Just for a moment, let's transcend back to Ancient Greece. Psyche was a sad and lonely girl unaware that she had such an exuberant beauty. She could never quite fall in love with someone, and for some reason men would just admire her from afar and then go on to marry someone else. Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, became intolerably jealous - out of spite she sent her son Cupid (otherwise known as Eros) to make Psyche fall in love with the most repulsive creature he can find on earth. Cupid agrees and obeys, but upon seeing Psyche he falls for her as well. He does not follow through and dares not tell Aphrodite that he did not listen. After receiving a prophecy from an Oracle, Psyche was stranded on a mountain where a monster was to take her as it's wife. Suddenly, she was in a dark castle where she fell in love with her arranged husband, but she was not allowed to look at him and if she did they would no longer be able to be together. She trusts him for a while, but of course she doubts and looks to see that it is not a horrifying monster but beautiful Cupid. Unable to be together anymore, he left Psyche. She longed to prove her love, so she approached Aphrodite, begging her help find her son. The nature of a Goddess is hardly forgiving, so she gives her three nearly impossible tasks just to torture Psyche. With each obstacle Psyche wants to give up and just before committing suicide, somehow something/someone saves her and helps to complete each challenge. Cupid was moved by her determination of love, and together they lived on for eternity.
This, my friends, is the true story of Valentine's Day. Does it bring you hope? I should imagine it would, because this allegory is pretty spot on with how love actually is: searching, trust, hope, downtrodden, dedication, the Prevail. There are the hopeless romantics and the hopeful romantics and for all Love brings sanity, insanity, comfort and struggle. Love is the muse for many of the most beautiful works of music. So this post today is a homage to all of that. A toast to love and all that it brings! Here, here to the DJs who know what's up.
LUVSTEP IV: A New Hope
Each Valentine's Day, Dirty South Joe and Flufftronix put out their collaborative mix entitled
Luvstep. It's a mix that emanates poetry. It's a mix that stirs up powerful memories and emotions, and I now almost see it as a check point for my year. Luvstep reminds me of falling in love and the heartbreak that follows. When I hear the rain of the intro of Luvstep II, I flash back to such an intense moment I get chills. DSJ and Flufftronix came to Buffalo and it felt like my ex and I were the only ones they were playing to; afterwards we shook their hands in the Green Room of Soundlab and told them
how much we love their mix, if you catch my drift. My jaw dropped when I was reading a DSJ interview in the
Philadelphia Weekly and saw he mentioned us in the last question. Luvstep III brings back memories of when I was alone and bitter, which is why I find Luvstep IV's title
A New Hope to be wildly appropriate.
Valensines Mix 2013
Known for his slowed and throwed vibe, he drizzles purple syrup into a heart shaped puddle with this mixtape. Symphonic and sultry as a woman whispers "Sines" through your sound system. It's a slow grind for the hip-hop lovers. It's on the darker side of sexy, but maybe you're into that. The description of his mix reads:
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too
long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for
those who love, time is eternity.
-H.V.D
<3 4EVER BB MIX <3
This mix is gorgeous, sexy and I daresay perfect. The flow and track selection is spot on and graceful; it's one of those mixes you'll find yourself scouring the internet trying to find the song you just heard. Not to mention I recognized The-Dream the minute I heard his voice on this mix which makes it that much more complete. The sensual essence of Buzz Trillington's mix may make your heart flutter. It's up only for today, so take a listen and download if you like. Also, check out his recently released tune
"Lyfe" - it is effervescent. Do you feel it?
Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
