this is interesting as well...
Marx Café Takes International Spin on Indie DJ Nights
with ??We Fought the Big One?
Italy. Japan. France. Switzerland. Holland.
These are probably not the first countries that come to mind when one thinks of the post-punk/alternative rock scene that dominated underground music listening throughout the 80s and early 90s. But they represent just a handful of territories typically explored at ??We Fought the Big One,? a monthly indie DJ night at the Marx Café in Mt. Pleasant.
For just over a year and a half, the dj collective of Brandon Grover (aka dj Five-Year-Plan) and Rick Taylor (dj tRICKster) have called the Marx Café their home on the first Friday night of the month, treating music fans and casual bar hoppers alike to some of the most original and interesting sounds to ever be associated with the alternative music scene. ??The Big One,? as regular attendees call it, has become a staple at Marx, and positive word-of-mouth has ensured that Brandon and Rick have always kept numerous ears curiously awaiting each new song that is showcased. Buzz for the event has even resulted in visits from writers for on-line know-it-alls Pitchforkmedia and Filter Magazine, while local dj William Alberque, one of the city??s most prolific and popular deck-spinners, declared on his own website that the Big One is his favorite dj event in the city.
?I can honestly say Brandon and I genuinely love and get excited about each and every song we spin,? Taylor says. ??It??s not like we??re playing obscure, foreign music just for the sake of it.?
Taylor counts Tokyo-based atmospheric pop collective Color Filter and Swedish electro-shoegaze outfit The Radio Dept. as two of his current favorites. ??Both of those artists are completely ignoring the trends and are coming up with some really interesting sounds and quality songs,? Taylor gushes, ??but where do you go to hear about bands like that??
Taylor says a big reason why he and Grover spin records at the Marx Café is to help ??promote artists that need help promoting.? This includes showcasing songs from local artists that have tickled the ear of the dj duo, such as the D.C.-based, Jesus & Mary Chain-inspired Alcian Blue and The Sounds of Kaleidoscope (another D.C.-based outfit in love with wall-of-sound guitars).
?It??s an international music night, which means we can play stuff from here right alongside all the foreign music we love,? says Taylor.
Taylor points out that he and Grover do play a significant amount of independent artists from the U.K., where the post-punk scene originated, including some artists that????brace yourself???? you may have actually heard of before. ??We do spin tracks from bands like Gang of Four, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Wire,? Taylor explains, ??but we do try to avoid songs that you??ve heard a million times already and are probably sick of.?
Plans are currently afoot to finish work on a Big One website that will contain links to information on over a hundred artists that the duo spin frequently at Marx. Taylor says the site will also provide past setlists, articles & reviews, and of course, news on whenever and wherever the duo spin records.
When asked why he and Grover put so much time and energy into a monthly dj night, Taylor says that sharing great music with others is ??even more fulfilling than hearing it and appreciating it on your own.?
The Next ??We Fought the Big One? is Friday, Aug. 5th and will feature frequent 9:30 Club spinner Mark Williams (aka The Kaiser) as a special guest alongside Brandon and Rick.
The Marx Café is located at 3203 Mt. Pleasant St. NW. The event runs from 10pm to 3am. There is no cover but it is 21+.
Website coming soon:
www.wefoughtthebigone.com e-mail:
rick@wefoughtthebigone.com
