This set from 04-14-24 really exemplifies my deep house curation and mixing style.  

For 6 months I've been digging through my collection, resisting the urge to buy new music and instead learning my 29-year music collection better.

Over that time, I went back through and labeled thousands of tracks by energy and feeling and created playlists from there.  

The overall energy of this mix is uplifting and dreamy, starting and ending more vocal. 

You won't know many, or perhaps any, of the tracks.

The tracks were mixed on CDJ 3000s.

Never synced, never looped, never wasting time with filters and effects with just one track playing.

Fully concentrated on blending two tracks together beautifully with subtle EQ-ing only.

It's so weird, I was thinking this was the best I'd ever done with my levels on a live mix, perhaps because I was being a good boy, carefully watching the decibel meter at Mars Bar :) 

I added the fade in and out in Logic and gave it a light mastering in LANDR.  There I got a message that my mix was lacking in dynamic range - meaning there might not be enough difference between the high and low levels of the mix - which on a live DJ mix, I am taking as a compliment 100% :)

Ok enough geeky DJ talk...
As always, I'd love to know what you think in comments <3

Huge thanks to Chris Phleck and Ryan Stubbs (Duserock) and the Watch Our Step crew for bringing me to San Francisco, it's such a fun and friendly crowd.

Another big thanks to David Kiely of Mars Bar for providing a safe and lovely space for people to dance.

Final thanks to Anne Plehn for the great photo capture!  IG: anneplehn

Ben Annand Live Mars Bar 04-14-24 at Watch Our Step

Thanks to DoLab - Jesse, Dede, Megan and all for producing another amazing festival that I'm so honored to be regular at, and to the Junkyard- Patricio and Chino for the amazing stage and sound!

Edit July 16 - Track List just added!  A million thanks for the artists represented here for their dedication to making interesting electronic music in a world with limited interest in that.  There are those of us that care!

1 - State Of Mind - Andromo (@andromo)

2 - Burning - Zetbee (@zetbee-1)

3 - Versace - Jorick Croes, Enrico Chirchiello  (@jorickcroes,  @enrico-chirchiello)	

4 - Special For Me (Extended Mix) - Michel De Hey (@michel-de-hey)

5 - Space System - Nick Dare  (@nickdare)

6 - Bonjour Tokyo - M.ono (@m-ono)

7 - Gorgeous (Oscar Barila Remix) - Oscar Barila, Vasily Umanets  (@oscarbarila, @vsiliyumanets)

8 - I Can't Lose You (Pete Moss Remix) - Mo'Cream	(@petemosstracks, @mocreamproductions)

9 - Control (Gorge & Nick Curly Remix) - Hank (@gorge, @nickcurly, @hankkorsan)

10 - Grow (Joel Mull Remix)- Paul Brtschitsch, Malte, Mrrod (@joelmull, @paulbrtschitschofficial) 

11 - MOOG Hero - Joel Mull (@joelmull)

12 - A Feeling (Instrumental) - Jasper Street Co., Nicole Moudaber (@jasperstreetco, @nicolemoudaber)

13 - La Petite Faveur (Fsk24 Remix) - DJ W!ld (@chris-carrier-841295497, @djwild)

14 - Cami's House - Hector Couto (@hectorcouto)

15 - New World - Tuccillo (@tuccillo)

16 - Celestiarp - Vini Pistori (@vinipistori)

17 - Indignation - Kevin Yost (@kevinyost)

18 - Nothing 2 Me - Jorick Croes, ØN.THE.RUN (@jorickcroes)

19 - So Good - Supernova, Thomas Newson  (@supernova, @thomasnewson)

20 - Daydream (Extended) - Archie Hamilton, Sadie Walker (@archiehamiltonmusic, @sadiewalkerband)

21 - Urban House (Leo Portela Remix) - Luis Caballero (@leoportela, @luis-caballero)

22 - Frunky (Ray Okpara Remix) - Berami (@rayokpara) 

23 - What U Need (Marco Grandi remix) - Moe Turk (@marco-grandi, @djmoeturk)

There are just a couple of parties that I play enough times to make a completely specific set for each time, and make it my absolute best.

One is Lightning in a Bottle, which I'm not a resident of but have played 7 of the last 8 fests.

I've prepared for many different time slots at LIB, always looking at this large and spectacular festival as one where people primarily want to dance and have fun.

So I ramp up my funk and vocals (usually playful but i did have one protest lyric in this year's - you can't miss it).  

I lean on the uplifting side, spend a lot of time choosing music and organizing a playlist so i can play appropriately for my time slot and come back thinking it was one of the best sets I've ever played.  

