(By That One Guy)

For those that don’t keep up with electronic music nerdery on the Internets, “blog house” is a term invented in February of last year on a certain DJ message board to derisively describe the not quite electro, not quite house, not quite techno, and, some would say, not quite danceable brand of dance music being produced at the time by the likes of Ed Banger and other assorted Francophiliac hangers-on championed on music blogs like Discobelle, Fluokids, and Big Stereo. For those, some would say, grouchy purists, this was dance music created for the Hot Topic generation, a movement destined to exist via disposable crappy sounding mp3s played through computer speakers by people who might never see the inside of a real dance club.

Over a year later, many of the negative connotations have been removed, and a great deal of the focus has shifted to L.A. and Australia, but “blog house” stills gets thrown around to peg that “I know it when I hear it” tech-y, electro-y, house-y style that makes the crazy kids in $100 dollar t-shirts jump up and down and spill their beers. “What a fascinatingly succinct encapsulation of blog house,” you might say. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot, but I started reading this expecting a review of the new Disqo Disco mix, not a cut-rate Wikipedia entry.” Fair enough, but if someone asked me for an example of what blog house sounds like and where it is in April 2008, I would be quick to point them in the direction of the first 2/3 of this mix.

Disqo Disco Vol. I is mostly a collection of Internet hits from the past few months, featuring blog house (i.e. Calvin Harris and Revolte), blog house remixes of indie rock (i.e. The Twelve remixing Asobi Seksu and Black Kids), blog house remixes of blog house (i.e. Breakbot remix of PNAU and Bag Raiders remix of Bag Raiders), and lots of Australians, all mixed by guys in a band from Dallas. This is dance music democratized and torn free from the culture centers of New York and Ibiza-- it’s a little sloppy, it’s a little noisy, and you probably won’t be compelled to listen to it more than once. But then again, it’s really fun and probably sounds great if you’re drunk and squeezed up next to a sweaty body on the cramped dance floor of a bar. Basically, it’s everything that is good/bad about this whole scene. That’s just the first forty minutes, though.

Around about the time “Disqo Disco, Vol. 1” gets to blog house forerunner Alan Braxe’s remix of Annie’s “Heartbeat,” things take a far more interesting and unpredictable turn in to a nice run of spacey disco tunes by the likes of Supermax, Giorgio Moroder, and Roxy Music cover girl Amanda Lear. Finish things off with a sex disco classic, “More, More, More,” and some Electric Light Orchestra, and you have the fine ending to a night on the tiles. It would have been really interesting to hear these and other similar tracks incorporated throughout the mix, and it seems like a missed opportunity to draw the lines that link these genres of dance music together. Maybe the dance floor isn’t for learning, though. Best blog house mix I’ve heard this week? No. Interesting enough to make me go to Fallout Lounge and see these guys up close and personal in the communal environs dance music was made for? Definitely.

(Disqo Disco spins every Tuesday night at Fallout Lounge)

arrogance, huh? how about this:

i am in charge of the night, and i like having friends come and dj with us. i'm not trying to impress anybody with my skills (or obvious lack-thereof) or the skills of my guests (but they always impress me). my purpose for the night is to have fun with friends, and if people like that, which most of the people that go seem to have at least a decent time, then so be it. the night is still new, and the only outcome i've seen from a constant rotation of guests has been positive. It won't be the norm here in a couple of weeks, as we're just trying to get a diverse group of people that support different area DJs inside to see what we have to offer.

besides, i take everything way too far. learn that!

Is this some kind of a joke? I applaud when there is talented guest dj's but the person in charge of this night needs to learn about arrogance. You can only go so far with it. Learn that!

Tommyboy, I responded to your email about your mix, ps.

not trying to be a pap smear here, but I need to "Big Up" myself and post a compendium on the whole disco thing that seems to be the buzz word at the moment. You all don't know me, nor I you, but i am "Djing" next week at Disqo Disco. I am because
A) Sean invited me to

B) I feel strongly about Dallas having an opportunity to hear other dj's perspectives on dance/disco/etc

C) I appreciate the open forum/clean slate that these guys are brining to the scene. It's a Tuesday and kids want to get down and dance. What more could you ask for.

It's refreshing to see such drive and vigor in people who are obviously just trying to get out there, do something, and learn in the process. If I never have to listen to another pompous, arrogant, close mined DJ again, that'd be fine with me. If you really need to here a "real DJ", I think Ghostbar has Tommy Lee, go there!

In the meantime, since WeShotJr prides itself on underground sounds and promoting the scene within. Allow me to contribute my audio essay on the nature of disco and dance. Get you fix w/ my mix:

tommyboy - automatic loverboy mix

http://www.divshare.com/direct/4188483-78f.mp3

until we bite again

tb

>>No one dances anymore, it seems, unless its The Party<<

i take it you haven't been to fever

your editing is AMAZING

Thanks for the compliment, but I merely edited this piece. It was written by one of our new contributors, That One Guy. Glad you enjoyed it.

Not knowing or caring anything about electronic music, this was an enjoyable and educational read.
stonedranger, you continue to humor my senses with intelligence.

as long as everyone is stating their opinion, FUCK THAT

if you ask me, (which no one did, but heres my opinion along with everyone else's self-important opinions) i can respect disqo disco for a couple of reasons. 1) they aren't trying to pretend like they are doing anything amazing or different. They are pretty straightforward and don't expect anyone to praise them for what they are doing. 2) They are getting people to dance...and on a Tuesday night at that. No one dances anymore, it seems, unless its The Party (not a diss at The Party...I go, I dance, I enjoy it.)
I say take it for what it is and go dance.

hmmm..

no offense but here's an insult.

none taken sir.

"selecting" and "spinning" not djing? thats like "... thats how long we've been "giving blowjobs to other dudes" and "playing with their assholes." Again, no homo." no offense but you sound like a total jackass.

Yeh you guys should check his night out. Sound isn't amazing as it generally is with fallout but people seem eager to dance, which is essentially what a dance music night should be about right?

this is why we don't think of ourselves as DJs, guys. We're really just having fun at this point while we take in our surroundings and learn from the talented people around us. Disqo Disco is little more than a month old tonight, and that's basically how long we've been "selecting" and "spinning". Again, not DJing.

Thanks for the review, we appreciate any type of feedback.

Yeah, I downloaded this to listen to at work.

Big "ehhhh".