As the sun set hazily over the NV mountains, I brought beats to Camp Granada for our daily happy hour. I built up my 2006 Jeep Wrangler into a mobile sound system with two JBL SRX 835P speakers. The system sounded great and it was a treat to play out on the playa. This mix attracted some beautiful people to our camp and we ended up spending all night with new friends.

Burning Man 2021: Sunset at Camp Granada

Tuesday night: take the roof off the Jeep and install speaker and DJ gear platforms

Friday afternoon: Install all the wiring

Friday evening: Boot up this 4x4 night club

Friday night: Patiently wait for the haunted Apple orchard tours to be over; play an hour of Halloween-inspired Evil Dance Music (EDM).

Saturday, very early morning: Upload recording to Soundcloud because I said I would and I do what I say I'm going to do

Let's go!

Recorded live at the Sierra Cider apple orchard, Mariposa CA (https://www.sierracider.com).

Tortured Orchard: Rave Yard

When this card appears in your tarot spread, it's time to celebrate! Three of Cups signifies coming together and coming alive with your community and creative collaborators. This event, hosted at the very special St. Joseph’s Art Society in San Francisco, marked the end of a busy harvest season with friends from Sonoma County to the Bay. 

This mix was curated with help from Broc Cellars, Martha Stoumen, and Scribe. Due to the cathedral’s natural reverberation, it has more “hard cuts” with less overlap to prevent muddied acoustics. It’s a diverse mix, designed to cater to a wide group of people. And while it lends it self to background listening and people-watching, it thoroughly intends to get you on the dance floor. From genres like jazz to French to Latin, this is a great mix for those dinner-aspiring-to-be-dance parties. I had a blast preparing and presenting this music. I’ve played house parties and pop-up desert raves but never an event like this. It was truly an honor and a natural step up for me in my budding DJ career.

The first hour or so is a trip around the world in the 80-100 BPM tempo range. It’s a little funky, a little eclectic—fun and refreshing. After “Universal Love” (1:22:27), one of my absolute personal favorites, the mix takes a deliberate turn for the dance floor and the BPM comes up to about 118 for the rest of the mix. With a little subliminal messaging from tracks like “You Ought to Be Dancin’ - Get Down Edits” (1:35:05) and “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” (1:52:10), one couple at time would take the stage to shake a leg. Pretty soon we had a dance party! Some of my other favorite moments include the chance to play “Angel Wings (Tontario Remix)” (1:56:50), which filled this huge reverberating cathedral so beautifully, and “The Walk” (2:40:12), which felt like it captured the vibe of the event better than anything else I played.

Big thanks to Jaylee Adams for presenting me with this opportunity and trusting me to the music. Thank you to Garrett McGrath for his help in setting up and dialing in the sound system. And, of course, to my girlfriend, Danee Chavez, for her continuous stream of musical inspiration and her ongoing support in me doing all the things I love.

https://broccellars.com/
https://marthastoumen.com/
https://scribewinery.com/
https://saintjosephsartssociety.com/

Three Of Cups

When my buddy said he's converting a pizza restaurant into a night club, my ears perked up. I like both of those things. So, after weeks of install, setup, programming, and testing—truly a labor of love—we broke it in with a party to celebrate January birthdays (including mine!). Thank you Atlas Pizza Parlor, San Bruno!

The theme: moments of orange. Orange has become my own personal acce!5 color and it was charming to see our friends roll up in their own interpretations, including an actual orange tied to some twine and worn as a necklace. Brilliant.

I put a lot of time and attention into this mix. It was totally predetermined in advance, which, I think makes it tight and intentional. But it also makes stressful because there were some cues and loops that were very important to hit to keep things groovin'. It's more like a performance. My nerves were shot before my set but with each passing minute I got more and more comfortable and relaxed. I'm really happy with the result.

Moments Of Orange

You can pretend to care. But you can't pretend to be there.

That Disco Wedding

When your friends ask you to DJ their birthday party, you can’t say no! I was so happy to head back up to Truckee to catch up with some good friends and make some new ones. 

I’m also so happy that Mountain Lotus Yoga (https://www.mountainlotusyoga.com/) opened up their space for us. What a venue. I did hot yoga, breath work, and DJ’d this party all in the same place in the same day. 

