Lounge With Me

Dawntempo is my take on an alternate late night vibe...  when at the end of a night out, the sky is teasing purple, and people are ready to sit down to connect with friends they are faced with a choice… stay out, or head home.  If they can find a place where the vibes are chill, and there’s some comfy seating, then the party is elongated over smiles, laughter, and blissed out emotional beats.

And if the scene is just enticing enough… that critical mass makes it to sunrise to imprint their most magical highlight reel memories.

I believe (true) downtempo is a lost art and that this early morning slot is the perfect place for its triumphant return as people dance, cuddle or converse while FEELING beautiful bass music fueling forever friendships.

I've been known as the sunrise guy for years, but I've come to believe that it's really all about the dawn...

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This mix was recorded live at my friend J’s 50th.  Happy B-Day J!

Dawntempo volume 2

Dawntempo In Farindell

This is an excerpt from a very special 8 hour set I recorded at The Gathering IX.  It's the 4-5 am vibes about half-way through the main mix... 

The full 8-hour mix is on the way, and will be published soon.  

'Like' this track, and I'll make sure you get the full recording link when it's live.  Love this mix?  Re-posts really help a dj out!

Much love,

DJ Leif

Dawntempo @ The Gathering IX - Teaser #1 (Follow me to get full 8hr set.)

This is my second teaser installment from my 8hr set @ The Gathering IX.  This was my 7-8am hour.  Hope you enjoy!

'Follow me' for a change to get the full 8hr recording...

Dawntempo @ The Gathering IX

Dawntempo @ The Gathering IX - Teaser #2 (Follow me to get full 8hr set.)

Recorded LIVE at SD Ecstatic Dance 2-7-14

DJ Leif LIVE At SD Ecstatic Dance

Once in a leiftime, there was a dj who was doing something different... curating groovy chill music so that people could experience the joy of *lounging* with friends.  

This mix was captured live at my 43rd birthday party.   This set was different for me in that it was totally spontaneous and unprepared.  (I had been working on all the other aspects of throwing a party!)  The only thing I knew going into this mix was what track I wanted to start with, and from there, I dove into 20 years of gem collecting to bring you this...

...My take on lounge music inspired by the legendary Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz volumes.  This art form of lounge music is just my jam. It's about creating a vibe, and holding space for people to connect, converse, wiggle, giggle, and jiggle like gelatin...

Once In A LeifTime

This is the final teaser mix from my set at The Gathering IX last summer.  It is the first two hours of my 8hr set.

If you want the full 8hr mix, send me a message here on SoundCloud.

Dawntempo @ The Gathering IX - part.1

If you dig these vibes, help me spread the love & 'Re-post' would ya?
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Live set recorded at The Gathering X in June of 2023.

Huge thanks to The Gathering for having me out again.  Back in the day, when I first started going to parties, there was always a chill-out stage.  It wasn't where the big names played, but it was THE place to hang out with friends.  Over the years, those stages have vanished, so I believe downtempo is like a lost art.

Dawntempo is my unique brand of that -- downtempo at dawn.  It's vibey, and it makes you want to wiggle, but it's also chill enough that hanging out and talking with friends feels totally appropriate. 

Hope you enjoy.

The Gathering X

Dawntempo @ The Gathering X

I'm known for my downtempo sets, so I wanted to put out something a little more up-tempo, but still chill.  This mix should set the mood for a cozy night with your lover...

Lounging With Leif Time

This is a live sunrise set I recorded at the Triptych stage at YouTopia 2014.  Hope you enjoy!  Let me know what you think...

DJ Leif LIVE @ YouTopia '14

Nustalgica is a term I've coined that refers to electronic remixes and covers of old songs you'll recognize.  Because it appeals to both the familiar and new parts of your brain, it's like easy listening for the electronic generation.  I love these sounds and am a collector of these gems.  Here's your first installment.  Enjoy.

Nustalgica Vol. 1

This mix was recorded live at The Gathering IX in 2022. 

I wanted it to be a special reward for followers here on SoundCloud, so I was holding on to it, but it's such an opus of my music, and probably the longest set I'll ever record, that it just deserves to be out there in the world already!  This 8-hour mix will hopefully take you on a musical journey, through laughs, cuddles, some dancing, and fond moments from songs re-discovered through my signature nustalgic collection -- nostalgic songs remixed to be new to your ear yet familiar enough to evoke fond memories and bring a smile to your face.

If you enjoy this mix, please check out my other mixes and share them!  While after 20 years, I consider myself a semi-professional dj, it's not what I do for a full-time living, so your follows, shares and comments are what make it all worth it to me.  I chose a different path as a dj -- not pursuing a main-stage slot playing dance music, but instead focusing on vibes meant for chilling, whether that by in living rooms, on car-rides, or at parties wherever good vibes are needed.  Hearing my music make an impact from people around the world through stories about where my mixes get shared, and their universally popular reception, really means the world to me as an artist. Much love!

