by JACK OATMON

This week I decided to take a slightly deeper look into my mystical cathode-ray ball, and ask the fibre-optic oracle to tell me more about the coming months of partying. There’s a serious pile of hot acts lined up for the spring and summer, needless to say. But just in case you didn’t already know, start getting stoked about MSTRKRFT’s two, maybe three visits. I have a hunch that we might see a surprise cameo the same night as Tiga’s ILoveNeon appearance. If, like me, you’re a sucker for weird, arty German electro, Modeselektor, one of the very finest, will be playing Mutek this year. It’s honestly disgusting how much play they get on my turntables.

For the moment, there’s a night this week called Ain’t Nothin’ but Paint Huffin’, where graffiti artists are going to spray-paint models’ bodies while you dance to a fine blend of grimy, dubby sounds with a smattering of breakbeats. Madness. Catch A Rock, A’nana Miss, Maysr and Mr. Vain this Friday, April 21 at the Rocksbury on Bishop Street. Curiosity killed the cat.

Some combinations are so obvious that nobody ever thinks about them. Like last month when I decided to whiz up a bottle of Merlot with a tub of vanilla ice cream and refreeze it. Or like when local jazz outfit, Plaster, mash modern electronica right in there with classic sensibilities. Do I wanna know what Miles Davis would sound like on too much ecstasy? Hell yes. If you were dancing your brains out at the Taste party in February, you’re already sold. If not, you can hear Plaster this Saturday, April 22 at the Main Hall. Throw in an improvised super-set with Moondata, and you’ve got some wild sounds.

2006 is a time of mixing things together. In our tireless quest for refinement, we’ve jettisoned reggae in favor of progressive dubstep. For better or worse, we’ve traded our worn, dusty anthem rock in for some fresh Indie Electroclash No-Wave. We still love the old school, but the successors are something of a different beast. And I say, “On with it!” Let’s see what kooky mixtures we can come up with. Ever wonder what Montreal’s electro sounds would be like under a palm tree on the searing sand of some idyllic Latin American beach town? Can’t say I have either, but apparently somebody has, and you can check out the groovy aftermath. It’s called Baile Funk, it’s free, and it’s Ivory Temple and Masala on Wednesday, April 26 at Zoobizarre.

I’ve got a couple of birthday announcements here. Mix Thursday at Saphir turns one next week. Check the Techno.fm crew there tonight, Thursday April 20. KO the New Era turns two at Café Chaos on Saturday, and they’re celebrating with guest DJs from the past two years.

Now it’s time to roll into bed and wish I’d taken a piss before passing out. Nighty night.

HUNGOVER AGAIN TOMORROW… jack.oatmon@gmail.com

>> Music Listings