>>_DOUBLE WHAMMY

Not the best day...Not only did my (XFN Friendly) boyfriend leave for a week-long business trip, but just as I finished getting ready for tonight's gig in Sacramento I get a call telling me turnout is low, and asking if would I mind not coming out to save some costs.

Of course, I agree. I'm nice like that. It's hard putting on an event these days and I can't help but sympathize. Even as I spoke with San Francisco's Top 10 DJs as I interviewed them for :CODE television last week they all agreed on two things: (1) You need to work long and hard to make it as a DJ, and (2) The scene is bad, bad, bad right now.

>>_THE MIND BEHIND THE MUSIC

This weekend I'll be meeting with an academic friend getting her Ph.D. in Musicology at UCLA, she's been studying (and teaching) the musicology and history of electronic music for some time, and has come to town to study some of my sets and observe classes at norcalDJMPA.

This week the academia of DJing got widespread attention from the media (CNN, NPR & many more) from a press release on scratch instruction at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. In addition to his accomplishments in getting this class added to the Berklee curriculum, featured instructor Stephen Webber (possibly along with DJ Radar) is the creator of a scratch notation system allowing turntablists to permanently note, recreate, and potentiall share their turntable compositions.

In speaking with other instructors at norcalDJMPA recently, I learned there are actually two types of scratch notation in use--Webber's and a second method called Turntablist Transcription Method (TTM), co-created by John Carluccio, Ehtan Imboden and Raymond Pirtle. As the norcalDJMPA scratch instructor explained to me, the TTM method is superior to Webber's. While Webber's system is based on traditional drum notation, simply marking the "hit" of each scrach on a traditional staff, the TTM system uses a staff that works on both the horizonal and vertical axis, allowing the composer to notate not only the moment the "hit" of each scratch, but also the velocity, duration and direction (forward or reverse) of the scratch.

>>_VOICE BEHIND THE MUSIC

For those of you who have been asking if I'm the voice on my recent track--the answer is no. That's the voice of the marvelous Heather, who along with Brett are the voices of Karmacoda. If you'd like, check out the original song...

Whatwithall
From the Karmacoda CD, "Evidence"

>>_SISTER AT WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE

For four years Sister SF, Sister NYC, and Sister SEA have showcased some of the biggest female artists in the United States and Europe during the Winter Music Conference in Miami, FL. This year we make no exception.

Sisters Unite IV
Sunday, March 7th at Winter Music Conference, Miami

>>_NOW HEAR THIS

Please take a moment to enjoy this remix track sample, which I have produced along with Russ Arteaga.

Listen here
Your Love [Whatwithall] (sample)

The full track will be one of ten remixes featured on the forthcoming Karmacoda remix compilation, benefitting the San Francisco Late Night Coalition (SFLNC). The compilation CD will be released later in 2004.

>>_SISTER CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

Sister SF is seeking a female VJ (that's "V" as in video). If you are, or know, a female VJ with some gear, material and motivation please drop me a line.

Sister SF is also excited to announce one new resident vocalist and two new interns. Welcome to Bay Area legendary vocalist Audio Angel and interns J-Fi and Carolyn.

>>_:CODE TELEVISION TO EXPAND

:CODE television is looking to grow the team, making the Bay Area's best nightlife and electronic music television. If you'd like to be interviewed, please write me and let me know the skills you have to bring to this hardworking team. Video production or nightlife promotion experience a plus, but not required.

And, don't forget, we're taping at Nitevibe's Dreamteam event this Wednesday, February 18th at Ruby Skye.

>>_BRAIN RINSE

After seven years, my brain has reached a temporary over-saturation point with electronic music. I'm wondering, what is new under the sun? No downtempo, no house, no techno, no breaks. Like, gimme a second here, people.

In order to refresh both my musical perspective and mixing horizons, two of my recent sets have been in a "no rules" style. Packing records I like, regardless of style or potential beatmatching, I drop them as instinct tells me. Bill Withers to Heart. Black Sabbath to Sasha. The fun thing is finding the fit for record #1 and record #2 on-the-fly -- and it's usually there.

For more DJing the "no rules" style, check out DJ Maru.

Thanks to a friend for the following haiku:

Majestic Amber
Commands the decks with two hands
Brings crowds to their knees

>>_NEW :CODE AIRTIMES & TAPINGS

Episode 3 featuring Jerry Bonham, Ms. E, Praxis and Mark Popple is on
the air on BTV Channel 28 in Berkeley:

+ Tue 02/10/04 08:30 PM
+ Fri 02/13/04 06:00 PM
+ Sat 02/14/04 06:30 PM
+ Sun 02/15/04 08:30 PM

The :CODEtv crew will taping live at these two events. See you there!

Friday 02.06.04: taping at Beatmatch.
Mezzanine, 444 Jesse (at Mint)/SF

Wednesday 02.18.04:taping at Dreamteam, presented by Nitevibe.
Ruby Skye, 420 Mason Street/SF