DJ Amber :: News and Events

Thank You: A Reflection on 12 Years

2009-11-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

I started DJing 12 years ago this month. If I'd had a kid the day I'd started DJing, by now she would be wearing too much eyeliner and rolling her eyes. "Whatever, Mom. Sigh."

But, instead, the adventure I took on was this one. I couldn't resist the draw to spin records. Yeah, it was about the music, that's for sure. But it was also about creating environments for people to celebrate. To shout. To bring them together. You know, the stuff that matters. Thanks to a little luck and a lot of hard work I've had more incredible experiences than I can count.

There's no way I could have had these experiences without you. You are amazing. I am so grateful. Thank you.

Is there a passion you are drawn toward? Do you give it your time? Could you give it everything? Imagine what you could get if you did. Imagine what you might miss if you didn't. Don't miss out. Jump in.

What would you do if you could do anything? I want to hear about it.

Upcoming Music

Sat. Nov 7 - My folk band project The Everhearts join Centrevol on tour; one night only! Saturday, November 7, 8pm - 10pm. We play at about 9:30pm. Bring a friend, bring your mom, come for the beer/food and stay for the tunes! At Brainwash Cafe, 1122 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA. Follow The Everhearts on Twitter.

Wed. Dec 23 - Exclusive DJ mix premiere on the friskyRadio X-Chrome show. friskyRadio is a Number 1 rated online radio station with thousands of listeners from around the globe! Details to come...

(Photo: Zach Everheart)

Oct 16: Goddess at Kelly's Mission Rock (Update)

2009-10-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: My slot has been moved to 11:30pm. (Follow me on Twitter @amberthedj and never miss an update. Plus, Twitter-only giveaways!) It sounds like a TON of you are coming out on Friday--I can't wait! An amazing all-female DJ lineup at beautiful Kelly's Mission Rock overlooking the bay. What's not to love??

GODDESS

Fri 10/16 8PM - 4AM
Mission Rock Cafe
817 Terry Francois Boulevard San Francisco, CA
Ages 18+, full bar for 21+
$20 and up Buy Tix

Join DoubleStacked Ent. in the grand temple as we venerate the GODDESS, with an all female line up. Come empower your soul with a night full of love, music and dancing. All Goddess will receive a free gift at the door.

Room 1: Jungle/ Dub step/ Drum & Bass

Queens of the Jungle(Reid Speed x Dj Shortee) 1st SF appearance with a 2 hr set
UV aka UltraVoilet- Redline SF
Dulce Vita- Opulent Temple/ Dvant Garden
Hybrid Strain (Miss Hayes and Lisa Sleevz) -Primitive Science/Anotha-level.com
Grace-Primitive Science/Anotha-level.com

Room 2: Electro/ House/ Club

Forest Green-Cute Things With Fangs
DRC -Mizumo Music/Second Session UK
Icon
Dragn'Fly-strategik
Dj Denise-Mizumo Music/DjDenise.com
Sandwich McPhatBeats-Sweettooth/Starry-eyed/Alien Disco Pimps

Room 3: Techno/ Electro/ House/ Hardcore/ Drum & Bass

DJ Amber (Sister SF, iamthedj.com)
Elz with live vocals by Elise- Green Gorilla Lounge/Harlem Musiq
Athena-Evil Breaks
Loryn
Dj Melo-D-Doublestacked
J-Star-T.H.C/Diffuse Audio
Keys-Acid Totem
Psyche-Psy Valley
Miss Marie-E-Lightment

Oct 2: 2nd Annual Killswitch Kluster****

2009-09-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

[I don't name 'em I just play 'em! ;) I'm scheduled to play my 2 records at 8 p.m. Don't miss this crazy DJ melee this Friday!]

2nd Annual KILLSWITCH KLUSTER****
20 DJs: 2 Tracks each!

LovEvolution is almost upon us, and once again it's time for our 2nd Annual Killswitch Kluster****! We had so much fun last year, we decided to do it again!

