After Monday’s DC Band Wrap Up-it is time to get the people who made you dance all over each other all year long to take the stage and let you know what meant something to them in 2009.

Nouveau Riche

1. Empire of the Sun – Caught our attention with the Shanghai on-location video for “Walking On A Dream”, the Jimmy2Sox remix of We Are The People was ridiculous, and Half Mast was great too.

2. UK Funky (Genre) – Afro-influenced house out of the UK was all the rage this year. Key tracks for us were Crazy Cousins – “Bongo Jam”, L-Vis 1990 “United Groove”, Toddla T “Shake It”, and Greenmoney’s remix of Twizzle’s “Skydiving”, and a number of joints from Solo. But the biggest one of all deserves its own entry…

3. Michel Cleis ft. Toto La Momposina – “La Mezcla” – a complete 2009 dancefloor anthem. 11 minutes and perfect. Sidenote, uses the same sample as Timbaland & Magoo’s “Indian Flute.”

4. “Dutch Awesome” (our made-up genre) – Holland was killing it this year, and we don’t just mean Gavin. The standout track for us was Silvio Ecomo & Chuckie – Moombah (Afrojack Remix), with Chuckie’s “Let The Bass Kick” and Sidney Samson’s “Riverside” tied for a close second. Honorable mention goes to SonicC for “Stickin”, even though he’s from Miami.

5. Gramophondzie – “Why Don’t You”. We don’t know who these guys are, we don’t know why they made this, but it kills every time. Nobody was expecting a 1943 Peggy Lee sample to become one of the biggest house tracks of the year.

6. CLASSIXX – Remixes of Holy Ghost’s “I Will Come Back”, Phoenix’s “Lisztomania” and the dub of Major Lazer’s “Cash Flow” blew our minds.

7. Duck Sauce – aNYway – I CAN DO IT ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT IT.

8. Dubstep (genre) – Standout track – Skream remix of La Roux “In For The Kill”. Standout DJ/producer/performer: RUSKO. 2nd place standout track – Nero remix of The Streets “Blinded By The Lights”. Joker, AC Slater, Doorly also doing their damn thing.

9. Major Lazer – Pon De Floor

10. Diplo & Laidback Luke – “Hey” – Perfect example of a total house song with a total hip-hop vibe. Everyone loves this. Remixes from Nadastrom and L-Vis 1990 rival the original.

11. Dance Area – AA/247 – the weirdo video got us into it, then it turned into a dancefloor anthem, then Diplo’s remix thugged it up. Props to Steve, who pointed out the Sheila E “Glamorous Life” melody on the hook.

12. UNEXPECTED PARTYIN’. See You Next Tuesday made weeknights fun and Wednesdays useless. Guest spots from Shuttle a.k.a. Nate Donmoyer (the drummer of Passion Pit), Johan Hugo of Radioclit, Scottie B, Tittsworth, Supra1 and The Captain of Trouble & Bass, Matt Hemerlein, and Dirty South Joe. KIDS brought kids back to classic hip hop and packed the house doing so. And over the summer, BYT’s pool parties at the Skyline Hotel regulated, whilst The Coolout kept it classy on Sundays.

13. Cousin Cole – Tambourine Dream – Cole put a beat on Nick Drake and it didn’t sound corny. Holy shit.

14. Dennis Ferrer – “Hey Hey” is the house track that both intense house heads and oblivious dancers can agree on. Party rocker of the highest order.

15. Mowgli – London To Paris – Combines grovey disco house elements of vintage French house with rising and ripping synths mastered by the Brits. Hence the name. Perfect combo for a banger that can get the party started or bring it to it’s peak.

16. DC MUSIC – Nadastrom – “Save Us” was the jam, not just in DC but all over the world. Will Eastman’s “Feelin” on Plant Music brought the feel-good piano house, and Dmerit’s “Stuck On You” on Output Noise Records nailed it on disco house. 411 New York Avenue and Chris Burns’s parties at the Trinidad and Tobago Association kept things underground. And we’re all eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Tittsworth + Will Eastman venue, U Street Music Hall.

Tittsworth

Drake: Successful Remix feat Weezy
Subfocus. DNB was big again for me this year and Subfocus stayed in my crates. Now available in house form too.
Bingo Players.
Pon de warp: 2 biggest global dance floor destroyers hands down (err, up). Ageha / tokyo with aoki + diplo was absolutely amazing! Shout out to steve convincing me to finally use earplugs in 2009!!! So thankful! Big year for Dim Mak + Major Lazer
Maxwell: BLACKsummers’night
The Bentzen Ball
Afrojack affected a lot of producers in 09! See also: moomba-tone

Raekwon: Only Built for Cuban Linx 2

Nadastrom: raising the bar w/ a wide variety of bangers. Whether 1am or 5, some of my biggest weapons in 2009 was from these homies+home town heroes

The birth of u street music hall, dc’s new home to dance + live music!!

Chris Burns
2009 was a very good year for me. I was lucky to have played numerous amazing parties with many of my DJ heroes and I will never forget the great run of parties that myself and the ELM guys threw at the Trinidad and Tobago Clubhouse. I finally got my act together and started making tracks and am really excited for what is in store for 2010.

