Editor’s note: Even though many of us here at Pop Goes The Week (not naming names) have iPods that, if stolen, might be promptly returned after looking at the bizarre collection of tunes, – we still wanna sound like we know what we’re talking about when someone asks us what we’re listening to these days. Now we’re beefing up our music coverage with regular contributions from DJ Blacklow, an LA based DJ and longtime friend! Whether you’re hitting a club this weekend or need a great mix to put your dishes away to, he’s got your covered!
Take it away Blacklow!!!
I’m excited to be penning my first music column for my old friend Brian Balthazar’s PopGoesTheWeek. Brian and I go way back — from 2002 to 2004 we sat next to each other as producers at NBC News. In fact, for a while, both of us booked all of the music acts that appeared in concert on the Weekend Editions of The Today Show. We had so much fun back then. I will never forget the weekend that Brian booked and produced “Captain & Tenille” to perform in the area where the Rockefeller Center ice skate rink is… it was, in a word, legendary. To date, that remains one of the best jobs of my life and Brian was a huge joyful part of it.
(Brian’s note: I’m so busted by my Captain and Tennille booking! But I stand by it! Anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a slow ‘Muskrat Love’ jam is totally missing out! Okay, back to you, Jeremy!):
Nowadays, I live in LA, still working in the entertainment side of media. And in 2012, I set a resolution that I was going to at long last launch a DJ career as side project. I’ve always been passionate about music, and I’ve been listening to what now is popularly referred to as “Electronic Dance Music” (EDM) since around 1995. I grew up in the New York City clubs — in Chelsea and the East Village — and the music that I heard in my decade living in NYC shaped my tastes for the years that followed.
While I had always known I wanted to DJ, I never made the time for it in my life. Sometimes though, life throws you curve balls and when that happens it makes your realize that you don’t have too many years to do whatever it is that you really want to do. There are moments when you say to yourself, “If you don’t do it now, it’s never gonna happen,” and this past year was a wake up call for me.
For years, my close friends have always asked me which remixes of their favorite songs they should download to listen to at the gym, and I always had the answers. So, for those of you readers who don’t know what to download, I’m going to provide you with the Top 10 remixes that are moving me each week. I’m going to share the (very public) Soundcloud links to listen to each of these songs — in some cases, the tracks are also downloadable. You can easily download the more “hard-to-find mixes” with some creative Google work.
You can check out mixed Podcasts (available for download, or in iTunes). I’ll also be DJ’ing in West Hollywood at Eleven nightclub on Sunday, May 6th, from Noon – 3 PM for promoter Justin David’s 30th birthday, and at Here lounge on May 20th from 4 – 7 PM. So, if you’re in LA, stop by!
My musical choices for this inaugural post are highly-influenced by the lingering memories of an amazing year at the Coachella music festival in Indio, CA. I hope you enjoy these tunes, and if Brian gets a good response, I’ll keep going.
Without further delay, DJ Blacklow’s Top 10 of the week ending May 4th, 2012
10) I Can Only Imagine (R3hab Remix) — David Guetta feat. Chris Brown & Lil WayneThe latest from French mega-producer Guetta, this was the one they performed during the Grammys. Chris even stopped by during weekend 2 of Coachella to “almost” perform it, but then ultimately didn’t.
Listen to it, HERE:
9) 212 VS Afrojack (Lyrakill Mashup) – Azealia Banks vs. AfrojackNew York rapper Azealia was a break-out star at Coachella this year, and was recently signed by Lady Gaga’s manager. Her debut album is due this fall on Universal. Although the original of this track is amazing, this mash-up with Afrojack takes it to the next level.
Listen to it, HERE:
8) Darkside (Billy Waters & Floor One Remix) – Kelly ClarksonThe 3rd single from Kelly’s debut album is certainly an interesting choice for Top 40 release, but its darker tone reminds me of her “My December” album, which was critically-panned, but I absolutely loved. This first remix stays true to the track’s aptly-named darker tone.
Listen to the unfinished demo version, HERE:
7) 30 Days (Max Sanna & Steve Pitron Club Mix) – The SaturdaysThe Saturdays are poised to be the second coming of The Spice Girls and this might just be the hit that puts them over the top. Brit producing duo Sanna & Pitron have been on a roll lately, and this is one of their strongest productions.
Listen to it, HERE:
6) Titanium (Alesso Remix) – David Guetta feat. Sia
Yes, the song has been out since last August, but the remix by young up-and-comer DJ Alesso was one of THE anthems of Coachella 2012. The musical refrain is just so beautiful and gorgeous, it can almost bring me to tears. Listen to it, HERE:
5) Touch Me (Jump Smokers Extended or Jody den Broeder mixes) – Katherine McPhee feat. Ryan TedderYes, the Tedder-penned song from the NBC show “Smash,” as sung by an “American Idol” alum. Didn’t see this one coming, but I’m glad it arrived.
Listen to it, HERE:
4) Levels vs. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye vs. AviciiLevels is the ubiquitous Avicii track which has been mashed up with just about everything in the past year. But place it with Gotye’s still #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, and magic erupts.
Listen to it, HERE:
3) Call Me Maybe (Jad Desenchanntee vs. Myon & Shane Remix) – Carly Rae JepsenI admit it, Carly Rae Jepsen — current guilty pleasure of most pop music enthusiasts, who isn’t everyone’s cup of tea — is my current obsession. I have no idea who Jad Descenchanntee is…. but I discovered this remix when searching for remixes online, and its the best remix yet that I’ve heard of this little pop ditty.
Listen to it, HERE:
2) Only The Horses (Calvin Harris and Max Sanna & Steve Pitron mixes) – Scissor SistersScissor Sisters… Calvin Harris… pure brilliance. It speaks for itself.
1) Charlie Brown (Dave Aude Remix) – Coldplay
It’s Coldplay week in LA!… the band is in the midst of a 3-night stand at the legendary Hollywood Bowl. And believe it or not, their songs remix magically. While there are more popular songs from “Mylo Xyloto,” Dave Aude worked magic with his mix of the song that Gwyneth has called her favorite from the band’s latest album.
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I’m excited to be penning my first music column for my old friend Brian Balthazar’s PopGoesTheWeek. Brian and I go way back — from 2002 to 2004 we sat next to each other as producers at NBC News. In fact, for a while, both of us booked all of the music acts that appeared in concert on the Weekend Editions of The Today Show. We had so much fun back then. I will never forget the weekend that Brian booked and produced “Captain & Tenille” to perform in the area where the Rockefeller Center ice skate rink is… it was, in a word, legendary. To date, that remains one of the best jobs of my life and Brian was a huge joyful part of it.
10) I Can Only Imagine (R3hab Remix) — David Guetta feat. Chris Brown & Lil Wayne
8) Darkside (Billy Waters & Floor One Remix) – Kelly Clarkson
7) 30 Days (Max Sanna & Steve Pitron Club Mix) – The Saturdays
5) Touch Me (Jump Smokers Extended or Jody den Broeder mixes) – Katherine McPhee feat. Ryan Tedder
4) Levels vs. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye vs. Avicii
3) Call Me Maybe (Jad Desenchanntee vs. Myon & Shane Remix) – Carly Rae Jepsen
2) Only The Horses (Calvin Harris and Max Sanna & Steve Pitron mixes) – Scissor Sisters
1) Charlie Brown (Dave Aude Remix) – Coldplay