Sista Stroke | Brick City House

Brick City House | Dec 16, 2009 | w/ Bear Who?

Sista Stroke — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:08:24 GMT

*house music: (n.): A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in
underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.*

BCH Journal Entry #186 -"I had to write this now, as I'm pretty hyped ... Bear Who's show is on right now, and even though I should be playing Hostess by chatting it up in the room, I just had to step out and let you know what I'm feeling as Bear Who?'s in the mix ... killin' it. And I've just been taken back ...
I feel like it's 3am, and I've already been around Chicago to 6 diff clubs, and we just getting to the loft party down at Lake Street ... I'm feeling like my 2nd wind is coming up, as I step into a humid loft packed solid with bodies cuttin' rug's that have long since been worn down ... salsa house is pouring out from the Alan's, with a bass that has crept up and found it's way to the rhythm of my heartbeat ... perfect union .... with no clear view of whats going on, i feel myself movin to the floor for that get-down that I've been looking for all night. Now I've got some Disco, and everything is beautiful ... now I've got my jack, and from here there ain't no looking back ... Word. Little bit o' everything. Just how I like it ..."

With that clear, I'd like to introduce you to our BCH guest today, DJ/Producer/Booty Coordinator Mr. Bear Who?. Born and raised in Chicago, this man found himself picking up the DJ role at the tender age of 9; by 12yrs. old he found himself buying his first pair of decks, and by 17 found himself runnin' with The Hot Mix 5 and other very well-known DJs and Producers from Chi that had House music movin' at that time - Both on AND off the floors. Bear Who? has worked with Artists such as Basement Jaxx, Todd Terry, Sneak, Daft Punk, Derrick Carter, and Greenskeepers as a Producer and an artist. Now, after numerous tracks and EP's, one full-length album (with a new album in the works), countless remixes, and being a DJ for over 26yrs I think it's safe to say that Bear Who?'s found his spot in Music. For those of you that got "The Beatbox" (Bear Who?'s last album), y'all know what I'm talkin' about! Though in the same breath I can also say that this man keeps it so so House... his delivery is smooth as and brings to mind those mid-late dance floors that you've found yourself on, anywhere, between the times of midnight to 6am.
You know the one's where you're sweaty from the first DJ - just to have this DJ killin' it; you can't stop movin' and you're body's jackin' left to right with hips snappin', ... ow! oh! ow! oh! ... i mean, you so hyped you just might have "tha stank face" on and not even know it! << that's what I'm talkin' about what happened to me on today's show, Freaks. It was THAT hectic and I bounced single minute of it!
And that's how I feel about today's BCH show ... and I have no doubt that you're going to feel the same way, Freaks. For your Holiday down-time I highly recommend you getting to know Bear Who? by havin' this mix of his in your ears. Feel free to stuff the virtual stockings of your Friends and Loved one's by passing it onto those who share your love of getting-down. Remember, this season is the time for giving ... and who doesn't love the gift of Hot Music!

Tune in next week for a very special BCH Christmas as we... well ... telling you would be like letting you open your x-mas presents early, and I just can't do it. All I'm going to say is this: You would've never seen it comin' if I hadn't told ya. It's going to mos def be a special one, Friends and Family, and I hope you'll spend a few hours of your holiday with us.
So get the eggnog ready, make sure everyone brings a mixer or ice, set aside the "good glasses", make plenty of room for at least 3 bodies, and then gather the friends around the cubicle, laptop, living room, etc., as we usher in the BCH's very first Christmas in the Lo. On-line "cheers" wil be in order .. so consider yourself warned :D

See you next week, Fam ... Freak Freely!
Sista ♥

Brick City House | Dec 09, 2009 | w/ DJ Frique

Sista Stroke — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:19:22 GMT

*house music: (n.)
A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.*

Good Morning, Friends and Fam! And how is life for you on this Thursday morning? Life here in the Lo is [almost] back to normal for us since coming home on Tuesday, and I'm sure that once the jet-lag wears off it'll be as great as it was 4months ago before we left for Texas. As we're still riding the high from last week's show with DJ Gracie Chavez, which celebrated the Working DJ, this week we thought we'd take it a step higher and dedicate a show to, and for, the Freaks by offering up our Tribute 2 Your Inner Freak!

