:: A Hero Returns ::

Less than 24 hours to go until the End Of Year and Club Mixes for 2007 are broadcast on FIRE 107.6. Check out the 4hr Mixbuster marathon on both Christmas Eve, 8pm 'til midnight, and New Years Eve, 10pm 'til 2am. Listen online at fireradio.co.uk.

My thanks to everyone who 'texted' the radio show, 'pinged' me an email, 'messaged' me via this blog, 'downloaded' my stuff, added' me on MySpace and cheered and screamed at me in 2007. Thanks for your support.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Simon

:: Coming soon... ::

Coming soon...

:: A Mixbusting Xmas Bonanza ::

As we head off towards the winter season of dark nights and even darker tunes, it can only mean one thing for The Mixbuster. It's time to be locked into the studio with a plentiful supply of Jaffa Cakes and CD's, and to not be released from captivity until the traditional 'End Of Year Mix' has been created for FIRE 107.6.

Just before the lockdown begins, I can tell you that this year is going to be an overdose of Mixbuster mayhem! A 'Club Mix' will join the now legendary chart-based 'End Of Year Mix', to be the soundtrack for both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve on FIRE 107.6.  The 'Club Mix', will include all the massive dance tunes of 2007, as well as some surprises!

For more information: fireradio.co.uk & mixbuster.com

:: Billy's Back! ::

There seems to have been an abundance of dance tunes released this year that featured artists of an established age! We've had tracks remixing and sampling Pink Floyd, The Police, Foreigner, Liquid Gold and Earth, Wind & Fire. One of the most talked about and one that is just about to hit the UK's sound sytems is a re-working of White Wedding by Billy Idol. This 80's classic has been mashed up with a 90's synth riff from the Bassheads and has all the components for greatness on the dancefloor. Heavy beats, a thick old bassline (courtesy of Jack Rokka) and a decent wad of nostalgia for the punters old enough to remember Mr.Peroxide the first time around.

Mixed reactions from dancefloors and DJ's so far, but I think that this track will break nicely for Frenetic and be part of your winter partying.

Trashcan Jack vs. Billy Idol - Club Wedding (freneticmusic.com)

:: Extreme Caterpillaring ::

The Gadget Show Team: Jon, Jason & Suzi

In my last journal entry I declared my allegiance to the sci-fi tv show Heroes, which is currently taking great ratings on BBC 2. My weekly tv viewing has now been helped along with the return of the techno-geeks favourite fix!

The Gadget Show on channel 5 is a must if you like your technology. Now into season 7, it's great to have Suzi Perry, Jason Bradbury and Jon Bentley back on the telly to inform all the gadget-eers of the best and worst products in tech-town, or geek-ville if you'd prefer.

I loved this idea from Jason Bradbury's website:



Jason Bradbury wants to test viral marketing. The idea being that you use places like YouTube to infest yourself or your product into peoples inboxes and minds. Just go to Jason's website - www.jasonbradbury.com - to read about the project and enjoy the trio's brilliant banter every Monday, on Channel 5.

:: Save The Cheerleader ::

Wednesday nights are now sacred.

This isn't like me at all, but I am absolutely hooked on the tv drama HEROES. What a fantastic show!

Created by Tim Kring, Heroes tells the story of a group of people who thought they were like everyone else... until they realised that they have a range of special powers. The story begins to unravel and spin-off into multiple plotlines, where the 'special ones' begin to see that they all have a role in preventing an epic event and therefore save humanity.




Told in a comic book style the characters are refreshingly different, the production quality immense and the story quite gripping. Let's hope this continues. I just wish I'd caught this the first time when it was broadcast on the Sci-Fi channel at the beginning of the year. 4.3 million UK viewers tuned in to BBC 2 last week, which meant that for the first time in 10 years it surpassed BBC 1 in the rating wars.

BBC 2 will begin broadcast of season 2 in December.

:: Terminal Illness #3 ::

Regular blog readers will know why I'm posting this picture. This is Madrid. Nice!