Originally I wanted to do my favorite ten, but my shortlist was way too long and I had give at least 20 of my favorites from this past year. What’s awesome about this year is that a good chunk of my favorite music was made by my buddies here in DC! This is more of a DJ chart and focuses on dancefloor friendly cutzzzz:

Afefe Iku – “Outer”

The beginning melodic percussive loop that permeates different sections of this track was my favorite drum pattern of the year. I used this countless times as a tool and am still addicted to this well-produced sound from one of Africa’s finest.

Argy feat. Bajika – “Upon Ourselves”

This was definitely a secret weapon of mine in 2009. I love the stuff that Argy has been putting out and this tribalish cut wreaked havoc when the trippy vocal dropped and the drums got more intense.

Azari & III – “Hungry for the Power” and “Reckless with your Love”

These Canadians are the ones to watch for 2010. Both of their releases this year were catchy, gritty and done tastefully with a pinch of throwback. 90s house was always great, but now is finally getting respect from all those trendy dweebs who are trend jumping from Nu-Disco to these kinds of records.

Beautiful Swimmers – “Swimmers Groove”

Good stuff from friends! “Swimmers Groove” landed Ari and Andrew some serious boogierific global attention to themselves and the Future Times label with their debut 12″ release from earlier this year. This fun and funky midtempo cut is a prescription for warm smiles and good times! These guys also threw some great parties this year, and are hosting their second annual holiday party @ Velvet Lounge on 12/29.

Bill Withers – Who He is and What He Means to You (Henrik Schwarz)

Henrik Schwarz is the best house remixer on the planet. His touch for re-interpreting records is creative, innovative and clinical in production value. However, his best remix of 2009 didn’t retain any of the heavy or serious tones that usually shine through with his approach. The feel-good and familiar energy on this record is contagious!

Boddhi Satva & Abel Tabu – “Moina Ya Mokili”

Boddhi is a great deep house producer out of the Central African Republic. He’s cranked out a ton of decent stuff in 2009 and I hope to get him to play here in DC at some point in 2010. Anyways, this Hi-Life tinged cut was perfect for the nice summer we had here in DC and I am surprised it wasn’t picked up by others. Cozy snow melter for sure!

Dennis Ferrer – “Hey Hey”

Amazing deep house vocal with tremendous crossover appeal. The first time I heard this out the whole place was singing it by the time the second chorus rolled in. The dub is pretty killer and forward thinking as well. DF is a man with a golden ear.

Fred Everything – Mercyless (Atjazz Remix)

I really liked the original, but the remix oozes class. The vocal on this is beautiful and the musical arrangement is wonderfully emotive and moody. This UK based producer also put out a few other nice sublime deep house works in 2009.

Jerome Sydenham – “Dark Room”

Amazing rework that builds the groove around a pitched-up drum loop taken from No Smoke’s “Koro Koro” and drops acapellas from Nina Simone and “Let No Man Put Asunder”. This is a perfect vibe blend of the deep, the dark and the driving with a modern twist.

Laidback Luke & Diplo – “Hey! (Nadastrom Hot Latin Dub)”

My favorite release from Matt and Dave this year. Dubby latin flavored goodness that felt “right” for rocking several different kinds of vibes this summer. The groove on this one is great!

Major Lazer – Pon De Floor (Chris Burns Remix)

Gotta be shameless with this one. I really was happy with the way my remix for Pon De Floor came out, although the judges at the remix contest didn’t seem to think so. Big love and respect to all my DC DJ buddies who gave this one support this winterMy . Now go download it for yourself here!

Michel Cleis – “La Mezcla”

This is an obvious pick and is probably the biggest dance record of the year in general. I remember playing it for the first time right when it was released in June and the booth @ TnT Clubhouse got bum rushed by inquiring minds. The bliss that erupts when those South American flutes and vocals come in is magical.

Mzee – “Mahuwele (Manoo Remix)”

Manoo was one of my favorite producers of 2009 and this rework was the best thing he did all year. The vocal, guitar and supporting pads/beats were perfectly arranged and made this track another big, obvious choice for alot of deep house DJs.

Neville Watson – “Blueprint”

A big time hypnotic and mesmerizing 80s style Chicago jack track that worked well in my sets a loop tool or on its own. I hold a strong opinion that this is one of those records you absolutely have to hear on a system, in a dark room, with a bunch of other degenerates who are staying out way too late at night.

Peven Everett – “Special (Timmy Regisford remix)”

Peven is easily one of the most talented uptempo RnB musicians in the music industry. It’s a shame he doesn’t get more mainstream/radio attention because almost everything that comes from the Chicago-based songwriter is quality. Timmy Regisford’s take on this piece is simple, straightforward and highly effective. On a side note, it’s also great to see Mr. Regisford return to his prominent position as the king of NYC’s afterhours with Area Code @ Greenhouse on Sunday mornings.

Protect U – “Double Rainbow”

Technically I don’t think Future Times has released this 12″ yet. I loved the debut “Protection” on the Vibes 1 Sampler, but this new release is gonna put Mike and Aaron over the top. Highly creative deepness that draws upon alot of different music influences. Unfortunate that this kind of stuff gets more love overseas than it does in our hometown. Go buy this record at SOM!!!!

