and I can show you a silver lining

The name Eric Kupper is not new to the music scene. In fact, his involvement in music expands well beyond the house music genre. He got his start two decades ago while working as a keyboardist and guitarist for such legendary DJs as David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and Peter Rauhofer. And ever since 1986, he has played on, remixed, and produced over 1400 records for artists spanning nearly every musical genre.

Several years ago, Eric discovered the DJ disease and soon became a resident DJ at London's Pacha club alongside Hed Kandi for four years. He is now the resident DJ with Tokyo Disco, a joint venture with Mark Doyle, the former creator of Hed Kandi.

His remixes have a classic clean house style that I love. Some of my favorites over the years include Garbage "Bleed like Me", Samantha James "Rise", and Solu Music "Fade". I cannot quit listening to one of his newest productions that came out earlier this year, after hearing it almost nightly at the A-House in Provincetown. It features a vocalist named Belle and the track is called "Touch". It is the classic Hed Kandi Beach House sound that I love so much. It is available online.

Phunktastike September Promo

Listen to Phunktastike's September 2007 Promo Mix.

midnight at the aquarium

There are few DJs that can actually "wow" me with their technical skill and impeccable track selection. At least consistently. but Phunktastike, a dj that I have just discovered in the last six months, has done just that. Much like myself, he was first influenced by music from his sister, listening to the early works of New Order, Depeche Mode, and the Cure. It wasn't until 1998 that he first discovered house music, and now his productions and remixes are being hammered by Desyn Masiello and Luke Fair among others. I predict big things from this guy in the coming years. Take a listen to his September promo above.

I've been waiting, waiting to hold you all night

well I am finally back from Provincetown. and to say i had a good time would be an understatement. 8 days of glorious cloud-free weather with temps in the 70s. some of the strongest rum runners to date at the boat slip. amazing seafood at the lobster pot. sleeping outside under a blanket of stars with the rustling of the leaves being the only sound for miles. bike rides to the breakwater. shopping on commercial. dancing to the signature tunes of DJ Lasalle at the A house.

it's always sad to leave a place that you love so much. but I'll be back. and it may be sooner than next summer.

pictures from the week are below.

BJ and Jason were a lot of fun. I can see more trips in the future.

Whale watching was a lot of fun.

John Brown got a chance to show off the new beard. It's a good look, isn't it?

The sunsets in Provincetown do not suck

I finally walked all the way across the breakwater to the beach.

We also spent time with a former Atlantan, Rob Borden, and his ultra-hot couple friends from Dallas. I may have had a big crush on both of them. I mean, how could you not with teeth like that??

We stopped by Edwige to see the very hot bartender, Mark, and pick up his second release, This is Edwidge 2, with the CD design by Tony.

it is pretty funny when all of the bartenders know your name and have your email address. just ask john brown. Jim, one of the regular bartenders at the A house, kept our glasses full with very strong skinnys.

As John Brown would probably agree with me, it is really hard to take a bad picture from the deck of the boat slip. in fact, every afternoon, as the sun begins to set, i would find myself taking numerous pics of the very same thing, as the colors are changing every minute.

As per usual, we danced our asses off to the sounds of DJ David LaSalle in the A-House. or Red Lobster on Cobb Parkway if you will.

are we there yet???

With only three days left until i leave for the cape, i am scrambling to get everything finished on my "to do" list. and each day i find myself becoming increasingly anxious. but in a good way. call it senioritis if you will. part of me has already checked out at work so even the most annoying coworker only bothers me slightly. erik and i were talking about it this evening, like a pair of kids waiting for Christmas to come. I think that I am mostly looking forward to a time away from work and everyday life. to a place that seems so surreal and magical that one can only describe by having actually visited. patience......

you holdin' up traffic green means go

as the scramble to get ready for Ptown commences this week, I can finally say that the CD is officially completed. of course, DJ David LaSalle was no help. I emailed him last week, evening attaching a picture to remind him who I was (as if he needed it) and I never heard back from him. maybe they don't have that high speed Super Net up on the cape. but i have a fairly good idea of what he and Mary Alice are playing.

Here's the tracklist. i will post a download link later in the week if you are interested...


"IT'S A 2 STREET TOWN, Y'ALL"
PTOWN LABOR DAY 2007
DJ JOHN THOMPSON

1.amy winehouse - tears dry on their own (alix alvarez sole channel mix)
2.montoja feat chianty - love comes over me (sunfreakz remix)
3.justin timberlake - lovestoned (kaskade remix)
4.freemasons feat amanda wilson - i feel like
5.iio - rapture (freemasons bootleg mix)
6.rihanna - push up on me (moto blanco club mix)
7.shayne ward - if that's ok with you (moto blanco vocal mix)
8.erasure - sunday girl (riffs and rays remix edit)
9.maroon 5 - makes me wonder (trent cantrelle vocal mix)
10.beyonce - green light (freemason vocal mix)
11.kelly rowland - like this (dj escape and coluccio main mix)

Enjoy.

souvenirs, novelties, party tricks

the last few weeks have made me realize what truly wonderful and supportive friends i have in my life. first, with Erik and John's show at Mary's, where a large crowd of friends and family came to see the trials and tribulations of Norma Desmond. as played by none other than Erik in full character, makeup included. and to look out and see his entire family in the smoky gay dive-bar, laughing and cheering him on was really very cool. johnbrown played a slightly retarded PTown Barbie/Norma sidekick. the show was creative and very funny. after the show, people stayed around for me to throw down some fun music and give everyone a chance to catch up. on a monday night no less.

thursday night, a group of 70+ gathered at the our old stomping grounds, Gaylo, to send off our good friend John Flippen to NYC. He has taken a position in New York with Google, and i cannot tell you how proud and happy everyone is for him. it's bittersweet, though, as i have really gotten to know this amazing person really well in the last two years, and i will be sad to see him leave. i do, however, see a trip to NYC to visit real soon. yet again, thursday reminded how fortunate I am to have the friends that i do.

then there is Jarrett. while talking on the phone to my mom this afternoon, she replies, "i don't hear from you that often now that you are spending so much time with you 'new friend'". it's funny, as she cannot seem to make herself say "boyfriend" but simply acknowledging that I have someone special in my life is a start, right? and i am sure she meant it in the best possible way. the only thing that parents ever want for their children is for them to be happy and to share their life with someone they care about. it's true that Jarrett and I have been spending a lot of time together. he makes me laugh, and finds humor in my crazy ways. who else could watch me breakdance and do a 'back spin' on my laminate hardwoods and not think that i was insane. well, i just might be sometimes.

and i really don't have any idea why i became very insecure this afternoon, and pretty much acted like a fool. which sent him packing his things and making me feel really bad. there are always time in relationships where the other person will start to get on your nerves, and i clearly became that person with him today.

next up, Ptown. it's a 2 street town, y'all.......

it's the day of the show, y'all!

ankony and jason

me and Beardy