:: Feelin' Cranky ::

You wait an age for a decent local venue to provide your night out with top-flight DJ's and dance-acts, and then suddenly your world virtually implodes due to the A listers on the billing each and every week.

I'm talking about a new night, at a new venue in Bournemouth, which is exploding with talent (both female and musical) every friday night from NOW!

Bedbug @ Crank is the place to be if you want to catch the world's premier DJ's and dance producers doin' their thing. Seriously, I doubt any other provincial town has weekly billing like this:

28th Sep - Armand Van Helden
5th Oct - Axwell
12th Oct - D Ramirez and Mark Knight (OMG!)
19th Oct - Steve Angello
26th Oct - Seb Fontaine & Dirty South
2nd Nov - Sebastian Ingrosso
9th Nov - Pete Tong
16th Nov - The Shapeshifters & The Beatthiefs
23rd Nov - Sander Kleinenberg
30th Nov - Above & Beyond
7th Dec - Micky Slim, Dave Spoon & Jon Gurd

Hats off to Bedbug and the Crank-ies for sorting out these mind-blowing events. My tip would be not to miss D. Ramirez & Mark Knight spinning their own creations, or the opportunity to see Oz-wonderkid Dirty South make a very rare appearance in the UK.

:: New Mixes Online ::

As the summer season wraps and the temperature starts to drop there's only one thing on my mind. Dust!

I've got loads of new tunes to get through, as well as a stack of emails, before even thinking about getting my record bag sorted, or working on some new productions! I've been away a lot recently and my studio is a complete tip! Not like me and my obsessive compulsive streak at all! So, no new creations until I sort out this mess.

Oh well, whilst I get the Dyson to work, why not visit my 'Downloads' section and grab some of my recent mash-ups and remixes. I've just added my house remix of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen', entitled the 'Anybody Could Be That Guy Remix'. I've had some really cool feedback already and luckily no snotty letter from any Swedish lawyers.

Also up for grabs is my electro re-working of the 80's classic 'I Just Died In Your Arms' by the brilliant Cutting Crew. This managed to get the thumbs up from founder/lead singer Nick Van Eede, so it's as close to a legal release as I'll ever get!

I've also added the Axwell vs. Roger Sanchez (ft Armand Van helden and N'dea Davenport) mash-up that has been getting a lot of exposure. Enjoy!

Feedback always welcome.

Right,where's my feather duster!?

:: In The Mix & On The Beat ::

As our modern lives place us for longer and longer in front of our computers, why not have some great music to accompany you whilst you click 'n' surf. Global internet radio station BEAT 365 is a project that I've had the pleasure to be involved with since its earliest conception, so I was delighted to do a live session for them last friday night.

A 30 minute segment of my live mix is available as a download. It includes some very, very upfront material that has yet to get UK airplay!

Make sure you give BEAT 365 a go. It's a wicked station, running on zero funds, so please give them some support by logging on.

Enjoy!

:: Get Ready ::

I've had a great Summer of mixing and mashing, even though the weather has been pants! You wait though, September is going to be a cracker! One thing that has boosted my morale has been the incredible response for my ABBA remix.

I've also had some great feedback on some of my most recent mash-ups. Thank you if you took the time to email me, comment via MySpace, or text the radio show. I will be uploading some of these mash-ups for your sticky-mitts over the next few weeks, so get ready to grab!

Keep smiling.

:: Terminal Illness #2 ::

As I travel the globe as an 'international man of mystery', 'holiday-maker', 'superstar DJ', 'assassin', or 'trolley-dolly' (delete as appropriate), I have to put up with the mind-melting monotony of being held hostage in ghastly airport terminals that seem to exist in every country. Admittedly, this one tries to entertain you with a train ride between terminals. It doesn't work. It's still very, very boring.

This months featured terminal: Gatport Airwick.

:: Where's the Summer? ::

Some great new releases have hit my decks just in time for this late Summer sunshine!? Here's a brief round-up:

The legend that is Betty Boo is back! Do you remember 'Doing The Do'? Well if you do then you must be really, really old! (cough, cough, cough.....) The gorgeous Miss Boo, aka Alison, has teamed up with producer Jack Rokka to release this cracking electro pounding dance track onto the UK's unsuspecting dancefloors.

