# Flow
# Written by Tom Spiteri
# From: http://tomspit.com
I lay in my bed and think all night,
My legs fall asleep but my mind takes flight,
It gives me time to process my day,
Time to remember if there was a better way.
I learn and strive to become a better guy,
My personality isn’t top but at least I still try,
It seems I can’t be perfect and liked by all I know,
Time can’t be planned, it is one continuous flow.
Just wanted to update everyone (and keep this for the record) on the progress of the record label’s (Incognito Records) portfolio. I’ll set everything out simply below so you can see how far progress is and a comment on what needs to be done;
When we’re done, I need to edit the portfolio to create a “hard copy” to send off to the distribution company.
It seems that the summer holidays have blessed a good and also somewhat lucky mood upon me. First off, I have been lucky as I won two Caspa (Underage Festival) tickets. Next, me and Sam were allowed to play in an over 18 night at Clwb Ifor Bach (or the Welsh club to most) – don’t forget we’re still 16, the people we were DJing for were older than us! Thirdly, so far over summer I have been to so many amazing events and have met some awesome people that I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for everything. Finally and the thing I can’t get my head around properly is that summer hasn’t even properly started. What I mean is that we (year 11) have been of school for a few weeks already as all of our exams have finished. Meanwhile some (not all) University students are still working and this applies for everyone else in school. When everyone is finally off and out (and summer begins) I think the holidays can only get better, and at the moment they have already been pretty awesome.
In other news. My Alliance and Leicester debit account has now been fully set-up and my card is with me (with £50 on it! – thanks Mum). I also managed to get a sneaky deal. When I signed up to the account, the company said we could claim £45 cash back (this takes 3 months). My mum said that if and when the cash comes though the post (if, big if), then I can get to keep this £45. Nice! Got a pretty big shopping list that is getting ever bigger. Rusko’s album, Skream’s album, DMZ’s album and a bunch of other (mostly rare and expensive) 12″‘s to buy. Dear me!
Finally, tomorrow (Monday), I have a BBQ over Alice’s (Happy Birthday – not that you read my blog). On Tuesday we are going to town and spending loads (making the Catapult crew very happy) and then the rest of the week’s plans should roll out during those two days. Over the summer, I’m hoping to try and get more sets at events, clubs and wherever really. I think that Clwb will be chucking sets our way (I hope so at least) and we are available for most of summer (except for the last two weeks and also the 1st of August – Underage Festival).
Long time no update as usual. I should really be more active on this blog but I personally think that all is going well, usually I would delete my whole blog for no reason at all after a few weeks of decent comment, so I think that 9 months of content is pretty damn impressive for me. Roll on the 12 month mark!
This poem contains a swear word, I have used it as I feel it is the proper word to describe the action. If you really dislike swearing then don’t read this poem.
# Another Side
# Written by Tom Spiteri
# From: http://tomspit.com
I think about others and the actions they make,
I ponder many consequences of the chances they take,
I worry for their well-being especially for the futures sake,
I do this day and night, I rarely take a break.
I watch in the distance as daily events unfold,
I know of many stories but most are never told,
I embrace many changes as the news becomes old,
I attempt to remain as trusted with many stories to hold.
They don’t really know me or my current mind set,
They can keep on guessing but never be truly correct.
They may bitch about me or try making me crack,
They might forget the fact that I can bitch right back.
They could be foolish and feel that they’ve won,
They underestimate what I could do or have already done.
I change and adapt my mind, every minute, every day,
I’m smarter than you think and just one more thing to say,
If you treat me well then I’ll do the same to you,
No one really knows me or what I could ever do.
We all know that racism is a bad thing and everyone should hate racists nowadays. Racism is bad, I agree that everyone is made equal and all that jazz but what do you guys think about non-serious racism, low level racist jokes, etc? I’m just asking this to find out what others’ views are on so-called “casual racism” as to be honest, a lot of us do it in our daily lives. We of course don’t mean any harm when we do joke around (usually with friends of a different ethnicity) but we do it for a smile and a few laughs.
Of course I’ll give you an example of what I feel is casual racism;
I’m sick of you all telling me jokes about how no black people have jobs.
Just yesterday I saw four black removal men hard at work over at my neighbour’s house. These black men were working so hard, in fact, they were using the window instead of the door to access rooms quickly, running back and forth to their van to speed up the removal and, most efficient of all, they were doing all this at three in the morning.
Obviously, no harm is meant at all by this mere joke. But it’s still classed as racist. What are your thoughts on this “casual racism”? Do you agree with me on this topic?
A while ago I was planning on doing an article on my top 5 Dubstep tracks but I was then put off it as I couldn’t really choose what my top 5 tracks were! After much thought, I still can’t really be certain on what my top 5 Dubstep tracks truly are, but this article will make you aware of 5 tracks that have the possibility of being in my true top 5 (if you know what I’m saying).
