Sorority girls in short skirts and thick bass outta big speakers, Jack in the Box head’s and beer bongs on stages, these are a few of my favorite things. I know what you’re thinking, where can we have all of my favorite things in one place? Funny you asked because, the Graduate last Saturday hosted a party complete with the works. EasyLove Records and Collective Effort presented one of Canada’s biggest stars to the home to of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. MSTRKRFT’s Jesse F. Keeler, rocked the house with the accompaniment of rising star Craig Williams, and SLO’s own Casa St. Hooligans.
The Graduate in San Louis Obispo (SLO), is a hole in the wall joint at the end of an industrial road on the outskirts of downtown. A sports bar by day, and a rave by night. The main section of the club has high ceilings and a large dance floor space. When the neon beer signs and plasmas TV’s running ESPN switch off, the venue turns into a disco dominated by racks and racks of club lights. Projector screens throughout the place run visuals run by a VJ located in the back of the club. The Graduate has a second face at night, and it is as dirty as the music tonight…
Craig Williams opened the night with some underground fidget style electro. He went back and forth on the decks between his own remixes and some underground house, lighting the fire to heat up the night. His Saturday opening performance was understated, but hey you know what they say? The openers have the biggest balls. Williams is an Australian born DJ/Producer currently living and playing gigs in California. Last year, he won a remix contest for Tiga’s “What You Need” landing him a spot at Lalapalooza 2010. Give it a listen below…
What You Need – Tiga (Craig Williams Remix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/tigawhatyouneed.mp3|titles=What You Need – Tiga (Craig Williams Remix)]
The first people through the doors were Cal Poly raver kids excited to get their shuffle on complete with glow sticks and fuzzy shit. As the night moved forward, more and more college kids packed in. Sorority chicks in tight neon dresses and shirtless bros flooded the floor. It was obvious there was some serious pre-gaming going down as the crowd arrived in groups.
On the decks, Williams pounded the dance floor with some of his own remixes. The track filled the room with deep distorted bass synths layered with Dutchy bleeps leads. He mixed in some ravey tracks like Nick Cambell – “Brick Scrap (Datamotion Remix)” and more underground electro hits like Dependence ( Craig Williams remix).
Nick Cambell – Brick Scrap (Datamotion Remix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Nick-CAMBELL-Brick-Scrap-Datamotion-remix.mp3|titles=Nick Cambell – Brick Scrap (Datamotion remix)]Netzik – Dependance (Craig Williams Remix) [Unreleased]
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Dependance-Craig-Williams-Remix.mp3|titles=Dependance (Craig Williams Remix)]
Next up, the Casa St. Hooligans took to the CDJs, or rather the computer. Their set kicked off with some vampire like organs with a huge dubstep drop. The crowd nearly died when the bass blasted. The duo juggled back and forth from electro to dubstep working the build ups until they dropped Fedde Le Grand’s “Back and Forth”. The most notable part of the set was their 45 minute indulgence in some wonky dubstep. The crowd literally bowed back and forth to the wobble.
Fedde Le Grand – Back & Forth (Full Vocal Mix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2010/04/Back-Forth-Full-Vocal-Mix.mp3|titles=Fedde Le Grand ft. Mr. V – Back & Forth (Full Vocal Mix)]The Atmosphere of the club was almost like a big house party with raver chicks and bros. In traditional college party fashion, the power cut abruptly in the middle of the Hooligan’s set, suspending the audience in silence for nearly 10 minutes. When the power came back online, the duo picked up right were they left off.
The Hooligans’ had alright transitions from electro to dubstep dropping fat tracks like Are You Ready (Original Mix) – Angger Dimas transition into a huge dubstep drop. Running the show from Serato in ‘internal’ mode doesn’t leave a lot of breathing room to read the crowd. The lights, provided by EasyLove Records, did and awesome job cueing up the house lights with the epileptic strobes at just the right times to the electro banger Uppermost – We Rock (Original Mix). Some of the transitions clashed and it didn’t seem like they had the best grasp over their effects. Regardless, the party was crackin’.
Are You Ready (Original Mix) – Angger Dimas
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2010/12/Angger-Dimas-Are-You-Ready-Original-Mix.mp3|titles=Angger Dimas – Are You Ready (Original Mix)]Uppermost – We Rock (Original Mix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/We-Rock-Original-Mixwww.livingelectro.com_.mp3|titles=Uppermost – We Rock (Original Mix)]
As the night went on, the party got crazier and louder. With each hour, more and more people showed up, and more and more girls jumped up on stage. Out of nowhere, a Jack in the Box head appeared in the crowd, and one of the DJs took a beer bong at the decks. Just a couple of my favorite things. Check out the Deadmau5’s Orland Voorn remix, Paco Di Bango “I want something to bang my head on…”. It ate the college crowd up, and spit them out:
Orlando Voorn – Paco Di Bangos World (Deadmau5 Remix) [Unreleased]
Skip to 1:00 for a huge drop.
