Cloak Dagger's 'Nocturnes Podcast‪'‬ Cloak Dagger

‘Nocturnes 005’ Podcast featuring Basement Love

Each month join NYC curator, DJ and producer Cloak Dagger and guests on an ethereal journey into the ever emerging underground worlds of Jazz, Soul, Funk and the Avant-Garde. Highlighting an eclectic group of forward thinking artists within an aesthetic both thought provoking and melodic. ‘Nocturnes’ a podcast to enrich the soul.

Most blessed to have this month’s guest mixologist Toronto, Canada based DJ and Producer extraordinaire Basement Love. From Nu-Disco to Slow House- Basement Love’s overtly fresh productions make him one of the premier artists in the ever emerging Nu Disco scene. You can listen to his tracks at www.soundcloud.com/basementlove as well as get the latest information from his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/basementlovecanada

Cloak Dagger: It’s quite an honor to have you with us maestro. Thank you for taking the time to chat and gracing the ‘Nocturnes’ family with an exclusive guest mix.

Not a problem. Thanks for having me.

Cloak Dagger: Your work is so smooth and there is an obvious love of Funk, Disco, Hip Hop and Soul in all of your production. Where does much of your inspiration derive from?

As I grew up into my twenties I kinda drifted away from the heavier electronic scene and got more and more interested in producing french house. I loved how sampling worked and learned a ton about the subject from a good friend of mine while working at a music store for a couple of years and started to combine the two. I stumbled onto some Nu-Disco blogs around the same time and just went on journey listening to a ton of different producers: Darius, La Nonsense, Kreap, Moon Boots to name a few. Then I worked backwards listening to older disco and funk albums. I bought some vinyl and whatever I couldn’t find on vinyl I’d download off Itunes. I just found the whole disco/funk era so much more rich than the electronic music scene of today because it combined live with synthetic performance.

Cloak Dagger: I was in awe watching you work over the Ableton launch pad. How long have you been working with the program?

I bought the launchpad with Ableton about 2-3 years ago. I saw a great demo video of it in action and was instantly hooked. I originally used it to just trigger clips and view through my whole session while playing shows. After I got some free time I sat down and learned how to “light up” the launchpad with different colors based on what track I was recording midi too and starting layering a song together in one sitting. Which became my first launchpad video I put onto Youtube. I still use the launchpad for some production and shows but in smaller setups I’ve moved over to the BCR-2000, after seeing Breakbot play live with his a couple of months ago.

Cloak Dagger: It seems once you venture outside the states the general public is more open to something fresh. How has the Toronto scene taken to your craft?

Toronto has a pretty varied music scene. I’ve had some success recently thanks to collaboration with other artists getting some gigs here and there. In terms of how they’re taking to my music. It’s generally positive but I tend to always keep a lot of variety in my sets to “feel out” the crowd better. I’d like to one day play a full slow-house/nu-disco set but I don’t think I’m quite there yet.

Cloak Dagger: I first heard of you on the PYT records comp out of Los Angeles where you’re latest joint “Phox” is featured alongside some other great artists in the Nu Disco scene like Solidisco, Venice Beach and Dynamicron. How did the collaboration come about?

I got contacted by FutureWife after releasing my most successful track “Without Love” asking if I’d be interested in being part of a complilation. I said sure and went to work on “Phox” right away. I was actually a fan of his work for awhile prior to getting contacted by him, played a lot of his work in my sets as well. He’s been really

‘Nocturnes 004’ Podcast featuring J Boogie

Each month join NYC curator, DJ and producer Cloak Dagger on an ethereal journey into the ever emerging underground worlds of Jazz, Soul and the Avant-Garde. Highlighting an eclectic group of forward thinking artists within an aesthetic both thought provoking and melodic. ‘Nocturnes’ a podcast to enrich the soul.


Most honored and grateful to introduce ‘Nocturnes’ inaugural guest mixologist the legendary San Francisco resident, OM recording artist and world-renowned DJ/producer J Boogie. This truly unique artist speaks to his listeners through a diverse musical language he created integrating techniques and musical genres including Downtempo, Dub, Hip–Hop, Soul, Reggae, Funk, African, Latin, Bhangra, Dancehall, Disco, Electro, Bass, Tropical, Dubstep and House. Constantly revolutionizing the game, creating new sounds, and always keeping fans on their feet, J-Boogie continues to lift music to its full potential through his distinct approach and one-of-a-kind style.


Cloak Dagger: First off thank you for being a part of ‘Nocturnes’ I've been a fan since your debut release on OM and can certainly say you’ve been a massive inspiration for what I do in the studio- for that I thank you.

J Boogie: Thanks for the invitation. I'm honored!

Cloak Dagger: Most of your musical career as a DJ and a producer was established in San Francisco. How’s the current state of music and nightlife in the bay?

J Boogie: Things are changing pretty rapidly. There's lots of new money in SF which is great: new venues, new sound systems, new DJ's. The problem is it pushes out some of the established artists that have been struggling to survive in SF, one of the most expensive city's to live in. There is no middle class, mid tear venue, and it makes it harder to be creative if you only have huge/tiny clubs. SF is losing a lot of it's diversity and people who make it a creative place to be.

Cloak Dagger: You’ve been digging heavy into the latest nu-disco, moombahsoul and slo-mo records that are coming out and your Night Moves party with DJ Theory are hosting much of the scenes current players. How’s the party been shaping up since it’s inception?

J Boogie: We've been having a great time! We've been able to bring out guests like Poolside, Hot Toddy, Moon Boots, Jimmy Edgar, while supporting local talent like myself, B Bravo, Deejay Theory, Pacific Crew, & Papa Lu. Monarch has a Void sound system, so it's been an amazing DJing experience.

Cloak Dagger: Here in NYC Cielo is the “holy land” for DJ’s I have the good pleasure of being a part of the Toca parties that jump off on the monthly there. What is San Fran’s “mecca” nightclub for DJ’s?

J Boogie: Hard to say, because there are so many. Mighty, Public Works, Monarch and Mezzanine have been booking some of my favorite DJ nights, but 1015 Folsom is the huge mega club that has been doing it for YEARS.

Cloak Dagger: Your last full length release ‘Undercover’ was such a dope record and I always respect the live element you incorporate into your live sets and productions. When can we expect a new J Boogie record?

J Boogie: Working on it now! Hoping 2013, but you never know with how labels run. I'm also starting a disco house project with Deejay Theory called Brother in Arms that will be edits and originals.

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