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A POLITICAL GAME OF COOL

Club politics is a topic I’ve wanted to write about pretty much since I started working within the EMDS back in 2004. Because of my deep involvement within the scene I’ve felt the impact on club politics down to its ugliest.

I once was once questioned by a very popular nightclub in Toronto if I was hosting events at a competing nightclub — all because I was seen on TV wearing a pink T-shirt with the competing nightclub’s logo. What they saw was me on electronica!

Can you believe that? All because I happened to have shot electronica at a nightclub wearing a t-shirt exclusively made for me. I almost lost a hosting contract. This is how distasteful club politics can be.

Many people who work within the nightclub industry I’ve found to agree that it’s political game of cool. Yet few will publicly speak about it for fear of losing a gig, an affiliation or a job. And let’s face it: unless you’re a successful club owner, DJ/producer or veteran event producer, come the end of the day, playing the political game of cool doesn’t pay the bills.

Politics within the club scene worldwide is a nasty business. From my knowledge and experience I’d say it’s comparable to government politics in what club owners and some promoters will do to keep the competition down.

The weekend club-goer is the bread and butter that keeps this political musical game in production. They are the fuel that keeps the machine running. Canada’s electronic music dance scene has a wealth of talent locked inside it.

I’ve produced, organized and hosted various successful events, and it shocks me how some DJs think they are entitled to play an event they are professionally not ready for. It boggles my mind how some promoters will not promote an event because it might upset a venue or DJ they’re affiliated with.

True affiliation is only as good as the paper the agreement is written on and/or in action. Otherwise there is no affiliation.

I started in and remain part of this industry because of the music and my passion for it. The joy I see on a person’s face while they dance to a DJ who’s taking them on a musical journey they’ve longed for after a long, hard work week is my reward. Music is freedom of expression. Club-goers only want to hit a party with a good vibe and great beats, and to be treated well.

Club politics will always exist. They are not rules or laws — and therefore it doesn’t mean they need to be followed.

VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

The Streets, Blinded By the Lights (Warner Brothers 2005)

I remember playing this video on electronica back in about 2007 and I was shocked yet captivated by The Streets‘ real-to-life lyrics and video to go with the story of how many can get lost in what is real and not real due to anger mixed with the influence of drugs and alcohol in Blinded By The Lights.

UPCOMING EVENT

The Hot Boat Cruise – Sunday August 14

DJs:  MK |  Chad Savage |  Ticky Ty |  Ovi M |  Chris Ink |  Ethnologic |  Justin Chung |  Lyle Disco |  Jermz

19+ I.D. is required to board.

The River Gambler, 261 Queens Quay East, Toronto, ON

Click Here For Tickets and Info

MISS RAQUEL: WOMAN OF THE HOUR – GGT

“Here’s the thing: We know it’s mildly incestuous to crown our own pot-stirring blogger Miss Raquel (Poppycock!) our latest Woman of the Hour, but we have a thing for conscientious women who work hard, devotedly, and with a spirit that is broad and fierce. The indefatigable TV host, writer, web and club queen took time to put pen to our TMI Questionnaire …”

SCENESTER CHANNEL

DJ interviews and event coverage: Yoji, Paul Oakenfold, The Scumfrog, Flipside and more. Have a look and subscribe!

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SEE YOU ON THE DANCEFLOOR!

Miss Raquel

Hello to all our Montreal peeps! Miss Raquel from electronica is going to be in your fair city for a special event this coming weekend. If you’d like to meet-and-greet, you can find her Saturday night, April 16, at Stereo Nightclub. (She may even have some bpm:tv swag to give away…)

Here’s the what and the wherefore:

Samedi 16 Avril Toute La Nuit with D-Unity
at Stereo Nightclub, Montreal

D-Unity (Toronto, Canada) l Beat Therapy, Toolroom, Yoshitoshi, Stereo Productions, Ultra

To get on the guest list, just email scenestermagazine@gmail.com

Stereo Nightclub: 858 Ste Catherine E, Montreal QC, H2L 2E3
http://www.stereo-nightclub.com

Listen to the sounds of D-Unity:

BEAT THERAPY RECORDS - https://www.facebook.com/beattherapyrecords

BEAT THERAPY RADIO - http://www.beattherapyrecords.com/radio.htm

See you on the dancefloor!

Miss Raquel’s Month in Review: February 2011

Miss Raquel hosts electronica on bpm:tv. Visit the show page here.

Robyn – Sound Academy, Toronto

Robyn‘s show at Toronto’s Sound Academy was long past due, as her last scheduled gig was cancelled because of illness. She had a great stage presence talking to the audience. She belted out different medleys and arrangements of Body Talk remixes, and performed an acappella “Show Me Love” (1996) at the end.

