Today’s the day! Santogold’s…I mean, Santigold‘s new album ‘Master of My Make Believe’ is now available in stores just in time for her May 15 show here in Toronto @ the Kool Haus.  Everything about ‘Master of My Make Believe’ is pure perfection, from being co-produced by TV On The Radio‘s Dave Sitek, to working with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) Switch, Diplo, Ricky Blaze, Boyz Noize, Q-Tip, etc. Santi’s history of producing and writing songs has allowed her to choose some of the most influential names in music to create a beautifully mastered album.

From her reputation, Santi White’s performance will be high energy and have the audience raging for more, and Pink Mafia wants you to be a part of this special event! Keep checking back on the site for #HumpDayHandOut for your chance to win some tickets to see Santigold.

For now we leave you with 2 singles from  ’Master of My Make Believe’ …

FINALLY THE VIDEO IS OUT! This song has been on repeat at least 6 times a day in my room alone.  My other roommates blast this on the off times that I’m not playing it. Never have I ever been a fan of Usher (except a few select tracks) but since working with Justin and now working with DIPLO, he’s slowly working his way to my heart <3.

Last week I had the pleasure of phone chattin’ with none other than Kreayshawn. She was pretty sweet to be honest. We talked girl power, sisters, her style and what’s comin’ up next for her badass self. At the time, I was actually in the middle of a photo shoot inspired by her style for PinkMafia, those shots will be up later this week (editor’s note: tomorrow). When Kreayshawn comes to town you can be sure you’ll find her with PinkMafia. Follow her on Twitter.

Here we go…

Casie Stewart/PinkMafia: Where are you right now?

Kreayshawn:In LA.

PM: Where do you live in LA?

K: I live in Collingwood now cause imma Hollywood Hoe.

PM: Working with anyone famous at the moment?

K: Working with Snoop Dogg & my sister V-Nasty, we did a song together like a month ago. Cazy stuff. Bunch of people ready for co-labbin coming up. (Photo: Kreayshawn & Diplo)

PM: So is V-Nasty your actual sister?

K: Nah we all fake sisters.

PM: Where did your name “Kreayshawn” come from?

K: Was editing videos making beats and smoking hella weed and like “I’m a creation. Like, Kreayshawn. I’m Kreayshawn!”

PM: Tour dates coming up?

K: Have a bunch of shows coming up in Chicago NY, LA, SF.

PM: Coming to Toronto?

K: Supposed to come up soon. My man Drake said I would love it.

PM: What is the “white girl mob”?

K: A bunch of crazy white chicks.

PM: How would you explain your style?

K: All about the attitude. Gotta have the “swaggatude”.

PM: Your Mum has a vintage clothing line, Lollita right?

K: She used to sell vintage clothes all the time. Modelled for her store back in the day. Miss my long hair!

PM: Info on new music?

K: Been working on getting the album out for Fall. Aiming for Fall but that shit takes forever.

PM: Do you update your own Tumblr?

K: Yeah I update it. kreayshawn.tumblr.com is mine. Workin’ my tumblr just now.

PM: Twitter?

K: Yeah on it now.

PM: Fav place(s) in the word to travel?

K: Got to go to Paris & London which was super cool. London was way poppin’. Shopping out there is sick.

PM: Been to Canada?

K: Not yet. Wanna go.

PM: Been getting up to any trouble lately?

K: Nah, I been a good girl. Stayin’ in the house.

PM: Advice to girls out there?

K: All about the Girl power facade. I was a Spice Girl baby so power of women, inspire to be different. Be creative.

PM: What are you up to today?

K: Lots of phone interviews. Rehearsals for show with my DJ.

PM: Your next show is when?

K: Shit. Have a couple coming up for radio.

PM: Nominated for a VMA? Congrats.

K: Got nominated best New Artist for the Video Music Awards. Was gonna be in Vancouver that day but now will be at VMAs. (August 28, 2011)

K: 20. What you gonna wear on the red carpet?

K: I dunno some bedazzled shit. Don’t own a bedazzler, need to get one.

WORD.

Most Fun Ever… Mad Decent Block Party, Chicago

I knew when Mad Decent announced that their annual Block Party would be taking place in cities other than just Philadelphia and my beloved Chicago was one of them, I knew that going was not not an option. Two things clinched my decision for me:

(1) Porter having a 20% Off Sale — which made me love them even more
(2) Bringing along my best friend and party companion, Glynis.