Radio Slave – “Koma Koma” & Dance Disorder “My Time (Radio Slave Rekids Tribe Mix)

There was no way I was going to get through this list without including at least a couple of Radio Slave tracks. From stuff under this alias to his Cabin Fever releases, the dude is killer at laying down amazing grooves. I was told the other night that he does all of this stuff in Fruity Loops, which blew my mind. Take it or leave it, I love these drawn-out percussive big room builders!

Steve Starks – “Boriqua”

I am not sure whether the man from Nouveau Riche dropped this on the world or not. I love the mid-90s big room house feel on this and the catchy, yet cliched vocal latin hook. I want to hear more of this kind of stuff from my homie in 2010!

Steve Summers – “Dreaming in Color”

HEAVY VIBE ALERT. This tracks sounds like it was taken from a found tape of a a lost Virgo studio session. Jason puts on one of the most interesting and impressive live PA’s and definitely deserves more bookings on the East Coast. Deeps cuts coming out of Montgomery County!

Trevor Martin

Ill do my best with this, but Im actually having a hard time thinking about what I was playing earlier in the year.
This is more of a list of tracks that I like playing out, DC parties that I thought were a good look in 09 and some random ish.
Ill keep it music related. Here goes…

Ill Juicy J / Project Pat “Break it down” –  Off the “Cut throat” mixtape from DJ Smallz. Im a simple man with somewhat, ignorant taste in music. Know that before reading further. That’s why I listed this jawn first. This is a real hard track with a ridiculous hook. That’s about all it takes for me these days.

Serato Live 1.9 w/ SP-6 Sample Player – My boy recently put me on to this built in sampler, as a result I’m currently the most obnoxious DJ in the city. Thank StereoFaith for that.

Maxwell – Davenada Club Mix – Im a fan of Maxwell and I really like what Nada did with this.  A solid early night jam…or anytime jam if you’re grown and sexy. Im just grown, so I usually rock this one early.

930 BackBar – I realize its kinda bama to list the backbar as one of my favorite spots of 09 because of $weat$hop. Not on some self-promo ish, this spot is home for consistently dope Fridays from Andrew Jaye’s 12lb sound to Marquis with Micah Vellian and Outputmessage. Small, good sounding venue that’s open until 4 am.

Gucci Mane “Wasted” – Banger, but that’s an obvious one. I like the hits.

Bruce Springsteen’s “Working on a Dream. “ – Everyone’s a fan these days so this may only look “ironic” in contrast to the rest of my list. This was my absolute favorite sit-at-home and listen album of 2009. In 2007 it would most likely have been “Magic”. The man ages well.

Will Eastman  “Feelin” – Honestly, on paper this track is something I wouldn’t really be into. Its kinda too smart for me, but Im really enjoying this e.p. right now. The Dmerit, nadastrom and tittsworth remixes are excellent, but lately Ive been droppin the original.

Nolabounce.com – This site’s been around for a minute, but my friend put me on this year. It’s rare I hear bounce in the district, so this is my go-to site for coppin’ mixtapes and tracks that I otherwise wouldn’t get to hear.  Any DJ can school you on how dope nola bounce is, but if for some reason you are not familiar check out the site.

95 Live @ Steve’s Bar Room – I live in the neighborhood so I was familiar with the bar before, but only went thru a few times.  Common Wealth’s 95 Live on Thursdays was easily my favorite excuse to call in sick on Fridays in mid-2009. I can give or take most “themed” dj nights, but this one wins. I got to hear some of my favorite DJs interpret one of the best errors in music at a solid venue with great sound.  Cant go wrong. CW and Stussy killed it this year and Im looking forward to seeing where it goes in 2010.

This was actually a Top 9 of 2009…not trying to be different or play off of the 9 in “2009”. I have to leave and I cant think of anything else right now. Thanks for including me.

2009 Was the year I had three jobs, each better than the last – my first visit ever to Japan, and my return to DJing in any concerted way (thanks to Amanda and Ashley May).

So, as a born-again DJ, I thought I would highlight a few things I loved about dance music in 2009:

1.      The Golden Filter.  Two singles into their career, and with a raft-full of great remixes, they have become my go-to team for a dance party-in-a-can.  Everything they touch is gold (Solid Gold), and filled with a static, timeless, lust-filled beauty that never fails to make me move back and forth in a groove until the song runs out. c.f., Polly Scattergood – Please Don’t Touch (Golden Filter Pop Mix), The Golden Filter – Hide Me and Thunderbird (With Beauty Before Me, I Walk Mix), and Peter Bjorn and John – Lay It Down (Golden Filter Remix).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFZcyTmrnPg

2.      La Roux and Little Boots.  It’s taken some time for synth pop to divorce itself from the toxic “electro” label of the early 2000s (remember Fischerspooner?  Felix da Housecat?) with a naivite and assertiveness that takes them beyond the Berlin/NYC focus into something better.  Little Boots is Victoria Hesketh (high point: Dead Disco “Automatic Raufast’s Dark Disco Mix”), and, La Roux is Eleanor Jackson – both staking the high grounds of euphoric, beautiful pop mix.  c.f., “Fascination,” “As If By Magic,” “Remedy,” “Earthquake.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUsbpmQ9-mc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeJBd746-4w

