Here's the December episode of the 8DPromoRadio Show, as broadcast on
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Dec 16, 11:28 AMListen: Q-Burns Abstract Message Remixes Mercy Machine
I'm giving you something a little different this week for 'remix Wednesday.' Mercy Machine is a band I've collaborated with a few times, previously contributing a couple of remixes for their In My Bed remix collection. The band sought reinterpretations of their songs once again for their stark, religion-themed album The Devil I Know and I was certainly up for attempting a couple more. The fruits of our labor are below (and they are well-suited for these gray winter days).
As you'll hear if you check out The Devil I Know album (click HERE to give it a listen) these are hardly what you'd call easily remix-able dance tracks. Many of the songs are percussion-less, featuring just the singer's voice and some guitar. So indeed this was a remix challenge ... and I like remix challenges. Here was a chance to try out some new tricks and draw from my somewhat eclectic musical background.
Around the time I was doing these remixes I was actively experimenting with the idea of creating contexts through sonic 'mini-movies' in music, an idea I was turned on to years ago by the singer/songwriter Jim White who I was doing some production for. The lyrics for both these Mercy Machine songs easily lent themselves to various mentally visual situations. The opportunity to remix these tunes fit right in with what I was experimenting with at the time.
First up, "The Devil I Know" in which I only used the vocal and created all the other sounds and music myself. I'll leave it to you to imagine what is happening in this song but I will hint that a lonely singer is joined by quite a few (un?)welcome visitors by the end of the track:
Mercy Machine - The Devil I Know (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
The second remix I did for Mercy Machine was for the album track "I Need A New Jesus" (a Wise Blood reference, perhaps?). I based my mix around a piece of the original's guitar melody and created a sort of 'dub' around the vocal. I added some slide dobro, bass guitar, and a cheap xylophone I bought at a market in Bogota, Colombia. I like that the result kind of sounds like a gothic early-80's post punk band. Spooky stuff, I think. Anyway, there's a 'plot-line' going on in this version as well but, again, I'll leave the interpretation up to you.
Mercy Machine - I Need A New Jesus (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
These mixes are part of Mercy Machine's The Devil I Know - The Remixes. Other remixes have been provided by my friend Pimp Daddy Nash (in full on 80's electro-pop mode), Dee Banse, Argentina producer Antena, and more. The best part is Mercy Machine are giving this collection away for free, including the two remixes of mine above, in your choice of high quality digital format. You'll have to give up your e-mail address to receive the link (so, yeah, not totally free) but I think it's well worth it. To obtain The Devil I Know - The Remixes free of charge click HERE.
Once again, as a reminder, I'm always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE.
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Dec 09, 10:26 AMListen: Bang Bang - Bikini Days (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)I'm sort of a sucker for guitars in dance music. It's probably from a youth immersed in all those Manchester bands but I do indeed like how chiming guitars and electronic drum beats go together. Thus I was immediately drawn to South African combo Bang Bang and their "Bikini Days", a cool and gentle track certainly evoking some sort of beachside romp. Quickly snatched up and released on my Eighth Dimension label, I dug the song enough to partake in a remix of my own. You can hear the result here:
Bang Bang - Bikini Days (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (Eighth Dimension Records) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
I kind of went for a psychedelic, Balearic feel making the aforementioned guitars all twisty and using the vocal verse of the song as if it were the chorus. The rhythms build a bit and the full brunt of the bass doesn't really kick in until over halfway through (an exercise in patience on my part). I like the idea of the focused bits interchanging with the atmospheric sections, sort of like a camera lens in close-up suddenly pulling back for the wide shot.
There are other cool remixes of "Bikini Days" from Andrew Phelan & George Cochrane, Gavin Hardkiss, and Bang Bang themselves. You can listen to the single in its entirety by clicking HERE. This single is also available now from Beatport, Stompy, Trassource, and Juno Download. The cover art, by the way, was created by the fabulous Awareinjustice.
As a reminder, I'm always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE
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Dec 02, 11:18 AMListen: Jota Wagner - Acid Resolution (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)Here's my somewhat ghostly version of my Brazilian buddy Jota Wagner's track "Acid Resolution." In this remix I went for some jittery beats and echoey synth action, as well as a cameo from Mr. Leary himself. Decidedly deep, suspiciously spacey, invitingly electronic. Listen here:
Jota Wagner - Acid Resolution (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (Lunatic Jazz Recordings) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
This track has been released on Jota Wagner's In My City EP via his own Lunatic Jazz Recordings label. You can find it on Beatport, Stompy, and Juno Download. Nifty.
