rambleon

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:12:57 GMT

The SHAH party last Saturday was so much fun. The venue is perfect, the sound was nice and warm, and the people were super receptive and full of good vibes. Whitney and I both rocked it, and our sounds work extremely well together. I've been loving all of the pics from the night that have been posted on Facebook, and hey, guess what? They were recording the show as well!

http://www.shahdjs.com/music/SHAH_12_Opium_Den-Whitness_n_SoCool.mp3

The Mix Up w/ Soo & Socool @ Maxine's Hideaway

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:46:24 GMT

Psst... For a good time, come to The Mix Up!

DJ Soo and I are back with a weekly Wednesday in a gorgeous venue loaded with history and smooth vibes. Come join us for a night of funk, reggae, hip hop, downtempo, dancehall, dnb, trip hop, afrobeat and much more... Perfect for lounging, and dancing too.

We'll see you this Wednesday!

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:41:03 GMT

A song totally popped on me today. It was going fairly well before, but I was having a serious (and someone eerie) problem with the drums. Well, I decided to scrap what was there and try something else entirely... and boy did I ever do the right thing. With these new drums, the whole thing has just come alive and is pretty much writing itself now.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:39:13 GMT

Phew it's a good thing my work-week is almost over. I have so much to do!!! Terence and I are starting up a new weekly music party this Wednesday @ Maxine's Hideaway called The Mix Up. I have high hopes for this one, and really want to work hard to make it something special.

I would love to produce some more original music for my many festival sets (and otherwise) this summer as well.

My head is whirling with ideas. I can barely keep up. Creation & organization... I feel like if time stopped, I could spend a million lifetimes just building off of all of my current inspirations.

Oh and my sister Whitney is playing @ Republic tonight! Big up the DJ Whitness : )

Guess what?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:39:34 GMT

While in NYC, Terence proposed to me and we are now engaged to be married!

And why see?

Fri, 23 May 2008 01:25:07 GMT

The other day while I was at work a book floated past me which caught my eye (er, working in a library is nice sometimes). It is: The Book of Other People, edited by Zadie Smith. I'm not finished it yet, but I sure have been enjoying reading it. Especially the offering by Jonathan Lethem called Perkus Tooth. Now that's an exquisite piece of writing if there ever was one. Film, child actors, Columbo (!), Bob Hope & of course: New York. A very timely story given that my flight to the big NYC leaves Vancouver on Saturday morning.

3 - 2- 1

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:51:49 GMT

Whitney is coming over later and we're gonna spin records all afternoon. I hope I don't get dizzy.

Right now, I'm joining the 21st century and - gasp - shopping for music online. I know.

Back again (Jump, jump for joy)

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:35:47 GMT

So my second week of summer break is just beginning and already I feel like the past semester was practically forever ago. Yes, it is just a distant memory now... probably because so much has happened since I turned in my last paper, like all that relaxing I've been doing, plus all the fun times:

MP and I finished up our latest Rudegals creation, a refix of Beenie Man's Dancehall Queen. I posted it up on a couple of forums and got a really positive response, and then there was Saturday night, when Terence surprised me by dropping our tune during his amazing set in the back room at Shine. Can you imagine? There I was dancing away, totally feeling the vibe in the room, when suddenly my song is playing - and not only that, but it sounds HOT and the ladies in the place are loving it?! Dream. Come. True.

Check it out: Beenie Man feat. Chevelle Franklin - Dancehall Queen (Rudegals Refix)

Yeah, Saturday was wonderful. Before heading down to the club, we had one of our most fun radio shows ever, featuring two special guests, the funktastic Neighbour from Calgary and Shadow Jugglers' favourite, DJ Spilt Milk.

For the next while, it doesn't look like I'm going to be working very often, and after all the hard work of the last 8 months, I'm ready for it. I've already been diving back into Live as much as possible, and plus the decks have been calling loud and clear. I have a handful of trips and gigs out of town to look forward to this summer, and seriously, I am just feeling really good about things.

