In My Box: DJ Skiddle's 10th Birthday Mix

My good pal DJ Skiddle recently released this two-part mix in celebration of the 10th anniversary of his DJ career! Congratulations DJ Skiddle! I'm so excited to see where the next 10 years take you!

...one of these mixes features a custom DJ Skiddle mashup which includes of one my tracks! I won't tell ya which one though...you must download and listen to BOTH!



Download Skiddle's 10th Bday Mix Pt 1 by clicking here!

Download Skiddle's 10th Bday Mix Pt 2 by clicking here!

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Enjoy your Memorial Day, and remember those who gave their lives for our country, for better or worse!

XXX


L.A.K.

Election 2012 Panic!

We are set to enter the official start of the 2012 presidential election season and the race for the Republican nomination to challenge President Barack Obama in 2012 just keeps getting more interesting. I'm at once fascinated by, and completely freaked out about, where this is going to take us as a nation. We're already in such a precarious position....

Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced he will consider it. This could change the landscape of the GOP field, by adding a sitting governor who has never lost an election to the mix. I see this as the only credible threat to the Obama campaign at this point.

Smoosh (as radio host Norman Goldman likes to refer to her), aka Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin also sent shockwaves through the political establishment with the announcement of a campaign-style bus tour along the East Coast, the latest possible contender for the nomination to stand up since Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels announced last weekend that he would not run. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is himself heading to New Hampshire, further stirring speculation that he will jump into the race. God help us all. Really?

Former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, however, is the closest to a favorite at this point. He plans to kick off his campaign in the early primary state of New Hampshire next Thursday, coincidentally (or not so), the same day that Giuliani is slated to headline a fundraiser for the state Republican Party (and meet with GOP activists). If Giuliani runs, we can all count on many original and inspiring speeches from him. "9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11...." Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (twice divorced, void of morals bastard that he is),has also set up an aparatus to prepare to run. He has TONS of problems (THANK GOD!), including being twice divorced under scurolous circumstances.

Others who've come up as possible contenders include Michelle Bachmann, Jon Huntsman, and even Jeb Bush. Now, there's another one we should be afraid of. My secret fear is that it will be the 11th hour and BAM! He'll announce, and then somehow the election will be stolen, and then we'll be subjected to 8 more years of Bush family politics.

Someone talk me down...


XXX


L.A.K.

I'm On Team Maria!

Ok, maybe I am being a little childish, perhaps spending time on other people's problems that have nothing to do with me. I'll own it. I'm not ashamed. That's exactly what I am doing. It's not hurting anybody. It's basically me ranting. Frankly, I could use the mental break. Join me, will you?

The situation with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver is out of control bananas. For those of you who don't read anything, don't watch anything, don't listen to anything, what the f**k is wrong with you?!?! Click here if you need a brief recap to catch up.

While personally, it kind of makes me smile to see the Governator besmirched a bit, I do feel for the family. Maria Shriver basically had given up her career to be the devoted wife and mother. In my opinion, she was largely responsible for the credibility this man recieved while running for, and during his tenure as Governor. This man lied to his whole family for over a decade. Had a child with another woman (who worked for them), at the same time Maria herself was pregnant. Scandal, scandal, scandal! Who knows the inner workings of what went on, what's true and what's not from the tabloid rumor mill? I'd be pissed though if I was Maria. That's all Im sayin'.

I REALLY hope she files for divorce, goes to work for Oprah, restokes her journalism career, then runs for and wins the presidency. I'm not joking. I really do. I kind of like the idea of Arnold being shamed, belittled. I think he deserves it.

TEAM MARIA!!!

XXX


L.A.K.

All We Hear Is Radio GaGa

Check out this AMAZEBALLS review that my friend Katey Pants aka DJ Roy G Biv (Bent, PDX) did on Lady Gaga's new album! I agree with almost everything she says. In fact, once I have a chance to listen to the entire album, I have a sneaking suspicion that we will likely be on the exact same page! Ha! Enjoy!

Not many have little to say about Lady Gaga. My relationship and understanding of Gaga is complicated. Mainly on a thoughtful level- she is a marketing machine, she rips off queer culture, she uses queers as pawns for fucked up companies like Target, and her intense ego mania has made her the self-declared mother of all freaks. This bullshit pisses me off. However; I like her music. I like her videos. I enjoy following her in the news. She's a really unhealthy piece of gay candy that I often indulge in with and without the guilt. So when I was able to get an advanced copy of Born This Way- her 3rd album outside of her monster series- I was more than excited.