Dubstep is a very diverse genre, I’ll have you know! Every single track is different, they may sound similar on top but the production of tracks and the instruments used are always completely different. Dubstep isn’t a limiting genre either. Sure, Dubstep is usually around 140bpm, but if you take note of “usually”, it doesn’t say “always”. Great Dubstep tunes in my opinion are the ones that have a story behind them, have a good base and aren’t always complicated. I’d actually prefer the older type of minimal Dubstep (like Skream, Benga, Distance etc) and not the crazy industrial sounding “filth” that many listen to nowadays. Let’s get down to business.
My absolute favourite Dubstep track (yes, I am certain on this one) is Jahova by Rusko. First off, the introduction is brilliant. Whenever my ears get a sound of the “Jahova” sample when I’m listening to a Dubstep set, I know that a big tune is coming and I get ready to get my skank on. Jahova is a track that I usually drop when things aren’t looking good during a set (when the crowd is dead) or most likely near the final stages of my set. It’s a track that is sure to get the crowd moving again, each time it is played. It’s been my favourite for around a year or so now, and there are no signs that I am planning on de-throning it.
My #2 on this list was only recently bumped up to this position, it’s a track called Sincere by MJ Cole (remixed by Nero). I had heard the track on many mixes and mainly on Skream & Benga @ FWD’s mix. After recently IDing the track thanks to some contacts, I took a good listen to the full length and full quality track. The introduction is calm, the vocal makes it seem relaxed with a good chilled vibe. The drop is the complete opposite. When the track drops, it’s like an explosion, a catalyst making you want to get up and dance, skank and ask for a re-fix of the track (rewind). I cannot praise the use of the vocal enough, it’s a memorable vocal and the drop is epic.
My third track on this so-called favourite list is Lose Control by Skream. The reasoning behind it? I don’t actually know myself. There’s something about the track that makes me want to put it in every mix I do. It’s a pretty simple track, driven by the bassline and a few interesting bits on top and that’s about it. Not to mention the Star Wars sample used which makes me smile every time I hear it. It’s just an all-around good song with a good beat in the background to time your foot-tapping or air-humping (aka the Dubstep dance) to.
Forthly, this track is a triumph. B4 the Duel by Benga, what a tune! Most will hear the intro and laugh at it, but it’s kind of a story within a tune. Half way through the track, the mood just switches. It takes you on a hectic journey to the darkness of space. Just listen to this track, at 2:50, you can hear the mood suddenly switch. The spacey vibes suddenly fade in and the whole scene changes to as if you are a member of the space station. Benga is truly the master of drums and synths. Just take a listen to his other work, especially the work featured on his album “Diary Of An Afro Warrior”, truly spectacular!
Finally, Sweet Shop by Doctor P is my last track that I have decided to feature on my list. I remember buying this track as clear as day. Me, Sam and Jake were discussing the latest Dubstep releases and we talked about this track in particular. We went to visit Catapult Records and guess what? Sweet Shop was playing! I snapped it up then and there. What a tune. Not only the memories of the track make it enjoyable for me, but also the foolery used within the introduction. You expect some old-school dance track to drop when you hear it but you get quite the opposite. A real dance floor filler, a real Dubstep gem.
Sorry for the poor English used in this here blog post. It’s kind of rushed. Maybe I’ll work on it in the future?
100th blog post, woo!
I need some more content on here (x4),
There’s too many poems, too many many poems,
Too many poems, too many many poems,
Too many poems, too many many poems,
Too many poems, too many many poems!
Seriously, back to business. Yes, this is still my personal blog, not some poem crackhouse – I have picked up on the fact that I have been writing numerous poems (including today), when I’ve been taking breaks from writing up Incognito Records’ portfolio and also in the middle of night when I can’t sleep (don’t go nuts on me, please!) So my blog, what am I supposed to do with my blog again? I haven’t spoken about my life for a while, so I’ll update you on everything at the moment..
Tomorrow is Tuesday I guess, I think I’m going to go on a bike ride with Ben M and a few others (I don’t know who else is coming or whatever). Then on Wednesday I’ve got Howells’ prom (if I’m still invited, that is! It seems that Alice hasn’t been talking to me since Friday, maybe it’s just me). After the prom is the, well, after prom.. I’m going to be supplying the beats for this event (not DJing, well, I am actually when I think about it..) by bringing my iPod speakers and then I’ll show off my Summer mix 2010 (you can download that here by the way!) — I also have a load of radio 1 mixes that I’ve heard before, a few episodes of the Stella Sessions (Skream and Benga), so that should keep us going for a while!