I had no idea who was going to be playing, but frankly – it didn’t matter.  I had heard epic amounts of insane stories and Chicago is a city filled with music and soul.

Our road trip began on the flight to Chicago, where we ended up sitting beside two old people who literally packed sandwiches for the flight.  The worst kind of sandwiches too.  Tuna and egg.  I thought I was going to vomit, but somehow I made it through. We landed and made our way to our hostess with the mostess for the weekend Joseph and Vicky’s house in Bucktown.  Yes, you may have read about them previously in my Pitchfork review.

I had gotten the lowdown & dirty about the Mad Decent pre-party at the Diesel Store in downtown Chicago, which included heaps of free alcohol.  Since we had already began drinking on the plane (something had to kill the awful sandwich smell) – we decided to check it out.  Well well well, let’s just say, the Diesel employees were NOT IMPRESSED with the obnoxious hipsters getting right pissed in their store. I don’t know what they were thinking.  Be stupid, potentially?  All I know is I had three drinks and I got high school drunk.  That says something.  Willy Joy (new Trouble & Bass signee and Chicago native) was spinning the event and doing an awesome job at that. The other thing I should comment on that was kind of stupid was that since the Diesel store employees were so “focused” on getting everyone out of the store once the party was done, they shoved everyone outside were opened alcohol cups with a Chicago Police car waiting outside.

S-M-R-T ?!

I’m sure you’re all aware of what went down next.  Basically, I saw the live version of COPS go down.  This police officer kindly asked us to pour our drinks out (fair enough, right?).  But some drunk ass belligerent dude would not and well, dude got arrested.  Then his friends started yelling at the cop asking for his badge number.  Cop retorted with his badge number and then said something to the effect of, “This guy is dumb.  If I come back and anyone has alcohol – guess who his joining him in jail.”  I laughed. The guy getting arrested was grinning like an idiot.  Jesus.

Next up, we went to the John Hancock Tower to have Sky High Cocktail.  Yup, more booze.  But also, cos we were told Shia LaBeouf was filming Transformers there.  Not that we cared.  But, we were drunk.  Oh, and we had to kill time before our dinner reservations at Graham Elliot.  You know, the guy who has been on Top Chef Masters, Iron Chef America and planned the food area at Lollapalooza this year?  Yea, that guy. No big deal.

Well, no Shia sightings.  We even asked the staff.  But the Sky High Cocktails were AMAZING and the observation deck at the John Hancock Tower was pretty awesome.  I mean, I guess that’s REALLY why you go there, right?

Off to Graham Elliot for our 8 course tasting menu (cost: $125 USD) where I think I had one of the most delicious meals of my life.  But holy hell, I think the sommelier there was trying to get Glynis and I wasted.  We ended up glasses of beer champagne and what we believe to be grappa shots for free. I don’t believe I should disclose exactly how much, just because I fear he might get in trouble.  However, the man did a FINE job at keeping us happy.  Plus our server took us for a kitchen tour at the end of the night.  Unfortunately, we were unable to meet chef.  But we did meet everyone else in the kitchen whilst they were scrubbing away. Our resos were at 9:30PM and we didn’t end up getting back to our place til 12:30AM. Yes, it was quite the experience.

OK, so the Mad Decent Block Party on Saturday — which is really what you all want to hear about.  Where do I begin.

Well Diplo, a backup generation for the event would have been nice.  We arrived at 2:30PM and got to listen to about one hour of music.  I was fairly surprised to see how empty the venue was.  But I knew in my hearts of hearts that the venue WOULD fill up.

POPO were incredibly and I really enjoyed them.  I think listening to their mixtape prior really got me primed and ready for their set and they were super hyped for being at the Block Party as well.

But just as the man I was most hyped about seeing, Freddie Gibbs, was taking to the stage with his crew – the generator blew.  I have never heard so many boos.  Notably, the promoters looked pretty panicked as well.  So what did they do?  Start giving free shit out:

-Diesel Dollars
-Airhorns
-Mad Decent Block Party Shirts
-CDs
-Records

You name it, they started giving it out, just to shut everyone up. Which I guess, kind of worked.  But to pacify a crowd and not loose people after you tell them, “Hey, the generator blew.  It’s going to take 15-45 minutes for another one” and then it takes 2 HOURS?!?!  Well, yea – it’s going to take a lotta free PBR to keep people happy.

