The Bag Messenger BlogBag Design and Urban Living

This week we're going to do a little repost of our interview with Ed Blammo, a man with his hands full these days. We updated the photos to reflect. Enjoy!

-THE BAG MESSENGER

Tucker & Bloom recently caught up with Ed Blammo. We got a chance to ask him about the progression of his label "Blam City" and how he got to this point in his life. Ed is hungry for sure (the night of this interview he ate diner twice) and it shows in his work ethic. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: How and when did you first get into records?

ED BLAMMO: High school, maybe sophomore year. I was singing in this really terrible weirdo hardcore band but was slowly getting into rap stuff like wu-tang. One of my best friends, Terence, sold me a CD player that could pitch-bend and make loops. I had that and a belt drive record player, so I would loop up sections of songs and play hip hop acapellas over top, like Body Movin' over Spin Doctors. Yikes right? I made an EP of my remixes and sold it to kids at my school, thought I was the man. I actually found a copy of it the other day. Wack attack for sure. Anyway, after that I pieced together a real DJ setup. I was working room service at the holiday inn and this dude Adrian that I worked with sold me my first 1200 for cheap. I was so stoked. I eventually got another 1200 and a Vestax mixer, and me and Terence started rocking house parties. I'd also DJ between bands at indie rock shows and stuff like that. I played mostly all hip-hop, funk and downtempo, but when House of Jealous Lovers by the Rapture came out it kind of flipped the script for me, and from there I learned about house and disco backwards. After that I moved to Philly, but that's a whole other story.

THE BAG MESSENGER: What is Blam City, who is involved?

ED BLAMMO: Blam City is the future of modern music. Nah, I'm just playing. Blam City is a record label that I started with my homies Josh and Aaron because we wanted to be able to show people how much good music is coming out of Philadelphia right now. Actually half of the label lives in South Korea and Japan, so Blam City is kind of a trans-continental music collective. We operate on a very small scale, but we dream big. It's all about experimenting and trying new stuff. We do things one step at a time. If it works, we roll with it. If it doesn't, whatever, we brush our shoulders off and try it again, try to stay frosty.

THE BAG MESSENGER: Any upcoming releases we can be looking forward to?

ED BLAMMO: Our first record will be out in January. It's an edit project I did with Josh from Blam City called Wicked Breaks. Its some funky 80s disco boogie type joints. There's kind of a crazy story behind it. Josh is a bike messenger, and one of his co-workers, who goes by Wicked Frame, that's where the name comes from, was trying to hustle up some money by selling a couple boxes of records, so Josh hooked it up, and we went over to the Bike Line in Chinatown and picked up 3 crates for like 15 bucks or something. People are forever trying to give us some corny old records, so I didn't really pay it any mind, but Josh spent a couple days and listened to everything. Turns out Wicked Frame broke us off with some jams, so I did a bunch of cut and paste style edits of the records Josh picked out, and we chose 3 for the first release. They're raw for sure, but I like stuff that's a little dirty and messed up.

THE BAG MESSENGER: What is the Sky Lab?

ED BLAMMO: Damn. I don't know how much I can talk about that one. Basically, Skylab is whatever you need it to be. It's a lounge, after hours party spot, spare bedroom, workshop, music studio, record label headquarters, and greenhouse all rolled into one. Tucker and Bloom even used it as an office for a few months over the summer (editors note* "thanks guys"). It's our home base. We just put in a disco ball, so, you know, we're riding.

THE BAG MESSENGER: You have been busy these days, djing around, and making music. How does your day job mesh with your passion for music?

ED BLAMMO: I love being busy, so balancing my jobs and DJing is actually a lot of fun. I have a pretty nice schedule. During the day, I teach at an after school program in west Philly. I work with about 40-50 elementary school-aged kids. We do all kinds of crazy stuff. Sports, computers, reading, art, science, math, acting, just about everything. Kids have a way of putting everything into perspective, keeping your ego in check. Like if I played a dope show the night before, and I roll into work feeling like the man, some kid will come up to me and be like "hey Mr. Ed, you're head is a weird shape," and I'm thinking "Word. Priorities. Stay focused dude." You got to keep it real around kids. They can see right through any type of fronting. They also keep me on my game, remind me that I'm not going to be DJing forever, and I should enjoy it as much as I can now, but also keep moving forward as an educator and a human being. That line of thinking applies to everything in my life, really. Do work, keep moving, and appreciate what you got.

