Mark Farina @ The Bomb in Nottingham U.K last Saturday

[Martin Red]

Certainly wasn't deep and wasn't making much connection to my soul anyway, Not my bag really default generic tracky tech house bordering on Techno, 1 or 2 OK tracks but for the most part we stayed in the top room where the DJ was playing some hot house music, also dropping in Common, Stevie Wonder, MJackson to name a few.


resident v headlining guest

Resident hands down.


Hot women in that town

[AD]

What happened to Mark Farina? He used to be real good when he was pumping out that Chicago sound, but ever since he moved to Frisco it's just been what I would call "druggy music" to make the heads move. He's not the same as he once was.

[natacha]

Strange...He played in Montreal not too long ago and it was amazing. He played a lot of 80's music (Ready for the world, Prince,Michael Jackson (from the off the wall album))+ a lot of vocal tracks (like the latest LLV song).Maybe he plays differently in Europe.

[natacha]

He even droped a Luther Vandross track, some funkadelic,Eurythmics, human league...very good.

[Ben.]

farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[lyot]

he played in Antwerp on Friday..Of what I've heard, it matched Martin Red's description..

In fact, nothing new under the sun : another US dj who just adapts to what he thinks the crowd digs..

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by _Ben:
farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

miss out "the" and you have it in one, for the set he played on the 12th April

On this occasion he was playing
"Empty minded music"

Much dancing of the generic/default club shuffling sort

I left the room for about an hour and when I returned it sounded like the same record was still playing.

Although, Perhaps he was booked to play this kind of set.


I went with Efabulous Nev_M and a few other freinds, the only one who really liked it was a guy who preferes Trance or Tech House

[ April 14, 2003, 06:57 AM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[javasoul]

Originally posted by Martin Red:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by _Ben:
farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

miss out "the" and you have it in one, for the set he played on the 12th April

On this occasion he was playing
"Empty minded music"

Much dancing of the generic/default club shuffling sort

I left the room for about an hour and when I returned it sounded like the same record was still playing.

Although, Perhaps he was booked to play this kind of set. </font>[/QUOTE]Martin, you gotta agree with me with the fact that what Mark, Derrick, Heather, Diz etc etc play these days isnt your(and by that i mean the general DHP crew) cup of tea anyways.....I have came up with this conclusion because none the above mentionned djs get much props here anyways...That being said, I personally think that Mark is a SOLID Dj and balances the NEW chi-town sound with the NEW S.F sound and doing it well...there are some things i like less in his sets these days as well (he plays a lot of that swing-house thing, and thats just not my thing) but still I d take a Mark Farina at my night over 90% of other djs....

my 0.02 euros
[img]smile.gif[/img]

[Jolyon]

I think what happens to some overseas DJs is they come over and see people going spastic to harder tech house and think that's what everyone in Britain wants...so you get good American DJs playing harder music in their sets in the UK than they would do back home.

Note to some American DJs - the British house scene has been going for 15 years now and not all crowds are full of bridge and tunnel hardhouse/tech house heads!

[Ben.]

Originally posted by javasoul:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Martin Red:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by _Ben:
farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

miss out "the" and you have it in one, for the set he played on the 12th April

On this occasion he was playing
"Empty minded music"

Much dancing of the generic/default club shuffling sort

I left the room for about an hour and when I returned it sounded like the same record was still playing.

Although, Perhaps he was booked to play this kind of set. </font>[/QUOTE]Martin, you gotta agree with me with the fact that what Mark, Derrick, Heather, Diz etc etc play these days isnt your(and by that i mean the general DHP crew) cup of tea anyways.....I have came up with this conclusion because none the above mentionned djs get much props here anyways...That being said, I personally think that Mark is a SOLID Dj and balances the NEW chi-town sound with the NEW S.F sound and doing it well...there are some things i like less in his sets these days as well (he plays a lot of that swing-house thing, and thats just not my thing) but still I d take a Mark Farina at my night over 90% of other djs....

my 0.02 euros
[img]smile.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]very much on point [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

agree about the swing house thing too, there's not many records that do that well...

[Ben.]

Originally posted by Jolyon:
I think what happens to some overseas DJs is they come over and see people going spastic to harder tech house and think that's what everyone in Britain wants...so you get good American DJs playing harder music in their sets in the UK than they would do back home.

Note to some American DJs - the British house scene has been going for 15 years now and not all crowds are full of bridge and tunnel hardhouse/tech house heads!

maybe this applies to some dj's, but not farina, I've heard his sets from here, belgium and the US... he definately doesn't alter his sets for the UK crowds... would be a great shame if he did..

