many goodies on here.

 Enjoy.

Drum n Bass · Mixes · Shows

DnB in Tokyo

Kiki1 Comment

I don’t feel like an old lady and I also don’t have issues with aging but it is quite interesting to think about my greatest dnb memories and realise that some of them happened like 20 odd years ago.

I do entertain the idea of venturing to Tokyo to go and bob my head to some of the dnb nights there, but as I was saying to my buddy Submorphics yesterday, I kinda have just reached the point where I would like to do that with just my friends.  I really don’t have the desire anymore to make new friends and go rave with them. I want to rave with the ones I already have.  Does that make me a horrible person?  LOL.

I’m sitting here grading really bad grammar and listening to a dope Eastside Sessions.  Japanese students aren’t really taught to express their feelings that much during classes, especially in their writing.  A lot of their curriculum caters to the tests they will need to take to get into university.  Kate and I try to incorporate this in our lessons a lot.  We have seen amazing results and I get so excited about it, but the beginning stages of laying the groundwork are brutal.

Bad grammar is funny for like the first hour and then afterwards you just want to throw the papers across the room.  I do know that it’s worth it though.  I’ve seen the results.  Our seniors wrote these amazing heartfelt essays about how they felt about embarking on the next chapter of their lives and I was so proud.  We asked them not to use their electronic dictionaries, and if you teach Japanese students, you know what a big deal this is.  Nobody did.  It was lovely.  I definitely got all emo as I was reading them.

So back to my current situation.  We had the first years write a 10 entry winter journal over winter break.  It’s one of the first assignments on this journey to free-writing and it’s ridden with horrible sentences filled with dictionary words that I know the kids don’t understand.  I’m spending most of my time trying to decipher what the hell they are talking about and it’s doing my head in.

Fortunately this Eastside Sessions is helping keep me sane.  I wish I knew that A-Sides was in Tokyo cuz that’s a friend I definitely would risk being tired the next day while teaching class and trek out to see.  🙂 I’m sure it was a good night too!  I didn’t make a big announcement when I moved to Japan so a lot of people think I’m still in Chicago.  Oh well, I told him he def has to let me know next time!  In the mean time I hope you enjoy this 2 hour sesh as much as I did.

 

Drum n Bass · Mixes · Shows

Japan

Kiki2 Comments

Oh hi!  🙂

I don’t have internet at my house yet.  For some reason it takes a month or so to get it set up.  Totally dying in the meantime.  LOL.  I soak up as much internet at school as I can.

So I’m here.  Japan life begins now.  Hoping to maybe make it to go see LTJ in Tokyo on the 22rd, we’ll see if that actually happens though since I’m still trying to get settled. 

In the office right now sweating my ass off listening to Stunna.

Enjoy.

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