Going to have to sleep through Thursday morning / mid-afternoon ready for Soundscape’s soundcheck which will be at around 4 and then the doors open at 6:30 (I think!). Will be playing b2b with Sam CL for only 10 minutes (what a joke) — I’m counting on the teachers somehow dieing of, umm, sonic molestation? Then we can continue to play because we managed to play for around 1 hour and a half and even that seemed to last no time! Anyways that should be good. Another thing to note is that on the same day is Clwb Ifor Bach (Cynt night’s) open deck session. I have got in contact with them about possibly doing a set on the night (it starts at 10:30) but I highly doubt they will permit us due to being 16 (18 is age restriction on most club nights), damn it!
As for after these two pretty busy days, nothing much else to report. I’m trying to get some free sets over the summer hols to get some practice with a live crowd and just for the experience / to show off but at the moment people are reluctant to ask me / Sam due to our age (16). It’s a joke! Anyways my BBQ should be soon and then I can concentrate on DJing and Incognito stuff. Should be a good summer, but no Jake all summer? Oh well! I got Greece at the end of summer and if I decide to sort out Magnetic Man in october, we will be going to see them in Bristol. That should be good (if I do buy the tickets).
Anyways, thanks for the read. Take it easy!
By the way, I had a complaint about the blog logo so I’ve re-designed it (see?) and now I think it looks gorgeous. Enjoy!
# A Summary Of Myself
# Written by Tom Spiteri
# From: http://tomspit.com
Lost in a sea of feelings,
Stranded in a pool of thoughts,
They linger in my head for days on end,
These obstacles I want no more.
I walk through the town on my own,
I daydream and plan my day,
These plans never seem to work properly,
Most things never go my way.
Yet something still keeps me going,
Perhaps never really knowing the truth,
Unreliable people with many things to doubt,
To believe I require some proof.
Lost in a sea of feelings,
Stranded in a pool of thoughts,
This isn’t depression,
I’m always making progression,
I’m aiming to achieve much more.
# Precious Planet Earth
# Written by Tom Spiteri
# From: http://tomspit.com
Enjoy it while you can because it will all come to an end,
I’m not just talking about schooldays but also family and friends,
We take many things for granted in our short and lonely lives,
Were too greedy for our own good, it’s the definition of mankind.
People protesting get nowhere, it’s action that needs to be made,
People are doing nothing for good, for this they’re getting paid,
The state of the world is unbelievable, there’s now just too much stress,
It’s all one great big competition, the winner controls the rest.
Power is too centralised and corruption is a global truth,
Elders are now evermore afraid of the crazy and violent youth,
Where does this leave planet earth and the beings it caters for?
We take and never seem to give back, all we ever want is more.
Many people are used and abused for our ever growing greed,
To come together and work as one is what we really need,
I’m not some peace fanatic, just a normal 16 year old teen,
Just action needs to be taken is what I really mean.
vSquared Summer mix 2010
Download link: http://tomspit.com/downloads/vSquared Summer Dubstep mix.zip (43MB approximately)
Thanks for downloading the vSquared Summer mix 2010. I have decided that every year I will compile a mix and release it for free. Make sure that you hit me up around the June / July time every year to get your hands on this free mix!
The mixing itself isn’t the best you will ever hear, I’ll admit it, but I feel that the track listing is brilliant, so I hope you will enjoy it in that aspect. I’m still an amatuer DJ and I’m constantly improving. I’m available for free sets at any event, I DJ alongside my co-partner, Samuel Crossley-Lewis, if you want to know more, email me; “me[at]tomspit[dot]com”.
Artist — Track — Label
Chrispy – Roll Out – Dubplate
Flux Pavillion – Normalize – Circus
Bar 9 – Faded – APhreaks
Skream – Minimool – Dubplate
Noah D & No Thing – Unknown Suspect (VIP) – Subway
Kelly Dean & Steady – Teflon – Dubplate
Plastician – Japan – Terrorythm
L-Wiz – Girl From Codeine City – Dub Police
Sub Focus – Coming Closer – RAM
Rusko – Da Cali Anthem – Mad Decent
12th Planet & Juakali – Reasons (Doctor P remix) – Dubplate
Benga – Stop Watching – DSoundboy
Benny Page – Step Out – DSoundboy
Datsik – Retreat – Rottun
Doctor P – Gargoyle – Circus
Shackles – Sound Of My Dreams* – Incognito
^ Dubplate indicates track is a free release / unknown label.
* Forthcoming track on Incognito Records.
Big up to the whole Cardiff crew including Catapult, Aperture, Neuropol. A special thanks to all the Dubstep artists, keep up your great work for the genre! If you like the tracks featured in this mix, please buy them! Finally, my email address is “me[at]tomspit[dot]com”. Take it easy.
Once again, if you’ve read all of this and haven’t found the download link; http://tomspit.com/downloads/vSquared Summer Dubstep mix.zip (43MB approximately)
Welcome to my blog. It's the place to be for posts about Dubstep, my life and also my (not so) romantic song-writing.