#capozzi

rint o scur e ce vasaim senza e ce fermà...

This is a 60-minute audio recording of Capozzi EDC 2023 Cosmic Meadow live set recorded on May 21, 2023, at Electric Daisy Carnival located at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The set began at 8:30 PM.

Rave Tapes · CAPOZZI EDC 2023 Cosmic Meadow Live Set

I've already commented extensively on Capozzi's set at the Allegiant Rave Hanger, which started 30 minutes after this set ended.

This set, was the big set. Cosmic Meadow is several times bigger than StereoBloom, the more intimate stage she played last year. An 8:30 pm Sunday set seemed ideal. I knew the early timeslot would mean Cosmic Meadow would be full but not packed. One can move and dance without feeling squished. And the grassy meadow makes dancing more pleasurable.

The set itself...I can't comment on it yet. I have to listen a few times.

It's really one of the reasons I record. In the moment, a lot of things can happen that interrupt one's concentration on the music. Gosh, where do I start?

First off, earplugs. Wise ravers protect their ears. I've lucked out. Despite listening for years to loud sound systems, I luckily escaped tinnitus and other hearing problems. But at a certain point in my middle age, I didn't want to push my luck any farther.

I finally found a set of earplugs that stay snug and cut just the right amount of volume. The fidelity is decent. But the fidelity is only decent. Here I am standing in front of a world class system and I'm hearing a muffled version of it. Having a recording to listen to after the fact allows me to enjoy the clarity I had to miss for my own protection.

Then, there are the internal, bodily struggles. EDC is an endurance test. If one isn't prepared - physically and mentally - one will inevitably end up sitting in a chill zone for hours, missing sets, leaving early, or missing the next day entirely. One struggles with thirst, needing to go to the bathroom, sleep deprivation, dehydration, extreme heat, sore muscles, aching feet, and so on. All these issues compounded by the pounding bass and intense lightshow can leave one dumbfounded. Just standing/swaying and keeping composure becomes a challenge. Is a person in that state really listening to the music? I know I float in and out of awareness when I'm in such a daze.

And then there's just the drama that goes hand-in-hand with festivals with 100+k attendees. One is bound to run into folks who aren't up to speed on the PLUR perspective. Some suffer from main character syndrome and don't realize how their behaviors impact those around them. Usually issues resolves themselves. Sometimes security or medical has to be called in. It sucks, but it's a fact of festival life.

Not to mention the drugs and alcohol that might be at play.

So, to be fully aware, fully present, and able to listen carefully to what the dj is doing...is not always possible.

Truth be told, I was a little distracted during part of Capozzi's set (another person was being unthoughtful). Nothing major, and it did get resolved quickly. And the incident was minimized by an outpouring of support and understanding by the surrounding crowd. But I felt I had missed part of a set I had greatly anticipated.

I take comfort knowing I got the bits. I got the signal. Now I can take my time. Now I can drink in the set at my own pace, and appreciate it the way it deserves be appreciated. No earplugs. No idiots causing trouble. Just me and a set of speakers (or earphones) with nothing in between.

I'm going to listen a few more times and decide if I want to write some commentary about it. Listening to it now in full, I can hear there are several tracks that overlap with her later set at Allegiant Rave Hanger. But there are several different tracks, too. So it's def not the same set. Like the rave hanger set, it sounds like she goes a little hard in the second half. And a little dark. This should be good!

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This is a 68-minute audio recording of Capozzi live set 12-3-2022 in Downtown LA. The event took place at 1720 E. 16th Street in Los Angeles. The set started at 11:15 pm.

Rave Tapes · CAPOZZI Live Set December 2022 Downtown LA

YES!! I got it! I got a recording of Jordan Capozzi playing an intimate warehouse in my hometown of Los Angeles! 1720 is a smallish concert venue situated on a dark, grimy corner in LA's warehouse district. It was what I imagined to be an ideal venue to see Capozzi. The atmosphere outside was ominous but thrilling, just like Capozi's music.

I wasn't sure how the recording would come out. My recent recordings from Exchange LA – one of the city's premier EDM venues – sound rough. The acoustics in that room are boom-y, and the sound system is hit or miss. Sometimes it's tuned nicely, sometimes it sounds off. Same with the Hollywood Palladium. Bigger names play that spot, but the sound system always seems underpowered. Recordings from those two venues are often barely passable.

The sound at 1720, on the other hand, was good! Loud but clean with plenty of low end. It's not a massive venue, so getting to the sweet spot between the hanging speakers wasn't a problem. The result is a recording that's too good not to share.