THE BAG MESSENGER: Are you able to apply any of the same skills you learned from teaching when it comes to djing for a crowd? ( i.e lesson planning=set planning)

ED BLAMMO: That's a really good question actually. I was just thinking about this the other day, and I realized that I really do think about both in the same type of way. When I plan lessons at work I usually come up with a solid outline of what I want the students to learn and how I'm going to make it happen. I don't ever make anything too specific. If I see that the kids really latch on to something I'll expand on that or if they're not feeling it at all, then I'll switch it up on the fly. I approach DJing the same way. I do a pretty decent amount of preparation beforehand, listen to a ton of records and think about how I want the crowd to react. Then I play around with different transitions to keep things interesting and to keep myself entertained. Same as in the classroom, if the crowd is vibing to a certain sound, I'll keep it going. If people aren't getting down, then I'll change it up. I'm not saying I'm schooling people in the club or anything; I'm just trying to rock with you.

THE BAG MESSENGER: When it comes to djing out what do you bring with you to gigs? (whats in the bag).

ED BLAMMO: Man, I used to bring everything. 2 cd players, 2 turntables, 500 records, 40 CDs, a microphone, a drum machine, my buddy No Arms would bring costumes, I'd have a Panini press up in the booth. No, I'm only half serious about all that. I just recently made the switch from all vinyl to serato, so I bring that and my computer. I still bring at least 20 records or so, just because. Sometimes I'll rock a go-go bell, and I always bring a mic. Dam-Funk has been a big inspiration for me on that end. I love talking to the crowd and interacting with everybody, I'll sing, whatever, its all good.   What music are feeling when it comes to playing out?     I've definitely been on a west coast g-funk kick lately. I was born on the same day at Dr. Dre, so I think it's in my astrology or something. Basically anything with Nate Dogg on it, I'm into. I was actually looking for Nate Dogg t-shirts on ebay the other day. A lot of the new disco stuff has been hitting pretty hard lately too. Crazy P, Classixx, Greg Wilson edits, and of course Dam-Funk. I'm working on a mix for Tucker & Bloom that's going to have a bunch of that kind of stuff on it, so stay tuned. ( Remain Tuned...its in the mail)

Ed Blammo Twitter , and Blam City Records Website for all your Blammo related needs.  

Happy Monday Folks! Here's your weekly dose...and its a doozie of a mix. The funky president spins tribute to the godfather of Soul on this rare gem. Is J Rocc the funkiest mix tape DJ ever? Is James Brown the funkiest man to walk earth? Sho Nuff.

-The Bag Messenger

Get it here

Here is a cool little short film showing the inside of a record pressing plant. We tend to root for the little guy and feel like we have a bit in common with The Vinyl Factory. Worlds best? Does a camel have toes?

Enjoy!

THE BAG MESSENGER

THE BAG MESSENGER: Where are you from?

DJ YNOT: Originally from Orlando Florida but spent my formative years in Beaverton Oregon.

THE BAG MESSENGER: How did you first get involved with DJing? 

DJ YNOT: As a young kid some of my first tapes where DJ Magic Mike and I used to record the "thunderstorm" mix show in Orlando during the 90s when commercial radio djs weren't handcuffed and programed.  Wish i still had those tapes, the djs used to really get down and dirty back then.  Eventually I came to realize scratching the snare drum on Parliments "Give up the Funk" was the funniest thing ever.  I started going to a lot of Hip Hop shows at the time in Portland, always arriving early listing to the opening dj set the tone for the night.  This lead to my buying my first belt drive set up from the back of the source.

THE BAG MESSENGER: We're you always collecting records? What kinds of things are you looking for these days?