But once the crowd filled up, a new generator was on-site and people got progressively drunker — well, it was like a whole new party started.  Freddie Gibbs went back on stage and finished his set.  He friggin melted face.  Sharing Maker’s Mark with the crowd and blunts.  Stripping down and hopping out into the crowd.  The crowd busting through the fence and getting as close to the stage as humanly possible.  This is the second time I’ve seen Freddie Gibbs and seriously, if you have not checked him out – PLEASE DO.  You are seriously missing out.

Next up was Maluca.  She was the best thing to have after Freddie Gibbs.  I don’t know how Toronto has slept on her.  She played with the guys from POPO and this female DJ.  But she has all the energy, talent, Latina vibe.  She kind of reminds me of this Baille Funk sound, but different.  Either way, the one thing I remember from her set was her busting out this AMAZING Barbie Girl rendition then hopping into the crowd.  Seriously, this woman is amazing.  Plus, I forgot to mention she was in a full-on DeeLite get-up.  Craziness.

Gotta admit, next up was Boscoe Delray and I thought they were sloppy as hell.  I know that we were missing a generator for 2 hours.  But next time dudes, don’t get drunk as hell.  You’re performing.  All I can say about their performance was that they kept stopping and starting. I really just didn’t understand.  One girl told me to quote her in my piece as saying they were: “terrible”.  So there you have it.  Quoted.

To redeem for what the crowd had just went through, which was an epic downer, Blaqstarr came and picked the crowd up.  By this time, every inch of the Hideout (where the Block Party was taking place) was packed to the tits and dancing.  Hell, I was being daggered and was invited on stage by Blaqstarr to dance.  Yes, I’m amazing.  What can I say?!   I mean, there was even a burger shaking its ass.  So thanks be to Blaqstarr for picking that up and killing it.

But the lady of the hour was Kid Sister.  She tore things up!  Chicago has mad love for Kid Sis and Kid Sis has mad love for Chicago.  She played with Willy Joy as her DJ with earlier classics like “Pro Nails” and “WTF” to newer stuff like, “Right Hand Hi” and “Get Fresh”.  People were straight wildin’ out and she had some Chicago juke dancers come out on stage with her for awhile.  It seriously made for an awesome and real time.

I’ve read other places that people felt this Mad Decent Block Party compared to that in Philadelphia.  Personally, I don’t know.  All I can say, is I had an incredible time and if it’s held in Chicago – I’m going back.  I know that Chicago has definitely won my heart over and Mad Decent has me forever.

Our in-house Diplo fanatic, Vanessa V practically elbowed a girl in the face at our weekly meeting when we asked if anyone wanted to interview artists at TIME Festival on video for Embrace. She snarled, “That’s mine!” and snagged the bios from my hand.

We already posted her review and photos here if you slept on that shit, take a look.

Now it’s time for the video portion. Since my little cousin Ferris (a ripe 13) is in the office today, I asked her to review the footage for me. She’s never heard of “dub step”, or the “Sound Academy” and yet, she has a tricked out iPhone, a Louis Vuitton bag and a teeshirt that says “Old Money” across the front. Clearly, she’s perfect for this.

KINGDOM

Ferris’ Impressions: “This guy is really serious. I like his haircut.”

SKREAM & BENGA

On Toronto:

Ferris’ impressions: “OMG, that guy looks just like Jesse from MuchMusic. Oh wait, totally not. But I can tell he’s tall like Jesse. That guy is a babe.”

(Here’s a photo of Skream and Jesse Giddings from MuchMusic for comparison)

The “Panty Frequency”

Ferris’ Impressions: “What happens when you sit on a bass speaker?” I blush, she looks at me. “Well, have you ever done that?” I immediately click the next video clip.

How to Dance to Dubstep and “Do Not Shit On The Dance Floor”

Ferris’ Impressions: “I would never dance like that. They’re drunk for sure…Oh. My. God. Someone shit on the dance floor? This is just gross.” Looks at me, “has that every happened to you?” Me: “What, have I ever shit on the dance floor?” Ferris: “Nooooowah. Has that ever happened at one of your party’s?” Me: “Yes, every week. And that’s why you should never drink.”

DIPLO

For some reason the sound was all fuckered for Diplo’s bathroom interview, so we could only get the last video up. From what we could make out, he talked about his suits, and socks (from Walmart), and the Mad Decent Block Party which is leaving Philly for the first time ever this year and hitting up a few major cities in the States. Fingers crossed we get it in Toronto next year.

