Time for a kick back and look back at what 2011s best for me were in FILM, VIDEO GAMES, MUSIC SINGLES!
Top 5 Music Tracks 2011
1. LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
2. One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful
3. Avicii - Levels
4. Benny Bennassi - Cinema (Skrillex Remix)
5. Flux Pavilion - Bass Cannon
My reasons for some of these are basically because on every dance floor I have encountered this Year, These are the tracks that I would claim as my " Life Savers". Big Tracks that always get the crowd going.
Some of the tracks here are just belting tracks such as the Skrillex Remix of Cinema which I just cant get bored of.
Top 5 Movies 2011
1. Troll Hunter
2. Green Lantern 3D
3. Captain America 3D
4. Thor 3D
5. Source Code
Of all the films here, Source Code was the only one I missed out on At the Cinema. But It was Still up there with most remember able movie experiences this year. The Super hero DC & Marvel Films did not disappoint for being all out action fantasy fun. Troll Hunter was fresh, Clever, Funny and Jumpy. My Fave Was Deffo Troll Hunter :). Other films that nearly made the mark were Harry Potter 8 and Tin Tin.
Top 5 Video Games 2011
1. Dead Space 2
2. Gears Of War 3
3. Batman - Arkham City
4. Sonic Generations
5. Fifa 12
Dead Space 2 was just great. My stand out game of 2011. Scary as hell and even more playable than the first one. Simply awesome. Gears 3 was an epic story and the multi player was spot on and addictive. Sonic Gens takes us back to how we all remembered to love Sonic and adds something modern and new at the same time as keeping it classic. Fifa 12 is just the most addictive footy game ever. I dont even own Batman yet but have had the pleasure of Playing it lots and I love it. such an improvement on Batman - Asylum.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Sunday, 4 December 2011
A Worrying Time For Night life?...
I decided to write this after the terrible News involving Luminar Venues across the UK, going into Administration and under pressure to close, forcing thousands of people to be out of work!
Well then! Where to start?
8 Years ago when I first took to the Decks at Bar Ice Southampton, DJ s were still revered as "special".
People wanted to be where the best DJs were, playing the best sounds. It was all about supporting the Bars with the most loved and most entertaining DJs.
Bar Ice was 100 capacity with a great open plan outside area with sun umbrellas and tables. Summer 2005 was a great time for this small and cool looking venue. Even though it was a small venue we rammed it every weekend. Manager Paul Salmon did a very top job running the place also. Everything that could have gone right for us, Did! We had the best mix of outdoor with indoor atmosphere. Groovy house music and chart dance (the "original" funky house) Armand van Helden's, David Guetta's, David Morales, Bob Sinclair etc would be the mould of the soundtrack in this venue. We were different and smack bang in the middle of a flourishing restaurant section of the City.
The best bit was, all the people would applaude me and smile at the sound of the music that got them moving. People would ask to shake my hand frequently and enjoy the live 12" Vinyl Bootlegging & Mash-ups I had to offer. An unforgettable time.
It was always one DJ job to the next after that. No real gaps inbetween jobs and as long as I was keeping my finger on the pulse and staying up to date with the latest sounds and crowd likes / dislikes, then I was winning.
But now in this day and age. The Internet has taken over. Vinyl is long lost and forgotten and even its replacement the CD is on its way out in place of Laptops and Midi Controllers.
This means that anybody can be a DJ nowadays. The technology does the hard work for you. All we have to do now is Turn on laptops and press buttons.
What has really turned the tide for music everywhere is the fact that if anybody wants to hear a song they can! Google, YouTube, Blogspots, Myspace, Free Download sites and the list could go on! The result of this is there is no underground scene any more. Music is easily accessed and out there for all to hear. On line radio is easily accessible allowing you to hear what you want, when you want.
7 years ago, a nightclub would be the first place you heard anything new. Now people want to hear a DJ play what another DJ played last night on a radio station or what they saw on MTV Dance or even what they heard on YouTube. If its been on Line, on TV or on the Radio then its in demand and as DJs we have to keep on top of all these new releases.