DJ YNOT: I can't say I was always into records per say maxi singles where my format of choice coming up.  Used to get 3 for $10 and would ware them out.  That and mixtapes where my format for getting my fix. I'm looking for anything I can get my grubby fingers on, lately been into the Braun label LPs and dancehall covers of pop songs like"Toms Diner", "Don't be Cruel" and "Blame it on the Rain".  

THE BAG MESSENGER: Any interesting digging stories?  

DJ YNOT: I got nothing except for this dude Mario we met at the Flea Market outside of Orlando.  He was a character, a real 40 something  New Yorican scumbag trying get a few dollars to pay his phone bill. We get back to his house and it was packed full of early 90s promo rap records.  Everything was $3, nothing crazy but some solid gap fillers.  While where sifting through the joints Mario drops some questionable racist one liners like "the brothers in Brooklyn love that rekid..." Or "Oh yeah the Japs come and spend a lot of Money with me..."  This may of made us uncomfortable but things got really real later on. It was an extremely hot day and in between tokes of his pipe Mario decides to dip into his bedroom slip into something more comfortable and by something I mean nothing.  Needless to say we had to cut our losses at that point.  

THE BAG MESSENGER: How often do you travel? Where are some of your favorite places to go?

DJ YNOT: Not as often as I'd like, I defiantly try and make runs to Tallahassee, Maimi, and Tampa whenever my schedule allows.  My folks in the respected areas always come through with a fun party or record spot. My favorite places to go are in the Great Northwest anywhere between Seattle and Portland.  There's low humidity and the people seem to be more friendly.  I haven't been to a better place then the Pacific NW on a nice summer day. The Blackberries, the salmon, and the trees are all on point.

THE BAG MESSENGER: Has Serato changed the way you get down?    

DJ YNOT: I've been running doubles like there's no tomorrow.  Having instant doubles of everything makes djing more fun in lot of ways.  It's nice to know I can rip a song into Sir Otto and spend an hour cutting back and forth without wearing out your joints till they get cue burn.  I love records but don't miss dropping wads of dough on flavor of the weak 12s, shitty pressings, and getting doubles of the new Primo production only to get home and realize they are warped.  Sir Otto allows you to move through records a lit quicker, sometimes you got to let them songs breath though.

THE BAG MESSENGER: What do you listen to for fun? How has becoming a DJ affected the way you listen to music?

DJ YNOT: After a few years of djing you get worn out on some "classics", certain songs that get played out (pun inteded) don't perk up my ears anymore.   So for fun I might light a dumb bell L and listen to some records out of my collection, nothing gets me open like a solid soul record or some of that raw funk.  Some of the current labels putting out new or re-released music I'm feeling are Melting Pot Music, Finders Keeps, and Light n the Attic. There's a ton of music on the internet and such but I'm still overwhelmed by my modest small record collection.  There's always something I forgot about or simply haven't gotten to check yet.  It's kind of crazy I continue to go out and get new records when I haven't yet listened to everything I have. 

THE BAG MESSENGER: Favorite crowds to play for?

DJ YNOT: As much fun as it is to play for people that get it, I have equal amounts of fun playing for the crown that wants to the humpty hump.  I defiantly respect nerding out with the true heads and all that but the folks that want to cut a rug are as equally as fun.  After doing this for a while I think i forgot not everyone is a dj nerd like myself.  While it's great when the crowd is receptive to something different it's equally refreshing to see people get excited over the same classics they've been hearing for years.  The ritualistic value of playing for either of these crowds makes my day.   

Y-Not with the  North To South Messenger Bag

THE BAG MESSENGER: What's the key to packing for the road?

DJ YNOT: One thing I've learned is to always check you're batteries for electronics before ya leave.

THE BAG MESSENGER: Every DJ has a horror story or two....what is the worst thing to happen at a gig?