∆

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:48:49 GMT

It's been a good day, and trust me, I was ready for one. I received three excellent emails, and to top it all off I just watched Dot the I and absolutely loved it.

Recommandation

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:06:37 GMT

The best film I've seen in ages:

La Moustache

This marks a return to French cinema after an extended break due to having become tired of watching movies that left me feeling perplexed and depressed. This one certainly did... but that was not all: it also imparted a most peculiar sense of delight.

Sailing Away

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:56:28 GMT

Goodness gracious was that ever a lovely time! Once home last night, I realized how much I had do for school in the coming weeks and freaked out a bit - but then realized I've just had one of the best weeks ever and would just have to think back on it when I started feeling overwhelmed to regain a slice of some of that intense peace I felt...

That helped me to calm down. Er, that and the pomegranate tequila I was sipping.

Right. So: A cruise from LA to Mexico and back with my darling boyfriend. I was, of course,

Puerto Vallarta:

Mazatlan:

Cabo San Lucas:

Er... plus about a million more.

Happy Holidays

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:42:29 GMT

How could I resist going on a cruise of my very own after David Foster Wallace made it sound so wonderfully unappealing? We leave this Friday.

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:05:31 GMT

People Work Too Much

An informal information study performed by myself over the last 24 hours has found that 100% of participants conversated with spoke of wishing to work less often. I agreed with them.

Bacteriality

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:16:15 GMT

My latest song:

Dj Socool - Club Silencio

Remember this?

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:07:16 GMT

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:36:52 GMT

I had a dream last night that shopping malls were really prisons in disguise.

Lines are just parts of really big circles.

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:47:59 GMT

As of mere hours ago, first term of school = done

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:10:00 GMT

On the way to work today, I saw a lady cross-country skiing down the sidewalk.

Don't get any big ideas / They're not gonna happen

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:31:21 GMT

Someone told me about something neat today. It is an ethical computer recycling center here in Vancouver called Free Geek. They take in unwanted computers and related hardware, which are then used either safely recycled or used to build functioning computers. And then there's the adoption program. How does the program work? Oh, just volunteer for 24 hours in the recycling facility and get a free computer is all. Their tag line is "Helping the needy get nerdy since the beginning of the 3rd millennium."

For more information: Free Geek Vancouver

Love in Excess

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:08:55 GMT

I finally bought the 2-disc Rub Up reggae/dancehall set from Boomtown. I've been listening to it at the shop for months now, and it just gets better and better. I sold another copy today and realized that we were almost sold out, again, so it was finally time to bring it home with me.

Mmm hmm, that's right. Oh and another thing I cherish about Wednesdays @ the shop is lunching on an utterly delectable sandwich from Apple Deli (on Davie between Hornby and Howe). One of the fellas recommended it, and I am seriously passionate about spreading the word about this place to all who will listen:

Best. Sandwiches. Ever.

Huge, fresh, the best bread ever, loaded with avocado and sprouts and much, much more. These are no ordinary sandwiches: these ones nourish the soul. Plus the decor is perfect, and the music they have playing is suitably epic. Check it!

Confluence

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 01:01:19 GMT

1)

Get hover cars up and running, er, hovering. They'll run on not gas, create no waste. Once that's in place, look around and notice that the roads are doing the earth no favours. Lift them up, use them for the material to make strong houses for cheap.

2)

I'm sick of governments perpetuating war. Seriously, I'm just not down with it. I say all of us who are tired of this idiocy go on a strike in which we refuse to pay income tax until we are listened to. I don't want my tax dollars to fund a war I do not support. Last year, Canada spent $14.7 billion on the military. Oh Canada, our home, once Native land: Stop.

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:07:23 GMT

Today was what felt like my first real day off since starting school. I stayed in my pajamas and made music.

post

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:47:19 GMT

1:38pm and I awoke. Memories from last night flooded in - the excitement. It was fun!

