Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in digital_ferret's LiveJournal:

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Monday, July 14th, 2008
7:26 am	The Amazing Plate Spinner It's a little bit tempting to say that the growth of Dancing Ferret since our very humble beginning in 1995 was part of a master plan, a long-term strategy mapped out well in advance. But the truth is that we grew as we were needed. The initial plan was simply to offer great concerts and club nights to the Philadelphia scene, which was all we did for the first three years. Running a record label was not part of the plan, but when no record label would put their support behind a scrappy young band from Florida that knocked our socks off, we decided to screw the system and start our own label, Dancing Ferret Discs. A few years later came our retail store, and then our mailorder outlet, then the magazine. Throughout all of this, there were concerts - many concerts - and weekly events. Thanks to the loyal and consistent support of the Philadelphia gothic/industrial scene, our local enterprise grew over many years into a truly international company. Not only were our events able to attract patrons from all over the country, but our label was able to build audiences for our bands all around the world. It was the Philly scene that empowered us to expand, to strengthen, to be bold and audacious. Anyone who starts a business has a few crazy dreams that they occasionally fantasize about, and riding the trolley from a rented room in West Philly to open a bank account for Dancing Ferret Concerts in Center City, I had time to dream a little. Never in any of those dreams did I imagine myself standing on the Great Wall of China, watching a Dancing Ferret band sign autographs and pose for pictures after a triumphant concert in Beijing. That was unquestionably the most amazing moment of my life. I've often described the job of running Dancing Ferret as being like a plate-spinner in a carnival. There are so many plates to keep aloft, and there are no time-outs. As our customers supported us over the years, we expanded, adding more plates. Finally we've reached a point where there are too many plates for me to spin. Breaking your own plate is bad enough, but if that plate represents a career that an artist has entrusted to you, then the pressure becomes truly intense. I've been blessed with a fantastic staff (past and present) that has helped me keep things spinning over the years, not to mention the trust of many talented musicians who have given me their plates to spin next to my own. However, despite having the Sweetest Job Ever, years of burning the candle at both ends to keep all the plates going has finally caught up to me. My focus is scattered all over the place, and if I continue on my present course, I run the risk of dropping a plate. I'd rather do fewer things and do them well than do many things and do them poorly. After November, Dancing Ferret Discs (and Noir Records) will stop releasing new material. Of course this does NOT mean that our wonderful artists are hanging up their hats, nor that their albums will disappear. It also does NOT mean that anything will happen to Nocturne, Dracula's Ball, Digital Ferret or IsoTank. It simply means that in the future, new albums by the DFD bands that you love will be released by other labels (or in some cases, by the artists themselves). Our bands will continue to make great music, and you'll continue to find it at Digital Ferret and IsoTank, you'll be able to hear it at Nocturne, and you'll be able to see the bands perform at Dracula's Ball. Even when our mission was simply to bring great concerts to Philadelphia, one of our core goals was to turn people on to cool music they'd love. That will always be one of our core goals, and in keeping with that, we'll be doing our best to make sure that it will always be easy for you to find music by DFD bands. While it would be very convenient for me to cite filesharing, CD burning, and the other usual boogeymen as the cause of this decision, the fact is that our bands have very loyal fans who have bought a lot of DFD releases over the years. The label didn't run into limitations of the marketplace, but rather, into limitations of human capacity - my capacity. I'd love to try to continue to do it all, but even with the help of many great people, it's not a realistic goal. In coming to this conclusion, I was mindful of the old saying: "dance with the one who brought you." Philadelphia was definitely the one who brought me, and while the music industry can be an admittedly scary place, I know that our label acts will do just fine out there without DFD to release their new material. I want to do a little more dancing with Philadelphia yet - bigger and better things for Nocturne, Drac's Ball, Digital Ferret, concerts, events...who knows what else? And, quite honestly, I'd like to sleep more than a few hours a night. My work has been intensely satisfying to me, but there's been a lot of it, and I miss the days when I still had the energy to hit a diner after Nocturne. I don't want to burn out, because I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I couldn't work with music any more. I'm incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunities and experiences that Dancing Ferret Discs has brought me over the past decade. I'm looking forward to many more amazing experiences with Dancing Ferret Concerts in the years to come. There are so many people to thank for the blessings I've had thus far that I couldn't possibly list them all here. Just know that I am always aware that without their support - without YOUR support - I never would have made it this far. There's plenty more work to be done, and I hope you'll join me for the ride. But first...it's 7:30am in Philly, and I'm going to get some sleep. With thanks, [Patrick] Current Mood: grateful
