"Moombah, Moombah, do-ba-dee-doo... 9FeetOfSmoke back to Moombah you."
Last year 805 DJ/Producer 9FeetOfSmoke began experimenting with Moombahton, while people still had no clue as to what it was. Playing it out at Santa Barbara’s clubs to mild reception, could it be that the dubstep selector/producer was simply onto something too soon? Yes, nearly as simplistic as David Nada playing Afro Jax at half-speed and pioneering a genre out of it. For those who aren’t familiar, Moombahton originated at a high-school ditch party in 2009 by Dave Nada, who then advanced the slowed-down Dutch House style that is now Moombahton and continuing to spread virally. A few weeks back, DJ Mackle appeared on 9Ft.’s radio show, “BluntBros.FM”, and transitioned from some dubstep tunes into a Joker moombahton remix. When the BluntBros forum was eating the sound up, its was no surprise 9Ft. would begin rethinking Moombahton’s appeal nearly a year later. Recently, L.A.’s Relentless Audio label-mates, Direct Feed and Rob Bliss, have begun pushing Moombahton as well. With the dubstep community now taking notice of the sound’s slow, dance-floor appeal, the limits of Moombahton are still not yet visible. Speaking of Direct Feed, he is having a remix-contest for Chromeo’s “Hot Mess”, and it’s a wicked Moombahton production too. So go to beatportal, spin it, then vote it up in the contest, here.
Taking another shot at this fresh house music, last week 9FeetOfSmoke dropped a new mix hot of the decks, featured below. He’s also experimented with some Moombahton productions and is looking to demo more of his dubstep tunes in the coming months. Check the prods on his soundcloud. On his show, he spins everything from Metal to Moombahton, and Dubstep to Kenny G. His radio show put on alongside his blunt brothers, Rtrd and Badmin, every Tuesday from 7-10PM PST, on iPhone or via BluntBros.FM You can also catch him playing with Santa Babylon shows on the regular, including “Bass For Boobs” in Santa Maria on April 15th, “Santa Babylon Soundsystem” @ Tonic on April 27th, and “I Love L.A.” on April 17th at The Airliner, LA. Further, the BluntBros radio show, will feature a special 4-20 smoke out broadcast with a mash-up of genres by past guests and talented Santa Barbara selectas, with plenty of blunts to go around. Tune in and smoke out. P.E.A.C.E.
Spring is now blooming, and into 2011 Santa Babylon continues ‘booming’ in reciprocity. Since solidifying a firm standing in Santa Barbara through 2010, the clique has broadened their regional scope toward our passion for all types of bass music. Situated on a periphery to LA, 2010 saw Santa Babylon infiltrate heavily into State Street’s top venues, working with DJ Mackle & Sabatage’s Nightowl Brotherhood team, as well as the Jungle Juice Krew, to hold down the city. We also hosted a few nights in EOS’ goddess lounge, and last month hosting 6BLOCC at Tonic. The crew has sought to provide a balance between new listeners, adoptive because of the sound’s evolution of recent, and those who preferred skanking out to unheard sonic innovation, in dark, near-empty rooms; days now gone. For 2011 we our continuing that connection and forward momentum as we linked up with the highest rated up the central coast, while continuing to bring you big names from Los Angeles.
This Saturday, we kick off our first spring appearance alongside our bass-weight brother Danny Style, at the 2nd annual Good Vibrations Festival. If you caught Santa Babylon’s “Whiskey Wobblers” show a couple weeks back, you’ll remember the SLO selecta shaking bottles back-bar. Hosting parties under the name “Syncopation”, Style with affiliate Dionysius, are steady building a scene up there, having made their night a staple event, which we had the pleasure of experiencing in February. Big up. And in an ill display of trans-county unity, we will be going b2b with man at HighBird Production’s “Good Vibes” at Earl Warren show-grounds.
A massive 3 stage festival holding headline acts such as 6BLOCC, E-40, Ray Fresco, Passion Pit (DJ set), and LAZRTAG. SB Snaps, amongst numerous others will be covering the 6,000-capacity event. Tickets can be purchased from either their strong street team, many still offering pre-sale prices, HighBirdProductions.com, or at CRSVR’s SB storefront on State St. We looking FWD>> to rocking out for our supporters on this massive venue and system, rain or shine. (I kinda wanted to get hype in the rain, but it looks to be shine!). Outs to HighBird for the opportunity. Keep an eye on them for future events as they do it up proper. Oh, did I mention the main-stage will feature a full Funktion-1? Proper.
Following that weekend, we’ll be headed to Dubsonic where a young, but determined few, operating as P.R.I.M.3., have set up shop in Santa Maria. With a huge reception --highlighting the party-hungry atmosphere up there-- it would seem these cats are carving out a good niche in their respective locality. April 1st, Dubsonic 2 presents Step Correct w/ that badboy Hoodzpah. Additionally, they are bringing down Lytic to rinse out the Santa Maria steppas. This one is gonna be hot.
DJ Lytic, alongside our Syncopation affiliates, is one of the top dubstep selectors in SLO at the moment. Lytic has had a phenominal run this past year; throwing sick parties, elevating within the central-coast DJ circuit, and similar to us in the south, facilitating the ascension of an EDM scene within his regional purview. True to rep, he is throwing a wicked party in mid-April, called “Bass for Boobs”. I must give a nod of commendation to Lytic (EltroLytic Productions), for combing a non-profit charity organization with an EDM event. (Something I’ve alwayswanted to do). This event is in partnership with the Keep A Breast Foundation’s “Music for Awareness” program, set for April 15th . Good intention aside, the line-up is packed solid with 2-stages of amazing talent. The event will feature nationally recognized We Bang, Lucky Date, and K-Theory. Santa Babylon crew will be in full effect, closing the night out at the bass stage.
