Album update and concert ticket giveaway

[Z-TRIP]

Hey Everybody...

I hope this finds you in good health and spirits...

As most of you know, I am in the middle of trying to make this album happen. It's a bit of a struggle due to the large amount of songs that require such heavy sample clearances. It seems like lately, trying to get OK's from everyone involved in the artists career, has turned out to be my new job....

The way I see it, I am A DJ first, so it's only right that my first album consist of my influences... my best tracks... the things that are in my collection that I want you to hear...

Only problem is... not ALL the people who I want you to hear… oops… I mean "Sample" understand what Hip Hop and/or this DJ thing is all about. Now, it doesn't mean they aren't "into" it, it just means they might not "understand" it fully... maybe musically it doesn't make sense, maybe financially, whatever the case, it's a brand new thing to them and "new things" tend to get shot down because they aren't tried and true yet......

I sometimes forget how hard it is for some folks to see how two songs can become one and make a whole "new" sound. For instance... "Love is a battlefield" and "She keeps passing me by" fit, and fit well... (both sonically and lyrically) But here is the problem…. some of the artists, labels and publishers who I try and sample might never hear or see the effects of "how well they fit". Most of them will never be in a club or at a show and see what happens to an audience when they hear it and can't believe how good the 2 sound together. I think if they did it would be a bit easier on the sample clearing process.

Its hard to explain how my mixes are bringing new life to the game, but they are. Some of this music would never have gotten to the audiences ears had I not put it in my record crate. It could be anything… Brand new music, music that's been forgotten, old, new, whatever…or…. better yet (my favorite) a new fan of mine AND of the new style of music, or song, or artist I turned them on to. I get nothing but good feedback from how my mixing these songs makes people feel. Even though the artists I use to do this might not understand what is going on, it helps them out. If I've got people looking for old "Kansas" records after hearing me spin…. Then one way or another "Kansas" is winning.
But this is hard to explain to "Kansas"

It is a struggle. Since we are such a huge culture, and have crossed so many bridges since back in the day, we STILL are extremely misunderstood AND misrepresented by so many.

I feel I am fighting the good fight and am trying to bridge the gap (actually many gaps) with this album. And although I don't claim to know it all on this DJ shit, I have been around for a minute and I see some things that need to happen... (I'll save that for another time...)

Either way, I am busy working on new things everyday... the only problem is... for every song that I make, it may or may not get cleared. This is forcing me to work at a pace that is slowly turning me insane, since more than half submitted for clearance aren't going to see the light of day…...but, I WILL GET THIS ALBUM DONE. It's just going to be more work. It has turned into my conquest.

So, to those of you who have been waiting patiently, please continue to enjoy some of the many DJ sets, remixes and original work that I've done in the past.. believe me there is a lot if you look around... but most of all, please continue to hold tight...
It will get finished…


And now while I've got your attention (hope you made it this far)
This one is going out to all of you who know what time it is.... or want to know...

I am playing a show with Mix Master Mike and Grand Wizard Theodore (this is the guy who invented the "scratch" by the way…) on Friday, the 30th of May... it's in LA.. (UCLA)... and I have 50 tickets I am giving away...

If you can make it..(I know its right around the corner)..and would like to go... please try and swing it... it should be a fun show.

I'll let the good folks at Sparkart continue from here and let you know the details on how to get them...

be right back....

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WASUP! This is Naveen from Sparkart. Hope you are all doing well. So it turns out there is this killer show @ UCLA on May 30th that it is impossible to buy tix too (they quite simply just arent for sale). The only place to get tix to this show is by entering this slick contest we put together through the brand spanking new UNEASY LISTENING PLAYER! Here is how to enter:

1. Visit the Uneasy Listening Player by clicking here: http://www.bandbuilder.com/djz-trip/...ef_code=D20137

2. Click on the link at the bottom to enter the contest.

3. Sign up for a referral code to the player

4. Tell EVERYONE you know about Z and Uneasy listening and use your personal referral code to rack up referrals to the player.

5. The top 50 peeps with the most referrals will win the tix to this IMPOSSIBLE to hit otherwise show.

ENJOY! L8r

--------

Thank you Naveen....

By the way, thanks for allowing me to take a minute and tell you what's been going on with the album…..

And an even bigger thanks to those of you who have found a home here. Thanks for hanging out and keeping the board interesting. Also, A million thank you's to those of you who continue to pass along my mixes to your friends and fellow music lovers. The more this stuff is heard, the easier it seems to convince these artists that there IS a demand for this type of thing.


Those that are waiting patiently for the site to launch....
This contest is a step in that direction….

It has been, and continues to be, a learning process...
But it's all happening..

Thanks for your support.

And thanks for being such cool people.

