click here for a free download of “ekb* and the funky brunch”

Hello again!

I can’t believe that it’s been since November of 2010 since I have updated this blog. Where does the time go? The last 8 months have been an incredible adventure, and I have been lucky to have some amazing opportunities! Check out the gallery for some pictures of what I have been up to.

Highlights definitely have been my DJ gigs in Flagstaff, Miami, and LA, but that’s not to say there haven’t been many memorable ragers in Phoenix as well! I look forward to more travel, so if you’re interested in having me out to your town, please send me your info from the contact page.

I have released two mixes since my last update, “Lucky Breaks” which is straight up funky-ass breakbeat, and “Open House” which is a celebration of the funky disco house sound, which I have always held close to my heart. Check out the links below for free downloads of both:

http://soundcloud.com/ekb_star/lucky-breaks

http://soundcloud.com/ekb_star/open-house

I have also set up a podcast, so if you prefer to keep tabs on my new mixes that way, you can follow me here:

http://ekbstuff.podomatic.com/

And of course, my personal and DJ pages on facebook. I update these regularly, so it’s a good way to keep tabs on what I am up to:

www.facebook.com/ekbstuff

www.facebook.com/ekbstar

Finally, there is twitter, and you can search for “ekbstar” to add me, or use the twitter icon at the bottom of the page.

If all of that isn’t enough, you can also sign up for my email list from the “Contact” link on this website, or the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. I promise I don’t spam you with info for every event I am playing, so don’t be scared to sign up.

I am happy to report that I have a new breaks mix up my sleeve which should be out in the next few weeks. I am also super stoked about a project I am working on with DJ T.A.I., but all I can say about that is…GREEN SCREEN. All my music lover friends who are also into artsy-craftsy awesomeness, this project is tailor-made for you!

Finally, on a personal note, I have experienced some major changes over the past few months. It’s provided me with a unique opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in life. It’s renewed my focus, sense of value, and appreciation for what I have. I am so thankful for art and music and for the love and support of my friends. It’s a wild ride, and there have definitely been some white-knuckle moments, but life is change! And really, would we want it any other way?

breakbeats forever! <3

ekb*

It’s been a while I know, but I have been busy with all kinds of amazing things! In the last few months I have had the pleasure of DJing along side some incredible talent. There has been a lot going on in Phoenix and I am so pleased to watch everyone grow and continue to build and build–all in the name of art and music! I know this is just the beginning and there is so much more to come. Big props to all of the DJs, collectives, and (ahem, professional) promoters that are working so hard to make it happen!

My big news right now is that FUSE is bringing out one of my favorite DJs, Left/Right! AHHHH! How do I explain how excited I am? This is a dream come true. I am jumping out of my skin. My favorite DJs spinning breaks all night long? YES!!!!

*ekb jumps around excitedly*

Here’s some info!

Chris Lund aka Left/Right has spent over a decade working from Dallas as a dj, producer, and teacher… and even longer as a musician. His music has garnered stellar reviews from Rolling Stone, BT, Crystal Method, and Computer Club as well as charted in the top 10 at Beatport, DjDownload, Juno, TrackItDown, and HypeM.

With degrees in both music composition and audio engineering, Chris loves to create music. His exciting singles, innovative remixes, and pumping dj mixes are consistently released on such notable labels as Sound Of Habib, Ego Shot, Scarcity, and Dusted Breaks among others. L/R is regularly booked throughout the US and internationally to move dancefloors with his signature breaks, electro, and driving indie sound. Listen for a prolific output of releases and broadcasts worldwide, and look for a Left/Right appearance near you!

Here’s his soundcloud info. You can also buy tracks on beatport.com!

http://soundcloud.com/leftrightmusic

Also supporting will be ill-legal? and DJ Louder, two breaks heavy hitters! You can check out their info here:

http://soundcloud.com/ill-legal

http://soundcloud.com/djlouder

And, if somehow you haven’t heard my mix from this summer yet, you can do so here! new one coming soon!

http://soundcloud.com/ekb_star/sets

That’s all for now! See you at Afterlife on 11/12!

xoxo!

ekb*

So I have run out of hard copies of the CD–but I have ordered more, so I will have them at gigs and also for purchase  with a paypal account (free ekb* keychain!), so don’t despair if you still want one.