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
4:01 pm	Whose world could you change? Current Mood: hopeful
3:08 pm	Summer heats up with Nocturne Wednesdays Current Mood: busy
Saturday, May 24th, 2008
12:40 pm	Yes, tickets will be available at the door tonight HBO will start filming at 9pm, so come early, dress to impress, and watch for the guys with the video camera! Current Mood: excited Current Music: Angelspit - Blood Death Ivory
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
5:39 pm	Want to be on HBO? Vampire series shoot on Sat. In September 2008, HBO will premiere True Blood, an exciting new series from Alan Ball, the Academy Award winning writer of American Beauty, as well as the Creator and Emmy Award winning writer of the acclaimed HBO series, Six Feet Under. True Blood is an hour-long series based on the popular “Southern Vampire” books from author, Charlaine Harris. Academy Award winner Anna Paquin heads up an ensemble cast, playing “Sookie” Stackhouse and Stephen Moyer stars as the mysterious stranger in town, Bill Compton. As part of the promotional campaign for True Blood, HBO is producing two long form documentary-style shows examining the real and mythical aspects of vampires in our culture. An HBO camera crew will be on hand at Dracula's Ball in Philadelphia this Saturday, May 24th to shoot footage of the event and also to conduct interviews with guests for inclusion in the documentary. If you'd like to be seen on HBO, dress to impress and keep an eye out for the video camera crew at the Dracula's Ball. Details on Dracula's Ball can be found here. Current Mood: busy Current Music: Irfan - Seraphim
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
2:53 pm	Get tix ASAP for this Saturday's Dracula's Ball! There's left than a week until the next Dracula's Ball event, which means time to get your advance tickets is running out. Yes, you will be able to get tickets at the door this time, but advance tickets are cheaper and will get you in the door first in our advance ticket-holder line. Dancers take note: you'll have a little bit more elbow room on the dance floor this time, so bring your dancin' shoes! The best way to get tickets is from Digital Ferret CDs (215-925-9259) or online from IsoTank.com, although Isotank will stop shipping tickets in the mail in just a few days since the date of the Ball is so close. Get your tickets now! The next Dracula’s Ball event takes place on Memorial Day Saturday, which is May 24th, 2008. The doors open at 9pm and the event ends at 2am. There will be 3 DJs spinning in 3 rooms (DJ Solaries, DJ 23 and DJ Shrapnel), and we’ll have live performances by Lost Signal and Tearwave (see below). Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in one of three ways: 1) Order from Ticketmaster online or pick up in person at your local Ticketmaster outlet (service charges apply) 2) Buy in person at Digital Ferret CDs in Philadelphia (**new location** 732 S. 4th St., 215-925-9259 noon-10pm daily; 7pm Sundays) 3) Order from IsoTank (free shipping on 5 or more tickets OR you can have them held for pickup at Digital Ferret with no fee). The web address for IsoTank is http://www.isotank.com Advance tickets will get you inside faster (ticketholder line enters first), are cheaper, and guarantee that there will be space for you inside. A little bit of information about our live performers: TEARWAVE: Ethereal bliss! Influenced by bands like Cocteau Twins, Lush, Lycia, Slowdive and similar acts, this Projekt Records band blends beautiful dream-pop with "Heavenly Voices" style female vocals. It's pretty music that will help you forget your troubles. This is Tearwave's first appearance at the Ball. STAGE TIME - 10:30PM Hear Music LOST SIGNAL: Fans of Assemblage 23, VNV Nation and Neuroticfish are likely to appreciate Lost Signal's blend of industrial/futurepop music and personal, introspective lyrics. The band's most recent album, Eviscerate, was released on 23DB Records, the label run by Assemblage 23. This is Lost Signal's first appearance at Dracula's Ball. STAGE TIME - 12:05AM Hear Music The venue for this Dracula’s Ball event is Shampoo Nightclub, located at 7th and Willow Streets in Philadelphia. Naturally, there will be vendors (some old, some new), door prizes, candy, people to meet, and plenty to look at. As always, all ages are welcome at the Dracula’s Ball. You must be 21+ w/ proper, valid photo ID to drink alcohol. Photo cameras are allowed at the Ball; video cameras are not. Please read our IMPORTANT CHANGE TO CAMERA POLICY: Personal cameras are still allowed, but professional photo rigs, especially those with very bright intrusive lights, will require a photo pass. Shampoo has a large, enclosed, free parking lot. However, it fills up early. If you do not arrive early enough to secure a free parking spot, be careful to park only in legitimate pay lots with uniformed attendants. Do not fall prey to bogus lots or people who offer to “find” you a “free” street spot. If you’re on MySpace, you can RSVP to this event if you like: We look forward to seeing you this weekend! [Patrick] and Dracula’s Ball staff Current Mood: exhausted Current Music: Peter Gabriel - Biko
