London
Now I live in London. Apply the tippex to your fine smelling leather bound address books.
I had a strange weekend, music-wise I DJed in the Pod on Saturday. Even though I’ll probably be back there to play every 5 or 6 weeks it still felt like the end of my dance music escapades and everything else in Dublin.
I have to admit I felt a bit emotional, albeit in unlikely places. As I walked back down Harcourt Street, past the hordes of drunken aggressive people that congregate outside all those awful bars, and down Grafton Street with the usual Saturday night atmosphere, I kind of felt detached a bit because I was leaving. Even the negative parts of a city are parts of it, and they have a weird familiarity.
The Pod was great, probably the best night I’ve had playing there, alongside Eoin Cregan from Bodytonic. It was full from an early stage and had that nice locked in atmosphere where you feel you can play anything. I got to play the final 3 tunes and so (for those of you who want to know, and are as geeky as I am) I chose these.
- Substance/Vainqueur-Emerge (Processed Edit) (Scion Versions)
- Marcel Fengler-Early Glow (Ostgut-Ton)
- Jamie Lloyd-May I (Quarion Mix) (Future Classics)
The Quarion mix is a funny record for me, in that my personal affection for it seems to have outweighed any ability I have at rating it objectively. I reviewed it a while ago, but now I like it even more, with some memories to attach to it.
I know this sometimes happens, you love a book or a record irrationally, and its meaning to you transcends its wider value to others. Often with dance music it’s the records you associate with times or parties or friends that can be more than the sum of their parts. That’s always been something I love about dance music, that it becomes your social life. I’ve no doubt plenty people reading here feel this way about certain records.
As for this Quarion remix, it’s just a very simple and happy house/trance record, but it seems perfect for the end of a night. It also mixes surprisingly well with hard techno! It really blew me away to play it to a full club, I was dancing like a complete idiot behind the decks and I wasn’t even too drunk. I know now that I will always remember that record and I will always really love it because of the great memories I have of playing it. It must be great to be an artist and know that something you did has given people enjoyment in this way.
It all sort of reminded me how important music and DJing has been in the last few years for me. At times stuff has been really difficult. Without explaining too much there was around 18 months where the only enjoyment in my life was DJing, doing the radio show, and then eventually, blogging. At times like that you realise that a love for music will always be there, and that it really can be a massive help in bad times. I should say also that those of you who commented and stuff probably don’t realise the value of your contribution, so thanks.
Unfortunately a massive help can also be a crutch. Or a way of constantly telling yourself you’re right and the world is wrong. I’ve seen how easy it is to feel like this, in myself and in others. This is why I’m glad I can have music writing as a hobby for the foreseeable future, not necessarily as a 24/7 career. Most music critics, myself included, always have to be right. It’s tiring.
But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean I’m deleting this blog or anything! It probably doesn’t even mean I’ll be doing less blogging or writing. But it should mean everything here is much fresher and more enthusiastic, because that’s how I’ve been feeling since I found out I was moving to London.
Anyway enough sentimentality from me for one day! See some of you around London no doubt (it’s tiny here, right?) and check out the Quarion tune if you haven’t already at the stream below. And stay tuned for more posts on the way
Jamie Lloyd-May I (Quarion Mix) (Future Classic):
Daragh wrote:
# Marcel Fengler-Early Glow (Ostgut-Ton)
Belter of a tune, both sides rock completely.
Have fun in London town.
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 5:19 pm ¶
Paul M wrote:
The Quarion mix is such a good track, I picked it up last month and would absolutely love to hear it out in a club.
I’ll have to catch you play next time you’re back. Best of luck with getting settled in.
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 7:52 pm ¶
tobi wrote:
agree, the quarion mix is awesome!! sound’s like one of these records you could play in 10 years: timeless.
btw, why are you actually moving to london?
*tobi*
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 8:45 pm ¶
todd wrote:
i’m sure the london version of hiaf will be even better. so, what did ya have for breakfast today ?
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 8:53 pm ¶
Joe wrote:
looking forward to hearing you play some time!
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 9:50 pm ¶
pablo wrote:
i remember finding high fidelity on the street a little less than ten years ago and reading and totally indentifying (embarassingly) until the part when he figures out its ok if other people like music you think is shit. ive also just recently figured out its ok not to always be right having to do with music.
Posted 04 Mar 2008 at 10:51 pm ¶
tiddlerz wrote:
london - as a raver you just cant beat (ok yeah berlin blah blah blah) although it is of course expensive and full of posers but it is still a ravers paradise (fabric, the end, phonica, secretsundaze, mulletover, jaded/wrong etc etc) - anyone who has been to one of the many impossible to get into afterhours parties will know what i mean!!!
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 3:13 am ¶
Cahony wrote:
Best of luck in London Ronan!
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 9:30 am ¶
Ronan wrote:
Todd: you win the “LOL Award” this month.
Tobi: I’m moving here to start a new job, on Monday.
Thanks for the good wishes guys, I’m sure the clubbing will be great if I can afford anything after my gargantuan rent!
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 9:45 am ¶
Chris wrote:
Hey Ronan, you going to see Villalobos at Fabric at the end of the month? Should be a great night. Hope your move went well and good luck with the new job!
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 10:13 am ¶
Carsten wrote:
The Quarion remix has also been one of my favorites for the last couple of weeks. Fresh sound, yet still somewhat timeless. There’s some more stuff like this in my last mix (the blog post is in German, scroll down for the download link and track list).
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 12:26 pm ¶
Ciaran wrote:
Good luck.
Posted 05 Mar 2008 at 8:34 pm ¶
tomo wrote:
i’m sure i’ll see you in phonica at some point.
Posted 06 Mar 2008 at 8:56 am ¶
Eoin wrote:
Nice post - really agree about the memory association thing with certain tracks. Great track too - cheers for the heads-up!
Posted 06 Mar 2008 at 10:44 am ¶
Ronan T wrote:
Hey Ronan,
Glad to see you’ve finally moved over. Looking forward to you recommending some good nights. Being living over here for the last two years and getting jaded by the usual nights like the ones mentioned by tiddlerz. I’m sure with your connections you’ll be able to recommend things that are slightly more under the radar. Are you planning on djing in London as well?
Posted 09 Mar 2008 at 7:42 pm ¶
sma wrote:
absolutely diggin the quarion remix. gives me shivers every time i listen to it. also used it as opener for my last mix.
Posted 19 Mar 2008 at 4:35 am ¶
Brautigan wrote:
Best of luck with the move Ronan. Hope it all goes well for you over in Laaandan town. Looking forward to reading your Irishman abroad audio adventures over the next while.
Posted 19 Mar 2008 at 11:33 am ¶
Ronan wrote:
Thanks a lot Brautigan, still sorting a net connection and stuff but hopefully back posting very soon! Hope you’re well…
Posted 21 Mar 2008 at 11:13 am ¶