3.      Lily Allen.  Never has an artist done so much to make me want to write her off and then come storming back.  God, I hated her obviously Dad-provided grab-bag of pop references, her horrifyingly embarassing public image bordering on parody.  Then she comes out with one of the albums of the year, shorn of notable samples, and a handful of b-sides and remixes that shocked me to the core with their quality.  Stunner. c.f., Not Fair (Far Too Loud Electro Mix), Kabul Shit, 22 (The Big Pink Mix), Chinese.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-wGMlSuX_c

4.      Florence.  This was gonna be here year, and it has, sort of.  A few quality demos in 2008, two stunning singles, and then an album for the ages, yet all she’s garnered is hatred and backlash.  Not quite sure why – she seems nice enough, does great work, and is generous with her remixes.  Fuck it, I love it, the haters are I dunno – stupid? Reacting to hype without listening?  Dead inside?  Whatever.  c.f., Dog Days Are Over (An Optimo Espacio Remix), You’ve got the Love (Jamie XX rework feat. The XX), Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up), Flakes (Mystery Jets Cover).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1pHDEAvqwE

5.      The Horrors.  WTF?!??!  I left this band for dead.  DEAD.  Their first album was shitty, over-hyped nonsense that bored me senseless while trying to rob Nick Cave’s ghost and leaving their wallet at the crimescene.  Then I heard they found shoegaze.  My first introduction was the fabulous “Who Can Say” single.  I immediately bought the Suicide cover they did for Blast First (”Shadazz”) and made a bee-line to see them live.  I was rewarded by an incendiary performance before a small but hysterical crowd in Baltimore and a private chat with the lead singer, who is just about as kind, friendly, and musically literate as I could have hoped.  Brilliant.  c.f., “Whole New Way,” “Who Can Say,” Three Decades, “Sea Within a Sea.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx09S-E_ufA

6.      PoBPaH, ASDiG, APtBS.  Okay, that’s a bit unfair – three bands at once, all with incredibly long names that lend themselves to ridiculous acronyms, all bringing back the ‘gaze for the masses.  To the initiated, you know who I mean – to the rest of you, it’s the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, A Sunny Day in Glasgow and A Place to Bury Strangers.  The first is sunny-day-sundae shoegaze, with beatific choruses and chiming guitars that could melt hearts at fifty paces.  A Sunny Day is no less beautiful, but a bit weirder, and A Place is the whole thing done over by “Faith”-era Cure fans.  Genius.  c.f. (in order), Higher than the Stars (St. Etienne Vists Lord Spank Remix), Sometimes I Think about You, I Know I’ll See You (Clapp Remix).

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=99e4f1c60ebdca9dab1eab3e9fa335ca478eec2b00b316cc

7.      Ys.  This was the year that two Y bands really impressed me.  After years of underperforming, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs matured to the point of true pop transendence.  Sure, “Maps” was great, but scratch the surface and there’s not much -there- there.  This time around, they’ve created a complex work of depth and beauty that could stand the test of time.  Yeasayer, in the meantime, have gone from the intriguing but lamentably bongo-infested debut album to their extraordinary, euphoric, and danceable new single.  I hope the change lasts.  c.f., Runaway, Zero, Heads Will Roll (Passion Pit Remix), Ambling Alp (Memory Tapes Remix)

http://www.yeahyeahyeahs.com/player/default.aspx?meid=4478

8.      Delphic.  I deal with this in my other article – read here – but let me say that their path to fame has been odd.  R&S, Kitsune, and now Polydor.  Time will tell whether they’re the new New Order or the new Dykehouse.  c.f., Counterpart, This Momentary (Parallels Remix), Doubt

http://delphic.cc/videos?v=86

9.      Marina and the Robots.  As with Delphic, I talk about them more elsewhere – read here.  No song ate my brain the way “I Am Not a Robot” did.  Shit videos, weird clothes, and she’s Welsh/Greek. Still, fame beckons for young Marina Diamandis.  c.f., I Am Not a Robot, Obsessions, Hollywood.

http://marinaandthediamonds.com/videos

10.     The Big Pink.  When they signed to 4ad, I thought this must be
some kind of joke.  Terrible name, weird cover art, what the hell did
I care?  I finally broke down and listened to “Velvet,” snagging a
demo off the ‘net, and my jaw dropped lower than a Mormon’s hemline.
Crikes.  I tracked down a copy of “Too Young to Love” and listened to
the b-sides, more demos, and their next single, and their next.  Think
it’s all simply derivative laddishness?  Try listening. The lyrics are
layered with sadness, longing, loneliness, and the inevitability of
failure.  I bought it all (down to the Japan-only singles collection
and the 4ad promo cd singles).  Live, they hit it perfectly, with the
sound giving as perfect a representation of their sound as I’ve heard
a band produce at the Cat.  As with Florence, I genuinely feel a
mixture of pity and contempt for anyone who doesn’t find joy therein.
Shattering.  c.f., Velvet, Dominos, Crystal Visions, Stop the World,
She’s No Sense (with Florence), Too Young to Love (UNKLE Remix)

http://musicfromthebigpink.com/videos

Special mention to the Animal Collective (as a non-dance act) for forcing me to re-evaluate their output (deciding that, yes, their
early stuff is maddeningly amateurish) and conclude, tentatively, that they are the most intriguing band working today.  It will take me another month or so to fully digest the MWP CD and the FBK EP, but I’m giving it a bemused and tentative thumbs up.  Are they listening to The Drowning Pool (the Nate Starkman band, not the heavy metal one)?

