September to November 2007
The chapter you’re about to read is one that will have many layers… we are well into the fall counting down the days to winter and I have left a big gap between my last entry. The reason for this has been because I’ve been busy…
Let’s get you up to speed… August… this month was a ‘work’ month for me. I was able to do some filming with the back story of my project and capture some intimate interviews with some of my friends that are part of the reunion sub-plot of the documentary. ‘Work’ though was referring more to cash flow for the dream. Primarily I work on film and television sets to pay the bills and for the passion known as GGN but this summer due to marriage, a new place, and the always unforeseen expenses I dawned the apron one more time for tips. I worked at this patio driven Italian restaurant in Toronto known as The Standard. This place certainly set a STANDARD… let me tell you… but I don’t think it’s going to be winning any awards this season. In all my years serving and bartending I’ve never worked at such a fucked up place where the staff steps in then steps out all in one breath and the intoxicated cooks and bartenders set a new level of excellence on speed and quality. We should have been shut down so many times on our lack of health regulation quotas but for some odd reason in the summer this place was crazy busy… The clientele was certainly a mixture of middle to low class and I guess the place had a little charm but when you’re there for as many days as I was clocking in during August the charm runs thin. Life is all about doing what you need to do to survive and achieve a greater sense of self-worth and satisfaction so this was my step towards that. August wrapped, more bills were paid, and as the Labor Day weekend approached I got excited! I was planning on filming the big event at the Guvernment and get interviews with Armin Van Buuren and Sander Van Doorn which was purely an accident of sorts due to the fact that I’m not a huge Trance music guy. This accident ended up being one of the highlight surprises of my journey thus far…
It was Sunday… Labor Day weekend… and thanks to Cyrus, a great supporter within the Guvernment family, he arranged getting these talented artists to agree to some interviews. I was dead tired from the shift at the restaurant the night before but when I woke that Sunday afternoon I was energized for a late night of killer beats and great insight from these artists. Armin has been ranked in the top 5 in the world for many years and this year actually made it all the way to number one which was well deserved for his style of music within the electronic genre. Sander cracked the top 20 and is a new comer of sorts but his music and presentation behind the decks is something that will surprise any skeptic… especially someone like me, who is only now growing an appreciation for Trance music. The night was all about spectacle… The Guvernment rolled out the red carpet for it’s patrons with Brazilian type dancers shaking ass outside for the lined up crowd, trampoline acrobats showing their skills, and outside d-jays entertaining the anxious crowd waiting to get inside. I really admire the Guvernment for trying to give as much bang for their buck to the crowd… it’s a highly competitive industry and it’s nice when you see the peeps who have coin actually show you that they will not spare any expense to give the crowd an experience. I’m certainly a fan of the simplicity’s but you need both to create a balance within the community and culture. It’s about the celebration of music and this was certainly that…
The interviews went amazing with Armin and Sander and if you get a chance take a peak on the site you’ll get a taste of it. I have a newfound respect for these two artists and actually plan on getting more in depth into their crazy worlds when I travel to Europe in the New Year.
Another highlight within the Guvernment family interviews was my chance to speak with the resident d-jay for the past 11 years Mark Oliver. This guy is truly an interesting character with a genuine heart and passion for the music he plays. Throughout the years that I partied hard during the late nineties I would pop up at events where Mark was the maestro and it was always a highlight of the party. Mark is one of those rare talents that have such an amazing catalogue of music choices that he can sustain a party for 9 hours behind the decks. The crowd will never be bored when he’s in control and he is one of the few d-jays today that still incorporates vinyl into his set. The conversations we had were very insightful in the back story of the Toronto scene back in the nineties as well as just his own inspirations as an artist. Along with interviews from other major players during the old school Toronto days, you, the audience, are in for a treat of what the SCENE use to be here in the city. His sneak peek will be available later this month so make sure you check out the site…
The month of September flew by and with many hours put down in the editing room to catch up on all the footage we had shot, the process of putting a project like this together really came into scope. You have an original vision about things and as you start the process it changes and evolves in your head. Along with these changes you have to deal with the limitations of finance, scheduling, and the unknown… it really has taken its toll on the mind so to speak. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress of the film, the brand, and the vision of what GGN is becoming but I’m continually being drained. I have an amazing team of camera peeps, editors, and business affiliates that have jumped on board to help the cause but sometimes the time lines that we try to meet are trying and unrealistic on paper. I have to say though this is been truly a test in patience and determination and it’s still several months away from me putting to bed… but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… and certainly I’m a different person for the better because of it.
October… let’s start with a word to describe it… EVOLUTION.
When I say evolution it refers to my original ideas being shaped by the environment around me. As I stated on numerous occasions you sometimes become a product of your environment. You have to roll with the punches and sometimes the path that you think you’re choosing ends up choosing you. This couldn’t be anymore true when it comes to how my reunion has shaped up for execution at the end of November. Originally I had a grand concept of throwing a big party at the Guvernment with a huge line up of d-jays that I’ve been interviewing and play out the reunion on camera in this setting. Due to some financial setbacks we had to change the plan but in its own weird way it kind of changed and evolved for the better. The party now is happening at the end of November at This Is London in Toronto and the headliner is the one and only DJ Dan. This couldn’t have played out any better then I could have imagined due to the fact that Dan was the first d-jay that we as a group really connected to and over the course of this shoot I’ve gotten to know Dan and his peeps on such a greater level of friendship. Connection, family, and tribal tendencies that are the core messages addressed in the film will have a true home and event to be the back drop for. I can’t wait until the 30th when all the familiar faces get together for One Night Only. A big party will happen sometime in the future for the brand GGN but for now this is the path that chose me…
The rest of the month has involved a lot of amazing things but instead of highlighting more and more stuff for you I think this would be a great opportunity to take a peak at the site… we have updated it with mixes, sneak peeks, bios, links, and so much more… to truly experience what were trying to do as a movement you need to do some viewing… check out www.groovetheglobe.com and join our network of electronic music lovers…
Stay tuned… highlights of the reunion; interviews with Steve Angelo, Blank and Jones, Satoshi Tomei, and Hector Romero are just around the corner!!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
June and July - LIFE MOVES PRETTY FAST!
