Here's to new beginnings!  This mix - titled 'Strength" is part 1 of a 12-part monthly themed studio mix series that I've committed to releasing this year. 

I mixed this set in October 2022, when I began feeling my strength again, in my amazing DJ Lounge in Eugene, Oregon.
The picture was taken on January 1st, 2023 at Bucerias beach near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

2022 was a huge challenge for me.  The best things about it were my DJ career thriving post-pandemic, my daughter of course, and other than those, just getting through it.

The hardest things were that it was the first year devoid of hope for my marriage yet still living in the same apartment together the entire year, and that it was the year my mother passed - and those things were HEAVY.  

Hence the need for strength.  Dating for the first time after 15 years was a shitshow, and by summer what I already knew started to sink in hard - focusing on my daughter was a way better idea.  When my mom became very ill, it drove this point home further.

Just as I was starting to feel some strength, my mom lost the last bit she had left.  At first I relapsed badly into bad habits. She passed suddenly while I was preparing to come out to Connecticut, and I felt tremendous guilt when I didn't make it out to be with her at the end.

Although I took my mom's passing really hard, it was the catalyst for change I needed. 

I went from mid-September through the end of the year alcohol-free. I've had a few drinks in January but don't think I'll ever have a drinking habit like I did before.  I gave up herb early November and haven't looked back.  

I gave up these 'vices' without judgement but in the name of health, clarity, and productivity.  I wanted to stop getting in the way of myself and achieve my true potential.  I wanted to feel my strength again.

2023 will be a crazy year for me.  It's the 25th year of my party, Tropical, and the last one.  No one wants me to end it, and so this also takes strength.  I've given a lot through this event - in many ways too much.  

Of course I'm going a little nuts with it to the finale but I'm also showing restraint.  I want to respect the party and give it the finish it deserves, but I have much else to do and know all too well it gets it the way of really being able to focus on other things.

My DJ career is a constant hustle, and is back to being my main source of income.  That's not actually my vision but you also have to respect what's working. My venue booking business is growing slowly, largely because I'm limited by the other things. but I know it's my most sustainable future.

This is the last year I will work this hard.  It's the end of a decade I knew I would work really hard, and I want to respect the deadline I set to take a chill pill and be focused on other things including self-care, and my daughter. I'm still going to work real hard after 2023, but more efficiently and with more help.  And without the burden and risk of organizing events.

I started a bit early last Fall with increased self-care, sleep, and focus on Cerise - but with the onset of 2023 I'm also feeling the crunch of so many projects and goals.  Still I feel more balance than I used to. And that is also strength.

Well I can go on forever but I'm going to cut myself off.  I haven't said a word about the music on this mix this time, but that's ok, it speaks for itself.

I hope you enjoy the mix, and find strength in yourself this year and beyond!

Track list coming soon <3

Ben Annand 2023 Studio Mix 1 - January - Strength

Diffusion Set

A collection of Viva Recordings tracks selected and mixed by Peter Evans.

Adam Nathan - Us and Them
Pedro Faria - Same Ground (feat- Kavina Ladean) (Neiro Remix)
Smok - With the Stars
Duwayne Motley, Zandrina, DuBeats - Gave up on Love (feat. Zandrina) (DuBeats Remix)
Rick Preston - Body Move (Original Mix)
Tony H - Piano Ain-t Easy
Atnarko - Before Sleep
Lucas Hulan - Stranger_In_The_Room_(Arco_Remix)
Slumber - Oww
Bar F6, FreedomB - Why (Pezzner-s Hydrochloric Dub)
Undercover Agency - Dance, Dance
Andy Compton, Rogiers - Feel Free (Original Mix)
Hamza Rahimtula	Bourj - Hammoud (Original Mix)
Jay Tripwire - W R Consumers (Original Mix)
Hanssen - Come on Apocalypse (Original Mix)
Joeski - Cross Over feat Jesante (Original Mix)
Lomez - Smiles In My Sleep feat Phillip Charles
Jon Lee - Please Stay (Chad Neiro Remix)
Stefan Naimor - How (Dub Mix)
Rick Preston - Acid Cha- (Original Mix)
Demarkus Lewis - Catcher of the Deep (Original Mix)
Sunday Scoundrels, Audio Angel - Ain't No Looking Back (feat. Audio Angel) (Instrumental Mix)
Chorduroy Music - Fine Cognac (Original Mix)
Jay Tripwire - Filament Burst
Omotani - With the Jazz (Tim K-s Extended Remix)

Interpretations Volume 1 - Peter Evans

A 3-hour 'voyage musical...' Guest mix for https://soundcloud.com/viva-recordings  weekly 'Breakfast Jam' Twitch broadcast April 15, 2023. 🥰

Artists included:
#45
#6Blocc
#6thBoroughProject
#AnatolyIce
#AustinsGroove
#Babert
#Bahramji 
#BobMarley
#BoogieVice
#Boombass
#Bosq
#Common
#CrewDeep
#DeepAztec
#DeLaSoul
#Degiheugi
#DeixaAcontecer 
#DennisCruz
#DigablePlanets
#DJVadimIrah  
#DubSyndicate
#EwanPearson
#FeintYoungSon
#Folamour
#FunkyFrenchLeague
#Gelka
#GrooveArmada
#HelioMatheus
#HotOasis
#HotToddy
#JanetJackson
#JazzSpastiks
#JeanShepherd
#Junktion
#KevinYost 
#KillaP
#kryptogram
#KwashibuAreaBand 
#Lakuta
#Laroye 
#Lasai
#LeonItaly
#LondonPosse
#LTJXPerience
#MaceoParker
#MadameBenoit
#MATVEI
#MikeNasty
#MiltonJackson 
#NaughtyByNature
#Negghead
#Newcleus
#Nickodemus 
#ObyOnyioha
#PatThomas
#PhillipiRodrigo
#PonchoWarwick
#RolandClark 
#Sidestepper
#SkiOakenfull
#Soulchef
#SouthRakkasCrew
#TeddyBlack
#TheBuroughProject
#TheDeadbeats
#TheFunkDistrict
#ThieveryCorporation
#Turbotito 
#VellyJoonas
#Wrongtom