The crowd was lively af. Recurring screams, hoots, and whoop-whoop disco calls expressed the crowd's overflowing excitement.

The show itself was blissful. It proved that Capozzi's set at EDC LV 2022 was not a fluke. This girl has serious talent. While her mixing skills are solid (more on this later), she really shines in selecting tracks.

There are several factors that define a good dj. The main criteria include technical skill, mastery of the gear, knowledge of the music, and ability to read a crowd. In reality, those elements aren't too hard to learn. Modern dj gear can automatically match beats. Countless YouTube videos teach novices how to transition from one track to another. But the one skill that can't be taught – is selection, knowing which tracks to play, in which order.

The bass house field is crowded with players. Some have been around for years and have significant followings. I've listened to quite a few. Many are good, very good. Capozzi belongs in the top echelon of bass house deejays. I say this because Capozzi's track selections are extraordinary.

The main criterion for my fandom is whether a dj's selections move me. Do the songs evoke some kind of emotional response, or not? Is there something in the track that is sonically interesting? It could be a compelling melody, a creative use of effects, a hypnotic pattern of chords, inspired lyrics and vocals, etc.

I have an easy litmus test. If I find myself saying numerous times during a set "holy crap I can't believe what I am hearing; this is one of the coolest things I have ever heard!" then I know it's a good set and I like the dj. Pretty simple. However, lots of sets by big dj's are mixed – they have good parts as well as parts that drag on a bit, or just don't feel inspired. They don't move me.

For some reason, Capozzi's selections push all my buttons. Yes, the tracks have that medium tempo and shuffle groove I love. But more importantly, there's soul in the selections. There's heart, there's funk, there's something unique that makes each track memorable. There are also no "filler" tracks in Capozzi sets. Each track she plays brings something juicy to the table.

And I should note here that this music is straight up bass house – the sub-genre to which I've recently become addicted.

For me, bass house represents a perfect culmination of EDM's best musical elements. It has a moderate tempo, clocking in around 126 beats per minute. Not too fast, not too slow. The rhythms are often syncopated with "swing" or "shuffle" patterns – giving them an upbeat and danceable groove. The synth-heavy instrumentation is reminiscent of techno. Rarely will congas, pianos, or rhythm guitars be heard – the sounds of traditional house music. Bass house composition is minimalist yet compelling. Naturally, rumbling sub-bass is ever-present. Good bass house tracks can be incredibly intoxicating.

Good bass house tracks. That's the key. Not all dj's are as skilled at picking good bass house tracks. And that's exactly where Capozzi excels.

Capozzi plays a track with the lyric: "rate...my...selection!"

Sure. I'll rate your selection. This one was 10/10, again!

Purists will appreciate how Capozzi matches beats manually, by ear, the old-fashioned way. I know this because I can hear it in the mixes.

Personally, I am ambivalent about sync. I see nothing wrong with using technology to make the dj's job easier. But some old-timers insist beat matching must be done manually to be considered a "real dj".

Right or wrong, those traditionalists would be satisfied with Capozzi's methods. Not every mix is perfect, but to old school heads, that's perfectly ok. The issue isn't getting out of sync. That happens to everyone who beat-matches manually. The issue is how a dj handles it, how the dj gets back into sync. Capozzi mixes like a long-time veteran – she manipulates the tempo faders and nudges the jog wheels to align the beats, or accelerates the transition into the new track. Standard dj procedure, really. No big deal. However, I chuckle to myself because I'm amused (and amazed) that Capozzi chooses to mix the traditional way. It's a sign of chutzpah and tenacity. I love it.

But damn, this set was so fun, so satisfying. I had perma-grin from start to finish. Several times I pinched myself as I realized how amazing it felt to be at a Capozzi show, live and in person.

I haven't felt this much enthusiasm for an artist for a long time. It reminds me of the fanaticism of Grateful Dead followers, some of the most diehard fans. Like them, I hung on to every note, curious to know which song was coming next. Certain songs have become recognizable, signature tracks. Like a committed Deadhead, I cheered when I heard familiar tracks fading in:

All Eyes on Me by Capozzi

Selection by No Signe

Kick a Hole in the Speaker by Capozzi

I'm glad I made the effort to get this one. I already know I will savor this recording for a long time. I must have listened to the Capozzi EDC 2022 set 50 times. I've been craving new material. This provides the fix I needed.

