A Very Gonzo Cinco de Mayo & Other News

It’s been another hectic week full of gigs, concerts, restaurants and new work responsibilities; overall a very tiring but extremely fulfilling week.

I had the pleasure to play some excellent mambo, cumbia, salsa and soca tunes at Piedra Negra’s Cinco de Mayo festivities, which were a huge success.

DJ Shellsuit and I were quite surprised at the turnout for the Thursday night, since that was supposed to be the quietest event. People ended up filling up the entire Haji Lane as if it was an old school block party, and they drank and sang and danced well into 2 am.

The second night started out slowly, people began eating and drinking at around 9 pm, and only started dancing at around midnight. But once they got started it was difficult to stop them, we stopped the turntables at around 4 am, a bit later than originally expected.

All in all, an excellent party to remember with lots of good food (mmm beef quesadillas), good drinks (mmm margaritas and Patron tequila shots), and beautiful girls (you know who you are). So good, in fact, that it may soon become a monthly fixture.

Unfortunately my recording of the night’s sets was quite botched, so instead below is an 8tracks playlist that I prepared with some of the big hits I played that same night.

Speaking of big hits, one of my latest 8tracks selection has been getting a lot of attention. In only two days since I uploaded the playlist i got close to 100 favorites and 750 listens, something I’ve never had before.

The mix is even featured on 8tracks’ “Hot This Week” section!

I know this is only virtual recognition and that it’s more a recognition of my selection than of my DJ skills, but still, it feels nice.

In other news, I’ll be spending most of next week in South Korea (Seoul), for business. I don’t know yet how much time I’ll have to explore the city, but I’m taking a list of record shops, flea markets, and other interesting venues just in case.

I’m also trying to contact a certain Seoul Brother who seems to regularly play exactly the kind of sounds I dig, to see if I can catch one of his gigs while I’m there.

In any case, I’ll take lots of pictures and share them here when I get back.

Cheers!

Gonzo – Live @ Turn Up The Heat (15-04-2011)

Once again, these past two weeks have been spent running around to job interviews, holidays trips to Malaysia and Thailand, friends’ parties and lazy week-ends around Singapore.

I haven’t been able to document everything that’s been going on, but I did manage to record my set from last Friday’s Turn Up The Heat event.

I played some of my latest findings in moog/mod sounds, as well as some upbeat swing sounds.

This set, as well as the little 8tracks playlist I prepared just before, contain some of the sounds I’m putting together for two upcoming events.

One is a private corporate event that will require me to dress as a 1930s gangster and play lots of swing, jazz, and big band music, and another one is a full-on Cinco de Mayo event at Piedra Negra, where I’ll be playing everything from Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia to Reggaeton, Funk and Soul.

Hope you enjoy these sounds!

Gonzo – Live @ BluJaz (25-03-2011) + Other news

I haven’t had time to write much lately. I’ve been going to lots of job interviews and my free time has been divided between movies, art shows, exhibitions, and concerts (Slash, Os Mutantes and Aphex Twin!!).

I’ve taken photos and videos of everything I’ve been to, but I really haven’t had time to write anything up.

So here’s a little quick catch-up of all the stuff I’ve done and liked these past two weeks, in no particular order.

1. A cool gig at BluJaz with the Pushin’ On crew:

2. A little promo playlist I prepared for said gig:

3. GONZO!!!

4. Aphex Twin @ Esplanade Theater (Mosaic Festival):

5. Os Mutantes @ Esplanade Theater (Mosaic Festival):

Can’t find any video of the event, but here’s a couple of rocking songs

6. Slash @ Indoor Stadium (Big Night Out 2011):

7. AFTERHOURS: GROUNDED! AN ART PARTY:

8. GAMBATTE! JAPAN charity gig @ BluJaz:

Some videos I liked this week

Here’s a little compilation of some of my findings this week, some of which I’ll be playing tonight at PS Café from 9h30 pm to 1 am (Ann Siang Hill).

Do drop by for good cocktails, rooftop bar, and jazz/bossa/trip hop.

Horizon Perfekt 202 – Singapore

I finally had the time to develop the first 5 rolls of film I took with my new Horizon Perfekt 202 camera, and I must say I am very happy with the results.

I played around with the settings (I’m still not sure which photos were taken using which settings), I had trouble loading the film into the camera, and I nearly bruised my neck from carrying the heavy object all across town, but it was worth it!

Of course I’m happiest with the photos that came out bright and clear, but while the ones taken in interior, at sunrise or at night came out dark I still like the effect.

Here’s a quick selection (More can be found here. In fact, these panoramic photos are best viewed in a larger format.):