Now, to the rest of the best of 2009 for the dancefloor:

Sigur Ros – Gobbledigook (Gluteus Maximus Mix)
Depeche Mode – Come Back (Jonsi Remix)
Jack Penate – Tonight’s Today
LCD Soundsystem – Bye Bye Bayou
Noisettes – Don’t Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)
Dan Black – I Love Life
Golden Silvers – Arrows of Eros
Esser – Headlock (Spike Stent Remix)
Friendly Fires – I’m Good I’m Gone
Miike Snow – Animal (Peter Bjorn and John Mix)

Overall, a good year for music.  Roll on 2010.

Natalya of HEJ HEJ
Falling in love with The Raveonettes’ In and Out of Control.

The Raveonettes go on tour, play at the 9:30 Club, bring even more tambourines than usual.
Lykke Li at Sixth & I Synagogue.
Ida Maria at the Black Cat.
Fredrik, meet America. America, meet Fredrik.
Trying (and failing) to kick an addiction to Miike Snow’s “Animal.”

New songs from Fine Arts Showcase
House of Sweden for continuing to bring the best of Swedish music to DC, from hip-hop to punk to pop.
Lady Gaga — because the one non-Scandinavian thing on this list was going to have to be Lady Gaga.
Approaching three years of playing Scandinavian music in DC. Thanks for your support, everyone!

Sean Peoples (Sockets Records)

1. HUME – “Bells Burnt” –

2. The Cornel West Theory CD release show with Dr. Cornel West
3. Legends of Benin Compilation (Analog Africa)
4. Imperial China – “Go Where Airplanes Go”
5. Teenbeat Records releasing Unrest’s DC reunion show from 2005
6. Diamond District – In the Ruff (Oddissee Music)
7. Washed Out – Life of Leisure EP (Mexican Summer)
8. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – self-titled (Honest Jon’s Records)
9. Buildings – Endless EP (Sockets Records)
10. Whatever came out on the Peoples Potential Unlimited record label -

11. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca (Domino)
12. Linkwood – System (Prime Numbers)
13. Seeing SPRCSS live
14. DC’s Sonic Circuits Festival
15. The Cornel West Theory somehow featured on FOX news
16. Girls Rock DC
17. Protect-U Double Rainbow 12” (Future Times) http://www.myspace.com/protectuforever
18. Motor City Drum Ensemble – Raw Cuts #5 and #6 12” (MCDE)
19. Underwater Peoples Records – http://www.underwaterpeoples.com/
20. Group Doueh – Treeg Salaam (Sublime Frequencies)

Andrew Field Pickering (aka: Maxmillion Dunbar, 1/2 of Beautiful Swimmers, VV of Food For Animals)

TEN THINGS ABOUT TUNES IN 2009 (NO ORDER)

1. Future Times got a few more releases under our belts, and we sold almost 2000 copies of our releases in 2009, which is just so killer to me! Thanks out there to all the people getting our 12″s. THERE’S MUCH MORE ON THE WAY. http://www.futuretimes.org

2. Hieroglyphic Being live/chilling at my crib in August. Jamal killed it at Comet, and I got to talk to Adonis on the phone. Boost.

3. The first Pool Party this summer was so sick. My favorite part was when Ari and I played Manuel Gottsching’s “E2-E4″ all the way through side A so that we could have a half hour to swim.

4. Record digging in Europe. NO JOKE. There are some true scoops for the true scoopers out there. Also, the Beautiful Swimmers Euro experience in general was awesome.

5. Live dance music in DC. Of course due to FT I have a personal bias, but seeing Steve Summers and Protect-U live this year gave me a bunch of faith in “throw a bunch of gear on stage and get down”.

6. I started my writing career (hahahahahaha) with a column on Fader’s blog, called “Heal Yourself & Move”. So much fun, even though I am constantly behind schedule like shit! It is really fun to find a “voice” as a writer, or at least I think it will be when i find mine.

7. I thought radio rap let me down a little bit this year, with Lil Wayne turning into a digital laugh track and also giving the world way too many Drake raps (I actually love Drake hooks though). “You The Best” was sick. Gucci was way sicker. Non radio rap (especially in DC) was great though, with Diamond District doin’ it.

8. I was late to the party, but there is some Young Band go-go in DC right now that shatters my mind. AAO, TCB, XIB, REACTION, and more are savage! CRANKAGE.