Respects,

DJ Z-TRIP
05/22/03
7:25:14 PM

[Phreak]

I hope the album will be as good as you want it to be. I'm sure it will be awesome. The anticipation is growing. I will be patient..(like I have a choice =)

I wanna hear all the different versions of the album. Maybe when it's done?

[Katy]

Thank you so much for posting that Z

it's a brand new thing to them and "new things" tend to get shot down because they aren't tried and true yet

I hope you know how important (maybe that's the wrong word - maybe significant is better) this album is - but I think you do

The clues are always in the music, and you will find the way to make this album the way you want it to be.

[evergruven]

yo Z, thanks for shining some light where its dark
and I know you'll do whatever it takes to put out quality shit
for that, you have my utmost respect and admiration
I can't tell you how much I appreciate it..
with that said, best of luck on your musical quest
and keep inspiring the uninspired,
fighting the "good fight"
peace brother~

[steve o]

please help a brother out...



http://www.bandbuilder.com/djz-trip/...ef_code=F20149

[strider]

Man I'd really love to go to this show. I think I could win a ticket, but I live in Eugene, OR and getting there would be a problem.

Is any of you guys crazy enough to make a trek south from here or anywhere north of me?

Hopefully somebody would be up for it...

P.S. Thanks a lot Z for all your hard work! I feel what you are doing and wish you the best.

[HOOHAH]

Excellent, Z-trip, this says it all. If only these artists had some clue as to how your work presents their work in an entirely different light. and (perhaps more importantly in terms of their wallet) how it also works to rekindle the initial love many of us had for these artists. Since hearing "Uneasy Listening" my wife has gone out and bought some Pat Benatar cd's, my kids have insisted I get some AC/DC, and hell I even went out and got Glen Campbell's greatest hits. If these guys understood the positive affect you have on their careers they'd be beating down your door to give you sample clearances. There has got to be some way to get this message out to the powers that be.

[nonnospizza]

I asked this before but I don't know if you saw it. With all the sample clearance issues with your album is there any possibility you would release a version of the album the way you intially wanted it to be? Or would that take away from the album you actually release? Maybe a year or so after its been out? Just wanna know what artists missed out on being aboard the best thing in music. Thanks for your time man I know your busy and If you want some of your fans to email these uncooperative artists via websites to ask them to change their minds please let us know. God knows I need to do something productive at work.

[DEUCE]

Very good to hear to read that message from you, Z. Thanks for the dropping the knowledge.
----------------
Nonnospizza just mentioned what I was thinking. How about a "B side / limited edition" disc which would be the album the way you wanted? The only impication I can think of right now is the legality issue (because you are signed toa label)... You did not get permission to use someones' material and still wound up putting put something out containg their material.

If you weren't signed, it would be a deiferent story. Afterall mixtapes are illegal.

[Katy]

Personally, I'm not all that hyped about hearing the stuff people wouldn't let you use.

If you weren't signed, it would be a deiferent story. Afterall mixtapes are illegal.

Strictly in general terms, DJ Shadow does this all the time, and he's on a major label It can be done. Whether it could be done in this scenario (the album as it was originally intended) I have no idea.

[nonnospizza]

Z-Trip is an amazing artist. So my beef is more with the fact that I can't and I already know when his album releases that I can't hear it the way he initially wanted it. I am still certain it will be great but I don't like the limitations he has to work with. What the hell would "Paul's Boutique" be without the samples it has. Yes I realize that was before sampling laws. I don't want the original to overshadow what he realeases but I would love to hear it maybe a year or so after the album drops. DOes anyone agree with me here?
Just a thought... Sorry If anyone thinks I'm putting to much focus on what the album won't have.

[Katy]

Sorry If anyone thinks I'm putting to much focus on what the album won't have

This isn't really why it doesn't interest me.

Know what would be funny? If he put it together, but didn't tell anyone that this is what it was and we found out, like, 15 years later. heeee!

But seriously, I just think that it would negate the effort of trying to legally sample everything for the record in the first place. Then, when you go to people for the next record to try and sample them, instead of them clamoring to get ON the record, they say oh you! You're that asshole that didn't respect those artists that said no....fuck you and your turntables

Then again, I ain't a DJ, and I'm sure that some DJs may have a different perspective than I do. It's just one opinion.

