Seasonal Tunes Mix Series Vol. 11 "spring 2012"

YAWWWWWN!... This guy has been hibernating! Spring has officially sprung and I'm back to give you a taste of some of my favorite tunes from the past 6 months or so. Apologies for my dormant nature during the winter time. I was finding myself in front of my turntables less and less, but after a new mixer purchase (Rane Empath) and a new living room arrangement I've been much more active in playing/buying records.

Mixing this seasonal tunes was truly exciting, I found that things came together quite naturally this time around. Sometimes I have to cut tunes that I don't want to just for the sake of making the mix fluent. This time around I found things much easier and surprising. Let's talk about some of the highlights! 

Starting things off with Tropics "Mouves" was essential. I knew this was the opener the second I started working on this mix. The song is visual: a cloudy, dreamy, weightless flight. Chris Ward, a young talented multi-instrumentalist is responsible for nearly every piece of sound on his colorful debut full-length album Parodia Flare (planet-mu). "Mouves" is a shining example of the rest of album, highly recommended! I get into a little afro-vibe after this with tunes from Four Tet, TEED, and a cool, dancehall afro-beat remix by Daphni (Dan Snaith/Caribou). Clark releases a brilliant new album Iradelphic which in his own words is, "looming, ambiguous, radiant. Glowing, whole, invincible, complete." "Secret" jumps back and forth into a 3 dimensional listening soundscape from a present female vocal to deeper rhythmic backing vocals then huge shuffling drums and growling synths all held together by an almost brazilian guitar melody. I really love the way this dives even deeper mixing into Jamie Woon's "Blue Truth," immediately follwed by a monster of a tune "Dive Summers" produced by former Good Looking Records artist Blu Mar Ten. "While You Dooooo" by Teebs was one of my single favorite tracks of 2011. There is something very specific about where this track resounds in my head. Sure it's dreamy and a bit repetitive but Teebs knows something that other beatmakers can't touch. There is an organic element to his music that I really connect with, where other cats just seem to keep making cold digital/analog rackets. Jumping ahead in the mix, fellow label-mate on Brainfeeder Lapalux is making some serious racket right now. I really wanted to play "Moments" off the When You're Gone EP but something about his (beatless) take on Fink's "Perfect Darkness" that somehow IS a perfect darkness. It's so moody. I love it. 

Looking back at the cover art for this and having relinquished my desire for naming these seasonal tunes mixes, I realize that the context, the feeling that these songs evoke are what define the period in time where I really HEAR this music. There is something blooming about all of the songs on this mix. They are all desperate to break the surface, undulating energy turns into bright colorful pieces. "Swing Star" by disco/balearic genius Todd Terje is the perfect example of this. The tempo change about halfway through the mix really woke me up too.  The energy carries on into Modeselektor's unhinged "Blue Clouds." It's one of those songs that could just keep building for 20 minutes and I'd still be teetering on the edge. Towards the end of the mix you'll find more warming and textured pieces like Balam Acab's "Motion" and "Daniel" from Twin Sister which mix together beautifully. Also don't miss full length albums from John Talabot and Tanlines both have been on heavy rotation and helped wrap up the mix as closing songs.

BONUS. New video from Tanlines!

Thanks for listening and I hope this turns out to be an essential soundtrack to your Spring!

DOWNLOAD HERE (right click... save as)

tracklist 

tropics - mouves

four tet - pinnacles

totally enormous extinct dinosaurs - waulking song

cos ber zam - ne noya (daphni mix)

jonti - red on green

clark - secret

jamie woon - blue truth

blu mar ten - dive summers

when saints go machine - parix

teebs - while you dooooo (extended)

atlas sound - te amo

bullion - what does she know

todd terje - swing star (part 1)

modeselektor - blue clouds

fink - perfect darkness (lapalux beatless remix)

balam acab - motion

twin sister - daniel

neon indian - polish girl

john talabot - journeys (ft. ekhi)

tanlines - yes way

::mixed live on 4.7.11::

Underwater Creatures setlist

 For those of you who don't know, I hold a monthly event at The Charleston in Bucktown called Underwater Creatures. Every second Thursday of the month catch me diving deep for sunken treasures. This month we celebrated the birthday of lovely bartender extraordinaire Sara Voden. As you can see below, good times were had. See you next year on 1.12.12!

