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Victoria Electronic Music Festival 2008
Centennial Square, Victoria BC, August 2 and 3
By Sarah Ferguson
Hearing electronic versions of War's "Low Rider" (from Dave Armstrong), and Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name,” and “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” (from Charles Feelgood) at this year's VEMF definitely verified 2008 as the summer of the remix. An energized Angry Samoan got things rolling Saturday afternoon, properly tearing from record to record like an animal bounding through the bush and frenzying house grooves along the way in a manner rarely heard. Halifax's Jay Hamilton then smoothed the beat with a line of regionally-loved harder house and electro beats introducing an electro space-trance sound with his selected version of Sneaker Pimp's "Spin, Spin Sugar.” Dave Armstrong was right behind on a big club sound that dropped heavy and transitioned to soulful with a hard house version of “Insane in the Membrane” by Cypress Hill and later playing house classic “Show Me Love” by Robin S. Terry Mullan played to the crowd somewhat unforgivably with upbeat and bass-driven tracks that spun down the road of trance without quite delivering the goods.
Sunday showed a similar turnout, with people jamming the square as early as 4pm. Locals Fractal vs. Matt What showed a seriously surprising mix of skills using six turntables, an electric guitar with three different effects pedals, and an effects machine spitting out glitzy, chunky and bright noises. Their big sound glowed with an underground flair breaking expectations of the mainstream. Charles Feelgood played faultlessly with beauty to guide us, dropping versions of Inner City's "Good Life,” Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You,” and Michael Jackson's “Bad.” He revitalized new energy into those classic tracks and others. King Britt played next, all foxy and vibrant, his tracks bringing a soulful momentum of super-groove horns, vocals, and jazz piano, circa Roxy Blu 1999. San Fran’s DJ Irene closed the party down transitioning through break-beat, electro and house. This woman rocked the party and everyone was "jacking like back in the day.” As fireworks went off overhead she dropped "Show Me Love” for the second time that weekend.
As a free event, VEMF did a fantastic job in sharing underground electronic music both with long-time fans and interested passers-by. Victoria's still a world-class city for underground electronic music and undoubtedly still feels "all good.”
- EXCLAIM
Discography
Tracks:
Jay Hamilton - Nazca Lines - 2002
Jay Hamilton - Nevado Huascaran - 2002
Jay Hamilton - Mashed 2002
Jay Hamilton - Mecca - 2002
Jay Hamilton - Deus Ex Machina - 2004
Jay Hamilton - June Sun - 2006
Loverboy - Turn Me Loose (Jay Hamilton & Sean Keating Remix) 2008
Michael Jackson - Baby Be Mine (JH Boot) - 2009
Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (JH Edit)
Jay Hamilton - 7 Days - 2009
Vandalism, Angger Dimas - She Got It (Jay Hamilton & Lee Fraser Boot) 2009
Photos
Bio
Since his induction in to Canada's East Coast electronic dance music scene in 1999, Jay Hamilton has brought his innovative fusion of chunky house, electro, progressive and tribal techno to clubs, festivals and large-scale concert events, taking the east coast by storm. Nine years later, Jay is one of Atlantic Canada’s most prominent and widely known DJs, continuing to share his talents with electronic dance music enthusiasts and clubbers regionally and across the nation. A true veteran performer with 15 years of experience behind the decks, Jay has kept his style fresh by playing a diverse music selection and infusing his sets with tracks of his own production. Jay’s skills as a performer, producer and crowd-pleaser have won him A-list bookings alongside some of the world’s most revered DJs.
Jay’s consistently tight mixing/tasteful programming skills have earned him the pleasure of playing with Deadmau5, Tiga, Benny Benassi, Chris Liberator, The Advent, Misstress Barbara, Mark Farina, J Dub, DAVE the Drummer, Bad Boy Bill, John Kelly, The Stickmen, Deko-ze, John Aquaviva, Christian Smith, Juan Atkins, Ritchie Hawtin, DJ Preach and DJ Dan to name but a few.
Whether performing in Halifax at Reflection’s infamous Just7 and Underdog Fridays, Massive Production's crazy all nighters or the legendary Evolve Festival (at which Jay has been featured every year since its inception in 1999), there truly is no place like the east coast when it comes to appreciation for the Jay Hamilton sound.
Through his journey from humble mid-western beginnings in Canada’s prairie party scene where he started many years ago to critical acclaim in the East, Jay has cultivated a sound and persona which always keeps dance floors packed to capacity.
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