Follow me to get more installments of new gem collections to come.

Thanks for lounging with Leif Time!

This is my Sunday am poolside set to help reboot the party for one last magical day in the canyon.  Recorded live at Leyenda Eterna '14.

DJ Leif LIVE @ Leyenda Eterna '14

This is my sunrise set that I didn't get to play at Leyenda del Corazon '24.  

I had just finished preparing my mix the night before my sunrise set, and before I went to export it, I cracked my computer screen, and couldn't see anything -- let alone navigate the export.  This set was probably the most dancey set I'd have played out in my career, and I was excited to do so, so I was pretty bummed.  

I still played my set, but it was more in my traditional downtempo vibe.  

Then I realized that you all still deserved to hear the mix that I had put so much time into preparing.  It's a good party wind-down set, made especially for that magical canyon.  I hope you enjoy!

The thumbnail image is from an after-party set I played a month later.

Leyenda Sunrise That Wasn't

I have been blessed to host a night of the Chill-Out stage the last couple years at the best little festie that never happened here in So Cal - The Gathering.  As the party is hosted by the impecacble Chino Sound, I get to play pretty bass music the way it was meant to be experienced.  For the 11th year, I ended up playing a 10-hour set, but as luck would have it, my recorder only captured the first ~6 hours.  I've promised a friend I'd re-record those last 4 hours and give him the full 10 hour set, so if you would like that too, go to www.djleiftime.com and leave me your email with a comment.  I'll send it to you as well.

Dawntempo @ The Gathering XI

This is the last 45 minutes of my 5 hour set from The Gathering XII where I put together a special sing-a-long sunrise to honor the new location and it's epic dawn-time views.

If you want access to the full 5 hour recording before it's made public, go to www.djleiftime.com and join my VIP mail list and I'll send it to you.

The Gathering XII - DJ Leif Time Sunrise Sing-a-long

This is a live, unedited sunrise set from YouTopia '15.  

This was a special set I looked forward to playing for a year, but I didn't pre-organize my playlist as I might normally when planning a set.  I wasn't sure what the vibe of the dancefloor would be when I arrived...

The vibe was WAY off from where I expected.  The stage was dark and quiet.  When I got the heavy news about why, I was struck by sadness...

I wanted to channel the heavy energy of the still dark morning into something positive and help bring in the positive energy of a new day.  When I saw friends of mine with a satellite stage nearby, I plugged in and this is what came out...

Thank you for the invitation and inspiration to make it happen Triptych family.  

Thank you Basket Cases for having an alternative (& bitchin') sound system to warm the morning with.  

Thank you crazy dancing elf for showing up, appreciating and making me want to keep the spirits high.

Please enjoy my take on sunrise this year around.  Share this mix if you like it!!

On a serious note: I've come to believe we are not humans seeking a spiritual experience, but rather spirits seeking a human one.  YouTopia is a VERY beautiful place to be reminded of that.  Very grateful for that special place where mystical lands combine with magical manifestations of heART and soul to create YouTopia.  You, my tribe, are beautiful beyond words.  Thank you.

DJ Leif @ YouTopia '15 - LIVE sunrise set

This is a set I recorded live at San Diego's Ecstatic Dance after having been away for over a year.  Hope you enjoy.  Let me know what you think!  Follow me for more mixes if you dig.

Return To Ecstatic Dance

This is a party starter set that builds to warm up the party nicely.  Unedited LIVE set recorded specifically for my friends at The Grateful Generation.  Thank you for the opportunity!

LeifSavers Vol. 1

This is a compilation of Bob Marley remixes I dug that bring back the legend with a new electronic twist.  

If you enjoy, please follow me for more juicy music.

Peace and Love.

Re:Marley - A mix of remixes of the legend

This is a trap mix I made for my dear friend Halcyon.  Happy Birthday Bro!  

Admittedly, this is a departure from my norm, but trap is such a sweet medium between my favorite genres of downtempo and dance music.  What can I say?  I really dig it.  I hope you do too...  

Trapped In A Bottle

This is a 4 hour downtempo mix I made for Pink Heart Radio for Burning Man '16.  It played on Wednesday 8/31/16 from 12:00 to 4:00 am.  Enjoy the chilled out vibes... (Photo by Kash Foto)

Pink Heart Radio - 4 hr Downtempo Mix - Burning Man '16

This is a mashup of DJ Drez's Veerabhadra with Halcyon's TedX talk about Gifting, Gratitude and Burning Man.

