We’re looking for writers of all persuasions! If you think you know what’s up – what’s hot – the next floor filla – then hit us up and let’s see what you’ve got!

To apply, send the following in an email to djrenaissance {a}{t} gmail ||| dot ||| com…

1. Examples of articles you’ve written on other sites or a 350 word sample piece

2. Who is your favorite DJ?

3. What is the next floor filler (not something that’s already being played)?

4. Your contact information

Don’t delay – we’ll be choosing the best candidates to Rep NoVegans.com very soon. If you have what it takes, then step up.

After the Grammy award winning Latin-infused math rock album The Bedlam in Goliath the peak of The Mars Volta’s evolution into electronic inspiration had been reached. Lead guitarist and self-proclaimed “benign dictator” of the group Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s latest independent projects up to that point had been increasingly inspired by electronic music. It was obvious that the band was heading in that direction, especially when you consider the sound of their previous album Amputechture compared to the one before it, Frances the Mute.

But when their fifth studio album Octahedron was released in 2009 it was almost as obvious that the rest of the band wasn’t interested. Their last album was back to the fundamentals of progressive rock sound mixed with Latin rock styles. Gone from their next album, however, will be any shred of electric charge but Spanish-language lyrics, which have been a staple of their style since conception. It’s not a cliché band “no me hallo” moment that’s driving the delay in the release though – the album has curiously already been recorded.

With that said, nobody in the band has said much else about it other than it’s stripped down and “future punk”. If only we could know what that means exactly. That’s a pretty convenient description if you ask me. That’s like saying the movie is going to be “unprecedented melodrama” when you’re a filmmaker talking about his latest pre-production. You can’t get more generic than that. The ambiguity, considering Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s intellect, is certainly intentional.

Whatever future punk ends up being it’s most certainly going to be lacking that feisty interchange between hard rock, Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s espanol lamentos, and the tactful injection of electronic power pulses brought to us by the benign dictator Rodriguez-Lopez. Octahedron was back to basics, and with the rumors that the seventh album is in fact merely a “simplifying” of previous recordings it’s clear we won’t be getting that bite from The Mars Volta that we’ve previously been accustomed to.

Whether or not that lingers for their seventh release, which will most likely be their next big artistic leap as long as this next album is indeed a retooling. But maybe this is just a break in the Rodriguez-Lopez dictatorship, and the electro power is soon to return. I prefer groups to act democratically, don’t get me wrong. Just sometimes a little bit of direct control can bring out the best in a band.

I’m looking for a… smoking hot – electro-fied – knows how to work the tables for her benefit – DJ – writer – Girl!

If you fit the bill, we want to hear from you. We’re looking to add a female to our team of electro mp3 bloggers. Do you love electro? Let us know.

Click here to write us and tell us why you think you are the girl we are looking for.

As we proceed to give you what you need, we’e looking for writers to join our squad. Let your voice be heard.

As you can see we are cleaning house and redesigning the site to make it splash – big pimpin all the way. If you have any requests, comments, concerns, or whateva – please let us know so we can make NoVegans – 2.0 better than it was before.

Hit us up on Twitter @NoVegans and tell us whats on your mind!

Stay tuned for a massive Mega Post coming soon…

The rumors are true. Yours truly has packed up his headphones for the last time, and it feels good. I will no longer be remixing, producing, or performing live. I’ve had a great run in the game, and now its time to pass the torch. I have no regrets.

My decision was an easy one to make because I believe, in order to be the best at what you do, you have to be willing to commit every waking moment to your craft, and in my case, I just couldn’t afford the time. You see, there’s only so many hours in a day, and I’ve made a life decision to devote those hours to activities that matter most.

The good news for you is that I will be able to devote more time to managing NoVegans.com and making it the absolutely hottest electro music mp3 blog on the planet, and you can count on that! That’s why – I need writers! Hit me up – let your voice be heard. Join residents Pappy Andrews, mont.le.mont and yours truly. Let’s do this!

In case you were wondering, DJ Renaissance is taking an extended vaca away from the blog – focusing on original music and remixes for 2010. We’ll be back with you at the beginning of February.

The year 2009 was our first full year as a blog, and we’ve made some great strides. I’m not going to bore you with the details, but I’ll let you know I’m very pleased with the number of new and repeat visitors to the site on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

This blog really took off at the end of last year with a post about my favorite Clubbin’ Blogs. I’m stoked to bring you the second edition of that list sometime tomorrow. For now, here’s a short recap of what’s all gone down this year.

