May News 2005

 


DJs - strap on your headphones!

As leading nightclubs lean more and more towards music video as their preferred crowd puller, most DJs nowadays are realising that VJing is a skill they simply must learn.

It doesn't take long for DJs to become hooked on Nightlife once they start 'playing' with the Pro DJ version of the HDMS™, and once they've mastered it, we frequently hear comments such as "why would anyone bother with the old way, sorting through cases of CDs and piles of vinyl to find the right song, when Nightlife puts it all at your fingertips".

Combined with the Numark Controller, the Pro DJ HDMS becomes a powerful tool that enables DJs to not only search for the hottest new tracks but also to cue up and listen to the next song while the current song is playing in order to get the right BPM to make that vibe happen.

And, as far as having the right music is concerned, Nightlife's team of music programmers work hard to stay on the pulse of what's going down on the scene in order to keep only the latest and funkiest dance floor fillers coming your way... music video or no music video, ensuring the freshest new music is always in your HDMS™. Also check out the REMIX list which features audio only remixes designed to help DJs with their programming.

One of Australia's most legendary DJs and entertainment promoters, Graeme Flinders from Melbourne's iconic Heat Nightclub, says the house remixes and turnkey operation, giving instant access to up to 6000 songs, makes Nightlife's HDMS™ an essential tool for the 21st century DJ. Graeme should know - he can claim to be the first DJ in Australia ever to use music video. Way back in 1982 his brother would send him video tapes from the UK which Graeme edited in his own studio and showed on a giant 14' x 9' Aqua Star video screen at the Waltzing Matilda in Springvale, where he'd VJ to the clips.

Graeme has recently returned from Frankfurt in Germany where Europe's largest sound and lighting show was held. The world's leading suppliers and users of such technology attend this 'must do' trade show which runs for 5 days, and Graeme reckons there is not a product anywhere in the world to match the HDMS™. Even a 'revolutionary' professional DVDCD player, launched by a market leader at the show, still requires the purchase of expensive media to support the new product.

Call Nightlife today on 1800 679 748 to find out how you too can arrange to have a 'play' with the innovative and funky Pro DJ HDMS™, but be sure to strap on your headphones first, as you're bound to be blown away!

Linda Holman


May New Releases

   
The winter season is almost upon us and even though the temperature is cooling down, May's programs are getting hotter and hotter! There's brand spanking new scorchers from the biggest names in music coming out of our ears. The name check goes something like this - Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Snoop Dogg/Justin Timberlake, Gorillaz, Jennifer Lopez, Weezer, Audioslave, Oasis, R.E.M, Elton John, Ben Folds and Tori Amos. Add some of the latest dance floor fillers plus some cracking rock tunes from up and coming names and you have this month's programs. Phew!
   
Possibly my favourite for the month is the brilliant new comeback single from Gorillaz, Feel Good Inc. For those who've lived under a rock for the last 5 years, Gorillaz is the world's first 'virtual hiphop group' that combines the musical genius of Blur's Damon Albarn, super-producer Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz with arresting visuals from Jamie Hewlett, responsible for the cult comic Tank Girl. Feel Good Inc is the perfect introduction to their 2nd album Demon Days and features hip-hop legends De La Soul providing one of their craziest raps yet. Add to this a funky-as-hell bassline, an infectious vocal hook and a video with windmills, hangovers and optimism and Gorillaz have themselves one sure-fire hit. We released this on CX110 two weeks ago.
   
If rock's more your thing then you really can't go past Bloc Party, undoubtedly the hottest up and coming band on the planet right now. Their debut album Silent Alarm entered the ARIA chart at number 30 before any singles had even been pushed at commercial radio. It`s been a similar reaction in just about every country around the globe, proving what just about every worthy music magazine has been predicting for months, that 2005 will be Bloc Party`s year. We've released two videos in the past month - Banquet and Helicopter - two undeniably refreshing and energetic songs that will have you hooked after a few listens. Helicopter is out this month on RD110 and Banquet was out on April's RD109. Play 'em LOUD!
   
Black Eyed Peas need no introduction and, after a month or so, their latest single, Don't Phunk With My Heart won't either. This one is sure to get a hammering on the radio, TV and your NMV system in the coming months. I've had a soft spot for the Peas right from the beginning, in a time when Fergie was merely another member of another cheesy girl group (Wild Orchid), so it's disappointing to hear they will be splitting after the release and promo for their forthcoming album Monkey Business and will all pursue solo endeavours. Check out Don't Phunk With My Heart in all its game show glory on CX110.
 