20 DJs throwing down 2 tracks each, house party style!

Friday, October 2nd
6pm-10pm
No cover

with DJs:

Adnan
Amber
Craig Kuna
David Siska
dCOY
Fil Latorre
Hac Le
Jaime James
Jason Short
Javaight
Keith Kemp
Kenneth Scott
Kevin Knapp
Kirill
Mathew Derham
Mossmoss
Mozaic
Mr. Wrong
Nick Williams
The Worker

Underground SF
424 Haight st. @ Webster

facebook.com/killswitchsf

The Everhearts: A Folk Band Project

2009-09-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

This year I joined a folk band, The Everhearts, and I'm excited to share a little about it...

The Everhearts is a four-member folk band. I am honored to contribute some of my own original songs, sing, and play bass guitar with this great group. My music interests run a huge range. Yes, including folk!

Both the band and DJing remain very important to me. I look forward to seeing you all at any of my events: on the techno tip or getting funky to folk!

Twitter @TheEverhearts
Visit everheartsband.com

See The Everhearts this week!
Tuesday, September 15
BrainWash Cafe
1122 Folsom (between 7th + 8th Streets)

7 p.m.-ish
No cover. All ages.
http://www.brainwash.com/

Sept 12: Dysfunctional Familiy Gathering

2009-09-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

I am helping to present an amazing event this Saturday. (Not playing, just helping to put in on and dancing, dancing, dancing!) Join us for a memorable night of music in the South Bay. We do this to honor a friend we lost and to enjoy time with the friends who join us on this night!

Saturday, September 12
The 1st Annual Dysfunctional Family Gathering
In memory of Michael Jennings

8pm - 2am
The Venuez "formerly The Savoy"
3546 Flora Vista Ave
Santa Clara, CA

The Dysfunctional Family Gathering returns with a special birthday installment in honor of our late friend, comrade and brother, Dysfunctional Mike. You are cordially invited to join us for a special evening of music, dance, friendship, and unity, as we celebrate the birth of our newly formed collective and lay down the foundation for future festive gatherings.

The chosen venue for our event is nostalgic and fitting, those from the southbay may remember the Savoy, former home of Secret Society and Secret Psychedelica.

Skip straight to our website:
http://www.dysfunctionalfamilygathering.com

Details are as follows:

* 6 hours of beat therapy, 8pm - 2am
* 2 rooms of music
* 10 DJs
* Appetizers catered by Pastry Puffs
* Chocolate Fountain provided by CAKE
* Sound Systems powered by Eminent Sound, Loud Sound Deign and Krispy Sound
* Viberation Visuals on 5+ Screens
* Special Lighting Effects by Heroic Robot
* Pool and Air Hockey Tables
* Full Bar with Commemorative Drink Special

Tickets:

* $5 contribution (to cover the cost of the party)
* Presale tickets are advised as we have limited space
* Presales available at the website

Our lineup:

Rick Preston
(Viva Recordings, Nervous Records, Worship Recordings)

Forest Green
(Cute Fangs Recordings, Cute Things with Fangs)

Greg Sandler
(DFG, Harmony)

Aaron Jae
(Evil Breaks, Space Cowboys)

Michael Liu
(Stilldream, Illumination Records)

Dufunk
(Third Sight, Darc Brothas)

AndyW
(DFG, Viberation, ASR)

Siphon
(Viberation, Killasubz)

Justin Hale
(DFG, B UP, Secret Society, Sticky)

Kevin James
(DFG, COTS, Eminient Sound Co)

Full details available at our website:
http://www.dysfunctionalfamilygathering.com

Aug 24: Live Broadcast on KZSU

2009-08-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Catch me live on the radio or internet on Monday morning. To my national & international friends--this one is for you!

