IN THE MIX: DRUNKEN DOJA MONKEY

Luke Bemand, the man behind the monkey.

Today I write from a place of pure content; that rare moment where environment is perfectly scored by a mix. For a brief Boston interlude, I’ve gone south of the border, taking with me the newest summer soundtrack by one of Boston’s best boys: Drunken Doja Monkey. As the mix flows through the hot Mexican air, there’s a soccer game going on below, each goal punctuated by a buzzing bass-line and just beyond the field, waves are crashing to Gaudi’s tribal musings.

Summer is officially in the air and Drunken Doja Monkey has brought his A-game.

Luke Bemand, the man behind the monkey, is quickly becoming an MVP for New England’s local electronic underground. He’s the ultra talented bass/keys player for the beloved trio, Lespecial, alongside Rory Dolan and Jonathan Grusauskas, and has distinguished himself as a purveyor of timeless, yet psychedelic, baby-making beats. During a set he spans sexy disco to gritty hip-hop and bass-heavy glitch to smooth 4/4, all the while channeling Ferris Bueller’s moves during the infamous parade scene.

Where did this kid come from and why is he so damn dreamy, you ask?

Connecticut, ladies. Take a number and stand in line.

Bemand invokes an unbridled soulful, yet primitive, live experience, very much reminiscent of a Bacchanalian celebration. True to form, his “Wet Hot American Summer” mix is an ode to the high season. It was made to greet the sunrise after a long night of dancing in close quarters, when your legs are ready to give out, you’ve reached mental nirvana and all seems right with the world. Bemand, never one to rest, takes it to the next level mixing Lespecial original, “Sound That We Do” (28:44), into the bass-heavy remixed version by Space Jesus, which is a bona fide crowd pleaser. This mix is a liquified aphrodisiac and it’s yours this Saturday night from 7-8pm, poolside during Campbrook, with Dolan and Grusauskas on drums. There’s nothing better than the start of summer and fresh squeezed talent.

Tracklisting:
CSLSX- Keep On Shining
Gaudi- Bad Boy Bass
SBTRKT- Right Thing To Do
Kraak and Smaak- Dynamite
Neighbor + Split Milk- Get With This Opiuo Remix, Q-Tip- Breathe and Stop (acapella)
The Whisperers- This Kind of Lovin’
Zapp and Roger-
Zapp and Roger-
Lux- Entrance to Infinity
BioDiesel- Big Papa
DCUP- To Be In Love
BreakBot- Baby I’m Yours (feat. Irfane)
BreakBot- Shades of Black
?- At Night
lespecial- Sound That We Do
Space Jesus- Sound That We Do remix
Sam Cooke- Radio sample
Flying Lotus- Loop Exec
Discovery- So Insane

CAMP COLDBROOK MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

FRI 6.22.12 UNTIL SUN 6.24.12
BARRE, MA
$80
Campcoldbrook.com