G.O.DCAST EPISODE 1: BLAIR VAN RIESEN

 PHOTO CREDIT - A GIRL NAMED SHIRL - EDMONTON
 
Blair joined Girls on Decks in 2010 shortly after finishing Dj School at VoxBox studio's in Calgary. She has made a happy home with our eccentric roster of misfits and miss-fits. G.O.D loves Blair for her high energy, electro/dub sets, she's not afraid to take risks behind the decks to get amazing results in a club setting which make her a dynamic and entertaining DJ to see. 

Q&A ///// BLAIR VAN RIESEN

Download G.O.DCast #1 - Blair Van Riesen

Who is your s(hero)?

Jeff Probst

What was the first track you bought?

Satisfaction - Benny Benassi and the Biz

When you think back, what would you say was your most memorable show yet?

Pride Kickoff June 2011 with Girls on Decks @ The Junction, Edmonton - w/ Lisa DeLux and D3viant

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

She's renting out the spare room in my house.. where else would she be?

Why do you think its so important for woman to be involved in the dj community?

In such a male dominated scene, it's important to have a female presence in music. For me personally, seeing female DJ's inspires and motivates me to work harder to achieve the things I want. And I know that it inspires other women too.

How did you get into DJ'ing?

I really owe it to my friends Ashley, Cara, and Marie. After years of hearing me blab about wanting to DJ they finally gave me the push I needed and got me to sign up for DJ school in 2010. Marie even helped me with my down payment on my turntables; a great best friend!

Who are your biggest influences in life?

My fiancé Meghann and my sister Heather

Whats it like to be the store manager at local skate shop, the Source?

Its awesome! I love my job. We work hard and we play hard which makes it all worth it.

When you get up in the morning what is the first thing you do?

Everyday: Clothes, Hair, Teeth, Deodorant, Jacket, Keys, Shoes, Car, Coffee, Smoke, Work.
Where would you DJ if you had the opportunity to pick anywhere?

Ibiza!

How do you send your down time when your not DJ'ing or running the Source?
If I'm not snowboarding, downtime has always and will always consist of some serious couch action. Complete with lots of snacks and American Netflix.....Oh ya.. and beer.

WHOSTAKNOW?! 

Why not? ........Why the hell not?

Apples or oranges? Apples

Boxers or briefs? Briefs

Vegan or vegitarian? Vegan

Oprah or ellen? Ellen!

Hot tea or iced tea? Iced tea
Super high me or super size me? High me

RUNDMC or beastie boys? DMC!

High tops or high heels? High tops

G.O.DCAST TRACK LIST:
1. Proper Education (Club Mix) - Eric Prydz, Pink Floyd
2. Lift Off (Original Mix) - W&W
3. Aha (Original Mix) - Roar
4. Crooks in the Kitchen - Adam K
5. Dizzy (Original Mix) - Kris Holiday
6. Finally (Original Mix) - Mikkas, Amba Shepherd
7. The Night Out - A-Trak Vs Martin Solveig Extended
8. Hurricane (Club Mix) - Daddy's Groove
9. Mammoth (Original Mix) - Moguai, Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike
10. Pistol Grippin' (Original Mix) - Peep'n Tom, Tyco, Will Steep
11. Come On (Shameless) - Swit, Chris Mac (AUS)

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BLAIRVR
WWW.SOUNDCLOUD.COM/BLAIR-VAN-RIESEN

A LITTLE BASS FOR YOUR FRIDAY NIGHT KICK OFF

Free Music from Sanctums /// Remixes by Calgary ladies Isis Graham & Kousk

Featuring 11 of Western Canadian producers, this remix album hosts 11 beautifully layered, pristine musical environments, each with their own personal touches from the producers who made them. You can really feel the warmth of the West Coast on this remix album. Completely free from Bandcamp or you have the option to pay what you want. Good music Karma!

G.O.D Winnipeg //// ALL GIRLS PARTY APRIL 5

For all of our friends in Winnipeg, get off your seats and get rocked by 6 of the pegs finest ladies in music on April 5th.

The Bloom /// Episode 1 Featuring the Librarian March 30

 "Amidst the global crisis of a dysfunctional old paradigm, a new renaissance of human culture is underway. Over the course of 4 episodes and 23 transformational festivals around the globe, THE BLOOM: A JOURNEY THROUGH TRANSFORMATIONAL FESTIVALS explores the alchemy of themes that weave a true story of genuine hope for our times: A new blooming of human consciousness emerging through creativity, love and joy & an emerging culture pointing the way to a bright and promising future."