June to July 2007
I’ve been neglecting the write ups as of late due to the fact that my life has been incredibly busy and I do apologize… I’ve wanted to give you the reader and future viewer of my adventures a chance to really get a behind the scenes look at what I’m trying to accomplish with this passion project of mine. As you can see there is a bit of a gap in time but as you’ll see as I write my ups and downs for this particular time span there is plenty to catch you up on!
Let’s start form the beginning of June where the chaos and pressure started to mount as our deadlines to finalize deals for the party reached the critical stage… The talks with the venue had been going on for relatively two months up to this point and everything was always on a positive note but the word ‘stall’ truly found it’s meaning in our dealings. Our promoters had been in an ongoing conversation that said essentially said ‘yes’ to the party but due to the way things are handled at the venue it required a few people to sit in the same room and do the necessary hand shakes to agree on the terms. Stress was mounting on my end due to the fact that as much as my promoters were filling me in on the events it’s never the same as actually being there to comment on all the conversation that is going on in the moment. I had put complete faith in my promoter which is needed but due to the fact it’s my money on the line I was beginning to feel the strain of the unknown. The loan from the bank was hanging by a thread due to the mystery of the final deal we would strike up with the venue and are timeline to book the talent was running out… it was truly pressure cooker time and the end result pushed through June which made new choices having to be made. The dream of Film Festival execution had slipped from our grasp and a new date seemed to be the only solution… After discussing options with my partners and the bank we decided to move it to the beginning of March during Fashion Week in Toronto in order to give us the necessary time to book the talent we wanted and coincide with an event week in my hometown. I guess snow will potentially be our back drop instead of sun but the reality of heat and good times will still be evident on the dance floor come that fateful night in 2008.
Now if that was not enough in the stress department the countdown was on for the official ceremony for the biggest day of my life to date… the date I speak of involved one beautiful lady, 50 of my closest friends, one dad, a pair of new surrogate parents, and an island off the coast of California known as Catalina. This was my wedding… this was the day that was truly going to change my life… and this is one of those amazing times of stress that you embrace but in terms of timing sometimes can add a lot to an already full plate of responsibility. I’ve been fortunate that I have decided to marry a woman who deserves a cape and secret identity in the organization department which gave me some relief but to watch her bog herself down with her overwhelming schedule added some spice to some of our conversations over the course of June. As well as I thought I knew time management, there is no way to compare my skills to hers due to the fact that mine match a 2 year old learning to walk compared to my sexy and intelligent lady. In case I haven’t thanked her enough here is a little shout out to the lady of the hour Jennifer… you are an angel of organization that keeps me on the straight and narrow… I LOVE you for it and am at your disposal for anything you need… especially sexual… did I say that out loud? Oh yes I did!
With all this going on I managed to still keep work moving forward by journeying back to Cleveland on a short notice trip to interview ATB and Kenneth Thomas. If you’re curious why Cleveland has become a repeat destination my only answer to that I felt this would be my only opportunity in this journey to add some thoughts from these two talented d-jays to the film. Both d-jays are more of a trance sound in their expression and to truly give a perspective of understanding to this culture I felt it important to expand from my haven of HOUSE music to other genres of dance. ATB and Kenneth were an absolute pleasure to interview and gave two very different voices to the themes I was covering. ATB is from Germany while Kenneth is from Detroit… Europe vs. North America… the sounds and message comes from the same place but the way it is expressed is truly different. The crowd wasn’t disappointed and neither was I…
With all this going on during the month of June, the time flew by and as most people experience there never seems to be enough time in the day. I was behind in my editing due to scheduling conflicts with my editors, the wedding was closing in, the party had to be pushed, and due to these set backs more adjusting to business plans had to be done to appease the bank that was now causing us issues due to our date changes. The stress was mounting, my debt was at an all time high and the light at the end of the tunnel was starting to seem further and further away. Did I mention I moved as well? Let me give you some advice… if you feel the world is closing in with pressure, don’t move. It’s simple advice… advice I couldn’t really take myself due to my living arrangements… but advice nonetheless I will take to heart in any other future bogged down monthly schedules. I could keep explaining and describing the process as how it happened to me but I think MOVE is all I need to say.
With the wedding right around the corner and the editing behind schedule I looked forward to unplugging for the big event and regrouping when I got back. It was a 10 day adventure with my friends and wife to be and I couldn’t ask for a better moment for this to happen. With all the stress that had mounted it all just melted away like the first days of spring. It was a special day and a special week with the people I care about. The reflection of why I’m doing this film for me came out in all its glory as FAMILY became my muse for getting back on the horse and recharging the battery for the journey that lies ahead.
The journey and its journals will start once more as the month of July comes to an end and the back story to my Toronto days is focused on through the month of August. New segments, mixes, and interviews will be exposed to YOU the public! Just remember…
ARE YOU LISTENING?
I’ve been neglecting the write ups as of late due to the fact that my life has been incredibly busy and I do apologize… I’ve wanted to give you the reader and future viewer of my adventures a chance to really get a behind the scenes look at what I’m trying to accomplish with this passion project of mine. As you can see there is a bit of a gap in time but as you’ll see as I write my ups and downs for this particular time span there is plenty to catch you up on!
Let’s start form the beginning of June where the chaos and pressure started to mount as our deadlines to finalize deals for the party reached the critical stage… The talks with the venue had been going on for relatively two months up to this point and everything was always on a positive note but the word ‘stall’ truly found it’s meaning in our dealings. Our promoters had been in an ongoing conversation that said essentially said ‘yes’ to the party but due to the way things are handled at the venue it required a few people to sit in the same room and do the necessary hand shakes to agree on the terms. Stress was mounting on my end due to the fact that as much as my promoters were filling me in on the events it’s never the same as actually being there to comment on all the conversation that is going on in the moment. I had put complete faith in my promoter which is needed but due to the fact it’s my money on the line I was beginning to feel the strain of the unknown. The loan from the bank was hanging by a thread due to the mystery of the final deal we would strike up with the venue and are timeline to book the talent was running out… it was truly pressure cooker time and the end result pushed through June which made new choices having to be made. The dream of Film Festival execution had slipped from our grasp and a new date seemed to be the only solution… After discussing options with my partners and the bank we decided to move it to the beginning of March during Fashion Week in Toronto in order to give us the necessary time to book the talent we wanted and coincide with an event week in my hometown. I guess snow will potentially be our back drop instead of sun but the reality of heat and good times will still be evident on the dance floor come that fateful night in 2008.