I'm stressing about when the next show will be. Countdown NYE wasn't in my plans. The venue is far out of the way, it's in a sketchy neighborhood, it gets packed, and lots of other reasons. I also usually spend new years eve with family. But. Capozzi. Is. Playing. Uggh! Still not sure what I'm going to do for that one.

Well, at least I have something to keep me satiated for a moment. I'm sure I will play the crap out of this set, blasting it at home and in the car. I just hope it doesn't take me 6 months to make it to another Capozzi set.

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Here are some not-great images from the show:

Official Insomniac flyer:

This is a 60-minute audio recording of Capozzi EDC Las Vegas 2022 live set, recorded on Friday, May 20, 2022 at Electric Daisy Carnival, taking place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The set began at 8:00 pm, at the StereoBloom stage.

Rave Tapes · Capozzi EDC Las Vegas 2022 Live Set

8 pm Friday night is a magical time at EDC Las Vegas. It's the first day of the festival, a day of exploration and discovery. As dusk turns to dark, tens of thousands of ravers continue to swarm in. Those coming from the main front gate take those iconic steps through the tunnel under the grandstand. Upon emerging from the tunnel, festival goers are overwhelmed with what they see and hear. They are greeted with an Insta-worthy panorama of Cosmic Meadow and the fairgrounds beyond. The bass coming from Cosmic Meadow's sound system reverberates up the sides of the stadium and washes over elated attendees as they descend down the steps toward the speedway floor.

StereoBloom sits between Cosmic Meadow and the northern half of the festival grounds. People trying to get to KineticFeild or Wasteland will likely pass by StereoBloom. The stage is not, however, a mere side attraction. The stage's lineup included an impressive selection of house deejays. The stage itself is a solid destination with a fantastic sound system and simple but satisfying visuals.

The second set at StereoBloom Friday night was Capozzi. I discovered a couple live sets on the internet and was moved by her style. Somewhere between G house and bass house, this sound is characterized by minimalist house beats, with low, funky bass lines, repeating vocal hooks and grimy undertones.

Capozzi's set was, in a word, FILTHY. And I mean that in the best possible way.

The music was slightly dark, slightly funky, slightly intimidating, and thoroughly fun.

Capozzi manipulated the decks like a seasoned professional. Her track selection was phenomenal. The vocal in the first track commanded the audience to fall in love with her.

"I need you to love me. Love me like there's no tomorrow. Love me with all of your soul. I trust you. Never leave me."

My response? "Yes. Okay Capozzi. Your wish is my command. What else do you desire of me, master?"

And what is there not to love about Capozzi? Everything about Capozzi just works. The black body suit. The slicked back hair. The name. The logo. The sound. It was an easy instant-fan moment for me. A few minutes into the set, I knew I would fight for her cause.

EDIT: Ok I just realized the first and third tracks are Capozzi originals, part of the Capozzi No One / AI Love EP. So I'm learning this woman is a skilled producer, too. Those two tracks, especially AI Love – the first track in this live set – really encapsulate Capozzi's vibe. That she produced those tracks makes this live performance all the more meaningful.

I regret I sat on this recording for too long. I'm not sure why. Better late than never, right? The truth is that this is one of those times when a recording is too good not so share. It has to see the light of day and be appreciated for what it is.

Talent like Capozzi's deserves big things. I expect to watch her name appear on more lineups, with growing prominence.

Her brand of G House is just so satisfying. The slightly darker style provides a refreshing contrast to the happy-go-lucky party vibes of most other tech house djs.

The sound quality of this recordings is close to perfect. My position on the floor was ideal – smack dab in the middle, centered between the speaker stacks. Being only 8:00 pm, the night was still early and people were still arriving. But even at this early hour, StereoBloom was filling up. A healthy crowd showed up for Capozzi, and they were rewarded with one hell of a set.

So return with me, back to that windy evening, 8:00 pm, Friday, May 20, 2022, at EDC's StereoBloom stage, and savor once again the dark and delicious vibrations served up by Jordan Capozzi herself, the bad bitch of bass house.

And I mean that in the best possible way.

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Brunori Sas in copertina del nuovo numero del TRAKS MAGAZINE, il primo del 2022. All'interno interviste con Labradors, Balto, Multibox, Smalto, Blue Drama, Capozzi

Brunori Sas in copertina del nuovo numero del TRAKS MAGAZINE, il primo del 2022. All’interno interviste con Labradors, Balto, Multibox, Smalto, Blue Drama, Capozzi. Leggi subito!