Monday, August 24
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Set
(Find your local time)

Eclektronic Groove hosted by Holt Sorenson
Mondays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
On KZSU 90.1 FM in the Bay Area
And online at kzsulive.stanford.edu

(Photo by fatcontroller)

Pics from Killswitch Friday: Up Now

2009-08-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everybody who came out on Friday: *both* Juans, Gigi, Ajay, Joe, Zach, Hannah, Derek, Scott, Betty and anybody else I sloppily forgot. You all rock! Check out the pics!

DJs dCoy and Christopher rocked it, while I tried an all-new set of tracks including my current fave "Terminal Grey" by O9.

Aug 14: Killswitch @ UndergroundSF

2009-08-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

Killswitch Happy Hour
Friday, 14 August

UndergroundSF
424 Haight Street @ Webster
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
No cover, 21+

Killswitch gives techno--the honest, pure stuff--a happy home every Friday. I'll be playing from 9 - 10 p.m. Come to the funky Lower Haight to get your bleep bloop on. DJ Amber CD giveaway at the door (while supplies last).

dCOY (Killswitch, Black Market Techno) : 6 - 7pm
Brad Taylor (EE Recordings) : 7 - 8pm
Christopher (Leathal) : 8 - 9pm
Amber (Sister SF) : 9 - 10pm

See pics from Killswitch Happy Hour

@amberthedj on Twitter

2009-07-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Follow me @amberthedj on Twitter.

Twitter Widgetgreat free widgetsWidgetbox

Review: Serato Scratch Live

2009-02-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Q: Hey I know you went digital a while back, U use cds or Serato? I just got Serato a few months ago and love it, you learn any cool tricks using it? - DJ Zion

A: You know, I had Serato for a couple of months and then sold it...it's a beautiful system, but getting it patched in and out during a real, live set was just impossible. Also, about one out of six gigs there was some kind of technical who-knows-what that kept me from being able to play at all.

I have just (like *just*) burned a CD set and am only now really getting used to CD decks. Still love records best!

(Got a question or comment? Drop me a line!)

DJ Amber on Malaysia Tour!

2008-12-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

I'll be traveling to Malaysia next week to play two events alongside amazing DJs Forest Green and Clare Large.

26th Dec '08 - Heritage Mansion, Kuala Lumpur
27th Dec '08 - Club Momo Penang, Penang

Big love to Mylen at Powerhouse Adverting Agency for putting these incredible events together. You'd better believe I'm sticking around for New Year's Eve, too!

Lots of pictures (and maybe even some posts here) to come. Have an incredible holiday season...no matter what part of the world you'll be in!

Dec 6: Pink for the Cure (Reno, NV)

2008-12-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

[Come on out to Reno, I'll be playing the biggest little techno in the world at 12:30 a.m. -Amber]

Pink For The Cure

Come join Andy & Friends as we bring you another amazing color themed event!

Please dress to match the color and show support as we create a wonderful pink event while raising money that will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. With DJs:

Amber (SisterSF, iamthedj.com)
Forest Green (Cute Things With Fangs, Daly City Records, ForestGreen.org)
Andy & DJ Bird (Andy & Friends, Mixlife, H.S.C.)
Elbereth (Middleground Productions, Sacramento)
Girltek (Reno)
DJ Sandwich (Brownfunktionz, Viral Vibes)

Cost of Admission is $20, or $15 with Pink Attire

Event will be held at: Bliss Nightclub
535 E 4th st. Reno NV, 89512

For More Information: http://www.andyandfriends.com
http://www.nvraves.com
775-473-1198

Nov 7: Molek�le @ Julie's Supperclub

2008-10-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

Friday, 7 November 2008

NEW PARTY! NEW VENUE! From the minds of THIRSTY, FAKTION, DEF and many others!

Molek�le: an entity of strongly connected components, each with well defined individual properties, yet the synthesized entity possesses properties unique to itself.

Main Room:
FARZANA: Classy Concepts|3 Merry Men Be We
AMBER: Thirsty|SisterSF
KENNETH SCOTT: Auralism|Nightlight|Binary

Chill Area:
STML
TOMKAT
SAIMAN

visuals by HEROIC ROBOT
live webcast via Radio Integrated!