Something that was different for me this year is I took a year and a half off from buying new music prior to LIB in order to reporganize my collection, which now spans 30 years.

Sometimes it's better to understand better what you already have before adding to a massive music collection.

But I never intended my break to be that long!  It just kept going.  And I had a couple of hard drive farts in the middle which didn't help.  

But anyway,  I started buying music again about two months ahead of LIB because I wanted to play an all new music set,  and I also wanted to to  take the time to understand the new music very well.

The problem with playing all new music at a gig is that I don't always take the time to understand it well enough to know if it's as good as the music I already have.  It's fun because it's new... but is it really adding something?

So this time I really took the time to select tracks - I was picky AF!  
This time I spent a lot of time also to play with my tracks, mix them in different ways and really try to only include tracks that were blowing my mind, so that I could give that to the dance floor.

Also spent a lot of time on tagging producers in this description - hope it helps you to discover some great new artists and music!

Ben Annand LIB 2025 Junkyard Closer

Simon Shackleton – CHPTR 001
Ambient, SloMo, Psychedelic House, Nu Disco, Breaks, Electro, Tech House & Techno

This is the beginning of a new series of mixes and live events I’m calling CHPTR – a space for storytelling through sound.

Each mix will explore a different emotional arc, unfolding like a narrative across genres, tempos, and textures. Some will be recorded live in the studio, others captured live at CHPTR events. They’re connected by a shared intention: to take you on a journey.

Each set is crafted to unfold like a narrative – rich in texture, emotional depth, and movement. Not just a collection of tunes, but a journey with intention behind every transition, shift, and silence.

CHPTR 001 is, in many ways, a psychedelic selection – not in the hippy sense, but in how it gently alters perception over time. It starts slow, ambient, and introspective, gradually evolving through hypnotic grooves, off-kilter house, breakbeats, and late-night techno. It’s cinematic, immersive, and designed to be experienced as a whole.

Featuring music by Mark Barrott, Jose Solano, Dizharmonia, LTJ, Josh Wink (Adana Twins Remix – Simon’s VIP Edit), Left/Right, BRONSON, and unreleased edits and reconstructions of my own.

If you enjoy the ride and/or would like a copy of the tracklisting of this mix, then please feel free to buy me a coffee. I love coffee! https://coff.ee/simonshackleton 

Thanks for stepping into this new CHPTR.

– Simon

CHPTR//001

BUY ME A COFFEE

Simon Shackleton - CHPTR//001 - Fresh Transmission

Bex is back with the Viva squad once again, and this time for the first time on the Monkey Loft deck! Direct support for the one and only, Karizma!

BexFromChicago Live DJ set @ THIS! for Viva Recordings - Aug 16th 2025

Here is my sunrise set for Tropical's 27th anniversary. It was such a beautiful morning on that mountain top this day. I had worked tirelessly to get to this moment in a terrible year filled with tragedy for so many, with the intention of bringing hope, joy, fun, and the sense of inner peace that can only come through temperance and a knowledge of oneself (Greek: Sophrosyne). Unfortunately, this particular morning was also met with a tragedy of it's own. Still, the joy and love in this mix remain, as does my hope for healing for all affected by tragedy in any way. Here's to the next beautiful morning, my friends.

Fall 2025 - Tropical 27th Anniversary

My set for John Digweed's Transitions podcast.

Adam Freeland - Transitions

One of my most powerful sets in so many ways, though totally beatless - this was the second time ever I played a fully ambient set live, and is the first one I've recorded and released!

Taking place approximately 5:30-7:00am Saturday morning at Tropical 27-Year Hot Tub Oasis Retreat, this is actually the second part of my complete set, which started at 4:30am and spent 1 hour winding down from 132 BPM to 110 BPM before going ambient - the point at which is where this offering begins <3

If you are looking for some music to put you to sleep, this is the first set I've ever released that was designed to to just that.  It's also great for yoga or atmosphere. 

In loving memory of Jared <3

Ben Annand Ambient Set Live at Tropical Hot Tub Oasis Sept 2025

In the high-desert region of California, when it rains, it pours... & following the storm, they had a story to tell.

Justin R.E.M. (Nexus Artists) & Christoper Mohn (Point Line & Plane), take you on a one hour & forty two minute emotionally charged vibe-coaster and a deep dive into the sounds of the West Coast Underground.  

Recorded *LIVE* in the Anza Borrego Mtns @ the “TROPICAL 27-YEAR ANNIVERSARY” (Hot Tub Oasis Retreat) - September 27th, 2025.



ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

CHRISTOPHER MOHN
Point, Line & Plane || Dance Spirit - Los Angeles, CA)

Christopher Mohn is the boundary-pushing artist and the driving force behind Point, Line, and Plane, a brand and label exploring the edges of minimal techno, house, and avant-garde electronic music. With a raw, authentic style, rebellious spirit, and a vision rooted in global identity and climate resilience, Chris weaves technology, spirituality, and counterculture into everything he creates.

In a past life, Christopher toured the globe as one half of the DJ duo Dance Spirit, performing on world class dancefloors from Coachella, LiB, Cascadia, Robot Heart; to the City Fox/Brooklyn Mirage, Desert Heart, Fabric, Nordstern, and many other clubs though the America’s, Ibiza, and Europe.

Christopher’s artistry defies boundaries, and over the last few years he has explored poetry and art, weaving sound, words, and visuals into a cohesive body of work that resonates deeply with in the expressions and music he is creating, resulting in full multimedia expressions for rave culture.

At its core, his art is a collaboration: a meeting of his expression and your imagination. Through this connection, Christopher has nurtured a career that touches hearts and minds across the globe. With Point, Line, and Plane as his creative platform, he invites you into a world of transformation, where rebellion becomes reflection and fragments unite into something greater.
 
For Christopher Mohn, the direction of his art is limited only by the expanse of his imagination—and yours.

++++++++++++++++++++++

JUSTIN R.E.M. 
Nexus Artists || Sunday Night Mass || Revolver - Burlington, VT)

One of the hardest working promoters, talent buyers and booking agents in the North American electronic music scene, Justin has been responsible for touring numerous acts, across North America & beyond since 2003. He owns and operates “Nexus Artist Management”, along-side Chris Pattison (Co-owner) and together they work with some of the biggest Producers and DJ’s across the Dance Music Universe.

Outside of the Booking Agency and Production company, Justin R.E.M. finds his place in the DJ Booth, playing everything from Deep House to Techno, his dancefloor deliveries are both technical and sophisticated in sound. He’s played countless shows over the years, at venues to include the Dominican Republics’ High Room, Halcyon and Orchard Bar, in N.Y.C., the Winter Music Conference in Miami & Hawaii’s Ambrosia Ultra-Lounge, to name a few. He’s currently a Resident DJ and lead promoter at North America’s long-running electronic music series, Sunday Night Mass, which has been showcasing top-flight DJ’s from around the world, since 1998.

ARTIST LINKS:

https://www.christophermohn.net
https://soundcloud.com/christophermohn/sets/christopher-mohn-dj-sets
https://www.instagram.com/point_line_plane_music/
https://www.facebook.com/christophermohnart
https://www.nexusartists.com
https://www.facebook.com/Nexus.Artist.Management
https://www.instagram.com/nexusartists

Justin R.E.M. & Christopher Mohn *LIVE* @ Tropical 27-Year Anniversary (Anza, CA)

breathe.026 - J-Slyde - Live @ Interstellar Groove Festival 2025 - Anchor Stage November 2025

Long term breathe. contributor and immensely talented selector and DJ @JSlyde is back with another brilliant contribution to the series... recorded live @ Interstellar Groove Festival in the lush hills of Victoria, J-Slyde takes us on a delightful journey through downtempo and trip-hop beats... it's a MUST listen!!!

Here's a word from J:

"This one's dedicated to my dad"
-@JSlyde

Track list:
01. Intro
02. Maribou State - Varkala	
03. Kruder & Dorfmeister - Dope	
04. Air - La Femme D'argent (Vegyn Remix)
05. Amber Mark - Heart-Shaped Box
06. Drama - Missing
07. 9th Wonder - Can't Breathe
08. Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby (Natural Trance Mix Edit)
09. Andain - Much too much (Zetandel chill remix)
10. Name UL - Faulty by Design
11. BANKS - Drowning (Dave Glass Animals Remix)
12. Vegyn - In the Front feat. John Glacier
13. Headache - Nineteen Sixty Five
14. Dobie - Cloud 98 3/4 (Album Mix)
15. RUMTUM - Astro Spin
16. Rithma - The Great Spacious (Original Version)
17. Solid Sessions - Janeiro (Chiller Twist Blue Line Remix)
18. Northeast Party House - Redbone
19. Lostep - Moanin'
20. Dousk - Anagram (Original Mix)
21. Bent - I Love My Man (Lazyboy's Anyone for Tennis Mix)
22. ANF - Chi-Motion
23. The Orb - Spontaneously Combust
24. Chad Valley - Two Dots
25. Air - Kelly Watch the Stars (Vegyn Remix)
26. Night Tapes - Pacifico
27. Eliza Hull - Tomorrow
28. Outro

