Rating: NNNNN
Pigging Out
If the lineup to the upstairs of the El Mocambo Saturday night is any indication, the hipsters aren’t sick of indie dance parties yet. This was the fourth instalment of Sport Pig , a party that brings together up-and-coming acts and established indie stars. The buzz act this time was MSTRKRFT , which is Jesse Keeler ( Death from Above 1979 ) and Al P DJing together, playing lots of that funky electro house shit as well as some cheeky rock remixes.
Surprisingly, unlike most rock musicians, these guys actually seem to be taking the craft of the DJ seriously. The transitions weren’t mind-blowing, but were all well executed and they kept a good flow going, unusual at this kind of event.
Unfortunately, as much as the indie scene is learning to embrace drum machines, DJing and the idea of a dance party, scenesters still have a hard time actually moving their feet and asses. C’mon, people — it’s just two guys cueing up records, or in this case computer files, which is really not that interesting to watch.
It’s surreal to go to an event like this, packed full of young people who tell you they hate house music but were bobbing their heads all night to what’s basically just another variation on house. They’re either going to have to come up with a usable term for this sound or get over the fact that they’ve accidentally become househeads.
Relax, it happens to the best of us.
Weekend in Sudbury
The warehouse at 99 Sudbury provided a home for a huge variety of events over the years, outside of its primary purpose as a film studio. It eventually became one of the few remaining warehouse rooms that could host a party without provoking noise complaints. But all good things must come to an end, and for most of the last year the space has been tied up with film shoots.
Recently, however, the building has changed hands, and in the days before the official takeover it’s being used for a few more late-night jams.
The folks behind Black Market Records put together two separate events over the weekend, a techno party starring Marco Carola on Friday, and a deep house night featuring Ron Trent on Saturday.
On the topic of new beginnings, Black Market Records recently closed the doors of their shop so they could concentrate on events. They’re putting together a club near 99 Sudbury that will open in the spring.
We ended up there both nights after the regular circuit of bars and clubs and had a good time at both parties. While I’m normally more of a fan of Trent, on this occasion Carola turned in a better performance, and the party had a better energy overall.
Not that Trent was bad — he just never seemed to find his groove. He’s has always been the kind of DJ who plays with the EQ a lot to build and release tension, but this time it was all build and too little release. Carola actually seemed to take us somewhere after he built us up.