Enjoy!

Free Download

Going to Burning Man (Veerabhadra vs Halcyon mashup by DJ Leif)

Recorded live at San Diego Ecstatic Dance 5-20-16.

Dance with Me

True to my style, I hope you'll find this mix a journey through time and sound that defies labels and yet evokes positive vibes, nostalgic memories, and perhaps even some deeper thoughts on life.   

It's a blend of some of my favorite songs remixed, a few new gems I'm particularly fond of, and some original remixes I made myself.  

This mix was recorded live at my dear friend Eli's final majestic manor pool party.  (Love you Eli... thanks for the opportunity and your visionary leadership in general.)  The title was inspired by my original mashup I call "I got 5 on a hippie dance."  

I hope you enjoy it.  Please let me know what you think!

Hippie Hop

This mix is like an introduction to Leif Time's nustalgic, groovy vibes.

It's an ode to summer and my Leo end-of-summer party roots.

It's my gift to all my friends headed home to Black Rock City and honoring of a place and race of being that inspire such creativity and LIFE!  It's a little artistic contribution in honor of the best art festival on planet earth.  

Hope you enjoy.

Baby Making in the BRC

This is a test mix.

I made this mix for myself to assist with focus for when I need to be really in the zone.  

It was playing at home when a friend asked me to share it, and here you are...

Help me prove the value of this vibe and let me know if this helps you get life done. 

Good luck and god-speed on your endeavors!

- Sweet Lief

Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Focus Mix -- For concentration and flow-state work environments

Annually, Burning Man ignites to inspire art in the hearts of many.  One of the greatest impacts of BM in my opinion is that it changes people’s perception and understanding of both what ‘art’ is, how powerful it can be, and how it’s as much about the act of making it as the result.  Essentially, if art was a religion, then Burning Man would be it’s Mecca.

Personally, BM is my reminder to live an artful life, and as such, I have begun the tradition of trying to send fresh art to the playa annually to help co-create that place of magic so that I am at least there in spirit if I can’t be there in the flesh.

What I’ve created here is an eclectic mix of some of my favorite songs. This mix is full of head-bobbin, groovy tunes that put you in a flow state.  It’s for when you’re ready for a break from bangin’ dance tunes, but still want something with some energy that you can just chill to.  It’s great driving music, so that’s the inspiration for it’s title.

This piece of art comes from a deeply emotional place.  I've been going through a time of deep introspection lately, and frankly, was kind of feeling down. Then, recently, I got the hit to channel that emotion into art. I originally put this playlist together for a festival I played earlier this summer, but didn't record. Well... I put my home studio to use, and had a cathartic night of music to myself and this live recording is the result. It worked. My smile came back. 

I hope you enjoy listening to this mix as much as I enjoyed making it...and while you're here, please 'follow me' for more...  : )

Much love,

Leif

PS. Thanks for the road-trip title inspiration Matt & Mario.

www.sweetlief.com

The Gates Of Gerlach

"Sign says you got to have a [face mask] to get inside."

This was how I spent my 2020...  focused making music and honing my production skills.

This is my pandemix.  It inspired me to remix Tesla's 'Signs'... an old favorite that deserved a re-rub given the context.

It's an extended session of my typical chill-out, downtempo, groovy tunes with a few original remixes, and the newer isht in my collection.  Enjoy the vibes.

Signs of Change

DJ Leif Time is a musical story-teller, with a love for downtempo, chill-out vibes highlighted by his signature nustalgica collection — nostalgic tracks updated by a modern electronica sound.  After 2 decades collecting gems and seamlessly stitching them together, his sets have an arc and flow that bring listeners on a journey through time and sound to make them groove, dance, cuddle or converse.  His distinct style of uplifting music that inspires smiles and appeals to diverse audiences means people wake up in their tents and know “Leif is playing… I’ve gotta get up and be there!”  It was a fan of his that described his music as "The Soundtrack for Life," and his mixes are the go-to choice for road-trips, after-hours hangouts, dinner parties, and daily life.  

He cites Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz vol. 1 as his favorite album of all-time and his direct inspiration to both become a dj and take his artistic endeavors down the road less travelled of the downtempo art form.

If you’ve enjoyed one of his mixes here, please consider visiting his website, http://www.djleiftime.com and joining his VIP mailing list to get exclusive releases, stay informed of his upcoming events, and personally connect.  Since so much of his impact happens in random living rooms across diverse geographies, he loves to hear from and connect with fans directly to replace the visual fan feedback loop normally present at a live performance.

Much of his exposure comes from fans sharing his mixes, so your outspoken appreciation of his music is what fuels what he does...  Thank you!!!

DJ Leif Time

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