D.Ramirez & Mark Knight are two of the most talented dance music producers on the planet. They have had a new track 'Columbian Soul' bubbling away for a while now. If you want to dabble in the world of electronica then go and dig this out as a great way to be introduced into the dark world of beats, bleeps and bass. Oh yes, and they're coming to town soon...

Vee Scott is the first real vocal house track to appear for Summer 07. Lots of industry types were getting very excited about this track. A brilliant balance of happy vocals and uplifting house loops. A perfect track for the barmy summer nights!

If you've listened to my radio shows, you've probably heard me pushing the Bournemouth based production/breaks trio Aquasky. A new venture from them is 'Dirty Boy' by The Stereo Hookers. Put simply, this is a brilliant track, with catchy lyrics and a great guest remix from Steve Mac.

And finally, Dutch duo Hi_Tack are back and they have quite simply surpassed themselves with their remix of David Bowie's 'Let's Dance'. Bowie quite rightly loves it and has given it his full blessing. It's a great commercial dance tune that is going to introduce yet another generation to the genius that is Ziggy Stardust. All together now: "Ground control to Major Tom...."

Cheers.

:: Tonight's Mixbuster ::

Tonight's Mixbuster session is now available online. Featuring tracks by Moby, Mylo, Black Riot, Basement Jaxx, Madison Avenue, Goldtrixx, De Nuit, Reflekt, Criminal Element orchestra, Benny Benassi, Lovefreekz and Touche. However, the most feedback on the studio text was for my Tony Christie mash-up which featured at the end of the mix!

I'm not planning on making it available as a separate mash-up, so grab it in this exclusive (18 min) mix whilst you can!

The Mixbuster on FIRE 107.6 (Tuesday 14th August 2007)

As always, thanks for all the support.

:: Cutting Crew Remix and Chat ::

Regulars will know that I remixed the Cutting Crew's 80's classic 'I Just Died In Your Arms' this year, turning it into an electro-house track. I managed to get full support from the lead singer Nick Van Eede for my re-working, of which I was very excited and very honoured.

Earlier in the year, I interviewed Nick for a radio show on Beat 365, with fellow DJ and bezzie mate Paul Stevens. Meeting Nick and hearing the epic original, spurred me on to re-mould it for the modern dance-floor.

To hear the interview with Nick Van Eede, visit the Beat 365 website and go to the podcasts section.

To hear the remix, go here. Why not sign up as a MySpace buddy whilst you're there?

:: Homer's My Hero ::

Fans of The Simpsons have only had to wait 18 years for this week. Along with the genius of The Simpsons Movie, make sure you visit the website www.simpsonsmovie.com. It is probably one of the best websites EVER!

:: Munich ::

Munich International

Continuing the series of photographs depicting Airport Terminals from around the world, where my time has been wasted! This month, Munich, Germany. Saying that, it was quite pleasant and that concourse would make a fantastic venue for a party!

:: New Mixes ::

Hi,

Check out some new mixes by following this link.

www.myspace.com/mixedbysimonsinfield

Why not 'add' me as a MySpace friend whilst you're there?

For more information go to www.simonsinfield.com.

Feedback always welcome.

Cheers,

Simon

:: Anybody Could Be That Guy ::

One of the reasons I'm so passionate about music is the way it can really transform the way you feel. When you create music, whether it be playing in a band, singing along to the radio or mixing records, the vibe you get and the achievement and excitement of making it sound good can be a real buzz.

My remix of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' fell together quickly and I felt that the mixture of samples and loops slotted together in one of those eureka moments. Somtimes you just know when a track is gonna work and hopefully you'll agree.

Sadly, bearing in mind that Madonna had to pay the ABBA empire a reputed £2m to use their 1979 'Gimme Gimme' sample for 'Hung Up', I'm sure that I'm heading for a rather large fall by messing with the true kings of pop and highly unlikely to get the samples cleared for release. But heh, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Check it out here. Feedback, as always, very welcome.