9. Food For Animals has been working on the new album all year (I think we played like 10 shows), trying to take this music called rap in 1,000,000 psychedelic directions. Wait for it. http://www.foodforanimals.com

10. (THIS JUST IN) Listening to headphones while shoveling snow is pretty beast.

Neal Becton (DJ Neville Chamberlain of Brazilian Night and FUZZ @ ST.EX, and owner of SOM Records)

Ten Best things about DC in 2009 (mostly music related) -

1) The Numero Group’s Soul Revue feat. Syl Johnson, the Notations and Renaldo Domino at the 9:30. Criminally under-attended (shame on you DC) but what a show! True soul legends with a great young backing band. If you get a chance you gotta check out Numero’s “Light on the Southside” coffee table book/double LP set

2) Gal Costa at Lisner. Another legend, this time playing to a packed house. Folks expecting her crazy tropicalia stuff would have been disappointed but anybody else would have been bowled over by her voice, personality and song selection. What a treat!

3) Animal Collective – “Merriweather Post Pavillion” (the album). Always changing and always moving forward these (semi-local) guys deserve all of their success. Just got their new EP in this week and will give it to my wife for Christmas (shhhhhh).

4) Kid Congo Powers and the Pink Monkey Birds – “Dracula Boots”. What a fun record by an incredibly talented (and nice) guy. He lives in DC now so don’t miss any of his shows next time he plays out. He’s a great DJ too.

5) Finding a few hundred unplayed African records (mostly from Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana) in a super secret garage somewhere in suburban Charles County. Multiple copies of a lot of them. Early Christmas!

6) The DC Record Fair (confession – I’m a co-organizer) having amazing turn outs at Civilian Arts Project then the Warehouse Next Door and finally Comet Ping Pong. Great to see DC come out in numbers for these! Lots of great records (bought quite a few myself) and a really fun afternoon. Even the serial gripers on the local blogs couldn’t complain that much. Looking for a bigger space for the next one (tentatively Feb. 14) …

7) Local blogs and web sites stepping up their games in 2009. Props to BYT, the Prince of Petworth, the Vinyl District, District of Sound, DCist, Daily Candy and others for keeping us informed musically and helping me track down good places to eat inside the beltway.

8) More local bands, art spaces and artists getting the word out on their happenings via facebook and Twitter. It’s easier than ever to stay connected although it is disconcerting when you’re DJing and folks are doing more texting than dancing or talking to their friends. Some times you just gotta put that phone down and enjoy yourself!

9) New restaurants and clubs in DC. People in DC love to bitch about their city (it’s always been that way unfortunately) but its simply staggering how many good new places to eat, drink, dance, hang out, whatever have opened in the last year or two. The changes on 14th Street alone, where I’m based, are incredible with more stuff slated to open in the next few months. DC is jumping right now!

10) Not hearing the words “Republican White House Staffer” since last January!

FATBACK DJS

Music:
-The Madison Lively Stones
-Legends of Benin
-Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981
-The Monks (reissues)
-Death – ….For the Whole World to See (reissue on Drag City)
-Anything on Numero Group label
-Lee Fields – My World (Truth and Soul)
-El Michels Affair – 37th Chamber
-Whitney
- Sockets
- The Very Best

Moments or things:
-The Very Big Fatback with Trouble Funk and Chico Man at 930 Club
-Bacon Shoes
-Michael T. Miller and his gospel moment at November’s Fatback
-Whatever was happening here.
-Bentzen ball
-Tender Loin at 1905 and the Tender Loin Mix
-Monday nights at Marvin with Jahsonic
- Lunchbox Theory’s Afrobeat parties.
- Deep Sugar @ The Dox.
- S3 bringing amazing house DJs to DC.
- Playing the Hurshhorn
- Summer Camp

Dave Nada+Matt Nordstrom=Nadastrom

NADASTROM- TOP 10 MUSIC WE LOVED IN 09:

1. Major Lazer “Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do”
This was the best album of ‘09. We’ve lost count the number of times we’ve played/heard “Pon De Floor” at parties all over the world. Switch and Diplo have always been big influences to us as producers and dj’s, but this album took it to an entire new level of holy shitdom.

2. Cadenza Records (Luciano, Michel Cleis, Francisco Allendes, Felipe Venegas)
Cadenza Records delivered some of the most refreshing house and techno music in ‘09. From Michel Cleis “La Mezcla” to Francisco Allendes & Felipe Venegas “Llovanza” to Luciano’s “Tribute To The Sun” album. The Cadenza sound has a heavy presence in our dj sets.

3. Brick Lane Mafia (Riva Starr, Mowgli, Solo)
Wildly talented group of funky Italians that live and work on Brick Lane in the east end of London. Practically changed the game in house and dance music. Riva Starr, Mowgli, and Solo all had huge hits this year. Jams like “I Was Drunk” by Riva Starr and “London To Paris” by Mowgli and “Congoloid” by Solo all ruled dancefloors everywhere and were staples in our dj sets.

4. Trouble & Bass/Party Like Us
Easily the coolest label/crew in the world. Hailing from New York, cats like Drop The Lime, AC Slater, Star Eyes, B.Rich, Udachi took over the remix game in ‘09 and gained a huge cult following that continues to grow. These are the true dark knights of party music. TROUBLE MAKERS MAKE SOME NOISE!!!