Here’s the soundcloud link! Enjoy and please feel free to leave me comments!

http://soundcloud.com/ekb_star/sets/for-real-this-time

xoxo! ekb*

What a crazy summer it has been here in the Valley of the Sun! My CD release party was incredible. The FUSE rooftop was bumping with only the finest in funk. I was in DJ heaven! Before I get into anything else, THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support me on my big night. I was overwhelmed with all the love I felt coming from the dance floor! Thank you so much to my FUSE crew for everything you did to make such a fun event happen…I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be a part of this family!

ASTROFUNK started out the evening bringing his signature mix of funky, hard, breaky, bleepy awesomeness! I love it when it’s only 10:30 pm and the dance floor is already bumping! Thank you to my boy Jordan for representing the funk and getting the party started!

Next up was Minifunk, whose set I had been looking forward to so much. Chelsea and I have been best friends since 1996, and she was my inspiration to become a DJ. Her funky house, speed garage, and breaks set–all on vinyl– pretty much blew my mind. But then again, she did pick out all of my favorites to play for me that night…because she is amazing like that! My heart melted each time one of those basslines dropped. I have so much respect and love for this girl! I hope you enjoyed her set as much as I did. Thank you so much for coming out bebe!

Then, before I knew it….it was my turn! I think I tried to say thank you on the mic, but all I really remember is saying “hoollllyyy shiiiiitttt!” I dropped the needle on that Plump DJs track and boom boom bap off we went on our breakbeat adventure! Honestly there is nothing more fun to me than sharing my favorite breaks tracks with happy people jumping up and down on the dance floor! The energy was incredible!

I blinked and was informed I was already over my set by 15 minutes…and it was time for Sol Martinez to tear it up! I have been drooling over his funky house 12″ collection for years and this was the perfect opportunity to revisit all that dopeness! He brought the funk as usual…and I did have a little nostalgic tear watching him spin that vinyl! Ahhh memories….! Thank you for everything, Sol! You rule, but you know this already!

I will put some more pix up in the gallery as well! My “for real this time” mix will be available online soon, but until then, message me if you want a hard copy. It comes with free stuff too! Finally, if you’re not signed up to receive my updates, please click on the links below to do so! I promise not to spam you!

Looking to the future….I am scheming about a west coast tour! More info coming soon!

love and breakbeats forever! xoxo ekb*

First things first, I have been asked to address a few lingering questions, specifically:

1. What’s with the asterisk?

and

2. Explain about the “k” in your name!

Shockingly, no one asked me to clarify why I always write name in lower case. Guess we will leave that for another blog! )

Here are my answers:

1. The asterisk actually is supposed to be a star (see logo) , but since many fonts don’t come equipped, an asterisk often gets substituted in the stars’ place. It’s there because I am obsessed with stars, and because I think it looks cool. That’s pretty much it!

2. The “k” in my name stands for my Hawaiian middle name, which is: Kaheaokalanikaponopunahele. It means “The call of the heavens is the righteous favorite child”. Although I am only part-Hawaiian, I was born and raised there and have a strong connection with my cultural identity. I treasure my heritage and as such, have always used the “k” in my name.

Now that those items are taken care of, on to my CD! I am releasing my first CD on 6/18 at FUSE Fridays at Bar Smith in downtown phoenix and I am so excited! It’s called “for real this time”, and I am so proud and so excited for you all to hear it!

I have recorded probably close to 15 demos over the last 10 years, but never released anything officially. My friends would hassle me and tell me that they just wanted to hear the records, but I never felt like what I had recorded was what I wanted to put out as an official demo. And, since the few people who I did give the copies to didn’t do so well with keeping them to themselves, I became even more reluctant to release any work I didn’t feel was 100% awesome.

So, after many years and much angst and gnashing of teeth, I decided to go for it, for real this time! For the O.G.’s that care, it’s an all-vinyl set recorded using Technics 1200s and my trusty Pioneer DJM600. The records on the CD were produced over a span of 10 years as well, and include some of my favorite tracks ever. One of the things I love the most about breakbeat is that when it’s done right it has a timeless quality. If you feel like it, try guessing which track on the CD is the oldest. I will give the answer in an upcoming blog!

As a little treat, I have ekb* light up star keychains that will be a gift with your CD purchase! There are a limited amount, so come early on 6/18 to make sure you get one!

Thank you for your interest and continued support, and I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor at FUSE!

xoxo ekb*