Saying that though, for every 1 great tune that comes out now, there are several mediocre tunes that come out also. There is a constant flood of Average music material being released which makes it hard to concentrate on keeping a good DJ set together. Instead of having the luxury of a hope that each week we will have a new and different set to play, what we do get is an undying will from the crowd to play ONLY what is hot on Scott Mills playlist! But of course we will play them! Personally I enjoy playing what the people want because that is what gets them up and giving me some love via the dance floor and I love them for that in return.
But the moment I try to go brave with a new and unheard gem from my music selection I instantly become the villain lol. Not every time mind you. sometimes if the timings right the crowd will love the unheard track that's been showcased. Its all about timing. I learnt once from a great manager that anything in a DJ set is possible according to timing. If the timing is right and the tune is right, you will have them in the palm of your hand.
Thats what makes a DJ great. Tune selection. Something that a lot of todays new digital DJ Boys dont seem to think about. How to build a dance floor, keep them there, hold them on the floor, bring them up and then down towards the end. Programming of Tracks and reading the crowds reactions towards the music. This is where a DJ can earn his right to a £200 a night pay check. Too many bedroom DJs who have learned to mix tracks on software with funky effects turn up on club doorsteps asking for DJ work at a rate of £60!
Leave it to the professionals boys ;). Fair to say that we all gotta start somewhere. I warmed up for Mr. Chris Connor at Ocean And Collins and earned my stripes before getting my ears wet with Kaos and Oceana Southampton! I even worked the lights on the DMX which was fun.
Numbers in Clubs have dwindled. Especially after 2010 and 2011. the big recessions in the country have forced a record unemployment figure amongst 18 - 25 year olds, the main age target for night life.
If the people are not working or making money, how will they want to keep coming out every week and supporting club life? The saving grace is Birthday parties. Everybody has a birthday every week and for this the Night club still holds the best night out for all 18 - 21 yr olds. But are people booking cheap halls and having parties there? A booked hall with a good mobile DJ and crates of alcohol will beat the cost of a night out hands down! No Taxi fares, No Door charges, No cloak room charges and no extortionate drink prices (my most recent outing saw me paying £2.50 for a water!!).
Nights in booked Halls are cheaper but do they match up to the atmosphere of live lighting and big sound systems of Nightclubs? Of course not!! Nightclubs will always be the closest thing to the true musical and clubbing experience.
The enemy is Money. People will always want a night out but not as frequently as the days before recession hit our shores.
In light of this I have noticed many venues turning to solely trade for Students. Students are great. Fun and up for parties and they are always about during term time. The time when their student loans are about. What happens if Government cut student loans further? Will this have an affect on Student night life? I really hope not. I love seeing Students party weekly. If the student clubbers stop coming out frequently and the non-student clubbers also continue to dwindle in numbers, what happens next?!
I hope that the era of the Nightclub is not coming to an end. Im sure that when the countries unemployment situation betters itself, Nightclubs will flourish yet again to the standards that they once were. Making DJs and the love of Clubbing in our City Centres Great again.
Well then! Where to start?
8 Years ago when I first took to the Decks at Bar Ice Southampton, DJ s were still revered as "special".
People wanted to be where the best DJs were, playing the best sounds. It was all about supporting the Bars with the most loved and most entertaining DJs.
Bar Ice was 100 capacity with a great open plan outside area with sun umbrellas and tables. Summer 2005 was a great time for this small and cool looking venue. Even though it was a small venue we rammed it every weekend. Manager Paul Salmon did a very top job running the place also. Everything that could have gone right for us, Did! We had the best mix of outdoor with indoor atmosphere. Groovy house music and chart dance (the "original" funky house) Armand van Helden's, David Guetta's, David Morales, Bob Sinclair etc would be the mould of the soundtrack in this venue. We were different and smack bang in the middle of a flourishing restaurant section of the City.