DJ YNOT: I've got a few that come to mind. One revolves around a rap show I tried to help throw a couple of years back...The horror story started more after the show when after to many drinks proceeded to hang with the crew and get even more faded. Long story short I found myself outside of an ihop at 5 am with my record bag, laptop, needles etc in some groupies car who dipped with my equipment in her trunk.  I didn't remember her name or number and had to make some calls to figure out which hotel they where at.  To top it all off I had a 7am flight the same morning.  Needless to say the Mc was busy doing his thing thing with young tender when I show'd up.  Poor bastard wasn't happy I interrupted his thing thing by beating on his door.  Dude got hella westcoast on me for a second but it was hard not to take em serious with a towel draped around his waist.

THE BAG MESSENGER: What are you working on now? What can we be looking for in the future?

DJ YNOT: I'm currently trying to get this new college radio show Blap radio off the ground I co host alongside my good friend Chrono.  We're on in the early am hours and try work on keeping a loose format with our selections.  I plan on continuing my Lazy Afternoon mixtape series which is some laid back goodness.  I've also gotta an EP titled in the works I plan to release on slept on indy rap label Domination recordings. Oh and I'm always working on getting my cuts up, yes I still enjoy the scratch. Look for mixes to pop up online via thisisthesouf.com, upcoming mixtapes, and hopefully folks can look forward to me getting down in a smoke filled bar soon. 

Y-not gettin loose 2

Mr. ROD UNO | MySpace Music Videos

Check out Y-NOT at his blog This Is The Souf

and keep up with him on Twitter

I have recently been going through music at a fast pace. Maybe it's twitter and blogs, or maybe it come's with the territory in 2010. In any case there is a lot of good music out there, and I've been meaning to highlight a few overlooked treats with a quick mix. We'll I finally got around to recording it this past week, and its here just in time for the first day of summer. The resulting concoction is thirty minutes of both new and ripe (if you will) soulful hip hop tracks, carefully selected for your pleasure, and mixed with just the right amount of sugary cuts. Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is....enjoy

-Case Bloom

Click here for a free download

Project Thirty-Three is a collection of vintage record covers, all of which feature minimal shapes and flat colors combined with simple typography.

-Nick Sigler (Design Dweeb)

Here they are....the photos from the June Kitchen Sink. We had a great time, and from the looks of these photos so did you. Check the rest of the gallery here, and (if your in Philly) come hang out with us at PYT this Friday! 

-THE BAG MESSENGER

ONE NIGHT ONLY!!

DJ Image & Ed Blammo are teaming up to make you get down to the funky sound at PYT.

$$$$$

DJ IMAGE, based out of Lancaster PA, has been in the game for over 10 years, rocking parties in his hometown as well as New York, Baltimore, and Philly. He recently finished up a tour across the U.S. with the legendary Slick Rick and has performed with the likes of Bone Thugs, Method Man and Redman to name a few. Hip-Hop? Image has it on l-o-c-k. But don't think of the bol as a one-trick pony. This dude can rock the party across any and all genres. Let's show the dude how Philly gets down.

ED BLAMMO, the people's champ party rocker, will be giving away 10,000 dollars to the first person to beat him in a 4-Loko shotgunning contest. He's currently undefeated. Oh yeah, he's gonna be DJing too. If you haven't caught him at one of his many parties around this city (Solid Good Times, Kitchen Sink, Locals Only), Friday is the perfect chance to see what the government has been warning you about.

$$$$$

Get there early! Dollar well drinks till 11!

$$$$$

Tucker & Bloom Presents:
DJ IMAGE &
ED BLAMMO
Friday June 18
@ PYT
10-2 / No Cover

Herbert with the Lyrics to Go/Tucker and Bloom North To South Messenger...coming soon

What do a company that produces chemicals, bug spray and high end Swiss design have in common? We are not entirely sure, but we know just the man to ask. Here it comes....get ready....for Nick Siglers "Geeked Out Design Moment"

-The Bag Messenger

J.R. Geigy was a Swiss chemical company in the  50’s and 60’s. Their in-house designers played an integral role in the history of the Swiss International style. The company’s designs recently received quite a spotlight, via an exhibition at the Design Museum Zurich and the publication of Corporate Diversity : Swiss Graphic Design by Geigy. One would think that designs like these would require the use of Helvetica, but the Akzidenz Grotesk typeface was undeniably successful in many of the designs.