Bathroom Interview

Ferris’ Impressions: “He’s definitely the cutest, but kinda old. You should have a boyfriend like him.” Looks at me. I roll my eyes. “Wait, I know him. Where do I know him from?” Me: “He made “Paper Planes”, I kinda sing it (terribly). Ferris:  ”Oh yeah, I love that song. The remix version.” Me:  ”Any last thoughts?” Ferris: “That girl’s hair was rad.”

And there you have it. Straight out of the mouth of the generation who’s going to wipe our asses when we get too old to do it ourselves.

Kingdom is a Brooklyn-based producer and DJ whose been gathering a rabid following since  his first mixtape in 2006. Since then, DJs from Diplo to BBC’s Annie Mac have given his tracks spins. Recently signed to Fools Gold Records Kingdom’s debut single “Mind Reader” has our hips swaying and toes tapping . Kingdom plays everything from kuduro to juke, but  his love of R&B really shows with bass-heavy remixes and original tracks, often featuring R&B vocal samples. what’s been called “a Brooklyn take on the UK garage sound.” Kingdom will get Toronto tearing up the rug on July 23rd at the sound Academy for TIMEfest, before that he took the 20Q

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Subwoofers on the floor and true love in the air.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Brunette

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?
Knowlegde of Crunk history.

4. What do you fear most?
Apocolypse.

5. 808s or 909s?
Always both but if I had to choose, 808s.

6. What’s your biggest regret?
I’m not the regretful type. You live you learn!

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
Heard Plasticman play an old school grime set at Plastic People last year, the sound system there is nuts.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Insulin.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform? It would be intersting to see more producers perfroming their instrumentals or to watch them perform in the studio. Bangladesh, Tricky Stewart, and Timbaland (circa 1998).

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
2010-2020

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?
Blind, because I’m a musician.

12. How old is too old?
Age ain’t nothing but a number.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
MIDI-synched in a beachfront recording studio with Night Slugs crew, Nguzunguzu, and Total Freedom, watching movies projected onto the night sky, zero carbon footprint (somehow).

14. Who’s your hero?
My family.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
Bright royal blue especially when it’s next to beige.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Kesha, or really any crossover American dance-pop.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Madonna, she beats Gaga any day, did all that shit first and looked like she was genuinely having fun doing it.

18. What’s your most hated vice?
Coke heads go home!

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
Aaliyah.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Ciara, Teedra Moses, Keyshia Cole (Missy Elliott and Lil Kim made surprise appearances).

From the man who finally made dub step accessible to girls (it’s always had female fans, but now we can actually call it our own), comes brand new video for the most lady-friendly song on his album, O.M.G, “Hold On” featuring Amber Coffman from Dirty Projectors.

We think this video is shot really well, has a cameo by Diplo, which always gets our hearts racing and gets us pretty excited to get sweaty and dance. Not gonna lie though, kinda wish there was more of a story line, although it is nice to see Rusko smile, work hard, grind out the chunes and drag his cutsey girlfriend along with him. Take a boo and judge for yourself.

You can catch Rusko July 23rd at TIME Fest at the Sound Academy.

Sia is playing the Phoenix tonight. We’re really into everything about what she’s doing right now. The video for single, “Clap Your Hands” off new album We Are Born (out June 22nd). It’sboth funny and endearing in a way that we’ve come to expect from Sia. We’re also really feeling the Diplo remix of “Clap Your Hands” too. CLICK HERE to enjoy for yourself.

1. What is your dream of happiness?

My boyfriend, my dogs, vanilla icecream, Nurse Jackie.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

Preferably both. Who says roots aren’t sexytime?

3. What is the quality you like most in a man?

Chivalry.

4. What do you fear most?

Same as most people i think, dying alone?

5. 808s or 909s?

99c

6. What’s your biggest regret?

Cheating on someone I loved. Idiot. Never again.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?

J Sheeky, London.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Paw Paw lip balm.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?

Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, Lauryn Hill

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

80′s.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?

Deaf, cos I like watching tv too much.

12. How old is too old?

956 years old is totally too old.

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?

Back in Australia with many children, wearing a tent dress and comfortable shoes. Fat.

14. Who’s your hero?

Artist Knox.

15. What’s your favourite colour?

Blue.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

You only get what you give by the New Radicals.

17. Metallica or Madonna?

Madonna, although Lars was very nice that time we did lines of coke off the hot tub.

18. What’s your most hated vice?

Cigarettes.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Everyone involved in the holocaust.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

Beyonce, Andrew WK, Bjork.