THE BLOOM: A Journey Through Transformational Festivals from Akira Chan Arts on Vimeo.

Presented by Bassbus:
Episode 1 screening: Saturday March 30th at the Plaza Theatre
Tickets available now at Grassroots and online at
http://thebloomyyc.brownpapertickets.com/
$15 in advance || $20 at the door || FULL LINEUP BELOW
18+ Event

08:00PM - Doors Open / Lobby Part ft. DJ Matty K
09:30PM - Screening *DOORS CLOSE FOR DURATION OF MOVIE*
10:30PM - *DOORS REOPEN* - After Party Begins ft. DJ Jnana
11:30PM - Jay Michael
12:30AM - The Librarian
02:00AM - Mr. Geography

Erica Dee Weekly Ticket Contest ///// WIN FREE STUFF

Each week from March 25th to April 19th, girlsondecks.com will be giving away a pair of tickets to see Erica Dee at Habitat Living Sound on April 21.

Send us an email to girlsondecksyyc@gmail.com with the correct answers to the three weekly questions.
The first person to submit an email with all three answers correct will be the winner.
Any additional participants will be entered into a final draw to win a pair of tickets on Saturday, April 20th.

Winners will be contacted by email if they have won.
Winners will be posted on our blog & facebook page on the Friday of the contest week.

Questions for March 25-30
1) Where was Erica Dee Born?
2) What stage is Erica the host of the Hip Hop Showcase on each summer at Shamhala?
3) In her video "For a Minute" who is the guest MC? 

Good luck and have some fun

Contest rules:
A) You must be 18+ to participate in this contest.
B) A valid winning entry is the first email to girlsondecksyyc@gmail.com with 3 correct answers to the weekly questions. 
C) A valid entry for the final draw email to girlsondecksyyc@gmail.com with 3 correct/non correct answers to the weekly questions. All non winners will be entered into a draw for a pair of tickets which will be drawn on Saturday, April 20, 2013.
D) The contest runs for 5 days each week until a winning post has been made
E) The contest runs for 4 weeks, there are five chances to win in total between March 25 & April 19th, 2013
F) Winners will be notified by email on the Friday of each contest week.
G) Winners will be announced on www.girlsondecks.com & www/facebook.com/girls.on.decks on the Friday of each contest week.  

Seb Dhajje \\\\\\ Thoughtful Music Worth Talking About

Calgary has a lot of one of a kind shows coming up in the coming weeks, but nothing quite as special as the show next Friday at the Area debuting France's Seb Dhajje.

Dhajje's sets offer a full journey into all portals of electronic music. Literally everything from micro samples to techno; it's beautiful music. Set to the organic back drop in The Area, this show is sure to be one for all of our senses. If you are looking for a unique experience on March 29th, this is your win.  

Check out FREQ Magazine's lovely article on Seb here

Girls on Decks faves Four Eyes & Miss Hazard will also be playing. Yeah girls!

Scope the Facebook event for more information & tickets.

REAL TALK WITH REBECCA DAWN

Just in time for the Freestylimpics 2013, we got the free style femme Rebecca Dawn to give us the low down about her role in the YYC hip hop scene and we also found out she is a dog person.   

G.O.D - Who are your influences in the hip hop community?

R.D - The other ContraVerse members (Jayzen, Twizzie, Rubix, DJ Scarlett) are my biggest influences in the city, they teach me about freestyle art, music and lyricism... but what they really teach me are life skills! Other than that my biggest influences in the YYC Hip Hop community are Dragon Fli Empire and Ricca Razorsharp/Blades of Steel because of their confidence on stage, their skill at moving the crowd, and their ability to create great events and these kinds of magical opportunities for music to improve life. 

G.O.D - What’s it like to be a femcee in YYC?

R.D - I think its dope, basically because it's fun to blaze a trail through uncharted territory and there are not a lot of femcees in YYC yet, especially in the freestyle and battle arenas. Whirly Bird is the only other female I know in Calgary who battles. In the studio and out on stage though, you find a lot of female rappers and singers who are so talented and fresh, like Politique Queen, Jaynova, Yolanda Sargeant, Lotta Chops, Nki-Louise, Ayoo Angie, and the list goes on. Now, as for the boys, I think a lot of guys are really elevated in their thinking these days, and they're not judging you as a female or whatever, they only care about your emcee skills & credentials, and they'll battle you or collab with you on the level of a human being and not care what gender you are. So I give respect to the men in this city because for the most part they are amazing to be around and I am always learning from them. I have the same attitude as the B-Girls that you don't get props just for being a girl, it is about your art and your skill, first and always. I am so blessed to be involved with Girls on Decks because it gives the ladies a real platform to shine and showcase our talent, and also to teach each other and improve!

