This was recorded during a Sunset Charcuterie party as part of the deeply beautiful Wonder Wander 2024 event in Tuscon, Arizona. I was chatting a lot during this as it was a dandy social environment.

Wonder Wander is described as an "experiential potluck" crafted by Ethan Maurice [https://ethanmaurice.com/], a philosopher, writer, and world traveler, as well as a dear friend of mine. I have been invited to all 5 Wonder Wanders, with the first being in 2018. It is easily one of the best parts of my life as it has both been home to some of my most cherished experiences as well as been a catalyst for many wonderful friendships with incredible and eclectic folks. 

My life would be vastly different if I did not respond to that random reddit post one time long ago.

I have curated a dance party at each of the Wonder Wanders on the last night, with the first in 2018 happening shortly after I just began DJing. I barely knew anything about anything, and I got into DJing quite late. I was 27 at the time, but had been an audiophile for a decade prior, making playlists of music I would find on the internet from all over the world. The popular music never felt like home to me. Playlist building, finding music, and music listening was my healthiest hobby and safest sanctuary for a long time. I was not much of a partier or festival goer, but I did make music sporadically. I would claim one of my greatest regrets thus far in life is that I did not release the music as I made it and focused on finding the right help more. I have made some pretty neat music. With the right support at the right time, I think it could have found meaningful homes with some folks. This is something I am gradually amending in my life, as some of my favorite music I have made is from this year and closer to ever in being good enough to send to labels or release publicly.... 

back to the topic :)

Since 2018, I have significantly improved in about every way as an artist, a DJ, and as a person. Wonder Wander has had a significant impact on both. I now see myself starting to find some footing with what my taste, direction, and style looks and feels like at times. To record a set like this, in an environment like this, with people like that, at the 5th of an event that means quite a bit to me, many years later from the first, is special to me. There is so much room to grow still, so much to explore.

As always, there is much more to all of this. 

I want to let you know that truly beautiful moments can exist for you, regardless of what you are going through, have been through, or will go through. My hope for you, whoever you are, is that you become open, and stay open whenever you can. Try new things. Meet new people. Never stop growing. Stay curious. Always make time to  wonder, and to wander. If your life is what you predicted, you haven't tried anything. Try, risk, love, explore, fail, succeed, work hard, do nothing, live, die, everything.

For better or worse, I want you to know that someone on this planet, the person speaking to you now, has lived and pursued what they believe in relentlessly and has done so at great sacrifice. I have made the changes when the deeper parts of me felt things were off, regardless of what anyone else has said. Financial, medical, mental, social, friendships, family, with safety, and more, many times over. I have lost so much, so many times. This has happened because I refuse to lose the forest for the trees, no matter the cost. I will never become stuck in my ways and in any one life. 

I can tell you from this path never previously travelled, that it is worth it to risk everything you think you are for the chance to discover what you can become. 

Sacrifice being the drop of water to become the ocean.

Do so with people that love you dearly. Let go of what you have to find them if you need to. 

With love, your friend, 2dreamagain.

2dreamagain

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