Responsibility…Like that mau5 guy said.

Funny…I was so unsure what I’d have to write about when I stumbled out of bed, especially after skipping the Faderhead show in favor of time with friends. (Well worth it, in my opinion, just in case you were wondering.) Imagine my shock, awe, and irritation when I read about Madonna’s hipster shout-out at Ultra. It’s not a review, but it’s a train of thought related to music. And it’s something I feel rather strongly about.

OMFG, What’s Ultra???

The Ultra Music Festival is an electronic music festival held in Miami, FL every March. This year, the line-up included Tiesto, Pretty Lights, Skrillex, Neon India, Avicii, Justice, Fatboy Slim, Flux Pavilion, Armin Van Buuren, Bassnectar, and many, many others. It spanned three days, starting Friday the 23rd to Sunday the 25th.

So…What’s Madonna got to do with it?

As she built up to introducing Avicii, Madonna asks the crowd, “Has anyone seen Molly?” Molly is a slang term for MDMA, the active ingredient in the drug ecstasy. I’m not sure if the woman was trying to look hip, actually looking for some for herself, or what. Either way: NOT COOL, Madonna. Not even close.

Peeps is just havin’ a good time, K. What’s the big deal?

The big deal is…well, there are multiple points.

1. Advocating recreational drug use…Regardless of the generation, if your face has been on a magazine, on the television, and all over pop culture as an ICON, you have a fan-base above and beyond the 18+ crowd, and they’re watching EVERYTHING you do.

2. Electronic music and its events are not just catering to those who show up inebriated or find that state of mind during. There are a whole slew of “straight-edge” kiddos and adults who don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t pop pills, etc and never will. These are the people who show up for the music and the music only. I’ve been to my fair share of events in varying stages of sobriety and inebriation, but that’s neither here nor there. When I did decide to walk on the wild side, I made sure I wasn’t making a terrible impression on the youth of today. I am not even a performer at this point in my life, and I still understand that if you’re going to get stupid, you have to be responsible about it. Madonna’s 30 years older than I and has spent much more time in the public eye…If there’s anything even more offensive than the reference being thrown around in general, it’s seeing it thrown around at a massive event by an icon. The drugs, the alcohol…Some people have fun with them…but they are NOT the end-all, be-all to the scene. Period.

3. Anyone remember PLUR? Peace, love, unity, respect. While she wasn’t waging war, Madonna did a great disrespect to fans and creators of electronic music. Never mind the fact that she’s oh-so-famous. If you wanted to sell more copies of your new album (titled MDNA), you might have tried something other than verbally defecating on the people (and scene) you depend on to buy them.

So what’s the mau5 guy got to do with it?

Joel Zimmerman, better known as Deadmau5, is a Canadian house producer (and one of my favorites). On his Facebook, Twitter, and blog (read here: united we fail, Responsibility), he rages about the whole ordeal, while taking into account his own vices, his fan-base, and the most important thing: the MUSIC! I will not condemn or condone anyone else’s vices or bad habits…but I will say this:

If you are in the public eye, if you are by that standard a role-model, you have a responsibility to the youth of today. What you do in your free time is none of my business, but I will rip your face off for advocating it to our youth. If you’re pandering with drug references, maybe you need to re-evaluate the true status of your career. There are people working very hard to keep EDM around without that nonsense, and they don’t appreciate you dabbling in their space and leaving the place trashed.

Wow, K, you seem really upset.

You bet your ass I’m upset! Electronic music has been a part of my life for over a decade now. I remember when I first started listening…my parents were very concerned I’d fallen into a culture centered around drugs, and I’ve fought long and hard to make them see it’s not like that. Too many people have worked too hard to overcome the misconceptions about electronic music and its events…and Madonna flapping her gums about “Molly” may have done more damage than we’re prepared for. This is a genre that overcomes generation gaps of all varieties, offers inspiration to anyone willing to hear it, and encompasses all of the technological advances we’ve made in regard to entertainment. It can make you dance, cry, laugh, sing along, anything really…and because it is universal, because it does transcend barriers, I can see why Madonna would want to be a part of it. I can see why anyone would want to be a part of it because if your ears are open, there’s a place for you, and you’ll be met with many hugs. One little slip though…and it could all go kaboom.

