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Getting into the Relm

Multi-media show from DJ Mike Relm sets up Ill Out Mondays

Who: Mike Realm

When: Monday, Dec. 26

Where: Garfinkel’s

After his Brazil tour, DJ Mike Relm is back by demand Monday, Dec. 26 at Garfinkel’s with an entirely new show, which includes a few South American tracks.

"I grabbed a couple of CDs from some DJs here and they got this style of mixing Brazilian ’80s rock with Miami bass," Relm said before wrapping up his South American tour and heading north back to Canada.

"I’m pulling out some new (films and music) for Whistler, the people there were awesome last time. I never go out after shows, but I skipped sleep in Whistler to check out the full moon party."

The scratch DJ plays out high-energy dance floors with two turntables, a DVJ skratcher and three projector screens for a multi-sensory mash.

Strong visuals have always played a key role in Relm’s sets. He has also ventured into filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera.

He wrote and directed Skratchcon 2000, the world’s first educational gathering for scratch music in San Francisco. His scratching talents were featured in Doug Pray’s documentary Scratch on Palm Pictures. His latest adventure is co-directing and scoring a feature documentary exploring the relationship between hip-hop and chess called 64 Squares in the Cypher.

"Sure, a lot of artists make references to chess like ‘Checkmate’ or ‘You’re a pawn,’ but it goes a lot deeper than that," he said. "Some people’s entire career is based on how they play the game of chess. It’s a very revealing game, as hip hop is a revealing art."

Hip-hop wasn’t Relm’s first exposure to music. At seven years old, he sat in front of a piano to play Fur Elise for his first public performance. Trumpet and singing lessons followed, exposing Relm to classical music fundamentals.

"It really taught me early on how to dissect music technically and emotionally," he said. "There’s a difference between a really energetic riff and a riff that is trying to sound like an energetic riff. You can’t fake it, that’s why so many classic live recordings are so important."

Relm is now making recordings of his own, including recording hip hop mixes for 360 Video Magazine, The Wizard of Aaahs and a 12-volume album on the Zodyax Scop System, just to name a few. He’s currently wrapping up his latest yet-untitled album.

Live crowds are Relm’s favourite pastime. He performed at Donald Trump’s Apprentice Oscar celebration, Tableturns four-year anniversary at New York’s Limelight, Hollywood Bowl along side Blackalicious, Meshell Ndegeocello, Money Mark and the Yerba Buena All Stars and opened for Xhibit, Black Eyed Peas and Craze. Touring across the world with other notable turntablists, including The Gift of the Gab and D-Sharp, Relm has plenty of memorable experiences filed away. However scratching a Mac Dre song was a career highlight.

"It was surreal because this was after he was killed," Relm said. "The guy is a legend in the Bay Area and I grew up listening to and mixing his records. So there I was listening to his voice just laying down scratches, kinda talking to him in my head saying ‘if you don’t approve, give me a sign.’ Nothing happened, so I guess he liked it."

With fans in the heavenly and earthly Relm, this guest appearance at Frontline Entertainment’s Ill Out Mondays promises an out-of-this world show.