[javasoul]

Originally posted by _Ben:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Jolyon:
I think what happens to some overseas DJs is they come over and see people going spastic to harder tech house and think that's what everyone in Britain wants...so you get good American DJs playing harder music in their sets in the UK than they would do back home.

Note to some American DJs - the British house scene has been going for 15 years now and not all crowds are full of bridge and tunnel hardhouse/tech house heads!

maybe this applies to some dj's, but not farina, I've heard his sets from here, belgium and the US... he definately doesn't alter his sets for the UK crowds... would be a great shame if he did.. </font>[/QUOTE]I second that. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
Mark doesnt change his sets....also, if you were looking for deep, soulful stuff then Mark isnt your guy...unless he plays a mushroom jazz set and that is a different story altogether...

[Insert pseudonym here]

Please pardon me, but I would like to "weigh in" on the subject matter.

1.
I share Martin's discontent with the selection of music played by Mark Farina. It was very "hard" and on several occasions quite monotonous (sp?). Now, I am ready to admit that I had higher expectations and my expectations per se were further escalated by an article I read 2 hours prior to going to the party.

In said article, Gene Farris was quoted as saying that Mark Farina is from the "old skool (Chicago)". In the same article, Gene Farris listed Mark Farina in the same DJ eschelon as Glenn Underground. With that being consumed by my person, I expected a certain sound quality and selection to be played.

2.
This was the first time I have heard Mark Farina live. Never the less, their was no "variety" to his set. On 2 occasions I left the room and when I came back, without being biased and trying to put forth and effort to listen without a prejudice ear... I could've swore that I heard the same song being played.

3.
I do agree with a previous post regarding the "mentality" of the British (house) crowd. However, I think because the majority of the crowds here don't demand better music... mediocrity has "run amuck" and generalizations about what can satisfy the average British dance patron have been made. It's my sincerest hope that there are patrons out there that will demand BETTER MUSIC.

Yet, it must be put forth that if you are not privy / or exposed to SOULFUL HOUSE MUSIC, SOULFUL DJ(S)OR THE TRUE RICH HISTORY OF DANCE MUSIC AND IT'S EVER EVOLVING SOUND... how will you be able to DEMAND THE BEST QUALITY OF MUSIC.

So, I don't lay all the blame on the DJ... I lay 1/2 of it with the "Miseducation of the British Dance Crowd". Their inability to educate themselves regarding dance music and their inability to open their ears to something new... will always warrant the generalization of American DJ(s) to play hard house when they perform in the UK.


In conclusion, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE. IT'S NEVER TO LATE FOR THE MASSES TO BE EDUCATED. So, now the responsibility lies with the future excursions of American DJ(s) coming to the UK... start playing what you really feel and really like to play. You don't always have to PACIFY to the crowd, cause sometimes the crowd needs to be EDUCATED...

Thanks for reading.

[ April 14, 2003, 07:21 AM: Message edited by: DJ Efabulous ]

[Jolyon]

Efab - too true. Over here too many people accept second rate shit.

Point in fact - I DJed on Saturday night and must have played a minimum of 3 hours of disco in my 5 hour set - and still someone came up and asked if I had any disco-house! In fact the place I was playing doesn't like house music being played (it's a bar not a club)...

Also in the UK too often the music policy is dictated by the drugs. For more years than I care to remember clubbing has been about getting cained and listening to banging music for many clubbers. Consequently the music got harder and more monotonous.

Of course there are lots of places to go to hear more eclectic and soulful music, but they are far fewer than the number of nights that provide stomping house. Too many British DJs who started out playing a lot of soulful house music have slipped into playing harder music over the years...

God I could go and go about this...

[javasoul]

Originally posted by DJ Efabulous:
Please pardon me, but I would like to "weigh in" on the subject matter.

1.
I share Martin's discontent with the selection of music played by Mark Farina. It was very "hard" and on several occasions quite monotonous (sp?). Now, I am ready to admit that I had higher expectations and my expectations per se were further escalated by an article I read 2 hours prior to going to the party.

In said article, Gene Farris was quoted as saying that Mark Farina is from the "old skool (Chicago)". In the same article, Gene Farris listed Mark Farina in the same DJ eschelon as Glenn Underground. With that being consumed by my person, I expected a certain sound quality and selection to be played.

2.
This was the first time I have heard Mark Farina live. Never the less, their was no "variety" to his set. On 2 occasions I left the room and when I came back, without being biased and trying to put forth and effort to listen without a prejudice ear... I could've swore that I heard the same song being played.

3.
I do agree with a previous post regarding the "mentality" of the British (house) crowd. However, I think because the majority of the crowds here don't demand better music... mediocrity has "run amuck" and generalizations about what can satisfy the average British dance patron have been made. It's my sincerest hope that there are patrons out there that will demand BETTER MUSIC.

