Decibel Festival and More

I feel like I'm out of the loop. Probably because I have been...

However, with the big Girl Power Hour 1 Year Anniversary (everybody loves) Glitter Party out of the way, I can now get back to business.

I can now concentrate on other things.

Things like...all the amazing electronic music headed our way in the upcoming weeks. Shows including but not limited to:

The Decibel Festival - September 25th-28th @ Various locations
Infected Mushroom - September 26th @ Showbox Sodo
Mark Farina - October 2nd - @ Last Supper Club
ATB - October 3rd - @ Showbox Sodo
Freak Night 12 - October 31st - @ Wamu Theatre

I've been waiting a long time just for this time of year. When most Seattleites are covering up and cursing the weather, I'm gearing up for just the opposite. Packed dance floors and good music always call for less clothing. And thank god. No one likes to see a gal in a full winter get-up gracing the dance floor. No, this is the time of year for phat pants (aka: wide-leg pants), cute tops and dancin' flats. Yes, I'll be there and I'll be ready for all the great talent preparing to take our slumbering post-summer city by storm.

Great talent like Deadmau5 and 100 others at the 5th Annual Decibel Festival - Seattle's equivalent to Miami's Winter Music Conference.

Great talent like Paul Van Dyk, the Crystal Method and DJ Icey at USC's (United Stats of Consciousness) 12th annual Freak Night.

Talent like the West Coast House legend supreme Mark Farina at LSC and the prolific production of ATB at Showbox Sodo. Yes, kids, we're in for some GOOD times.

Today is the firs day of Autumn, and today I can't WAIT to get movin.....literally.

Won't you join me?**Look who I ran into on my Birthday of all days back in June at the Showbox? One half of the Crystal Method. Check out the Crystal Method at Freak Night on October 31st at the Wamu Theatre.

My First Club Night Ever

It's one thing to play out from time to time, but quite another to have your very own club night for the first time.

I'm flattered, excited, but torn.

Please note that I never wanted or cared to be a "club DJ." Which leads me to mention that some people say that you have to pay your dues, of which I believe to be true. Generally, these "dues" include playing sets that no one else wants to play (usually when no one is present yet) and/or doing things they don't really want to do, just to prove themselves....things that usually include "club nights."


Again, after being in the scene for 10 years, things I don't necessarily disagree with, its just that now that I'm in my thirties, I really don't have a whole shit-ton of time for.

Luckily, I've seen it all in the meantime...dj's playing early sets, dj's playing sets so late they become early morning sets, dj's playing for no crowd or nothing at all.....and yet, I still feel compelled to do what it takes to get to where I want to be....well, on my own terms, which means, that its somewhat conditional.

How can I honestly accomplish this?

Strategy honey. Strategy.

I won't go into this entirely tonight, but eventually, I'll lay it all out. Shoot, I need to leave something to discuss for later...

In the meantime, I'll be playing at the Viceroy the Fourth Thursday of every month, courtesy of Clubvibes.com.

The night is called "Decks and the City." Coincidence? I think not. :)

Me and Jeromy Nail holding it down...


DJ Sol on the decks...

Catching up from UFN forward...

I have yet to catch up from the past few weeks, but please know that a lot has gone on...

I played a four and a half hour set at the Urban Fashion Network party on August 22nd before heading to Vegas the next morning. While I was playing the longest set of my life thus far (no joke), all I could think about was the fact that my plane left at 8:05am the next morning.

Well, that is until the multiple glasses of pink champagne kicked in. It also helped that my set was well-constructed enough to carry me through such a long period of time. I went to the event straight from work with nary a touch up - unless you count my "$10-dollars-for-three-blocks-because-the-cab-drive-didn't-have-change-for-a-cab-ride" swift lip gloss and eyeliner re-application a "touch-up," well, then I was all good.

Thankfully, I barely caught a buzz all night, due to the copious amounts of water I took in between sips of my savory beverage. By the time Karma started hoping at 10pm, I was going on my 4th hour. Never had I imagined ever playing for so long, but once I had that fourth hour under my belt and the place started to get crowded with the usual Friday night energy and crowd, I was ready to continue rocking it. So ready that I barely remember getting a text from a friend that said that they had just received a text from a friend that I was blowing it up at Karma....did that really just happen?