Julie's Supperclub
1123 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA
9 PM to 2 AM 21+
Cost: $5 after 10pm.

STML: STML's vast knowledge of music, technical ear and mixing talent are immediately noticeable once he steps behind the decks. Taking a subtractive approach to mixing, STML prefers to keep it cool while taking you to places in techno that are often unfamiliar... yet at the same time oh so sick!

AMBER: For over 10 years, Amber has served it up "music first," relying on aggressive mixing of new and classic tracks instead of gimmickry or hype. Amber has played at all of SF's leading clubs, Ruby Skye, 1015, Supperclub as well as countless undergrounds.

FARZANA left her native Detroit to be part of San Francisco's Techno rebirth 2 years ago. Having built a reputation for dark, dirty and funky, her love affair with techno looks to continue heating up for many years to come.

KENNETH SCOTT, aka Eutactic cites as his influence early Warp records, Matthew Dear's acid experimentation as Audion and minimal-minded composers such as Philip Glass and Arvo Part. Defying categorization, he combines hard and melodic into his own unique style.

September 26: Faktion @ Anu

2008-09-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

[Hi All - I'm scheduled to play at 11:15p, with Perla before and Alex Windsor after. Love this techno-friendly event. Check it out!]

Friday, September 26

RAY presents:
F A K T I O N : because san francisco needs another techno cult

with guest djs:

ALEX WINDSOR: FnF
DJ AMBER: Sister SF / iamthedj.com
PERLA: De'fchild SF / Cadiz Spain

Anu-Bar
43 Sixth St., San Francisco, CA
10 PM to 2 AM 21+
Cost: $5, free b4 11pm (Ladies free b4 midnight)

Aug 9: Signal (Sacramento, CA)

2008-07-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

[Hey everyone! I'm scheduled to go on at 1:30am. So crack open a Red Bull and stick around... -Amber]

Signal
Techno :: Electro :: Electro House
August 9th, 2008

Featuring:

Ian Lehman
Live P.A. (Modern Recording Company, Audio Assault, Mankind, Minneapolis)

Dj Amber
(Sister, iamthedj.com, San Francisco)

Dragn'fly
(dj4norml.org, Sacramento)

Dirt - live P.A.(Omniscient Records, San Francisco)

G.a.m.m.a. (Left Coast Techno, Stilldream, Sacramento)

Mek (Signal, Stilldream, Sacramento, Bday show!)

8P.M.-3A.M.
Drink Specials
18+/21+ to drink
$5 before 11, $8 after

Located @ Silk
1011 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815

July 11: TANG at Shine

2008-07-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

[My set at TANG this Friday starts at 11:30 p.m. This a great, high-energy event with a community spirit. See you there! -Amber]

Fri. July 11
TANG
At Shine

TANG is brought to you as a collaboration of your favorite and beloved wackos from: Brass Tax, Friends and Family, Urban Wasteland, Three Biscuits Deep, Wildlife & beyond.

Guest DJ: Amber (Sister SF, iamthedj.com)
With TANG Residents: Schwa, Pauly Vinyl & Ding Dong

TANG brings top-notch techno, house, OG breaks and the kitchen sink. Then toss in a pinch of DIY punk rock esthetic, two cups of irreverence, and beats from outerspace. That's how we drink our Tang.

TANG
Shine, 1337 Mission Street, SF
9pm - 2am
21+
$5

July 3: Intelligent Design II

2008-06-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

[Hi Friends - I'll be playing the main room at 10 p.m. See you there! -Amber]

supperclub, NextAid and Stap[e present

intelligent design ii -- a benefit for NextAid
thursday july 3, 2008

with djs...

