your friendly neighborhood selector

First OPM Sundays of 2021 /  by Les Talusan

Tomorrow//SUNDAY is the first OPM Sundays of 2021! @joelquiz and I will be playing back to back sets of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and covers! Here’s a dope cover of a Hollies song by Yoyoy Villame and The Embees✨⠀
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OPM SUNDAYS RAID TRICYCLE!⠀
January 3, 2021, Sunday⠀
6PM PT / 9PM ET twitch.tv/lestalusan⠀
8PM PT / 11PM ET twitch.tv/joelquizon⠀
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Tell your neighbor/kapitbahay!⠀

Punk Soul Sisters Mix #1 /  by Les Talusan

Here’s a short and sweet mix by my Punk Soul Sisters and I. Enjoy!

Punk Soul Sisters Mix #1 by Sally Go Round, DJ Laura Lopez, & Les The DJ

Sally Go Round
The Supremes “Put Yourself In My Place”
The Chiffons “Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind But Me)”
The Bea's “International Girl”
The Paper Dolls “Someday”

DJ Laura Lopez
Betty Everett “Sweet Dan”
Rhetta Hughes “Doing It With Her”
Ann Sexton “You’re Losing Me”
Jackie Shane “Comin’ Down”

Les The DJ
Alice Clark “Never Did I Stop Loving You”
The Raincoats “Fairytale In The Supermarket”
Mo-dettes “White Mice”
Bush Tetras “Too Many Creeps”

https://www.mixcloud.com/lestalusan/punk-soul-sisters-mix-1/

July Calendar Update /  by Les Talusan

Summer’s finally here and the outdoor pools in DC are open!

I took these photos a couple of months ago when I was invited to talk to elementary school students about my career.

Here’s where you’ll hear me playing tunes this month:

7/11  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel (2-3PM)

7/11 DJ 101 - Girls Rock! DC 2019 Summer Workshop Series: Learn to DJ and Make A Mini Mix! (6-8PM) - Register

7/12  Punk Soul Sisters at Slash Run (10PM-1:30AM)

7/18  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel (2-3PM)

7/19  Taking The Piss “A Night of Good Music” at Marx Café (10PM-2AM)

7/25  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel (2-3PM)

7/25  REMIX Express Yourself(ie) at the National Portrait Gallery (6-8:30PM)

7/26  Keep On Movin' “A 90’s Dance Night” at Ten Tigers (10PM-2AM)

We Love Minnie Part 1 /  by Les Talusan

meesterenriquez and I made a mix with some of our favorite Minako Yoshida songs. We hope you like it!

We Love Minnie Part 1 by Les The DJ and meesterenriquez

“Lovin’ You” [Alfa]
“Asa Wa Kimi Ni” [RCA]
“Monster Stomp” [Alfa]
“Shooting Star Of Love” [RCA]
“Rum Wa Osuki?” [RCA]
“Flames Of Love” [Alfa]
“Rainbow Sea Line” [RCA]
“The Sea” [Alfa]

https://www.mixcloud.com/lestalusan/we-love-minnie-pt-1/

June Calendar Update /  by Les Talusan

Hi, it’s June! Catch me playing tunes this month ✨

6/11  Rent the Runway “Sip & Style” at Sonoma Wine Bar (5-7PM)

6/21  Taking The Piss “A Night of Good Music” at Marx Café (10PM-2AM)

6/22  America Now: Celebration of Music at the National Museum of American History (11AM-1PM) - Tickets

6/22  Community Weekend: Celebrating The Life of Animals in Japanese Art at the National Gallery of Art (5-8PM) - RSVP

6/22  By The People International Arts and Dialogue Festival “Solstice Saturday” at the Smithsonian’s Arts + Industries Building (9-11PM)

6/23  Community Weekend: Celebrating The Life of Animals in Japanese Art at the National Gallery of Art (11AM-5PM) - RSVP

6/30  Workshop: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Presents Likha: A Learning Together Workshop on Creative Process w/ Ruby Ibarra for youth ages 14-19 (12-3PM) - Register

6/30 The DC Record Fair Summer 2019 Edition at Eaton DC (4-5PM)


See you soon!


