GETTING GAY WITH DJ SIRLINDA
June 2, 2010

When the lovely, dirty boys of RAW asked me to come down (from New York City) and spin a set for them, I did what I know how to do best. I put on my shortest shorts, took off my shirt and fucking danced my faggy ass off, 'til my roommates broke up my party. It was early in the morning so don't judge, people. What I love most about RAW is that it embodies gay culture in the 70's, particularly in NYC. They stick to a dirty, in-your-face aesthetic that has woken up D.C.'s gay scene. RAW has become a place for homos from all across the country to come get down! I couldn't be more excited to be a guest DJ this month, so I'm just gonna share a few tracks with you that may make their way to the dance floor on Friday.

Since some NY flavor is going to be hitting the nation's capitol, I figured I would give you a couple tracks from my home town that most definitely need to be blasted at ear-piercing levels. First let me hit you with some ESG. The name stands for "Emerald, Sapphire & Gold," and the band consists of 3 sisters and a couple of their friends. They hail from the south Bronx and use polyrhythms as the base of their beats. (I know you see "poly" and get excited, but we're talking about music right now, fellas.) Their songs have had a huge influence on the disco/funk/post punk/new wave movement and these little mamas know how to fucking rock it out.

I know we're all familiar with Arthur Russell's genius. Although he wasn't a native, like most famous New Yorkers, he adapted himself pretty damn well. He was a classically-trained musician who showed that pop music could be artistic and fun at the same time. He formed Loose Joints in 1980 with Steve D'Aquisito and three singers. Is It All Over My Face? is a secret gem of NYC dance floors. If you haven't heard this track yet, get prepared for takeoff.

Don Armando was a first-generation American and a pure-bred New Yorker. He started playing percussion on the hot summer streets of East Harlem as a young boy. He was so skilled that he perfected his craft quite young. One of his brothers decided to follow in his footsteps and they to formed Don Armando's Second Avenue Band. It's just one of the many bands that Don Armando was a part of, but with this particular outfit, he composed I'm an Indian, Too, a song that makes me feel like it's summer every time I hear it. Enjoy!!!

ESG - Dance (192 kbps) | Download

Loose Joints - Is It All Over My Face? (Larry Levan Remix) (320 kbps) | Download

Don Armando Second Avenue Rhumba Band - I'm an Indian, Too (12" Mix) (207 kbps) | Download