Well summer is officially over! It’s been a hectic one for me. I seemed to nhave spent more time in airports, hotels and clubs than I have at home. But it’s nall been good.n
I did many tours overseas during the summer, including China, America, Australia, n Japan and Finland, oh and of course the white island, Ibiza.
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China n was very surprising, I had played there earlier in the year and did a club tour n which was great but this time was more of an outdoor event. It was held at the n Workers’ Stadium in Beijing. The production was amazing – it was just like a n concert. There were bands and dancers. I came on stage at around 9.30pm to be n greeted by 12,000 people screaming at the front of the stage, it was surreal n but very enjoyable. As it was an early gig we decided to check out the local n club scene afterwards. Ended up in this great club where they were playing Tech n House! It was fantastic. We stayed there and ended up a little worse for wear. n Thanks to Paul Wong and his team who really know how to throw a party! Cheers n guys!
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Next up was America where I went for a GODSKITCHEN n night in LA. I stayed ay an amazing hotel called “The Standard” on n Sunset Boulevard. It was real American 50’s glamour with a hint of contemporary n design, very chic. I did 2 gigs, first was the Key Club on Sunset Boulevard. n I arrived in style in a stretch limo, not really my thing to be honest but hey n I was in LA! A really nice club with great people and an excellent sound system. n I played more of a deep house set here as this was the pre-party to the main n event later that night and I didn’t want to give to much away.
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Then n it was back in the limo to The Palace Club in West Hollywood. As we arrived n around 3:00am I was shocked to see so many people around the venue, it really n was a road block. Police and everything. Got inside eventually and chilled out n for a while before I had to start playing. I didn’t know until I arrived n but I was to be on a stage behind a curtain and then when it was time for my n set the curtain lifted and I looked out to around 2,000 people facing the stage, n it was excellent! Played a full on party hard house set; America is a little n behind in the dance scene but this club rocked, they really knew how to party n there. I had a wonderful time and thanks to Steve Castro and Lance for such n a great night, hope to see you again soon!
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Next up was Australia, my favourite country in the world (except for the long n flight there!). Any opportunity to go and I’m off…… I played n at Sleaze Ball which is the winter dance party for the Mardi Gras organisation. n I had been to Sleaze many years ago and always wanted to play there. They don’t n usually have international DJs at the event so I was chuffed when they
contacted n me about playing for them. The parties are always themed and this year it was n “BEAST”. It was held at Fox film studios in Sydney and was n laid out over 4 rooms. The room I was playing in was called “The Horden” n and held about 6,000 people!! There were around 15,000 people in total at the n party. I was amazed when at the quality of production and sound on this scale. n Normally when you play at outdoor events or big rooms the sound gets lost but n here it was like playing in a small club, so hats off to Sleaze. I played a n funky hard house set and the crowd went wild! The Ozzies always know how to n enjoy themselves at a party… Thanks to everyone at Mardi Gras for such n an excellent time.
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I also played at a Slinky tour night with DJ Taucher, the event was held at n Gas, a club in Sydney. I had a ball as I always do in Sydney. The crowd were n really up for it when I went on as John Ferris had whipped them up in to a frenzy! n I had played alongside John earlier in the year at his own night “Plastic”. n Another top night down under and thanks to Simon, John and Lisa for a great n night. I had a few days rest before moving on and managed to meet up with friends n and get some time on the beach.
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From n Australia I went direct to Tokyo which made the trip back home a lot easier! n Had 2 days rest before I went to Osaka to play my first gig at a club called n Explosion. It was a really small club with hardly any lights but an awesome n sound system, one of those clubs where people are really in to their music. n I got on the decks around 3am and the place was rocking. It was a pure house n music club. As I mixed in my first tune the crowd went ballistic and from then n on it just got better and better. I don’t get the opportunity to play deep n underground house that often but when I do I really enjoy it. The crowd were n so responsive to everything I played. I ended up playing for an extra hour as n I was having a good time and nobody seemed to mind!
