Category Archives: Events

Something old, something new: TITLE TOWN moves to the Brillobox on second Saturdays

Posted on by

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party at the BRILLOBOX
w/ DJ Gordy & special guest DJ Riel (Steel City Soul Club)

SATURDAY, January 12th, 2013
Brillobox (4104 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh)

9pm – 2am
Admission: $3 from 9pm-10pm; $5 10pm-2am* $3 Admission + Giveaways from Cultures of Soul Records from 9pm-10pm *
“Something old and something new.”Join us on Saturday, January 12th when the long running TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party kicks off 2013 at its new home at the Brillobox.Every second Saturday, TITLE TOWN spins vintage soul records from the best periods of American music – and it’s one of only a few parties of its kind in Pittsburgh. It’s a dance floor journey from the fifties onward, taking in Northern Soul, classic Rhythm & Blues, Motown, Funk, Mod Jazz, and Latin Boogaloo – and it’s all got a whole lotta soul. Guest deejays from Pittsburgh and around the globe spin their selections for five hours while the Brillobox bartenders supply the cocktails and a fine assortment of good brews – you just have a good time.

With the name inspired by Pittsburgh’s “Title Town, U.S.A.” records from the late ‘70s/early ‘80s, TITLE TOWN continues our never-ending mission of providing the good the stuff. We’ll take you back to the long gone days of sweaty Chicago juke joints, the Memphis Horns and the Detroit Sound. We’ll dig deeper and spin the lost treasures of Toledo and Columbus, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pa.

To help get us started on the good foot, we’ve enlisted friend and Pittsburgh soul ambassador, DJ Riel of the Steel City Soul Club. A TITLE TOWN debut for this long-time DJ and collector, DJ Riel is credited with hosting the five year run of the Restless soul night in the South Side and the Revival party at the Firehouse Lounge. When DJ hits the decks, you can expect a feel-good mix of ‘60s & ‘70s rare and Northern Soul, Latin Boogaloo, Ska and everything in between.

It’s gonna be a big thing!

Early arrival is recommended.

Sponsored by Cultures of Soul Records.

Cultures of Soul Records is the record label part of the Cultures of Soul brand. Cultures of Soul Records is the label catering to the tastes of DJs all over the world playing unique, rare, and unreleased styles of funk, soul, jazz, disco, latin, brazilian, and afro beat for their dancefloors.

The last party at the Shadow Lounge; Title Town Soul & Funk Party moves to the Brillobox in 2013!

Posted on by

From the desk of J.Malls:

As many of you have already heard, December 29th is the last TITLE TOWN date at Shadow Lounge. In addition, it’s also the last party that I’ll be involved with. I’m taking next year off, seeing where it takes me, and playing it by ear after that. Gordy G. will be continuing with TITLE TOWN at Brillobox the second Saturday of each month in 2013 (the first Brillobox date is Saturday, January 12th). I’ll likely be through to guest DJ at some point, but I no longer have any intention of planning and promoting regular weekly or monthly events.

Since Gordy will be out on the west coast for the holiday, I’ve enlisted Philadelphia’s own, Skeme Richards of the world famous Hot Peas & Butta party, to come through and rock with me. In addition to making his mark in the world of Soul and Funk 45’s, Skeme is also a big name in the Bboy community (representing the legendary Rock Steady Crew). He is a collector of most things that are collectible and he’ll be providing us with vintage visuals from the Hot Peas & Butta VHS vaults.

The past several years of promoting events in Pittsburgh have been awesome. I have no regrets about them and I wouldn’t have preferred to of spent my time any other way. All things must change and everybody has to grow though. If you want to party hard at Shadow Lounge and get loose on the dance floor with me one last time this is your opportunity to do so.

Be there when TITLE TOWN meets Hot Peas & Butta! When Pittsburgh meets Philadelphia!! Be there when the entire Keystone State shakes to our plentiful sounds of Soul and Funk 45’s and the earth rotates on it’s axis at forty-five revolutions per minute!!!

Obviously we recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and something that you can dance in 😉 The doors open early at 9 PM, being 21+ with proper I.D. is a must, and the fee for the place to be is $5 USD’s. I hope to see you there. You tell three friends and they’ll tell three friends, and so on and so on and so on…

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party celebrates THREE YEARS!

Posted on by

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
w/ guest DJ OMAR-ABDUL (THE BIG THROWBACK)
+ residents J.Malls & Gordy
Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM – 2 AM, 21+/$5

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party celebrates THREE YEARS at the Shadow Lounge on Saturday, November 24th at 9pm.

Like a record that never gets old, the longest running soul and funk night in Pittsburgh has been spinning the real stuff for real people since 2009 – and is still going strong.

