Blogtronik

Yep, it's been over a month....

2007-08-08T19:10:00.001-07:00

since I've posted anything. I've been in serious reflection mode for the last two months actually. In June, my employment with Propellerhead Software ended and I've also been knee deep in a ton of events (as evidenced by the events section - check it out).

Since then I've also been deeply thinking about directions, motivations, and what I think I should be doing with my time as Robtronik, Compression, and other things. Its been a great summer - I have to say that. I can't remember the last time I took so much time off from doing anything considered "proper" employment. Hm, maybe this is what it feels like to be European with their mandatory summer holiday vacations. :)

I can't say that I'm against such things. I think it is good for the soul and taking time to self reflect over a longer period of time has the great tendency to clear out the underbrush (or clear the cache - pick your preferred metaphor).

So, on what side of the isle have I landed? I can honestly say that I have a framework molded out, but now the hard work starts....

First off, Robtronik as a DJ is going away. Robtronik as a promoter, will be sticking around, however. When I DJ you will be seeing my real name out there: Robert Pointer. When events are being done by me, it will be Robtronik Presents: Compression.

I think it is time to separate the two so I can have more flexibility (given my history as a breakbeat zealot and my now rediscovered love of all things EDM related ... House, Techno, Tech House, etc.). And truth be told, it gets a little silly when I talk to people for the first time and I say: Hi, I'm Robtronik. I'm a bit older now and my gut tells me it's time to move on.

But from a promotional perspective (at least here in LA), "Robtronik" has a bit of brand value - and I'm growing older, but not stupid. I think that there is still value to that moniker and, for the most part, people know that an event that "Robtronik" is doing is quality (to the extent that I can).

Secondly, Compression is expanding. It will be an umbrella naming for other derivative events that branch off the techno mothership night (called, as you know, Compression!). So, this means the following:

1) Robtronik Presents: Compression - Techno baby. Yeah....
2) Compression Presents: VIDA - a night dedicated to the housier, happier, electronica sounding lifeforms.
3) Compression Presents: BLAK - a night dedicated to sensory deprivations and total immersion into the underground.

So on, and so forth. Diversity is key - and I really believe in a lot of the music coming out today in all its forms and its power to move a dancefloor. Without question, my experiences over the last year via Detroit Electronic Music Festival(s), Winter Music Conference in Miami, and of course my marathon sessions over in Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany have left a lasting and deep impression on me and what this music is really capable of.

I want to do more in Los Angeles and Southern California to see through that varied, interesting, and above all, intense experiences felt elsewhere in the world. I want to make it happen here as well.

Of course, cash flow is king, so I am in the process of finding the right kind of day job work locally to make sure I can eat! So, that happens first, then the full frontal assault on L.A.'s EDM possibilities will ensue...

Drop me a line in the comments. If anyone has ideas or even been through a similar thought process, I'd love to know your experiences and insight as well.

In the meantime, do yourself a favor and checkout Sunshine Jone's Sunday Soul Archive. This is some seriously good music put together in 3 hour plus sets.... http://sundaysoul.com/selected-archives/

Sick Retro Mixers from France.

2007-07-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hat tip to Sunshine Jones on finding these.

Rackmount

Portable

Going purely digital these days (with Torq and MP3s), I wonder (and hope?) something like this might add that extra puchiness and warmth? I use a Xone:92 these days anyway, so this is probably totally overkill - except if I am traveling and playing out. The 400 model seems like a good solution. I am also attracted to rotaries as well since the type of music I play these days lends itself well to layering and smooth mixing...

check'em out!

And what it means - on this 4th of July.

2007-07-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

President Calvin Coolidge remarks on our Declaration of Independence on its 150th anniversary back in 1926:

It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Police Raids in Berlin?

2007-07-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

Thread over at Discogs as reported by Adam X

As we sit for a few minutes Abdul Haaq who is the artist behind many labels and records covers out of Detroit and Suzi Wong come into the back room. Not understanding exactly what is going on I ask Suzi what the deal is. Abdul looks really upset and I tell him hey it feels like Robocop Detroit in here. A police officer waves his hands down to tell me not to speak. So I do just that when suddenly two cops come charging, then they proceed to aggressively pull me by both arms out of the club and Im not resisting them in anyway. That was some bullshit. I get searched really heavy outside the venue and I only have my New York State identification on me. It takes them 30 minutes to verify my ID before they let me go. Though I wasnt concerned about being arrested it was really hardcore to have cops in riot gear keeping me detained while pointing at me and speaking in a language I dont understand. Then one of the cops with his facist type hairdo tells me that this a known drug club. I proceed to tell him that some people take drugs and some dont in every place where music is played from a rock concert to any music club and that I saw no one taking, selling or asking for drugs at all in the club.