Now if that was not enough in the stress department the countdown was on for the official ceremony for the biggest day of my life to date… the date I speak of involved one beautiful lady, 50 of my closest friends, one dad, a pair of new surrogate parents, and an island off the coast of California known as Catalina. This was my wedding… this was the day that was truly going to change my life… and this is one of those amazing times of stress that you embrace but in terms of timing sometimes can add a lot to an already full plate of responsibility. I’ve been fortunate that I have decided to marry a woman who deserves a cape and secret identity in the organization department which gave me some relief but to watch her bog herself down with her overwhelming schedule added some spice to some of our conversations over the course of June. As well as I thought I knew time management, there is no way to compare my skills to hers due to the fact that mine match a 2 year old learning to walk compared to my sexy and intelligent lady. In case I haven’t thanked her enough here is a little shout out to the lady of the hour Jennifer… you are an angel of organization that keeps me on the straight and narrow… I LOVE you for it and am at your disposal for anything you need… especially sexual… did I say that out loud? Oh yes I did!
With all this going on I managed to still keep work moving forward by journeying back to Cleveland on a short notice trip to interview ATB and Kenneth Thomas. If you’re curious why Cleveland has become a repeat destination my only answer to that I felt this would be my only opportunity in this journey to add some thoughts from these two talented d-jays to the film. Both d-jays are more of a trance sound in their expression and to truly give a perspective of understanding to this culture I felt it important to expand from my haven of HOUSE music to other genres of dance. ATB and Kenneth were an absolute pleasure to interview and gave two very different voices to the themes I was covering. ATB is from Germany while Kenneth is from Detroit… Europe vs. North America… the sounds and message comes from the same place but the way it is expressed is truly different. The crowd wasn’t disappointed and neither was I…
With all this going on during the month of June, the time flew by and as most people experience there never seems to be enough time in the day. I was behind in my editing due to scheduling conflicts with my editors, the wedding was closing in, the party had to be pushed, and due to these set backs more adjusting to business plans had to be done to appease the bank that was now causing us issues due to our date changes. The stress was mounting, my debt was at an all time high and the light at the end of the tunnel was starting to seem further and further away. Did I mention I moved as well? Let me give you some advice… if you feel the world is closing in with pressure, don’t move. It’s simple advice… advice I couldn’t really take myself due to my living arrangements… but advice nonetheless I will take to heart in any other future bogged down monthly schedules. I could keep explaining and describing the process as how it happened to me but I think MOVE is all I need to say.
With the wedding right around the corner and the editing behind schedule I looked forward to unplugging for the big event and regrouping when I got back. It was a 10 day adventure with my friends and wife to be and I couldn’t ask for a better moment for this to happen. With all the stress that had mounted it all just melted away like the first days of spring. It was a special day and a special week with the people I care about. The reflection of why I’m doing this film for me came out in all its glory as FAMILY became my muse for getting back on the horse and recharging the battery for the journey that lies ahead.
The journey and its journals will start once more as the month of July comes to an end and the back story to my Toronto days is focused on through the month of August. New segments, mixes, and interviews will be exposed to YOU the public! Just remember…
ARE YOU LISTENING?
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Max Graham ... The travelling minstrel
I left you last with comments about my financial situation… has it changed? Rocky roads have been the trail as of late but this is the week I find out if everything will work out… that’s right… within the next couple of weeks I’m hoping to lock down the loan. The new people that I’ve partnered up with have been amazing and feel confident that they can make the magic happen for my bank account. As I board the plane to head to Panama to film Max Graham the dream feels like it still has life… but more on that later… for now the focus becomes on what really needs to be talked about… Max!
For the last 10 years there has been a presence in my evolution within the house scene. This presence has shaped me with his skills behind the deck and as a producer in general. I’ve been fortunate enough to be exposed to a lot of great talented d-jays being from Toronto and with many of these skillful maestros coming from different countries from around the world it was nice to finally have a talent from my country reach a global audience with his sound. This statement doesn’t put down the local talent because we certainly have some of the best in the world but when an individual can reach out of his own kitchen and start cooking for a larger population that appreciates what he cooks then you should take notice and understand why… Max Graham is this chef I speak of and to experience a set and voyage through his eyes it is truly an amazing moment to any electronic music fan.
Panama was scorching hot with record temperatures and the kind of dirty heat that you appreciated but questioned as parts of your body sizzled with delight. Central America had opened its doors and with Max on tap to interview in the evening my crew and I decided to visit the city and find out where the borders began and the similarities blend. Panama is a city of both wealth and poverty. No middle ground seems to exist and even though the areas we traveled to have issues of just complete rundown economic stature, the people seemed to deal with it with a sense of happiness. One thing I did notice that was quite interesting in these moments of examination was that music seemed to be playing… it was in Spanish… varied in genres… but the soundtrack and message it gave to the people listening was quite noticeable and uplifting to the surroundings around. Music does that to people, be it from whatever genre, and it’s nice to feel that universal synchronicity 1000’s of miles away from your home. The power of rhythm and beat is a special thing to listen to and control… it only helped build excitement as the day flew by and we approached our interview time with Max.
The interview with Max happened and for me to go into detail at this moment would be wrong due to the fact that the cameras were rolling… you the electronic listener will get your full experience soon enough… until then just know that this well spoken individual didn’t hold back and gave us one of our finest interviews which I can say makes me proud to be Canadian as well as gives me that sense that this project through hell or high water needs to make it to the finish line.
Normally my entries wrap up there thoughts on my final notes on the artist but we were fortunate to experience another chapter in the Panama files… oh yes… this is where the eyes really opened up as a visual artist whom I categorize myself as. I’m not one in the traditional sense but as a film maker you take the world and create a canvas through your lens, scenery, story, characters, and choices of putting it all together. Today… the day after Max took care of business at this beautiful oasis known as PLAY… was my first time tackling the rainforest and interacting with genuine Central America tribesman. The adventure was a last minute edition to the trip and with cameras in hand we went a couple of hours south into the heart of the rainforest to experience a tribe showcase it’s lifestyle and how music brings them together as one. The similarities to the bang of their hollowed out turtle shell drums, bird bone xylophones, and carved out flutes timed to the unison of a tribe chanting and dancing was amazing. The rhythm of the beat and the synchronized timing of their dance moves communicated to each other along with the visitors that had been welcomed into their world. I’ve never felt such calmness in my inner soul knowing that people like them have such common threads to my tribe’s power and meaning… The BEAT must go on…
More answers to my problems and adventures will be posted soon enough… I hope as you read this you get a chance to reflect on your life for a moment. The reason I say this is as much as the joy and pain do become unbearable sometimes we as human beings need this to help be complete in our existence. My adventure is far from over and I’m grateful…
Look at yourself for a moment and ask that question… Are you grateful? Until we talk again…
ATB … here I come!