The best bit was, all the people would applaude me and smile at the sound of the music that got them moving. People would ask to shake my hand frequently and enjoy the live 12" Vinyl Bootlegging & Mash-ups I had to offer. An unforgettable time.
It was always one DJ job to the next after that. No real gaps inbetween jobs and as long as I was keeping my finger on the pulse and staying up to date with the latest sounds and crowd likes / dislikes, then I was winning.
But now in this day and age. The Internet has taken over. Vinyl is long lost and forgotten and even its replacement the CD is on its way out in place of Laptops and Midi Controllers.
This means that anybody can be a DJ nowadays. The technology does the hard work for you. All we have to do now is Turn on laptops and press buttons.
What has really turned the tide for music everywhere is the fact that if anybody wants to hear a song they can! Google, YouTube, Blogspots, Myspace, Free Download sites and the list could go on! The result of this is there is no underground scene any more. Music is easily accessed and out there for all to hear. On line radio is easily accessible allowing you to hear what you want, when you want.
7 years ago, a nightclub would be the first place you heard anything new. Now people want to hear a DJ play what another DJ played last night on a radio station or what they saw on MTV Dance or even what they heard on YouTube. If its been on Line, on TV or on the Radio then its in demand and as DJs we have to keep on top of all these new releases.
Saying that though, for every 1 great tune that comes out now, there are several mediocre tunes that come out also. There is a constant flood of Average music material being released which makes it hard to concentrate on keeping a good DJ set together. Instead of having the luxury of a hope that each week we will have a new and different set to play, what we do get is an undying will from the crowd to play ONLY what is hot on Scott Mills playlist! But of course we will play them! Personally I enjoy playing what the people want because that is what gets them up and giving me some love via the dance floor and I love them for that in return.
But the moment I try to go brave with a new and unheard gem from my music selection I instantly become the villain lol. Not every time mind you. sometimes if the timings right the crowd will love the unheard track that's been showcased. Its all about timing. I learnt once from a great manager that anything in a DJ set is possible according to timing. If the timing is right and the tune is right, you will have them in the palm of your hand.
Thats what makes a DJ great. Tune selection. Something that a lot of todays new digital DJ Boys dont seem to think about. How to build a dance floor, keep them there, hold them on the floor, bring them up and then down towards the end. Programming of Tracks and reading the crowds reactions towards the music. This is where a DJ can earn his right to a £200 a night pay check. Too many bedroom DJs who have learned to mix tracks on software with funky effects turn up on club doorsteps asking for DJ work at a rate of £60!
Leave it to the professionals boys ;). Fair to say that we all gotta start somewhere. I warmed up for Mr. Chris Connor at Ocean And Collins and earned my stripes before getting my ears wet with Kaos and Oceana Southampton! I even worked the lights on the DMX which was fun.
Numbers in Clubs have dwindled. Especially after 2010 and 2011. the big recessions in the country have forced a record unemployment figure amongst 18 - 25 year olds, the main age target for night life.
If the people are not working or making money, how will they want to keep coming out every week and supporting club life? The saving grace is Birthday parties. Everybody has a birthday every week and for this the Night club still holds the best night out for all 18 - 21 yr olds. But are people booking cheap halls and having parties there? A booked hall with a good mobile DJ and crates of alcohol will beat the cost of a night out hands down! No Taxi fares, No Door charges, No cloak room charges and no extortionate drink prices (my most recent outing saw me paying £2.50 for a water!!).
Nights in booked Halls are cheaper but do they match up to the atmosphere of live lighting and big sound systems of Nightclubs? Of course not!! Nightclubs will always be the closest thing to the true musical and clubbing experience.
The enemy is Money. People will always want a night out but not as frequently as the days before recession hit our shores.
In light of this I have noticed many venues turning to solely trade for Students. Students are great. Fun and up for parties and they are always about during term time. The time when their student loans are about. What happens if Government cut student loans further? Will this have an affect on Student night life? I really hope not. I love seeing Students party weekly. If the student clubbers stop coming out frequently and the non-student clubbers also continue to dwindle in numbers, what happens next?!