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Orlando-Voorn-Paco-Di-Bangos-World-Deadmau5-Remix.mp3|titles=Orlando Voorn – Paco Di Bangos World (Deadmau5 Remix)]
Jesse F. Keeler showed up, fashionably late of course, with his entourage. The front of the crowd was packed so tightly girls in front were bent over, and climbing up the pillars on the sides of the stage. This might have been confused for an underground punk show from the 90’s with all the energy oozing out of the speakers. JFK’s fidget style electro house bangers took the crowd for a spin as the audience seemed to instantly double in size.
San Louis Obispo was dripping in sweat as JFK rolled from banger to banger without giving the crowd a break. He ripped the decks up left and right, back and forth between Federico Franchi – Cream (Arcade Remix) JFK Edit and Dusty Kid’s filthy track The Riot JFK Edit.
Frederico Franchi – Cream (Arcade Remix) [Unreleased]
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Frederico-Franchi-Cream-Arcade-Remix-4clubbers.pl_.mp3|titles=Frederico Franchi – Cream (Arcade Remix)]skip ahead to 4:00 for the full effect!
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Dusty-Kid-–-The-Riot-Original-Mix.mp3|titles=Dusty Kid – The Riot (Original Mix)]
After train spotting his Serato list, I quickly realized every track was a JFK edit and his entire set was warped to 130 BPM. From French electro to Baltimore house, he had pre set cue in points and cue out points coordinating his drops perfectly. He killed the floor with monster bomb after monster bomb. Many of JFK’s edits are unreleased and can’t be found online. The tracks listed for this review have only a fraction of the power that his edits have, you’ll just have to go see him live for full effect.
Forty-five minutes into his set, JFK dropped the first vocal track. Finally Spasms – Latourette (Gigi Barocco Bootleg – JFK Edit) mixed straight into some Swedish house with Rave N Roll (JFK Edit) – Steve Angello. The floor had filled up in the front so tightly that people were climbing up on the platforms to bump and grind. Then it got filthy with Pase Rock – Nights (Nadastrom Remix).
Finally Spasms – Latourette (Gigi Barocco Bootleg – JFK Edit) [Unreleased]
Rave N Roll (Original Mix) – Steve Angello
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2010/09/Steve-Angello-Rave-N-Roll-Original-Mix1.mp3|titles=Steve Angello – Rave N Roll (Original Mix)]Pase Rock – Nights (Nadastrom Remix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Pase-Rock-Nights-Nadastrom-Remix-www.mp3fordjs.blogspot.com_.mp3|titles=Pase Rock – Nights (Nadastrom Remix)]
At 1 am, the bass was shaking apart the room and it was so packed you couldn’t put your hands down. JFK hadn’t let up the bass for more than a couple seconds since he loaded up the first track. The energy in the room continued to develop. The lovely Vikki Blows, Jesse’s girl, was standing by the booth the entire night. I don’t know what it is about hard hitting electro that makes girls get down, but i’ll be damned if there was one person in that room not getting some. Gotta love a college crowd!
Continuing his onslaught with bass, Wolfgang Gartner’s Space Junk… JFK edit of course, mixed up with Hostage – Versatile Sound (JFK Edit), took the party to another dimension. Everybody went bonkers when Little John’s vocal hook came in “WE HIT TURBULENCE!” in Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon – Turbulence. If JFK hadn’t already put the crowd over the edge, he killed it with Cassius – I Love You So (JFK Remix) right into a funky house edit of Mr. Oizo- Gay Dentists (JFK Edit).
Wolfgang Gartner – Space Junk (Original Mix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2010/12/Wolfgang-Gartner-Space-Junk-Original-Mix-BacauHouseMafia.Ro_.mp3|titles=Wolfgang Gartner – Space Junk (Original Mix) ] [audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Hostage-Versatile-Sound-NightRumour.blogspot.com_.mp3|titles=Hostage – Versatile Sound]Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon – Turbulence [Unreleased]
Cassius – I Love You So (JFK Remix) [Unreleased Ed Banger Rec.]
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Cassius-I-Love-You-So-JFK-Remix-NightRumour.com_.mp3|titles=Cassius – I Love You So (JFK Remix)]Mr. Oizo- Gay Dentists (JFK Edit)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Gay-Dentists-_JFK-Edit_.mp3|titles=Mr. Oizo- Gay Dentists (JFK Edit)]
Everybody was waiting for those coveted MSTRKRFT tracks all night. The crowd chanted along to MSTRKRFT – Bounce Feat. N.O.R.E. while the vocals from Gay Dentists chirped in the background. “BOUNCE LOW, BOUNCE HIGH! ALL I DO IS PARTY HA HA HA HA!!” And then the stage diving started happening… JFK is not one for insane stage stunts, but that wasn’t going to stop the bros from jumping up onto the stage and back into the crowd.
MSTRKRFT – Bounce (feat. N.O.R.E.)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Bounce-feat.-N.O.R.E..mp3|titles=MSTRKRFT – Bounce (feat. N.O.R.E.)]
