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9/11/2018

Chicagos thing and the ATL Weekender

11 Comments

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I feel inclined to tell you, I better understand why Chicago struggles. It's based on a few very loud themes. (cue Minnie Riperton) I came to this earth different and under the gaze of what Chicago sees as Chicago, I have never fit. Everything about Chicago screams conservatism ie politics. The history of our entering Chicago via Mississippi speaks to our need to fit, in short.  Now even a genre, that was created of  pure love (imo), is tightly gripped in a choke hold by the same business / politics.

A few years ago I got clapped at for questioning why there were no women on the bill for CFP's event. There was quite a bit of dialogue (on fb) around that post, so it was highly viewed, probably furthering the nails in my "coffin". Times have changed, my assumption is folks are scared to say anything (in sm) that might rock the boat, they seem desperate to stay in. My questions never come from a place of mess or that's not what i intend. I also make sure to define my thoughts in the comments, as to not be misunderstood. The popularity game is even stronger now. We have seen tons of shit storms over the years mostly from Chicago djs. Now You can't get anyone to give an UN-produced thought. What I gathered from the safety dance is people don't want "trouble". 

I had an interesting conversation via inbox, with a Chicagoan who attended the  ATL Weekender this year. I witnessed a few live sessions myself to see  if my theory was any different than before. I decided to hunt a little deeper to reference mixes from SOME of ATLS djs. My mix findings (mostly outdated) pretty much confirm what I have felt  all along. I didn't stop there. I decided to ask FB questions about ATLs Djs and it's evolving event. Well lets just say my intuition was screaming, as Chicago people gathered to wait and watch, instead of adding their thoughts to the post. I wasn't asking for a comparison to Chicago's dj's or CFP to HITP.

My expectation for  Chicago Djs playing this event, would be to get looser and step out of "the Chicago norm" tunes, when addressing other peoples markets musically. This doesn't mean not representing. It means that "we" might represent some of Chicago's underground producers and push the narrative of unknown or under referenced music a bit further, for the sake of our music and it's djs / producers. I heard wonderful unknown tunes from the many Atlanta djs all weekend, so the assumption would be that our djs and those from Chicago, were vibing off of their tunes. Unfortunately I didn't hear anything new or different from the streams I witnessed of SOME of our home team. I get first hand, that  you can almost perfectly blend music that you play ALL THE TIME.  I also get the idea of presentation and performance, but then there's the idea that ATL knows the same tunes you reference all the time, because THEY ONCE DID TOO. You easily get people hoping up and down and while it looks good, you never thought to push them or be the difference?  People HERE used to allow the dj to take them on a journey, because they trusted us. What I continue to see from ATL is a level of receptivity from the crowd that says enlighten us, take us higher. It's in the body language and look of the dancers and audience.  We all are, of course at a point where people don't take risks on djs they haven't heard of and don't have the attention span to learn new and  different music. So what happens when "the populars" (here) are all playing singalong top 40's of house and you're supposed to be underground, but follow THAT lead? All the producers and editors have to wait 10 plus years (let it fall lady alma) for one of our creations to "pop", because you're scared. No it doesn't have to be fresh off of traxsource to be in rotation, but it does have to be different than the 1000's of dj who seek to do nothing more than repeat someone else's set. It's exactly why rare grooves, disco, and vinyl "SEEM" to  win overseas. One of the reasons why I was drawn to house music is because I was lead to believe that there was creativity and freedom of expression. Though I know, we are in a period where people pleasing for likability far outweighs breaking new music and challenging a group of people to be educated and grow. 

I wouldn't dare to think that ATL is more of an international city than Chicago is, is it? Does ATL win because they have a city that created a respected music industry, that included a variance of soulful genres and artists? Donnie, India Arie, Outkast, Usher, TLC, Indigo Girls, Cee Lo, Arrested Development, Anthony David.... umm this could get long! How about that fab Moodys record store that keeps a stock of underground goodies  and heavily aids those seeking soulfulness. Or is it the ever growing amount of venues that HOST nights specifically geared toward SHOWCASING soulful house, afro beat and other underground sounds and  bands. All of these things lead me to believe that a better experience would be had at The Weekender, than the same djs and sounds that flood our few venues and many festivals here based on, you guessed it politics. All these things lead my inbox to be flooded with dialogue that suggests, my sound is more like theirs, than my own city. 