It’s that one-of-a-kind party with DJ’s J.Malls and Gordy G. spinning classic and obscure 45s from the late ’50s through the early ’80s, including Northern Soul, Deep Funk, Modern Soul, Disco and Boogie.

This month, we spin the record full-circle as we enlist guest DJ Omar-Abdul to join us behind the decks. Not only has Omar-Abdul R. Lawrence been an active emcee, DJ and producer for over 10 years, he is credited, along with J.Malls, with co-hosting the The Big Throwback – the long-running soul and funk dance party at Pittsburgh’s Brillobox. He’s done numerous collaborations, worked for Rawkus, Def Jam and Warner Brothers and holds degrees in Africana Studies and music from the University of Pittsburgh. A true vinyl veteran, we hand over the stage to Omar-Abdul to lay down the funky cuts and funky good times like he always does. Don’t miss this one.

Past guests have included The Honey Dripper (Daptone Records), David Griiffiths (Daptone, Kay-Dee, Bumpshop, NYC), Kevin “DJ Nitekrawler” Coombe (Moneytown, DC Soul Recordings), Juddy Hopper (Soulcialism, Vipers Soul Club), Mr. Finewine (Downtown Soulville, Bumpshop NYC), Jared “JBX” Boxx (Big City Records, Bumpshop NYC), Brad Hales (Peoples Records, A2 Soul Club), Robert Wells (A2 Soul Club), Vinyl Veterans and The New Day Soul Club in Austin, Texas.

TITLE TOWN has also shared the stage and supported artists such as Renaldo Domino, J.C Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Charles Bradley and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party moves to Pittsburgh’s Brillobox in 2013

In 2013, we bid adieu to the Shadow Lounge after three great years of late night debauchery, guest DJs, live performances, dance contests and some of the best people in the Pittsburgh. On Saturday, January 12th, TITLE TOWN will move to the Brillobox on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, November 24th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
Three-Year Anniversary w/ guest DJ Omar-Abdul
w/ residents J. Malls, Gordy G.
Shadow Lounge (5972 Baum Blvd.)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

Facebook event page

Saturday, December 29th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ J. Malls & DJ Skeme Richards (Hot Peas & Butta)
Shadow Lounge (5972 Baum Blvd.)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

Saturday, January 12th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ DJ Gordy G. and guests.
Brillobox (4104 Penn Avenue)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party moves to Pittsburgh’s Brillobox in 2013

Posted on by

After a three year run at East Liberty’s Shadow Lounge, TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party will move its monthly DJ event to the Brillobox on Saturday, January 12th.  The party will continue there on the second Saturday of each month.

TITLE TOWN kicked off at the Shadow Lounge in October 2009.  We would like to thank Justin Strong and the rest of the staff for their support during the three years.  The Shadow Lounge has been dedicated to presenting quality music, art and cultural events in the East End for over a decade and is credited by many with sparking the development changes in East Liberty.  As previously announced, the Shadow Lounge will close in the spring of 2013, but the adjoining AVA and Blue Room will remain open.  Look for the Shadow Lounge to reopen in a new location in 2015.

Like the Shadow Lounge, the Brillobox on Penn Avenue, draws crowds of young and old and has done their part in putting Pittsburgh on the map by promoting and supporting both emerging and established DJ events, live music and art- including many successful events like The Big Throwback, Pandemic and Lazercrunk.

TITLE TOWN has been going strong for the past 3 years thanks to its many loyal and faithful supporters in Pittsburgh.  The monthly event will continue with no changes in the format – five hours of rare and classic ‘60s and Northern Soul, deep funk, and rhythm and blues. All vinyl.

As a recognized authority on Pittsburgh jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop and most things vinyl, TITLE TOWN resident DJ J. Malls is taking a step back from DJing and promoting music events in 2013. Among other projects, J. Malls will continue the successful Pittsburgh Vinyl Convention and will be a guest DJ at TITLE TOWN.

Past guests have included The Honey Dripper (Daptone Records), David Griffiths (Daptone, Kay-Dee, Bumpshop, NYC), Kevin “DJ Nitekrawler” Coombe (Moneytown, DC Soul Recordings), Juddy Hopper (Soulcialism, Vipers Soul Club), Mr. Finewine (Downtown Soulville, Bumpshop NYC), Jared “JBX” Boxx (Big City Records, Bumpshop NYC), Brad Hales (Peoples Records, A2 Soul Club), Robert Wells (A2 Soul Club), Vinyl Veterans and The New Day Soul Club in Austin, Texas.

To close out 2012, we will be celebrating the TITLE TOWN Three-Year Anniversary at the Shadow Lounge on Saturday, November 24th with DJ’s J. Malls, Gordy G. and guests. This will be the last TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party at the Shadow Lounge with J. Malls and Gordy G.

