DatesResidencies
ProfileImagesWith regular chances to play in Auckland including clubs such as Coast, Morrisson, Blend and Calibre, 2004 was a good year for getting out on the circuit. The feedback has been great from everyone involved which is fantastic. The best way to catch a set in 2005 is to check the dates section for any upcoming gigs.
There are two main areas of musical direction, House and Funk. House ranges from deep to funky to tech, focussing on percussion elements to get a very danceable sound. Labels followed closely are Classic, Seasons, Pro-Zak Trax and 20/20 Vision to name a few. Funk is a wide spectrum of old school and new school funk, soul, disco, jazz and downbeat following artists such as Plaisir De France, Idris Muhammad, George Duke, and many others.
Velvet Masquerade at Galatos was a great party, and when given a great set, 12-2 in the main room, was a fantastic opportunity to get the party started in the right way. The dance floor was rammed, Lewis (Sax) and Kay Smith (Percussion) joined in and added their outstanding musical talent to one of the best sets I have played to make the whole experience something very memorable. Other Velvet highlights include the New Years Eve set in the main room for 2002 and Velvet Lamour 4-6 in the Safari Room at the Civic.
Starting at the beginning - well, for me anyway - I think dance music first captured my heart when I was spinning around on my back to Herbie Hancock's 'Rocket'. Ever since then dance music has been my main musical direction. The next major landmark was Prodigy's 'Charlie'. This track started the journey into Techno, Rave, Jungle and House in the early 90's. The music collection started here, and would span the next seven years or so and evolve from the styles above, to Drum and Bass, and then Trip Hop. Then in 1999 a trip to LA opened my eyes to an underground house scene - which was an 'afterhours' on Hollywood Boulevard - Marcus Wyatt on the decks, and a single desk lamp for him to see was the lighting in a brand less venue. The people were diverse to say the least, but all this came together to make an amazing experience, with House music at the center. It is fair to say that this night, and a steady stream of Moonshine Music Mix CD's during mammoth road trips turned me back on to house, in a major way.