As a reminder, I’m always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE. -
Nov 26, 07:31 AMBogota, Colombia This Saturday With Lisa ShawYes, indeed. In about three hours after I post this I'm on an airplane to Bogota, Colombia, one of my favorite cities in the world. The occasion is partly some R&R, but mainly a fantastic gig to take place this Saturday night. It seems in Bogota I'll be rendezvousing with Ms. Lisa Shaw, and she'll be joining me for part of my set with her always wonderful vocal accompaniment. We haven't done this together in a while so I'm quite excited.
If you happen to be in Bogota or know anyone who is there then please spread the word. The flyer with all of the information is below, and you can visit this party's Facebook event page by clicking HERE.
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Nov 25, 11:36 AMListen: Sleazy McQueen & B Stalz - "A Kiss On My Cheek (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)"Another in the Lost In A Tunnel remix series, here's a recent revision created for Mr. Sleazy McQueen (in collaboration with the mysterious B Stalz). Like Space Ghost in scuba gear, we're cosmically exploring the depths here, the dark waters lit only by the gleam of a slowly rotating disco ball. Really. Have a listen:
Sleazy McQueen & B Stalz - A Kiss On My Cheek (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (Bananza Music) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
No one dies on this dancefloor. And it's currently available from Bananza Music who, correctly believing one should have options, have thoughtfully made it available on vinyl from shops like Juno Records (UK), Downtown 304 (US), DeeJay (Germany), and NuLoop (France) as well as in new-fangled digital format via Beatport, Stompy, and Traxsource. Grab it while it's piping hot.
As a reminder, I'm always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE.
Happy Tofurkey Day, all! -
Nov 20, 08:24 AMListen: Alvaro Ernesto - Deep For You (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)Here's a remix I put together for local Orlando label Chillin Music and Peruvian producer Alvaro Ernesto. Delving further into 'perceived space', it's a deeply disco-tastic reworking. This is also the first in a series of Lost In A Tunnel remixes, AKA Don't fear the reverb. I sorta really like the build and melody in this one. Click the link below to listen:
Alvaro Ernesto - "Deep For You (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)" (Chillin Music - CM-23) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
You can grab this remix on Beatport, Stompy, Traxsource, and others.
As a reminder, I'm always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE. -
Nov 19, 02:19 PMAn Offer: Help Me Find A DJ Gig & I'll Give You A Piece Of The Action
My friend Ian Monroe recently had an interesting idea: about to graduate from journalism school into a risky job market, he has decided to offer a cash bounty for any job leads or referrals that result in his full time employment. It's a cool proposal, and you can read his post on it by clicking HERE.
Meanwhile, I'm a traveling club DJ in an exceedingly risky DJ market. It's just so slow at the moment ... economic worries lowering club attendance means my schedule has been less and less busy. It's a shame as I love to get out there DJ'ing in my frantic style, as you probably know, and I have a bit of new label tunes out at the moment I'd like to tour behind.
Thus I've decided to borrow Ian's idea and reach out to not just the club promoters but also to those who know me or might like to come hear me DJ. So I'm offering my own bounty, or an agent's cut if you will. Here's what I propose: if you provide a lead or an introduction that results in a DJ gig for yours truly then I'll pay you a 10% cut of what I'm paid.
This means if you have a friend booking parties and can hook me up with him/her, resulting in a Q-Burns Abstract Message gig, then I'll give you 10% of my earned fee. It doesn't necessarily have to be a close friend, either. If there's a club that you think I should play and you can get me adequate info to contact that club (e-mail address preferred), then the deal stands if a gig comes out of it. This applies to gigs anywhere in the world.
As with all deals of this sort there are some rules:
1) Tips must be submitted via e-mail. Send them to qburns@q-burnsabstractmessage.com. If two people come to me with the same lead then the one that gets to me first is the one honored.
2) This offer only applies to gigs outside of central Florida.
3) Please don't just send me random lists of club e-mail addresses. Make sure that the club or promoter you recommend books DJ's in my style and might be interested in me. If I feel you're just blindly submitting club information then I have the right to void all of your submissions.
4) I'm not required to take any recommended gig if it doesn't meet my own standards (known only to me!) or throws up any sort of "red flag".
5) The 10% is from the fee post-expenses if things like flights or lodging are taken from my earnings (i.e. an 'all in' type situation).