Monday, May 5th, 2008
4:07 pm	Dracula's Ball May 24th at Shampoo Live music by Tearwave and Lost Signal Current Mood: working Current Music: Angelspit - Blood Death Ivory
Friday, April 25th, 2008
2:06 pm	She Wants Revenge 5/31 - free tickets! Don't miss She Wants Revenge at the Fillmore At TLA (334 South Street) on Saturday, May 31st. We'll be giving away a pair of tickets each Nocturne Wednesday on May 7th, 14th, and 21st. She Wants Revenge will be joined in concert by Be Your Own Pet, The Virgins and Switches. The show takes place Saturday, May 31, 2008 at The Fillmore at the TLA, 334 South Street. Doors open 8pm and the show starts at 9pm. Current Mood: happy
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
4:06 pm	DJ Ferret on XM Radio - hear it free on your computer DJ Ferret will be making a guest appearance on XM Radio Channel 80, "The Move." The show will air on Saturday April 26th at midnight, and again the following Wednesday at 2:00 am (Eastern Time). Expect to hear a few tunes from the "Asleep By Dawn...Underground Club Mix" series in the mix as well as plenty of other good material. The show lasts one hour. If you don't have XM Satellite Radio, no worries - you can listen to the show on your computer without any special equipment or any subscriptions. Just visit the free trial page at XM Radio: http://xmro. xmradio. com/xstream/api/show_trial_form. jsp Note that the free trial only lasts a short period of time (48 hours, we think?) so wait until the day before the show to sign up, or your trial period might end before the show is broadcast. We hope you enjoy the tunes! Current Mood: busy Current Music: B-52s - Funplex
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
3:09 am	Dracula's Ball: May 24th. Tix on sale now! Check out Tearwave and Lost Signal Current Mood: busy
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
8:49 pm	Digital Ferret CDs has MOVED Current Mood: working Current Music: Suzanne Vega - Beauty & Crime
Friday, March 28th, 2008
7:14 pm	Voltaire @ Digital Ferret tomorrow ========================================== Our good buddy VOLTAIRE will be stopping in to help make our Grand Opening even more grand. Digital Ferret CDs has relocated from our old place at 5th and South to a beautiful, spacious new location at 732 S 4th St. We’ve had a few weeks to settle in and are now ready for our “official” grand opening celebration, which will happen this Saturday, March 29th. We’ll have complimentary refreshments available all day, and our good friend VOLTAIRE will be stopping in to play a few special songs on his guitar at around 4pm. There will be music, merriment, some giveaways and good times. We have the same phone number (215-925-9259) and the same hours (noon-10pm daily, noon-7pm Sundays), but a lot more space and lot more goodies on our shelves. Come by and pay us a visit. We’re just a few blocks south of South Street, in Fabric Row (if you're on South Street, walk to 4th, then turn south toward Armed & Dangerous, Infinite, etc. -- we're about two blocks further on). We look forward to seeing all of you on the 29th (or anytime after...or before....c’mon in and see the new space!) ========================================== Current Mood: working Current Music: B52s-Funplex
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
11:48 pm	Voltaire @ Digital Ferret / Accessory @ Nocturne ========================================== Our good buddy VOLTAIRE will be stopping in to help make our Grand Opening even more grand. Digital Ferret CDs has relocated from our old place at 5th and South to a beautiful, spacious new location at 732 S 4th St. We’ve had a few weeks to settle in and are now ready for our “official” grand opening celebration, which will happen this Saturday, March 29th. We’ll have complimentary refreshments available all day, and our good friend VOLTAIRE will be stopping in to play a few special songs on his guitar at around 4pm. There will be music, merriment, some giveaways and good times. We have the same phone number (215-925-9259) and the same hours (noon-10pm daily, noon-7pm Sundays), but a lot more space and lot more goodies on our shelves. Come by and pay us a visit. We’re just a few blocks south of South Street, in Fabric Row. We look forward to seeing all of you on the 29th (or anytime after...or before....c’mon in and see the new space!) ========================================== “I SAY GO!” As in, go to see German EBM Group ACCESSORY at Nocturne on Wednesday, the 26th of March. This is the very first ever live show in the USA for Accessory, so please come out and give them a warm Philly welcome. You can check out some of their stompy EBM goodness on MySpace. Admission at the door is $9 and includes admission to Nocturne. Accessory goes on stage at 10:30pm. http://www.myspace.com/accessoryweb ========================================== Current Mood: exhausted Current Music: REM - Accelerate
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
11:25 pm	Accessory US debut concert at Nocturne Accessory Current Mood: busy Current Music: Accessory - I Say Go!