Interesting.

NOBODY LISTENS TO TECHNO - Cuidad Mag Blog Mention

2007-06-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

... there's been a techno resurgence in Los Angeles of late. I'm not talking about techno in the generic sense. People often use the word incorrectly, as if it's interchangeable with any kind of rave- or super-club-oriented music. It's not. Techno is a sub-genre of dance music, most-often affiliated with its '80s birthplace, Detroit, but also know for its evolution in Europe, particularly Frankfurt and Berlin. It is usually distinguished from similarly thumping house and trance music by its defiant minimalism, use of cymbal sounds and glitchy, bleepy, computer-crazed samples. Interestingly, Latinos have had a strong hand in the local resurgence. Angeleno DJs David Alvarado and John Tejada have become the West Coast's kings of techno and are actually more in demand in Europe than they are here (there's a bigger market for it there). Area parties, however, have created a vibrant place for them to play when they’re in town. Robert Pointer's Compression events at Latino-owned King King in Hollywood have Tejada and Luis Rosario as "resident" DJs.

Read the whole thing: Ciudad Mag Blog. Thanks to Dennis Romero of Danceblogga for dropping the good word!

Some Picts from Compression w/ Ryan Elliott - 6-22-07

2007-06-23T19:37:00.001-07:00

Thanks to those who came out!

Full Frontal - Sasha's Maven Controller

2007-06-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

Decent shot of Sasha's Maven controller - and its set up. This is from Rukes' site of pictures where he played at Vangaurd this last Saturday night.

All the rest of the picts are here:

http://photo.rukes.com/vanguard73/vanguard73.html

I love Derrick May.

2007-06-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

He's a straight shooter as far as I am concerned. He even laid it out for Los Angeles when I had him here last year for Compression in a YouTube interview overseas - and we are the better for it in many ways (i.e. we'll take that Pepsi challenge Derrick!). :) Good quote here from the interview you gotta read over at Resident Advisor:

Do you think you are as enthusiastic now as you've ever been?

Yeah, I'm fired up. Tonight I was really pissed off with my set. I made a couple of bad mixes. I'm exhausted and I know that, but I don't like to blame shit on my physical whatevers. I don't accept that from anybody else so I don't accept it from myself. But it just irked me that I wasn't able to finish off like I wanted to. So if I wasn't fired up, I wouldn't care about shit like that anymore. I'd just go through the motions and be Derrick May, make my money and go home. But I care. I really care. So I'm completely fired up in a different way because now my motivation is to stay on top of what I do. I'm not interested in conquering the world with this shit anymore. I just want to stay on top of what I do. Look out for mine and try to make things happen

Go read the whole thing.

http://www.residentadvisor.net/feature-read.aspx?id=823

Beatportal - Looks great.

2007-06-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

This looks like this new effort by Beatport may actually be an essential daily stop in my internet travels for news. I've been watching it for a week or so, and its really shaping up to have an editorial voice as well as links to information around the internet. Having an editorial voice that shapes the news is a good differentiator for what essentially is available in other forms elsewhere - so big ups to Beatport for adding more value to their store.

Disclaimer: I've been a fan of Beatport since they launched. :)

http://www.beatportal.com/

DEMF 2007 - Hardfloor live on the main stage

2007-05-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

These guys killed it! It was great being able to be on the main stage and get access to these guys. I have to tell you that Acperience is a seminal acid track for me from back in the early nineties. I was so happy to hear that live on their real 303's (of which they had 3 on stage with them, an older Yamaha sequencer (7000 model - RX?), etc. Enjoy.

DEMF - The Old Miami - Monday Morning after party with Dear, Elliott, Butane 5-27-07

2007-05-30T19:41:00.000-07:00

See if you can spot Hawtin in the first 20 seconds. Let me tell you, I was totally wasted at this party. I had 6 hours sleep in four days (since Friday), only 2 meals, and copius amounts of alcohol the night before to keep up with the party people. I'm not apologizing for it, but wow - talk about being stretched to the absolute limits of one's strengths. We were here until 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

I shouldn't have to say that when we left, I went back to the hotel and passed out.

