FRESH

BASSment Beats! @ Cash Club

Jesse — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:50:48 +0000

DJ Nimbus has been really busy as of late, spinning at places like Yu Club and most recently Pulp Space (the old CASH club). And he’s putting together a nice night of bass heavy beats this weekend. Should be fun!

Click here for more details.

Introducing…DJ Nimbus! + Interview

Jesse — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:47:59 +0000

We are happy to announce the latest addition to our crew (and our first 4/4 jockey) … DJ Nimbus. From the very beginning, he has impressed us with his skills behind the decks. Nimbus spins a wide variety of tunes and styles, and keeps our sound system tight and crisp with his scientifically sonic skills. Check out his profile page here. And now for the interview…

Tell us a bit about yourself…

When I’m not being Mr Cool behind the decks I’m a bit of tech nerd haha! My work is also my hobby.. I’m either fixing something, building something or designing something. I have worked with a few audio and DJ gear companies her in China over the last two years, helping to fine tune some great new products, and I have made a few small inventions of my own. I guess I have been tinkering with gear that makes noise for so long that I finally found a use for it (besides driving my girlfriend crazy!)

How’d you get your DJ name?

Well my friend came up with it when I opened my own nightclub back in 2001. Basically we had all worked very hard to create a very large, up-market, euro-style club… and no one wanted the resident DJ to be called “DJ Swampy”! So, the club was called Altitude… and the name Nimbus was born. How I got the nickname “Swampy” is a totally different subject!!!

What is the best DJing experience you’ve ever had?

That’s an easy one… it was the first month Club Altitude had opened, and it was the first club of its kind in the whole region. There were over 1200 people jammed in the main room, and because we had been open for a month already the crowd was really getting to understand the new style of music. There was one night in particular I dropped an old whitelabel from Underworld… It was called “born slippy” and the whole place just went nuts. Everyone,and I mean every single person, staff included, were jumping up and down to the beat, everyone, together as if they were all connected in one mind of emotion. It was that moment I realized I could never stop being a DJ for anything, ever!

What’s your favorite venue for DJing in Shenzhen?

Over all my favorite place to play is at the beach events at Dameisha, or Qichong. There is something special about playing out in the sun, wind and even the rain. I love being in the middle of a set when the sun rises.

What’s the best Fresh party you’ve ever been a part of?

The most recent ‘Deep underground’ party was PHAT! It was great being able to get down and dirty! But to be honest I didn’t even DJ at my favorite gig. That one was last year at PLUSH bar, with the OldsKool Hiphop party… the place was jumpin’!!!

Who are your favorite DJs?

Norman Cook has always been my inspiration as a DJ. I still hear hear is influence in my sets after 20 years of funking things up.

What does it take to be a good DJ?

Each DJ will have a different view of what makes a DJ good. To me a good DJ is someone who can develop a unique sound for them selves, and can develop that sound to work in different environments and with different crowds. You can’t always please everyone, but a good DJ will never offend anyone with his music if he/she chooses carefully and reads the crowd well.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Well, this year looks like it will be busy, with bookings and double bookings piling up all over Shenzhen. Keep an eye out for new developments in Futian. I hope to return to my own sound with the help of some very smart people up at Yu Club. There are a few clubs trying to support our music now, so we all have to make an effort to go and support the places that support the true craft of DJing!

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Check out his latest mixes here:

Pep Love Interview

Jesse — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:47:05 +0000

Pep Love in Fresno in 2009 © Jesse Warren

Pep Love is one of the most respected rappers in hip hop (as well as a personal favorite). Hailing from Oakland California, he made a big impact on the underground circuit as a member of the legendary Hieroglyphics crew, and especially with his solo album Ascension which I found incredibly inspiring. Now with his new album Rigmarole just released (listen/buy here), he is back in the spotlight. It’s a solid effort of dope beats and especially rhymes that you can expect from Pep (review coming soon). We had a chance to interview him about the new album, among other things. Check it out…

What’s the origin and meaning of ‘Pep Love’?

Pep comes from my attributes: Purpose – Expressed – Poetically. There have been other rappers and DJ’s with the word “love” in their names that came before me.

What’s your favorite song off this new album and why?

There is a song entitled Reflections that quite poignantly illustrates certain things personal to me that give me a sensation when I hear the song. But I wouldn’t characterize it as being my favorite song on the album.

What role if any do you play in the beat making process – and what influences your selection of beats?

I make beats. I listen to records and chop and loop samples. I didn’t make any of the beats on this album, but I was definitely involved. As far as what influenced the selection of music for this album; it was more about a certain feeling of putting forward a workman type effort that expresses the concept of the rigmarole in musical form. Gritty but vibed out at the same time. No fancy dancey type music on this record.

You seem like a spiritual dude. How do you balance that in a hip hop/street culture that values being hard and tough?

I’m more of a hip hop dude than anything. So hip hop is my spirituality or at least an avenue towards it. Creativity and artful expression is why I love music in the first place. And my goal is to be a pioneer in the culture so I don’t have to worry about trying to be cool or hip because I’m trying to be the best and blaze a trail. And its seems to me that the supposedly hard and tough rappers are more spiritual than I am because you always see them with crosses and Jesus pieces around their necks. Not the kid…

With respect to your privacy, what has been going on in the years since Ascension?