*Photo by Brentography

Join me at Viceroy Tonight - 9pm!

Don't let the weather get you down, let us do that for you instead with a happy and healthy dose of house music sure to get your head up and your feet down....

What: Decks and the City @ Viceroy
Who: On the Decks with House Grooves from Darnell Sue, Jeromy Nail and Sol Calderon
When: Thursday, August 28th 9pm - Whenever
Drink Specials: $5 Washington Apple Shots
Cost: Free

Come See me!!

G1: Get Ready

Girl Power Hour is turning 1 on September 18th, 2008 and it's going to be one helluva red-carpet party that's going to include massive door prizes, 100 swag bags, the Vox Vodka and Vitamin Energy Bar, clothing drive for Goodwill, Seattle's best and hottest female DJ's and 400 of your closest friends....all are invited - yes, boys, that means you!

Video of the Day

I was in the Gap yesterday looking for something. Not knowing what that something was, I stumbled across an unassuming black shift dress and a song that I kept hearing everywhere.

I purchased the dress, a great find, but couldn't get that damn song out of my head. It was catchy and it had me singing along almost instantly. What the hell WAS it? It had rhythm, but vocals and dancey-undertones......hmmm.

I'd heard the song enough times to know what some of the lyrics were, so I decided to do a lyric search. Low and behold: it was Chris Brown with his latest hit "Forever."

Huh. Chris Brown? Not an artist I've ever listened to before.....I was weirded out, but I didn't care. I love this song.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2IExa2A198

Summer Sessions on the Deck, Part 2

For a full review of Summer Sessions, Part 1, check out my Girl About Town blog.

If you don't care about reading the review because you already know how amazing it was and you want me to spare you the details, then this is for you....

I'll be there.

Drinking, Dancing and DJ Darnell Sue

The Urban Fashion Networking is throwing a birthday party on Friday, August 22nd and you're invited. There will be drinking, dancing, door prizes and much more at Karma from 6pm-10pm. Tickets are $20. Come see me!

House of Om at Trinity

First of all, it's 11:11...make a wish.

Second, I attended Fashion First last night - Seattle's biggest and most well-attended Fashion event - in my custom made Abi Ferrin original. For details and/or pictures, click here.

Thirdly, Sam and I got bored at FF, peaced out before the Fashion show even began, and went to grab a bite at the Eastlake Bar and Grill before she dropped me off at the House of Om Tour at Trinity. Luckily, guy-pal Bradley was able to make sh*t happen so I could get VIP. I wasn't expecting that, and therefore pleasantly surprised when I arrived.

Andy Caldwell, one of my most favorite DJ's and Producers (I purchased one of his latest tracks, "Warrior" feat. Lisa Shaw, on vinyl recently) was on stage when I arrived and I ran into Alex from Clubvibes right off the bat. It was one of those nights where you run into someone you know or an acquaintance everywhere you look. I made my way upstairs to VIP where I saw my girl Kavina, fellow PI blogger Erica Guaca, her boy DJ Miguel Alvarado, Man About Town Henry Mobley, Leo from Barolo ( I swear to god I see him everywhere), Chad from USC, about 20 others...oh...and DJ Colette.

It was a good night.

Found It...

Ok...here is the footage from the Clubvibes Summer Solstice Boat Cruise back in June...if you look close...you can see me on the decks - in the Orange Dress. :)

Random YouTube Video

I went searching on YouTube for the video of the Summer Solstice Boat Cruise back in June, but found a random video that a friend took, apparently, from the Seafair Cruise this past Sunday instead....

Seafair Rocked My Boat

Ho-ly Sh*t....the Clubvibes Boat Cruise was in-sanity. Damn. In fact, I thought about not cussing, then I realized that this is my own personal blog, not the uptight and severely regulated PI Blog that I am used to....therefore....Fock it!

I can cuss.

In which case, I can say, "This boat cruise was CRA-ZY as shit/hell/fuck." If you were not there...bummer. Plan on being there next time....

In the meantime, let me TRY to explain the madness on a Sunday....

I Still Get Excited...

I still get excited when I see my name on a flyer. Granted, they listed the wrong association (www.girlpowerhour.com?), but who cares!

