WHEELS OF STEEL - Barker's farewell

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Matt Barker is moving to Hawaii in a few weeks, but before he goes he stopped by Wheels of Steel for one more round of conversation and live mixing over the KXUA airwaves. We took a look back at how the electronic music scene has blown up in NWA in the past few years and discussed the club scene in Honolulu (good to know if you're planning a visit to Hawaii). Download the first half of the show here:

Wheels of Steel 05-13-09

Slide your little mouse on over here to get Barker's farewell live mix on the KXUA airwaves. The woofer shakin' electro sound will be sure to keep your neighbors awake past their bedtimes. Download it here:

Barker Live Mix 05-13-09

WHEELS OF STEEL - Shortfuze

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Wheels of Steel kicked off the month of May with a return visit from DJ Shortfuze. When last he was up for an interview and live mix, all kinds of things went haywire - from equipment problems to poorly worded descriptions of low-cost drink specials on Dickson Street. This time, though, we got it right! Shortfuze talked about upcoming dance nights at Club FIX (i.e. Treasure Fingers on May 20th) and his new Thursday night gig at LIT. After that it was time for the live mix, a perfect blend of electro, neo-disco, and '80s synth pop...with a healthy dose of scratchin' thrown in for good measure. Download the whole show here:

Wheels of Steel 05-06-09

Shortfuze's live mix was a smooth blend of electro, neo-disco, '80s synth pop, and classic DJ scratchin'. The endless Arkansas rain got you down? Run inside, dry off, blast this mix and drown out that thunder with the bumpin' bass (think of the lightning as a strobe light). Click here to start dancing:

Shortfuze Live Mix 05-06-09

Two shows left to go before DJ EJ flees the country! On Wednesday May 13th at 8pm, Barker stops by for one last electro set before moving to Hawaii. Finally, for the last Wheels of Steel on May 20th, none other than Treasure Fingers will be up in the studio for an interview before he plays a live set at Club FIX later that night. Get ta dancin', people!

WHEELS OF STEEL - Bizar (part deux)

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

After an exam-forced hiatus, Wheels of Steel returned to the airwaves with a visit from BIZAR. When last he was on in October, he was all about glitch and IDM. This time it was hip-hop in all its manifestations. BIZAR pre-recorded a family-friendly clean vocal hip-hop mix to play on the air and then live-mixed some instrumental hip-hop, dubstep, and even a little original 8-bit track he's been working on. We talked about the original idea for this radio show (thanks BIZAR!) and the upcoming appearance (May 20th!) by Treasure Fingers on Wheels of Steel and at Club FIX. Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 04-29-09

BIZAR was kind enough to put together a radio friendly, fun for the whole family hip-hop mix for his appearance on Wheels of Steel. Included free of charge in this 30 minute mix is a demonstration of BIZAR's scratchin' skills, which were last on display when he opened for Mix Master Mike back in January. Download it here:

BIZAR's Hip-Hop Mix

For his live mix BIZAR started off with some instrumental hip-hop. Then he went into dubstep...then electro...and finished it off with some original 8-bit. A great mix for you people with ADGD (Attention Deficit Genre Disorder)! Download it here:

BIZAR Live Mix 04-29-09

Three shows left to go before the summer break! This Wednesday, May 6th, from 8-10pm, Shortfuze returns to the KXUA studio. Then on May 13th, Barker stops by for one last electro set before moving to Hawaii. Finally, for the last Wheels of Steel on May 20th, none other than Treasure Fingers will be up in the studio for an interview before he plays a live set at Club FIX later that night. Get ta dancin', people!

WHEELS OF STEEL - Beat Bachs

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

With veteran fellow KXUA DJ Beat Bachs in the studio, there was, of course, a lot to talk about. From the development of the NWA electronic music scene to the Big Beat origins of the Digital Earthquake radio show, we covered it all. Then, despite his professed nervousness, Beat Bachs threw down a dance mix which explains why his dance parties are THE place to be! Check out the whole show here:

Wheels of Steel 04-15-09

Here it is - 69 minutes of disco dance music mayhem. Beat Bachs, in his first recorded mix in over a year, gives us lesson in how to get those booties shakin'! From 21st century neo-disco to obscure '80s girl bands like The Flirts...you've got to get this mix!! Download it here:

Beat Bachs Live Mix 04-15-09

Join me again in two weeks (April 29th 8-10pm), when Bizar returns to spin an entirely different genre of music from the glitch and IDM he played for us last fall. Until then...