I will say the crowd was really pushy, even more so than at raves or special events with international DJs. I found there were people trying to force their way deeper toward to the stage when there is no space whatsoever for them to get through.

Robyn is a bona fide dance artist, as she proved with this well-attended show.

Luv This City: Deko-ze and Jelo – Footwork Bar & Afterhours, Toronto

Aside from me being turned down by four cabs at the end of the night because I wasn’t going in their direction, and me screaming on my cell to my boyfriend to listen to me as he spoke to other people on his end, the night was awesome!

There was also Jonathan Rosa (formerly Jon Jon) and Evan G on the bill. If you’ve been reading this column for a while now than you know I just love me a good Deko-ze and Jelo show. I mean there is no other duo who knows how to wreck a room like these two tomcats.

The place was rammed by 12:30 am, which I was thankful for because it proved the good job us hosts did in promoting the event, but that’s how we roll.

This was one hair-flying (Jelo), bouncing (Deko-ze) event, which is always sure to please. It was an intense crazy techno rollercoaster ride. As Jelo would say it was “Awesomesauce!”

Houseaddict Presents: Jimpster – Footwork Bar & Afterhours, Toronto

I know what you may be thinking: here we go with another Footwork event, but what can I say? This venue pumps out events and talent like no other venue in Canada, seriously.

Jimpster was a slow start but by around 1:30 am it picked up. And what I love about Jimpster is his humble attitude – and of course deep beats, which he brought in full force along with irGO, Mike Gleeson and Dirty Dale.

Poppycock! On GayGuideToronto.com

I’ve interviewed many DJs and producers but interviewing Mr. Oakenfold was surreal. Watch my interview with Paul Oakenfold here.

See you on the dancefloor!

Miss Raquel

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New photos of Miss Raquel, host of electronica.



Chus & Ceballos



DBR Recordings Launch – Our House, Toronto
During a beautiful snowy night in January the launch of DBR Recordings took place at a cozy venue on Ossington Avenue in Toronto called Our House. DBR is the sister label to PBR Recordings headed by “The Voice of The Underground” MC Flipside and label manager Chris Vench.

You’ll be able to catch all the action on an upcoming episode on the Scenester Channel where I had the honour of interviewing the likes of Robb G, Hatiras, MC Flipside, Chris Vench, Jeff Mason and Nick Cenik.

DBR Recordings will bring a deeper, tech-influenced flavour to dancefloors, DJs and punters alike. With a finely crafted vision, Flipside and Chris Vench visualize a tech-influenced sound inspired by the jacking and bumpy roots of house music. Already armed with an impressive array of releases, DBR is ready to make an entrance into the electronic world.

bpm Festival – Various Venues, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

This year’s bpm Festival held 10 events with a line-up consisting of the best of exponents of electronica music from around the world.

It’s estimated approximately 25,000 were in attendance at more than 50 parties which took place during the day and evening. Some of the names heard and danced to were Richie Hawtin, Damian Lazarus, Marco Carola, Loco Dice, Steve Angello, and more.

This is one of the many EMD events you should attend; at this one you can wear a bathing suit every day.

Chus & Ceballos – This Is London, Toronto
Chus & Ceballos (C & C) was held at Toronto’s This is London (TIL) presented by Adnan Media who has been a promoter within in the scene long enough to know what makes a good event.

The music was awesome, but the common dancefloor confession was it lacked the magic C & C usually cascades onto their masses. The reason is simple: although TIL is a great venue it wasn’t the right fit for C & C; they require a larger, spaced-out venue.

We had bottle service which cost a whopping $1000 – yes, you read that right. And there was no barrier to our booth, or any booth for that matter. I’ve had bottle service at many clubs and I have to say this one was the worst because my crew constantly had to watch to see if anyone was sneaking into our area trying to steal a drink! One a good note our hostess was the best; attentive, right there to fill up mix, water, ice and bottles.

TIL is the type of venue to splurge and get bottle service especially for such an event as C & C.

I worked out so much dancing and going up the long flights of stairs to the washroom its no wonder girls sit and chill within the lovely white lounge area in the washroom. There was a hair straightener available to use for only $2 for two minutes!

I will say C & C are a must see. I simply love them and go whenever they come.

UPCOMING EVENT
Houseaddict presents: Jimpster
Saturday February 28 at Footwork Bar & Afterhours, Toronto
4-hour extended set!
Alongside Dirty Dale, Arsenault and irGO

Poppycock
Read my Poppycock blog on GayGuideToronto.com were I rant and rave all about the club scene and industry as a whole.

Keep in touch with Miss Raquel on Facebook and Twitter.