Born This Way is her best album so far and is a good example of what a talented and versatile musician that Gaga is. Given the formulaic and boring nature of this albums first hit single- 'Born This Way'- I was rather surprised about the complexity and thoughtfulness of this album. And because of this thoughtfulness and complexity- it is her most mature work. ...And by mature- I mean she has made an album which would appeal to anyones mother; any respectable dance party; and a critical listener.

There are a lot of interesting layers to this album. The one I find the most intriguing is the frequent use of the soprano sax- an instrument used in most power ballads ranging from past albums of WHAM!, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, and Bonnie Tyler. The songs 'Hair' and 'The Edge of Glory' are building off of these power songs that are melded really well with dance beats. The track 'U and I' is one of Gaga's broadway ballads in a diva and queer tradition of intense song and performance that Gaga also exemplified in her last album- The Fame Monster with her song 'Speechless'.

What I like the most about this album is that it is able to bring together contrast in each song. It's original but completely ripped off. It's formulaic and highly produced but in a way that has not been done before. It is a marketing juggernaut. An album that listens well as an album but each song is sounds like it was meant to be a single. It's as if Lady Gaga's ego mania has reached its apex wherein she believes that each song she creates is part of her greatest hits. She will most likely in the next decade reach the international recognition that transforms a person into a brand. Her name will be recognized with those such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, McDonalds, and Nike. As long as we continue to engage with this piece of popular culture as an image and a brand- things should be fine. Gaga's songs and performances are not feminist; they are not going to liberate the world from violent homophobia and hetero-normativity; and they most certainly do not exist in a vacuum. Gaga exists because of us not the other way. It's a piece of enjoyable popular music. Let's just enjoy it and leave it at that.

Did ya enjoy that as much as I did? Come see Roy G Biv live in person on Pride weekend as she and her f'in rad significant, Mr. Charming take over the decks warming up for Spinderella on June 25th at Baltic Room, and closing down the DJ Stage at PrideFest on June 26th!

XXX


L.A.K.

Another Piece I Did For Seattle Gay Scene!

Check it out by clicking here!

Check Out This Piece That Seattle Gay Scene Did On Me!

Click here to view the piece!

What's New In My Box? Justin Baulé!

Yay! It's time for another issue of "What's In Kendall's Box?"! I've got a lovely mix for you today that I discovered while browsing through thefreshbeat.com. It's housey, it's funky, there's lots of samples that take you back. I'm loving it today as I begin my work week which is chock full of arduous chores that make my eyes feel like they are going to bleed. So far this mix is the motivation for gettin' shit DONE, and the salve for my soul! Check it out! I guarantee you will LOVE it, and if you don't, then basically, YOU SUCK! Just kidding, art is subjective, and you are allowed to have your own opinions without being judged for them. I think this mix rocks though, and hopefully you will to!

Bootlegs by Justin Baulé by Justin Baulé

About Justin Baulé...

Premiere Las Vegas party rocker Justin Baulé first started spinning records in Minneapolis clubs and raves in 1998, back when calling yourself a DJ meant that you did much more than just press play and pump your fist. He was one of the youngest and most celebrated DJs in that vibrant scene and a standout in now-retired but well-loved crew Emerald City, a house music collective often charged to play peak sets at some of the Midwest's most memorable parties. The early 00's were a time when Cassius, Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx were new and fresh, and an inspired Baulé spent hours at famed record shop Let It Be with fellow tastemakers, scouring the bins to build on his already impressive collection using cash he earned from his part time hustle at an Uptown tattoo shop. It was a fantastic era for club music and for Justin, but Minnesota couldn't contain this one and he left the state (and DJing, for a short while) to professionally snowboard out West. It wasn't until 2007 when Mr. Twin Cities moved to Sin City and it was like someone pressed fast-forward on his life.

"Before I knew it, I ended up in Vegas shooting club photos at Drai's Afterhours for only $200 a week and an open bar tab for me and my friends," Baulé remembers. "One month into it, music director Chris Garcia asked me if I could fill in and DJ, long story short, the gig turned into a residency." Baulé was a Vegas favorite in no time with Vegas's hometowner scene, his name and face on flyers and bulletins around town and even on a billboard one Memorial Day, prompting "Is that really you?" texts from friends and fans.