I think I'll always get excited when I see my name on a flyer. :)

No Havana For Me, Music for You

I nearly fell asleep at BOKA last night in the middle of my Pinot Gris which means that in no way shape or form did I make it to Havana last night. It was 7:30 pm and with 1 cup of coffee later, I needed to go home. I was wasted tired and I don't know why...

Well, I guess if I were to dig deep, I could probably deduce it was from a long and arduous weekend (last weekend) of partying and/or some mental and emotional stuff I've been pondering and dragging around with me ever since. But alas, its Friday, payday, the sun is shining and my boss if gone.

Here's "Wasted" by Andy Duguid ft. Leah for you on this fine day. The intro lasts about 2 minutes before the song starts:

Happy Hour at BOKA

I'm heading over to the Clubvibes Happy Hour at BOKA in a few minutes and then MAYBE on to Havana to see Miguel Alvarado and MB.

Depends on how tired I am.

Either way, I think I need a drink after the buzz-kill of not seeing the Blue Angels fly by at the Columbia Tower Club for Lunch today. Total bummer.

Ah-well...

Platinum Saves The Day

Thank god for Platinum Records. Not only are they the only place to purchase decent vinyl in the city, but, they also repair equipment. Score!

I mentioned the other week that one of my TT's was damaged in a move from my house to an event. According to Mark at Platinum who has worked on over 600 TT's (damn), it was a short in the pitch control.

Exactly what we thought it was.

Although I was secretly scared that it would end up being something much worse....(I had visions of having to purchase a whole new turntable - which would have been very upsetting since the TT's are only 4 years old and frankly, one of the reasons one buys Technics in the first place is that they last forever. Plus, I'd rather spend $500 on equipment upgrades, not downgrades for godsake!)

...Luckily, the damage was minimal and so was the cost to fix it: $49.99 for an hour's worth of work. Now I can relax and start working on my set(s) for the Seafair Cruise happening this Sunday.

So, let's just pray the weather cooperates....

To Forever

Speaking of Tiesto, I'm pretty much in heavy like with the new "In Search of Sunrise 7" cd that came out recently. Yes, I still buy CD's...and yes, I am in love with track 5, "To Forever" by Rachael Starr.

Her soft but haunting voice resonates throughout, leaving me teary-eyed almost every time I hear it. The song also has sentimental value, but I won't go into that...

Given that I am willing to divulge my new YouTube obsession (better late than never), let me direct you to a sweet and endearing video from xxTotalxx. He (assuming) doesn't provide a code to embed, so you'll have to check it out for yourselves...

http://www.youtube.com/user/xxTotalxx

I will however, provide the lyrics, just because they make me happy:

I see you and you see me
There's only one thing this could be
I think you know just what I mean
When I'm with you I feel so free

When we meet up the whole world stops
The musics louder, temperature drops
It seems like they are all dancing to our beat
Look around I know you'll see

And I love you
And I hope you love me too
And I need you
And I hope you need me too

Babe, I just hope that you know
To never let me go
Cause when it comes to forever
We should be together

Hide and Seek

I was leisurely listening to Pandora this morning at work hoping to hear something moving when I stumbled across an old favorite from Imogen Heap called "Hide and Seek," only this version was remixed by the incomparable Tiesto. It was exactly what I was looking for.

And when I heard it everything stopped.

Until I started searching frantically for it online. iTunes? No. Myspace? Not happening sister. So I tried YouTube, and there she was....

If you have some time, please have a listen, it's worth it.

Last Days for Spring/Summer Sale at The Finerie

After accidentally (ok, not quite) using my Fashion First outfit for another event (please refer to the Orange dress in Profile/DJ photoshoot pictures and in the Clubvibes Boat Cruise Pictures - yes, I wore it twice!), I wandered aimlessly around the streets of Seattle from boutique to boutique, hoping to take advantage of what the city had to offer, and maybe a summer sale or two.

On my way up 1st Ave from BOKA one day I decided to stop by The Finerie to say "hi" and talk about what's hot on the runway with one of my favorite fashionistas, Fashion First participant, and owner of The Finerie, Tanya Friberg.

I perused fine Summer wares as Tanya told me about her Spring/Summer Sale. Bingo! I was in the right place to (a.) find my Fashion First outfit and (b.) get a great deal while I was doing it.