Dancing Queen (The Anybody Could Be That Guy Remix by Simon Sinfield)

:: ...and in with the new ::

Welcome to the new home of Bournemouth & Poole's FIRE 107.6FM.

The new building is great. We now have a proper reception area, our own stairs, loos, a kitchen and office space with natural daylight! And of course, we have two sparkly new studios. Woo hoo!

It's not finished yet and everything is very chaotic but this is an amzing time to be involved in a radio station that really is the heart and soul of the party in the area.

Congratulations to all involved who made this possible.

Photo to follow as I can't get my flippin' camera to talk to the PC!

:: Out with the old... ::

After nearly 9 years in the centre of town, FIRE 107.6FM is on the move. We are moving out of town (slightly) to a new building where we will get a visitors reception area, new kit and amazingly, windows and natural light! The poor FIRE sales team, as well as the on air team, have endured years of working in a basement. As an evening jock, I just pop in and out, so I have no real understanding of what it has been like to work in the bowels of the Quadrant shopping centre. However, I imagine it was pretty ghastly.

So bye bye FIRE studios, with your crappy decor, thread-bear carpet and dark and dingy corridors.

Hello new FIRE building...

:: Terminal Illness ::

I'm fed up with sitting in airport terminals. It's not so much the environment you are trapped in, but the complete and utter waste of time and rip-off prices we all have to endure. They've basically got you by the short and curlies haven't they!? There are obviously good terminals and bad ones, so I'm going to capture them here as I go on my travels as an international ambassador for the wheels of steel!

'Drop another phat tune the floor is packed!'

There are obviously good terminals and bad ones, so I'm going to capture them here as I go on my travels as an international ambassador for the wheels of steel!

No photographs of romantic locations or city landscapes from me. Oh no people, you're gonna get pictures of the places that I seem to spend most of my time when I have to travel. Welcome to the my Airport Terminals of the World. (You see, this is what terminal boredom makes you do!)

:: eBike ::

The Enertia Bike

Having recently entered a trial separation from motorcycling, this amazing product caught my attention this week.

Enertia Bike on You Tube

The Enertia Bike is designed and built by US firm Brammo Motorsports. The same company responsible for the Ariel Atom. The Enertia Bike uses lithium-ion phosphate batteries and is intended as a commuter vehicle. Perhaps this could be the real answer to city congestion, carbon foot-prints and the scourge of the Chelsea tractor!?

It's no good if you live in the sticks or have to drive 20,000 miles a year like me, but a fantastic way to zip around town and just totally cool as well.

Check out their website: enertiabike.com

:: 30 min DJ set ::

I don't normally put 'tune to tune' mixes on the website for download, preferring to put up the Mixbuster creations or my own tunes and remixes. However, I have posted a 30 minute DJ set recorded live that I did recently, as I've been hounded by some friends to provide them with some tunes for their iPods. Go grab it here: Electro House Set (April 06)

:: Unacceptable In The 80's ::

Last week I asked the FIRE listeners to suggest some 80's tunes to go into a quick mix-up of the Calvin Harris track 'Acceptable In the 80's'. It seemed an obvious thing to do. Choose some classic 80's records and mix them up with the slightly quirky hit from Dumfries DJ,Calvin Harris, and take the listeners back in time to 1985!

www.myspace.com/calvinharristv

Lots of suggestions came in on the studio text and via email, so a big thank you to everyone who submitted their suggestions. The mix was chucked together with some movie samples from that era and it went zinging across the FIRE airwaves 7 days later.

It got some great reaction, so thank you for your feedback.

If you missed it and fancy a bit of a laugh, then go grab it now from the downloads section here.