The Rigmarole…Hahahaha…I’ve been dealing with the realities of trying to create and trying to make my songs pay.

Who’s your favorite artist/rapper at the moment? Are you listening to any non hip hop?

I don’t have a favorite. If you want to know what I listen to, log on to www.hieroglyphics.com and check out my blog where I will be posting links to my latest free playlist/mixtapes bi-monthly under Pep Love on the homepage.

You’re stuck on a desert island for life. Which 3 albums would you take with you?

Songs in the Key Life – Stevie Wonder

Fantastic – Slum Village

Rigmarole – Pep Love

How was the tour with Rebelution, and did you learn anything on this tour?

It was great! I always learn something new on every show. I learn how to better apply myself to my music every time I have an opportunity to practice my craft. This is why opportunities like a tour with a band the magnitude of Rebelution are fundamentally enlightening for me…

What are your thoughts on China and Chinese culture? (we are based in China)

I would have to say that I don’t know a lot but I am interested to know more.

Any advice for aspiring hip hop musicians/rappers?

Keep your bond with other artists strong and don’t worry about having everyone like your music or like you. Do it from the heart and with persistent passion. Spend as little time as possible around the other people that don’t actually create but act as authorities or gatekeepers in the music business. I’m talking about the record company people and the booking agents and the publicists and the promoters. They can all be your friends, but from a distance. Don’t allow their perspective to poison your creative perspective.

What can we expect from Pep Love in the near future?

More music and infinite growth…My continued quest for the best!

Pep Love in Fresno in 2009 @ Jesse Warren

Quest + CEO @ That’s PRD Urban Showcase

Jesse — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:58:18 +0000

Psyched to be spinning a few sets at the upcoming That’s PRD Urban Showcase. First time to play out in Shekou in nearly 3 years! Watch out for some old school hip hop coming your way…

Also looking forward to MC Facavie and DJ Fatkit from Guangzhou. Here’s an article featuring them (among others) in the latest issue of That’s PRD mag.

Click here for event details.

deep, vol 2 photos.

Jesse — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:24:41 +0000

Another fun night of deep dnb/dubstep/hiphop at little india in coco. Thanks to Pramod for hosting, Kris for the live didgeridoo action, CEO for the rugged hip hop, Nimbus for the late night dubstep surprise, and all else who lent a hand. Had a blast and hope you did too, here are some pics!

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Fresh supports: Evil Nine @ Pulp Space

Jesse — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:53:00 +0000

DJ Rose is doing very good things over at his new Pulp Space club, so we though to give them a shout out.

Especially with this weekends gig featuring Evil Nine from the UK. They play a very unique brand or breakbeat music and are celebrating the launch of their new label called For Lovers.

Should be a good night, check out the details here.

PHOTOS: 80s Dongmen Massive

Jesse — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:44:16 +0000

Thanks to all who came to the massive last weekend. I liked the space and I hope you did too. Next party will be our 2nd annual “deep” installment. Should be good! We’ll be giving another pair of Skullcandy headphones away to a lucky winner on the newsletter list, so if you’re interested, send an email here to sign up and qualify. Stay tuned…

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Free Songs: Beautiful Music by Beautiful Women

Jesse — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:19:56 +0000

To celebrate Women’s Day we’d like to share two free downloads with you by female artists.

First up is a beautiful tribute by rapper Akua Naru – she raps about the female rappers that inspired her. It’s got one of the smoothest beats ever paired with her buttery smooth delivery = nothing but win. You can listen and download for free below.

Next up is a female emcee/singer Cha Cha from China who teamed up with DJ Wordy and Soulspeak for a short EP. She sings in both English and Chinese, and it’s very reminiscent of Tricky/Portishead/etc. And I don’t think you can do any wrong with a cute Chinese gal with a taste for reggae music!

Highly recommend you download the EP for free and enjoy! See below…

80s Dongmen Massive

Jesse — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:07:30 +0000

Every year when March comes around, my good friend Kyle asks for a birthday bash. I am honored, as I love throwing a good party almost as much as anything else in life!

After doing a lesbian bar and an old school hip hop bash, this time he requested the 80s. I thought that would fuse perfectly with one other concept: DONGMEN. The 80s and Dongmen go hand in hand, don’t they?

Therefore, we present to you: 80s Dongmen Massive! Saturday, March 10th at Colors Bar in Dongmen!

Classic tunes from the 80s along with a Dongmen dress code, and more…

Click here for more details.

Free Mix: Destination Hong Kong by T.H.U.G.

Jesse — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:03:44 +0000

I tend to go through phases with mixes. One month I’ll always be rocking one, the next month it’ll be another.

This month it’s definitely this liquid drum & bass mix by T.H.U.G., a new DJ in Hong Kong. He blends some of the smoothest dnb songs imaginable. And my destination for tomorrow night is definitely Hong Kong! As LTJ Bukem and Conrad will be making their annual appearance at Hyde.

Check out the mix below, and download it for free! And stay tuned for free mixes from Fresh artists, coming soon.