May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month /  by Les Talusan

Illustration: Katrin Davis

Illustration: Katrin Davis

Happy AAPIHM!

We are celebrating by creating new traditions and building community through art with our 3rd Annual SAMASAMA Art Show and Gathering! Join us tonight at Shopkeepers for the opening reception. I will also be curating an all-vinyl set of music by Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islander artists ✨

When I’m not DJing weddings or taking photos, here’s where I’ll be playing tunes:

5/1  SAMASAMA Opening Reception at Shopkeepers

5/2  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

5/2 The KGB at Compass Spring Party for Friends and Clients at Gaslight Tavern

5/3  Petworth First Fridays at Petworth Fitness

5/9  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

5/14 Power Your Day with Rent the Runway at Compass Coffee McPherson Square (8-11AM)

5/15 Power Your Day with Rent the Runway at Compass Coffee Chinatown (8-11AM)

5/16 Power Your Day with Rent the Runway at Compass Coffee Farragut (8-11AM)

5/16  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

5/17 Power Your Day with Rent the Runway at Compass Coffee Georgetown (3-6PM)

5/17  Taking The Piss w/ The Kaiser at Marx Café

5/18 Power Your Day with Rent the Runway at Compass Coffee Spring Valley (8-11AM)

5/19  SAMASAMA Family Day at Shopkeepers

5/23  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

5/24  All Night at Allegory

5/25  SAMASAMA Closing Reception at Shopkeepers

5/26  Movie/Brunch: Better Luck Tomorrow at Slash Run

5/28 Presentation: Harmony Hills Elementary School Career Day

5/30  Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

5/30 Midnight Driver at Black Cat

5/31  Punk Soul Sisters w/ Sally Go Round at Showtime Bar

SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering Schedule of Events /  by Les Talusan

* Flyer image painted by Henley Bounkhong

* Flyer image painted by Henley Bounkhong

Foreign National and Batang Kankaloo present the 3rd Annual SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering. Founded in 2016 to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, this exhibition will present original work by artists of color from diaspora communities.

The term SAMASAMA means all together in Tagalog. The theme of the exhibit is Bayanihan, a Filipino custom derived from the Tagalog word bayan, meaning community. It refers to the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal.

AAPI communities are rich in tradition and heritage, but tread quietly in the modern-day conversation of nuanced diversity. America's relationships and identities are more complex today than ever, uncovering layers of untold and underrepresented narratives. These differences are encouraged, celebrated, and is the foundation of supporting, and understanding one another's cross-cultural connections.

This year, SAMASAMA will continue its tradition of donating a portion of proceeds for all art sold to local organization Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). In support for the tireless work that they do for our youth. Please tag and follow us on IG @samasamaart and use the hashtag #SAMASAMAART2019 to view our activities throughout the month and share our artists’ powerful work!

OFFICIAL 2019 ARTIST LIST

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Donations will be accepted at the door (suggested $5-20 donation), 15% of art sales will be donated to Asian American LEAD (AALEAD), a non-profit that supports low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth. All events will be held at Shopkeepers except for the movie showing on May 26th, which will be at Slash Run.

May 1 | OPENING RECEPTION | 6:00-9:00PM | RSVP
To kick off the month-long celebration, please join us for an evening of art and atmosphere. Featuring food by Maketto and Aiya, Kicheko Goods and SAMASAMA artists’ pop-up shop, live painting by Cita Sadeli CHELOVE and Maria Miller, live screen printing by Soul & Ink and Les The DJ, curating an all-vinyl set of Asian and AAPI music.

May 18 | KUNG FU 101 | 11:00AM-12:00PM | RSVP
Kung Fu, or sometimes referred to as Wushu, is a system of self-defense that is based on developing and improving the mind and body to efficiently function as one. Wong People has been in Washington, DC's Chinatown since 1971 and will be leading a free Kung-Fu 101 session. Open to all ages.