[nonnospizza]

Originally posted by Katy
instead of them clamoring to get ON the record, they say oh you! You're that asshole that didn't respect those artists that said no....fuck you and your turntables

I appreciate your opinion but fuck If Yes doesn't know that I bought their albums because of Z-Trip.. fuck em. Z is their King Midas turning their music into something that will be enjoyed by a broader fan base. I don't know....... it upsets me that I have been listening to DJ's play the same way for so long and then someone comes along and kinda like Steinski in "Scratch" plays music that has everything I want to hear and didn't even know it and is gonna be restricted to what he can release. Z what are your feelings on the people who won't let you use their music? Do you think it's a money issue or don't they respect D.J.'s? I'm gonna drop this now. Sorry Yall

[Katy]

it upsets me that I have been listening to DJ's play the same way for so long and then someone comes along and kinda like Steinski in "Scratch" plays music that has everything I want to hear and didn't even know it and is gonna be restricted to what he can release.

Absolutely - but someone has to open the door

Hey don't drop it if you have something to say, man

[seank37]

Don't take this the wrong way. Z, I totally dig your music and I'm down for the cause. But, why even do a major label record if it's gonna compromise your artistic integrity? I understand the fame, distro, and money angles, but you don't seem like that kinda guy. Why not continue doing shows, remixes, and dj-ing for people? You could always put out your own stuff on the side without major label help/hindrance. Just an observation. Look at what Shadow had to do to make the major label jump. He had to sample records where only one copy exists! Will you ever be truly happy with what you put out if you have to hold back?

[steve o]

i dont want to answer for z, but a major label with a major distro is a fairly easy way to get his sound out to the masses, and unfortunately with a massive release he has to cover his ass. he can save the shit he couldnt clear for his live shows. and that will be the shit. and the instances with shadow, etc and even the under/over ground success of uneasy listeneing, well, it's truly amazing, but in the music world that is more of a rarity than a commonality.

[davE9]

i agree w/ everyone's comments.



bottom line, when the album s done and available, we all know it's gonna be hot. there's no question about that. we all just gotta sit tyte. in the meanwhile, let's get everyone out to the show's and support Z as much as possible. WORD UP!

[ray9x]

Hey Z and my fellow DJs/beatheads...

I'm psyched for Z's next album, and I definately think that he will ROCK THE FUCKING CHARTS.

But, I'm wondering, is this show @ UCLA for the record suits?

[eli]

The show is for the kids. It was organized by UCLA students for students. It will kick ass.

[penguinofdoom]

someone help another brotha out!!

http://www.bandbuilder.com/djz-trip/...ef_code=F20230

i'd freakin love to go see Z with MMM and GW theo.. that'd make my life long dream complete!!

think of it as helping to fulfil the final dying wish of a Z-trip groupie!! (ok, even if i'm not dying, well, maybe i will if i dont get to go to the show)

[klamp1]

Sorry to hear the struggles are driving you mad Z... It's quite refreshing to hear someone so dedicated to what they do connect to their fanbase as you do...

But I have to say, even though it may not be "financially feasible" for you, I have got to hear the ORIGINAL "plan" you had for this album...

Charge me double, I'll buy that jewel...

Some people touched upon this topic and I have to wonder too... Shit will of course be hot but, if these restraints are forcing a sacrifice of your initial "vision", I'll always wonder what Z-Trip REALLY wanted it to sound like...

That being said, if it's just challenging you to up your game as oppposed to being a detriment, well, that's just as exciting as the "original"...

Good luck...

[bigpartymaker]

I recently read this quote:

"If creativity is the field, copyright is the fence"
-john oswald

[silverboogaloo]

get the lawyer The Avalanches used

[Z-TRIP]

A huge thank you to all of you who got down on the contest...and congrats to all the winners.... the show was fresh!

Respects,

Z

[airjacobs]

I agree with everyone's comment. It's quite refreshing to hear someone so dedicated to what they do connect to their fanbase as you do. Let's get everyone out to the show's and support Z as much as possible.

[venk]

haha - really old thread.

[C.O.D]

Originally Posted by venk

haha - really old thread.

I read this thread without looking at the date hopping for some new shit from Z!!!

Has Vegas sucked you in?

[Z-TRIP]

WOW... Hella old thread!

Vegas sucks me in, but only on Fridays, ha ha...

BTW... There are plans for another album, nothing scheduled yet, but the ideas are all there... Same with another mix project. I'm feeling like end of summer I may finally take a break and work some of the stuff out... we'll see.

Z

[Jimeni]

Is the live in Denver set from last fall ever going to come out? I sure hope so...it was an incredible show.

[DJ Enki]

Originally Posted by z-trip

wow... Hella old thread!

Vegas sucks me in, but only on fridays, ha ha...

Btw... There are plans for another album, nothing scheduled yet, but the ideas are all there... Same with another mix project. I'm feeling like end of summer i may finally take a break and work some of the stuff out... We'll see.

Z

rhumba party!

[C.O.D]

Originally Posted by Z-TRIP

we'll see.

We`ll see,doesn't work around these parts Z

Nice to hear you have something in the works for us!!