I recently had the great joy and honor of sharing my greatest passion with the esteemed guests of the Traktor Cookery School ADE. What makes my heart sing louder than all else, you might ask? Sandwiches, my dear friend. Sandwiches. 
Read the full Beatport News write-up here, including my recipe for the “Everyday Sandwich. That’s right. My sandwiches make headlines.
During my recent European travels, I stopped by OFFtrack Berlin to share some of my most influential tunes growing up in addition to new music from myself, friends, and favs. True radio vibes here, as I’m talking and playing rather than cutting & mixing. Check it out below:
First segment with Dirk Rumpff:
Shed- Follow The Leader- Monkeytown
NeferTT- Bless Moon- Hotflush
Sevensol & Bender- Captain Trollig- Kann
Steve Reich- Nagoya Marimba (HNNY Edit)- No Rights Reserved
Flying Lotus- Until The Quiet Comes- Warp
The Invisible- Wings (Floating Points Remix)- Ninja Tune
in the studio: DJ SHIFTEE
Dilated Peoples- Main Event- Capitol
Madvillain – Figaro- Stones Throw
Blackstar- Respiration- Rawkus
The Books- Enjoy Your Worries, You May Never Have Them Again- Tomlab
Animal Collective- My Girls- Domino
Wheez-ie- 281-713-832 (Archie Pelago Mix)- Freshmore
Boligee- Sun Safety- Hot Mom USA
Swindle Under The Sun- Deep Medi
Rude Kid- Summer- unreleased
Preditah- Vinyls- Earth 616
Royal T- Music Box (feat. Terror Danjah)- Rinsed
Starkey- Command- Civil Music
Clicks & Whistles- Radiator- Embassy
Shackles- Gone But Never Forgotten- Hot Mom USA
Shiftee & Badman Shark- EKG Riddim (Mr Mitch Remix)- Slit Jockey
Carrie Wilds- Sleep To Dream (prod. by TRC)- Mishka
Rx and Shiftee- Ice Is Back- unreleased demo
Back to Dirk:
Aksel Friberg- Viking Line (Terje Olsen Disco Mix)- Running Back
Flying Lotus feat. Thom Yorke- Electric Candyman- Warp
Horse Feathers- Pacific Bray- Kill Rock Stars
Paqua- The Visitor- Claremont 56
Jim Guthrie- So Small- Three Gut Records
DJ/Male Model. Check me out in the Mishka 2012 Spring Lookbook featuring:
Action Bronson | Children of the Night | Danny Brown | Das Racist | DJ Shiftee | Gita | Lakutis | Left Leberra & Areb Crew | Mr. Muthafuckin’ Exquire & Peel Off Crew | Party Supplies | Perrion | Venus X
Peep the full lookbook HERE and grab the spring collection HERE.
My Fellow Americans,
I have once again been nominated as America’s Best DJ. In the spirit of true patriotism, I will be campaigning vigorously throughout the upcoming months.
Once upon a time, we started a grass roots movement that exceeded everyone’s expectations. Field organizers went door to door getting out the DJ Shiftee vote. Internet officers passionately spammed the bejesus out of previously disengaged citizens. Our call centers became the envy of the entire DJ political campaign world.
Our issues were clear: skills, sideburns, sandwiches.
Last year was about making waves in this insider, wink wink, nudge nudge, lobbyist filled, oil money driven system. This year is about taking over. My fellow Americans, the time is now! The moment is here! Vote “DJ Shiftee” for America’s Best DJ 2011!
Patriotically,
Shiftee
I’m all about this history of the crossover video from The New York Times. Believe it or not, I used to be really into playing basketball. My forte was my handle. I studied Allen Iverson, And 1, and all that. My best move: the in-and-out crossover. Worst part of my game: no jump shot!
Stay tuned for my Allen Iverson mixtape!
I recently had the tremendous fortune of participating in the TEDxBloomington conference. The gathering was extremely inspiring and engaging. Alongside educators, athletes, comedians, ninjas, and activists, I dropped 4 themed sets throughout the day to a seated yet enthusiastic audience. My personal highlight was the spontaneous dance party that broke out following my last routine. I didn’t plan to keep spinning, but I had to continue dropping tunes once I saw everyone going off!
One of my favorite presentations came from Charlie Todd, founder of Improv Everywhere. Improv Everywhere “is a New York City-based prank collective that causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places.” I had heard of their “No Pants Subway Ride” prank, but didn’t realize the extent of their work. They’ve been creating hilarious stunts since 2001. Here are some of my favorites from Charlie’s talk.
Put me in, coach!
The months of April, May, and June are really all about the NBA playoffs for me. I am a die hard NBA fan, meaning I’d rather watch the NBA than any Die Hard movie, including Die Hard With A Vengeance. If somehow they could incorporate NBA basketball into a Bruce Willis movie, I might just quit everything and join a cult worshiping the end result.
During the NBA playoffs, my productivity goes down the tube. I stop shaving, bathing, and even walking. I leave my front door open, so I don’t have to leave the couch in order to pick up my food delivery. My turntables grow so much dust that I’m too focused on the NBA to think of a punchline for this joke. The only people I speak to are EJ, Kenny, and Charles on Inside The NBA, and they can’t hear me because they are trapped in my television (Guys, will you please answer my numerous letters, gift baskets, and photo collages?).
Did I even listen to any of these songs? Did I pick them as my favorites only because their titles each remind me of a different Zach Randolph play? I’ll leave that to the experts (Charles Barkley: “Only God’s an expert, Shiftee.”). Now if you’ll excuse me, NBATV is playing an endless loop of last night’s highlights.
APRIL TOP 10
1. 16Bit – Skullcrack
2. The Weeknd – What You Need
3. Emalkay – Fabrication
4. Kito & Reija Lee – This City
5. Dorian Concept – Toe Games Made Her Giggle
6. Clicks & Whistles – Cranberry Goose
7. AntiSerum & Ill-Esha – Zephyr
8. Hardware – Never Forget (Dubbel Dutch Remix)
9. Numan – The Zoo
10. DZ – End Dub (DZ Remix)
I, along with fellow Traktor buff DJ Endo, co-created a new online course for Dubspot called Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2. The first round of the course starts Sunday, April 17th. Sign up now HERE.
Some facts about the class:
For more info on the course and to sign up check out the course page at Dubspot.
Sometimes in this crazy world, you find that special someone. I’ve found such an object in the Pioneer DJM-T1 mixer. I know, I’m lucky. But what good are such feelings if they remain hidden? Love must be expressed! That is why I have written this delectable mixer a good ol’ fashioned love letter.
Read the full love letter over at the Dubspot Blog. Here’s the first paragraph:
“Dear Pioneer DJM-T1 Mixer,
From the first moment I saw you, I knew we would be together forever. How I have stayed awake sleepless nights, tossing and turning in my bed with unrequited passion, longing for someone just like you – someone with firm construction, someone who understands my deepest desires, someone with just the right balance of sexiness and functionality.”
Once again, read the rest of my love letter over at the Dubspot Blog.
My girlfriend and I recently caught all the Oscar nominated short films for animation and live action at the IFC Center in NYC. Here are previews for one of our favorites in each category.