What’s the concept behind this mix?
I took Gerard K. O’Neill’s Space Colony illustration(s) and conceived of a deep space orbit. Ruminated on what life in a mostly artificial and carefully constructed space cylinder would be like. Maybe this is a transmission from a distant Earth zone. A far-away sun system.
The future is very digital and therefore very diasporic, but music is still experienced in a physical space. You can listen to music recorded in Mexico City, and published in Tokyo and then downloaded on an airplane and then you listen to it in your backyard. But when we talk about DJing it’s often about people being in a room together at the same moment in time. What is unique about playing music in the physical location of Michigan that can’t be replicated digitally or elsewhere?
Being in an isolated area like Northern Michigan can be tough in that respect. But, I think this has actually had much to do with my musical exploring as it forced me to dig deep to either discover or create things that otherwise weren’t available in my immediate surroundings. Further, the lush natural landscape has certainly seeped into my musical predilections.
As the dance floor, the promoter, the DJ and the club are being taken more seriously as locations for social change and community building, what do you see as the responsibility for yourself as a DJ/producer to the community?
Honestly, I just try to do my best at creating a beautiful, hopefully sometimes cathartic experience for people to dance and connect deeply with themselves and others. Although sometimes it may seem frivolous I think it’s very important for people to satisfy that innate desire to dance, socialize, and untangle from their everyday world. Some of my most treasured memories and relationships have sprouted from dance and music-related events, and I could only hope to create an atmosphere conducive to that.
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