On Saturday, December 29th, J.Malls welcomes Philadelphia’s DJ Skeme Richards of the much respected Rock Steady Crew and Hot Peas & Butta party to the Shadow Lounge.

Thanks for all the support!

– J. Malls & Gordy
titletownpgh@gmail.com

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, November 24th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
Three-Year Anniversary
w/ J. Malls, Gordy G. and guests.
Shadow Lounge (5972 Baum Blvd.)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

Saturday, December 29th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ J. Malls & DJ Skeme Richards (Hot Peas & Butta)
Shadow Lounge (5972 Baum Blvd.)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

Saturday, January 12th, 2012
TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ DJ Gordy G. and guests.
Brillobox (4104 Penn Avenue)
9pm – 2am, $5, 21+

Get your voodoo working! TITLE TOWN is back for our ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BASH on Saturday, October 27th!

Posted on by

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party + PVC3 After-Party!
SATURDAY, October 27th
@ Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
10 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party is back and we’re celebrating the Halloween at the Shadow Lounge on Saturday, October 27th. Get your costumes ready, not mandatory of course, but we’ll have a costume contest with giveaways and various trick or treats for attendees.

This will also be the official after-party for Pgh Vinyl Con #3, which is earlier in the day at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. There will be a couple of folks we know in the Burg to buy records, so it’s looking like there may be a guest or two spinning along with J. Malls & Gordy G.

PLEASE NOTE … doors will be opening at 10 PM this month.

Get ready to get down to some spooky Soul, some frightening Funk and maybe even an obscure disco 45 featuring Dracula himself!?! But you’re probably most likely to hear the sounds that you’ve grown to expect from TITLE TOWN … sounds that vary from underground dance floor classics to totally slept on small label releases. Soulful material spanning from the Sixties straight through the Seventies and into the Eighties, all played from original 45 rpm records!

Check back for more info as we get closer to the date. And look out for November’s party (Saturday the 24th, Thanksgiving Weekend) as we’ll be celebrating THREE YEARS of TITLE TOWN!

Here are a few photos from last year:

Summer isn’t over yet. Title Town returns this month!

Posted on by
Title Town Soul & Funk Party - September 29th, 2012 at the Shadow Lounge

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
SATURDAY, September 29th
@ Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5

This month, celebrate something we like to call the SOUL PARTY when TITLE TOWN returns with our last Saturday get-together at the Shadow Lounge. Five hours of rare-to-nonexistent soul, deep funk, real R&B, and pick-me-up disco 45s? Yes please.

A safe haven for those who just want to dance, come get down to the Voices of East Harlem, Allen Toussaint, Kool & The Gang, and Spanky Wilson – all things soulful, on the friendliest dance floor in the city.

Expect an extra-funky, extra-raw, extra-old school mix of 45s you’ve never heard before – and listen to a live 45 mix right here (https://titletownpgh.com/?page_id=5) to warm yourself up. The party goes from 9pm-2am and we suggest you get there on the earlier side – that’s when we play the sweet soul and slow-grooving, sexy stuff.

We’ve got drink specials, the Brassero Grill taco truck, and of course a selection of tasty 45s served up nice n’ loud by resident DJs J.Malls & Gordy G on the decks.

DRINK SPECIALS: TBD

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/329066817189315/
Check out website for free music downloads: http://www.titletownpgh.com/
On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/titletownpgh

Hotter than July! Title Town is back on July 28th! Stevie Wonder tribute!

Posted on by

It’s hot, there’s no denying. But who doesn’t love a good summer soul party?

After the amazing night we had last month, the hardest working dance party in the ‘Burgh has been rockin’ steady for almost three years now and we’re ready to do it again this month!

To chill the heat of this wonderful/unbearable July, we’re gonna spoil you with a refreshing mix of summertime grooves and cheap, cold drinks.

If that’s not enough, round about midnight everything’s gonna be alright, cuz’ we’re celebrating summer and paying tribute one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time – STEVIE WONDER! Shake your limbs to the hit-making grooves of Little Stevie’s early classics and get down to the funky, sophisticated soul of his diverse later work. Don’t miss this. It’ll be hotter than July!

Don’t be late and drop by the Lounge early when we play some of our favorite stuff: beat ballads, soaring harmonies, and sweet soul. It’s a chilled-out vibe while you sip succulent cocktails. After that, we’ll kick it into high gear with a strictly vinyl, 45-only mix of the deep funk sound of the Honey Drippers and Pittsburgh’s Caprells to rare Northern Soul like The Valentinos and the Cashmeres, and a heavy dose of classic ‘70s soul and Motown like Eddie Kendricks and the Isley Brothers.

Don’t settle for the imitators, when you can hear the innovators!

RSVP on Facebook here.