Who likes Fleetwood Mac? Who owns their 1987 LP Tango In The Night? Who remembers that track three on that LP was a (now classic) song called Everywhere? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you may be pleased (or not) to hear that this particular song is the latest in a long line of classic reworks to be given the dance treatment. Coincidentally, this track has been covered by two groups at the same time - LnM Projekt (with vocals from NY starlet Bonnie Bailey) and Moustache (featuring Melinda Jackson). I'm leaning towards the Moustache version but will leave the ultimate decision up to you. I've added Moustache's Cabin Crew Club Remix (for HDMS™ only) which kicks the tempo up a notch and has more bite. They're all on CR110.

   

 

Author - Ben Preece


 

DJ Busm - The Grumpy Mole Saloon.
Adam Harvey works the dance floor at The Grumpy Mole Saloon in Christchurch, which is part of a chain of NZ venues unique for their authentic western artefacts from Arizona and New Mexico. Everything from buffalo heads and Indian headdresses to rattlesnakes, raccoons and six-shooters adorn the walls. And, when DJ Busm (say it slowly!) cranks the music up later in the night, the huge tables become dance floors and the atmosphere is amazing.

Adam loves the HDMS™ and says "no more CDs makes life a lot easier, and I think most DJs would agree with me on this". And while he thanks all the people who have helped him over the years to get to where he is today, Adam reminds us, "overall, you should never forget who you are, and at the end of the day, you are still just another person on the planet - but damn - the DJs all over the world rock it every week, and that's something to be proud of".


Top 5 from 5

DJ Busm Grumpy Mole, Christchurch, NZ
1. 1,2 Step Ciara feat. Missy Elliott
2. Push Up Freestylers
3. Call On Me Eric Prydz
4. Flashdance Deepdish

5. E-Samba

Junior Jack
   
DJ Wayne Clarence Hotel, Petersham, NSW
1. No One Knows Queens Of The Stone Age
2. Hate To Stay I Told You So The Hives
3. Highway To Hell AC/DC
4. Lithium Nirvana

5. Love Rears Its Ugly Head

Living Colour
   
DJ Justin Balmoral Tavern, Victoria Park, WA
1. Bless My Soul Powderfinger
2. Someday Thirsty Merc
3. Catch Me Up Gomez
4. Diamonds On The Inside Ben Harper

5. Come To This

Sleepy Jackson
   
DJ Brad Gilhooley's Irish Pub, Surfers Paradise, QLD
1. Lose My Breath Destiny's Child
2. Dirrty Christina Aguilera
3. The Weekend Michael Gray
4. Mr Jones Counting Crows

5. Holiday

Green Day
   
DJ Daffy Cowboys Leagues Club, Townsville, QLD
1. The Weekend Michael GRay
2. Rich Girl Gwen Stefani
3. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing Jack Johnson
4. Pony Kasey Chambers

5. Life At The Outpost

Skatt Bros

At Your Service
Give Your Nightlife System A Good Night's Sleep

Did you know that your Nightlife system can automatically turn itself off each night?

It's extremely important to the performance of your system that it gets shutdown regularly. Failure to shutdown may result in your system locking up or skipping during songs. If an error occurs with your system, the Nightlife Technical Support team will be able to diagnose the fault more efficiently if the system in question is receiving regular shutdowns.

Shutdowns and restarts can be programmed into your scheduler, it is as easy as adding a new list. Once inside SCHEDULER, insert a new line and make sure you set the time that your venue closes.

When the menu showing all available lists appears, scroll to the bottom for the option to either SHUT DOWN or RESET. SHUTDOWN will safely turn off the machine. Your HDMS will have to be manually turned on in the morning. RESET will reset the machine. Or, you can always manually shutdown the machine by going to UTILITIES/ SHUTDOWN or RESET.

As always, please feel free to call our friendly Customer Support team on 1800 773 468 if you would like help with this, or any other function of your HDMS™.


News from NZ

We are looking at compiling an NZX release for June so if there are any specific requests, particularly for New Zealand music, please hit us on the fax without delay.

From talking to DJs of late, it is appropriate to thank the Australian music programming team - their music releases have been outstanding. Also, the new developments in music programming, eg. lists such as SURFnCITY have been well received and many venues have integrated that into their programmed schedule. The Aussie programming team love feedback and if you are interested in communicating to them, feel free to do so via the NZ office.

It is that time of year again when you will be completing APRA forms for music licensing. This needs to be completed and paid by each venue. There have been some changes in the form and should any of you have problems, feel free to contact Ross. The APRA licence fee is in addition to what is paid to Phonographic Performances NZ Ltd through your subscription service to Nightlife, and there is also a 'public performance' licence which each venue needs to pay to Phonographic Performances; such is the world we live in.

Regards
The NZ Team
Nightlife New Zealand
Ph: Whangarei 09 430 3035

Nightlife Worldwide: ScreenPlay Inc US. | New Zealand.