-Nick Sigler

A short film was also created regarding the exhibition.
Via AisleOne

COOLOUT is taking it back to the essential elements with new ep, CHOPS (just for props). The art of the Chop is one that takes years to refine, a steady hand, and surgical precision. Like that time honored test, a beat made from a chop is like seeing a lady without makeup. Sometimes it is bland Betty, and sometimes you know you have a keeper. Click the cover and check the project out for yourself, like all things on the site you can get it for free.

-The Bag Messenger

The challenge of getting maximum results out of minimal resources...I consider sample chops the antithesis of full production. It's really all about creating something new using the least amount of tools and extra sounds. Most of these were made using only a laptop and headphones in random places.- COOLOUT

Here are some of the photos from The Sheenic Route/The Freedom Party at Brooklyn Bowl, and also The Sheenic Route at the Vault.  We had a great time at both events. Happy Birthday Shout out to Greg Nice of Nice and Smooth and Mr Walt of the Beatminerz.

To check the rest of the photos click here.

-The Bag Messenger

DJ COSI of the Freedom Party is one suave dude.

DJ Boogie Blind of the Executioners is a beast behind the wheels.

Lord Finesse of D.I.T.C and Greg Nice of Nice and Smooth. Official

Boogie Blind shows off his hands and the Lyrics to Go, North to South Bag

J Period and 4th Pyramid...say that four times fast

Tucker and Bloom, J Period approved.

Sheen Bros. PRO white Tee, anti Wackness

4th Pyramid with ML2 and Yasef. The trifecta of dudelyness

Happy Birthday Mr Walt of Da Beatminerz! 

Evil Dee let his hair down. Wow. 

P.S. If you are in Philadelphia make sure you come out to The Kitchen Sink Party this Friday at the Khyber.

Click the flyer for event details. 

Happy Monday folks! Today we've got a sweet soulful mix you can serenade that special someone with, courtesy of Philadelphia's own Soulman. Perhaps you are trying to woo the woman with the bedroom eyes at the coffee shop on the corner, or maybe its the mailman (or mail person) your after. All we know is this mix melts hearts quicker than Arizona heat and the temperatures rising. Enjoy, and give your week a hug for us. 

-THE BAG MESSENGER

FREE DOWNLOAD 

"This is just a collection of some sweet soul-ish stuff that I like and have been listening to for awhile now. Some I got from my vinyl collection, some I got from around the internets (like the Top Shelf "Let Them Keep On Talking" from Matthew Africa's blog... thanks, Matt!). I'd like to say this is perfect since this is Valentines Day, but some of the songs are more on some "I lost you and we're not together any more" steez rather than some "I love you and you love me and we'll be together FOREVER" schitt. There's plenty of that too, but I'm just giving y'all that disclaimer before you play this mix for your sweetie tonight and she gets depressed and leaves your ass. Regardless, it's a lot of great music so enjoy."- SOULMAN

Below is a recipe for Brazil's national cocktail the Caipirinha. Derived from the Portuguese word "caipira" which closely relates to the English phrase "toothless grinning redneck", the Caipirinha is about as close to a summer drink as a fly on a hogs tail is to pork. To make this drink you will need to get your hands on Cachaça (a Brazilian rum made from molasses), a few limes, sugar, and a good clean mashing stick. If you live in a city finding Cachaça should not be much of an issue, but in a pinch you can substitute vodka or regular rum. Please enjoy responsibly and remember to brush your teeth daily.

-THE BAG MESSENGER

Caipirinha recipe 

scale ingredients to servings

2 tsp granulated sugar

8 lime wedges

2 1/2 oz Cachaça

Process

Add the sugar  and limes to the bottom of a sturdy glass.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, crush and mash the limes.

Pour in the Cachaça and stir until the sugar is dissolved, or shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker

Serve over cracked ice and garnish with a lime wedge