I've finally stepped up and bought a decent PC for the studio. My 1997 era Pentium died after returning from a trip to Vancouver in October. I won't go on about the specs, because I'm sure I'll be wearing a watch with more computing power in a few years.

I've used PC based software on some of my previous tracks, but in a limited capacity. I'm really looking forward to checking out all these plug ins I've accumulated over the years, but was never able to use on the old computer. The dream of having everything available in one place on one piece of gear is finally a reality!

Putting aside the virtual software vs. hardware debate, I've come across a bigger issue with this new PC sitting alongside my gear in the studio. Distractions...

Some of my friends don't even have a phone in their studio, and it's been a constant battle trying not the check my e-mail and surf with the old studio computer. This new PC takes things to a different level. Now I have to contend with not watching DVD's, or editing videos on the desktop. What? Wanna pause the live TV /college radio feed? No problem! Oh, it acts as a TIVO like video recorder too.

I wonder if I'll ever get down to making music with this thing.

Just got mailed a copy of a new mix CD entitled " A Cup of Coffee" from Toronto's DJ Shagz featuring my track "Premium Circles". It's out under the Space Ace moniker. Nice mix, focusing on more downtempo, jazzy beats and breaks. Lots of other great tracks by Nico, Cinematic Orchestra and others. A very European and sunny sounding mix.

Check it out at : http://www.djshagz.com

What separates a good DJ set from the rest is the ability to not just blend records well, but to actually build on them. Repitching, delaying, phasing, filtering as well as scratching on tracks adds so much to the flow of a good set. Some producers feel precious about their work and don't want it altered, but I personally like to see what others can do with my tracks. Cheers to Shagz on a great set!

Almost ready to launch this website and blog thing...

I was having a discussion with a friend about band names, and the fact I used the word 'fake' in my bio on the travino website to describe my musical handle. I thought it was appropriate, as I feel that all band names are phony in some way.

We've all heard some of the goofy band names people have come up with over the years, but it got me thinking, who came up with the first band name?

A quick check through some old vinyl from the 1930-1940s confirms that virtually all the recording artists I could find used the name of the band leader. Your Benny Goodmans, Duke Ellingtons and Count Basies... How did Bill Haley end up playing with a band called The Comets?

Gone were the huge orchestras of the swing era, replaced by smaller groups at the dawn of rock and roll in the 1950s. And yet with fewer band members, along came the band names: The Orioles, The Chordettes, The Five Royales. Why the need for a made up collective name all of a sudden? What changed?