Bozak’s running tour diary of the Midwest: Part one
This is the introductory blog post for what we are calling "DJ Bozak's Running Tour Diary of the *Midwest". I'm happy to be back in Champaign, and am excited to be involved in playing a bunch of gigs in both Champaign and Chicago that cover a diverse array of genres and themes (thankfully). I've got a serious rider and the venues are separating the green M&M's from the rest as we speak.
[* - I reserve the right to use this term loosely]
As it's title suggests I'm going to be talking about the lead-up (preparation, expectations, planning, logistics) to my gigs with a lead-in post, then, the day after, I will recap the aftermath. Along the way I'm sure there will be ample accoutrements in the form of anecdotes, my thoughts on DJing, my own engagement/struggle with music, C-U, technology, and whatever else comes to mind. There may even be a Tea Party rant thrown in for good measure.
As mentioned before, I'm excited to have some interesting gigs lined up. I am a DJ that developed my approach trying to recreate what I imagined Afrika Bambaataa and his rivals were doing in the South Bronx around the mid to late 70's. That meant a willingness to track down good music, regardless of genre or popularity, and make it all fit together utilizing techniques like blending, scratching, and rocking doubles. Emphasis was put on playing songs no one else had, doing things others weren't doing, and doing it all in your own unique way. When I was DJing on a near nightly basis in Champaign I would cross tons of genres across and back in 4 hours. What's nice about most of the gigs on this "tour" is that there are specific themes that for the most part I am sticking to. This gives me a chance to really go in and explore a certain sound in a way that I normally wouldn't have in the past. For Example....
My first gig is at Boltini Lounge on May 20th. The music will focus on R&B-Funk-Disco-House. Although these genres are typically thought of in a singular way, each is really just the evolution of the form that came before it. We're going to dive into it with a purpose to bring the commonalities to the fore. Man, it's gonna be good!
I'm super excited to kick things off at Boltini, where I got my first residency back in 2001, and have played more than any other venue. I'm pretty sure I've played there over 1,000 times by now as crazy as it is to type that. Now I know how Rickles must fondly view Vegas. This gig will be special for me on a couple other fronts as well. I will be DJing with my brother DJ Reed Richards which is a treat as we rarely have chance to share the decks, and for the first time in close to ten years, Boltini will have visuals to accompany the music thanks to Matt Harsh. I do have some concerns about the logistics of setting up a projector in a bar though. I will keep my fingers crossed on that. Don't want to have to deal with picking up the pieces, if you know what I'm saying.
So I need to mention something. Disco gets a bad rap. There are a lot of misconceptions about this genre. From it being categorically bad, to a gay thing, to it being nothing more than novel cheese, Disco seriously gets hated on. But when you think of it, it's just up-tempo R&B. Disco is a great medium, one that allows a lot of freedom, and it really found it's footing when clubbing started because it's so good to dance to. Here is a disco mix I made for the Redbull Music Academy to get you in the mood. Which reminds me, you should come out! I want to see familiar faces, and meet some new ones while I'm at it
My full schedule while in town:
Thursday, May 20th at Boltini Lounge. 10pm -2am. The theme is the tread that carries from R&B to Funk to Disco to House. We will have crazy visuals and I will be joined by DJ Reed Richards and special guests.
Friday, May 21st at Mike N Mollys. 12pm - 2am. I will be finishing off the night after Krukid & DJ Legtwo performs the Champaign leg of their Hip-hop tour. I may play Hip Hop, may play scoundrel boozer songs. We shall see!
Saturday, May 22nd at Exile on Main street. 2pm - 6pm Djing the second "Diggin in Exile" show with DJ Mertz. Awesome concept. We show up and dig records from the shelves as we are performing. Anything we play is 50% off.
Saturday, May 22nd at Redstar with DJ Belly. 10pm - 2pm. This show is about two DJ's being free. Playing whatever interesting pieces come to mind. I have a bag of really cool electronic stuff I plan on playing for the first time here.
Wednesday, May 26th at Mike 'n Mollys. 10pm - 2pm. "Motown invades Mike N Mollys". All Detroit music all night. Yes!!!! Parliament, MC5, Marin, Smokey, White Stripes, Theo Parrish, Dilla. Yes!
Thursday, May 27th at Lokal in Chicago. "The Thread". I go on later. This is a gig that's special cause it's rooted in CU as the DJ's playing are a crew that met at the UofI and have stayed in touch over the years..we all also happen to have really dope music selections.
Friday, May 28th at Risque Cafe in Chicago. 10pm - 2pm. "Soul Sauce". Me and DJ Limbs (CU DJ hero) are authentically bringing soul and funk music to a space that is saturated with top 40 & classic rock (wrigleyville). Most people want to go to other venues for that, but we're in the "frontlines" of the generic bar tunes war this night.
Sunday, May 30th at Cowboy Monkey 9pm - 2pm. "Hit it Run Vol. 42". Playing with Kosmo, Dj Legtwo, and Wonderbread. One of the best CU parties of the year! Old-school/ classic everything. Including all those guilty pleasures. Always a wild one!
That wraps up my introductory post. I will post again on Friday to let you know how it went and to tell you about the next show. Hope to see you there. Now if only I can get Boltini to accept my demands for a dressing room.....
Photo by Elise McAuley.
7 comments
mmcw
really diggin the mix, the link’s broken though
DJ Limbs
Yes! Diggin’ the random tangents and insights you hit with genres and what not…this should be a regular thing Bozak! Btw, have you heard the Sound Opinions special on Disco? It gives a good backstory: http://audio.soundopinions.org/podcasts/sooppodshow184.mp3
See ya next week!
bozak
oh snap!
if you want to hear that mix on RBMA radio (or two others i got up there) head to:
http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/2036/
Vic - thanks for the hook! That podcast sounds sick!
bozak
MMCW - shoot me an email or somthing. I have more mixes I can shoot your way if you want.
b
improvatraxology meets crossgenrascopes
bozak
bhrama, your making my brain melt
applesauce out the ears! Ill be through tonight bud
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Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
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I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
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represent, Matt.