For your journey we brought in the only Shaman (DJ) that could truly take us to the land of Freak... and that is none other than Chicago's very own, DJ Frique (aka Mr. Frique). Frique's mix, "Les Frique", was unlike any other we've ever played here at the BCH and we're a bit embarrassed to admit that it got us quite excited .. like clothes and all comin' off like, dig? Frique has been keeping it very real, and very House, for over 25 yrs. since purchasing his decks at the tender age of 12yrs old. He's witnessed the growth, decline, re-emergence, and endless building-over-time of the Chicago scene first-hand, and had plenty to say on the subject. What I felt most, however, was the way he broke it all down. I have a feeling that, like our past BCH guest, Lady D, you're really going to feel what he's saying .. and that includes how he says it all too. From his words to his mix, Frique captures your attention and makes you sit up. Maybe it's the way he delivers, or maybe it's the way he just keeps it so damn real. Decide for yourself in listening to today's BCH show.
Small Side Note: After listening to his mix, I've dubbed today's show, "Frique le Freak" ... for one simple reason, Friends and Fam: It was just that efff'n great! We plan on having DJ Frique back as much as his rock-star of a schedule will allow, and hope that you'll be inviting him into your ears frequently.

Tune in next week as we present Bear Who? for your listening pleasure. With 4 newly released EP's out to the masses, and a current world tour in the making, we were able to catch-up with this DJ/Producer who's been holdin' it down for the last 20yrs. And hard too! Chicago-born and native proud, you'll hear for yourself why Bear Who? has been able to give it to us for so long!

Till next week, Freaks, stay as Freaky as you are. As cold as it might be in some parts of the world, do us a favor,yea? Get out this weekend!!! Your local underground can always use your support, and that goes for your local DJs as well.
Have a great weekend, and do what you feel! We fully support all the Freaks holding it down and lettin' it all go ... Freak Freely, Fam.

Enjoy Music,
Sista

Brick City House | Dec 2, 2009 | w/ Gracie Chavez

Sista Stroke — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:02:48 GMT

*house music: (n.) A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.*

Talk about a "high" ... Damn! Good Evening, Friends and Fam, and how the heck are ya?!? My head is still buzzing from our evening here at the BCH, and if I'm not mistaken the bricks are still shakin'. What with House Music and the Working Class DJ being celebrated in today's show, I think it's more than safe to say that today's BCH show delivered with no doubt. Which brings me to our guest Les Femme de la Nuit (Lady of the night) ....

Our guest Gracie Chavez dropped cut after cut on us, that truly took us on a journey of how House Music has transpired through the years. Also, and more importantly, she gave it - her music and mix - to us from the point of view from HER path over the last ten years as a Music lover, DJ, and Music Journalist. Gracie has been a staple on the Houston scene for the last ten years of her career. From House and Hip-Hop, to B-more and Baila Funk, this lady can deliver where I've seen others choke. By day she's a career cutting journalist and designer, and by 5 can be found in traffic doing phone interviews on her way to pick-up her kids; mid-evening brings the Super Mom out, and after story and bedtime - when most mommy's are winding their evening's down - this lady is packing up her tasty tunes, headphones, and car, and heading to her latest gig. In her interview you'll hear how Gracie heard her calling to bring her taste of sounds to the masses, and you'll also hear just what it means to her to see her dancefloor full of hard-working people sweatin' all their strife's out. I'm very proud to present her interview and mix for you, and know that without a doubt her music will be resonating in your ears for days to come. Gracie Chavez played Shaman today ... and she guided us to the very spot of where our love of this Music all came from - the Heart.

You can catch Gracie and her D.I.R.B. crew around Houston, TX most evenings; however, if you find that you can't wait, try her at Dusty Crates. This blog is updated daily and is saturated with info, mp-free give-away's, and mixes from the DIRB crew and other DJ's alike that they feel deserve more of a spotlight! If you feel brave enough to dive deeper into the DIRB crew, visit SubCrates as well. There's alllllways something going on there too!
Big Up's to Gracie Chavez and the DIRB crew who are ALWAYS Doin' It Real BIG!