For the last 10 years there has been a presence in my evolution within the house scene. This presence has shaped me with his skills behind the deck and as a producer in general. I’ve been fortunate enough to be exposed to a lot of great talented d-jays being from Toronto and with many of these skillful maestros coming from different countries from around the world it was nice to finally have a talent from my country reach a global audience with his sound. This statement doesn’t put down the local talent because we certainly have some of the best in the world but when an individual can reach out of his own kitchen and start cooking for a larger population that appreciates what he cooks then you should take notice and understand why… Max Graham is this chef I speak of and to experience a set and voyage through his eyes it is truly an amazing moment to any electronic music fan.
Panama was scorching hot with record temperatures and the kind of dirty heat that you appreciated but questioned as parts of your body sizzled with delight. Central America had opened its doors and with Max on tap to interview in the evening my crew and I decided to visit the city and find out where the borders began and the similarities blend. Panama is a city of both wealth and poverty. No middle ground seems to exist and even though the areas we traveled to have issues of just complete rundown economic stature, the people seemed to deal with it with a sense of happiness. One thing I did notice that was quite interesting in these moments of examination was that music seemed to be playing… it was in Spanish… varied in genres… but the soundtrack and message it gave to the people listening was quite noticeable and uplifting to the surroundings around. Music does that to people, be it from whatever genre, and it’s nice to feel that universal synchronicity 1000’s of miles away from your home. The power of rhythm and beat is a special thing to listen to and control… it only helped build excitement as the day flew by and we approached our interview time with Max.
The interview with Max happened and for me to go into detail at this moment would be wrong due to the fact that the cameras were rolling… you the electronic listener will get your full experience soon enough… until then just know that this well spoken individual didn’t hold back and gave us one of our finest interviews which I can say makes me proud to be Canadian as well as gives me that sense that this project through hell or high water needs to make it to the finish line.
Normally my entries wrap up there thoughts on my final notes on the artist but we were fortunate to experience another chapter in the Panama files… oh yes… this is where the eyes really opened up as a visual artist whom I categorize myself as. I’m not one in the traditional sense but as a film maker you take the world and create a canvas through your lens, scenery, story, characters, and choices of putting it all together. Today… the day after Max took care of business at this beautiful oasis known as PLAY… was my first time tackling the rainforest and interacting with genuine Central America tribesman. The adventure was a last minute edition to the trip and with cameras in hand we went a couple of hours south into the heart of the rainforest to experience a tribe showcase it’s lifestyle and how music brings them together as one. The similarities to the bang of their hollowed out turtle shell drums, bird bone xylophones, and carved out flutes timed to the unison of a tribe chanting and dancing was amazing. The rhythm of the beat and the synchronized timing of their dance moves communicated to each other along with the visitors that had been welcomed into their world. I’ve never felt such calmness in my inner soul knowing that people like them have such common threads to my tribe’s power and meaning… The BEAT must go on…
More answers to my problems and adventures will be posted soon enough… I hope as you read this you get a chance to reflect on your life for a moment. The reason I say this is as much as the joy and pain do become unbearable sometimes we as human beings need this to help be complete in our existence. My adventure is far from over and I’m grateful…
Look at yourself for a moment and ask that question… Are you grateful? Until we talk again…
ATB … here I come!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Kick me when I'm down and I'll pick myself up! - GGN
March 29th
This entry has so many highlights but It’s hard to reflect on the positive right away because I’m dealing with a severe blow that was dropped on me yesterday. The blow that I speak of comes from a financial sense and has caused stress for me and my wife for the last 24 hours. During this time that I’ve been shooting this film I’ve been financing this project with my credit cards and any other spare cash I can muster from the random jobs I’ve been working. A bank loan was discussed with several banks over the course of the last six months to finish the project and we had come up with a great business plan to clear the debt which revolved around the party I was planning on throwing and filming for the movie in Toronto. It looked like everything was falling into place and we found a co-signer for our loan and had all the elements set up with the venue and promoters for the event. Then the bomb was dropped; the bank we had discussions with had misread our proposal and realized they couldn’t help us. The small business loan terms we had proposed had us paying them back in September with interest payments taken care of in the meantime. The plan was fool proof due to the experience, the venue, and the talent we have connected with our party… but due to this non traditional way of how we planned on executing our proposal, the bank changed their mind when they registered the information for a second time. I think what really bugs me about this is that we approached them in November and they didn’t fill us in on this roadblock. We had wasted so much time working in one direction of getting a co-signer when in the end it ended up being all for nothing… now I’m under the pressure gun to at least raise 60k in a month for deposits and try and keep the schedule intact for the party in September. It’s truly a disaster in many senses of the word but I guess all you can do is get angry and cry for a day then get back on the horse and try to make things happen. Life is too short to just give up and for all the amazing footage I’ve managed to put together as well as the relationships I’ve made over this year with the electronic community, I refuse to give up! Kick me when I’m down… I can take it. I just need to find this money!
Any suggestions – cjexposed@hotmail.com
Now to the highlights: Before this bomb was dropped I had just got back from WMC in South Beach. Comparing last years trip which was the beginning of this journey to where I’ve come to this point it truly is amazing. Last year I was able to just get some random interviews with people through a magazine I came down with but it was truly just a fly by the seat of your pants kind of trip that didn’t have enough structure to my liking. A year later I had a tight precise schedule that had me able to interview a bunch of artists under the OM records label as well as follow DJ Dan around for two days for a pilot spin off show I want to do when the documentary is finished. The Thursday started with me interviewing Mark Farina, Chuck Love, Andy Caudwell and the OM records family as they introduced the public to some of their new releases and threw a crazy party which we filmed at Y Ultra Lounge in downtown Miami. The interviews were great additions to the project as well as the performance footage from all the artists were incredible. One person in particular, Chuck Love, brought the vibe to a new height with his combination of instruments, singing, and mixing that I hadn’t had a chance to ever experience. OM records and their stable of artists are truly pioneers in the electronic scene and have brought to the fore front some of the best talent and creativity I’ve seen. I was truly blessed that they let me share in this event and spectacle. I’m excited at the thoughts of bringing Mark Farina, Chuck Love, DJ Heather, DJ Colette, and Andy Caudwell to my party and exposing both the old and new fans of the scene to their music.