Countless gigs across the country later and Baulé, with his infectious grin and impressive influences ranging from Otis Redding to Outkast and all points in between, finds himself not fading into Las Vegas's brilliant tapestry but becoming one of its bright lights. It's a long haul from his days in the Midwest as a teenage house phenom in phat pants, but it's not only his proficiency behind the booth and dancefloor instincts that got him there. Baulé's beyond his years with his genuine nature and authentic attitude about a musical journey many try but abandon: "You've just got to be consistent in character, work hard, be humble and stay positive." And, if you can do it all to your own beat -- preferrably a house one -- all the better. “ Jen Boyles, URB Magazine

Past Residencies:
The Quest Nightclub, Minneapolis, MN (00’-01)
Gold Lounge, Las Vegas, NV (‘10-’11)

Current Residencies:
Drai’s Afterhours, Las Vegas, NV (‘08-Present)
Artisan Hotel, Las Vegas, NV(‘10-Present)
Angel Music Group, Las Vegas, NV (‘11-Present)


If you have mixes you would like to be considered for my box, please e mail me at lakendall.qq@gmail.com.

Enjoy the music friends! Here's hoping you have a happy, healthy, and productive week!

XXX


L.A.K.

The Scoop On Pride! What I Can Say, What I Can't Say, And Everything In Between!

Hey guys! I am here and HONAYYYYYY, givin' you a scoop, or at least as much of a scoop as I can at this point, in regards to Pride! Read on readers!

Welcome to a whole new week! Whew! I am glad that we are starting to see some more sunny days, though there could be a whole lot more of them. I think it's coming. Let's all collectively visualize it, and I am sure it will happen. Oh, and don't roll your eyes at me. Didn't your mother ever tell you that if you made ugly faces they might freeze that way?

Anyway, Finally, FINALLY, after days and weeks and months of work, I am ready to announce what Qulture Qreative/Hard Times (the love children of me and my bestie/biz partner, David D$ Richey) is/are bringing to the mix for Seattle's Gay Pride this year. I am very excited to be continuing a partnership with the amazing Egan Orion and his One Degree Events, who throw PrideFest at the Seattle Center every year. Other partnerships include Girl4Girl, Comeback, Kook Teflon, Trouble Dicso and Wildrose. You'll be seein' something that we collaborated on, and had a hand in, at all of these events and happenings, with all of these people, in one way or another. We are so humbled and excited!

Let's start with the June installment of Lezbro. This will officially kick off Pride Weekend for us. For June, me and Tony Burns are moving to the 3rd Friday (June 17th). We will be having a Tranny Wet T Shirt contest featuring among others, Jackie Hell and Cherry Sur Bete. There will also be other incredibly amazing, blow ya mind antics. The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence are on board as sponsors, and all the proceeds after expenses go to Camp Ten Trees. The camp that has two sessions every summer for kids of Queers and Queer kids. Can't think of a more amazing way to kick off Pride Weekend, can you???

NEXT, is the kick off of the much anticipated 8th issue of Hard Times Press. This launch will be held in conjuction with Fred Wildlife Refuge with the Trouble Dicso folks. Word has it that there will be much amazing talent, and that this event is happening in conjunction with the It Gets Better Project folks. Outside of that, I can tell you that I will be DJing for Vockah Redu. If you missed out on our show with Big Freedia back in December of last year, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS Vockah Redu. So put of your booty shorts and practice your bouncin', cause it's gon' get hot as hell up in there! GREAT WAY TO CONTINUE PRIDE WEEKEND, I'd say!

Friday night, the Hard Times crew, which will include a bevvy of celebutantes (can't tell ya who, but it's gon' be good!!!), will be setting up shop at Comeback with some of our favorites, Colby b and Marcus Wilson. We'll be spreading the Hard Times Press gospel and partying like maniacs in the sweatiest, dirtiest, kinkiest, most packed out party you've ever been to. You'll wanna get there early. This party's Gay Pride edition has a habit of packing out early. You don't wanna be waiting in line, do you?!??! I hear that their lineup is going to be BANANAS. I'm getting in shape for the dance floor action right now with my daily hour wii workouts!