tracklist 12.08.11:

dexter wansel - life on mars

bomp - disco power

recloose - electric sunshine

jonti - nightshift in blue

daedelus - make it so

caribou - the snow capes

aphex twin - bucephalus bouncing ball

telefon tel aviv - 8 track project cut

jimmy edgar - inner citee color reprise

maurice fulton - naoka's f

spacek - la bougie feat. mpho skeef

gb interprets the beach boys - i just wasn't made for these times

thundercat - is it love?

james pants - ka$h

subtle - f.k.o.

ms. john soda - by twos

the stepkids - shadows on behalf

poets of rhythm - smilin' (why you're crying)

weather report - 125th street congress

pharcyde - passin' me by

a tribe called quest - bonita applebum

de la soul - say no go (say no dope mix)

stetsasonic - all that jazz

kurtis blow - the breaks

man parrish - hip hop, be bop (don't stop) (extended remix)

midnight star - operator

egyptian lover - alezby inn

mr. fingers - can you feel it

george kranz - trommeltanz (din daa daa)

j.j. fad - supersonic

jonzun crew - we are the jonzun crew

new order - confusion

jenny burton - rock steady (dub)

stevie wonder - happy birthday [happy birthday sara!!]

luther ingram - oh baby don't you weep

the upsetters - popcorn

bob marley & the wailers - simmerdown

the skatalites - malcolm x

the specials - nite klub

willi bobo - spanish grease

perez prado - mambo no. 5

os mutantes - a minha minina

up bustle & out - los locos cubanos

hu vibrational - mirto (hu vibrational mix)

piano overlord - stay home

four tet & rothko - rivers become oceans

The Charleston

2076 N. Hoyne

Chicago, IL

http://www.charlestonchicago.com/

RIP François Barmès - Alsatian proponent of Bio-Dynamics

We are shocked and terribly sad to hear about the sudden passing of François Barmès. After visiting Domaine Barmès-Buecher last summer it was clear that his wines are some of the very best in Alsace and more so the world. François Barmès was more than a winemaker, you could feel his presence in a room. His unyielding devotion to bio-dynamics as expressed in his custom built cellar, satellite control vineyard, and ultimately in his fervent gestures, are in inspiration to look further into the connection between man, nature, and beyond. I'm truly grateful to have enjoyed the hospitality of him and his lovely wife Geneviève. Our thoughts are with the Barmes-Buecher family. The legacy of François will live on through his wines. RIP

read more about the estate here @ wine terroirs

52 Portraits w/Jay Schroeder

My Buddy Jay Schroeder is easily one of the most talented photographers that I know. Between him and his (also very talented and lovely) girlfriend Wendy, they take such beautiful and well lit shots. Both of them so good at capturing people in their element. As you'll see here, they somehow managed to catch me in mine. I was, to say the least, flattered by his interest in shooting me for his blog 52 portraits. A blog where he features a new subject every week for an entire year. Ambitious. I know how hard it is  because I can barely keep up with writing mine! p.s. I still intend on writing about my recent travels through Spain & France so stay tuned! Anyways go here to his blog to read about the details of the shoot at Websters.

Apricot-Celery Whiskey Sour

When I think about mixology and the countless possibilites for combination of flavors, I find myself almost always crafting simple(r) drinks that lean towards ingredient-driven flavors rather than crazy combinations of spirits to create new ones. I believe that certain seasonal ingredients tailor to different spirits and, most importantly, I rarely use more than 3 distinct flavors. A few combinations I've used in the past:

• Concord Grape - Tequila - Averna
• Hibiscus - Rum - Winter Spices
• Lavender - Sage - Orange - Gin
• Kumquats - Rye - Sesame
• Watermelon - Tequila - Yellow Chartreuse - Black Pepper - Cilantro (ok that was a lot of ingredients)
• Fennel - Gin - Elderflower
• Pomegranate - Cinnamon - Cognac - Rosewater
• Plum - Rum - Sassafras
• Caraway - Orange - Celery - Vodka

