Mixtape connection

The Mixtape Connection is a rock/electro collective of musicians and dj’s based in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Mixtape initiative was launched on March 14, 2004 in direct response to a deficient of dance rock culture in Christchurch. Since its launch, the Mixtape connection has expanded to include the radio, photography, design, gallery shows and live shows with a number of high profile New Zealand musicians.

Radio

Mixtape Connection began as the Mixtape Sessions radio show which was launched on March 14, 2004, by Benet Hitchcock AKA Dr Hitchcock, on the Christchurch station of the b.Net student/indepedant radio network, RDU-FM. The show specialises in “minimal, electro, disco-punk, new-wave, indie rock, hip-hop, bootlegs, house, and 80s pop”. The Mixtape Sessions spent four years in a regular slot at 7-9 on Thursday evenings from March 2004 to June 2008. It has since moved to a Friday Drive slot at 4-7 on Fridays.

Parties

The Mixtape Connection club night, was a monthly event at Christchurch bar, Capitol Bar, from July 2005 to December 2006. Popularity of the event grew over the 18 month duration of the residency and Capitol Bar was filled to full capacity at the Christmas party grand finale in December 2006.

Throughout 2007 and to this present day, the Mixtape Connection has supported in many ways various promoters and community organisations including White Elephant, Red Panda and The Nu Trend.

For the last half of 2007, Dr Hitchcock was based in Melbourne, Australia, where he hosted various parties at a cocktail bar in Richmond called Platform 3 under the titles Cutting it Close, Cutting it Loose and This is NOT a Melbourne Party.

The only offcial Mixtape Connection party to be held in 2008 was at Culture Club in celebration of the 4th birthday of the radio show.

DJs and Live Musical Acts

Many DJs and live acts have performed at Mixtape Connection parties over the years.

Current Resident DJs:Dr Hitchcock, Tobiaz, Apex Beat.

Founding DJ Crew:Dr Hitchcock,Indie Slut, Missy G, Richard MacFarlane AKA Twee as F**k AKA Nao Wave AKA Teen Heat.

Guest DJs:
Shocking Pinks,Ed Muzik, Tom Cosm, Stanier Black-Five, Darlene, Bex, Mike, Girl Friday, Pinacolada Soundsystem, Lady A AKA Mixietrix AKA Ruby, Lad Down Under, Mark J, Ghost Dingo, Vena Cava.

Live Acts:Pig Out, 5 1/2 Minutes, Coco Solid [http://www.cocosolid.com] .

Podcast

The birth of the Mixtape Connection podcast coincided with the end of the club night residency. Podcasts were released to fans of the radio show and live events via the Mixtape Connection website, [http://www.mixtapeconnection.net] . The podcasts featured new music, and updates on primarily Christchurch musicians.

Releases

One compilation album has been released under the Mixtape heading. “This is NOT the Christchurch sound - Vol. 1” was released in June 2007 and features only Christchurch artists. It was distributed to the listenership of RDU-FM 98.5 via on-air competitions and at the release party which was held at a bar called Double Happy.