The other highlight on this journey is another chapter to my DJ Dan saga… oh yes… this was truly a unique moment in my life. Friday through Sunday I followed extensively Dan and his entourage as we got a true inside look into what it’s like to be a d-jay during one of the busiest times of their annual schedule. The parties included a Pete Tong essential mix, the world famous AM only party in Miami, a showing at the outdoor festival known as ULTRA, and finally one of the closing parties at SHINE in South Beach. The pace was fast and enlightening as Dan opened up and really gave the audience a sense of how things work for a big name d-jay as he travels from party to party over a 48 hour period.
With over 20 hours of footage from this day to day experience filming, I promise that the audience will get some true insight on this artist and how things truly work from a DJ perspective. My problems that I’ve mentioned financially at the beginning of this entry have set my stress levels to an all time high but reflecting on all these successes I can’t give up. Life is about challenge and for all the people who have helped me along the way to this point I owe them just as much as I owe myself… this project is to important.
Stay tuned… Max Graham is on deck!
Check out the extended network at www.groovetheglobe.com
This entry has so many highlights but It’s hard to reflect on the positive right away because I’m dealing with a severe blow that was dropped on me yesterday. The blow that I speak of comes from a financial sense and has caused stress for me and my wife for the last 24 hours. During this time that I’ve been shooting this film I’ve been financing this project with my credit cards and any other spare cash I can muster from the random jobs I’ve been working. A bank loan was discussed with several banks over the course of the last six months to finish the project and we had come up with a great business plan to clear the debt which revolved around the party I was planning on throwing and filming for the movie in Toronto. It looked like everything was falling into place and we found a co-signer for our loan and had all the elements set up with the venue and promoters for the event. Then the bomb was dropped; the bank we had discussions with had misread our proposal and realized they couldn’t help us. The small business loan terms we had proposed had us paying them back in September with interest payments taken care of in the meantime. The plan was fool proof due to the experience, the venue, and the talent we have connected with our party… but due to this non traditional way of how we planned on executing our proposal, the bank changed their mind when they registered the information for a second time. I think what really bugs me about this is that we approached them in November and they didn’t fill us in on this roadblock. We had wasted so much time working in one direction of getting a co-signer when in the end it ended up being all for nothing… now I’m under the pressure gun to at least raise 60k in a month for deposits and try and keep the schedule intact for the party in September. It’s truly a disaster in many senses of the word but I guess all you can do is get angry and cry for a day then get back on the horse and try to make things happen. Life is too short to just give up and for all the amazing footage I’ve managed to put together as well as the relationships I’ve made over this year with the electronic community, I refuse to give up! Kick me when I’m down… I can take it. I just need to find this money!
Any suggestions – cjexposed@hotmail.com
Now to the highlights: Before this bomb was dropped I had just got back from WMC in South Beach. Comparing last years trip which was the beginning of this journey to where I’ve come to this point it truly is amazing. Last year I was able to just get some random interviews with people through a magazine I came down with but it was truly just a fly by the seat of your pants kind of trip that didn’t have enough structure to my liking. A year later I had a tight precise schedule that had me able to interview a bunch of artists under the OM records label as well as follow DJ Dan around for two days for a pilot spin off show I want to do when the documentary is finished. The Thursday started with me interviewing Mark Farina, Chuck Love, Andy Caudwell and the OM records family as they introduced the public to some of their new releases and threw a crazy party which we filmed at Y Ultra Lounge in downtown Miami. The interviews were great additions to the project as well as the performance footage from all the artists were incredible. One person in particular, Chuck Love, brought the vibe to a new height with his combination of instruments, singing, and mixing that I hadn’t had a chance to ever experience. OM records and their stable of artists are truly pioneers in the electronic scene and have brought to the fore front some of the best talent and creativity I’ve seen. I was truly blessed that they let me share in this event and spectacle. I’m excited at the thoughts of bringing Mark Farina, Chuck Love, DJ Heather, DJ Colette, and Andy Caudwell to my party and exposing both the old and new fans of the scene to their music.
The other highlight on this journey is another chapter to my DJ Dan saga… oh yes… this was truly a unique moment in my life. Friday through Sunday I followed extensively Dan and his entourage as we got a true inside look into what it’s like to be a d-jay during one of the busiest times of their annual schedule. The parties included a Pete Tong essential mix, the world famous AM only party in Miami, a showing at the outdoor festival known as ULTRA, and finally one of the closing parties at SHINE in South Beach. The pace was fast and enlightening as Dan opened up and really gave the audience a sense of how things work for a big name d-jay as he travels from party to party over a 48 hour period.
With over 20 hours of footage from this day to day experience filming, I promise that the audience will get some true insight on this artist and how things truly work from a DJ perspective. My problems that I’ve mentioned financially at the beginning of this entry have set my stress levels to an all time high but reflecting on all these successes I can’t give up. Life is about challenge and for all the people who have helped me along the way to this point I owe them just as much as I owe myself… this project is to important.
Stay tuned… Max Graham is on deck!
Check out the extended network at www.groovetheglobe.com
The beat goes on - DJ Dan / Gabriel and Dresden
March 8th
It’s funny when you look at the calendar and reflect back on a two month period since I last dropped some stories of my day to day activities. As I said in my last installment the next adventure was my favorite thus far… This dirty beat maestro that I’m covering has been with me since the beginning and is responsible for me meeting my wife… the man in question is a legend in my eyes… an underground rock star so to speak; Ladies and gentleman I’m about to give you my experiences with DJ Dan… oh yes… but don’t think I’m done there… oh no… I have more adventures for you! On top of this journey to Vegas I also went to Cleveland to interview Gabriel and Dresden, and traveled to LA as well to get down on tape some old memories with my long lost pal Mike and my dear friend Shauny B… these are good times indeed!
