Moods 26: kevinmcq
May 2020. Whew. We have arrived. We've got the Michigan born, raised, and based rare bird kevinmcq (@kevinmcq) on Moods dooties this month. This mix is an all-drum sweat session—a first for us (we love firsts!). So hit play, read below, and enjoy. x
"Lately, when I’m not listening to electronic dance music, I listen to the Grateful Dead. Their sound is rock and roll, quite different from techno. But the performance is similar: continuous and seamless. The band’s approach to live performance influences the way that I DJ. Each live performance is unique, and the 'drums' section presents a challenge to the audience’s expectations. During drums, the whole band leaves the stage except for percussionist Mickey Hart and drummer Bill Kreutzmann. These two would improvise a wide-ranging jam filled with everything from African polyrhythms to xylophones. Few would expect MIDI synthesizers on a folk rock band’s concert stage, and few would expect a folk rock band on a MOODS mix.
"But here we are, bringing these concepts together. The approximate track list is below. The mix was recorded using two Pioneer CDJ 2000s, an Allen and Heath Xone 43 mixer, and a Tascam recorder. Please enjoy."
TRAXS
August 27, 1980 Pine Knob, Clarkston, Michigan
July 1, 1984 Pine Knob, Clarkston, Michigan
April 11, 1988 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
April 6, 1989 Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan
April 8, 1989 Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Ohio
April 15, 1989 The Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena (MECCA), Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 16, 1989 The MECCA, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 9, 1989 The Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California
December 30, 1989 Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California
July 10, 1989 Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey
July 19, 1989 Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, Wisconsin
June 23, 1990 Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
June 24, 1990 Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
March 14, 1990 Capital Center, Landover, Maryland
March 18, 1990 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut
March 22, 1990 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
March 24, 1990 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, New York
February 2, 1969 Fillmore West, San Francisco, California
Where did you grow up? Was it a single place or many places? How did this influence the songs you listened to?
I grew up in the Midwest, never far from Ann Arbor.
Can you pick one song in the mix and explain where you first listened to it?
The April 6, 1989 show stands out to me. I wasn’t there to see it live, but the University of Michigan Men’s Basketball Team had just won the NCAA Championship on April 3 in Seattle and Hash Bash had just taken place on campus. Video from the concert captures the energy in the room. The show also includes several of my favorite songs: Touch of Grey, Althea, Bird Song, Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Built to Last, The Other One, and Brokedown Palace.
Who “introduced” you to these songs? Was it a person, a radio station, a CD, or something else?
Two of my friends from college, Trevor & JJ, introduced me to the Grateful Dead. Charlie Miller transferred these recordings and made it possible for me to share them with you.
Where and when did you first hear techno? What drew you to it? Who did it sound like it was for?
There are two stories that stand out: (1) seeing Loco Dice with Jon Sax in Detroit; and (2) following Taylor around Movement festival the first year I went. The music sounded like it was made for people who enjoy seeing the sunrise before they go to bed.
You’ve got the microphone. What do you want to say to the techno community?
Buy records, support your local scene. Share music and knowledge with others.
AHRT
We've then paired kevinmcq's mix with a detail from a recent piece from Nikita Gale, whose work here reveals the cycles Detroit often spirals around: access to water, access to sound, and access to platforms to speak your mind. Paired with an all-drum mix from a Michigan native, the pairing couldn't be cleaner. More of her work is here: www.nikitagale.com