Seattle’s got so much talent that our relative unknowns can show up
international stars.
The best part of the most recent Broken Disco wasn’t the headliners;
instead, it was local DJ/producer Rebecca West, who performed live
under her Red Pony alias. West got the audience moving early, confusing
many who heard the music and thought the Kooky Scientist was already
on. She surprised a lot of people that night, but her set’s quality had
plenty of precedent from her DJing over the last decade.
For Broken Disco, Rebecca West was performing only her second live
set, after debuting a few weeks prior at Oscillate. The aesthetics were
similar, but the Broken Disco set certainly showed progression. Even
with technical issues, West had the audience completely locked into her
sound, epitomizing the possibilities in tech-house and minimal. Not
only did the set flow, it was intelligent and delicate, but with more
than enough bump to get the crowd going. From the people bouncing in
front to those chin-stroking in the back, there was something for
everyone in that set, a rare feat for veterans, let alone Ableton
newbies.
An easy explanation for West’s quick development as a live performer
is her lengthy experience as a DJ. She started DJing in 1996, quickly
picking up a string of residencies in the then-burgeoning electronic
music scene. Over the last decade, she’s earned a bit of a reputation
for consistently quality mixing and track selection regardless of
genre, which has brought her dates around the globe (she’s preparing to
play China and Tibet). While she’s got no plans to curtail her busy DJ
schedule, she is enjoying this new extension to her creative
outlet.
“I feel so inspired about performing,” she says. “There’s something
so much more engaging about doing a live set. Using my own loops and
things, it’s just more personal.”
Aesthetically, West produces music in the same vein of the music she
enjoys: highly melodic, emotional techno. Melody is used to evoke a
particular response, but the DJ in her doesn’t allow her productions to
become sad-bastard music, instead using melody as a backdrop for a
lusher, fuller sound.
“My overall goal is to convey feeling in the music I make,” she
says. “Sometimes it’s bumpin’ and kinda bangin’, other times it’s deep,
techy kind of stuff, but in the end I just want to make pretty things
that make people feel something.”
To that end, West plans to maintain her busy DJ schedule and
continue to work on her own production. She’s currently taking piano
lessons, which she says has helped her further develop her melodic
sensibilities. Overall, West is trying to build up the qualities that
made her Broken Disco set so impressive—highly nuanced production that
didn’t forget about the people trying to have a good time.
“I try to find a balance between taking it really seriously and not
taking it seriously at all,” she says. “I’m serious about learning and
getting better, but I don’t want to take the fun out of it.”
Rebecca West plays regularly at Chapel on Fridays, and plays the
Seafair Masquerade Ball on July 26. Check her site, www.aural-fixations.com, for more
info.
THURSDAY JULY 26
TIM SWEENEY
The Beats in Space podcast is one of the best things on the
internet. Tim Sweeney hosts all manner of guests, from Carl Craig to
Spank Rock, letting them do their thing before closing it out himself.
He knows what’s working in the clubs because he’s heard about it from
the world’s best. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 10 pm—2
am, $8 before 11 pm/$10 after, 21+.
SATURDAY JULY 28
JOEY YOUNGMAN
The Fetish Recordings and Jackin Tracks label head is credited as one
of the future faces of house music, combining the usually disparate
aesthetics of Chicago and San Francisco. Ridiculously prolific under
even his own name, for this appearance he’ll be going “head to head”
with his own Mario Fabriani guise. Crimson C, 209 First Ave S,
624-7665, 10 pm—2 am, $10, 21+.
SUNDAY JULY 29
DAFT PUNK AFTERHOURS
After the Daft Punk show, a lot of people are going to head home, using
the “it’s a school night” excuse. For those looking to keep the party
going, there’s the afterparty at Chop Suey, featuring Daft Punk openers
SebastiAn and Kavinsky, along with others. For those looking for
something more underground, Shameless and UHF are throwing an
afterparty not far from the show, but you’ll have to find one of those
guys to get the details. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 9
pm—2 am, free w/RSVP, 21+.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1
LADY MISS KIER
Even the most jaded elitist has to admit to a soft spot for dance-music
group Deee-Lite. After they broke up, Lady Miss Kier has kept the party
going with DJ gigs and solo performances, with constant rumors of an
album on the way. You may have to forgive some of the mixes at this DJ
gig, but the track selection should be fun. See Sound Lounge, 115
Blanchard St, 374-3733, 9 pm—2 am, $10, 21+.