Excited to release my set from LIB 20-Year Anniversary!  Every LIB experience for me seems to top the last.  

This year was special as I hosted Camp Tropical for the first time and had my daughter, Cerise, there for the first time since 2019.  And it was LIB's 20th year, and a brilliant one!

Huge thank you to the Flemming Brothers - Jesse, Dede and Josh and team for producing the Fest, to Patricio Motta for producing the Junkyard Stage I played on, and to Todd Anisman for the ChinoSound!

I always put a lot of effort into my LIB sets, and this year no exception but with the extra challenge of extra responsibility x 2 - organizing a Tropical group camp, and caring for my daughter, who made a few visits to the DJ booth during this set as well.

Honestly I did feel a little less focused that normal up there and wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my set when I got the recording.  I'm a harsh self-critic but I actually love this mix as much as any of the 6 others I've played at this lovely fest :)

Many thanks to the brilliantly talented producers whose tracks I mixed - here is the complete listing, tagged, so you can check their work <3

1. @Undo	 - Aliens Go Home
	
2. @Matthias-tanzmann, @francisco-allendes - Disco Mike
	
3. @Ddigglerofficial - Sunset

4. @Le_bigz (Big Al) - Smiling in the Sand (@tim-barnett-5 [Tim Tonal] Remix)
	
5  @A_los_martires (Cienfuegos) - Around You (@col-lawton-d90 Dub Remix)

6. @Okain - Locked

7. @Mihai-popoviciu-1 - Emotion

8. @Dinyadalonzo - Can't You See (@jameshopkinsuk Remix)

9. @kevinmckay, Notelle, Eppers - On My Own (@Joe-vanditti & Kevin McKay Extended Remix)

10  @Tuccillo - It's Not Over
 
11. @Francisdesimone - Efdies (@Kevinmckay Extended Remix)

12. @Djqmusic, @Finnmccorry - Speedy Gs

13  @Ralphsession  - Rize (@homeroespinosa Remix)

14. @Petebandit-f2f - Computer's Creativity

15. @Milos-pesovic - Pam Pam (@Juan-dragster-viveros Remix)

16. @Format-b-2, @Royrosenfeld - Human Dynamo 

17. @Paulcpaolomartini (Paul C, Paolo Martini) - Modulator

I definitely play with a certain aesthetic at LIB, which is to honor the crossing of the underground and mainstream in my own way.  I describe this set as banging and uplifting, with carefully chosen vocals.  I mean a festival is a celebration, and this just year 2 out of the pandemic I'm definitely favoring uplifting over dark.  

Ok, I do favor that generally, but same time I am processing some darkness over the past 2 years as I've experienced huge losses.  Last year's LIB I was processing the recent demise of my marriage, while this year I was processing the loss of my mom last September.

Recently in our West Coast underground music community we have lost some very special people and there's been a lot of sadness over that, especially this past week.  

One of the very best tools for processing loss is of course music and dance - I hope this set brings you light and joy in these challenging times <3

Please give this set a listen, a like, and a repost if the spirit moves you. Your comments are always welcomed, and usually answered <3

Ben Annand Live at LIB Festival 20-Year - May 26, 2023

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.

Welcome to the official Soundcloud home for Tropical Since 98, Socal's beloved underground house music event which has donated over $30,000 to charity causes since 1998!  This Soundcloud is dedicated to live sets from the 80+ Tropical parties since it's inception.  

Tropical is the creation of Ben Annand, who continues to organize the event to this day.  The link for Ben's personal Soundcloud is here, be sure and visit that too ;)

http://soundcloud.com/ben-annand 

Tropical started in a warehouse on October 9, 1998, and moved around to different warehouses until making one home in 2003, known as the Tree House.  In 2004 and 2005 Tropical was almost monthly between the Tree House, and newly started boat parties out of Long Beach.  In June and September 2007 were the first 2 Tropical campouts, in Bonsall, CA at the venue now known as the Fire Garden.  In 2008 and 2009 Tropical went to Zuma State Beach in Malibu for summertime Tropical Beach Parties.  

Though occasionally still in a warehouse, since 2011 Tropical has been primarily outdoors, with the main events being the summer boat party and fall/winter Tropical Oasis Retreat, most recently seen on Kauai (Hawaii).  Tropical is 100% nonprofit, donating all proceeds after cost to charity.

What are we here for, if not to feel this?

Lost in Groove
Turing Sound
Rascal Foundation

The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought. - Thomas Beecham

Find me on IG @ amicus_music