For this rv_cast we bring you the first installment of “Blipswitch 2009 Mixed” a full-length mix compilation compiled and mixed by Blipswitch Digital label boss J.Rogers.
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Blipswitch Digital is a record label based in San Francisco, and J.Rogers describes it as having “a core sound focused in dubstep, minimal/techno, tech house, and all the bubbling areas in between.” Their first release was in July 2008, at a time when the minimal sound had saturated the European electronic music scene, but was still popular in the US. Dubstep was on the verge of explosion in the US around then too, and the label aims to fuse the best elements of both sounds. With artists on their roster like Alland Byallo, Chris Fortier, Eskmo, Dave Aju, Antiserum and Coalition of the Killing, and support from the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs, Richie Hawtin, Headhunter, [a]pendics.shuffle, 2562, Xpansul, and John Tejada, it’s clear to see that the label is on an upwards trajectory.
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I’m usually a little reluctant to delve into full length commercial compilations as there’s no shortage of great mixes you can find for free online. However, this one is a little different as it’s being released in conjunction with the unmixed tracks—which will be available exclusively in the rv shop a week before everywhere else—and it’s also being podcast two weeks prior to it’s release. I’m not sure what it makes this mix then… part promotional tool and part commercial compilation perhaps? Either way, it’s definitely worth a listen!
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The mix is a heady mixture of techno and minimal with a healthy dose of dubstep all coming together to provide a good deal of drive and direction over about 60 minutes. There are places in the mix when it spirals into more of an edgy industrial sound, and other places it explores an emerging psy-techno sound with soaring delayed synths vocal samples. The mix features a good number of J.Rogers own productions, along with tracks and remixes by other notable artists like Coalition of the Killing (COTK), Kenneth Scott, ROZANSKI, Kush Arora, DJG, Dhyan Moller, DZ and zar-aza.
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With this compilation I get a sense of collaboration that runs deeper than just co-artists on the Blipswitch Digital label, it’s perhaps one that runs to the heart of San Francisco’s booming techno scene. With Jason Short and Marc Smith (COTK) at the helm of Auralism Records—another West Coast techno success story—and Kenneth Scott also releasing on Auralism I thought I’d delve a little deeper into the world of underground electronic music in San Francisco, Blipswitch Digital and the man J.Rogers.
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I’m not one for copy/pasting bios, so in your own words can you give a brief history of all things Blipswitch?
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Blipswitch started as an online community forum for the SF-Bay Area techno scene. We then launched a monthly techno event at 222 Club in San Francisco. Meanwhile, I had also been running promotions for Surya Dub, which is a huge bass-centric (read: “dubsteppy”) event in SF. I caught the dubstep bug for sure, but was still fully obsessed with techno. I started Blipswitch Digital in an effort to reconcile those two obsessions. I think it was perfect timing too, because right around when we did our first releases (July 2008) artists like 2562, Headhunter, and Skream were putting out these great dubstep/techno hybrid productions that were amazing. I think the dubstep/techno sound is now in full force, and I believe that Blipswitch is right here in the center of it.
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After listening to Part I of your “Blipswitch 2009 Mixed” compilation I found myself thinking it’s quite an esoteric approach you’ve taken to doing it, although I’m sure it’s a reflection of you as an artist and of Blipswitch as a label. What was the creative process like, and what do you hope to achieve with it when it’s released?
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The Blipswitch Mixed compilations have always been promotional efforts at their foundation. It showcases the label’s highlight productions from the period and re-vitalizes interest in some previous tracks that may have not gotten enough attention the first time around. The mixes also show just how unified the Blipswitch sound has become. Yes, this mix is half dubstep and half techno; but the listener should perceive a perfect flow of style, sound, and feel playing out through the entire mix, regardless of the momentary genre-focus. It should come as no surprise to me as the head of A&R, but I am always pleasantly shocked out how well the label’s music fits together on a mix. As far as production of the compilation is concerned, the showcases are generally dissimilar to how my live/DJ sets work, which are usually very densely layered, rapid-fire presentations, which focus on the aggregate combination of different tracks-as-elements. I slow down the pace for the label mixes to that of a more “traditional DJ mix” so that each of the tracks can be heard to their fullest with their unique elements highlighted. This is important.
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What’s the best party you’ve been to this year, and why?
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Ah, a tough one. Not to self-promote too much, but Surya Dub’s 2 Year Anniversary last February has to take the cake.  Every Surya Dub is a pretty special experience because of the eclectic musical offerings of the two separate rooms (one focused on reggae/dancehall/bhangra and the other room focused on dubstep/glitch/DnB), and also because of our residents roster (Kush Arora, Kid Kameleon, Ripley, Maneesh The Twister, Jimmy Love, Amar, etc).  But the real highlight was seeing 2562 do his thing. Dave has been a musical influence of mine for sure, but I believe that his Aerial album truly kicked off the dubstep/techno wave, and none of what Blipswitch is doing now would be here without it. Gaslamp Killer also destroyed as usual with an amazingly entertaining set. Pinch also stopped by for a chat which was cool. I had a pretty good set that night myself… Perhaps most of all, it was a special night when so many faces from the SF scene came out to celebrate Surya Dub’s Two Year. Great vibes.
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Can you paint a picture of the scene in San Francisco? I know quite a few people who throw parties out there and everyone seems to be united to improve the scene as whole. I think that’s great if that’s the case… do you think that it is? If I wanted to find a quality weekly party in San Francisco what would you recommend? Who’s the best DJ based there in your opinion?
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I’ve been around parties in New York and LA, and Phoenix (where I grew up). I honestly believe that SF has the most friendly community-oriented scene in the United States. Sure, there’s always going to be a few clicks and a few hands-across-the-chest scenesters, but that’s the exception to the rule here. More importantly, if you’re interested in minimal or dubstep, you just landed yourself in the center of it as far as I’m concerned. Yes, NY has a ton of producers and DJs staying there, but a lot of them are foreigners too. San Francisco is bursting through the seams with international Producer/DJ talent. Just to name a few… Antiserum, Alland Byallo, DJG, Justin & Christian Martin, Roommate/Babylon System… If you’re looking for a quality party in SF, I can definitely answer that for you: KONTROL at The Endup, period. It is the best minimal techno/house night in the city. Always has been, always will.  For dubstep… Surefire Sound at Triple Crown. And starting in November, if you’re feeling that dubstep/techno sound, rumor has it that Blipswitch will be hosting a monthly dubstep/techno event on first Fridays at the newly-renovated 222. Best DJ in San Francisco? Nikola Baytala. Nobody else has the range, sensitivity, and technical ability that Nik has. He can play any party, any time, any sound, and absolutely destroy it every-single-time.

Blipswitch 2009 Mixed – Part I will be available exclusively in the Resonant Vibes download shop from October 1, and everywhere else from October 6, 2009
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For more info on J.Rogers click HERE.
And for more info on Blipswith Digital click HERE.
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Tags: Blipswitch 2009 Mixed – Part I, Blipswitch Digital, Electronic Music Podcast, J.Rogers, rv cast 008, rv_cast 008, The Resonant Vibes Podcast