After a busy April, we then gear up for summer, heading into the coming months preparing Santa Babylon shows throughout SB, as well as continuing up and down the south-coast. Check us at Apocalypse in May, featuring headliners Direct Feed and Rob Bliss (check this wicked mix featuring with my favorite stateside-dubstep MC). The two co-founders of the Relentless Audio label will be featuring alongside Santa Babylon crew for a night of madness. We'bve also locked down a State St. location for our next resident-event. Keep posted with the home team, and we look forward to seeing you on the dance! P.E.A.C.E.
Santa Babylon Roll Call (Confirmed Dates Only):
3/26 - Good Vibes Music Fest - 6BLOCC // E-40 // Passion Pit // +++ [Santa Babylon on Reggae/Dubstep Stage @ 3:15-4:20PM] 4/01 - DubSonic 2 - [Step Correct x MC Hoodzpah] // Lytic 4/15 - Bass for Boobs - We Bang // Lucky Date // K-Theory // +++ [Santa Babylon closing out Bass Stage at 3:00AM] 4/20 - *Blunts Up* 4/27 - Santa Babylon - 21+ Event, SB 805 [MOAR T.B.A.] 5/28 - Apocolypse - Rob Bliss // Direct Feed // [Step Correct x Chadillac x MC Hoodzpah]
It's about that time of year when we get to celebrate our separation from those damn Britons. These days, in an inescapable global interdependence in which no one is exempt... I generally like to think of myself as a multiculturalist. (I think others will eventually follow suit). Thus, national holidays don't generally exact a high level of patriotism out of me. Especially with the current complexity regarding my relationship to my national homeland. America. However, these holidays do get me quite thrilled. No, not of any homogeneous, nationalistic pride, excreted by trumped-up symbolism... but rather, excitement for the partaaaay! July 4th for myself is up there with New Years, Guy Fawkes Night and Summer Solstice. There's little better than eye-gasmic pyrotechnics exploding in the air over beautiful waterfronts whilst sipping a cold, inebriating beer on a warm, summer night. Northern merchants hand-in-hand with Southern farmers in outlandish toasts of "yee-haaws!!" and "brrooo!!"
Then of course, there's the stomping beats to dance the night away in total freedom. Bless our founding father's for their vision, even if those ideals are in a state of flux as time carries history. For all my Santa Barbara locals and vacationers coming to California's "paradise" for the weekend, there will be plenty of activities to keep your mind, body and soul inundated throughout the day and night. However, I can guarantee with absolute scientific precision, that the place to be in the 805 this Independence Day is Red's Wine Bar.
This July 4th, Underground Souls presents "Short Fuse". (The same collective that brought you the dance floor kinetics last year is back on it again -- just a few blocks away from the West Beach's fireworks display). If you're not familiar with the US crew, they have been throwing underground parties for a few years now. After building a local following in the 805, they have begun to showcase themselves more actively in clubs and other venues throughout Santa Barbara. It's not just the amazing beats and technically well-mixed sets ranging from sub-genres of techno to house to trip hop, then back full circle. Diverse as they all are, this crew encompasses a full sound which maintains a constant state of energy and unity throughout. It's the souls of these people. That's probably why US prides itself on being "souled out, not sold out." Which happens to be something I wish the other "U.S." would do). The close knit relationships of the DJs to the people they play for creates a positive environment unmatched in the Santa Barbara dance scene. Completely open to all people who come with this positivity; sharing life's energy with one human to another, one bass at a time.
Like any dope party, the family of supporters is most important. At they're parties I've come across some of the most pure-hearted individuals I've ever met... surprising, since I've only known them for less than a year. Myself being a complete bass head, usually preferring Dubstep, DnB and Hip-Hop, I generally find myself passing up those events as of late, in order to party with US. That's saying a lot personally, considering the level of passion toward my particular music interests. But the energy their events put into the atmosphere is addictive. If you've never been to their parties, one can't help but feel so much love and affection from "strangers." And not in that odd, substance-induced, full-trip way. Just pure hearts and open minds.
My point is, the anticipated escape to a night with the Underground Souls is something that always brings a smile to my face. I keep typing, but the words can't describe it. You just have to experience it for yourself. The next opportunity is this Sunday, July 4th @ Red's Wine Bar.
::Talent and Line up::
Lyricist IZE (Limbz, Cornerstone) will be rocking the mic.
3:00 - 4:30- Tag Team Set 4:30 - 5:45 - Cam (Deep House, Disco House) 5:45 - 7:00 - Joshua James (Disco House, Classic Chicago House) 7:00 - 8:15 - Rene (Micro Funk) 8:15 - 9:30 - Juntrik (Funky House, Electro)
9:15 - 10:00 - Fireworks (BOOM BOOM BOOM) - Just a couple blocks away @ West Beach, Cabrillo Blvd.
As opposed to last year, the entire parking lot will be ready to rock with a full sound system. Lighting will also include HD 3D visuals with the first 200 receiving the appropriate eye wear. Oh and don't forget the awesome fire spinners, BBQ, drink specials, beautiful people and of course, the left speaker.
Now retaining residency at EOS night club with the next event July 23rd. (Keep up to date through Blacklight Special's blog, linked below). With this momentum, US are making some great moves within the Santa Barbara community. So get up and get out this weekend... and don't forget those reds, whites and grooves! P.E.A.C.E.
I'd also like to thank Michael McCann for the photos. Always on point with the camera. You can catch him shooting for SB Nightlife and his own individual excursions in film, including US parties when available. Check out some of his work below! Bless.