Sunday Right

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:49:29 GMT

First assignment = done. It's due tonight but I finished it days ago. I am interested to see what kind of grade it will get, and as long as it is a pass, I'll be happy. Soon enough, I'll have assignments due every two days or so. I have a feeling things will get hairy. Just not quite yet, as I am currently living a wonderful life of relaxation, creativity, and inspiration. The dubstep remix is due at the end of the month and, as always, I feel this one could really change the world when it drops. I have written an article for the Discorder, hopefully to be run in the October issue. Shadow Jugglers continues to evolve.

Food is on its way from Indian Oven. Speaking of food, I've been dipping into the world of cooking of late, and am finding it to be massively rewarding and fulfilling (in more ways than one). Some highlights include steamed edamame, baked plantain medallions w/ lemon and sea-salt, double veggie-dog wraps w/ spinach and sauerkraut, and couscous with lemon and crab.

Deebreef

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:08:17 GMT

Last night in my dream, I learned that I was ultimately - deep down - a penguin.

School is going well. My program is interesting, everyone is very nice, and UBC is full of fresh air and sunshine. I'm on the go from here to there nearly constantly, which translates to loads of prime music-listening time.

Oh and check out this interview I did over at Chainsaw Sound.

So Ms. Socool, you've been active in the local radio community for some time now. You're also responsible for work on several original tracks, played the Soundwave festival, and you've been voted "Best Newcomer DJ" by North West DNB.com. So lets find out a little more about you.

Q: Are you a coffee drinker or a tea drinker?

I'm six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Q: How did you first get into spinning wax?

It all started when I took up position as a DJ Ho to DJ Soo, who was actually spinning drum'n'bass back then. Because we were so immersed in that culture, it seemed quite natural for me to give it a spin, as it were, given my lifelong love of searching out and performing music.

Q: Do you/ did you ever play another musical instrument?

Yep. When I was a likkle one, I had piano lessons. My sister and I used to compose songs using our trusty Yamaha PSR-75. I also played alto sax in a jazz band for awhile. Following that came the guitar obsession teen years, a time when I attempted to learn like every Radiohead song and formed various bands with friends (we usually got as far as the act of picking a name for ourselves and jamming a bit).

Q: How did you get involved in community radio?

I lucked into my involvement with Shadow Jugglers radio on CiTR 101.9fm. Back when I was a true newbie DJ, I played my first actual gig on that very show. MP Coast to Coast, who created Shadow Jugglers in Montreal in 2001, was keeping it alive out here in Vancouver. We were finding that our collaborations in event production went well and that we shared similar musical visions, so eventually she invited me into the crew, much to my (continued) delight.

Q: What is your setup at CITR?

We have the usual Techs plus a decently shoddy mixer. Oh, and in the lounge, a pop machine that's full of beer.

Q: Who would you love to see yourself opening up for?

A couple of times now I've warmed up the speakers for the Daega Sound System, something I consider to be quite an honour. In the future, I would be thrilled to share a bill with artists like DJ Distance, DJ Shadow (a girl can dream, can't she!), Krinjah and Paradox.

Q: The dub sound (dnb, jungle, dubstep, dub, etc.) seems to be prominent in the music you play. Can you explain why so many people feel that dub sound?

For me, it's a sound I've been increasingly drawn to. Local selectors like DJs MP, Wood and Dabbler have played a big part in that. Plus the Radiodread album by the Easy Star All Stars, which is a reggae/dub cover of the entirety of Radiohead's OK Computer, really had a big impact on me. If I had to guess about the rising appreciation for that yummy dub sound, I would say perhaps it fits well with the laid-back West Coast style. That, and honestly, it's just more fun to dance to.

Q: Any regular nights in Vancouver you would encourage people to check out?

Mixdown Tuesdays @ The Bayside Lounge (1755 Davie @ Denman) is a free weekly lounge night in which DJ Soo and I lay down the best in downtempo, triphop, dubstep, hiphop, funk, reggae, and whatever else tickles our fancy.