When we’re really present, magic happens. I had so much intention around crafting this set list. And I was able to show up and bring my best thanks to the physical centering I was able to do there that day.

Sometimes it feels like you hit a peak with one or two tracks during a set but, on this night, the whole evening was a steady high of great vibrations. 

Thank you to all who came out!

Snow Disco @ Mountain Lotus Yoga, Truckee

Back in 2021, I ventured out to Black Rock City for the "Renegade Burn." It was a special time because, while Burning Man culture still prevailed, the organization's oversight was on hiatus. This included the Department of Mutant Vehicles (DMV).

As a result, I brought my Jeep and turned it into an art car—an art car that would not have passed the DMV's inspection, yet was nonetheless, a spectacular achievement for me and my friends that helped me put it together.

And it was on that art car, that I played a very special sunset set that's stuck with me every since (https://soundcloud.com/avand/burning-man-2021-sunset-at-camp-granada). Sunset is always a very special time to play because it creates a musical bridge that guides us out of the visibility of the day and into the darkness of night. The weather shifts. Energy shifts. One door closes. Another opens. That particular sunset was the beginning of a very magical journey, which, if I'm being totally honest, I think I'm still on.

At Coachella, we replayed that set on Sunday night as we decompressed from the weekend's festivities. It had been a long time since I had heard it and really enjoyed the narrative. The first half is dark, groovy, sexy, and seductive. The middle is punctuated with a trance-like acoustic ballad. The second half is soulful, heartfelt, and sweet.

I recreated the playlist track-by-track and studied the composition of the set. Then I started to replace tracks that felt 2021 for tracks that felt more 2024—but I kept the same arc. The result is this set.

Once again, sunset proved to be a powerful transition period, especially for this inaugural event in Mariposa, with which I had the opportunity to help.

Sunset @ StardUSt 2024: Nebula

On the longest day of the year, to kick off summer, and my two week road trip to Banff, Canada, I played an epic set at RMU Truckee. It coincided with the inaugural Truckee Thursday and Fox&Buck also came through to close out the night with a high energy evening set. Big thanks to Rob O'Keefe for making this show happen!

Solstice @ RMU, Truckee

In the last few weeks and months, energies have been shifting dramatically for me.

It was about a year ago that I stepped out of a long-term relationship. My life "got off the escalator," and suddenly I was faced with a lot of decisions of who I wanted to be, what I wanted to do, and where I wanted to live.

The vacuum created by the breakup, invited many new friends into my life, for whom I'm deeply grateful.

About a month ago, I kicked off a road trip with my friend David on the solstice. I actually played a set up at RMU in Truckee to celebrate it. The next night, as we ventured out to Oregon, the sun set as the moon rose and the gradient of the sky from dusk to moonlight was incredible.

This month, a similar astrological phenomenon occurred again. This time, from my friends' place overlooking the Sierra foothills for hundreds of miles in a 270° panorama.

The rise and fall of the moon and sun were each on their own stunning. The combination absolutely breathtaking. It felt like the marble of earth had been gently dipped into the void of space and came out sparkling with vibrancy and energy.

As changes in my life manifest, I can't help but to feel connected to these moments—physically and spiritually. It's like the more I clean the proverbial lenses through which I see the world, the more vibrant and beautiful it becomes. 

This set was played just after sunset as people arrived and mingled. It's a bit of an exploration into the music I've been crushing over lately. 

Hope you enjoy it!

Full Moon Over Mariposa

An old co-worker from Airbnb gave me the connect on this birthday party. Liv and I talked through details and I came fully prepared from Mariposa to Oakland. 

Except as I was setting up, I realized I forgot my laptop! I was using a new micro set up with my laptop and a DDJ-FLX4. So without my computer, all the music I prepped went out the window. 

I made some calls and an amazing buddy came out of the woods and made the delivery and stayed for the party!

We had an amazing time and it was wonderful to make new friends and see the loyalty of some existing ones shine through.

Happy Birthday, Liv

What is a temple? A place of worship? A place of prayer? A place of pleasure? New to me? Yes!