May 19 | STENCIL, CALLIGRAPHY, BOOKMAKING + POP-UP LIBRARY | 2:00-5:30PM | RSVP
Join our family-friendly event at Shopkeepers for a series of fun workshops where kids can make books, learn stenciling, Chinese calligraphy, and brush painting! Miss Chelove will be live printing (with prints and other items available for purchase). The pop-up art market will be open. Check the times below for each activity. Enjoy all-vinyl set by Les The DJ, in the cafe space. Food and beverage by Maketto will be available for purchase.

2:00-5:00PM | Make Books/Read Books with DCPL
Drop by anytime between 2-5:00PM at the DC Public Library table to make your own mini field journal, customized with imagery from DCPL's local history and punk archive collections. DCPL will also bring a pop-up library of books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, so bring your library card!

2:00-3:30PM | Stencil/Poster Workshop by Shani Shih
Join Shani Shih for a workshop on expressing identity, values, and vision through stencil art on a poster format. Participants will learn how to create stencils of various levels of complexity, and ultimately create a unique 11x17 poster with a combination of painting, typography, and image and pattern stencils. Stencils will be applied with spray paint outdoors.

4:00-5:30PM | Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting with Michelle Chen
Join us for an introduction to Chinese calligraphy workshop, open to all ages. Students will use traditional brushes and ink to write Chinese characters, and will have the opportunity to try different styles, such as standard, seal, and running script. We will also discuss some of the history and cultural significance of calligraphy. Rice paper, ink, and brushes will be provided.

May 25 | CLOSING RECEPTION | 4:00-7:00PM | RSVP
Please join us for our closing reception with The Color Curtain Project book release, live activations by Miss Chelove, Shani Shih and Michelle Chen, a pop-up art market and powerful performances, including a traditional Cambodian dance demo by Sadira and a contemporary Filipino folk dance by Jamie Garcia. It will be an evening full of delicious food provided by Maketto and Citizen Cook. Citizen Cook realizes Wilma Consul’s vision of making food that creates awareness about wellness, sustainability, and diversity. The chef will offer Filipino merienda (mid-afternoon snacks), adding rice plates at 5:00PM. The dishes can be enjoyed to the all-vinyl set of Asian and AAPI music curated by Les The DJ.

May 26 | BRUNCH MOVIE: BETTER LUCK TOMORROW AT SLASH RUN | 11:00AM-3:00PM | RSVP
Celebrate the end of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with us at Slash Run, a local burger joint, with a movie and brunch presented by Batang Kankaloo & Parle-G Baby! We'll watch Justin Lin's “Better Luck Tomorrow”, enjoy Slash Run's tasty brunch menu, and listen to all-vinyl jams by Les The DJ, before and after the movie.

For all the events, donations will be accepted at the door (suggested $5-20 donation), 15% of art sales will be donated to Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). Pay what you can, no one turned away.

We could not have produced this show without the pure passion, hard work, and dedication of our artists, AAPI community, and supportive allies. We hope you can check out any of our events to view their talent and craft. There's something for everyone. RSVP at bit.ly/2019samasama.

It's April 1st /  by Les Talusan

It’s the first day of April and the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom so I walked around the Tidal Basin today and took these photos.

When I’m not DJing weddings this month, here’s where I’ll be playing tunes:

4/4 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

4/11 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

4/11 Evenings at The Edge at the National Gallery of Art East Building - Free with RSVP

4/18 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

4/19 Taking The Piss w/ The Kaiser @ Marx Café

4/20 Hong Kong Garden - A New Wave Danceteria w/ Sally Go Round at Slash Run

4/23 ScienceLogic Reception

4/24 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

Hear Me in March /  by Les Talusan

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Hello, it’s March! Catch me playing tunes this month:

3/7 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

3/9 Punk Soul Sisters at Allegory

3/11 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference

3/12 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference

3/14 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

3/21 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

3/22 Taking The Piss w/ The Kaiser at Marx Café

3/23 Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Cherry Blossom Family Celebration at Kogod Courtyard

3/28 Bahala Na Radio at Eaton Hotel

3/29 Smithsonian at 8’s La Grande Fête, part of the DC Francophonie Festival at La Maison Française - Tickets

3/29 Punk Soul Sisters at Showtime Bar

See you at one or more of these events!