Regards, DJ EJ

WHEELS OF STEEL - Dre Boogs & 607

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

It took months to put this show together...but damn, the results were worth it! We've been fortunate to have Dre Boogs in NWA, a man with years of broadcasting and DJing experience. He's moving to NYC at the end of April, to take his DJing and production skills to the next level. Before leaving he stopped by the KXUA studios to talk about the radio industry, his mixes and satellite radio show, and (of course) to lay down a live mix on the KXUA airwaves...

But wait! There's more! Little Rock's own 607 stopped by the studio as well, talked about his latest remixes and upcoming gigs in Moscow (!), and then threw out some freestyle rhymes over Dre Boogs' badass beats.

Is that enough for ya? Download it all here:

Wheels of Steel 04-08-09

With Dre Boogs droppin' beats on the turntables, 607 sat down in the KXUA studio and started rhymin' - some from his journal and some from whatever came to mind. Download it here:

607 & Dre Boogs Live Freestyle

Following 607's freestylin', Dre jumped right into his live set. Looking for a hip-hop mix that takes you back to the old school but still gives you a taste of what's new? Look no further...

Dre Boogs Live Mix 04-08-09

Tune in next week Wednesday, April 15th 8pm to 10pm, when my guest will be KXUA's own Beat Bachs! Until then...Hugs and Kisses ~ DJ EJ

WHEELS OF STEEL - Shane Capps

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Shane Capps was the guest this past week, giving us a brief history of the last decade of electronic music in northwest Arkansas, and explaining the latest software technology available for making music. Shane brought in a selection of original tracks and remixes he's produced, and then he mixed a cool live set on the KXUA airwaves. Download the entire show here:

Wheels of Steel 04-01-09

Shane Capps' 50+ minute live mix had the coolest beats on either side of the Mississippi, and he did it all with one Ableton hand tied behind his back. Download it here:

Shane Capps Live Mix 04-01-09

Don't miss this Wednesday (April 8th) when my guest will be Dre Boogs. He'll be joined by 607 for a special live in-studio set plus the usual awesome interview and live mix. That's 8pm to 10pm, only on KXUA 88.3FM!

WHEELS OF STEEL - Zac Slade

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Zac Slade joined DJ EJ in the KXUA studio this week. He talked about how the electronic music scene in NWA has developed and changed since 1999 and played some of the music that has been influential in his life. Topping it all off was the smooov live mix he put out over the KXUA airwaves. Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 03-11-09

Check out Zac Slade's live mix recorded over the KXUA airwaves...deep house deep house deep house. Did I say deep house? Download it here:

Zac Slade Live Mix 03-11-09

This Wednesday, March 25th, from 8 to 10pm, French Horn Rebellion (Brooklyn, NY) will join me in the KXUA studio for an interview and to listen to their recent EP release. Following the radio show, they're droppin' a DJ set at Club Fix (inside Willie D's) on Dickson Street from 10pm to 2am...NO COVER!! Check it out!!

WHEELS OF STEEL - SweetNES

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

If someone gave your NES permission to borrow your MIDI Sequencer, that might give you some idea of the musical style of [DJ?] SweetNES. Last Wednesday she was my guest on Wheels of Steel. We discussed her approach to music composition, heard some of her cool pre-recorded tracks, and enjoyed one of the most eclectic and funky live mixes on the KXUA airwaves this DJ has ever heard. Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 03-04-09

SweetNES' live mix was all over the groovy map...from yoga instruction to funky aerobics, from the Bay City Rollers to Too $hort...she mixed it all. Check it out!!

SweetNES Live Mix 03-04-09

WHEELS OF STEEL - The Best Cuts of Music

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Robe Flax and Sam Houser, hosts of the internet sensation "The Best Cuts of Music", joined me in the studio to discuss many issues of grave importance. After that, we talked about their show's concept, how the best music makes the cut, and where you, gentle listener, can download this great music. All this was interspersed with some of the best cuts of music the KXUA airwaves have ever heard. Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 02-25-09

If, for some strange reason, you just want the music without our witty banter lovingly placed in between the songs, well then...here you go:

The Best Cuts of Music Mix

Join me next week Wednesday, March 4th at 8pm, when my guest will be DJ SweetNES.