Saturday, well, let's see. Earlier that evening, it looks like I will be backing Vockah Redu in his set at Wildrose's annual beer garden (which I hear they are terming Bush Gardens this year. Fitting and funny, right?). Outside of that, it's The Pussy Party at The Baltic Room. This party is a cojoined effort between Michelle Waye of Girl4Girl and One Degree Events. We booked the talent which will include DJ Spinderella (yes, the one who cut's it up one time), with pre and post support by my lovely and favorite ladies from PDX, Mr. Charming (Gaycation) and Roy G. Biv (Bent). There's rumor that the VIP will have lovely, sexy, tasteful lap dances from Fucshia Fox, Lili Delight and so many more. Buy your tickets on line now before this event sells out. Because it will. Trust.

Sunday is a full day of crazy as the focus, for me and all the Qulture Qreative peeps anyway, turns to PrideFest at Seattle Center. It's one of those get there at 9AM, leave there at 10PM kind of days, but it's all worth it. There are still MANY details yet to announce, but I can say that we've signed contracts on Spinderella for the DJ Stage, a Team Gina reunion (!) on the main stage, Ethel Merman (Tranyshack), Nicky Click and CJ & The Dolls, Secret Shoppers and Glitterbang, for the all new mural stage. Final announcements for the DJ Stage, and further announcements for the Mural stage will be coming out before the end of the month, so stay tuned!

Whew! So much work to do, so little time. Mark your calendars folks! It's gonna be an EPIC (though I hate to use that word), weekend!

XXX


L.A.K.

Last To The Party? First To The Social?

So for many of you who don't know, this may be your first hot tip about the new nightclub space that is opening in Capitol Hill. For those of you already in the know, well, read on, cause this isn't just about The Social.

So word is now solid on the street that The Social, - a three level 12,000 square foot ultra lounge slash restaurant and nightclub is gearing up for an opening. The Social will be located on East Olive and, according to thier faceplace, will feature three distinct rooms, including four bars and a 3000 square foot restaurant. Quite an undertaking considering the shape the economy is in.

The entertainment venue is being designed by award winning Capitol Hill firm Pb Elemental (recently named one of the Decades Best by Seattle Magazine). The stated focus is to provide a "well designed, fun, and high quality venue for the LGBTQ community". The Social is a joint venture of the three Capitol Hill small business owners Alex Garcia (Emerson Salon, Banyan Branch), Shanon Thorson and Laura Olson (Po Dog, Auto Battery, Grim's), culminating under the Pterodactyl Group. Drawing on this groups many talents, they promise a gourmet food menu, and the promotions and production of daily events and plan to draw from national and international DJ talent. These people must have a huge budget, or major connections. Let's all hope it's both and that it has longevity! The Social is scheduled to open this summer, watch for updates on Facebook. Once the space opens, it will join the expanding scene on East Olive with Tommy Guns, CC Attles and Fred Wildlife Refuge.

Having been around the block many times in the course of the last, well, nearly two decades in this town, I'm cautiously optimistic. I have been intimiately involved with the opening, booking, planning, promotion, etc, of several substantial nightlife businesses who hoped for the same things. They were hot for a while, but got figuratively raped by the public, the talent, the police, the neighborhood, and NONE of them are around anymore, despite having enjoyed a year or two of a good run. So it's hard for me to get a boner about it all, like some of my younger friends on the hustle. However, that having been said, I wish this spot the best of luck, will do my part to support whether it be through attending, playing, promoting a party there, whatever. Mostly, I am super excited to see the landscape of Capitol Hill changing. Not everything fun has to happen between Pike and Pine.

See you at The Social???


XXX


L.A.K.

Rant & Roll! Obama, Osama, Racism & Murder.

I've been a little lax on the posting the last week or so because a) I have been swamped with work, and b) There's been a lot of shit going on that I just haven't known what to say about it. To cure this lack of focus on my blog, I figured just having a good old rant may be just the thing to snap things back into focus. Forgive me ahead of time for what may fall out of my head, onto the keyboard, and into this post!