Solar (Sunset)
Late Night Sneaky - Live!
Alland Byallo [KONTROL]
Monty Luke (Mothership, XLR8R)
Laird (Golden Gate Recordings)
J.Phlip (Dirtybird, Phonic/Endup)
DJ Amber (iamthedj.com)

and Stap[e resdients:
Fil Latorre
Javaight

supperclub san francisco
657 harrison st. @ 3rd
for dinner res. call 415.348.0900 or visit
www.supperclub.com

thursday july 3, 2008
9pm-3am | 21 + over
$10 w/rsvp to: events@nextaid.org

for more info, visit:
www.nextaid.org
NextAid: Creating sustainable solutions for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

June 27: Residents Night at Thirsty

2008-06-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

Thirsty
Great DJs. No cover.

Are you Thirsty? The core crew brings it this month with house, techno and a live PA set! Catch up with old friends, make some new friends, and get down with us this month!!

Amber (Sister SF / iamthedj.com)
Denise (Mizumo Music / DJDenise.com)
Missao (Source4 / Thirsty)
Chel-C Faith (DEF / Radio Integrated - Live PA)

Matador, 10 6th Street, SF
10pm - 2am
No cover. 21+

Are you Thirsty?

Upcoming Events:
July 3 - NextAid benefit at Supperclub, SF
July 11 - TANG! at Shine, SF
August 9 - Signal, Sacramento

Bids 4 Beats Online Auction

2008-05-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

NextAid, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit humanitarian organization, presents the second annual "Bids 4 Beats." The auction will raise awareness and funds through the global electronic music community in support of NextAid's mission: to implement sustainable solutions to the challenges facing African children.

"Bids 4 Beats" is open for bidding until Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 6:00pm PST. This year the auction includes a Yoga Spa session from San Francisco Yoga School, Studiophile Q40 headphones from M-Audio, and the entire OM Records catalogue.

Bid now at www.nextaid.cmarket.com!

May 23: Thirsty w/ DJs Dragn'fly, Amber, Chel-C Faith & Dao

2008-05-18T14:18:00.001-07:00

Thirsty
Great DJs. No cover.

Come join us at Matador, or be there in spirit by tuning in to the *LIVE* Radio Integrated broadcast from 10pm-2am at http://radio.defsf.com:1200

Thirsty welcomes guest DJ Dragn'fly and our new resident Chel-C Faith on Live PA!

Friday, May 23rd
Guest DJ: Dragn'fly (DJ4Norml.com / Strategik)

With resident DJs:
Amber (Sister SF / iamthedj.com)
Chel-C Faith (DEF / Radio Integrated - Live PA)
Dao (Digital Movement)

Matador, 10 6th Street, SF
10pm - 2am
No cover. 21+

Or listen *LIVE* online. Point your browser to http://radio.defsf.com:1200

Jelo 1973 - 2008

2008-05-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

(Photo by bgreenlee)

Today I heard about the passing of my friend, Jeff Elo (aka "Jelo"). Jeff was an amazing friend and sunny spirit who I got to know well in the late '90s and continued to see over the years. It was Jeff who taught me how to DJ, and the mix CD titled Warmth, which he co-produced, was an early inspiration. More importantly, he was the sort of friend who always had a big smile and open arms. And he is missed very, very much.

May 4: DJ Gameshow at How Weird Street Faire

2008-05-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

(Ok, how do I even describe this...)

On Sunday at 1 p.m. (that's one--in the afternoon--I know...) I'll be a contestant on "Think you can DJ?", the world's first DJ gameshow, at the How Weird Street Faire. The show is all about demonstrating DJ tricks, trivia, and stunts for the audience. Check out episodes on YouTube.

How Weird Street Faire
Sunday, May 4th
11:11 a.m. - 5:55 p.m.
Howard Street between New Montgomery and 1st Street

Think you can DJ? Stage
1:00 p.m. DJ Gameshow!
Across the street from TEMPLE under the bridge on Howard by 1st and 2nd

The How Weird Street Faire continues to bring together a diverse assortment of electronic music styles by collaborations of collectives and artists working together for a celebration of peace. You are invited to join us in starting a new era!