Great party though. I had a fantastic time.

Visited Submerge Records Today

2007-05-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Gots crazy mad video that I'll post later (the tour!). Bought some Red Planet vinyl (some duplicates so I could preserve!), got a couple of mix CDs - and love the vibe. The House is sick that it is at. The record shop is in the bassment. Word.

'nuff said. Off to check Day Two at DEMF. (Btw, Aux88 killed it yesterday.)

Reborn and Redeemed at DEMF - Detroit.

2007-05-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

With the help of my cohorts Luis Rosario and James Bernard, I've settled on my new alter ego:

Robert Pointer.

Of course the funny thing is: That's my real name.

In some ways this break is similar to the evolution of my current Robtronik focus from pure breakbeat to techno science. I'm feeling the need to push and evolve my artistic side and seperate the promotional side as well.

That's my signature at the Submerge Record store in Detroit making the announcement at the Mekka of Techo. :)

Some advice for DEMF Attendees!

2007-05-24T15:20:00.003-07:00

As spotted on the 313 list again. Credit: Kent Williams. Hope to see some of you cats out there!

1. If you go to an afterparty and you're not parked right under a
streetlight on Woodward, park in a lot with an attendant. Trust me on
this.

2. Go to Submerge, and introduce yourself. Introduce yourself to
other shoppers. Watch out for Europeans on their first trip to Detroit
-- they're prone to swoon. Go upstairs to the Museum. Give T Linder
some crap if he's hanging around.

3. Eat breakfast at the Clique, at the Shorecrest, a few blocks south
of the Ren Cen.

4. If there's one night that none of the afterparties thrill you, hang
at the hotel and chill. This will keep you from being one of the
walking dead by Monday afternoon.

5. The most important night to hit an afterparty is Monday. Otherwise,
leaving the gates at Hart Plaza is so sad.

6. Figure you're going to spend $50 on water at the festival and stop
worrying about it. Filling an empty bottle in the bathrooms feels
really gross.

7. Don't bring in contraband, the Detroit cops are chill until they
aint and then they are your worst nightmare.

8. OTOH make a big bag of healthy treats, send in a friend, and pitch
the bag over the fence away from the gate and any security.

9. If you don't feel what you're hearing, move. It's always the case
that someone you never heard of is going to blow you away.

Moodyman Interview (aka Kenny Dixon)

2007-05-24T15:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/article_2728.shtml

Playing at DEMF of course. Best part, IMO:

This year's Movement has been labeled a "minimal festival" - how do you see yourself fitting in with that?
As long as it's in my city, I don't have to fit, they do.

Is there anyone playing who you want to see?
Everyone from Detroit.

What can we expect from your performance?
Me.

Remixed Cybotron's Clear - Mathew Jonson and Louderbach

2007-05-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to this one:

Cobblestone Jazz is Mathew Jonson's live techno project signed to Wagon Repair, while Louderbach is M_nus artist Troy Pierce and vocalist Gibby Miller. Troy Pierce told RA how he approached the remix: "I just broke it down to its essential elements, recreated them in a Louderbach way and changed the vibe of the lyrics from eighties spaceology to a modern day love song." "As far as the vocals went," adds Gibby Miller. "I knew off the bat we were going to make it darker - we can't help it – so I tried to use the lyrics to convey something else, something more desperate yet hopeful."

'Clear' tracklist

A1 Clear - Troy Pierce Clash remix
A2 Clear – Cobblestone Jazz remix
B1 Clear - Louderbach All This Space remix
B2 Clear - Cybotron original 1983 mix

'Clear (Remixes)' by Cybotron will be released on Juno Records on June 29th, 2007.

Sidestory where I get to drop names: Was supposed to have Troy Pierce play at Compression a few months ago while he was in town. We couldn't make it work due to scheduling conflicts, but in the process I got to meet and talk to Gibby who is a cool cat. He lives here in L.A. Mathew Jonson? Yeah, he's played Compression - but we've partied as well. 'Nuff said. [end name dropping]. ;)

Get to Submerge Records in Detroit this weekend.

