New Press Alert: LEGENDARY NEW YORK: TESTPRESS SUNDAYS

New York City’s nightlife scene has been the epicenter of legendary scenes from Big Band to Punk, Disco to New Wave, from Club Kids to Indie Rock, each genre forming a piece of the tapestry that forms New York’s history. Jungle, drum and bass, and all its musical relatives are just as woven into the five borough scenes as any other. While NYC is happily experiencing a revival of the drums and bass, the initial heyday took places in the mid-late 90’s, with drum and bass taking over small clubs and bars all over Manhattan, legitimate, quality affairs with great sound systems and dedicated patrons, great local talent playing then unknown tunes before the ubiquity of the Internet, and committed promoters dropping collectible flyers everywhere. This all took place during a whirlwind of creative collaborations, brick and mortar record stores, and youthful enthusiasm, though the energy was dampened by the last of Mayor Giuliani’s draconian caberet law, parties still adapted, flourished, and rocked on to iconic status. One such affair, was Testpress Sundays founded by DJ Swingsett along with DJ Wally aka Pish Posh. After seven years of great times and vibes, Testpress Sundays weekly jam soon after Swingsett moved to the west coast after painful divorce. David Hale Winsett aka DJ Swingsett chats with the DNB Vault during his NYC visit about Testpress Sundays, the past, the present, and possible future.

 

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http://www.dnbvault.com/legendary-new-york-testpress-sundays/

Ari Up’s Memorial Birthday Blowout

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Yes, there was an INSANE lineup assembled at the Music Hall of Williamsburg to celebrate Ari Up’s birthday and legacy, including The Slits, Neneh Cherry!, Emch on the decks, and I got to sing Typical Girls with the Slits!! Amazing- such a fitting and moving tribute. I’ve been to two funerals in two weeks and now Ari’s memorial, which will be a joyful celebration of her life and sounds, but once again I am reminded of how precious the people and moments in our lives are, how much they inspire and help shape us, and I give thanks for knowing so many amazing people.

I have a New Years’ gift for you in the form of two free downloads of covers I made as gifts for family members this holiday season- totally different from what you’re used to hearing from me. I recorded them myself, so forgive any roughness on…

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Japan, Bettie Page, and Serious Whimsy

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I hope you’ve been well- I’ve been in hibernation and incubating MANY things I’m excited to tell you about. I must admit that I was rocked to the core by the devastating and ongoing events in Japan. Of course I’m not connected to Japan by birth or heritage, but I’ve been inspired by and head-over-heels in love with Japanese culture throughout my life. Now I am inspired also by their strength, and the confidence that they will rebuild (and surely discover and teach the world new things in the process). Not only in Japan of course is there massive upheaval and transformation occurring but around the world as nature and revolution transform the globe through riots, fire, tsunamis… I’ve been saddened to know the suffering that’s transpiring but amazed and inspired to see the change people achieved by rising up in Egypt. It just seems that the globe is in…

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