Before graduating the CIJ Clarity Catalyst Course with Bodhi Calagna at Remix Your World, students were assigned a creative project where we were to use our ‘remixed’ imaginations and creativity. This is my project - a mashup I created for the soundtrack to the genesis of PHILYRA...
Hear the thunderbolt that spawns Philyra’s egg and starts the roar of the fire.  Be witness to Philyra’s hatching and be the first to hear her voice.  Listen as she takes her first steps from the nest out of the flames.  Feel the wind against your face as she stretches and beats her wings to ready them for her inaugural flight.  Celebrate as she spreads her wings, finds her voice and soars into the sky.  This is PHILYRA'S RISE...

Hernan Cattaneo & Marcelo Vasami vs. Philyra - Philyra's Rise (a MI.T.JO. Mash)

THE HERO’S JOURNEY:
Innocence | The Call | Initiation | Allies | Breakthrough | Celebration

This collection of music is to tell the story of 'The Hero’s Journey.' It is the soundtrack to his trek.  Part One represents the first three stages of the journey:  Innocence, The Call and Initiation.  It is a long slow burn and meant to be dark and emotional. At times, it may give a feeling of being “other worldly” or even ethereal.  In the beginning, you’ll hear the 'Innocence' of this traveler - the unknown of what is to come.  As our Hero recognizes 'The Call', the percussion starts to build and intensify in his anticipation.  Recognizing this trek as a spiritual journey, The Hero’s 'Initiation' begins and the music changes as he reflects. In his reflection there are times of sadness and heartache but in the darkness there is always a light and healing; a yearning for better and brighter.  Listening closely, an underlying feeling of hope and possibility is always present.  
During this journey, our Hero meets his protector, his guardian, his muse; his Phoenix – PHILYRA. She is his Spirit Animal, guiding him to his ReINCARNATION.
This set is filled with the mystery and sense of wonder our Hero experienced along his journey.  It is deep and melodic, almost primal in feel sometimes with its rhythms, percussions and tribal chanting.  So, as the lyrics say... 

“It’s time to open up the cage and watch her fly away...”

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R7: Philyra | ReINCARNATED Part 1 of 2

R7: Philyra | ReINCARNATED Part 2

THE HERO’S JOURNEY:
Innocence | The Call | Initiation 
Allies | Breakthrough | Celebration

Part 2: THE CONCLUSION. This set continues with the Hero becoming more aware and looking at himself more deeply. He begins to recognize how much he was "building walls around" himself and starts his true ReINCARNATION. He knows that although this journey is his, he cannot complete this trek alone. He begins searching for and making Allies - starting with his Phoenix, Philyra. She becomes his guide and his strength. The music starts to build and becomes more 'gutsy' or 'charged.' You can almost feel the Breakthrough as the energy changes and the Hero pushes forward. He digs deep and questions what he is 'Missing' in life. During his journey, he learns it "doesn’t seem so funny to cry" and he lets go of all that was holding him back and discovers the importance and "the meaning of goodbye." As he lets go, he realizes and reminds himself, “I have 'Everything I Wanted.' It’s always been right here.” In almost complete and "total rapture", the Hero picks himself up as if "his feet were on fire" and "keeps movin’ on." In his new found 'State of Mind', he begins to celebrate. In his Celebration, you’ll hear the music shift and the feeling of hope, light and his triumph takes over. You can almost see him coming out of 'The Ravine' with Philyra next to him, his hands in the air, tears of joy in his eyes and his heart swollen with gratitude as he summits the mountain into the sunlight. The Hero has arrived and conquered!

R7: Philyra | ReINCARNATED Part 2 of 2

Michael Thomas’ journey on the decks began almost three decades ago at a friend’s downtown loft for a small private party. It was in the middle of this party where Michael was offered his first paying and public gig, leading him to his first DJ residency at Cleveland’s newest bar, Club Visions, where he would remain for the next almost two years developing his following and honing his craft.  Quickly recognized for his uplifting sound and unique story-telling placed Michael in high demand, adding him to the rosters for national events like The Ohio Boy’s Club parties and Dancin’ in the Streets in Cleveland, Corbett Reynolds’ ‘Rudely Elegant’ Red Party in Columbus and Change of Seasons in Atlanta to name a few.  Michael has been a frequent returning guest DJ at nightclubs throughout the U.S. and has helmed multiple residencies in Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago.   

Some of Michael’s strongest early influences like veteran DJs and legends Mark Tarbox, Susan Morabito and Buc or famed producers Frankie Knuckles, Mark Picchiotti and David Morales are still inherently present and recognizable in his sets today – uplifting vocals and banging piano keys and horns, sexy Afro and tribal rhythms and percussions, underground tech or warm melodic techno. Michael's timing and his command of the room are proof to a resumé that spans nearly two decades. His versatility as a DJ has booked him gigs for tea dance to after hours for big rooms such as U4IA in Cleveland or Tabernacle in Atlanta to the intimate Posh or Sidebar in Fort Lauderdale. 

Michael Thomas had been away from the decks for nearly a decade while he focused on his bar career, family and self. During that time he was part of the development team and later became Head Bartender for one of the country’s leading cocktail bars, Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. During his tenure at Sable Kitchen & Bar, Michael gained national attention in publications like Imbibe, Timeout, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Plate, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Bar & Restaurant and Zagat and was a key contributor to the bar earning national accolades:  “10 Best Restaurant Bars in Chicago” by USA Today, “Best Hotel Bars” by Food and Wine, “Best Bars in America” by Esquire, “Best Bar Team” and “Best American Hotel Bar” by Tales of the Cocktail.  During this time he also married his long-term partner and soul mate, Canadian-born artist Darren Jones.

Recently, Michael is speaking publicly about his ‘aha’ moment(s) during the COVID-19 lockdown and how he was brought back to the music. In lockdown, he faced his demons with eyes wide opened and triumphed over his many years' battle with addiction and is now living sober.  In his sobriety, he says he is "learning self-love," has adopted "an essential routine of self-care" and has uncovered a new found spirituality where he's discovered his muse, Philyra. Michael's return to the DJ booth is bringing a new maturity and a refreshed sound that he credits to life experience – the struggles and celebrations, alike. With an invigorated perspective and his self-proclaimed “reincarnation” combined with his music, one might say they are listening to the soundtrack of his life. Michael’s ability to create a “journey” for his dance floor has never been more apparent and will undoubtedly continue to propel him to tell his story and compose his “soundtrack."

MICHAEL THOMAS

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