I came down to Costa Rica a couple weeks ago to participate in a personal development retreat with a focus on somatic healing. It's been a deep dive into spiritual and mystical realms, sensuality, attraction, desires, an exploration of masculine and feminine polarities, and the art of holding a container to call in spirit. When I mentioned to the facilitators that I had come prepared to DJ, two opportunities opened.

Playing music for a space that’s dedicated to prayer, reverence, and worship is very different than a dance floor or house party. The vibe is darker, more sensual, and sexy. Very sexy.

This set is perhaps one of my most attuned and I had a ton of fun playing. If you’re listening to it and grooving along, consider yourself one with us in Costa Rica on the eve of Dec 15, a day with much astrological significance, including a full moon, the light from which produced the shadow of me in the photo.

Paradise Point Temple Night

My winter travels began in Costa Rica and then took me to Tulum and Medellin. After three months away from home, the desire to be back in my bed and my space with my community is strong. But when a dear friend invites you to his beautiful property/community for his 55th birthday to DJ sunrise, what else can I say but, “hell yes!” So the last leg of my winter trip ends where it began, in Costa Rica.   

Gili is a man of substance, integrity, humility, humor, and generosity. He’s an incredible host and has this effortless way of connecting and bringing together the best people. People that have big hearts, a joy for life, and know how to have fun. A lot of fun.   

When Gili told me he wanted me to play sunrise, I was deeply honored. Sunrise is a transition set. Only the most committed survive to see the sky lighten, the birds start to chirp, and for a new day to begin. I started prepping weeks ago and was so prepared that I was able to step up to the decks calm and relaxed, knowing all I had to do was navigate my carefully curated selection of jams. For almost four hours. Maybe I’m making it sound easier than it actually is but I’m grateful for all the experience that has preceded so that it feels a lot more like play than work.   

This set is a journey through some bouncy, groovy, dance floor favorites. It then progresses deeper into a more sensual and soulful layer before finishing with deep, sexy, moving tracks. This set has some of my favorite music that I’ve collected over the last few years. I’m really proud of it and it was very well enjoyed.  

Gili, thank you for throwing an epic party, inspiring me to be a better man, and trusting me with the vibes of your very special birthday celebration.  

Enjoy!

Sunrise @ GiliFest

When I was a kid, my mom was militant about me practicing piano. Sometimes she would insist I practice up to 4 hours per day. Of course, I was defiant. I put my Calvin & Hobbes comics behind my sheet music one page a time. "it built character," in the words of Calvin's father.

And yet, those 10 years of classical piano—even if I did practice, while reading comics simultaneously—made me a better musician. Heck, maybe I'm just extremely gifted and I'm absolutely a better DJ for the exposure.

I was invited to be an add-on for a party my friends were throwing for their friends. This old piano had been on their property for months. Try as they did to sell it, a new home could not be found. So now it belongs to all of us. It was quite cathartic to be standing on the keys, stomping up and down, moving some of my stuck resentment.

I set up my Opus Quad outside—I love this thing and I have a lot more to say about that—and played on not two but one speaker. As someone who is anal about my gear and a fidelity snob, I was a bit disappointed but we made it work. I find that performing in circumstances that tie a hand behind one's back draws out creativity, focus, and efficiency. Like, playing a stereo signal to a single speaker sounds a lot better than mono so just that little adjustment gave us a bit more of a vibe.

I was recently really inspired by Tummetott Mystic Creatures Festival 2024 set. Here, I play some of my most recent finds that I absolutely love. I mix creatively and actively.

Back to the Opus Quad: this set would not have been possible without it. Or, to put it another way, if I were to try and perform this on, say, an RX3 or even CDJs, I would have had to prepare and practice a lot more. I may have been able to do it on the FLX4 + laptop but the ergonomics are just so much better on the Quad. The Quad allows me to browse my music by ear, which allows me to navigate my library really efficiently and it puts me in flow.

I want to create some YouTube content on Quad and some of the other gear I really enjoy using and why. Let me know in the comments if this kind of thing would be interesting to you and what questions you might have.