At Pink Mafia it is very clear that I get dibbs on anything Diplo/ Major Lazer/ Mad Decent related. So here’s my second rundown of another Major Lazer shindig.

First off, big up to Embrace and TheJons for putting together another epic digital party at the Sound Academy. The last couple of parties I’ve been to have been nothing but good times. They’re you know, ones of those “Yeah, I was SO there!” kind of parties you’ll gush to your friends after you recover from that major hangover the next morning, of course.

My night started off with Jess, her friends Ashlee and Rob picking me up from home and driving to the Sound Academy. There’s no way you’ll catch me taking public transportation there. I have no patience with fighting for cabs at the end of the night and making that long walk down the road in heels I can’t even walk in.

Arrived around 11pm and the place was still slowly filling in. We hung out in the Dubstep room for a bit and the crowd was 90% girls. I’ve been to a few dub parties before and most of the time I find myself being one of the only chicks there. Dubstep is sitting quite comfortably in the city as I find more of the city’s electro/dance enthusiasts are liking it. The sounds combining of garage, jungle, 2-step, and a whole lotta bass… who wouldn’t enjoy it?

We missed most of Sinden’s set coming out of the dubstep room. The crowd began to chant “MAAAJJAAHH! LAAAAAZZZAAAHH!” and before you knew it, dressed in a sharp suit Diplo got the kids going nuts. Now, I’ve seen Major Lazer before and basically knew what I was gunna get:
Diplo sweating through a suit: Check
Switch M.I.A.: Check
Two half naked dancers: Check
Skerrit Bwoy + Ladder: Check
Lots of dry humping: Check, check, and check!

Diplo played nearly every track from “Guns Don’t Kill People Lazers Do” with deep bassy dub followed by shotgun rhythms, continued with some hip hop and dancehall samples, that you know like intertwine with lover’s rock and other island styles… then throwing in Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” and of course Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock”…can’t describe what I really want to say but if you were there, you know that I mean.

At one point during the show Diplo threw a towel on to the crowd. I was right up against the stage taking pictures and it so happened to fell right in front of me. Some girl tried to grab it from me and I was all like oh hell no, that’s MINE and yanked it back. Throughout the night the towel had become a part of my outfit.

Ah, yes. How can I not mention the Skerrit Bwoy’s famous jump from a ladder on to your crotch trick. I don’t know why I didn’t volunteered for one of Skerrit’s antics. I was running on free Redbull the entire night!

This girl’s life isn’t going to get any better than this. Most fun ever.

Whoooaaaa. And shout out to the  zombie chicks, especially the girl with the Major Lazer arm.

The set wasn’t too long and before I knew it, it was over. I was hoping to the heavenly gods that Wes was going to throw in some sort of Bounce Music in the Major Lazer mix. I asked him why he didn’t play bounce music and simply put it out as ”Not at a Major Lazer show. That’s more of a Diplo kind of show.” Pfft, I knew that silly me. Later that night before he left, Wes squeezed my arm and said: “I’ll be playing bounce stuff for you when I’m back”. Worrrd, that’s in July. TimeFest? I think so. Toronto, get ready for that one.

The crowd was a lot bigger, from the last time I saw them and much more fun too. Here’s a wrapup of our favourite “Major” do’s in the crowd:

Whoever said “White girls can’t dance” hasn’t met Ashlee yet.

Gothic Lady Gaga over here stretches to impress.

Rihanna x 4 ( post-Kanye squared + pre-Kanye squared) – Amber Rose

It’s getting hot at this point and this ice cream sandwich is melting on the dancefloor.

Similarities attract.

Photos: Jessica McCauley

Do’s ft: Melania Fedyna

Keith Lite of AutoErotique took our 20 Qs.

Their bio is too long so we just took the last two paragraphs for this. Also, they are releasing a remix of a Weezer song soon. And that’s all we know.

AutoErotique were VNDLSM before and they are from Toronto. In early 2009 and they signed with Dim Mak Records, the duo streaked like a tracer bullet through the strobe-lit sky of the T.O. dance community with their official first single Gladiator featuring remixes by Aoki/AM, Klever, Larry Tee/Alexander Technique, The Faint, AC Slater & Milano.

Following the Gladiator EP, Autoerotique showed off the many colourful arrows in their musical quiver releasing remixes for Lykke Li, Shinichi Osawa, Chris Cornell & Timbaland, Diplo & Laidback luke, Larry Tee, B. Rich, Disco Bisquits, Fischerspooner and Weezer. Flash forward 6 months and the group is back in studio—following a non-stop liver-punishing tour—and excitedly working on their next single and first full length LP.

