So the music at Tuesday's Oscillate was great. Jeff Milligan's set was wonderful to listen to, and those boys from Innerflight completely brought it, playing the best Seattlest has ever seen them play. But Seattlest is going to have to break it down a bit here: Jeff Milligan is a dick. There were apparently some monitor issues and some other minor technical issues, but from the crowd's perspective everything was ok, since it sounded great once he got in a bit of a groove. But rather than just making lemonade out of these lemons, Milligan was visibly frustrated, flicking off the equipment, roughly handling his records, and berating the night's promoters. It was all very primadonna-esque and completely unnecessary. Seattlest has been soured on Jeff Milligan, so we're fine if he goes back to Canada and never returns to our fair city. Any promoters that happen across this post would do well to steer clear of him as well.
Unlike Jeff Milligan, Jazzanova is actually large enough in stature to actually warrant some diva moments, but they're nice enough that those aren't an issue. They were just here a few months ago, but they like us (and Seattle likes them) so much that they're coming back for tonight's edition of F.O.B. What's different this time around other than it being a weeknight? This time Jazzanova's represented by not one, but two of the six members. Not sure if that means four turntables or alternating DJs, but Jazzanova is always quality material, so tonight should be quality times two. And they're nice guys as well. Jeff Milligan could learn a thing or two.
Jazzanova
Thursday, April 27
Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St.
$10 (Tix), 21+
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Obviously Seattlest was looking for a DJ of the "human jukebox" variety and has no appreciation of how Milligan has pushed the boundarie of the DJ craft outside of the turntablist world, and how the technical rider, which is clearly outlined in his contract, is necessary to his precise art. Jeff doen't simply play records for the sake of the groove - he is a live remix artist.
Research some of the video of performances where the promoters bothered to fulfill his rider and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Joe Strummer of The Clash once said that the true artistry of modern electric music was man's relationship with technology - and what makes talent interesting to watch isn't so much when they're on - but when they struggle. Taken in this context, Milligan's performances are fascinating to watch even when his set-up is shit - although not nearly as satisfying as when his rider has been properly fulfilled. This of course goes over the heads of the "It's all good" west-coasters who are merely looking to get their groove on, which is clearly evident in the original post here.
If other promoters follow the advice of Seattlest here, it's Seattle's loss, not Milligans.
Dave,
Appreciation of Jeff Milligan's set was soured by Jeff Milligan's own actions, so it has nothing to do with my lack of appreciation for the DJ form, and everything with Milligan having a strong lack of professionalism that night. I've heard Milligan was embarassed at his behavior that night, so don't go telling me that I'm being too harsh. I know what Milligan's capable of (there were glimmers of greatness even that night), but Jeff Milligan's worst enemy on the night of his set at Oscillate was himself, not me. I'm totally down to see him again (and even found him to be a nice guy as I talked to him briefly at the end of the night), but I completely stand by what I wrote.