There will be nine stages of music during the day, seven city blocks filled with art and celebration, food and vendors from around the world selling unique and creative wares, non-profit organizations to educate and inspire you, performance artists and thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets, and the opportunity to meet members of your extended family and forge lasting connections.

The day is open to all ages, with requested donation of $10 (or $5 in costume).

April 25: Faktion and Thirsty

2008-04-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Faktion and Thirsty
Two no-cover parties on one street
Make it a double-header on Friday, April 25th
[Update: Current TV will be taping at both events!]

Faktion: DJ Amber and Dragn'fly
Thirsty: DJ Icon, Denise, Samira & Missao

I play Faktion from 10 - midnight, and rotate off the Thirsty lineup this month but will definitely be there to get down! [Thirsty is at Matador, 10 Sixth Street. No cover. 10pm - 2am]

Friday, 25 April, 2008

RAY presents:
F A K T I O N : because san francisco needs another techno cult
with special guests and extended sets:

DRAGN'FLY: DJ4NORML/DJDRAGNFLY.COM [ SAC/SF ]
DJ AMBER: Sister SF/iamthedj.com [ SF ]

Last Fridays @ Anu

DJ AMBER is a San Francisco-based dj/producer with a driving beat and
aggressively risky mixing technique in a town better known for its
laid back house style. For over ten years she has brought her vigorous
style and enthusiastic stage presence to events throughout North America
and Europe. She's appeared in some other venues you might have heard
of (1015, Ruby Skye, Supperclub), now she brings her sick loops, breaks
and smooth mixes to the FAKTION.

DRAGN'FLY: For the techno-afficionado, Dragn�fly provides a sublime musical
experience formed from an intricate mesh of dark, sexy tech-influenced
beats, driving baselines and relentless mixing skills. Having bridged
the millennium with some of the most revered Bay Area underground crews,
demand for this iconic DJ has spread like wildfire over the past decade
and today she remains in the forefront of the electronic dance movement,
having already made over 1,000 domestic appearances throughout the
United States, including Hawaii, and internationally in various regions
throughout Mexico, Germany and Brazil."

Anu-Bar
43 Sixth St., San Francisco, CA
10 PM to 2 AM 21+
Cost: $5, free b4 11pm (Ladies free b4 midnight)

April 5: Through the Looking Glass

2008-04-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 5th
Through the Looking Glass

"For, you see, so many out-of-the-way things had happened lately that Alice had begun to think that very few things indeed were really impossible..." - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Tickets and info at http://www.myspace.com/tri_atom

Bay Area venue--turned into the enchanted world of Alice!

Headlining -------------------
Kiro (Infected Logic)

His name adorns at least 147 releases including several anthem classics such as "Go Insane", "High in the Sun", and "Tranquility." He has collaborated with and produced alongside some of the most well recognized names in the electronic music world including: Hixxy, Ham, Vinylgroover, Stompy, QFX, Riff, and Subsonik.

With DJs --------------------
DJ Amber
DJ Charlie
Cloudskipper
Arize
Dexx
T-Bot
Joey Mojo
Rabbit
Conspiracy
Resolve
Dan the Man
MR Anderson
ANT
MR Invasion
Bad Kidz
Knight Rider
Toy Soldier
Good Rhino

Infoline: 831-600-8082
$20 presales / $25 at the door
Presales available online http://www.myspace.com/tri_atom
And at Streetlight Records (San Jose), Skills DJ Workshop & Anubis Warpus

March 28: Thirsty w/ DJs Forest Green, Amber, Samira & Missao

2008-03-25T10:53:00.001-07:00

Thirsty

Friday, March 28th
Guest DJ: Forest Green (Cute Fang Records, ForestGreen.org)

With resident DJs:
Amber (Sister SF / iamthedj.com)
Samira (Seismic / bobblehead.org)
Missao (Source4Musik / myspace.com/missao)

Matador, 10 6th Street, SF
10pm - 2am
No cover. 21+

Coming up:
April 25 - Guest DJ Icon
May 23 - Guest DJ Dragn'fly