WHEELS OF STEEL - Merl

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Wheels of Steel is back in 2009 with more of the best DJs and dance music for your listening and shakin' (it) pleasure! First up in the KXUA studio was Merl, a long time member of the Aerosault DJ group. We discussed many things, not least of which his upcoming opening set for Mix Master Mike on January 24th at Georges. Following the interview, Merl spun an awesome drum 'n' bass mix with a few surprises. Download it here:

Wheels Of Steel 01-07-09

Merl had two great mixes to share with the Wheels of Steel listeners. The first was an old school funk mix he had just recorded earlier that day to play on our broadcast. The amazing thing about it is that while it sounds like it's from the 1970s, much of the mix is based on the music of a current Australian funk band called Flow Dynamics. Download it for free at www.aerosault.com . The second mix was recorded live on the KXUA airwaves and what Merl called liquid drum 'n' bass, blended with some reggae and dancehall beats. Download it here:

Merl Live Mix 01-07-09

No guest DJ this coming Wednesday, but listen in for some of the latest mixes from the Scion CD Sampler series and music from DJ EJ's dance music library.

WHEELS OF STEEL - Flutter

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

For the last Wheels of Steel broadcast in 2008, Flutter was the guest DJ. As a DJ who uses exclusively vinyl, Flutter discussed digging in record stores and the search for vinyl online. Then she dropped a live mix on the turntables of soulful drum 'n' bass, jazz, and Brazilian grooves. Download the entire broadcast here:

Wheels Of Steel 12-17-08

Click on following link to download Flutter's blend of soulful drum 'n' bass, jazz, and Brazilian grooves in her mix recorded live on the KXUA airwaves. It's sure to warm you up on these cold winter nights.

Flutter Live Mix 12-17-08

Thanks to all the DJs who appeared on Wheels of Steel this past semester. There are 12 different mixes available for you to download for free. Search for "Wheels of Steel" on this blog and you'll find all the download links for every broadcast. Merry Christmas and join me again in 2009 for more great music!

Cheers,

DJ EJ

WHEELS OF STEEL - BMassiv & Lucio

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

After an ambrosial Thanksgiving hiatus, DJ EJ returned to the KXUA mic with not one, but two awesome guests. BMassiv, originally from Hot Springs, is now part of Aerosault's Fayetteville crew and regularly in demand for his blend of hip-hop and drum 'n' bass. Lucio joined him for the interview and for freestyle rhyming in the live mix. Having just returned to Fayetteville, he's busy reviving the live hip-hop scene and working on a soon to be released EP. Download the show here:

Wheels of Steel 12-10-08

Following a brief spoken intro from Lucio, he and BMassiv tear into a bouncin' blend of hip-hop rhyming and drum 'n' bass beats. Click here to download a mp3 copy of your very own:

BMassiv and Lucio Live Mix 12-10-08

Listen to 88.3FM or streaming online at www.kxua.com this Wednesday, December 17th, from 8 to 10pm when my guest DJ will be Flutter. Until then...

WHEELS of STEEL - EQ and Shortfuze

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Celebrating the release of their latest mix, "Hands Up: Vol. 1", EQ and Shortfuze dropped by to preview some of the tracks on the CD, and took turns mixing live on the KXUA airwaves for over an hour. Shortfuze tried to get me to talk about what's cheapest on Dickson Street, but I was at the top of my pronunciation game for this broadcast. Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 11-12-08

EQ and Shortfuze trade off on turntable duties for this bumpin' dance mix. Download it for free...here...and now!

EQ and Shortfuze Live Mix 11-12-08

Missed some of the live mixes from previous broadcasts of Wheels of Steel? Click on the link below to see the download links for 10 different hour long mixes recorded live on KXUA. How's that for an early Christmas present!

Wheels of Steel Mixes

Art Amiss 9 - this Thursday!!

Art Amiss 9 is this Thursday, November 13th, beginning at 7pm at the Dickson Street Theater!! In addition to the diverse works of over 20 visual artists on display, a fashion show featuring the creations of apparel, jewelry, and cosmetic designers, and a chapbook given away featuring original literary compositions by local writers...there will be LIVE LOCAL MUSIC!!!

Three local bands and one of the areas hottest DJs are scheduled to perform starting at 7pm:

Jesus Chrysler Supercar
Hosta
Not-A-Penny
EQ

Available at the door to the first 200 people to arrive will be a 13 song CD of Arkansas music compiled by yours truly and featuring one of two label designs by Joëlle Storet. The bands are from locales such as Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Bentonville, and Little Rock, representing genres from indie pop to post punk, heavy metal to hip-hop, electronica to polka...and more! See you there...

Eric "DJ EJ" Jensen

WHEELS of STEEL - Luminfire

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

KXUA alum, the Master of Mashups, and all around awesome DJ Luminfire joined me in the studio this past week as we anticipated the OPO Halloween Dance Party. We talked about his music blog, antsinmytrance.com, the method to his mashup madness, and then it was time for Luminfire's live mix...