Yet, it must be put forth that if you are not privy / or exposed to SOULFUL HOUSE MUSIC, SOULFUL DJ(S)OR THE TRUE RICH HISTORY OF DANCE MUSIC AND IT'S EVER EVOLVING SOUND... how will you be able to DEMAND THE BEST QUALITY OF MUSIC.

So, I don't lay all the blame on the DJ... I lay 1/2 of it with the "Miseducation of the British Dance Crowd". Their inability to educate themselves regarding dance music and their inability to open their ears to something new... will always warrant the generalization of American DJ(s) to play hard house when they perform in the UK.


In conclusion, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE. IT'S NEVER TO LATE FOR THE MASSES TO BE EDUCATED. So, now the responsibility lies with the future excursions of American DJ(s) coming to the UK... start playing what you really feel and really like to play. You don't always have to PACIFY to the crowd, cause sometimes the crowd needs to be EDUCATED...

Thanks for reading.

ok so my reply on each point:

1-simply put, i think Gene farris didnt know what he was talking about if he said Mark played like G.U. Cuz i dont think mark has EVER played like G.U. (maybe wayyy wayyy back during the early cajual days)

2-this is maybe because mark is "ALWAYS in the mix"...ridding both tracks for a looooooooong time together (the Derrick carter School :D )

3-in 2003 i will not be able to agree that the BEST TYPE OF HOUSE MUSIC Is SOULFUL house....and the second point in that, again, I AM 99% sure that Mark didnt change his usual style to blend in with the crowd or Pacify the crowd...minor adjustments are done (as any of us djs do when playing different rooms) but I highly doubt that Mark played any differently than when he plays a similar club gig in the U.S

actually, u know what, i ll ask him directly in a few days and will let you know. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by Jolyon:
I think what happens to some overseas DJs is they come over and see people going spastic to harder tech house and think that's what everyone in Britain wants...so you get good American DJs playing harder music in their sets in the UK than they would do back home.

Note to some American DJs - the British house scene has been going for 15 years now and not all crowds are full of bridge and tunnel hardhouse/tech house heads!

I'de agree on that. The music he was playing wasn't challenging, new, and I believe easily progammable in comparission to the resident who was playing everything and I should imagine took some more thought and work, and also kept us interested.

Yet, who was asking for the bigger fee I wonder, the resident DJ working it or the Import DJ ?

[Ben.]

Just had to add that isn't Farina isn't a tech house DJ...

I hate all this genre splitting but tech-house is more along the lines of people like Terry Francis, Grant Dell etc... quite a lot harder and more repetitive than Farina plays...

[javasoul]

Originally posted by _Ben:
Just had to add that isn't Farina isn't a tech house DJ...

I hate all this genre splitting but tech-house is more along the lines of people like Terry Francis, Grant Dell etc... quite a lot harder and more repetitive than Farina plays...

[img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by javasoul:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DJ Efabulous:
Please pardon me, but I would like to "weigh in" on the subject matter.

1.
I share Martin's discontent with the selection of music played by Mark Farina. It was very "hard" and on several occasions quite monotonous (sp?). Now, I am ready to admit that I had higher expectations and my expectations per se were further escalated by an article I read 2 hours prior to going to the party.

In said article, Gene Farris was quoted as saying that Mark Farina is from the "old skool (Chicago)". In the same article, Gene Farris listed Mark Farina in the same DJ eschelon as Glenn Underground. With that being consumed by my person, I expected a certain sound quality and selection to be played.

2.
This was the first time I have heard Mark Farina live. Never the less, their was no "variety" to his set. On 2 occasions I left the room and when I came back, without being biased and trying to put forth and effort to listen without a prejudice ear... I could've swore that I heard the same song being played.

3.
I do agree with a previous post regarding the "mentality" of the British (house) crowd. However, I think because the majority of the crowds here don't demand better music... mediocrity has "run amuck" and generalizations about what can satisfy the average British dance patron have been made. It's my sincerest hope that there are patrons out there that will demand BETTER MUSIC.

Yet, it must be put forth that if you are not privy / or exposed to SOULFUL HOUSE MUSIC, SOULFUL DJ(S)OR THE TRUE RICH HISTORY OF DANCE MUSIC AND IT'S EVER EVOLVING SOUND... how will you be able to DEMAND THE BEST QUALITY OF MUSIC.

So, I don't lay all the blame on the DJ... I lay 1/2 of it with the "Miseducation of the British Dance Crowd". Their inability to educate themselves regarding dance music and their inability to open their ears to something new... will always warrant the generalization of American DJ(s) to play hard house when they perform in the UK.