Lets start things off with a little Vegas recap… it was a crazy trip leaving Toronto; it was an early morning flight involving a connector and the custom agent decided to flex his muscles and give me a hassle about my camera. Now a hassle can be something of a moment that passes but this particular agent took it upon himself to be the prick we only stereotype about in the movies or on television. The delay became one that dragged out and within moments of coming to the conclusion that I couldn’t bring my camera, I was on the verge of missing my plane. It took me only a matter of moments to realize I needed to stash my camera in a locker, call my wife to pick it up, and make like the road runner and beep-beep through customs like a bat of hell. Sweat dripped and by the time I reached the plane with my belt and shoes in one hand and a ticket hanging from my mouth, I was a sweaty mess but fortunate for me they held the plane. Oh yeah, I was the asshole who held up the cause of getting everyone in the air and on time to their destination. I apologize but I can’t take all the blame. Fuck you custom GUY! Who ever you are! I solved the problem of a missing camera with a rental place in Vegas but this with a connecting flight drained the tank. I was tired but excited.
The night was like no other… Vegas, the city that never sleeps, ended up being the stage for my first meeting and introduction to my favorite DJ … Dan. JET nightclub was the setting and after some initial interview words from one of the icons within this culture, Dan took the house down with one of the best sets I’ve heard him play in years… it was truly an eye opening experience and the beginning of a fantastic relationship with one of my heroes.
The second adventure begins with a crazy snowstorm and a drive to Cleveland. My camera guy Dallas and I jumped into our rented car and made our way south of the border expecting a nice 5 hour drive to Cleveland but were greeted with 9 hours of super slow bumper to bumper driving as our legs lost feeling and we barely made it in time to interview our next subjects Gabriel and Dresden. This electronic music duo was a new introduction to me this year in terms of listening material and I have to say I was intrigued with their original beats and quiet demeanor. My friend Mike Mellon, who was the promoter for the event, suggested coming to check these guys out and get their thoughts on the culture. With really no background on their history except some exposure to their music, I was pleasantly surprised at what they had to offer in the comment department as well as what they brought to a live event. Club Sinergy was bursting at the seams as these two quiet guys blew away the crowd with their great beats and journey like control over their subjects. I gained a whole new respect for the duo and became excited at the prospect of having them come to the party I’m planning for September. I would recommend a night of booty shaking with these two anytime.
Now the last chapter on this particular adventure ends with my trip to Los Angeles. This was truly an exciting day for me when I got on the plane because I was excited at the prospect of spending some time with my old long lost friend Mike and his wife Monica. You become curious if things will be like they used to be and as I said before it seemed like we picked up where we left off when we met New Years Eve but this to me would be the true test. I was a little nervous but more excited then anything. This was one of my best friends during my East Side days and I just wanted it to be right. I could go on and on about our adventures over the two weeks I spent on the coast but you know what, those are memories I’m keeping to myself. Let’s just say it was two of the best weeks of my life and the two of them have been a missing piece of my life that I’m so happy and excited to have found once again. They’re truly great friends and people I have grown a strong attachment too. On top of that I got to connect with Shaun and the two of them helped me close another chapter of interviews for my documentary with their thoughts and reflections on our time back in the day at East Sides. It’s funny how individuals grow up and become respected adults but this is the point of this project. It’s about reflection and connection. Those days were our growing years as human beings and it’s nice to revisit and see that they have grown up to become amazing individuals. The more people I track down and the further this project pushes itself forward, the debt I’ve accumulated thus far and the vision I see this all becoming in it’s final presentation, makes it all worthwhile… thank you for being a part of my life… I owe you one.
For more news on the network check out www.groovetheglobe.com
It’s funny when you look at the calendar and reflect back on a two month period since I last dropped some stories of my day to day activities. As I said in my last installment the next adventure was my favorite thus far… This dirty beat maestro that I’m covering has been with me since the beginning and is responsible for me meeting my wife… the man in question is a legend in my eyes… an underground rock star so to speak; Ladies and gentleman I’m about to give you my experiences with DJ Dan… oh yes… but don’t think I’m done there… oh no… I have more adventures for you! On top of this journey to Vegas I also went to Cleveland to interview Gabriel and Dresden, and traveled to LA as well to get down on tape some old memories with my long lost pal Mike and my dear friend Shauny B… these are good times indeed!
Lets start things off with a little Vegas recap… it was a crazy trip leaving Toronto; it was an early morning flight involving a connector and the custom agent decided to flex his muscles and give me a hassle about my camera. Now a hassle can be something of a moment that passes but this particular agent took it upon himself to be the prick we only stereotype about in the movies or on television. The delay became one that dragged out and within moments of coming to the conclusion that I couldn’t bring my camera, I was on the verge of missing my plane. It took me only a matter of moments to realize I needed to stash my camera in a locker, call my wife to pick it up, and make like the road runner and beep-beep through customs like a bat of hell. Sweat dripped and by the time I reached the plane with my belt and shoes in one hand and a ticket hanging from my mouth, I was a sweaty mess but fortunate for me they held the plane. Oh yeah, I was the asshole who held up the cause of getting everyone in the air and on time to their destination. I apologize but I can’t take all the blame. Fuck you custom GUY! Who ever you are! I solved the problem of a missing camera with a rental place in Vegas but this with a connecting flight drained the tank. I was tired but excited.
The night was like no other… Vegas, the city that never sleeps, ended up being the stage for my first meeting and introduction to my favorite DJ … Dan. JET nightclub was the setting and after some initial interview words from one of the icons within this culture, Dan took the house down with one of the best sets I’ve heard him play in years… it was truly an eye opening experience and the beginning of a fantastic relationship with one of my heroes.
The second adventure begins with a crazy snowstorm and a drive to Cleveland. My camera guy Dallas and I jumped into our rented car and made our way south of the border expecting a nice 5 hour drive to Cleveland but were greeted with 9 hours of super slow bumper to bumper driving as our legs lost feeling and we barely made it in time to interview our next subjects Gabriel and Dresden. This electronic music duo was a new introduction to me this year in terms of listening material and I have to say I was intrigued with their original beats and quiet demeanor. My friend Mike Mellon, who was the promoter for the event, suggested coming to check these guys out and get their thoughts on the culture. With really no background on their history except some exposure to their music, I was pleasantly surprised at what they had to offer in the comment department as well as what they brought to a live event. Club Sinergy was bursting at the seams as these two quiet guys blew away the crowd with their great beats and journey like control over their subjects. I gained a whole new respect for the duo and became excited at the prospect of having them come to the party I’m planning for September. I would recommend a night of booty shaking with these two anytime.