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ resident DJ’s J. Malls & Gordy
SATURDAY, July 28th
@ Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5; 18+/$8

Need some dip in your hips? Get down with us this month at Title Town!

Posted on by

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ guest DJ’s …

MAC McRAW (Vinyl Veterans, UK)
Oxygen (Vinyl Veterans, NYC)
Kamui (Hot Peas & Butta, NYC)
+ resident DJ’s J. Malls & Gordy (TITLE TOWN, Pgh)
SATURDAY, June30th

Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5; 18+/$8

TITLE TOWN returns to the Shadow Lounge on Saturday, June 30th with NOT ONE, BUT THREE guest DJ’s representing the UK-based Vinyl Veterans crew as well as Hot Peas & Butta.

Has your macking been slacking? Do you need to put some dip in your hip? Well summer is here and TITLE TOWN is back to bring you five hours of original soul, funk, R&B, boogaloo, modern, disco & boogie all on original 45 rpm platters. Dance, dance, dance as we spin decades worth of sure shot grooves guaranteed to make you move!

Early arrival is recommended as always. Drink specials TBA. Proper ID is a must.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/187690091360465/

Follow TITLE TOWN on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/titletownpgh

TITLE TOWN w/ special guest DJ Robert Fearless (Save Your Soul, Baltimore) + Attack Theatre’s Dirty Ball

Posted on by

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party with Guest DJ Robert Fearless!

5 hours of dancing to songs that continue to resonate more than 50 years after they were made – this is TITLE TOWN.

Rare grooves to beat-heavy funk, Motown classics, Northern soul, and Latin Boogaloo – TITLE TOWN’s high-energy mix of old-school tracks brings the good stuff to the funkiest dance-floor in the Burgh. Two turntables; all vinyl.

On this night, we celebrate the fact that this music still flourishes today. We show our respect to the song-and-dance entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s and get down to the deep grooves and sweet soul of the ‘70s. The music endures because the songs are just so good – blaring horns and tight rhythms, urgent hooks and an energy that takes you back. One 45 at a time.

This month TITLE TOWN welcomes guest DJ ROBERT FEARLESS (Baltimore) – creator of SAVE YOUR SOUL, the Charm City’s wildest monthly dance party featuring the absolute best in rare and raw soul, RnB and Boogaloo 45’s at the historic Lithuanian Hall.

Do your ears a favor and don’t miss this party. It’s gonna be a wild one.

Early arrival recommended. You must enter through the Shadow Lounge entrance on Baum Blvd.

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
SATURDAY, May 26th
Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5; 18+/$8

The Dirty Ball // Saturday, May 19th, 2012

If you’ve been, you know. If you haven’t, you should. TITLE TOWN is super stoked to be part of Attack Theatre‘s DIRTY BALL again this year. One of the biggest, funkiest and sexiest parties of year.  Tickets are still available!

Get tickets while you still can: http://www.showclix.com/event/TheDirtyBall2012/tag/ATwebsite

We’ve got soul! Title Town is back on April 28th and we’re kickin’ off the TT Record Bar + I DIG PGH’s Johnny Daye feature

Posted on by

It’s that one of the night of month where vinyl has never really gone a way, it’s that party on the East End where everything is classic, yet the sounds are as fresh and original as anything coming out today.

Title Town is the one night of the month where we shake up the Shadow Lounge with five hours of high-octane, straight-ahead, old school soul and funk grooves.

If you haven’t been, it’s a new kind of nightlife experience, a bridge between past and present, from Detroit to Memphis, from the mid-’60s to the late ’70s, Lee Moses to Lee Fields – and it’s happening every month.

ANNOUNCING THE TT RECORD BAR!
This month, arrive extra early or take a break from the dance-floor. We’re teaming up with the Pittsburgh Vinyl Con and proud to be debuting the first-ever TT RECORD BAR!

What it is: The Shadow Lounge BLUE ROOM is gonna packed full of VINYL RECORDS – 45s and LPs – picture sleeves and white label promos – dealers from Pittsburgh and around the globe. Classic and obscure Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Gospel, Punk and more!

Bring a few extra bucks, pour back libations, get down on the dance-floor and dig through the waxy stuff – all under one roof!

TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party
w/ resident DJ’s J. Malls & Gordy
SATURDAY, April 28th
Shadow Lounge
5972 Baum Blvd. (E. Liberty)
9 PM-2 AM, 21+/$5; 18+/$8

FROM THE BURGH TO STAX AND BACK WITH PITTSBURGH’S OWN JOHNNY DAYE DIBUCCI

Title Town’s J.Malls’  I DIG PGH blog returns with an awesome spotlight on the recording career of Pittsburgh’s own Johnny Daye!  The extensive interview is packed with full-color label scans, photos and sound clips.  Check it out here.