2009 - A Year in Review
Posted on Dec 19, 2009
Once again, it's that unique time of year when we like to reflect back on the year that was and look forward to the possibilities the new year will bring. For myself, as a dj and producer this was a pretty special year for me in many respects, with the best part being that I was able to share most of those special moments in 2009 with my wife Sarah (I know there not a lot of djs out there that are lucky enough to have such a supportive partner!!).
Event Highlights
2009 started off carrying in the momentum of 2008, with memorable opening slots for Jody Wisternoff, Vibrasphere and Max Graham, along with the continuation of Pure.Prog at the Rhino. Particularly meaningful was the Vibrasphere show which was put on by our Area709 crew. Being the first Area709 show in almost a year, the proceedings of that night were simply excellent - from the music to the decor to those who attended. That show also introduced me to Rickard from Vibrasphere, one of the most down to earth and humbly talented guys a person can meet, whom I've had the pleasure of being in close contact with since.
As the year moved into spring, two major occurrences took place on both exciting and unfortunate levels. On the exciting side, I was booked to headline/co-headline two shows in the U.S. - one in Raleigh, North Carolina and the other in Phoenix, Arizona sharing the stage with the aformentioned Rickard from Vibrasphere. Both gigs were outstanding and the crews that put them on were absolutely fantastic. I hope to be back in your cities very soon.
On the unfortunate side, as a group we decided to pull our Pure.Prog residency out of the Amsterdam Rhino, after three extremely memorable years playing every couple of weeks there. With high hopes, we moved the night to Balance Lounge, however, in a venue where management just didn't quite grasp the idea of long-term commitment and growth when it comes to a dance music night, it quickly faded to extinction over the next few months.
Taking a last look back at Pure.Prog, that residency was something truly special. Three years is a long time doing anything, and in the dj world, it can be considered a lifetime. Over the course of those three years I had the chance to work with and become very close friends with two awesome guys - those being Rob and Matt - and really watch each other grow as djs. I also had the pleasure of developing solid friendships with many of those who supported our nights every month. Christie, Alicia and everyone else, you know who you are and we love you all!
As summer finally arrived, I had another chance to open for Markus Schulz in Calgary at Stampede. As always, for local gigs, these shows are the big highlight of the year for me. I get to share the stage with someone I've looked up to for years and play in front of a ridiculously energetic crowd every time.
Moving into fall, a new residency possibility - the Aura night dedicated to progressive trance - sprouted up at Habitat, along with another booking in Arizona for November, in which I got to share the bill with my sorely missed brother from another mother, Rusty Ezard. Needless to say without explaining the gory details, that whirlwind weekend out in the desert was another big highlight for me this year.
To end the year (and I know this is starting to sound like a broken record!) I'll be opening up for Markus Schulz one more time at Tantra in Calgary, then playing a late slot at the New Year's Eve party at Habitat, also in Calgary. 2009 is definitely going to close with a very loud, arms in the air bang.
709Sessions Radio Show
A major part of this journey as a dj for the last two years has been my 709Sessions radio show. Now broadcasting monthly on four major stations and soon to be five, it's attracted a decent following worldwide, and has presented me with many opportunities to connect with other djs and producers I follow, by having them on as guests.
Not taking anything away from DanceRadio, ETN, Tribalmixes, or Evolved, but the major highlights in 2009 on the radio were courtesy of DI.fm - having my Epic V mix broadcast on DI.fm's trance station to over 4,200 listeners as well as being part of the 10th Anniversary Weekend on DI.fm's progressive channel.
Production Highlights
In the studio, 2009 was a year of great progress. With "Falling Colder" and "Numb" signed to System Recordings early in the year, the motivation was in place to keep working on new material and produce better and better music.
In May, things really started to pick up as Jetlag Digital signed both mixes of "Seraphim's Ghost". This was a track I've always wanted to write since hearing the original Dead Can Dance track "Host of Seraphim" in the movie Baraka some years ago.
Rolling into summer, I put together another dark progressive number while sitting pool-side on vacation in Mexico, aptly titled "Lost in Humidity", which was just released to the world this past week on Jetlag Digital.
As fall came, with my day job slowing down somewhat, a lot more studio time became available. In that time, I cranked out three more original tracks, which are currently being shopped around to labels, a remix of Jason Klos's "Manyak", which should be out sometime in the new year, as well as another remix of Vibrasphere's "Erosion", which should also be released soon.
Looking forward to the new year, it's the production side of things that really has me excited. Even just listening back over the tracks from the past year, my latest works are miles ahead of the earlier ones. Hopefully that progress can continue even further.
Looking Ahead to 2010
What does the new year hold? Nothing but good opportunities I'm sure. Having recently completed the branding of myself as a dj, with the new brand, website, press-kit, myspace, etc. as well as bringing on the Hubvibes crew to represent me for a bunch of new bookings, there's potential for a lot of interesting things to happen, both in Calgary and across the country. After getting a larger taste of traveling out of town to play in 2009, I definitely have the itch to do it more.
In the studio, the plan is to simply continue to spend every extra minute I can working on music whether it be originals or remixes. With Rob's fantastic Producer Exchange up and running, I'll be sure to get my 'homework' assignments done every month!
Area709-wise, there are a few plans already in the works for shows in 2010. Although these shows tend to require massive amounts of energy and commitment, I always plan on being involved in one or two each year, as it's been proven with every show that there's nothing stronger in Calgary than the underground community that supports our 709 collective.
And finally, on a truly heartfelt note (and why does this seem to happen every year, I think I'll lose my mind!), another close friend of mine who both my wife and I have shared a ton of dj/music experiences and conversations with over the past three years is moving back to Australia - that being none other than Matthew Belleghem. Although I'm almost certain he'll be late for his flight, it's going to be sad to see him go and he will be sorely missed.
I've definitely learned over the past year, with Rusty already having moved away, that the only thing you can fill that now physical void with are the memories you've shared together and the possibility of sharing more in the future - so Matt, once you get settled down there, it's time to make that Australian tour happen, because you know Sarah and I will be the first to visit!
Final Words
And with that, 2009 is about to officially come to a close. I'd like to thank everyone who's supported me throughout the year and I appreciate every one of you and am always flattered to have such a strong following for what I'm trying to do as an artist. There may not be thousands of you (yet.. ha!), but it blows me away how each of you individually are always there, whether at events, listening online, downloading music or even reading some of the silliness that flies out of my brain from time to time.
Have a great holiday season and best wishes new year.
Thank you.