For drum'n'bass, I would recommend Fixed Fridays @ The Met and Midnight Tuesdays @ The Republic.
As for dancehall and reggae, Brukout @ Shine on Wednesdays is the place to be.
The Lighta! Crew put on some excellent parties, I really recommend looking into those.

Q: What is in your cdplayer/mp3 player right now?

My MP3 player is loaded up with DJ mixes and live PA sets from the likes of C64, CPI, Food, Photek, Lemonjelly, Dangamouse & Taal Mala.

Q: Any heads up on upcoming artists that should be given credit / have caught your attention?

Watch out for Lola, a dnb DJ based in the Okanagan with mad style. Also, my sister Whitney has caught the bug and has been mixing up a storm. For production, HxdB has recently gotten back into the game after a long absence, and is making drum'n'bass and dubstep that's darn good.

Q: Are there any websites that you spend way too much time on?

Oh yeah. I'm guilty of hitting the refresh button on dubstepforum.com multiples times per day.

Q: What is important for you when playing a live set?

Ideally, I would play a set of music that both I and the people listening enjoy. I recognize that playing the opening slot for 5 people can be just as rewarding as playing the headlining slot at a packed party. I try to find a balance between focusing on technical skills and connecting with the crowd. And finally, I am always much happier when my monitor is on the left side.

Q: How are your juggling skills?

Beats, balls or shadows? : )

Q: Where would you like to see the electronic music community go (or where would you see it 5 years from now)?

Five years from now the kids will have grown up using music programs like Ableton Live and Garage Band, and will have a level of comfort and intuition with the software that us old fogies will have to respect. For example, there's a 12 year old in the UK producing dubstep right now that is pretty good. You know, even now, producers are making epic music using just their laptops and some headphones, and I think there is going to be a DIY revolution where people sit down with their computers and make the music that they want to hear.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies in your spare time?

DJing, producing music and promoting events was filling up my spare time just fine. Now that I'm heading back to school, spare time will be less easy to come by and I'm really hoping I'm going to be able to find a balance.

Q: Any advice for people getting into playing / producing music?

I think the best DJs/producers are the ones who don't try to sound anything like previously established sounds.

Q: CD's and Serato: Killing the scene, or taking it to the next level?

Well they certainly open up the world of mixing music to a lot of people that might otherwise have sat out. That's because vinyl is more expensive than CDs or digital tunes, and is generally more difficult to find. Plus it's a neat idea that all the CDs you've bought over the years are now in your DJ repertoire versus having to start up from scratch when beginning to collect vinyl. But see, the thing is, digging for vinyl is a fundamental part of DJ culture, and I wonder if missing out on that could be a loss for those who have embraced it in its new forms. But then, quoting from the documentary called Scratch, digging isn't gonna make a bad DJ good, but it's gonna make a good DJ better. I know that I've found stuff on vinyl that I'd been hoping to find for ages, and it's just the best feeling. Myself, I am all about the vinyl and will only use Serato or CDJs to play my own productions (and would prefer to press dubplates instead but those are mighty costly). I believe that vinyl sounds warmer and more rich than CDs or digital files, and is worth the extra effort. But to those who have followed a different path that is supposedly easier, I say - all the power to them. If they're in it for the love of the music, that's what matters, not the format they play off.

Q: If you could visit one city/country in the world, where would it be?

I sure wouldn't mind going back to Jamaica! Oh and I'm dying to go to a dubstep party in the UK.

Q: How do you see yourself improving over time?

I am continuing to work on my scratching skills, and am learning more about production with each tune I've written. I'm not too worried about the 'how' just as long as I actually am improving in some way.

Q: Thanks for your time. Do you have anything else to say to all the swingin cats out there?

Keep on swingin, my friends.

Be sure to check out Socool on The Shadow Jugglers Show
with hosts MP, Bias, and Soo
on CITR 101.9FM Saturday nights from 7-9.