This looks like an amazing event, check out what Delicious Vinyl has to say about their new monthly series:

“Starting this month, Delicious Vinyl will be hosting a monthly workshop and demonstration event for aspiring DJs, producers and moguls. Located at Freak City, a collective storefront on 6613 Sunset Blvd. in the heart of Hollywood, the All Star Workshop will be a forum for DJs, musicians and engineers to come together and share new techniques and ideas. Participants will be encouraged to showcase techniques, secrets, tweaks and collaborate whenever possible.

In attendance will be Cut Chemist, critically acclaimed remix artist and founding member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli. Recording and performing for over twenty years, Cut Chemist started collaborating as a DJ at age 11 and started recording in 1987 with friends including Chali 2na and later with DJ Shadow. As a solo artist, he has contributed music for global ad campaigns for Apple and performed at flagship stores worldwide. His live show dazzles audiences with a selection of world music recently supporting Shakira on her Oral Fixation tour. At the DJ Workshop, Cut Chemist, with visuals by Pimpadelic Wonderland, will talk technique and showcase this collaboration.

Also presenting will be an original legend of the KDAY 1580 mix masters, DJ M. Walk. Starting on turntables at age 12 in Compton, by age 16, M. Walk was part of the original KDAY crew – the only hip hop radio station in the nation at the time, which later led to touring with Tone-Loc, MC Hammer and The Pharcyde. Rounding out the presentations will be Arabian Prince aka Professor X from NWA. Widely known as a solo artist, Arabian Prince started as a DJ in 1984 and produced the hit single and album “Supersonic” for JJ Fad.

For those interested in continuing to learn, original KDAY mixmaster Tony G of TurntableU.com will at the workshop representing the website and encouraging participation. TurntableU is an online DJ school where participants can continue to hone, refine and build on what they learn from each presentation. TurntableU is a premier online DJ school structured to sharpen talents, emphasize fundamentals and help grasp the basics of mixing, blending and scratching within a few lessons.”

The All Stars DJ Workshop is FREE to enter for all those that RSVP to RSVP@DeliciousVinyl.com

In a time where pop stars such as The Black Eyed Peas are looking to electronic music to find an edge and hip hop radio stations are finding themselves increasingly more open to featuring electro mixes and remixes (that may have never been there only a few years ago), it is easy to forget where these sounds originated from in Los Angeles.

At the forefront of this electro renaissance have been resident record label and party throwers, Dim Mak Records, led by the onstage antics of its leader and founder, Steve Aoki. Nights such as their Tuesdays at Cinespace and Banana Split Sundaes at LAX (later moved to Bardot) have served as platforms for almost every DJ under this umbrella from around the world to shine and flourish to open-minded and anxious audiences.

However, it is the slow and steady growth of the HARD festival that has really shown the massive appeal and breakthrough potential for what many considered to be a musical fad. This year’s Hard Halloween held at the Shrine was a showcase of electro founding fathers (2manydjs/Zombie Nation), as well as, a look into the future of the movement (Bloody Beetroots/Buraka Som Sistema/Harvard Bass).

This was the first time the event was held over two nights (Oct. 30th & Oct. 31st), both of which sold out. While the Saturday night had DJ sets from acts that are quite familiar to the LA market, in the form of Justice, Basement Jaxx, Steve Aoki, and the team of Major Lazer, I found the Friday lineup to be a more interesting statement on the course this scene seems to have taken.

While there are so many stories that could be told about the mixed bag of concert goers at the event and the various halloween insanity, I think the artists themselves tell the story more than anything. From the one-of-a-kind visual show put on by Belgian duo, 2manydjs, to the almost heavy metal rock show feel of The Bloody Beetroots, this scene is growing and thriving on the backs of artists who seem to be bringing something unconventional to a live show most people just thought consisted of two turntables and a mixer. This spirit and aesthetic always seems to present itself at HARD events, DJs putting their best foot forward in front of thousands of fans, who possibly more than in many other scenes are willing and able to go where the set takes them.

These amazing videos, courtesy of Glenjamn, give a great idea of some of the standout sets.

Dubstep has become an increasingly popular form of electronic music in the US within the last year. With its roots deeply planted in the drum & bass scene (via the UK), the style and essence of this music is deeply reliant on pounding, driving bass as the main force that propels the songs. It is one of those movements that has such a unique feel and vibe to it that its effects are starting to be felt in other genres of music such as hip hop and pop. One of the emerging artists at the forefront of this rise in exposure for dubstep is the man known as 12th Planet. Anyone who has heard his tracks or seen him spin knows exactly the type of chest rattling basslines and thumping beats that are quickly becoming the definition of dubstep, both here and abroad.

I had the chance to meet up with 12th Planet, during a rare break from working on his music, to chat about the genre, the scene that it has created, and where he ultimately hopes it can and will go. Enjoy the video and check out a 12th Planet/Ras Kass track!

Photo by Paul Sun

West Coast Dub – 12th Planet vs Ras Kass

Graffiti has paved its way into the contemporary world of art.  You can find it tagged on canvas and even sold all over the world these days.  It still hasn’t received a full amount of credibility and acceptance among the general population, but continues to push the attention envelop. The art form is no longer viewed as just defacing property or destroying a surrounding area’s presentation, but as a massive impact on the way we perceive society, politics, and culture. Canvas graffiti lives up to its compelling expectations of art eye candy brilliance. Click a link to expose this abstract art form.

Toy Story 3: Teaser Trailer

Woody, Buzz & the gang are back next summer in 3D.  Prepare yourselves for a new riviting adventure! Check it.

Project Art Chicago 2009 Launch from Jeremy Hodges on Vimeo.

Illustrated stimuli blasted waves of onlookers into an art paradise and the outcome displayed a major success.  Climax Lounge hosted Project Art, an underground bohemian gallery presented by Hennessy Black.  The emerging artist’s were showcased in an atmospheric explosion of mind-blown art with over 900+ in attendance at the Chicago art domain.  From a nightclub to a subversive art gallery and a live performance by Lupe Fiasco’s artist, Hey Champ, Project Art heads for the clouds of future triumph.

Inglorious Basterds is the new feature film by Quentin Tarantino, which follows two converging story lines, during World War II.  It stars Brad Pitt and Melanie Laurent and is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.  There is a free screening in Los Angeles at The Bridge Theater on Wednesday, June, 3rd.  The show will start at 8pm.  The number to call is 1 (888) 508-8354 and the letter code is D.  Enjoy the trailer and see you at the show!

The term “Survival of the Fittest” dates back to Charles Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection, and in today’s tough economic climate, who can deny that survival is the name of the game? Akomplice has teamed up with Leaders 1354 to save the day by producing a stunning “Survival of the Fittest Pack” which includes an Akomplice x Leaders Swiss Army knife, an Akomplice x Leaders T-shirt, a certificate of authenticity and a lemon (That’s right, because when life chucks a lemon at you, say “fuck it” and make some juice.)

This pack is limited to just 30, and is available exclusively at the Leaders Boutique in Chicago. Detailed pics after the jump.