We’re not really the sort to toss around terms like “polymath,” but we may need to make an exception for our friend Mel Shimkovitz. Truth is, Mel’s kind of a low-key genius; an LA-based actor/writer/visual artist/jack-of-all-trades perhaps most recognizable for her recent work on the sea-change series Transparent, Mel’s that disarmingly unpretentious friend of yours who’s always quietly simmering on some sibylline brilliance or another—works so varied that they're sometimes a little difficult to put a bow around. We put faith in all of it. So much faith, in fact, that we’ve handed her the keys to this year’s New Years Eve party at Ace DTLA — a retro-futuristic barnburner she’s calling Pluto’s First Party.
For those of you who can't make it to the rooftop tonight, Mel was kind enough to program a progressive, conflict-adverse playlist of sex jams for your night out tonight.
MACHO MEL'S COOL RAUNCH HIT LIST (Queer version)
I’m really quite the queer.
And I’m (predictably) political about it!
I'm also deeply devoted to The Party as both an activity and a philosophy. It's a whole thing with me, The Party; that rare shared experience that bonds a community, a forum for unself-conscious foolishness, an efficacious ritual where casual burnouts actualize their highest selves. I’ve meticulously planned and thrown highly conceptual bacchanals my whole life — from the bizarre bat mitzvah luncheon my parents misguidedly allowed me to plan, to Pluto’s First Party this New Year’s Eve Upstairs this year at the Ace Hotel Downtown LA. What I’m trying to say is: I Live Party.
For me, the prime era of The Party was Brooklyn bootie basement parties in the fall of 2006. When I moved to LA a few years back I didn’t know anyone so I started calling myself a “DJ” and asking people if I could play their parties. Figured that was the best way to get invited to parties. Got invited to parties!
At the clübb (“clübb” being any old dive bar, a vehicle with a good bass booster, getting ready in front of a bedroom mirror with your friends and dancing so long you end up not leaving the house, etc.) I almost exclusively play what I refer to as Cool Raunch: music that encourages sex on the dance floor. But this brings up some political conflicts for a guyl like me; as much I strongly believe in keeping politics out of The Party, I no longer play Chris Brown, R. Kelly or even (sorry/not sorry) Michael Jackson. And I cringe a bit every time I play a track with “the word” responsible for the waves of Huckleberry Finn embargoes.
But how can one have a Cool Raunch party without 2 Live Crew, Nicki Minaj, Ying Yang Twins, Lil Kim, Lil B or even Lil Wayne? I mean, these are the nobility of nasty and they all use “the word” liberally. It’s a major dilemma.
Personally, I haven’t figured this one out. I’m still asking the question. But for now I just play the party, surfing it’s vibe. I play the music like a museum shows the art. Here it is folks: you’re free to form your own opinion! Vote with your feet! I love any music that inspires a good ol’ fashioned consensual groin grind. But given the context this music is being played in and by whom, it could be controversial. It probably should be controversial!
Which brings me back to being queer: occasionally when I’m feeling conflict-averse, I’ll keep my raunch roll to the queerest corner of the genre. Cause I look so damned queer, no one can complain about me co-opting anything! Though I’m certain someone will anyway! Thank goddess, I can barely hear them over the bass blast.