2007-05-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

Going to DEMF? I am. Doing Compression Friday night, then headinf off to Detroit Saturday morning. Whoop! :)

But here is some tasty info as found on the 313 mailing list:

> I just wanted to remind everyone that the Submerge Store will have
> walk-in hours during this years DEMF!
>
> * Monday, May 21st - Thursday, May 24th: 10am - 6pm
> * Friday, May 25th: 10 am - 10pm
> * Saturday, May 26th - Sunday, May 27th: 10am - 7pm
> * Monday, May 28th: 12pm - 4pm
>
> 3000 E. Grand Blvd.
> Detroit, MI 48202
>
> There are TONS of restocks - including stuff you are not going to find
> on the website. Hope to see some of you down there!

Can't wait. I hope to take a bunch of videos and get them online like I did with my trip to Germany.

Xpansul - Performing Live

2007-05-22T19:12:00.001-07:00

This Friday Night. You know it! (Thanks for finding this Pedro!) :)

The Daily Swarm - New Music Blog/News Site

2007-05-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Got this note from a former co-worker from Napster (and URB originalist) Todd C. Roberts:

So, a few friends and I felt a bit industrious and set out to find a better, faster and stronger way to satisfy the need for information, quirky stories and fresh ideas about our corner of the planet.

Enter The Daily Swarm: NEWS FOR THE NEW BUSINESS OF MUSIC.

http://www.thedailyswarm.com

The Swarm founders and contributors include writers, editors and executives from all facets of media and the industry including Rolling Stone, Spin, Vibe, XXL, Vice, Village Voice, Urb, XLR8R, as well as various record labels, digital music services and tech companies. The Daily Swarm benefits from years of experience and insider knowledge, making it the definitive go-to source for news and information on music and culture.

Right now it's set to aggregate news from around the web, but watch out for breaking exclusives and features original to Swarm to start to trickle out.

Got a couple of stories there about Matthew Dear and DEMF. Cool!

Marketing value of a DJ?

2007-05-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that tag team DJ tours are on the rise (again). For instance, the One+One tour with Zabiela and Fanciulli - or the newly touring Sasha & Digweed. I wonder if this is because the tag teaming DJs are interested in creative pursuits or is there a need to double up to keep the value high for promoters who would book them?

From a U.S. perspective, is this indicative of a pro-active move against a possible slump in fees paid to DJs because of the weak dollar vs. the Euro (and everywhere else in the world it seems)?

This is a weak theory, but I'm throwing it out there for the heck of it. What good is a blog if you can't throw out random ideas on occasion anyway? ;)

One of the great things about human physical interaction

2007-05-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

..is that it tempers one's impulse to be dogmatic. I think this is because it is entirely one thing to call someone an "idiot" via a messageboard or email versus calling that person an "idiot" to their face. (I go to the extreme with the "idiot" example because this is where online arguments tend to drift almost without exception).

The interaction between humans when discussing an idea in person tends to, more often than not, build a natural compromise due to the (I think) natural need to appease/work together/co-exist in the face of a fellow human being. This is especially true when their is a risk of tension and escalation.

Obviously, some ignore that - and that is how physical fights start. But remove the human interaction entirely and go online and that natural counter-balance is removed and dogma rules the day.

And to our detriment I think. Just look at any message board that discusses anything of substance and it's clear how we've devolved with these new communication tools.

Chris Fortier's New Album - Coming to Compression in July!

2007-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.residentadvisor.net/news.aspx?id=8675

two years ago, Fortier surprised fans by revealing a new musical agenda on his mix CD 'Balance 007', bringing together René Breitbarth, D.Diggler and Mathew Jonson for a more techno-oriented take on dance music. As a producer, recently Fortier has been releasing tech house under the stealth alias 40oz, handing in rerubs of everyone from !!! to Alexkid to Alexi Delano. Look out for further surprises next month when he drops his first longplayer.

'As Long As The Moment Exists' was produced by Fortier over the course of 2006 and melds ambient electronica, 303 acid and dubby tech house. Is the album another "coming of age" release in the same vein as 'Balance 007'? "For sure, but I feel that way about every piece of music I create or any mixed album I do," Fortier told RA. "Like any artist album, it is a personal look into that artist so it is a reflection of all the influences and new directions I am going in as well as where I have been."

Coming to Compression in July. Don't miss this exclusive engagement.

Read the whole article: There is a link to a preview track from the album as well.

The Joys of Synthesis.

2007-05-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hat Tip: Create Digital Music

I used to watch 3-2-1 Contact when I was a kid and also got the magazine in the mail, if my memory serves me right. I used to love it. This is pretty cool - and another blast from the past.

Discovering Electronic Music Part 1

2007-05-14T19:01:00.001-07:00