Remember Summer Days /  by Les Talusan

meesterenriquez and I put together an end of summer/monsoon season mixtape for you. We hope you like it!

Remember Summer Days by Les The DJ and meesterenriquez

Ken Tamura “踊りなよ” [CBS/Sony]
Kikuchi Momoko “Good Friend” [Vap]
Mai Yamane “Twilight” [Continental]
Yasuko Agawa “L.A. Night” [Invitation]
Naomi Akimoto “Tricky” [Invitation]
Meiko Nakahara “Juggler” [Eastworld]
Anri “Remember Summer Days” [For Life Records]

We collaborated on this mixtape while I was visiting Manila. More to come!

https://www.mixcloud.com/lestalusan/remember-summer-days/

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DJ Set Playlist for Saint Etienne at Union Stage /  by Les Talusan

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of DJing for Saint Etienne for their 'Good Humor’ 20th anniversary show in DC, and what a fantastic night it was! So happy to hear them play all the songs in ‘Good Humor’ plus a bunch of my favorite songs. 

I’ve gotten several requests for my playlist for the evening so here it is, along with a handful of photos.

Thanks again for having me, Saint Etienne! It was truly a night to remember.

Saint Etienne ‘Good Humor’ 20th Anniversary Tour
Union Stage, Washington, DC
Les The DJ (all-vinyl)

First Set
Bernthøler “My Suitor” [Blanco Y Negro]
Young Marble Giants “Searching For Mr. Right” [Rough Trade]
Orange Juice “Falling and Laughing” [Polydor]
Ubangi “Just a Little Bit Shy” [Sound Of Scandinavia]
Friday Club “Window Shopping (Extended Version)” [Two-Tone Records]
Dislocation Dance “When” [Slip Discs]
The Go-Betweens “Streets of Your Town” [Beggars Banquet]
Prefab Sprout “Cars and Girls” [Kitchenware Records]
Harrison “(There Is) No Refrain” [Skipping Rope Records]
Stereolab “Ping Pong” [Duophonic Ultra High Frequency Disks]
The Lines “Nerve Pylon” [Red Records]
The Wake “Crush The Flowers” [Sarah Records]
Dolly Mixture “Baby It’s You” [For Us Records]
The Cliffmores “He’s Not There” [His Master’s Voice]
Helen Gamboa “Uptight” [Jonal Records]
Shirley Ellis “Soul Time” [Columbia]
Doris “Don’t” [Zonophone]
張小英 and The Stylers “幸福要自己找” [Tong Aik Records]
Adnan Othman & The Rythmn Boys “Budi Bahasa” [Sublime Frequencies]
VST and Company “Ayos Ba” [Sunshine]
Şenay “Honki Ponki” [Türküola]
Hajji “Ako Pa Rin” [Jem]
Kiki Gyan “24 Hours in a Disco” [Soundway]
Steve Watson “Born to Boogie” [S.P.Q.R.]
Freeez “Southern Freeze (Dance Mix)” [EMI]
Field Mice “Let’s Kiss and Make Up” [Sarah Records]
Mariya Takeuchi “Plastic Love” [Moon Records]
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band “Sunshower” [RCA Victor]

Second Set (after ‘Good Humor’ and before the hits!)
Muriel Dacq “Tropique” [Carrere]
Contessa “Super Star” [Favorite Recordings]
Golden “Wishful Thinking” [Icerink]
Cola Boy “7 Ways To Love” [Arista]
PLUSTWO “Melody” [Mothball Record]

Closing Set
Dionne Warwick - Walk On By [Specter Records]
Saint Etienne - Lover Plays The Bass [Kung Fu Fighting Recording]

Here is Saint Etienne’s set lists for the evening:

After giving me a shoutout on stage during the last song (He’s On The Phone), Sarah Cracknell gave me her boa!