Read more on their Myspace.

1. What is your dream of happiness?
Playing video games on my own movie screen.

2. Blonde or Brunette?
Blonette

3. What Is the quality you like most in a man?
Security. Fortress of solitude style.

4. What do you fear most?
Clothes hanging in the dark. I always wake up thinking they are ghosts.

5. 808s or 909s?
Both. But if it’s like I’m stranded on a desert island – The 808.

6. What’s your biggest regret?
Not bringing the 909 to the island.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?
There are so many. But I’ll have to come back to this after Austraila.

8. What’s the one thing you can’t you live with out?
Kings palace butter chicken.

9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?
Sinatra, the beatles & Hendrix. Anything or anyone that made the
audiences’ underwear wet.

10. What is your favorite decade in music?
There are good bits in every decade. I’ll go with 65-75ish.

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind of deaf and why?
Deaf. I’d rather see my kids rather than listen to them.

12. How old is too old?
101.

13. Where did you see yourself in 15 years?
I don’t know.  Does anyone know?  Please let me know.

14. Who’s your hero?
A combination of the last samuri and the first samuri.

15. What’s your favourite colour?
It’s hard to describe it’s like a bluey blacky pinky greeny redish
yellow purple.

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?
Certainly, not Miley Cirus’ party in the USA. I love that song.

17. Metallica or Madonna?
Madonna. She’s like a dog. If she can’t eat it, fuck it or shit on
it she just pisses on it and moves on.

18. What’s your most hated vice?
Connecting flights.

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?
If the bible is true, then Jesus for sure got shafted pretty hard
for being a witch. Aaaaaaand I’m no christian.

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?
Daft Punk, Dave Mathews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
I hope the 3 if them are happy being on the same list.

Two weeks ago I began my Euro-slumming adventure in the UK. I booked the cheapest flight to London, and began my transatlantic journey seated behind a family with 2 kids under the age of 2 that screamed the entire duration of the flight. I also got to see the sun set and rise again within a matter of hours. MINDFREAK!
While it was miserably cold and pissed rain back in Ottawa, it was 25 and sunny everyday I was in the UK. Alright, it rained for a half hour one day. But that was well worth it because I got to see a woman wearing flip flops bail. Twice.

Not only was my timing perfect weatherwise, I also got to see a bunch of great shows. I met up with those Jokers of the Scene a couple times. I was stoked because I haven’t seen them play in a while. I was also stoked on free accommodations! The first night we met up, we stayed at the luxurious Travelodge at King’s Cross in London (I use the word luxurious loosely). It was supposed to be a room with 2 double beds. It was a box with 2 single beds. Notably, when I had walked into the room, the fellas had already pushed their single beds together in order to “make more room”. Riiight.

That night, we went to the Mixmag Party at Egg. I got accosted at the front door for having a camera and then had to sign my rights away to any photos I decided to take. Lucky for me, all those photos blew and I’m not posting any of them. Mixmag was a weird party. Jokers were scheduled to play the 2:30-4:30am slot but then they got pushed to the 4-6am slot. I wasn’t planning on raging until 6am because I was a bridesmaid at a wedding the next day…but it happened anyways. I survived the wedding in Reading.

Post wedding, we found our way back to London and were booked in the luxurious Travelodge again. This time we asked for a room with 3 beds for the 4 of us, thinking it would be a tad more accommodating. It was a room that was the same size as the box we had stayed in before, but with 3 single beds. How luxurious.

We trekked to Leeds to see JOTS play a show at some new club. It was kinda weird, but definitely better than the Mixmag party. I was scheduled to train back to London the next day but discovered that there was a SUPER MEGA PARTY at Leeds University called “Wax On” that featured the likes of Toddla T, Boy 8 Bit, Eskimo Twins, Erol Alkan, Diplo and Boys Noize. So I booked myself into a hotel and stayed another night solo.

Wax On was amazing. I did get kicked out of Erol Alkan for taking photos though. That would be my only complaint. Oh well. Boy 8 Bit and Diplo killed it. Boys Noize was awesome, but I was tired and drunk and there was no way I was going to make it until 5am. PARTY FAIL. Anyways, here are some pics of my “travels” across the Atlantic to see deejays I’ve already seen a million times before (but hot damn, it was well worth it!)