Latest Posts

DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist at Town Ballroom (11/11/14)

November 12, 2014

On Tuesday night, those in attendance at the Town Ballroom were taken on a journey through nearly 40 years of the rich musical history that laid the groundwork for hip hop culture. DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist surgically moved through their set comprised of six turntables, a vintage drum machine, and a collection of records taken from Cornell University’s library, originally belonging to Afrika Bambaataa. The two performers genuinely expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to play the original copies of tracks that help build the culture that they love and champion. Despite the exclusive circumstances of this unique performance, both Shadow and Cut Chemist played with a casual, personal demeanor, occasionally explaining the historical significance of tracks or pointing out various breaks and samples that have been countlessly built upon over the years. Every musical moment was deliberate and contributed meaningfully to the eclectic soundscape that included everything from[...]

Tonight: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist

November 11, 2014

Once upon a time too long ago DJ’s used turntables to maximize flow, records were heard and no one stood; dancing was better and the music was good. There was a young DJ who was misled; he thought a laptop playlist could make him bread. When DJ’s stop creating and start pushing buttons both metaphorically and on Serato, the art of actual turntablism is lost, but tonight in Buffalo, two of the genre’s greatest combine forces to rep the music of yet another musical innovator. Presented by MNM, a local promotion company with global reach, this stop on the Renegades of Rhythm tour is easily one of the best shows to hit Buffalo all year(s). When two of the best in the game come together to celebrate the work of  Afrika Bambaataa (aka Kevin Donovan) you don’t sleep on it. Genre-shaping hip-hop electro legend and founder of the Universal Zulu[...]

Just Announced: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist

September 17, 2014

After a few weeks of rumors, local promoter, Mike T. Marshall, just confirmed on his facebook page that influential DJ/producer, DJ Shadow, will be playing the Town Ballroom on Tuesday, November 11th along with Cut Chemist. Born as Joshua Davis and referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of sampling,” Shadow is best known for his genre defining, debut release Endtroducing…, and for the development of the experimental instrumental hip hop scene. The two DJs will be in town for the vinyl-only, Renegades of Rhythm tour, honoring Afrika Bambaataa. I am not much of a DJ guy, but even I know this is a big one. Tickets are on sale right now for $27.50 in advance, $30 day of. I am guessing this show never reaches that day of price so buy your tickets now.