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From Osaka we took the bullet train back to Tokyo for my second gig at CODE n in Shinjigu. I’ve played at this venue before and have always had a great n time. It’s really weird as you have to take a lift from the street up to n the 4th floor where you come out directly in to the venue! Again I played a n deep house set. The night ended with me stumbling back to my hotel room yet n again. I had been away for 2 weeks now and was missing home so was happy to n get on that plane. Thanks to Taka, Yuji, Luciano and Colleen for a great time n yet again……
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More n recently I did a Ministry Of Sound tour in Finland. Arrived into Helsinki and n then had to take a tour bus to Turku for our first gig. The drive was 2 hours n but we had fun as there were plenty of beers in the bus. Did the gig that night n in Turku to an up-for-it friendly crowd. I love playing for Ministry nights n as I get to play house sets. The following morning we drove back to Helsinki n a little blurry eyed. The bus was a lot quieter than it had been on the drive n up! I wonder why? Stayed at a great hotel near the harbour. Managed to get a n little disco nap before having dinner and then going on to the club which was n amazing. The venue was really cool, very nicely designed and was full to the n rafters. The crowd were fantastic and really into house music. Went on at 1.30am. n The club was supposed to close at 3.30am but they were still there at 4 clapping n and stomping their feet. I had to play 2 encores and they still wanted more. n It was probably one of the best nights I’ve had. I also played for Ministry n in Ibiza this year at Pacha and Space.
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Apart from my globe trotting I’ve been up and down the UK a lot, I wish n I could earn air miles for the travelling I do on motorways! Have had some excellent n nights including Progress in Derby where they’re always up for it, Storm in n Coalville, Cheeky Lil’ Monkey in Bournemouth and Bed in Sheffield.
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Festival-wise, n I did the Trade tent at London Mardi Gras where I also did a live mix on the n radio 1 stage for Judge Jules’ show. Did a festival in Spain called “Freedom” n which was really good except for when I arrived at the event it was being evacuated n because of a bomb scare! Had to wait about an hour before they let people back n in, but it was worth it! Later in the summer I played for DTPM at The Ministry n Festival, Knebworth. A fantastic day and the highlight for me was Jamiroquai n live on stage…
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The biggest news of the summer for me was my departure from Trade. It came n as a surprise to a lot of people. I had been a resident for 9 years, which is n a long time for any DJ to hold. I had had some great nights at Trade both as n a DJ and a clubber but felt it was time to move on in my career. I wouldn’t n say that I have left for good as you never know! I will go back and do the occasional n set and maybe tours.
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I continue to do my weekly radio show “The Global Dance Experience” n which goes out every Thursday night on Ministry Of Sound radio via their n website and on the digital network in London, why not check it out sometime! n
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I have also been busy in the studio. Did a lot of remixes including the Trade n anthem “Lets Rock” by E-Trax which was released by Tidy n Trax. Did several solo singles including 2 releases for Rudeboy records n under my guise of Alter Ego, which is the name I use for my hardhouse productions n and remixes. I also had a solo single on Dinky records, Australia and did 2 n collaborations with BK for Nukleuz records. Compilation-wise, I did “The n Deep And Funky Sounds Of Sunday” for my Sunday night residency at DTPM n and is an example of my house sets.
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Coming up soon is my first exclusive mix CD (AT 01) for this site and n this site is the only place where you can buy it. I’m in the studio this n week working on a couple of house tracks. I have done a lot of hard house recently n and want to get back to recording some house music as I haven’t done anything n for a while. Got some ideas so let’s hope they work! Watch this space for n the result..
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DJ wise I’m pretty much in the UK for a while now, you can check my diary n here on this site. As n for NYE, I haven’t decided yet where to play. I have had several offers n including some from overseas but you will be able to find out here first…..
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Well I thinks that’s about it for now. You know what I’ve been up n to over the summer, so keep coming back for more updates of what I’m doing n around the world.
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Ciao