Next week's show is gonna be super caliente and super tasty, as well, Friends and Fam: It'll be my first week back home in London with my hubz, MrHun, and as a welcome home to myself I thought that it would be appropriate to give it up to all the Freaks ... which is why we'll be doing a Tribute 2 Your Inner Freak, with 1st time Guest (yet long time Family member) Frique (Chicago, IL). Frique has been keeping it very real and very House for almost twenty years, and next week you're going to hear for yourself allll the reason's of why he's been locked in my Top Ten All-Time DJ's list for the last 6yrs. Coming off the high of his collab project "Only4DJs" with Gene Farris, Diz, and Lego, we here at the BCH thought that this was prime time to nab this DJ for a Holiday tasting. I'm thinking we should call this show, "Frique le Freak" .. whatchu think?

Till next week: keep it flossy, keep it movin' ... and keep it hella' Freaky! Thank you for your support, Love, and friendship, and have a great weekend.
Freak Freely!

Enjoy Music,
Sista ♥

Brick City House | Nov 18, 2009 | w/ Eddie B.

Sista Stroke — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:23:20 GMT

Good afternoon, Everybody, and Happy Thanksgiving! This is a time of year when most peeps stuff their belly's, gather with the Family, and give "Thanks" to all in their lives (allow me to be clear) in America. Here at the BCH, however, we choose to be "thankful" everyday ... and today's show was a dedication to all that the BCH is thankful for, Friends and Family, which really does come down to you - the Listener, the Dancer, the Supporter, and the one that gives us Love.
If it weren't for you, we'd have no one to plan a show for months in advance, we'd have no one that gave a sh*t what we were playing, and well ... we're thankful that you give us that extra extra when the thought of creating a show, for your enjoyment, goes into motion. You make this happen, really ... I just play the music.

Which brings me to our first guest who, rumor has it, spends his lunch time at record stores scouring and digging through endless crates. He's the sort of DJ that picks and plays his cuts with his audience 1st in mind, and it's just one of the reasons why we love this guy so much around here. Eddie B., of HAWT Music, is no stranger to the BCH booth and we thought we'd give him the honor of kicking off our show with a live mix he did 2 weeks ago in Los Angeles, CA at Balance. It was a birthday weekend (and a few hours before he was to be kidnapped by the Coppertone Bikini team), the HAWT group was going strong at their residency, and you can just feel that there is a party in full effect! He drops cut after cut after cut, and it I'll admit it - sh*t - he made me wince with a bit o' jealousy that I wasn't there on his dance floor. That's how nice his mix is, Friends and Fam, and you're not going to be able to help yourself when your ass, hips, and head starts to move!
For the new year, we've asked Eddie to be a BCH resident, and grace us every 3 months with a guest mix. We feel that since we enjoy him, and YOU enjoy him, that we should have more of this super hawt frijole servin' up his spice on the regular!! We'll keep you posted on his response, Freaks. :)

And then, I played ... and played ... and played .. and capped it all off with A Guy Called Gerald's "Voodoo Ray" for our Classic of the Week. I dropped loads of new cuts from D'Lectable, Mike Frugaletti, Organized Crime, and Smokingroove ... and then gave you a bit more of the good stuff to keep you tied over till we meet again next week.

Speaking of, tune in next week as we welcome first time guest, but life-long friend of mine, Gracie Chavez! This woman keeps it super real down in the dirty Dirty South, and you're going to hear for yourself why she's the hardest woman working in and around Texas -who's DOING IT REAL BIG (DIRB). We're proud to welcome Gracie into the booth, and promise to have loads of her fav Texas beer on tap with shots of Patron to wash it down. In the words of Gracie, "Andale!!" ...

Once again, before I let you go, I'd like to Thank You for all your support that you've given Brick City House in our last 8 1/2 months. You've welcomed us into your home, your office, your ears, your hips, your booty, and you're hearts. I know that I'll never truly never be able to thank you enough, but I do hope that you feel where I'm coming from when I say this. We promise to step our game up in 2010 for you, and are grateful that you're making this journey with us! All this just wouldn't be as much fun without you, Friends and Family.

Till next week ... Freak as Freely as you want!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in America! And Happy weekend to the rest of you ... Peace.

Enjoy Music,
Sista

p.s.: *gobble gobble*

Brick City House | Nov 18, 2009

Sista Stroke — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:01:07 GMT

house music (n.) A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.

And then there was Music ... and the Bedroom DJ who thought no one was listening.