Unacceptable In The 80's by THE MIXBUSTER

Tracklisting:

Calvin Harris - Acceptable In The 80's (2007)

Prince - Raspberry Beret (1985)

Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (1983)

Japan - Quiet Life (1979)

Duran Duran - The Reflex (1984)

Duran Duran - Planet Earth (1981)

Duran Duran - Girls On Film (1981)

Thompson Twins - Love On Your Side (1983)

Cutting Crew - (I Just Died) In Your Arms (1986)

Yazoo - Situation (1982)

Paul Hardcastle - 19 (1985)

FGTH - Relax (1983)

Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1984)

ABC - Look Of Love (1982)

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (1987)

Van Halen - Jump (1984)
Movie samples taken from:
Back To the Future (1985)
Pump Up The Volume (1990)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Top Gun (1986)

:: Aquasky Exclusive! ::

My radio show last night featured a special guest who I was delighted to welcome back onto the FIRE airwaves. One third of Aquasky, Dave Wallace, joined me for a live interview and mixing session. As a genuine fan of their work it was a great opportunity to find out more about the history of the trio, get the lowdown on their new tunes and check out the latest releases on their record labels - Passenger/777.

Dave then spun up some exclusives for the FIRE audience, starting with a wicked breaks-booty - allegedly delivered to the Aquasky office that very morning - as well as spinning up a sneaky preview of a track from their forthcoming album. If you missed it then all I can say is the new album is going to be a rock solid helping of hard hitting beats and phat bassline breaks. Pure class from one of the pioneers of the genre!

A big thanks to Dave for popping down and rinsing out some quality tunes. Please show the guys some respect at www.aquasky.co.uk and sign up as their MySpace friend here. You can also show your love for all things Aquasky by voting for them across multiple categories for this years Breaks Awards - Breakspoll 07. Go to www.breakspoll.com

Keep checking out my show on FIRE 107.6 to hear more quality house, electro, bootlegs and breaks.

:: Space Mix ::

I wanted to launch the new year with a mix in the 'download' section, that means an awful lot to me. I've put up an epic mix (it was to fill a 20 minute slot on the radio) that I created a couple of years ago for Chris Bailey (Ministry Of Sound). Chris featured one of my mixes each week on his radio show at the time. This particular mix gained an amazing reaction and kept Chris very busy with phone calls to the studio, whilst he blasted it out over the airwaves and the monitors in the studio. The comments from the callers and the amazing support from the brilliant Mr. Bailey was a wonderful moment for me, and one that I'll never forget.
The 'Space Mix' a homage to the original DMC producers who inspired and influenced me greatly. Paul Dakeyne, Ben Liebrand and Steve Anderson all created (and still produce) incredible and defining productions. There are many DJ's across the world who will credit these guys with influencing them through the monthly special mix package from DMC. This mix (with a sci-fi theme) was really me attempting to capture a style of megamixing that they invented, mastered and mesmerised their audiences with.

It's a big mp3 file coz it's up at 192kbps, but hopefully you'll think it's worth the download time and that you'll appreciate it as much as the callers on the radio that night and as much as I enjoyed piecing it together.

Simon

:: Pimped for 2007 ::

Welcome to 2007. A year that will hopefully be yet another wicked year for great dance music and one that will fill your world with great and gorgeous experiences. I just want to say thanks for all of your support last year and in the words of Bill S. Preston esq and Ted 'Theodore' Logan (aka Bill & Ted), let us all "Party on dudes"!

I've started the year with a well earned rest after some serious mashing, mixing and mayhem over the Christmas period. I was also attacked by the stomach bug from hell. I'll refrain from the details, but it was real ugly!

I've just 'pimped' my MySpace page and have gathered some great new buddies. Thanks if you are one of 'em. MySpace is incredibly addictive and is now alongside eBay in my world of daily online surfing. Check it out here (www.myspace.com/simonsinfield) and sign up damn you!

So what's up for 2007 I hear you ask? Well, I'm in pursuit of some funky new production projects, as well as working on my radio shows. I'm also going to get back out on the circuit later on this year after a short sabbatical. So expect some plugging on here and in MySpace around April. For bookings contact: zonemedia@mac.com

Finally, let me give you a couple of guidelines for this year:
1) Turn the volume up
2) Say 'Yes' more (Danny Wallace we salute you.)
3) If in doubt, smile.

Catchyalata.