5. Dre Skull & Mixpak Records
Dre Skull slipped us a mickey when he dropped one of the best tunes of the year, “Yuh Love” featuring Vybz Kartel. We had this on repeat throughout the entire summer and we were known to close sets with this joint. Mixpak Records also dropped awesome tracks like Dre Skull’s “I Want You” and Sticky’s “Jumeirah Riddim” that we were big fans of.

6. Most inspiring dj sets: DJ Fashen & Skratch Bastid
After seeing both of these guys throw down proper party sets in DC and Baltimore, we were reminded how lazy we were becoming as dj’s. Easily the best dj sets we’ve seen all year and inspired us to step our game up, brush off the turntables and get back to work.

7. Favorite Baltimore Club tracks Say Wut – “Streets of Baltimore” & DJ Class refix of ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”
Two of our favorite baltimore club tracks that dropped this year. Say Wut’s sound can’t be matched in club music.
“Streets” is so effortlessly funky and DJ Class’ refix of “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” made our jaws drop and want to fight
people when we first heard Scottie B drop it in his set. We hounded him for weeks to get that track!

8. Afrojack
This dude changed the game in the entire dance music world. That token kick and big riff that Afrojack is highly known for was the “white noise” of 2009. Everyone took from that. Even us! Haha. But yeah, good luck trying not to hear an Afrojack tune in the club this past year.

9. Loco Dice, D’Julz, Paco Vs Tibo’z – Live At Under 300 Tour 2009 – Djoon (Paris, France)
This was our favorite mix of the year. 7 solid hours of amazing house and techno. We’ve listened to this a gazillion times and we’re still trying to figure out what some of the songs are. We recently discovered one of our favorite songs in the mix, Cabin Fever – “Don’t You Know” which has now become a staple in our dj sets.

10. Nadastrom – “The Saved” EP
Our sophomore EP on Dubsided that was released this past fall. This was a huge deal to us seeing as we were
progressing as artists and producers since our debut “Pussy” EP from ‘08 and wanted to make a lasting impression for 2009. We’re super proud of the tracks featured on this EP: Ghetto Pass, Save Us, and Squarez and felt they accurately represented our sound and attitude in ‘09.

Will Eastman

Fun:
Sold out Blisspop inauguration party at 9:30 Club and impromptu, makeshift drum session in the dark with Moby. Power outage? What power outage?

The birth of U STREET MUSIC HALL
DJing to an incredible, swirling mass of 1,500 DC LGBT family and friends at the Capital Pride Closing party at the Hirshhorn Museum, and D.C. City Council passing the same-sex marriage measure!
Thievery Corporation at 9:30 Club
Blisspop DC Summer Extravaganza with the fam, and B-day boy Dave Nada smashing the hell out of the surprise piñata… filled with condoms.

Studio grinding (and goofin’) at 51 Bates with Micah Vellian, Outputmessage, and T.T the Arti$t. Throwin’ Micah Vellian (fully-clothed) in the pool at the BYT summer pool party (he was wearing all black, after all.)
DJing with Pet Shop Boys at DAR Constitution Hall
Seeing Pixies at DAR Constitution Hall. Still loving the Pixies. Pumping fists in air to Pixies

Some favorite tracks of the year:
Classixx – I’ll Get You (feat. Jeppe)
Nadastrom – Save Us
Dmerit – Stuck On You
Major Lazer – Pon de Floor (feat. VYBZ Kartel)
Miike Snow – Silvia
Junior Boys – Hazel
Gui Boratto – No Turning Back
Drake feat. Trey Songz & Lil Wayne – Successful
Outputmessage – Resurface (Vocal Version)
Noob & Brodinski – Peanuts Club (BeatauCue Remix)
AC Slater – BanGer (Tittsworth Remix)
Phoenix – 1901
Little Boots – New In Town (Fred Falke Vocal Remix)
Jay-Z – Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)
Say Wut – Streets of Baltimore

Producers:
2009 belonged to producers and locals stepped up in a big way! A fantastically welcomed trend that I hope continues to pick up speed in 2010. Gave a lot of stuff by locals a work out in the club in ’09: Nadastrom, Tittsworth, Outputmessage, Micah Vellian, Steve Starks, Nacey, Gavin Holland, AutoRock, and the list goes on.
Some of my other favorites or the year were: Classixx, Doorly, Harvard Bass, Laidback Luke, Holy Ghost!, AC Slater, Riva Starr, Fred Falke, Calvin Harris, Fake Blood, Jack Beats, Chavy Boys, Tiga, BeatauCue, Jesse Rose.

Food/Drink:
Late night oyster happy hour at Old Ebbitt Grill
Rattlesnake and sirloin steak sausages at Hot Doug’s in Chicago
Gin fizz on The Gibson patio
Fried chicken sausage sandwich at Mandarin Oriental’s Sou’wester, and just about any meal in D.C. or anywhere in country with Brian Billion

Kevin Coombe/DJ Nitekrawler

Top 5 Things I Loved about Music in 2009, followed by a Top 5 things we played at Moneytown this Year.