Let's start with Obama releasing his long form birth certificate. I applaud that he did it. I'm glad that the discussion should be over. Have we no decency anymore though? Have we lost our collective minds? I personally feel like the whole birther issue existed simply because it was an politically correct way to say "we are racist, and we can't stand that there is a black man in the white house". There. I said it out loud. I don't care. That's how I feel! It's an easy way to ignite and exploit low information voters. The sick thing is that it's not even about racism, it's about playing on the racism of others in order to weaken Obama as a candidate, cast doubt and suspicion around him, so that the vote can swing back towards the Republicans in the upcoming Presidential election. We really should be ashamed of ourselves. Not me, because I don't feel that way. Maybe not you either. However, out there in those rural areas, where people don't educate themselves and fall victim to those Fox news talking points, they play right into this. Mostly though, for the week after the long form birth certificate was released, I listened a lot to my beloved progressive talk radio. I was really impacted and depressed by all of the people of color who called in, devastated, because to them, it was offensive on a whole different level. A level that you can only know if your culture carries a heavy load from the stain that slavery, the fight for civil rights, and racism has left on themselves and their ancestors. In the end it's politics though. If they weren't wanting to see his birth certificate, they'd be digging into possible shady real estate deals, or attempting to catch him in some sort of indiscretion. Hopefully this particular issue is dead in the water.

The Sunday after the long form birth certificate was released marked the end of Osama Bin Laden. All of a sudden, the conversation turned morbidly to talks of a conspiracy (he's been dead and cryogenically frozen underneath the white house for years and they were just now trotting him out - or - why'd they have to bury him at sea so quickly?), demands to see the photos and video (blood! we want proof!), and a handful of other ridiculous angles. You know, my feelings on it are this. Osama Bin Laden was a bad motherfucker. I'm glad he's dead and I am glad it happened on Obama's watch. We should never celebrate a death the way we do the winning of a soccer game though. We murdered someone. Our hand was forced, but we murdered someone. I do hope it helps Obama get re-elected and gives him the political capital to actually get some of the progressive shit done that many who voted for him thought would be done by now. I hope that it gives a sense of closure to the 9/11 families. God knows they deserve it. I have to say though, it makes me laugh that we've wrapped 9/11 up in this little easily explained to our children in the history books package. Osama Bin Laden hijacked 4 planes, brought the towers down, attacked the Pentagon, and brave Americans stopped the last the last plane by bringing it down, we went to war, and eventually killed Osama Bin Laden. Forget that we CREATED Osama Bin Laden. Forget that we armed and trained him. Forget the PDB that warned the Bush administration about such an attack, that was ignored. Forget that our protection, the planes that should have been there to take the planes down, were unable to get there in time because they were on an excersize. One in which they were dealing with a situation much like the actual situation that was happening. Thousands of miles away. Forget that when our country finally did put a report together, more than 50 percent of that report had to be redacted prior to release to the public. Forget all of this. It's disgusting to me. The story is so much more complex than all that. Much like Kennedy's assasination, we'll probably never know the real truth of it all.

The only glimpse of sunlight I see in all of this darkness is that Donald Trump has been shut up for a while now hasn't he? There is that. For that, I am grateful.

Whew. Thanks for letting me rant! Now I'll get back to planning parties 'n shit!

XXX


L.A.K.

Check Out This Piece I Did For Seattle Gay Scene!

Click here to be routed to the piece!

More Art! More Action! More Awareness! Tonight!

Hey folks! So super excited about the party tonight! What party you ask? WELL, tonight, at the 619 Western Building in Pioneer Square, Hard Times and Deborah Spencer come together for a continuation of our Art + Action = Awareness campaign that we (along with the HIV Vaccine trials unit), started with the launch of the latest issue of Hard Times Press back in March at R-Place. Remember that party? Yeah, it was awesome, and tonight is going to be just as amazing/crazy/fantastic as the last! So for all of you who didn't make it last time, clear your schedules for this evening and COME ON DOWN!

Tonights festivities are going to be particularly special for a myriad of reasons. First of all, this is among one of a precious handful of last chances you will have to attend anything at this historic building. The 619 Western Building is among those slated for demolition in the fall when the work on the viaduct is scheduled to begin. Secondly, there will be so much going on - live painting, body painting, colorful characters, and let's not forget music! Music will be provided by myself along with some of our favorite Hard Times peeps, DJ Skiddle (C89.5, Grime), JT Hooker (12hr notice), and Tony Burns (Lezbro, 12hr notice). Lastly, this may be your last chance to grab a copy of the latest issue of Hard Times Press. Demand has been so high for the current issue that we are almost completely out! If those aren't some good reasons for clearing your schedule and getting your buns down to the party, then, well, I don't know what to tell you!

I've got tons of gear packing and preparations to tend to, so I better get back at it! Hopefully I'll see you tonite at the party!

619 Western Building, 2nd Floor
Pioneer Square
6PM - 11PM
TONITE!

XXX


L.A.K.