6) If I don't get paid (i.e. shady promoter) then you obviously won't get paid. Together we can wrestle the money out of 'em if need be.
7) Your prize is awarded after completion of the DJ gig either by PayPal (preferred) or actually at the gig venue if circumstances warrant. If neither of these work for you then we'll figure something out.
8) I'm allowed to end this promotion at any time, and will add text to this page announcing this. Any leads received prior to that will be honored.
9) If you're a booking agent or club promoter who wishes to participate, in effect getting a 10% discount on your booking, then so be it. I'm easy.
This whole thing might seem a bit 'cheeky' to some, but over the past five years I've been seeing my usual promoter contacts and club venues mostly fall by the wayside. In turn, the number of venues that I am regularly playing has radically decreased. This is an attempt to make some new contacts, play some venues I haven't played before, and maybe even get to some cities I have yet to visit.
So - let me know what you think and if you have any ideas. Once again, e-mail any tips to qburns@q-burnsabstractmessage.com. If you don't think you can help but might know someone who does then feel free to pass this message on.
I'll close this out with some quick links that you can use to find out more about me followed by a Soundcloud player loaded with my recent DJ mixes. Please pass these on to any mildly interested promoters.
I look forward to hearing from you and DJ'ing in your town soon!
Q-Burns Abstract Message Biography
Q-Burns Abstract Message Discography
Q-Burns Abstract Message On Facebook
Q-Burns Abstract Message On MySpace
Q-Burns Abstract Message DJ Mixes: 2007 - 2009 by Q-Burns Abstract Message -
Nov 11, 09:20 AMListen: Kicksy & Alif Groove - Out Of Nowhere (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) - and Re-Remix!Here's an example of the different directions a remix can go. Last summer I was asked by London duo Kicksy & Alif Groove to remix their cool track "Out Of Nowhere". I guess I was in one of those moods, and I have been experimenting with the idea of 'contextual space' lately (long story), so what came out of their glassy tech-house song was this somewhat pulsating revision:
Kicksy & Alif Groove - Out Of Nowhere (Q-Burns Abstract Message Re-Remix) (Plastic Fantastic) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
It's an exercise in a bit of crafty ebb-and-flow with a dusty spring reverb supplying some of the moist atmosphere. Early 80's style goth-rock bass guitar and the surprise spaghetti western moment notwithstanding this turned into one of my favorite remixes as of late.
And, it also illustrates one of those odd situations where as a remixer I know I may not be going in the direction that the artist or label imagined for their single, but I can't stop because I'm digging the result so much. That's why, upon completion, I took this new version and decided to just remix it again, in a more decidedly club-wise fashion. Here's what we ended up with:
Kicksy & Alif Groove - Out Of Nowhere (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (Plastic Fantastic) by Q-Burns Abstract Message
This version is a bit closer in vibe to the original track with the bouncy bassline leading the charge. Yes, there's a none-too-subtle nod to "Plastic Dreams" ... good ear. Quite different, indeed, but you'll notice the subtle connection in sounds and melody. I'm also really into the snakey bass bit where it stretches out while the space tone-hits signal on top.
I submitted both mixes to Kicksy & Alif Groove and their label Plastic Fantastic, expecting them to just go for the second mix (in which case I'd strip the first version of their elements and make an original out of it). To their credit, they enthusiastically accepted both mixes and even gave me a little bit of extra coin for my bonus work ... champions!
So, this has been recently released by the aforementioned Plastic Fantastic label in digital format, and also contains a juicy remix by Gonzalo Mattias. You can grab more information, hear previews of all the tracks, and find links for purchasing this release at the Plastic Fantastic web site ... click HERE.
Oh, and yes, the first version is called the Re-Remix and the second the Remix which doesn't make sense ... I agree it should be reversed ... but for the sake of the single it sort of plays out better this way.
Anyway, this is an installment of what I hope to be a regular Wednesday 'remix feature' series. We'll see how that goes. In the meantime, I'm always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE. -
Nov 08, 10:33 AM8DPromoRadio: My New Monthly Radio SHowI started my "DJ career" in radio back in the late eighties, and have always wanted to somehow get back into it since. Thus, I'm working with 8DPromo and have started a monthly Internet radio program titled 8DPromoRadio. This is a two hour show hosted and mixed by yours truly focusing on new and upcoming releases in the world of deep house, touching on its downtempo, disco, and techno fringes.
