Thursday, February 26, 2009
Chunk Manson Part 2
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dj Journey Production Biography By Maiukia

In today's world of digital gadgetry and the surplus of reality television booming through plasma screens and hi-tech cell phones, it seems everyone is a producer, artist, actor, manager, record executive, label owner; and sometimes, all of the above. Once upon a time, talent and a little luck were the only requisites for a successful career in the entertainment biz. Nowadays, the once simple task of identifying a true gem has subsequently become much more daunting amongst the sea of super shiny zirconias, all passing themselves off as genuine diamonds. The fact still remains that when you pit a true artist against one that's been manufactured as a commercial cash cow, the real McCoy is an obvious stand out.
There are those who subscribe to the school of thought that everything in life has a rhyme and a reason. DJ Journey, the bi-coastal triple-threat from the Windy City is definitely one of them. Well beyond his years, this musical prodigy witnessed the power of music first-hand as a child, sitting on his mother's living room floor. It was in this space that Journey recalls the way the music his mother played affected everything, from her emotions & her mood; even taking on a life of its own as a real-time soundtrack to their everyday lives. "My mother was a music collector and I remember how music made her feel. It made her think and explore. It made her a better person," says Journey. This eclectic DJ, Remixer & Producer is hard pressed to name a short list of specific influences that point to his cinematic production style, but when asked where the unpredictability of his music stems from, the jazz fusion band, The Crusaders, rolls off his tongue with ease. "The Crusaders music had no beginning and no ending. This is really prevalent in the structure of my songs."
As a high school sophomore, Journey's marriage to music became official when he was gifted his first set of decks as a birthday present from a former girlfriend. The DJ persona fit his outgoing personality seamlessly, and success soon found him. With a promising radio show and a high demand for his skills as a party rocker in Chi-Town, it wouldn't be long before the West Coast's promises of prestige and flashing lights would bait him out of his backyard, leaping off to the City of Angels to join the Power 106 team, as an on-air personality & DJ. While the relationship fizzled quickly, the geographic relocation sparked a shift in Journey's mind. Where in Chicago, he had been the escape for others; Los Angeles became the sand box that would allow him to create music that would provide an escape for him. It was here that Journey realized, "the studios are programming the minds of the world!"
Of his own accord, Journey describes himself as quite a complex character. And it's in the layers of his complexities, that one truly begins to understand his music. With a role model like Quincy Jones, who took huge risks sonically and studied symphony orchestras in London, listeners will find brush strokes of electronic, experimental and orchestral fusions with a dash of hip hop influences in Journey's picturesque productions. "These are compositions of my life and I just want a reaction out of the music that I'm producing," he says. And while most might assume it takes a Bentley's worth of studio equipment to create such grandiose sounds, Journey draws from his past, reminiscing on how his mother had very little means but always showed him how much they truly had. Set in his ways, his minimalist attitude carries into his selection of weaponry. Armed with Reason, Garage Band & Ableton Live, the only outboard audio gear he uses in the lab are an MPC2000 sequencer, a Mo' Phat sound module, the Oxygen 8 Midi Keyboard and an Akai MPDP24 Midi Control Pad.
As a DJ with an impressive client list that includes Adidas, MTV, Red Bull, Ed Hardy & Fred Siegel just to name a few, Journey is setting his sights on the film & television industry as his next musical conquest. Currently working with blooming artists Ryan Gordy and Jesse Hart, it shouldn't come as a shock, should you happen to find his name on a Silver Screen in your city in the very near future. His next calculated move is to work with one of the top agencies in Hollywood to market his unique sound & carve out a role for himself alongside the greats of scores and soundtracks. L.A. is known for its brutal turnover rate and conniving "every man for himself" mentality. But the spiritually grounded, analytically complex DJ Journey knows that everything matters and in his own words, "Good things come to those who create!"
--
Journey
www.myspace.com/bigjourn76
www.djjourneygogreen.blogspot.
www.myspace.com/
Monday, February 2, 2009
REYCLE THE BEAT MIXTAPE
RECYCLE THE BEAT PROMO from Dj Journey on Vimeo.
The "Recycle The Beat" vision was introduced to pay tribute and remind people of the importance of reusing, and show that just because something has served it's original purpose doesn't mean you should "trash" it. Take for instance a HOT original song: you play it, play it and play it until it's played out. Then you're done with it, and it's on to the next new hit. Of course there are those originals that no one will ever get tired of, but for the majority of songs this isn't the case. The same can be said for that cell phone you once couldn't tear yourself away from that now isn't up to par with the new blackberry you're dying to get. Buy it…just be sure to recycle the old one. Yes, you can recycle your cell phone! It's not all paper and plastic anymore, there are an array of items from printers to kitchen appliances that can be recycled and re-invented as opposed to letting it wind up in a lonely landfill. You can even take those neon blue skinny jeans, circa 2006 and bring them to a trading post or thrift store and exchange them for cash or credit. Someone else will find a way to make them stylish and then you can both feel good knowing they got more than a years worth of wear.
DJ Journey's Recycle The Beat mix tape is in line with that same idea and although "recycling" songs may not actually help save the planet, it's the message behind the idea that should really hit home. Re-introducing the original recycle re-mix with added bonus mixes, DJ Journey breathes new life into hit songs of all genres. Everything from 80's rock to 90 rap is found on this mix, all with added beats, scratching, and new artist's music. As always, DJ Journey delivers on Recycle The Beat, using his signature style, that always includes new slick surprises. This mix is sure to impress, and more importantly, we hope this re-use method will inspire you to grab that stuff you once considered garbage and take it to your nearest recycling center!
Written By: Laura Hoeppner
RECYCLE THE BEAT HERE:
zshare. net/audio/5488850498d018e6/
ENJOY!