And the reason I’m so bloody aggravated is because someone who’s been considered an icon didn’t THINK before she opened her mouth.

You may agree or disagree. You may have no opinion. But I implore you to THINK before you open your mouth…Your words can impact opinions and lives.

<3kortney.marie

“don’t depend on those friends

who pretend to believe but ask why”

Real Life: Sometimes ya just don’t feel up to it.

Sadly, life just happens every now and again.

Rather than go to Faderhead tomorrow, I feel like having a calm night with friends. So, there will be no Faderhead review.

However,

I will still write a review. I just haven’t decided what to write about yet.

In the mean time, I would recommend giving Seattle’s The Head and the Heart a listen. Their self-titled debut was released in 2010, but I didn’t happen on them until my father brought them up in conversation a few months ago. It’s a long stretch from my usual electro madness, but we’ve already addressed that I enjoy all genres of music. Obviously inspired by folk and gospel, the indie project makes for mean competition for acts like Mumford & Sons. And if you’re a sucker for sweet harmonies, this is definitely one for you to check out. “Sounds Like Hallelujah” and “Lost in My Mind” are my favorites from the album, but I implore you to listen for yourself and tell me what yours are. ^_^

<3kortney.marie

FEED ME! (03/20/2012, House of Blues Dallas)

Whatchoo know ’bout electro house and dubstep, bro? …Obviously not as much as Jon Gooch, better known as Spor or Feed Me.

The build-up to our main event was made simpler with a nice, energetic set from Brazil’s duo, Felguk. While they’re certainly a crowd-pleaser, no one was prepared for the sheer massive SIZE of Feed Me’s stage set…never mind the crowd in front of me, shoulder to shoulder, all trying to find footing to dance then deciding to jump instead. Feed Me’s set took us all on an adventure as the sound meshed up with a light show run through those GARGANTUINE teeth. Mind you, this was possibly the most astonishing and pleasing use of Dallas’s House of Blues stage I’ve seen in a very long time. There’s so much space that goes unused during shows like this, but Feed Me knew precisely how to use it to his advantage. Add that to seamless transitions, crowd interaction, and humorous anecdotes, and it was quite the show! The bass hit hard, the beats were sick…and the crowd emerged from the Fountain Room a sweaty and hot mess.

Don’t forget to support your favorites by going to their shows and buying their music!

<3kortney.marie

Next up: Faderhead! 03/25, The Church Dallas

Oh, herros! (Wolfgang, Beardyman, and upcoming topics)

So it’s been quite a while, hasn’t it?

What have I been up to for the last three months? General life changes and challenges, a new apartment being one of them. I’ll not dwell on about the rest because it’s in the past now, and we have music to talk about here. ^_^

On February 19th, I had the pleasure of going to see Wolfgang Gartner at the House of Blues in Dallas. Unlike the She Wants Revenge show I saw in November, there really wasn’t much time to decipher and write down the entire set, let alone the proper order. I decided that really didn’t matter anyway. He’s my favorite house producer/DJ, and I had good company along for the ride. It was an incredible show, and despite dealing with pneumonia, I managed to dance for the entire set, which lasted nearly two hours. From “Circus Freaks” and “Devil’s Den” (a collaboration with Skrillex) to “Undertaker” and “Space Junk,” it was a nice little tour through the man’s style and abilities.

Now then…a little taste of what’s upcoming:

03/20 – Feed Me, HOB, Dallas

03/25 – Faderhead, The Church, Dallas

04/17 – JUSTICE, Fox Theater, Oakland

(This means reviews of the shows in a much more timely manner, I promise.)

This guy, Beardyman…he’s amazing.

http://youtu.be/S45uCyM5c3w

“Oh” is a track featuring Foreign Beggars…and honestly, if it doesn’t make you want to dance, you may need to check your pulse. (Hey, if you’re a zombie, remember “ain’t nobody perfect.”)

<3kortney.marie

“some people think i’m bonkers

but i just think i’m free”

(-“bonkers,” dizzee rascal)