CELERY. There is something about Celery in cocktails that I just freaking love. I keep bugging my buddy Paul @ The Whistler that we need to come up with something together. My home bar has thinned out through the past 2 years because I am no longer doing cocktail menus but I tend to pick up various liqueurs in my travels. One of them being a stellar apricot liqueur I purchased in Austria in 09 which I've been eyeballing recently. When my friend Sara said she was coming down from Milwaukee this past weekend I knew I had to bust out something for our routine "Sunday Cocktails." Apricot kinda works with gin, it's really good with tequila, but smokes with whiskey. After picking up some KV, one of my fav small batch bourbons, I made a celery simple syrup and got to work:

2 oz Kentucky Vintage Bourbon

1 oz Lemon Juice

½ oz Apricot Liqueur

½ oz Celery Syrup

½ an egg white

2 dash Angostura Bitters

2 dash Orange Bitters

muddled apricot & celery

(add all ingredients & dry shake to incorporate egg white before adding ice)

Lyon Hall Farm Diner: Strawberry!!

Back in February I was invited by my good friends Emily & Andy to visit D.C. and host an event at Lyon Hall where Andy is the head chef along with pastry chef Rob Valencia. I'd been wanting to visit since they opened the Alsatian influenced brasserie a little over a year ago. My passion for Alsatian cuisine runs deep so I didn't hesitate at the opportunity to finally make it and help out with one of their incredible seasonally focused dinners held every month. Eager to take The Pickled Tomato on TOUR I got crackin' on the menu with Andy. After hearing word of early strawberries in April, I was enthusiastic to meet the challenge of pairing wine with the bright tart little monsters. My first instinct was to pair wines with just a touch of residual sugar, perceived ripeness, or in beer's case, a malty backbone. After going back and forth a few times with Chef Andy I started to pin down the pairs. It was a bit of a challenge to try and pair stuff up from 600 miles away. Conceptually I think a lot of my ideas made sense after bouncing ideas off a few of my colleagues here in Chicago, but I had no idea if they would work once the food was plated and in front of the diners. For me, that's ended up being the most fun part about the event. Having the chance to walk around the room and get plenty of constructive feedback from everyone. I believe in candid criticism when it comes to food and cheers to everyone of the diners for diving in head first with me!

Last year I was in Alsace with the Webster's crew and I'll never forget one particular dinner following a 50+ wines power tasting with Pierre Gassmann from Domaine Rolly-Gassmann. Dehydrated, famished, & palette-fatigued we showed up for our reservation at La Bacchante. Not even 5 minutes after sitting down coupes of crémant appear in front of us, strawberries dancing amongst the ribbons of bubbles. This not only slaked our thirsts, but it woke us (and our palettes) right up. I just knew I had to share this apértif experience with the diners of Lyon Hall. Biodynamically produced from 11th generation winemaker Gerard Boesch, the Domaine Leon Boesch Crémant d'Alsace (50% Pinot Blanc, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Riesling) served as the perfect vehicle alluding to the berry blitz ahead.

First Course: La Quercia proscuitto/macerated strawberries/pistachio/aged balsamic.

Pairing: Dios Baco Amontillado, Jerez, Spain.

I have to say that I was very confident in this pairing knowing how well salty ham works with sherry, especially amontillado. The balsamic lended to the complex secondary notes developed by the layer of flor yeast used in the making of this particular style of sherry. What was most intriguing, for me, was the length of the finish of the amontillado and how it was perfectly integrated with the pistachio. The harmony of the finish with the last bite stuck around all the way up until the next course. Some folks weren't as enamored as me by the pairing but admittedly weren't all that familiar or comfortable with sherry in general. I was very impressed with the diner's efforts and capability to start off a tasting with an amontillado! Cheers to you all!

Second Course: scallop ceviche/ginger/strawberry/sake

Pairing: Kiuchi Brewery, Hitachino Nest "Ginger Brew," Japan

My first instinct for this pairing was definitely beer knowing how well it goes with the classic Peruvian dish. Typically wine & ceviche don't work because of the excess of acidity. Originally I wanted to do a saison, The Lost Abbey "Red Barn Ale" came to mind. Brewed with ginger, grains of paradise and a nice malty backbone I thought this would be perfect, however, I was unable to source the beer before the event. After arriving in D.C. David, the beer director at Lyon Hall, came to me with the suggestion for using the (on-hand) Hitachino Ginger Brew... "YES!" "PERFECT," I exclaimed. I was also familiar with this beer, knowing it had a richer malty note, brewed with plenty of ginger, and would compliment the element of ginger in the dish nicely. Also the Hitachino would allow for some continuity giving nod to the Japanese notes in the dish (i.e. sake). People really dug this pairing, as did I. Earlier in the day I picked up a similar style (as the red barn ale) saison from The Bruery just to give a quick comparison with the course, later confirming that the Hitachino "Ginger Brew" was perfectly serendipitous.