I hope that the era of the Nightclub is not coming to an end. Im sure that when the countries unemployment situation betters itself, Nightclubs will flourish yet again to the standards that they once were. Making DJs and the love of Clubbing in our City Centres Great again.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Do Critics get it right every time?
Just need to have a think here about how Film critics always seem to get it wrong with big film releases.
For example, JJ Abraham and steven spielbergs super 8 was good albeit was it great? all the hype consisted around 5 stars, 5 stars, 4 stars, film of the summer etc etc. so after a good watch i found that, yeah, it was a rather good flick. was it as exhilarating and eye popping as the critics deemed?... No it was not. not for me anyway. I enjoyed it to bits but was left empty by the hype forced upon the film by the media.
A more shocking move by the critics was the slamming of Green Lantern based on DC comics character.
2 Stars, appalling, bad etc etc. Not just one or two reviews but loads! Did this put me off?? No Way! I'm always up for a summer blockbuster full of CGI and action. after viewing i can easily say that I loved it! Granted, it wasn't a classic but it deffo did what it said on the tin. A big fun and effects fuelled action hero film! id easily give it 5/5 or 4/5 at the least.
So why do so many critics just hate a film at once or just love it at the same time with hardly any mixed reviews?
Is it because they are all so mindless that they have to follow suit once 1 person rates it poorly, so should they?
Is it due to they suck up to the bigger producers in film like spielberg, cameron, abrahams etc and dont have time for new directors or projects doing things just as well but not recognized as much?
There must be a pocket lining exercise courtesy of film distributors going on would you agree?
Saying that, Independent films get big praise sometimes and they are often made by unknown directors and actors.
At the end of the day its just an opinion I know but i have learned not to always listen to opinions and the one opinion that counts is my own.
So Film Critics!! JOG ON :P
For example, JJ Abraham and steven spielbergs super 8 was good albeit was it great? all the hype consisted around 5 stars, 5 stars, 4 stars, film of the summer etc etc. so after a good watch i found that, yeah, it was a rather good flick. was it as exhilarating and eye popping as the critics deemed?... No it was not. not for me anyway. I enjoyed it to bits but was left empty by the hype forced upon the film by the media.
A more shocking move by the critics was the slamming of Green Lantern based on DC comics character.
2 Stars, appalling, bad etc etc. Not just one or two reviews but loads! Did this put me off?? No Way! I'm always up for a summer blockbuster full of CGI and action. after viewing i can easily say that I loved it! Granted, it wasn't a classic but it deffo did what it said on the tin. A big fun and effects fuelled action hero film! id easily give it 5/5 or 4/5 at the least.
So why do so many critics just hate a film at once or just love it at the same time with hardly any mixed reviews?
Is it because they are all so mindless that they have to follow suit once 1 person rates it poorly, so should they?
Is it due to they suck up to the bigger producers in film like spielberg, cameron, abrahams etc and dont have time for new directors or projects doing things just as well but not recognized as much?
There must be a pocket lining exercise courtesy of film distributors going on would you agree?
Saying that, Independent films get big praise sometimes and they are often made by unknown directors and actors.
At the end of the day its just an opinion I know but i have learned not to always listen to opinions and the one opinion that counts is my own.
So Film Critics!! JOG ON :P
Film Critic Time!
This Year there have been plenty of blockbuster bad boys in the cinemas! lots of iMAX 3D to experience! I have very nearly experienced it all. I didnt get around to seeing Planet of the Apes re boot though! rememeber, I'm rating these on terms of blockbuster-ish-ness!.....
Green Hornet 3D iMAX: Funny action film based on the old 60s TV show with Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz.
