Normal heat pumps make use of chemicals to modulate temperatures, in the future they may all use sound. A new French startup has announced they will sell a residential heat pump using acoustics. It’s not loud since the sound waves stay in the system to change the temperature, which also
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Things Are Good: Celebrate Silence for a Clear Mind
For a healthy body and mind one ought to embrace silence. It turns out that silence is really helpful for our minds and can bring health benefits. The research into how good silence is for us is still up and coming but the results are looking good! Indeed, silence is
Continue readingArt Threat: The outlaw love and godless gospel of roots rocker Rodney DeCroo
Albumn review, “Campfires on the Moon”, by Michael Nenonen. Rodney DeCroo’s latest album, “Campfires on the Moon,” reveals hidden faces. I’ll say more about that in a moment. “Campfires”, released by Tonic Records, is DeCroo’s seventh album (eighth if you count his 2012 spoken word album “Allegheny”, and you probably should).
Continue readingArt Threat: A soulful assemblage: A review of Come Worry with Us!
Come Worry With Us! is a film by Helene Klodawsky that follows Montreal-based band, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra on a North American tour. A collage-like documentary, the film highlights Jessica Moss and Efrim Menuck, bandmates, partners and parents to toddler-aged Ezra, who is traveling with the musicians. An
Continue readingArt Threat: Transform This: iconic Johnny Cash photo used to protest Saskatchewan university cuts
Things may soon be looking grim for many students and faculty at the University of Saskatchewan. The Saskatoon-based institution is looking to slash up to $25 million from its operating budget. In a restructuring process the administration has branded TransformUS, the UofS is currently determining “university priorities”, after which they
Continue readingArt Threat: Skinny Puppy bills US military for music use in torture
The U.S. military is using a Vancouver band’s music to torture prisoners at Guantanamo Bay — and the artists are working to make sure they pay for it. Electro-industrial act Skinny Puppy has learned through a former guard at Gitmo that inmates would be drowned in their unsettling sounds for
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Weekend Party Announcement- Carlos Souffront, Rennie Foster in Vancouver – 2013 BLOGCEMBER 30/31
Vancouver does have a few local standouts, however- one that has remained true to Vancouver is Rennie Foster. Foster is a fairly influential producer DJ that has mentored a lot of talent frequenting the best of the best in Berlin. Foster is headlining alongside Carlos Souffront- who hails from Detroit.
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Weekend DJ Feature: Steffi- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 22/31
I am going to write a series on sexism and the gender gap in electronic music sometime soon, but for now let’s just focus on the amazing female talent that exists. Some of the fresher faces like Maya Jane Coles are not cutting it for me. Coles is talented, just
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Weekend Party Announcement- Anthony Collins in Montañita, Ecuador – 2013 BLOGCEMBER 20/31
Part of my BLOGCEMBER 2013 series- the Theme is Electronic Music *** As always, let’s set the mood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLrdkk6dGOc (various artists) *** Anthony Collins isn’t one of my first choices but […]
Continue readingMelissa Fong: What is Resident Advisor?- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 19/31
One of the important things you should know is how to search for parties- especially if you are in a new city. Resident Advisor will list all the main parties at dedicated clubs. They will not usually list afterhours and will…
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Why you should choose weekday parties- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 18/31
I usually prefer going out on weekdays. In a big city- parties are offered on weekdays and they are often a lot better than the weekend parties. …
Continue readingMelissa Fong: When producers don’t know how to mix- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 17/31
One of the things that can be confusing is the difference between producing and mixing (and then associated style). As I already explained, NOT ALL DJs PRODUCE. Personally, I refuse to see Djs that don’t produce. Mostly because I approach these events as concerts- NOT just any other club night.
Continue readingMelissa Fong: What should you wear to a house/techno party?- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 16/31
GOOD PARTIES NEVER HAVE DRESS CODES. but MANY parties have dress THEMES. Some of the more organized parties will have costume themes and most people take part to collectively create a fantastical night. I never partake because I am joyless in that division- but I fully support the use of
Continue readingMelissa Fong: What is Boiler Room?- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 15/31
Other than a pretty meh movie from 2000, Boiler Room is like Electric Circus, but less about the go go dancing and more about the Dj. For those of you too young to remember ElectricCircus- thank goodness- it was cheesy and silly and you can just think of the Boiler
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Weekend DJ Feature: Deepchild- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 14/31
From quirky, stripped-back techno injected with soul to deep, dub-inflected excursions, Deepchild has earned himself a reputation as groundbreaking producer, respected DJ and electrifying live-performer. Based in Berlin, the Australian artist has performed at many of the world’s most respected electronic music institutions:
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Weekend Party Announcement- Guy Gerber in Toronto – 2013 BLOGCEMBER 13/31
Guy Gerber is probably one of my favourite Deep House Dj’s. Scratch that- he is my favourite. He performs way more in Ibiza (and Miami) that I would respect (I… have a hate-on for my fictional image of Ibiza), but he just creates such solid tracks. I also like his
Continue readingArt Threat: Pussy Riot to be released from jail, leaked amnesty bill suggests
Rumblings out of Russia point to a possible imminent release of jailed Pussy Riot members Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. According to Russian media reports, the Kremlin is planning to release 1,300 people from prison as part of an amnesty dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution. A
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Physicality of Djs- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 12/31
There are some Djs that have a great physical presence behind the decks- I’m not just talking about a “bounce” or a head bop that most Djs will indulge in:
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Why I don’t like outdoor music festivals- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 11/31
Outdoor festivals never have good dancing- it’s a mosh pit of drunk or drugged out people (aka- eff your overpriced, overpriced outdoor EDM Festival). Outdoor festivals don’t have optimal sound systems- open air spaces never properly contain the sound and part of the art of the music-event is to get
Continue readingMelissa Fong: What time do I go to a party?- 2013 BLOGCEMBER 10/31
This is probably the most important factor for me. There are typically anywhere in between 3-8 7 people on the bill for that night at your typical party with one room. I like to listen to a sample set of most of the Dj’s and decide which ones I want
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