And that, Friends and Fam, is why today's mid-week freak was dedicated to the Bedroom DJ. I think it's safe to say that we've all been there, yea? Holed-up in our rooms, practicing and perfecting the perfect blend, beat matching, or locking the mix for countless hours on end. We all had that same daydream of having a floor stacked to the brim with people who came to get down ... and we've all imagined ourselves being the one who's making them groove. And then the task of getting booked came about and well .. some gave up, some gave in, and other's "gave" us all they had. And they're still giving it to us to this very day!
Yes, Folks, if your a DJ then I know you know where I'm coming from. We all started somewhere .. and for most of us, it was in our bedroom.

So for today's show Rich and I abandoned the studio, cleared out his bedroom, threw some pillows and blankets all around, and opened the door to anyone who wanted to come chill. Sort of like we used to do when we started out DJing. And the result? 2 hours of neck-breaking goodness, laughs, love, chat room shenanigans, and some more memories to add to the BCH wall.
In today's BCH show, you're going to be peepin' out new cuts from some BCH favorites like "Black Christ" and "I'm Back" from D'Lectable Music (new EP is to be released in Winter 09), Chris Robson (one of my fav artists for 2009) with "Booda Man", Organized Crime's "Feel Me Up", Bryan Jones's remix of Bear Who's "Fix My Sink", Soydan with delicious "Funk Daddy" cut isn't leaving my bag anytime soon, and Sonny Fedora. Along with cuts from some newer artists on the scene like Brian Heath ("Acapulco Gold"), Mike Frugaletti (LOVE his Tech) with "Understandable", Sun City Hustlers (new fav's) with "Miami Vice" and Chris Quadrant's ("Old School Junkie"). I had a great time playing for all of you guys today, and I hope you enjoy what I've offered up for your listening pleasure.

On a side note: We'd originally had Eddie B. as our planned guest today; however, last week was this DJs birthday and well ... he was kidnapped, you could say. The story goes that after his HAWT set on Saturday evening he was seen wandering around the parking lot straight for a tour bus that just happened to hold the entire Coppertone Bikini Team. I was told that they were waving and enticing him with Tequila .. and well ... the rest is HAWT debauchery history! Not to fail, though, because this morning I was able to speak to a mumbling - yet very coherent - Eddie who was home, fine, a bit hung, and full of apologies. :) I mean, after all, it wasn't his fault that there was bus of bikini-clad women who needed a bit o' Mexican. Can't hold that against our man .... So now, without further ado, let's try this bit again:

Tune in next week as we welcome our boy, Eddie B., to take the decks for a very special Thanksgiving set exclusively for Brick City House (but for real this time :) )

Till next week, Freaks, be good to yourself and those around you. Support your local scene, your local venue's, and your local talent. Without you your DJs will starve, and you will be left with no where to go, nothing to do, no where to be, no where to be seen, and full of questions like, "why isn't there anything going on in our city?". In other words, Friends and Fam, SUPPORT every chance you get!
Freak Freely.

Enjoy Music,
Sista

P.S. If you're a Bedroom DJ and would like to be heard, send your mix by link to BrickCityHouse@gmail.com or info@sistastroke.com. You just might end up being a guest on Brick City House :) Love!

Brick City House | Nov 11, 2009 | w/Guest DJ_S (aka Doctor Spaceman)

Sista Stroke — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:25:09 GMT

house music (n.) A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.

Good evening, Friends and Fam, I hope today's show finds you in high spirits, great cheer and, yes, happy. We here at the BCH have been busy packing and getting ready to take our show back to London; we've been doing great interviews with upcoming Guests, scanning over promo's, and on a serious mission to bring the "Freak Freely" parties to life so that we're off and running once we're back in The Lo. Happiness and Gratitude are all around here at the BCH, because thanks to you and your support we've got something to do - and that, folks, keeps us on our game when it comes whipping-up shows for you in our lab.