The iMAX * 3D scores more than the actual film which was not too bad a film at all. great fighting, action and ok story. But the iMAX sound was LOUD as hell and the 3D was awesome! 4/5
Fast 5: Great film with Paul Walker the single most greatest actor of all time!?........... okay fair enough! but still a great film. Cars, Babes, action and a clever plot. 4/5
Pirates 4 iMAX 3D: not as good as the first 3 films but the 3D was enjoyable. 3/5
Thor iMAX 3D: Amazing superhero flick. great characters great 3D and iMAX picture & sound was great. 5/5
Harry Potter 8 iMAX 3D: the 3D was hardly noticable but the film was a great climax to a great series of films. 4/5
Green Lantern 3D: Van Wilder Flying and fighting evil with super powers in a CGI led action packed Orgy! big fun! best of the year for me 5/5
Captain America 3D: another amazing Marvel film. Loved the original 1940s story and cant wait for more :). 4/5
Super 8: Nice, original and moving! A good break form the usual run of the mill blockbuster! enjoyed it. 4/5
Cowboys & Aliens: Fun & Different. worth a watch. good cast. original new concept. 3/5
Apollo 18: Interesting. different. But.... YAWWWWWWN! watchable but only just. 2/5
The Inbetweeners Movie: Funny as hell! Funniest film of the year hands down! and its british! love this film! could watch it all again easily! so quotable. 5/5
Next On the agenda should be Troll Hunter, Tin Tin 3D and Sherlock Holmes 2!
Green Hornet 3D iMAX: Funny action film based on the old 60s TV show with Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz.
The iMAX * 3D scores more than the actual film which was not too bad a film at all. great fighting, action and ok story. But the iMAX sound was LOUD as hell and the 3D was awesome! 4/5
Fast 5: Great film with Paul Walker the single most greatest actor of all time!?........... okay fair enough! but still a great film. Cars, Babes, action and a clever plot. 4/5
Pirates 4 iMAX 3D: not as good as the first 3 films but the 3D was enjoyable. 3/5
Thor iMAX 3D: Amazing superhero flick. great characters great 3D and iMAX picture & sound was great. 5/5
Harry Potter 8 iMAX 3D: the 3D was hardly noticable but the film was a great climax to a great series of films. 4/5
Green Lantern 3D: Van Wilder Flying and fighting evil with super powers in a CGI led action packed Orgy! big fun! best of the year for me 5/5
Captain America 3D: another amazing Marvel film. Loved the original 1940s story and cant wait for more :). 4/5
Super 8: Nice, original and moving! A good break form the usual run of the mill blockbuster! enjoyed it. 4/5
Cowboys & Aliens: Fun & Different. worth a watch. good cast. original new concept. 3/5
Apollo 18: Interesting. different. But.... YAWWWWWWN! watchable but only just. 2/5
The Inbetweeners Movie: Funny as hell! Funniest film of the year hands down! and its british! love this film! could watch it all again easily! so quotable. 5/5
Next On the agenda should be Troll Hunter, Tin Tin 3D and Sherlock Holmes 2!
Summer Of Non-Love!
Well Summer 2011 has been (apparently) and gone!
I did really enjoy the 7 or 8 days of hot weather we were entitled to over the past few months here in the UK. In fact I enjoyed it so much I got a faint tan on my fore-arms! I even drank a cocktail! Good times.
Other Adventures Involved Thorpe Park with the ever so lovely Miss Georgie Bellan who will not ever admit to but DID scream like a 10 year old trapped inside a viscous horror film whilst on the Saw ride! :D.
Alton Towers with Big Dave! conquered the Oblivion (whilst I screamed like a 10 year old trapped inside a viscous horror film)......... yes true :/.
My DJ residency KAOS had taken its annual summer break. So in its absence I took on multiple nights playing at Tonic Bar In Basingstoke. A 2 floor venue with lavish design and 3 bars. very nice with great sound and lighting surrounding the dancefloor. Was a pleasure to work these nights accompanied by a capacity crowd every time. Also had the chance to turn my DJ skills to the Digital side at Tonic with my e-bayed Dell Lattitude Laptop (only 100 pounds) and my Much more expensive Pioneer DDJ-T1 controller with Traktor scratch 2.