Viva B'fast Jam April 2023

Viva 'Breakfast Jam' April 2023 Guest Mix [download enabled]

This edition of the mix series features a stellar mix from Seattle local Interwave Surfer. The Dazed resident and Restless Planet co founder has provided us with a mix that captures the vibes of early summer perfectly. You can catch him (and a slew of amazing talent!) playing at the Reflect crew's upcoming Sun Worship outdoor festival.

Some words from the man himself:

My latest mix is a personal journey of emotive tracks from the past and present, curated with love for the local community and beyond.

As a DJ, I'm fascinated by how music moves people. This mix reflects that with a captivating sound journey.

Seattle, thank you for your support. This mix is my gift back to you. Discover the magic within the beats, and join me on a journey of self-discovery.

Tracklist:
Letherette - Space Cuts
Lis Sarroca - No Wait (Original Mix)
Minimono - Rollerball (Original Mix)
ex-terrestrial - Portal Vision (Kali)
Rebolledo - The Sharper Image (Original mix)
Roza Terenzi - Mwah
Youandewan - Slow Down feat. Art Feynman
Shanti Celeste - Days Like This (Original mix)
DJ Seinfeld - I Saw Her Kiss Him In Front Of Me And I Was Like Wtf?
Palms Trax - In Gold (Original Mix)
Look Like - Do You Love? (Original Mix)
Adam Pits - Solar Wave
DJ Tennis - Intercooler (Original Mix)
Extrawelt - Gazelle Flip (Sebastian Mullaert Remix)
Toolate Groove - Post Meridian

🚨🔥👀🔥🚨
! Peep Game !

https://soundcloud.com/interwavesurfer

https://soundcloud.com/restlessplanet

Reflect: Sun Worship Ticket Link:

https://www.reflecttheglow.com/event-details/reflect-presents-sun-worship-festival?fbclid=IwAR09FmjvfH9SNB7ag4u_Md8XcLzvUtgjnaSxj-GkUttyTKHDiytfJtfU_OQ

Innerflight Broadcast 164: Interwave Surfer

Live DJ set

Recess Live at Sun Worship Fest June 17th 2023

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

1	Tomas Gerd-  Prunus 	
2	Matador-  Moonlight (Original Mix) 	
3	Valdovinos-  Your Way 	
4	North Sunset-  Mikuni	
5	Dzhef-  Aurora	
6	VUUNE, Rico Loewe-  Elevate Echoes (Extended Mix)	
7	Ventt, Keparys-  Utro (Reshaped Extended Mix)	
8	Arina Mur-  Spin the Dawn (Extended Mix) 	
9	Brian Cid-  Cachimbo (Original Mix) 	
10	Chris Luno-  Sterny (Extended Mix)

Integrated August 23 2023 on Proton Radio

Closing set for the Petrified Forest stage at Something Else 2023.

Not #BurningMan but Something Else 😂
(Same time as Burning Man 2023.)

Petrified Forest Closing Set @ SoEl 2023

So, for my Bday / Thanksgiving 2023 mix i decided to pull some tracks from my classics folder that have provided me great dancefloor memories both at the club and the afterhours. They range from the early 90s to 2009 with some heavy plays during the Simons era and beyond. I included some vinyl rips which give it a bit of a raw feel throughout and a heavy dose of beat mixing so hope you enjoy it.

Tracklist:

Josh Moog - Forever Pimpin' - 2006
Jay Tripwire - Tribal Mask - 2009
Johnny Fiasco - Kalimba - 1996
DJ Gregory - The Joburg Theme (Main) - 2004
Rhythm 3 Request - Desafinado (Red Zone) - 1992
O.D.C. & Ed The Red - Blue Screen - 1993
Cevin Fisher - Tough My Body Up - 2004
Ellis D - I Will Survive (At The Club Mix)(Busto Edit) - 1990
Master C&J - Face It (Ashley Beedle Edit) - 2009
NYDC - Up In This House - 1995
The Daou - Surrender Yourself (Factory Reprise) - 1994

Birthday Mix Thanksgiving 2023

Changing of Seasons Mix.  Hope you enjoy!

Sensations

Buckmode, the moniker of Seattle-based DJ Brennan Buckmaster, is a genre-blending selector known for his ability to move both bodies and spirits. Fusing deep house, soulful techno, jackin’ rhythms, and bass-heavy grooves, Buckmode’s sound is raw, honest, and rooted in the underground — designed to spark connection whether on the dancefloor or under the open sky.



. As a co-founder of Juke Juke‑Joint Modern and a member of the 1 LUV Crew, he’s deeply embedded in the local scene, helping build community through music-driven gatherings.



Beyond the club, Buckmode brings his sound into the light—literally—collaborating with wellness collectives like Yerbana for large-scale outdoor events such as Yoga in the Park at Gas Works Park. His ambient-meets-energetic approach to sunrise sessions and yoga flows with instructors, showcases a different side of his artistry: intentional, warm, and grounded in movement and mindfulness.



Whether he’s digging for dusty vinyl grooves or sculpting a sunrise soundscape, Buckmode is a connector at heart—dedicated to crafting sonic experiences that elevate, unite, and move people forward.

Sensations

buckmode