Wheels of Steel 10-29-08

With hints of Halloween throughout, Luminfire's live mix will have you ready to dance all night long like an undead disco freak! Download it here:

Luminfire Live Mix 10-29-08

A Ladyback Sports broadcast pre-empts at least the first hour of my show this Wednesday, but if the second hour is open, I'll play dance music, some recent remixes, and will take your electronic music requests. That's this Wednesday, November 5th, from 9 to 10pm.

WHEELS of STEEL - Randy Soeung

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Randy Soeung was my guest this week. He talked about his Thursday night radio show on myhouse-yourhouse.net and what it means to be a producer. We listened to some of his mixes and remixes, and then Randy gave us a healthy dose of House music with his hour long live mix. That's good medicine for what ails ya...get your prescription to dance filled here:

Wheels of Steel 10-15-08

Demonstrating for an hour why he's one of the top House DJs in NWA, Randy laid down this awesome mix live on the KXUA airwaves. Download it here:

Randy Soeung Live Mix 10-15-08

No guest DJ this coming week, but tune in to catch my feature show on four bands from the burgeoning Australian electronic music scene. That's Wednesday, October 22nd, 8 to 10pm only on KXUA 88.3FM.

WHEELS of STEEL - Pitchblack

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

DJ Pitchblack was on the show this past Wednesday. He gave us the inside story of drum 'n' bass, its origins in Europe, and a look at the underground scene in Northwest Arkansas. His live mix of heavy drum 'n' bass is sure to knock you outta your seat. Download the entire show here:

Wheels of Steel 10-08-08

Pitchblack laid down a good hour and a half mix of heavy drum 'n' bass - all at 180bpm and improvised on the spot. Damn. Check it out here:

Pitchblack Live Mix 10-08-08

On Wednesday the 15th from 8 to 10pm my guest in the studio will be Randy Soeung. He'll be servin' up all the funky, techy, deep House you can sink your teeth into. Bring your appetite to 88.3FM or online at http://www.kxua.com/ !

WHEELS of STEEL - Bizar

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Bizar was on hand this week to talk about how he started aerosault.com, djing clubs in Washington DC (and elsewhere), and where to check out electronic music on the radio and live in Fayetteville. His glitch, IDM, and drum 'n' bass live mix which followed the interview is not to be missed! Download the entire show here:

Wheels of Steel 10-01-08

Wheels of Steel shifted gears this week. Bizar's live mix of glitch, IDM, and drum 'n' bass is sure to engage and intrigue your eardrums...a little Squarepusher, anyone? Download it here:

Bizar Live Mix 10-01-08

This coming Wednesday it's all about the drum 'n' bass when DJ Pitchblack joins DJ EJ in the KXUA studio. Once again, that's Wednesday night from 8pm to 10pm only on KXUA.

WHEELS of STEEL - Barker

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

What does this drawing have to do with live dance music? Nothing, except by way of analogy...but I really like it, so there. Barker joined DJ EJ in the studio for the usual witty repartee, as well as a brief look into what it takes to bring big name DJs like Craze, Treasure Fingers, and Tittsworth to Fayetteville. Then it was time for Barker's live mix...and it was the grimiest, juiciest electro house mix we've had yet on Wheels of Steel. Mmmmmm...mixin' so thick you can mop it up with a biscuit! Download it here:

Wheels of Steel 9-24-08

No gabbin' or blah, blah, blah...just Barker's kick ass live mix. Why do I keep giving you free music? Hell if I know, so download this quick like befores I changes my mind:

Barker Live Mix 9-24-08

Next Wednesday, October 1st, from 8pm to 10pm, Bizar will be our guest DJ. Plenty of music, to be sure, and we'll find out how graffitti played a major role in the early years of Aerosault.com. Listen live at 88.3FM or online at http://www.kxua.com .

WHEELS of STEEL - Tanner Beam

(Artwork by Joëlle Storet)

Tanner Beam, and his self-deprecatingly modest style, joined DJ EJ in the studio for a discussion about his alter egos (Wet Tambourine & Fashionista), original mixes, and dance-friendly Halloween costumes. Then there's his live mix...download it all here:

Wheels of Steel 9-17-08

It's ready to plug straight into your headphones - no talking...no DJ EJ coughing...just Tanner Beam's awesome live mix. Have you stretched out? 'Cuz it's time to get on down! Download it here:

Tanner Beam Live Mix 9-17-08

Next Wednesday, September 24th, from 8pm to 10pm, Matt Barker from the Aerosault DJs will join me in the studio. You'll hear his latest pre-recorded tracks and a booty shakin' live mix too. Listen at 88.3FM or online at http://www.kxua.com/.