J-Slyde

breathe.026 - J-Slyde - Live @ Interstellar Groove Festival 2025 - Anchor Stage

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Tracklist:
1. Garret David - Grow Up [Butter Side Up]
2. Rooleh - Leave The Past [Boogeyman]
3. Cosenza - I Wanna Go [Caposile]
4. ADR (UK) - I Remember When [Constant Black]
5. Easttown - Heliconia [Cecille]
6. Sidney Charles & Kolter - Let’s Pardey [Heavy House Society]
7. Luke Dean, Locky - Supa Smoov [Dance Traxx LDN]
8. Jon Wimmin - P.A.S.S.I.O.N (Demi Riquísimo Remix) [Full Circle]
9. Toddz - Full Metal Jacket [Beeyou]
10. ADR (UK), Outten - Don’t Panic, It's Organic [Disorder]
11. Wodda - Bang to the Beat of This [Beeyou]
12. Enzo Siragusa - Kilimanjaro Sound [FUSE]
13. Boss Priester - Get Hip To This (Job de Jong Remix) [Reliance]
14. Retromigration - NE [Semi Delicious]
15. 808 State - Pacific State 12" Version [ZTT Records]

The Groove #19 with Joshua Holland

Please repost this unique 2.5 hour desert journey from tech-house to techno recorded in the Mojave at Elements of Life Gathering Feb 25, 2017 :)  

Thanks to the artists for their lovely tracks, the dancers for braving the cold, the organizers from Undercurrent and Deep Aura for bringing us all together <3

Enjoy!  Repost!  Much Love!

annandelementsoftechno2017

Elements of Techno - Ben Annand Live at Elements of Life Feb 25, 2017

I hope you enjoy my music and how I mix it.
For bookings contact benannand@gmail.com // gunita@listedbookings.com

2025 Confirmed dates

Jan 1 Los Angeles - Moontribe NYD
Jan 17 Los Angeles - Tropikroma LA Fire Benefit
Jan 31 Los Angeles - The Livehouse Presents
Feb 1 Orange County - True Ent LA Fire Benefit
Feb 13 Portland, OR - Silk and Sound at Secret Grove
Feb 21 Los Angeles - the Livehouse Presents
Feb 22 Los Angeles - Be My Tropical Valentinew
Feb 28 Pahoa, Big Island, HI - Bee Dance
Mar 1 Honolulu, HI - Centered at Bevy
Mar 2 Honolulu, HI - Anuras Afterhours
Mar 14 Guadalupe Canyon, BC Norte,. Mexico - Leyenda de Eterna
Mar 20 San Jose Del Cabo, BC Sur, Mexico - Afterhours
Mar 21 San Jose Del Cabo, BC Sur, Mexico
Mar 22 Cerritos Beach - Spring Fling at Big Fun Beach Club
Mar 28 Boise, ID - Treefort Music Fest
Apr 4 Eugene, OR - Soul Sessions at Play
Apr 5 Portland, OR - Lit at Capacity Social Club
Apr 18-20 Anza, CA - Tropical Hot Tub Oasis Retreat
May 2 Vancouver BC - Gorgomish Afterhours
May 3 Vancouver BC - The World Afterhours
May 21-25 Bakersfield, CA - Lightning in A Bottle Festival
more soon...

Biography:

In his zone from deep house to techno, Ben Annand pairs impeccably smooth mixing skills with a dynamic style that keeps the music moving, artfully playing with breakdowns and spending most of his time in the mix.

“For me, a great mix is the interplay of 2 unique pieces of music, creating something greater than the sum of the parts - and a great set weaves those mixes into a musical flow you can’t help but lose yourself in on the dance floor.”

Ben fell in love with dancing and rave culture in 1995, and learned to mix in 1996. Just 2 years later he became resident dj at the famed Moontribe Gathering, and started his own production company, Tropical. The first half of his career was mostly focused on DJing abroad, with 13 trips to Moscow’s Propaganda club, travel across Russia, Spain, and Mexico, an appearance at Wiggle at Fabric in London and two at the Labyrinth Festival in Japan.  

In more recent years, Ben Annand became a top West Coast festival DJ, and recently played a standout set at his 5th consecutive Lightning in a Bottle (CA). He has also appeared at Sunset Campout and Desert Hearts (CA), Oregon Eclipse (OR), Photosynthesis and Cascadia (WA), Shambhala and Motion Notion (BC, Canada).

As organizer of Tropical, he's donated over $32,000 to charity, hosted zero-waste events in Hawaii, and presented gender-balanced dj lineups.

Whatever his project,, Ben Annand is always contributing, and always thinking outside the box.