Now the last chapter on this particular adventure ends with my trip to Los Angeles. This was truly an exciting day for me when I got on the plane because I was excited at the prospect of spending some time with my old long lost friend Mike and his wife Monica. You become curious if things will be like they used to be and as I said before it seemed like we picked up where we left off when we met New Years Eve but this to me would be the true test. I was a little nervous but more excited then anything. This was one of my best friends during my East Side days and I just wanted it to be right. I could go on and on about our adventures over the two weeks I spent on the coast but you know what, those are memories I’m keeping to myself. Let’s just say it was two of the best weeks of my life and the two of them have been a missing piece of my life that I’m so happy and excited to have found once again. They’re truly great friends and people I have grown a strong attachment too. On top of that I got to connect with Shaun and the two of them helped me close another chapter of interviews for my documentary with their thoughts and reflections on our time back in the day at East Sides. It’s funny how individuals grow up and become respected adults but this is the point of this project. It’s about reflection and connection. Those days were our growing years as human beings and it’s nice to revisit and see that they have grown up to become amazing individuals. The more people I track down and the further this project pushes itself forward, the debt I’ve accumulated thus far and the vision I see this all becoming in it’s final presentation, makes it all worthwhile… thank you for being a part of my life… I owe you one.
For more news on the network check out www.groovetheglobe.com
Friday, January 19, 2007
GGN Journal #6 - The year ends with a bang!
October to December 2006
It’s been a while since my last entry but bare with me… it’s all because of this amazing experience that I’ve come to know as my time capsule to myself and the many others out there who feel the music and how it relates to them.
Let me start from the beginning: It started on October 6th, a date that will sit in my mind for the rest of my life. The place was This Is London in Toronto where I attended my regular ritual of booty shaking when my favorite D-jay came to town, DJ Dan. It was a night that began like any other… Dan hit the turn tables and gave the crowd exactly what they called for… ‘The Dirt’! When I say dirt I refer to the musical assembly line of beats that come from that dirty place that makes every fan of the raw rhythm of house music shake it. Dan as always was on and the crowd loved it. If good music and company was enough I would agree with you but in this moment of tribal bliss I met someone. This someone was more then just anyone… she was a vision of beauty… a vision of strength… an individual that once you get past the hello’s you know you’re life is going to change forever. From that moment on I had found my Wonder woman… my soul mate… my best friend… my future wife. The date today is January 6th and as I type these words and get ready for my new year to begin, I have a date at City hall in a matter of hours. That’s right, I’m getting married! By the time I post this I will be officially hitched thanks to our love of DJ Dan and the bond that comes from this spiritual place that we, the house music followers, call our church. The wedding will come full circle when we do our true romantic adventure on Catalina Island in July with friends and family but for the meantime our love and respect for one another will be legally bound as we start our new year right… stay tuned for more details as 2007 continues.
Now that was the biggest of events that caught me by surprise as 2006 ended but it wasn’t the only adventure to happen with my journey. I got a chance to track down two of my old buddies from my early rave days that had been out of my life for many years. First was Chad. Chad was one of my closest friends during the old days and I was able to find him through our periodic contact throughout the years. Chad was a man of many talents and one of the best friends a guy could ask for. His life had had it’s up’s and downs like the rest of us but when I managed to catch up with him I’ve never seen him so happy. This happiness had truly blossomed from one place and one place alone… you see my brother in arms had become a daddy to a beautiful bundle of joy by the name of Lauren. His little lady was not even a year old and she was the one thing that single handedly put this guy on the fast track to becoming a man so to speak. Responsibility and goals were at it’s height in Chad’s life and I’ve never seen him more happy and with his shit together in a longtime. We got a chance to sit back and reminisce about the old days and the thoughts of getting the old crew together for a ‘One Night Only’ affair got us both excited and amused at where everyone was at this moment in their life.
Not to be outdone by that snapshot of the past and present, I had the biggest moment of fate other then meeting my wife that is hard to believe and can only be described as a miracle in my eyes. The miracle in question is my meeting with one of my closest buddies of my old era and East Side crew, Mike. I mentioned in a previous journal entry that I was tracking down Mike in the States because he had moved there years ago. The thing between Mike and I was very special and during the course of our early years we became like brothers. As do most brothers you have your ups and downs and this was no exception. Mike and I had reasons that we lost touch which I will leave to the film to answer but when it happened it shook both our foundations and caused a riff that made us lose contact for over 8 years. We both had always thought about one another but we never really took any steps to find each other because we didn’t know where to begin looking. When I decided to do this project I had no idea how to find Mike and was at a loss because he was so important to the assembling of my old group. He meant a lot to me and my time at East Side’s. Like a true moment of fate and a fairy tale type climax that I couldn’t predict any better my new year’s eve and 2006 gave me another gift. This gift came walking out of the crowd at an after hours party in Toronto… standing face to face, eye to eye, stood Mike in the flesh with his new bride by his side much like me and my lovely lady. This moment was truly poetic as we looked at one another and just let our jaws drop. It was like old times and we picked up right where we left off when the shock subsided. The rest of the evening and into the next day the four of us hung out and caught up. I spoke to him about the project and as the new-year continues I will be coming to meet and stay with him in Los Angeles and get the interview and hang out time that I hoped for. Its true folks… you’ve heard it hear from experience. Karma and fate go hand in hand. Be true to yourself and the people around you and life will take care of the rest.