Stupid Friends

Posted up at Cesar Chavez Park in Denver with my closest friends and many new friends too. We came in like a Navy Seal Crew: dropped a table, my FLX4, laptop, a couple Soundboks Go's, and a bunch of wine and snacks. Cleaned up just as quick too. Surgical.

The weather held. The sun shone through in a few heroic moments but mostly it felt like a San Francisco summer day: overcast and a little gloomy. The music has a similar vibe. 

It's always fun to cruise through tracks by tempo. For a day-time, casual, low-expectation set like this, I just load up "last 6 months" and sort by BPM, starting slow and slowly building. I don't really get too fussed about key-matching anymore. It's an indulgence to be able to play stuff that doesn't always have a place on a vibing dance floor.

I hope this comes across humbly, but is SO satisfying to be able to play so casually. I've been DJing for 10+ years but lately the flow and muscle memory has been leading my experience. I'm able to have conversations and laughs, enjoy the vibe, put up an EZ-UP, or do this-or-that as needed without stressing a ton about the music. It's really gratifying.

Enjoy.

Denver Sun

Last weekend, I traveled out to Scottsdale for a Temple Night hosted by some friends I've met in my travels and personal work. I was invited to help with music throughout the ceremony and DJ after the ceremony portion of the evening closed, which was fun and also a bit distracting because a big part of me also wanted to be connecting and interacting with the lovely people there.

In an act of self-care, I put on another mix instead of enduring my own set (search "David Infinite Hearts" by Xuxa Bluet). As I would go on to say later in the evening, "life is not worth tolerating." While David's birthday mix was being very well-received, I shifted my focus and enjoyed the evening, which ultimately culminated in some beautiful smooches over strawberries. And speaking of strawberries...

Meanwhile, back in Mariposa, my friend is organizing a full moon party for the Strawberry Moon. I headed over to his spot after a hard day's work, partially feeling tired but also wanting to enjoy the celestial moment. I arrived with my XDJ-RX3, plugged in, and played for about 1.5hr and recorded this set. I think these low-pressure environments are super important to practice playing with my favorite tracks. I played a lot with "push and pull" in this set—accentuating highs and lows more so than usual. And yet, the mix is surprisingly light-handed, creating more space than it takes up. As our Temple facilitator said on Friday, "make what you have to say worth the silence it breaks."

Also, side note, I love the XDJ-RX3. With a slim flight case, it's remarkably portable. Being able to record directly to a 2nd USB with a dedicated record button is great. I love the pads at the bottom of the decks and the compact layout in general. It's truly feels like a standalone DDJ-FLX4. People keep asking if they can buy it off me and I can't imagine getting rid of it. Between the FLX4, the RX3, and the Opus Quad, I feel like I have the optimal lineup.

Strawberry Moon

Two years ago, a chapter closed. I was packing up and moving out of SF, when I paused to look at what was packed and realized, “I have everything I need to throw a renegade party!” This was 1 week before Outside Lands, 2023.

So I called up my best bud and festival fam, Rob, and we plotted a spot to party after the festival let out. I didn’t go to the festival but the party was lit! We posted up by the Conservatory of Flowers and I played until the rangers shut it down. Hundreds of people cruised through and enjoyed the jams. When the rangers finally rolled through, the crowd asked for my Venmo and I raised enough to cover the citation. Go SF!

We dubbed the party Outside Outside Lands. So, yeah, I guess in a way FISHER opened for me.

Well, Outside Outside Lands (OOSL) was back this year. This time, I attended the festival (which was awesome) and extracted myself with the help of some homies to set up in a more discrete location in the park. When I got there, there were a few vagrants, which sketched me out. But once I had a few of my crew, I set up and started playing.

My friend took the photo that I used for this set, which I really enjoy because you can clearly see the silhouette of someone in the background. In a world where I am another you and you are another me, it's hard to not see the symbolism. We all have our shadows. While in some ways my set up was an invasion, it was also a communion, a celebration, and an act of love.

In the end, I got another citation, while we were packing up. The ranger had me and my remaining friends rock, paper, scissors for who was going to get the citation and I, cosmically, lost 3 rounds in a row to be the lucky winner. Happy to pay it and, to the neighbors, sorry. (Not sorry.)