G.O.D - When is your next album being released?

R.D-  I have a single called 'Critical Collabo' coming out on April 5 which I made with EvryGurl, Jayzen and Whatevski - it's a hype party track and we did our first music video for it! You'll be able to find that at www.rebeccadawnhiphop.com

I also have a mixtape coming up in May 2013. 

G.O.D - Where do you hope to see your career at in 5 years?

R.D- I love working with youth through the urban arts programs I'm involved with now (Global Fest and Calgary Young Offenders Centre programs), I would like to develop that and spend more time doing it, because when I can share my art with other people and make a difference in their life, even just for a few hours, with the message of Hip Hop, then I feel I am using my time well on this Earth. Life is so precious and I want to spend it making music and sharing it with people. I have been playing a lot of live shows in Calgary over the past few years too, so I would like to get out and go on tour in some different Canadian cities and other countries. It's time!

G.O.D - Why do you think it’s so important to be an advocate for femcees in the hip hop community??

R.D - I think it is important because Hip Hop is an amazing culture that can unite us, strengthen us as conscious human beings, and help us to prosper in every way. Hip Hop saved my life many times, so if other women are thinking about getting involved in the scene I want to welcome them and share what I know, and also to learn from them and get new ideas and inspiration - the kind you only get with a bunch of girls!

G.O.D - How did it all begin?

R.D - I started out writing songs during a university research trip. I was living between two rural villages in the south-Mexican jungle to study the social drivers of tropical deforestation for my Masters thesis. The temperatures were extreme and the sun was harsh, with thick mud, horrible biting insects, and extreme poverty everywhere. I was a foreigner in a foreign land, speaking Spanish and working with a translator to speak with Aboriginal people in their languages. I ate only beans, tortillas and bush meat for months, cooking over a fire, hauling water from a well, and washing my clothes by hand. It was very difficult to carry on some days, especially hearing and witnessing all the tragic stories of how the people out there had to suffer, especially the women and children. I would sit in my hammock at night listening to the storms blast my tiny hut and to KRS-One on my ipod. Then I would write songs about what I was going through and the thoughts that occurred to me, and that is my EP.    

G.O.D - What kind of pre or post show rituals do you have?

R.D - Before a show I like to run, meditate, pray, freestyle a bit, drink water and try to remember to eat something but it's hard when I am nervous! Also I MUST get my hair braided and have cornrows for very important shows. That can take a couple days. 

After a show I like to take some shots at the bar with the ContraVerse crew. 

G.O.D - When you don't have a Mic in your hand how do you chill out?

R.D - Walking my dog Arrow is good for chillin'. Of course snowboarding in winter and rafting in summer - the Calgary way! Lately I have been so focused on planning Freestylimpics and recording my mixtape that I don't get a lot of downtime. When I don't have a mic in my hand though, I like to cypher acapella with the crew. 

G.O.D - Where is your favourite place to eat in calgary?  

The Coup  

 

G.O.D - Who are your Sheros/Heros?

R.D - The Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Viktor Frankl, Cupcake Brown, Jean-Dominique Bauby and Lauryn Hill

G.O.D - How many times did your mom tell you to "turn it down!!"? 

R.D - approx. 1 million :)

WHOS TA KNOW?

Wonder Woman or Cat Woman? –  Cat Woman, although ironically I am a dog person

Freida or Cleopatra - Frida Kahlo por supuesto

Madonna or Gaga - same dif

Lisa or Meg - who? lol

Betty Page or Betty Boop - Betty Boop

Angelina or Jen - Jen

Lil Kim or Lady Soverign - make way for the S.O.V. !!! Lady Sovereign is one of my biggest influences and favourite rappers. 

Annie Oakley or Annie Mac - little of both

Oprah or Ellen - Oprah

Girls on Decks is pleased to announce that Rebecca Dawn will be performing alongside Miss Erica Dee on Sunday, April 21 at Habitat Living Sound. TIckets are available at ericadee.zoobis.com.

REBECCA DAWN /////// CONTRAVERSE \\\\\\\

Check out our girl Rebecca Dawn and her crew ContraVerse at their event FREESTYLIMPICS on March 23 at the National Music Centre in YYC. Combining both freestyle and battle elements to test all aspects of the emcee skill set. There will be crowd interaction and prizes to give away all night. Expect a hype party, sponsored by Village Brewery, Hip Hop for Humanity, Brotherman Studios, Harm Productions and the Athlete Factory.