WHERE: The Finerie // 1215 1st Ave // 206.652.4664

WHAT: Spring/Summer Sale

*Get 40%-80% off in the Sales Loft or, participate in the "Progressive Sale" happening ALL SUMMER throughout the entire store and allowing you to get a certain percentage off with each purchase: (see below)
1 item = 20% off
2 items = 25%
3 items = 30%
4 items = 35%
5 items = 45%

WHEN: Now! Hurry in, the sale ends when July does.

HOURS:
M-Th 1030a-7p
F 10a-830a
Sat 10a-8pm
Sun 11a-6p

IN ADDITION: The Finerie offers Personal styling and private shopping events for you and your friends or clients. Email style@thefinerie.com to inquire about your own event at the The Finerie. They also validate parking with purchase at the Hotel 1000, about a block away.

OR...

Come check out all the hotness that you know Fall Fashion has to offer from The Finerie on the runway at Fashion First happening August 7th!!

FALL FASHION TIP: According to Tanya Friberg, owner of The Finerie, Color is still BIG this Season - choose Orange, Purple, Green or Royal Blue garments to liven up your Fall and Winter in 08 and 09!

Clubvibes Seafair Boat Cruise feat. Yours Truly

That's right, it's time to start thinking about Seafair. If you don't have a fab friend who owns prime real estate on the lake, may I suggest joining us on the Clubvibes Boat Cruise on Seafair Sunday? I'll be spinning two 45 minute sets to enhance your excessive-imbibing experience.

Think about it: Water. Boat. Front Row seat to all the action. All inclusive food and drink. Unbeatable price. Great music. Good people. (They may be drunk people, but they're good people, no doubt.)

Details:

Clubvibes Seafair Boat Cruise
Sunday, August 3rd
$65 - Includes food/drink All day
DJ's: Alex Xavier, Darnell Sue, AJ Sorbello, Barbarella and more....spinning House and Hip-hop
21+
*Click here for tickets

Bastille Day and a Broken Pitch Control

I haven't had a chance to discuss my DJ'ing philosophies yet, but I figure we've got time. In fact, before we get started, please note that I'm working on a highlighted photo montage of some of my other DJ'ing gigs over the past year. In the meantime, let's talk about Bastille Day at Le Pichet a week ago Monday.

First off, I'm not sure why I accepted a gig on a Monday night starting at 11pm and ending at 2am when I had to be to work sometime between 8am and 9am the next day...but I did. It's not like I'm 20 years old anymore for god sake. Which is exactly why I have strict rules like...not playing on the Eastside on a "school night," or, not taking my equipment to house parties or any other parties, or, only committing to playing exclusive parties and events for reasons that may appear greedy, but make perfect sense to me.

But, it was Bastille Day after all, and according to my good buddy Cedric Ross, booking agent for this event and Community Relations Manager for Culturemob.com, this was the party of the year. Well, that and....(payday was top notch - not like we're keeping score here). Plus, it was good exposure and something I hadn't done before.

But I digress...

Let's get to the heart of the matter here. That matter being that I broke one of my tried and true rules.

How dare I!

I brought my equipment to the venue. Something I said I would never do mere moments ago! Not setting a good example here, am I? No. No, I pulled a fast one on myself and packed up my equipment in a classic Turntable Coffin and hot-footed myself down to Le Pichet after picking up DJ Jeromy Nail on the way. We had planned to split the 3 hour shift, and I planned to split my paycheck.

No biggie.

I was just happy that I wasn't going at this alone. That is...until we got there. Not only was it packed at 11pm on this Monday night (SO unexpected), BUT, turns out, one of my Technics MK5's had gotten "jarred" along the way. Yep, Jeromy and I were stuck with one turntable that had pitch control and one that didn't.

Awesome.

Just so you know, it's pretty much impossible to mix records in this situation. OK, not impossible, but EXTRA complicated. I couldn't help but think this was happening because I had broken one of my cardinal DJ rules. And I also couldn't help but wonder how we were going to get through this.

Then I realized that everyone was wasted. They were none the wiser. Thank god...


**So...this is the point where I'd like to upload more pictures, but, seemingly, I haven't quite figured out how to do that. Apparently, I'm just not good at technology.... ;)

Let's start with...

Technorati!