Outside Outside Lands '25

It feels so fucking good to be welcomed into a new community with open arms. This past weekend that happened for me, not once but twice.

Having just moved to Denver, I was connected to a group of wonderfully creative, high-integrity people that have been throwing an annual Halloween party. My biggest fan and best friend, Rob, plugged me into the organizers, who were eager to add me to the DJ group chat. Last week, the other DJs and I kicked it to prep and a more kind group of men I have not met in some time—encouraging, supportive, positive, kind.

In parallel, I’ve been participating in the current cohort of PhDJ, @tashablank’s intensive course on all things DJ. At the core of the program is The Score: a method of curating music for a set that takes the dance floor on a journey through the 7 chakras. Without saying too much about the nuts and bolts, which I’m still very much learning, I have been seriously leveling up my skills.

It’s really hard to describe but I’m actually developing what feels like an entirely new 6th sense. Like there’s a new timeline I’m tracking. The closest analog I can provide is that of feeling of a draft in room. My sense of phrasing is also being informed by this new sensibility—like I can feel when I’m bringing a track in too early or too late much more naturally. It’s really wild.

Having The Score as a map to guide my set is such a relief! So far, as a DJ, I’ve just been following my natural musical instinct believing that that is what I’m uniquely bringing to the table—which is still true. But having The Score as a template to follow gave me something to lean on—like climbing a ladder. I just took it as faith that if I followed the program the results would be great and they were! I kept my eye on my clock (another guide) and then used my musical instincts to pick and choose within each phase of The Score.

I’m really grateful to be plugged into a community, where I feel a deep sense of belonging. I’m also incredibly grateful to be learning and guided by PhDJ’s amazing team. There’s a lot more magic to come. Stay tuned. But in the meantime, hit play on this mix, turn your volume up, and dance.

0m - I’m Into This (@michaelgracioppo Remix) - @homework
3m 50s - Badass Samba - @francescoferrarodj, RENDA
5m 50s - Just Another Piano Solo (feat. Hidde Mudde) - @latelier
8m 40s - Bus Stop - Boonie, @harrynathan
10m 15s - Mary Poppers - @n2nmusic
12m 40s - Magic Circus - @adamten
16m 10s - Mothership - @boxofcatsmusic
18m 20s - Hit Me - @likamorgan, @britneyspears
21m 22s - Funky Soul - @nickygenesis
23m 3s - Sexy Back - @edi_p
24m 50s - Together - @hollaphonic
26m - Night Jazz - Tryangle Man
28m 56s - Low Rider (@kyle-watson Remix) - @war-official
31m 44s - PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. @nate-dogg-official) - @pawsa
34m 25s - Girls (@walker-and-royce Edit) - @itsthedare
38m 40s - Weak (@marcolys Remix) - @marcolys, @maverick-sabre, @tombreu, @vintageculturemusic
41m 48s - Makes Me Feel Good - @thesponges
44m 12s - My Bank - @ragieban
45m 50s - Space Funk ’75 - @thesponges
48m 22s - 2 the Beat - @siggyfreud
49m 51s - Mr. Sandman - @oppidanmusic
52m 8s - Hip Trumpets (feat. @kvisionmusic) - @yolandabecool
53m 50s - Toxic (feat. Marco Foster) - @edenprincemusic
55m 50s - Back to Black - @saqibmalik
58m 50s - Au Revoir Paris - @rodriguezjrmusic, Liset Alea
1h - Ducks In The Kiddie Pool - @clickclick
1h 3m - Hello Ms. Johnson - @jackharlow

Siren Scream

Booking inquiries 👉 https://instagram.com/avand.fm

Burning Man has been one of the most transformational experiences I’ve had. I’ve been 6 times now and, while I don’t get every year, it will always have a special place in my heart. 

There’s no place for art to flourish like the empty expanse of the Black Rock Desert, which annually is built up and torn down with a devotion and sacrifice that is required of all great art.

"There's no art without discipline, and there's no discipline without sacrifice"
Hilaire Belloc

Arriving in Denver, I was invited and welcomed into a community whose warmth and loyalty reaches far beyond the playa.