Speaking of lab .. did I tell you that we had Doctor Spaceman, aka DJ_S, dropping his science on us today as a special treat? Ohhhh yes, the last time DJ_S made a stop in our booth he had our heads swirling in the amor de cosmos! Today, his journey took us back and beyond the 4th Dimension of light and sounds, and before long we found ourselves floating along Orion's belt. To be fair, I think I lost my helmet somewhere by Sety "Mogane" (Guillaume.. The Coutu Dumonts Remix) ... and I know for sure that I lost my moonboots when he dropped Oliver Demet's "Just Like Heaven" (Joshua Heath Remix) .. but what I don't know exactly is where I lost these items *shrugs shoulders*. Hmmmm, perhaps it was somewhere by the Aquarius constellation ... *sigh* ... What can I say? Doctor Spaceman just has this way of making me forget where I am, what I'm doing, and what I was supposed to do! Turns out, he did it again with this mix of his last night.
Friends and Fam, sit back, relax, and forget your day when you peep the show we've brought to you today. Life is hectic enough without all the extra pressures you put on yourself; so why not "step to the side of it" every now and again to observe and listen? Even if it is for a short ride through the constellations of space and time.

Tune in next week as we welcome back, officially, Eddie B. (HAWT, los angeles). The last time we welcomes this DJ to the BCH booth he was, well, for lack of better words: Saving our asses. Yes, tis true, Eddie B. was able to cover a guest slot when our slated guest DJ was unable to be here. To show our appreciation, this time around we're rolling out the red carpet, summoning our "Pips", and putting on our best! Proper interview, proper mix made exclusively for Brick City House, and a proper Guest slot. Get ready for some extra, extra, y'all!!

Before I let you go, I'd like to give a nod to today's date and wish a Happy Veterans Day to ALL soldiers. No matter where you are. 2nd, I'd like to give a nod to the date 11:11:09 .. for those of you in the know, y'all dig where I'm coming from! Make those wishes all day long!

Till next week, Friends and Fam, be safe and happy! As always, the biggest of "Thanks" goes out to you - the Listener and the Dancer - for tuning, supporting, and sharing your love with us. Hear me when I say that all of this just wouldn't be as much fun without you.
Right ... so let's do a systems check before lift off, shall we? Space helmet - check. Moon boots - check. Headphones and galactic peace pipe - check and check! Make-shift rug on which we can cut - check! Systems are go, Freaks - time for take-off.
Freak Freely!

Enjoy Music,
Sista

for playlist click here

Brick City House | Nov 4, 2009 | w/Guest DJ - Seraphim

Sista Stroke — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:51:14 GMT

house music (n.) A style of disco music with a heavy bass beat, initially popularized in underground all-night parties held in abandoned warehouses.

As another Halloween comes and goes, we find ourselves diving head-first into the Holiday's = whether we like or not. From here on out we're going to be bombarded with bad Holiday music in shops, elevators, and restaurants everywhere! Heh, not to worry though, as here at the BCH we'll be supplying you the freshest of ingredients that's sure to keep your ear buds happy.
With that said, I take great pleasure in introducing you to our Guest DJ, Seraphim.

Originally hailing from Chicago, this sunshine Lady has been calling Florida her home for the past decade. Her love of House Music spans years; however, it's her love of all genre's of Music that started it all for this DJ . Now, with over a decade of experience behind the decks, her next natural progression see's her stepping into the realm of Production. Teaming up with her Husband, Camouflage, the two are known as TransAtlantic Union and ... you know what? You can hear all of that for yourself - plus more - when you check out today's show on the podcast. From the words she shares to the beat's she drops, Seraphim ushered us into a journey that we'll be downloading for many plays later on. Her mix is fittingly titled, "Family Affair", and is compiled of tracks offered up by Producer's who all reside on Chicago House FM. Truly a Family-style of get-down, and truly worth your time. Also, if you ever feel you need a dose on your own of the good stuff you can always tune in for their live shows, every Thursday evening's, for the TransAtlantic Union show. For left-over's, try hitting Seraphim up on their podcast for some Transatlantic Union Love .

A huge Thank You goes from all of us here at the BCH to this Lady for stopping by and sharing. We truly can't wait to have you back, Mamma!

Tune in next week as we welcome back DJ_S all the way from Seoul, Korea. The last time this DJ stopped by, he wrecked shop on a whole other level that we don't get too much here.. and I'm super excited to hear the science he's gonna be layin' on us this time! Just click on his name to get a taste of S, and what he's got to offer us. Till next week, Friends and Fam, I wish you nothing but a speedy delivery to your weekend! As always, the Biggest of "Thanks"(!) goes out to you, the Listener and the Dancer, for tuning in, supporting, and sharing your Love with me. Hear me when I say that all of this just wouldn't be as much fun without you.
Freak Freely!

Enjoy Music, Sista