He busted out even more funky disco house with Swivel Hips – Cheaters (JFK Edit) mixed with The Phantom’s Revenge – Charlie (JFK Edit) “GOD DAMN IT CHARLIE!”. With 4 minutes left, he busted out another huge banger. MSTRKRFT Feat. John Legend – Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke Remix) destroyed the crowd.
Swivel Hips – Cheaters (Original Mix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Swivel-Hips-Cheaters-Original-Mix.mp3|titles=Swivel Hips – Cheaters (Original Mix)]The Phantom’s Revenge – Charlie (Original Mix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/Charlie-Original-Mix-1.mp3|titles=The Phantom’s Revenge – Charlie (Original Mix)]MSTRKRFT -Heartbreaker (Featuring John Legend) (Laidback Luke Remix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2009/09/Heartbreaker-Featuring-John-Legend-Laidback-Luke-Remix.mp3|titles=MSTRKRFT ft. John Legend – Heartbreaker (Laidback Luke remix)]
It was a culminating moment, everybody had been waiting for this one! As soon as the vocals came in to Heartbreaker, the crowd’s roar was louder than the speakers… no seriously they were! JFK ran over time, and the mgmt cut the house speakers leaving only the two monitor to fill the room. With still another song to go, he turned his monitors outward and played Swedish House Mafia’s One (Congorock Remix). About 10 seconds before the last drop, the rest of the speakers cut out. The sweaty, red faced college group called out for more, but the dead was done. The management pulled the plug and the neon signs flickered back on. Slowly but surly, the venue transformed back into a dive bar again.
Swedish House Mafia – One (Congorock Remix)
[audio:http://uploads.dancingastronaut.com/2011/01/One-Congorock-Remix.mp3|titles=Swedish House Mafia – One (Congorock Remix)]
After his set, Jesse was a good sport, he stuck around to take pictures with some of the lingering fans. Jesse touched base with some of the other DJs and answered their questions and even handed out a couple MSTRKRFT business cards. His conversations were personable and he seemed very open to talk about his music and production. It was humbling to see such a party hound become so modest after such a bangin’ set. He left the building shouting out “I’ll be back SLO!”
Check out his tweet:
To sum it up, Jesse had some good opening acts and an enthusiastic crowd. An audience full of college students really brought the energy through the roof. The girls were hot, and the venue was even hotter. Throw a bunch of 18-22 year olds in an dive bar, shower them with booze (only those who are over 21, pre-gaming excluded) and pummel them with filthy electro, and you have last Saturday in SLO. We’re expecting to see opener, Craig Williams, in the future, as his soundcloud is packed with original tracks and remixes. So, remember his name! The guys at EasyLove Records did an awesome job, the lighting and visuals were off the hook. At one point they hacked into the security cameras and projected them on the screens, pointing the lens at girls and the DJs. JFK threw down a bangin’ set, spinning French style electro sprinkled with some classic house. From track to track, the bass throbbed out of the speakers obliterating the crowd without letting up. It was AWESOME. Nobody was ready to end the party, but when JFK ran over time the mgmt pulled the plug ending his set a bit early. Keep an eye out for JFK track edits online, you know they are going to be bangers for sure. He releases them few and far between so jump on them when opportunity strikes.
Follow Jesse F Keeler’s tweets on Twitter @jfkmstrkrft and hear more JFK of MSTRKRFT on BeatPort.
For more photos view DancingAstronaut’s FaceBook gallery.
-Keep it dirty
Seriously great review man, especially on the Serato end. Well done!
Sick review. So glad he dropped Cheaters. Been one of my favorite records for some time now.
Didn’t even mention the tech/jungle house DJ Mikey Lion. It’s easy in San Luis Obispo to pull off a show by just playing bangers and wobble because most people here are still really new to techy. Takes skill to drop a tech house set here where no one is really into the scene.
Caught him at EDC Dallas last year. He definitely surprised me. The crowd was going nuts! Definitely hoping to see a Dallas tour date again!
very nice post
That’s really cool about the 130 BPM edits. That’s gotta make things more convenient as a DJ
You nailed it! This is exactly how it went down. I am a Cal Poly student and this was the height of our EDM parties so far. I went to see both Benassi and Aoki when they came to town, but JFK took the cake. In two weeks they are putting on another event ‘Neons: Take Two’ at the Grad and having Mr. White guest perform from LA. Should be a great time. If your looking for a repeat of JFK make sure to stop by because SLO is bringing the house!
Great to read a good, honest review. Good pics and good song downloads.
Im going to have to read this blog more often.
I appreciate your musical perspective and analysis. Care to give me your thoughts on this?
http://Www.soundcloud.com/electrolytic
Im sorry, I love that you’re down for slo edm, but native and the grad do NOT have the best edm shows to offer in the central coast.
Love the photos! I can be such a sucker for bright, flashy lights.
jungle house sounds like some made up shit like gorestep. is this you mikey?
or just shows that he cant match beats… or hes just lazy.