Monday, March 10th, 2008
2:10 pm	Seabound & Iris this Wednesday @ Nocturne Current Mood: working Current Music: Qntal - Qntal VI: Translucida
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008
3:35 pm	Seabound and Iris - first date of the tour! Seabound / Iris Current Mood: irritated Current Music: Bauhaus - Go Away White
Saturday, March 1st, 2008
11:11 am	Digital Ferret has MOVED Our retail store, Digital Ferret CDs, HAS MOVED. We are NO LONGER located at 526 S. 5th St. in Philadelphia. We are now located at 732 S 4th street, just a few blocks away. We are open noon-10pm daily (noon-7pm Sundays). Call us (215-925-9259) for directions or other questions. Current Mood: excited Current Music: Angelspit - Jugular
Tuesday, February 26th, 2008
1:02 pm	Digital Ferret closing TONIGHT for big move ========================================== TONIGHT is your LAST CHANCE to buy anything from Digital Ferret CDs at our tried-and-true location on 526 S 5th St. At 10pm tonight (Tuesday the 26th) we’ll close our doors forever as we prepare to move to our brand-new, beautiful and spacious location at 732 S 4th St. Come in tonight for a slice of nostalgia and a 10% discount. We’ll be closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with our new location opening at noon on Saturday, March 1st. You’ll love our new location and we can’t wait for you to see it. We’ll have the same phone number (215-925-9259). Come on by tonight and say goodbye to the old; join us on Saturday to say hello to the new! ========================================== Current Mood: excited Current Music: Leandra - Metamorphine
Friday, February 15th, 2008
2:34 pm	Dracula's Ball is completely sold out There will be NO admission available at the door on Saturday - this Dracula's Ball is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT. There are no longer any tickets available through any sources for this event. http://www.draculasball.com Current Mood: busy Current Music: Lunascape - Innerside
Thursday, February 14th, 2008
11:04 pm	NO TIX at the door on Sat. - Ball will be SOLD OUT If you haven't picked up tickets for Dracula's Ball yet, tonight is quite probably your last chance. There will be NO admission available at the door on Saturday - this Dracula's Ball WILL be sold out in advance. There are a small number of tickets left at Digital Ferret CDs, IsoTank and Ticketmaster. We expect these will likely be gone late tonight or early tomorrow. If you do not have a ticket, there are three ways to get one. 1) Order from Ticketmaster online or pick up in person at your local Ticketmaster outlet (service charges apply) 2) Buy in person at Digital Ferret CDs in Philadelphia (Call 215-925-9259 for hours and location) 3) Order from IsoTank but select "Hold for Pickup at Digital Ferret" as your delivery method. You can then pick up your tickets in person at Digital Ferret at any time, even up to 10pm on the night of the Ball. The web address for IsoTank is http://www.isotank.com Again, there will be NO TICKETS available at the door on the day of the show. You MUST have an advance ticket to attend Saturday's event and there are only a few left. As always, you can get up-to-the-minute updates on the status of ticket availability by calling our ticket information hotline recording at 215-477-5161. http://www.draculasball.com Current Mood: cold Current Music: REM - Supernatural Superserious