Show starts at 8 pm - National Music Centre - 134 11 Ave SE Calgary

REBECCA SHOW DATES
Saturday March 23 at 8PM - Freestylimpics at the National Music Center
Thursday, March 28 at 10PM - Rebecca Dawn live at Ubu Lounge for 10at10
Friday, April 5 at 8PM at the National Music Center - Rebecca Dawn/ EvryGurl Music Video Release Party
Sunday, April 7 at 7PM - Rebecca Dawn live at Hotel Arts
Friday, April 12 at 9PM - ContraVerse opens for Rahzel at Dickens 
Sunday, April 21 at 10PM - Rebecca Dawn live w/Erica Dee @Habitat Living Sound 

POTPURRI

CHECK OUT GIRLS ON DECKS YYC FAVOURITES MISS HAZARD & FOUR EYES ON MARCH 29TH @ THE AREA.

FRIDAY MARCH 29TH 2013
THE AREA & POTPOURRI PRESENTS:

SEB DHAJJE (Paris//FR)
https://soundcloud.com/seb-dhajje
https://soundcloud.com/tetsuko-records
https://www.facebook.com/sebdhajje
https://twitter.com/sebdhajje
https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/sebdhajje

WITH SUPPORT FROM:
FOUR EYES (Potpourri)
MISS HAZARD

JAY MICHAEL (Evolve[-]d Productions)  
TOTEL ESCOPE (Potpourri)
  

 

“Life is not a succession of moments but a constant reality " is a quote that defines DJ, producer & label manager Seb Dhajje's sound and is also a reoccurring thought in his life. Influenced by his mother's Romanian root's, his music is very nostalgic and mystic, appropriately describing his Eastern European origins. He wants to portray the thing that perhaps defines human nature the most, sensitivity, both a burden and a blessing and says his inspiration often comes from the people he meets.

“It’s not only about music, it’s about a concept of life. I’m trying, as much as I can, to remember lessons that life gave me, the good ones and more especially the bad ones. I try to build my own life around what I learned and my music is only a reflection of who I am. This sentence means that day after day we have to try to not forget what the past teaches us”, he says in an interview in 2012.

Having studied classical music for a decade, his particular style seems inspired even from centuries passed, even though he says it all really started the day he got his first keyboard and was able to play something other than the piano.
He has released his music on well known record labels such as Armada Music, Morrison Recordings, Anjunadeep, Hope, Stripped Recording and in 2009 he started his own label, Tetsuko Recordings.

The very same year he also remixed the Icelandic electronic duo Royksopp's "Tricky Tricky". He was then discovered by Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff (Way Out West), who he remixed the track "Body Motion" for.
Seb is well known for being played and supported by some of the worlds greatest DJ's and producers today, such as Carl Cox, Nick Warren, Hernan Cattaneo and Sasha.

This show will be an experience for all ears.

-------------------------------------

$15 In Advance
$20 At The Door

Tickets online : http://sebdhajjecalgary.zoobis.com/

+18 Event
ID Required

Catch Isis Graham Djing at the "Evil Eddie" show this Friday, March 15th at HabitatLiving Sound.

Email girlsondecksyyc@gmail.com for $10 tickets!

.

Isis Graham's 30th Birthday Bash

Celebrate dirty 30 with Isis tonight at Costellos Lounge. 

$4 cover all night.

With DJS:

Jon Delerious

Mr Geography

GSD

Isis Graham 

Want more info? Click here

So Proud

THANK YOU

It's nights like last night that make us so proud to be women. 9 artists came together to create our second annual International Woman's Day celebrations at Sals on 17th in Calgary and the reception of the showcase was incredible.

The diversity of this show is what really makes us tick, it was clear to us last night that we have it all in Calgary in terms of talent and having all of these passionate ladies under one roof sure brought a lot of energy into Sals, which is perhaps not every body's favourite venue. But you couldn't tell last night, the dance floor was all vibes and support for every act. 

Big thanks to everyone who made it out to support I.W.D & girls on decks.

girls on decks will be back at Sals on May 10th. Stay tuned.

Tune in to CJSW 90.9 between 10-11PM GMT on Friday, March 8th to hear Isis Graham on What Will the Neighbours Think?

Tune into DE Radio between 7-9pm on March 7th for some lovely listening with OG GOD  Molly*Fi