Third Course: roast duck breast/caramelized strawberries/amaretti/black pepper

Pairing: Christine et Joël Ménard 2009 'Les Copines Aussi' Gamay, Anjoy, Loire, France

Talk about a quaffer! Elaborated biodynamically and using native yeasts, this slick & juicy gamay for "The Girlfriends" was a true joy to pour for everyone. It's hand harvested from schisty soil, followed by a 5 day maceration of the grapes, 6 months in tank, then bottled without filtration or sulfites. Despite my spastic ramblings introducing this wine, I think the crowd was with me 100% on this one. I didn't think it was a knockout pairing but the ripeness of the fruit lent well to the richness and subtle sweetness of the nutty amaretti. The drinkability of the wine alone is what I think sells people on this particular bottling (me included), but I won't deny that ripe gamay and duck definitely work.

Fourth Course: housemade goat's cheese with herbs/strawberry-almond salad/lavender honey

Pairing: Domaine Marcel Deiss 2007 Pinot Gris, Bergheim, Alsace, France

One of the world's most charismatic proponents of biodynamics, Jean-Michel Deiss crafted a lavish, spicy and honey laced pinot gris in 2007. Even though Jean-Michel's main focus is the terroir based "premier crus," I think his varietal based wines are still very expressive and in this case work very well with food. This seemed to be the favorite pairing of many. I thought the almond in the dish was a touch overpowering to the wine but ultimately the textures here are really what set it all off. Deiss' wines consistently demonstrate exquisitely polished mouthfeel (except his pinot noir, of course, which is savage). The pasty goat cheese with the crunch of the almond and the tender give of the strawberry allowed for a fun pairing with the viscosity of the pinot gris. I decanted this an hour and a half before the course to make sure it was showing in all it's golden glory.

Fifth Course: strawberry custard napoleon/strawberry-apricot sorbet/oven-roasted strawberries

Pairing: Patrick Bottex 'La Cueille' Gamay, Bugey-Cerdon, Savoie, France

BUGEY! MORE GAMAY! MORE STRAWBERRIES! After introducing the wine to the group I settled back to my plate radiating with intense bright red strawberry color. I poured myself a glass of Bugey and took my first step into a full on ASSAULT of strawberries. I was so engulfed in strawberry flavor that I stepped back into the room to gush out: "I don't know about you guys but this is  strawberry OVERLOAD." I seem to recall a few laughs (somehow)... my geekiness can't help but show its face here. The pastry dough of the napoleon was perfect and I thought this worked well with the bubbles. The cru "Cerdon" within Bugey is entirely dedicated to sparkling wine and mostly made in method ancestrale which actually pre-dates method champenoise. In this case the wine is fermented up to about 5% abv then bottled with some of the sugars remaining. After bottling, the secondary fermentation takes place producing the bubbles and results in a delicious low-alcohol (i'd rather say "ripe" than sweet) rosé sparkler. In my opinion, a perfect end to a delicious meal. 

CHEERS to Chefs Andy & Rob, Mark, Andrew, Dave, all of the staff at Lyon Hall, and my dear friend Emily for giving me the opportunity to work with you all... it was a BLAST. Most of all, thank you to all of the diners for giving me so much wonderful feedback and creating, what I thought to be, a truly memorable dining experience.

Santé!

.Matty

(and a big shout to JC for never putting that camera down!)