The element of beat matching is eliminated with this bit of kit if you allow it with a "sync" button that Matches the BPM of the tracks for you!! LAZY!!!! but the looping system and digital effects are cool and if used properly, make you sound like a DJ God and on the fly re-mixer.
Also there was the usual 2 to 3 nights a week at For Your Eyes Only Bournemouth with my favourite Ladies. Some of which Ive enjoyed kicking their asses at Hangman, Noughts and crosses & Connect 4! Whilst working thoroughly hard with my stage announcements of course.
Throw in a cheeky night covering Chris Connor @ Bliss Clubrooms Southampton (and absolutely rocking the crowd) and I was a happy enough bunny this summer in general.
Now though, The return of KAOS awaits. September 26th the KAOS doors open for more student shenanigans and more DJ Mix Mash Ups Cartier Style!
Tickets have arrived for Skrillex & Flux Pavillion Live at O2 Academy Bristol this November!!! Woop Woop :D. Cant wait for that also.
Still no lovely lady in my life which has resulted in a loveless summer! no hugs and kisses make This Man Sad but happy to get on with work without the complications of a relationship so no biggie. Theres a lady out there for me somewhere and between you and me... shes better off hiding away for her sake ;) x
Love you all rather much! Peace Out :D.
here richard cartier's mixes and sounds
www.mixcloud.com/richardcartier
www.soundcloud.com/richcartier
I did really enjoy the 7 or 8 days of hot weather we were entitled to over the past few months here in the UK. In fact I enjoyed it so much I got a faint tan on my fore-arms! I even drank a cocktail! Good times.
Other Adventures Involved Thorpe Park with the ever so lovely Miss Georgie Bellan who will not ever admit to but DID scream like a 10 year old trapped inside a viscous horror film whilst on the Saw ride! :D.
Alton Towers with Big Dave! conquered the Oblivion (whilst I screamed like a 10 year old trapped inside a viscous horror film)......... yes true :/.
My DJ residency KAOS had taken its annual summer break. So in its absence I took on multiple nights playing at Tonic Bar In Basingstoke. A 2 floor venue with lavish design and 3 bars. very nice with great sound and lighting surrounding the dancefloor. Was a pleasure to work these nights accompanied by a capacity crowd every time. Also had the chance to turn my DJ skills to the Digital side at Tonic with my e-bayed Dell Lattitude Laptop (only 100 pounds) and my Much more expensive Pioneer DDJ-T1 controller with Traktor scratch 2.
The element of beat matching is eliminated with this bit of kit if you allow it with a "sync" button that Matches the BPM of the tracks for you!! LAZY!!!! but the looping system and digital effects are cool and if used properly, make you sound like a DJ God and on the fly re-mixer.
Also there was the usual 2 to 3 nights a week at For Your Eyes Only Bournemouth with my favourite Ladies. Some of which Ive enjoyed kicking their asses at Hangman, Noughts and crosses & Connect 4! Whilst working thoroughly hard with my stage announcements of course.
Throw in a cheeky night covering Chris Connor @ Bliss Clubrooms Southampton (and absolutely rocking the crowd) and I was a happy enough bunny this summer in general.
Now though, The return of KAOS awaits. September 26th the KAOS doors open for more student shenanigans and more DJ Mix Mash Ups Cartier Style!
Tickets have arrived for Skrillex & Flux Pavillion Live at O2 Academy Bristol this November!!! Woop Woop :D. Cant wait for that also.
Still no lovely lady in my life which has resulted in a loveless summer! no hugs and kisses make This Man Sad but happy to get on with work without the complications of a relationship so no biggie. Theres a lady out there for me somewhere and between you and me... shes better off hiding away for her sake ;) x
Love you all rather much! Peace Out :D.
here richard cartier's mixes and sounds
www.mixcloud.com/richardcartier
www.soundcloud.com/richcartier
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