1- The fact that people suddenly think soul music is “back” from somewhere.

Even though it’s been pushed by both DJs & live performers since before I can remember, it’s nice that soul is finally getting discussed by the masses and a bit of print media shine from the DC area press. Just hope that lasts and the scene continues to build!

2- ………and speaking of soul, I’d like to use my number 2 spot to thank DC’s hardworking soul bands that have been making it happen in 2009 and before. You know who you are. I’d especially like to thank Will Rast for murdering what-so-ever key laden instrument he happened to be on each time I saw him perform in 09’. Keep it up.

3- Speak Low – “Thriller”

By now, we can all attest to the endless MJ remixes, mash-ups, and cover/tribute songs that are out there. But this version of “Thriller”, covered by Speak Low in mid 2006, was my favorite dance-floor friendly cover tune I discovered & subsequently threw into sets this year. One word…..”unique”. Speak Low is local group from Madrid, Spain……which may have contributed to the fact that it somehow got past me til 09’. Worth the vinyl purchase or 320 download.

4- Daptone is taking over the world. YES. Check it out, they’re showing up on Prime time TV gigs and their music is on everything from NPR to popular commercials. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will destroy 9:30 club on New Years Eve.

5- The fact that more young people are buying vinyl. Now, I know that people haven’t stopped buying vinyl over the years (and I’m on that boat), so I’m not trying to say it’s “back” like soul music is apparently “back”……..…….but for a while there it seemed like a steady decrease into record geek oblivion. I had hoped for a change and then suddenly a market that doesn’t fit that crusty wierdo classification grew into a noticeable mass. Many younger people are realizing how disposable and boring the mp3 actually is, regardless of it’s usage w/ all of our Ipods (and for many of us DJs, our Serato crates). No physical shape to file on a shelf or hold in your hand or display on your wall, no liner notes, no weird label designs, no cool images or artwork unless your Ipod drags something up from the depths and displays it tantalizingly just out of focus or reach. And…..sometimes it’s just fun to have a stash of old (or new) records to bust out and enjoy. Go youth. J

Top 5 Moneytown Plays for 09’ (what 45s myself and my guests were constantly throwing on the decks)
1- Kings Go Forth – One Day (Mr. C)
2- Exits – Got to Have Money (Gemini)
3- Edwin Starr – Running Back and Forth (Gordy)
4- Ace Spectrum – Don’t Send Nobody Else (Atlantic)
5- Firebolts – Everybody Party (Greenback)

Shea Van Horn of Mixtape, RAW and Maison
Nine Things That Mattered To Me in 2009 (in no particular order):

(1) The Video for Tiga’s “Shoes.” I think I watched this video 2,009 times this year. I love everything about it. It’s ridiculously entertaining. The woman’s deadpan expression and annoyance. The props. The costumes. The drummer is hot! The song is good, but the video is perfect.

(2) Calvin Harris Remixes. Almost everything he touched this year was golden, even if the result was a sugary pop confection that leaves a sticky residue on your ears. Passion Pit’s “The Reeling,” Mika’s “We Are Golden,” Shakira’s “She Wolf,” and Katy Perry’s “Waking Up In Vegas,” not to mention his own stuff — “Stars Come Out” and “I’m Not Alone” got people’s asses shaking.

(3) Ladies from the UK. This was a great year for groups/artists like La Roux, Marina & The Diamonds, Ellie Goulding, Little Boots, and Roisin Murphy. I totally worship Roisin and cannot wait for the full length album to drop in 2010. The first single, “Orally Fixated” is great. I also think Marina & The Diamonds are going to have a stellar twenty-ten. The video for “I Am Not A Robot” rocked my world
.
I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of La Roux, though I like “Fascination.”

(4) Kitsune Label. I want the producers behind this label to create the soundtrack to every moment in my life. This year was much better for three reasons: Appaloosa’s “The Day (We Fell In Love),” Classixx’s “I’ll Get You,” and Acid Girls w/ Frankmusik’s “Wake Up.”

(5) A rekindled love affair for Bobby Orlando production. I came out in the 80s. I used to sneak into the “big” city (Spokane, WA) to dance with my new found gaggle of gay goth friends, sniff poppers on the dance floor, and dance to songs like “I’m So Hot For You,” “Shoot Your Shot” (Divine), and “Passion” (The Firts). This was the perfect year for some Bobby O.

(6) Antony & The Johnsons performing at the Sixth & I Synagogue. One of the most beautiful musical experiences of my life. Dreamy amazing genius!

(7) Beth Ditto, (8) Karen O, and (9) Peaches. These three women have so much talent, energy, and sheer awesomeness. It’s almost unbearable. Their performances at the 9:30 Club blew my mind. Peaches gave four encores, Karen O ate her microphone, and Beth Ditto stripped to her Spanks and sang with us in the crowd. A-F*CKING-MAZING. My three favorite songs–that I *still* cannot stop playing each time I DJ–are “Heads Will Roll,” “I Feel Cream,” and “Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix).” That remix by Mr. Falke is the BEST song of the year. He took a great song and made it epic.