Lyon Hall

1020 N Highland St
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 741-7636

http://lyonhallarlington.com/

Seasonal Tunes Mix Series Vol. 9 "perfect pair"

HAPPY SPRING! (well, in Chicago... sorta) Despite my feeble attempts to craft a happy, much less moody mix than January's "new-fashioned" here we are again with something similar. However, I must say that even the deepest of tracks on this mix still sound to me like sprouts of life desperately working to break the surface and catch the long awaited early spring sunlight. Lots of inspiration for this mix: Next weekend The Pickled Tomato is going on tour! Last year, my good friends Emily & Andy left the NYC grind to find themselves in the middle of the Washington D.C. restaurant scene. Lyon Hall is a bustling French brasserie with an Alsatian focus, housemade charcuterie & baked breads, traditional sausages and carefully procured meat/fish all with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients. Chef Andy & Emily have invited me to join the team in hosting this month's Farm dinner featuring a favorite spring ingredient: STRAWBERRIES! Saturday night (4.16.11) I'll be djing at Lyon Hall and Sunday I'll be doing the wine/beer pairings for the dinner. Stay tuned to hear more about the event I'll be posting all about it later this month! What better to pair a strawberry farm dinner with than some great spring tunes! (and maybe some old riesling & some chenin, oh and some Bugey!) Check it.


Psychedelic-pop Kiwis Connan Mockasin open things up under Erol Alkan's breezy exposé. LOVING this tune right now, I had to mix out of it halfway because the original remix is a monster 10 MINUTES. I almost let it go because it never gets old but I had to be fair to all the other tunes. Moving right into the young Swede (babe) Lykke Li's "I Follow Rivers." I can't NOT sing along to this song, and the drums (!) and the organs (!). I make sure my roommates aren't home when I'm in the shower belting out this anthem. Also just below the surface creeping it's way through the dirt and "perfectly paired" up is new material from Burial, Four Tet, & Thom Yorke. "Mirror" definitely has a more Burial feel to it while the flip (TEXT10) "Ego" leans more towards a classic Four Tet sound. Amazing collab nonetheless, they were destined to make a record together. Heads up for the new Burial stuff on Hyperdub too particularly "Stolen Dog"...feeling it! Holy Ghost! sees full length release on DFA. "Bizniz" from Tune-Yards makes me think of my friend Marisa and I romping around a dancefloor (watchout). 
Holy shit: Daedelus. Floating Points. Mike Milosh. Three of my favorite artists all working together. You guys freaking killed me with this masterpiece. I had to let this one play out: the fingersnaps, Milosh's warm lull rushing by, Sam Shepard's (aka Floating Points) analog keys and shuffley tambourine , and no small amount of bass... all add up to 7 minutes of enveloping  joy. The Weeknd has become something of an internet phenomenon self releasing "House of Balloons" with plenty of nods from indie critics and mainstream heads alike. "What You Need" is dark, moody, sexy, and serious all at the same time. NEW BIBIO ALBUM! One of my favorite artists Bibio has released "Mind Bokeh" recently with much anticipation. It's not as folky as Ambivalence Avenue but much more textured and while he finds himself exploring many new musical paths it is still distinctly BIBIO. It took me forever to pick a song off the new album there's so much unique stuff on it I had trouble finding a way to fit something in. I think "Light Seep" serves well as a progression from Mux Mool's take on Take into Charles Bradley's "I Believe in Your Love." Chuck, a breakthrough voice from the past follows suit with an album full of modern soul sounds (a la Daptone) much like classic cohorts Lee Fields & Sharon Jones. In an increasingly turbulent America, more and more I keep hearing classic soul sounds popping up with lyrics and feelings that all sing true. "Keep Putting Soul Up..." because it sounds so good right now. Finishing things off much like other mixes (ahem James Blake) Zoo Kid proves that these brit yoots are really on to something.


CHEERS,
HAPPY SPRING.


DOWNLOAD HERE (...right click, save as)


tracklist:


Connan Mockasin - Forever Dolphin Love (Erol Alkan Rework)
Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers
Burial, Four Tet, & Thom Yorke - Mirror
Jamie Woon - Lady Luck
Holy Ghost! - Do It Again
Tune-Yards - Bizniz
Dodos - Sleep
Dimlite - Loins
TOKiMONSTA - Cigarette Lust (90% Wake Mix)
Daedelus - Tailor-Made (Floating Points Remix)
The Weeknd - What You Need
Flying Lotus - Archway (Teebs Remix)
Take - If We Don't All Go Insane (Mux Mool Remix)
Bibio - Light Seep
Charles Bradley - I Believe In Your Love
Nostalgia 77 - Simmerdown feat. Josa Peit
TV on The Radio - Will Do
Zoo Kid - Out Getting Ribs

(oh, and happy bday seasonal tunes! 1 year strong!)