So far I'm doing it with these three stations, airing at these times:
Discotheque Radio - every second Tuesday at 9:00 PM EST, and repeating each Tuesday
Play.FM - every second Tuesday at noon EST, and streaming from the site on demand afterwards
ENation.FM - every second Sunday at 9 PM EST (that's tonight if you're reading this the day I've posted it)
Click on the radio station names above to go to their web pages.
We're hoping to syndicate this to more radio stations. If you run or program a radio station (Internet or terrestrial) and would be interested in airing 8DPromoRadio then contact me by clicking HERE.
You can also listen to archives of the radio show (and download the whole program, if you'd like) at the 8DPromoRadio Soundcloud page. And, if you'd like to hear the show's mixes without hearing my voice giving the track run-downs then listen to them at the Q-Burns Abstract Message Mixcloud Page. There will be show track lists available at the Soundcloud and Mixcloud pages above.
I hope you can tune in to listen ... it's a fun program with a lot of great new music for you to check out.
Speaking of 8DPromo, this is a company I'm working with that does publicity and promotions for a number of house labels including Transport, Super Hi-Fi, Statra Recordings, Onethirty, Chillin, Tarantic, EIGHT-TRACKS, and many more. The company provides an inexpensive way for labels to get their releases to worldwide radio programs, magazine & Internet music reviewers, and big name DJs who will support the music. This stuff is essential in this age where labels otherwise will get lost in the sea of being 'just another digital label'. If you have a label or are promoting a release then maybe we can help you. For more about this check out 8DPromo here: http://www.8DPromo.com -
Aug 21 2008, 05:10 PMQ-Burns Abstract Message New Releases, Tour Dates, And News For August 2008
Q-Burns Abstract Message featuring Lisa Shaw - Shame Remixes Out Now On Beatport
Leading up to the release of new material by Q-Burns Abstract Message, we've been re-issuing some of the remixed singles off of the Astralwerks album Invisible Airline with new and previously hard-to-find remixes. The latest in the series is "Shame", featuring the vocals of Lisa Shaw. For this release Orlando-based producer/hotshot Atnarko re-imagined the original vocal into a brand new deep house gem. You can have a listen by clicking here: Shame (Atnarko's Summer Mix)
Other mixes in this package include rare or previously unreleased versions by East Coast Boogiemen, Hakan Lidbo, Pimp Daddy Nash, and Q-Burns Abstract Message himself.
The Shame Remixes are available now exclusively from Beatport (and will be released to all the other digital stores on September 1). You can find this release on Beatport by clicking HERE.
Other recent Q-Burns Abstract Message remix packages released on Eighth Dimension include "This Time" (with hard-to-find mixes by David Duriez, Lars Behrenroth, and more) and "You Are My Battlestar" (featuring rare mixes by Manaluxe vs. ManaTraya and Jacob London). In addition to Beatport, you can also find these two releases on Stompy, Traxsource, and Clickgroove
Q-Burns Abstract Message Remixes
Q-Burns Abstract Message has been busy in the studio churning out his own remixes for a variety of artists and labels. Here's a list of the latest remixed tracks:
Andy Sant - In-Between Dreams (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)
Jacob London - Return To Squirrel Mountain (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)
Rob Hawk - It's A Jungle (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)
The Mystical Beasts - Magical Creature (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix)
Click on the track name to go to its corresponding Beatport page where you can listen to an audio preview.
Q-Burns Abstract Message Upcoming Tour Dates
This Friday (August 22) in downtown Orlando, Florida Q-Burns Abstract Message will be joined by Atnarko for a night called Groove. This takes place at the new venue named Club 360 (formerly Screamers) ... it will be a lot of fun and will hopefully be the first in a series of "Groove" nights at the venue. For more information click HERE.
Upcoming Q-Burns Abstract Message DJ dates:
Fri Aug 22 - Orlando, FL at Club 360 (formerly Screamers) with Atnarko
Fri Sep 19 - Orlando, FL at The Peacock Room with Latenight Society and Nat Eichler
Thu Sep 25 - San Francisco, CA at Down Like This at 55 Natoma
Sat Oct 4 - San Francisco, CA at SF LoveFest
Sat Oct 11 - Moscow, Russia at Propaganda
... more to come!
Interview With Q-Burns Abstract Message & Top 10 Chart
- There's an interesting interview with Q-Burns Abstract Message on the fine blog Debunkd which you can read by clicking HERE
- You can view the latest Q-Burns Abstract Message Beatport Top 10 chart which lists some of the tunes Q-BAM is currently playing in the dark nightclubs by clicking HERE
