August 27th, 2010 - Rainbow Dreams

RD4 in Review

By MTT

Photos & Video By M. Coghlan

We got to the Beauty Bar early, gazing at the strangely deserted underpass street. Shortly afterwards, the dj's trickled in: Los Bermanos, Mr. G and D. Clapp. The Beauty Bar was actually filled with random bits of sound equipment ... a subwoofer there, a prehistoric cd player here, a slab of sharp glass under the turntable which could automatically hari-kari any dj that got too close. Despite this the Rainbow Dreams team managed to fashion a fearsome frankenstein soundsystem out of all these different parts ... and then, they retrofitted D. Clapp's speakers, for good measure.

Los Bermanon, Marco Tulio Thrash (Live), Mr. G. & D.Clapp Live @ RD4 (8-7-10)

(almost 5 hours!)

(more...)

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August 5th, 2010 - Event

Rainbow Dreams Quattro!

For this installment we have special guest Marco Tulio Thrash performing a very special LIVE set (a Rainbow Dreams first), as well as Mr. G droppin' the heat. We will also have new interactive visuals (in the form on an old-school overhead projector and dry-erase markers). Sweet! See you there.

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July 14th, 2010 - Event

RD3 Up In Here!

Come cool off at Rainbow Dreams #3 (it's beginning to look like a TRIPLE RAINBOW!)...Yeah! Residents Los Bermanos (Jeremy y Lara Berman), D.Clapp and special guest Mr. G. will be droppin' the proverbial heat. Expect the same great vibe and maybe even an exclusive track or two. Word!

ALSO, we splurged a bit last week and procured a new portable digital recorder (Zoom H4N FTW!), so we may actually make good on our long-overdue promise of actually recording the night...Stay tuned!

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June 16th, 2010 - Event

Me! @ Kiss & Tell tongiht w/ Mike Huckaby

TONIGHT! Should be a good one.

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June 13th, 2010 - Review

Review: Steve Summers – Lucid Fingers EP

Soapism's resident reviewer, Marco Tulio Thrash, takes a look at Steve Summers' new release on Echovolt. Thanks MTT!

Steve Summers is another facette of producer Jason Letkiewicz's musical world about whom you can read more at the very clear and to the point confusedhouse.org website. During a recent interview, Lietkiewicz briefly and cautiously summed up the Steve Summers sound as "early chicago influenced house tracks". I am so grateful for this description because I'm ashamed to say I am completely illiterate when it comes to house music.

His latest release for Echovolt Records opens with trigger happy snares and claps before a totally bumptious bassline kicks in. Soon after, a languorous seductress slips into her negligé in the form of a silky lead melody. The 16 beat hi-hats maintain the energy until an 'electronic adventurer' - style melody comes in to supplant the initial seductress. That pretty much sums up the EP opener "Lucid Fingers".

"Deep Necking" is the other cut on the A-side. This is a more subdued jam with tingling percussives and a less manic drum machine allowing only for infrequent rhythm flourishes. In the background, a meandering snake charms around the mysterious temple ruins.

On to the B-side, where further pleasures await. "Seeing Things" is definitely a house track (not that I'd know any better) but there is something in its relentless and intoxicating hook that makes me think of 80's pop and new wave.

"What Do You Think You Feel" revisits the languid seductress again, but this time it feels like walking into a human wreck during a sunny morning in some abandoned house taken over by nature. The ebb and flow swathes catch the breeze while 'on-even-keel' toms negotiate the debris from elsewhere.

This record is so good, like a hearty risotto paired with the perfect wine. The flavor stays in your mind long after it has left your mouth. It paralyses you in the moment, so all that you can do is bask in the full sound. Your mind in bliss, arms flail in abandon.

In this EP, Steve Summers opens countless minds and lifts the collective weary soul. He's welcome at my house any time and something tells he'll be welcome at yours too.

Hear some samples and buy:

Echovolt Records

Confused House

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May 15th, 2010 - Event

Rainbow Dreams #2

If you were lucky enough to make it out to the inaugural Rainbow Dreams party, then you know what's up and most likely already have Friday, May 21st circled in lipstick on your Robots of the U.S.S.R. calendar. If not, read this write up.

This go-round we welcome guest DJ (and master of the Thing) Frantz, along with regulars D. Clapp and Lara Berman. ALSO, Factory Aire will be reuniting especially for this night. Rad!

Expect the good vibes.

Brooklyn Dreams - Street Man || Millennium - 1978

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April 6th, 2010 - Minimal Synth

Meet Marco Tulio Thrash

MTT is a long time Soapism friend and fav. His music is one-part minimal wave, one part electro-pop, served on a bed of sci-fi. Great song writing and very imaginative.

Check out his blog here.

Check out his CBS-turned-IFM show here.

Oh, and download these dope track:

Marco Tulio Thrash - This Day Is Done (Demo)

Marco Tulio Thrash - Anyday (Demo)

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March 10th, 2010 - Mixage

Drunkin’ Mix For A Freind

We haven't posted a mix in a while, and for that, we are sorry. Please accept this Drunkin' Mix For A Freind as an apology.

Yes, we realize that "Freind" is misspelled, but it kinda fits in with he whole drukin' theme, so we kept it.

Drunkin' Mix For A Freind - Tracklist:

1. Escape From New York - Fire In My Heart || Rollerball - 1984
2. Propaganda - Frozen Faces || ZZT - 1985
3. George G. - Ibiza || Fuori Di Testi - 1984
4. Steve Davil - Shake Me Up || Eyes - 1984
5. The Movement - Movement || ZYX - 1986
6. Mel & Kim - Showing Out || Polydor - 1986
7. East Wall - Ice Of Fire || Elettrica Dischi - 1991
8. Sharpe & Numan - Change Your Mind || Polydor - 1985
9. Scala - Macchina Nera || Epic - 1985
10. 400 Blows - Movin' || Illuminated - 1985
11. Elitechnique - Munich Emotions || Clone - 2008
12. Ganymed - Future World || Bellaphon - 1979
13. Supermax - Spooky || Elektra - 1980

Soapism Mix - Drunkin' Mix For A Freind

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February 17th, 2010 - Event

This Friday – The Wet Set #4

Yes, the rumors are true... Factory Aire is now a bi-costal duo. What's this mean for you? Nothing really, other than the fact every time we reunite there is going to be a massive cosmic-level celebration of awesomeness. Are you awesome enough to handle it? Let's find out...

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