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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!

I like you, why not like me on my Facebook Fan Page?

SEE YOU ON THE DANCEFLOOR!

Miss Raquel

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What you’re about to read is long but I felt I needed to share. My Month in Review has changed to The Drop, which will feature my opinions on what’s happening within your EMDS. I’ll still include my Video of The Month and Upcoming Event sections.

Pride Toronto 2011 was truly the Pride of my life. In 2009 and 2010 I hosted the Central stage — but nothing was as exciting as hosting not one but three Pride events this year.

All costumes/outfits I wore were courtesy of Stag Shop. All gift bags were supplied by my sponsors and affiliates: bpm:tv, Stag Shop, 519 Church, Cinelli Hair, City Sun Tanning Studio and Scenester Magazine.

Where The Wild Things Are

On July 1, I hosted Pride Toronto’s One World – Where the Wild Things Are charity event was for The 519 on Church Street, a community centre offering more than 250 programs within the LGBTTQ community. It was put on by the infamous Divers/Cité crew from Montreal.

I interviewed Deko-ze dressed as a white bird, and the lovely Ticky Ty dressed in her wildness. I then interviewed Jojo Flores for Scenester Channel on a residential street beside his limo, which he quickly left in en route to the airport. He’s so amazing — in person and on deck!

Also on deck were Addy, Greg Gow, and Shawn Riker. We attracted more than 7,000 people surpassing Pride’s total attendance on July 1.

There’s nothing like dancing outside under the stars to great music, dressed as a bumble bee and feeling perfectly comfortable.

Dirty Disco

On Sunday July 3 I hosted Pride Toronto’s Dirty Disco Collective at the Labatt’s South Stage, the largest and most popular stage of the festival (sponsored by Bud Light).

At one moment, standing on stage in front of approximately 2,000 people, I remember saying to myself, “Holy shit girl! You’re on this stage!” I’m so thankful for this experience, and to all who came and experienced Dirty Disco.

Costume number one for the event was a fascinator with a matching PVC black and red dress. For costume number two, I wore fishnet stockings with PVC shorts and tank top underneath a silver sequined cloak draping to my feet, where I sported silver-sequined six-inch boots.

I opened the stage, introducing Lady Blacktronica, followed by Neill MacLeod, Chiclet, TK, and Don Berns, a.k.a. Dr. Trance.

My Scenester crew Adele Desloges and Jayson Brown shot the whole event for Scenester Channel, capturing the DJs listed above, as well as Robb G, Deko-ze, CoCo Cognac Brown, Jelo, Addy and Sydney Blu. I was assisted by my crew Lauren Tully, Erin Keating, and Samhouse, who will post a review in Scenester Magazine later this month.

Tom Stephan a.k.a. Superchumbo

The last leg of my Pride tour was on Monday July 4 hosting Deko-ze Presents: Pride Edition of Come Get Your Fcukin’ Beats with Tom Stephan (Superchumbo) at CZ.

I didn’t pay no mind to the four bicycle cops who came in with their flashlights a-blazing due to a noise complaint, which was sorted and the party carried on — but not before the crowd cheered in unison as the police left.

Stephan had me dancing non-stop for four hours! I only took breaks to use the loo. I enjoyed his set, but his multiple build-ups didn’t deliver come the breakdowns. And he only teased us with one line of “Dirty Filthy,” and didn’t drop this infamous track of his. Nonetheless, he dropped bomb after bomb and delivered different and joyful sounds.

Deko-ze, Sumation, Josh Karmin, Neill MacLeod, Nick Bertossi, and Rochester’s Jon Herbert delivered beats that were fresh to my ears. My aching thighs and feet were proof of their musical workout.

Pride of My Life

Read why Pride has always been a part of my life in Poppycock! on GayGuideToronto.com.

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.”

Read Miss Raquel – Woman of the Hour on GGT

Video Pick of the Month

Tiësto featuring Maxi Jazz, Dance4Life (Black Hole Recordings)

Scenester Channel

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

Upcoming Event

Friday July 15

The Timewriter (8Bit, Plastic City, Germany) / With Matt Coleridge

Fabricated 2-Year Anniversary

Cover: $10 in advance at gettickets.ca. More at the door.

Doors: 10pm / 19+

Stone Lounge, 783 College Street (Below Revival), Toronto, ON

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

NEW FEATURE: MISS RAQUEL’S VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH – CHECK IT OUT BELOW!

#winning – Not!

Charlie Sheen’s Social Media Intern Tiger Blood competition has been victoriously running for a month in search of the one who will keep Charlie Sheen “#winning” within our ever changing social media sphere.

I made it to round 3 where I had to answer one of three questions in becoming Charlie Sheen’s #TigerBloodIntern. It had to be two minutes or less and my answer had to be filmed.

I answered the question “In your opinion, what is the best company using social media today and why?”

I wasn’t in the 250 who made it, but I tried with all my tiger blood. And I will continue #winning in all I do! I wish all those in the running the best of luck! Go get ‘em Tiger!

Mario Ochoa – Dolce Social Ballroom, Toronto, ON

I was a host of Columbian DJ/producer Mario Ochoa’s night with Evan G and Bassline Jack at Toronto’s fancy-pantsy Dolce. This was Evan G’s night as I felt he brought nice, bouncy and sexy beats to the dancefloor.

This is the first club I’ve been to that had washroom attendants who showed me to an available washroom. Upon first arriving at the washroom the door looks to be a glass window which you can see through. The attendant then told me to ensure I lock the door once I’m inside; by doing this the door’s once see-through glass  turned into a frosted glass which was no longer see-through.

The washroom was so nice it was like being in my own. It had pictures on the wall, a stylish sink and white cloth towels. No paper brown towels or hand dryer here, only freshly white towels to dry my hands with. Not many venues can afford or would want to offer white towels that they would have to clean after every weekend.

I’ve hosted many events at many clubs but this one was my worst; I only had one person on my guestlist. I know why: my awesome peeps are more underground, don’t care for the VIP bull, and don’t mind brown paper towels.

Fabricated Presents Neil Quigley – Stone Lounge, Toronto, ON

The long-running Fabricated crew focuses on underground house, tech house, and techno events. Their Fabricated Fridays at Stone Lounge (located in Toronto’s Little Italy) is the perfect place to dance and for musical inspiration.

March they booked UK’s Neil Quigley with Fabricated resident Matt Coleridge. Quigley brought his brand of deep, tech house and ‘electronic house with soul’. If you missed him then you can hear him on his recent mix compilation for Renaissance.

Quigley’s early mixes were so revered that when one fell into the hands of John Digweed, the result was a residency alongside him at his world-famous Bedrock parties.

You definitely have to check a Fabricated party. And Stone Lounge plays electronica on occasion; after all, we shot the show there!

Scenester Channel @ the DBR Recordings Launch

Follow me into the launch of DBR Recordings as I interview MC Flipside, Hatiras, Robb G and Nick Cenik.

Watch DBR Recordings Launch

UPCOMING EVENT:

Toute la Nuit l Overnight – Samedi 16 Avril l Saturday April 16

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

Stereo Nightclub 858 Ste Catherine E, Montreal, QC H2L 2E3

I’ll be in attendance at this great event at this fantastic nightclub! Be sure to come join me and say “HI”!

stereonightclub.net

VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH

My monthly video picks are classic throwback to current vids which I find to be creative, unique, risqué, different — even sexy! Either way I find them to be great eye candy.

My March pick is a competitive 1997 throwback vid featuring Sofia Coppola:  The Chemical Brothers, Electrobank (Virgin Music Canada)

See you on the dancefloor!

Miss Raquel

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.