A well-mixed weekend soundtrack

By: Elise Hugus, August 19, 2011

Daniel Cojanu - DJ Gildas takes a double shot of Euro house, mixes with a sprinkle of Latin flair, and shakes it up for one of the most interesting dance cocktails to be had this side of the bridge.

Not too long ago, if someone wanted to hear dance music on Cape Cod, they would head to the nearest jukebox and start feeding in the dollar bills.

Now, it seems that the stars have aligned over our fair peninsula, inspiring the venue gods to host a range of electronic music nights mixed by legitimate DJ's.

For those who want to hear the Top 40 hits, the old stalwarts remain on Saturday nights at The Boathouse in Falmouth, the Courtyard, and the International Inn (formerly Cuddle & Bubble) in Hyannis.

But for those who crave a well-mixed soundtrack to their nights out, check out the following:

Latest tracks by Rigoles

• The Leeside heats up Woods Hole on Friday nights, with DJ Ben Runnels switching hats from his roots rock sunset appearance down the street as part of the Silver Still Shines. Formerly a DJ in the classic sense, working for Cape Cod Broadcasting, Runnels spins a form of “new disco,” complete with French house, electric funk, and 1980’s dance hits.

Asked how he manages the switch from the folk-country sound of Silver Still Shines to commanding the digital turntables, Runnels is quizzical.

“I like and value a lot of different kinds of music. They’re total polar opposites, but diversity is good for everyone,” he said.

Expect to hear some familiar funk and dance tunes mixed into an eclectic disco-house beat—but don’t be surprised if it’s not Saturday Night Fever.

“Disco has a bad rap, with afros and bellbottoms and music straight from the billboard charts,” Runnels said.

“The point of disco was to dance, to get into that tribal, trance-like state through dancing. A lot of electronic music owes its heritage to disco. Disco didn’t die, it just went underground.”

Du bleu au vert. Mix for Cape cod. set Live June 2011 for RooBar by DGildas.M

• Saturday nights at The Roo Bar take on a whole new meaning this summer with DJ Gildas Martin's residency, mixing influences from his homeland in France and his adopted port of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for an experience Cape Codders will not forget. Think Daft Punk meets Paul Oakenfold meets Manu Chao.

“The music I play is made for disco or dance parties [that] we have in Europe.The techno-house sound is definitly born in the USA, but the clubs and the rave parties are mostly in Europe now,” DJ Gildas said.

That could change, but it’s up to you. See you on the dance floor!