I once again am led to wonder, where I should be if not Chicago?

Photo credit Demetrius Williams of Usual Suspects Photography.

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11 Comments
@EfabulousHB link
9/11/2018 10:34:20 am

I had to leave Chicago in order to find the creative Chicagoan within me. You've evolved and I don't think that playing music in Chicago is your final stop, it's just your beginning. If you love music, then love music loudly and let those who conform - conform whilst you adapt change grow and expand. I wouldn't say these things if I didn't live it. Though my love and knowledge of music was vast when I lived in Chicago, when I stepped out of the suffocating choke of Chicago and moved to the East Coast and to England, musically I learned about a world I never knew and it made me a better DJ and made me appreciate music a hell of a lot more.

May your journey in music keep evolving. All the best.

Reply
Fathom Dj
9/13/2018 03:56:47 am

I feel like everything is in preparation for something greater. I receive this and thank you!

Reply
Fathom
8/22/2019 03:20:32 pm

Well it’s almost been a year since I posted this and the question of where to if not Chicago is finally answered. ATL here I come. September ?

Reply
Sandra
9/11/2018 12:08:32 pm

I've heard about the ATL Weekender for a few years. One of my best friends attends faithfully. I told her "why go there when I hear house music here, what is the difference?" She stated "they don't play the same music you hear in Chicago, it's soulful, it's different". She was right.

It started with Moods Music. Whoa, what an experience. Soulful, different music flowed from the speakers. Artists I've never heard - DJ's I've never heard of. It was inspiring. I'm dancing in a record store, for hours, with no dance floor. They also have a separate room where they have live bands or DJ's. I'm in love.

The DJ's that took me to another place - Salah Ananse, DJ Be, Earl Mixxin Mckinney. I think Salah and DJ Be are from ATL and Earl is from Detroit. They played music outside the box. Some folks crave different, and I'm one of them.

No offense to the Chosen Few here in Chicago, but it's the same. Same DJ's, same music, same everything. I hear the same thing that's played at the picnic that I hear all year round at the clubs. I get it - some folks like the top 40, but what about us other folks?

You are someone I consider as going outside the box. You have to experience it for yourself to see what the hype is about. I'm a new fan and will go every year, just to hear what's new.

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Fathom dj
9/13/2018 03:54:58 am

?

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Kevin Hicks
9/11/2018 01:10:37 pm

when I'm listening to Chicago I Love it, ATL Love it, Miami Love it Ibiza Love it every place including NYC-Jersey Love it all of them when I return home I want and need to combine ALL of them into a wonderful combo of sounds that make my ears smile ,all those different places have issues with that genre that I dig, when I'm listening I forgive, and combine all and my ears smile...(MOODS is a great store)

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Fathom Dj
9/13/2018 03:54:35 am

Are you a Dj?

Reply
Baron
2/9/2019 03:43:36 pm

Moods Music is definitely an experience! I haven't seen anyone in Chicago come close to what Daryll has created with Moods. Before I started to purchase music online, I would hit Moods when I would go to ATL. If any of my my friends were going, I would send them with a list of music to bring back that I couldn't find in Chicago record stores.The House scene in ATL seems to be more free to me. Just my opinion and I may catch a lot of flack for that statement. People just seem more connected and vibe is kinda indescribable.

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Demetrius link
9/12/2018 06:35:03 pm

AMAZING post! I felt the same before moving back to Atlanta - I was constantly hearing the same tracks being played by countless DJs in different festivals I would frequent...then I moved back to my city. Atlanta has a diverse sound. On any given weekend you can her soul/rare grooves, Afro house, the Detroit sound, Chicago sound, classics...you never get bored of the music here. I am forever in love with the diversity.

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Fathom dj
9/13/2018 03:53:59 am

Thank you very much for the image use and the insightful comments.

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Kentucky GFE link
12/11/2022 01:28:17 pm

This is grreat

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    fathom spits

    when i come to the jam 
    know who i am
    aint bout the flim flam
    no i dont give a damn
    about where you been 
    or what you rocking
    when the tunes hit
    we'll see whats popping
    not stopping
    though i did slow up
    to be more precise 
    and detailed 
    catch a close up
    or maybe get a glimpse
    nobodies hoe
     but the game got pimps
    i stay exempt
    and stand in the light
    fame got glimmer
    but my glow just right

    ​

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  • FATHOM DJ ENTITIES
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