Most Visited Blog Post = Jump Smokers – My Flow So Tight
Most Downloaded MP3 = Jump Smokers – My Flow So Tight (Extended Mix)
Most Popular Guest Post = Fidget House Sunday Skool
Hottest Mixtape = DJ Icey’s WMC Mixtape
Artist with the Most Press = Pitbull
DJ with the Most Press = Chew Fu
Craziest Event of the Year = Diplo at Wash U

Last week was a slow week for the blog, but we’re continually testing ways to deliver news about the hottest mp3s as soon as they become available. One way we’re doing this is through the use of Twitter, and if you haven’t heard, then crawl out from under your rock and get an account then follow us because Twitter is where its at!

We’re actually posting 5-6 times daily and sometimes throughout the night about new house and electro tracks on the internetz, and we’re going to start posting Twitter links to our favorite mp3 blogs when as they post new music so by following DJ Renaissance on Twitter, you’re assured to receive word of the hottest mp3s as soon as they’re posted here or anywhere else on the web.

As for the blog, I’ve got a lot of new music to introduce this week before I head out west next week. If you have any requests, be sure to hit me up in the comments or connect with me on Twitter.

If you’re not into the whole Twitter thang, you can also get our Twitter updates directly in Facebook, so be sure to be our friend and become a fan on Facebook too.

DJ Renaissance – Twitter

DJ Renaissance – Facebook

I’m thinking about putting together a mixtape podcast with weekly updates or something like that… whatcha think? I’m sure it will be a chore, but that won’t stop us! We’re excited about all the rad features in the works (or at least in our heads… lol), and getting the podcast up and running is on the top of our list… that’s if you’re interested…

Speaking of new features, I don’t know about you, but I really enjoyed this week’s first edition of Sunday Skool with Pappy Andrews. Homeboi knows his roots and he’s going to be a great addition to the site. We’re also considering adding one or two more writers, so hit us up and give us your pitch. What’s in it for you? Exposure, syndication, and brownie points from my lil sis…

We’ve had a lot of fun sharing new electro dance music over these last 102 posts and we’re looking forward to keeping the streak in tact. If you’re new here, check out our Top 8 Clubbin Blogs. Our list went viral last year and got killer kudos. I’m psyched to put out updated rankings in December (can you say tease?). Our most popular post to date was “Smoke Jumpers – My Flow So Tight.” We actually hit Google Trends for that one, and peeps just couldn’t get enough. But for real, my favorites have been the interviews with djs & producers.

Big ups to our new friends Savi and Jeff T, and old friends too many to name here. Just like these producers, you too can have your music featured on the site so if you think you’ve got a sound meaty enough for No Vegans, then hit us up at Soundcloud or by email. We’re looking forward to your submission.

And finally!!! For those of you in the Lou looking to get your Nikki smack on (I don’t get it either), you know 609 is the spot every Thursday night. Join me and DJ Madmonk as East Meets West for St. Louis’ sexiest international night! Click that banner on the right for details – until next time…

After being gone a little over a month, its been difficult working up the motivation to get back to the grind of pushing out posts each and everyday, but my lil summer break has ended and I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do (Happy Birthday Jimmy). So much has happened since I went away.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter then you know I really enjoyed Wimbledon this year. Of course, NBC blew with their coverage of the tourney, but what’s new? Still can’t believe Andy Roddick lost that final match… What a heartbreaker! Speaking of heartbreakers, I don’t think any of us expected to see MJ die like that. Crazy! And then there’s another loss for the National League… that sucked. I really wanted to see Pujols and the bunch pull it out here in the Lou… Oh well!

On the deejay front, Madmonk and I are tearing up Thursday nights at 609. If you haven’t heard, we changed up the format so its not all electro, all the time anymore. We’ve added some reggaeton and Island beats for an international vibe, and we spin exclusive electro mashups providing an all-out assault on every weak ass deejay in the Lou. We’re stepping up the game in 09 and 609 is where its at on Thursday nights.

Last night, I took the show on the road to Jade, which sits downtown on Olive Street, for their Grand Opening party, and I’m looking forward to heading back real soon.

For the blog, I’m definitely looking for some help. We’ve got a large and loyal following, and we need daily content to live up to our rep in the blogosphere. If you like to write and share music, then hit me up and we’ll talk.

I’ve got so much music just sitting on my computer ready to share. The emails have piled up, and I have a lot to go through. Here’s a lil sample of what’s in store for you:

Keri Hilson ft Kanye West & Ne-Yo – Knock You Down (Chew Fu Ghettoclub Fix)

Jeff T – Outta My Head