I had an opportunity to contribute to this "Doctors Without Boundaries" party. It was as much an honor to help set up as it was to play music and cleanup too. I’m grateful to have been included by my new Denver friends and look forward to future contributions to their vibrant and creative community.

This set opened the night, and took many detours from what I had initially planned to match the energy as the party evolved. I could have played for hours more but I handed the baton off as the energy was climbing.

This is a great set to kick off any party, as people mix and mingle, and the dance floor warms up. But have another set at the ready because you’ll definitely be left wanting more. 

Enjoy.

Photo credit: https://instagram.com/wey_gold

Track list:

Them, Their - Jan Jelinek
They, Them - Jan Jelinek
Noodle Soup - Four80east
Line Up (Original Mix) - Joss Moog, Around7, 4th Sign
Tadow (Original Mix) - Masego, FKJ
Mood For The Fam (Original Mix) - Luca Musto
Whatever Lola Wants (Gotan Project Remix) - Sarah Vaughan & Gotan Project
Finger Trips - Re:um
Nem Vem Que Nao Tem - Wilson Simonal
2023: A Space Odyssey (Original Mix) - Jason Leech, Future Joy, Sean Dandurand
Kerosene - Biig Piig
Jazzifil Me (Original Mix) - Jo Paciello, Soul Train
Magic Circus (Original Mix) - Adam Ten
Bus Stop (Original Mix) - Boonie, Harry Nathan
Gotta Believe (Extended Mix) - Simon Kidzoo
Music Makes Me Happy - OKA
Dance In My Pants (Original Mix) - Nu, Christopher Schwarzwalder
Ride On (Original Mix) - GOLAN
Night Jazz (Original Mix) - Tryangle Man
Moody Blues (Original Mix) - Saison
Moon Resort (Original Mix) - Atmos Groove
Together (Original Mix) - Hollaphonic
Hit Me (Original Mix) - Lika Morgan, Britney Spears
Just Another Piano Solo feat. Hidde Mudde (Original Mix) - Hidde Mudde, L’Atelier
Baddy On The Floor (Original Mix) - Honey Dijon, Jamie xx
Chicago 72 - Bijou Williams
Motown Drums Feat. Rion S (Noski & Delafino Extended Remix) - Cashmere, Rion S
What Is Real - Rodriguez Jr., Liset Alea
Motor (Original Mix) - Marc DePulse
Just A Memory (Mild Minds Remix) - ODESZA
Decomposing - Andrea Oliva
XXX (Original Mix) - Astrid, Kill Frenzy
Feel (Original Mix) - Sebastien Leger
Gather (Original Mix) - Durante, Amtrac
Whale Song (Extended Mix) - PROFF
Bakerman (Soul Clap Remix) - Laid Back
Nelly Furtado - Say It Right (Mass Digital Remix) - Mass Digital
Temptation (Original Mix) - Piem, Mizbee
Begriff Shuffle - Magua
Two Left Feet (Dario D’Attis Extended Remix) - Rasmus Faber, Frida Öhrn, Dario D’Attis
Gypsy (Original Mix) - The Organism
Can’t Pin Me Down - House Of Say
Hiccup (feat. Sisterwife) (Extended Version) - JX RIDERS, Sisterwife
Funky Soul (Original Mix) - Nicky Genesis
The Story Continues (Extended Mix) - Marco Lys
Mary Poppers (Original Mix) - N2N
Mothership (Extended Mix) - Rob Marion
NEW DANCE (Original Mix) - AYYBO
PICK UP THE PHONE (feat. Nate Dogg) (Extended Mix) - PAWSA
Sexy Back - EdiP
Girls (Walker & Royce edit) - Walker & Royce

Doctors Without Boundaries

DJ Halftime (Danee Chavez) opens Saturday night with chill, jazzy vibes.

Kawaiidisco (DJ Halftime)

Two nights in a row. Taking a more optimistic, heartfelt, nostalgic, mopey vibe tonight.

Father Father (Aug 2/3)

Avand in Farsi means the vascular structure of a tree, by which it delivers nutrients to it leaves. I'm a Denver-based DJ that plays primarily electronic and house with a lot of jazzy, R&B, nostalgic twists.

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