In conclusion, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE. IT'S NEVER TO LATE FOR THE MASSES TO BE EDUCATED. So, now the responsibility lies with the future excursions of American DJ(s) coming to the UK... start playing what you really feel and really like to play. You don't always have to PACIFY to the crowd, cause sometimes the crowd needs to be EDUCATED...

Thanks for reading.

ok so my reply on each point:

1-simply put, i think Gene farris didnt know what he was talking about if he said Mark played like G.U. Cuz i dont think mark has EVER played like G.U. (maybe wayyy wayyy back during the early cajual days)

2-this is maybe because mark is "ALWAYS in the mix"...ridding both tracks for a looooooooong time together (the Derrick carter School :D )

3-in 2003 i will not be able to agree that the BEST TYPE OF HOUSE MUSIC Is SOULFUL house....and the second point in that, again, I AM 99% sure that Mark didnt change his usual style to blend in with the crowd or Pacify the crowd...minor adjustments are done (as any of us djs do when playing different rooms) but I highly doubt that Mark played any differently than when he plays a similar club gig in the U.S

actually, u know what, i ll ask him directly in a few days and will let you know. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Some things to remember javasoul

1. We are not biased at all, we have just said what we saw, honest opinion.

2. I like good music and am not put off by harder music, but when it's just boring, it's boring, this wasn't no Derrick Carter set, I have heard Derrick Carter at the bomb, and it was a structured set on the up, troughs peaks, a journey ! . This was no journey, except of course leaving the room and going upstairs. As I said the resident IMHO was the better DJ, I suppose you would have had to be there to understand this FULLY ! I know when a crowd is feeling it , "generic club shuffle" like a bunch of ghosts in a haunted house shaking their chains.

3. No one was saying what the "best type of music" is, it was just commented on what Mark was playing wasn't it ! IMHO.

4. We have no connection with Mark except playing £12 which some of which will go towards paying him, perhaps your outside view of the night may be tainted by the fact that you know him ?

I don't want to slate Mark, but I would like to commend the Resident, who I would have gladly given all my £12 too.

[Insert pseudonym here]

Originally posted by javasoul:
actually, u know what, i ll ask him directly in a few days and will let you know. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

Javasoul, I look forward to your reply regarding our feedback on Mark's set. If possible or if you deem it appropriate, I would like to have a meticulous discussion. I invite Mark Farina to contact me directly via email as well as yourself.

I'm not here or commenting to slate Mark Farina, please bare in mind I've only heard one set.

However, feedback is important. I'm always looking and listening to feedback. I think maybe I could learn something from this exchange. It would be very interesting to hear Mark Farina's comments on the feedback that has been brought forth on DHP today.

Warmest Regards;
Efabulous

[YUJI-SAN]

Originally posted by _Ben:
farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

...no hes not.

[Ben.]

Originally posted by YUJI BR0WN:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by _Ben:
farina is the shit [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

...no hes not. </font>[/QUOTE]each to their own...

[javasoul]

Originally posted by DJ Efabulous:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by javasoul:
actually, u know what, i ll ask him directly in a few days and will let you know. [img]graemlins/acclaim.gif[/img]

Javasoul, I look forward to your reply regarding our feedback on Mark's set. If possible or if you deem it appropriate, I would like to have a meticulous discussion. I invite Mark Farina to contact me directly via email as well as yourself.

I'm not here or commenting to slate Mark Farina, please bare in mind I've only heard one set.

However, feedback is important. I'm always looking and listening to feedback. I think maybe I could learn something from this exchange. It would be very interesting to hear Mark Farina's comments on the feedback that has been brought forth on DHP today.

Warmest Regards;
Efabulous </font>[/QUOTE]Efab,
I will defenately have a feedback for you (from mark) on friday...(i ll be seeing him on thursday night)

[Monny JcIntosh]

If American DJs do play different, harder sets in order to satisfy UK crowds it's an unnecessary shame. I was playing at a techno night in Liverpool on Friday and, as usual, I was playing house, disco - even Marvin Gaye. And I got a fantastic reaction, with Needs' "Walking Thru Circles" getting a phenomenal response. I think it was Topester who said the other day that DJs should play what they feel. Too right: half the battle is getting across that vibe, and it's a lot easier to communicate it if you feel it yourself.

[ April 14, 2003, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: Jonny McIntosh ]

[Red D]

Valid points on both sides here, I heard Farina twice here in Belgium, and I was twice a bit disappointed with the lack of variety in his sets. He rides his blends like a madman (indeed, the DC-skool) but to be absolutely honest he does play music that allows for long blending without risking train-wrecks.
I have heard Farina-tapes from all around the globe, and they always had his signature tracky sound, so I do believe that's just the way he usually plays.
So all credit to him for doing his thing, but I just don't like it that much.

RD