Of course we expect the news to stop there for one entry but it’s not happening… The holidays were good to me and the 23rd is a date that stands out as an experience that truly made me a happy camper. You see, I had the pleasure of getting introduced through my wife a man that is just breaking the d-jay scene in a big way with his talents and personality behind the decks. His name is Anthony Attalla and he comes from south of the Canadian border in a dirty town by the name of Detroit. This wild man behind the wheels was someone I got to meet and greet at his set here in Toronto in October and I was just blown away at his energy and control of the crowd who both new him and were discovering him for the first time. It was undeniable and he became my next subject in my doc as I traveled down to Detroit to interview him and capture him in action at Bleu. The interview which you well get a chance to peak at on the site very soon was a very special moment as the man who I expected to wow me did with his passion and perspective on the culture and where he fit in during the present as well as the future. With that; a party at Bleu of 700 tribal members dancing their asses off was to follow as the Saturday became the event that would truly define a new year awaiting its arrival. I look forward to exposing him to you; the ever growing community that is known as the Global Groove Network.
The new-year has begun with a bang and I’m off to Vegas to film DJ Dan at JET nightclub in the Mirage. It’s his CD release party and it promises to be spectacular. What I truly look forward to do on this trip is meeting one of my idols behind the decks and the man who brought me bliss with the night I met the love of my life.
Stay tuned and be ready… DJ Dan is in the house soon!
It’s been a while since my last entry but bare with me… it’s all because of this amazing experience that I’ve come to know as my time capsule to myself and the many others out there who feel the music and how it relates to them.
Let me start from the beginning: It started on October 6th, a date that will sit in my mind for the rest of my life. The place was This Is London in Toronto where I attended my regular ritual of booty shaking when my favorite D-jay came to town, DJ Dan. It was a night that began like any other… Dan hit the turn tables and gave the crowd exactly what they called for… ‘The Dirt’! When I say dirt I refer to the musical assembly line of beats that come from that dirty place that makes every fan of the raw rhythm of house music shake it. Dan as always was on and the crowd loved it. If good music and company was enough I would agree with you but in this moment of tribal bliss I met someone. This someone was more then just anyone… she was a vision of beauty… a vision of strength… an individual that once you get past the hello’s you know you’re life is going to change forever. From that moment on I had found my Wonder woman… my soul mate… my best friend… my future wife. The date today is January 6th and as I type these words and get ready for my new year to begin, I have a date at City hall in a matter of hours. That’s right, I’m getting married! By the time I post this I will be officially hitched thanks to our love of DJ Dan and the bond that comes from this spiritual place that we, the house music followers, call our church. The wedding will come full circle when we do our true romantic adventure on Catalina Island in July with friends and family but for the meantime our love and respect for one another will be legally bound as we start our new year right… stay tuned for more details as 2007 continues.
Now that was the biggest of events that caught me by surprise as 2006 ended but it wasn’t the only adventure to happen with my journey. I got a chance to track down two of my old buddies from my early rave days that had been out of my life for many years. First was Chad. Chad was one of my closest friends during the old days and I was able to find him through our periodic contact throughout the years. Chad was a man of many talents and one of the best friends a guy could ask for. His life had had it’s up’s and downs like the rest of us but when I managed to catch up with him I’ve never seen him so happy. This happiness had truly blossomed from one place and one place alone… you see my brother in arms had become a daddy to a beautiful bundle of joy by the name of Lauren. His little lady was not even a year old and she was the one thing that single handedly put this guy on the fast track to becoming a man so to speak. Responsibility and goals were at it’s height in Chad’s life and I’ve never seen him more happy and with his shit together in a longtime. We got a chance to sit back and reminisce about the old days and the thoughts of getting the old crew together for a ‘One Night Only’ affair got us both excited and amused at where everyone was at this moment in their life.
Not to be outdone by that snapshot of the past and present, I had the biggest moment of fate other then meeting my wife that is hard to believe and can only be described as a miracle in my eyes. The miracle in question is my meeting with one of my closest buddies of my old era and East Side crew, Mike. I mentioned in a previous journal entry that I was tracking down Mike in the States because he had moved there years ago. The thing between Mike and I was very special and during the course of our early years we became like brothers. As do most brothers you have your ups and downs and this was no exception. Mike and I had reasons that we lost touch which I will leave to the film to answer but when it happened it shook both our foundations and caused a riff that made us lose contact for over 8 years. We both had always thought about one another but we never really took any steps to find each other because we didn’t know where to begin looking. When I decided to do this project I had no idea how to find Mike and was at a loss because he was so important to the assembling of my old group. He meant a lot to me and my time at East Side’s. Like a true moment of fate and a fairy tale type climax that I couldn’t predict any better my new year’s eve and 2006 gave me another gift. This gift came walking out of the crowd at an after hours party in Toronto… standing face to face, eye to eye, stood Mike in the flesh with his new bride by his side much like me and my lovely lady. This moment was truly poetic as we looked at one another and just let our jaws drop. It was like old times and we picked up right where we left off when the shock subsided. The rest of the evening and into the next day the four of us hung out and caught up. I spoke to him about the project and as the new-year continues I will be coming to meet and stay with him in Los Angeles and get the interview and hang out time that I hoped for. Its true folks… you’ve heard it hear from experience. Karma and fate go hand in hand. Be true to yourself and the people around you and life will take care of the rest.
Of course we expect the news to stop there for one entry but it’s not happening… The holidays were good to me and the 23rd is a date that stands out as an experience that truly made me a happy camper. You see, I had the pleasure of getting introduced through my wife a man that is just breaking the d-jay scene in a big way with his talents and personality behind the decks. His name is Anthony Attalla and he comes from south of the Canadian border in a dirty town by the name of Detroit. This wild man behind the wheels was someone I got to meet and greet at his set here in Toronto in October and I was just blown away at his energy and control of the crowd who both new him and were discovering him for the first time. It was undeniable and he became my next subject in my doc as I traveled down to Detroit to interview him and capture him in action at Bleu. The interview which you well get a chance to peak at on the site very soon was a very special moment as the man who I expected to wow me did with his passion and perspective on the culture and where he fit in during the present as well as the future. With that; a party at Bleu of 700 tribal members dancing their asses off was to follow as the Saturday became the event that would truly define a new year awaiting its arrival. I look forward to exposing him to you; the ever growing community that is known as the Global Groove Network.
The new-year has begun with a bang and I’m off to Vegas to film DJ Dan at JET nightclub in the Mirage. It’s his CD release party and it promises to be spectacular. What I truly look forward to do on this trip is meeting one of my idols behind the decks and the man who brought me bliss with the night I met the love of my life.
Stay tuned and be ready… DJ Dan is in the house soon!
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