Fukin great 🎶 just fuking SO great all around 💃🏻🔊

it's always a fun time playing for the the Groove'rs, this time for the Aquarius Full Moon Beach party at Sunnyside beach in the west end of Toronto.  Thanks Chocolate Groove for having me on this special night and special place.
I had a lot of fun playing this party, got to play a lot of songs that i'v been meaning to play for some time.
till next time 
xo
TAKiN

AQUARIUS FULL MOON - TAKIN @ Sunnyside Beach Toronto

Ahh, what can I say about this mix? Right before this campout I had gone through a really rough couple of weeks. I lost a really good friend (I love you Brandon aka B Funky) and literally 2 days after their passing, while I was on my bike leaving work, I witnessed a very traumatic fatal pedestrian vs. auto accident in which I was first on scene and felt so helpless. I know that life has its ups and downs but that was a really rough time.

This FnF campout was in my calendar for a couple of months before all this shit happened and I am such a fan and supporter of the FnF events that I was honored & excited to be DJing. But the thing was, my head wasn't in its usual, happy, content space. I felt sad and angry. So I decided that the best way to work it out would be through music with my very accepting, understanding & forgiving FnF community.

This set was recorded live on Saturday night (aka Sunday morning) on September 10 (technically 9/11), 2022 from 3-4am. There are no edits to the live recording aside from a gentle mastering process to bring up the levels, so what you hear is what we all experienced that night. This is probably the darkest set (for me) that I've played in a while. It bumps at around 130bpm and bounces between tech house and techno. It was a cathartic set and I felt like things started slowly making a turn for the better immediately after this campout.

I hope you enjoy.

Track list:

1. Dipzy "Discretion"
2. George Privatti, Angel Heredia "4Ever & Ever"
3. Green Velvet, Dajae, Mihalis Safras "Wurk"
4. Ohmme "Get High"
5. Haynes, Nicola d'Angella "Barrio"
6. Mendo & Angel Heredia "Boys Rules"
7. Angel Heredia "The Incorrect"
8. Angel Heredia "ACTR3SS HOLLYWOOD"
9. Siege "Dirty Maddy"
10. DJ Denise "I Feel Good"
11. Matt Sassari "Pulsif"
12. Matt Sassari "Morph"
13. Eddie Mess "Nobody"
14. Matt Sassari "Honda" (D-Unity Remix)
15. Friend Within, Max Styler, Atlantic Garden "Temporary" (Extended Mix)
16. Diplo, Busta Rhymes, Mele "Right 2 Left" (Extended)
17. Truth x Lies "Like This" (Extended Mix)

Photo credit: Patrick Calkins 

After reviewing this set list, I want to give two special shout outs: 

1) To Matt Sassari, whom I only discovered whilst shopping for techno for this campout. I played two of his originals in this set but I actually bought quite a few more, I really like his productions and am happy to have discovered a new (to me) artist. 

2) Track 15, "Temporary," was one that I originally purchased for the FnF Summer campout but never played. I forgot about it and then rediscovered it when I was preparing for this campout. Turns out the lyrics were just what I needed at the time:

When the black follows you around
And your dreams turn dark and scary
And the bad news weighs you down
Just hold on it's only temporary...

DJ Denise - Live At FnF Fall Classic 2022

One of my most emotional mixes, this set was recorded Live at Subtract open Air party just outside of LA (Valley) in an absolutely chaotic time for me.  Two days after my only lover of 16 years and wife of 12 told me she didn’t love me anymore and I went to LA with my daughter to process it.  It was also my first time back in LA since moving from there in 2019, and first time seeing/staying with my family since the pandemic.  Unsurprisingly I had trouble keeping myself together in these circumstances.

So suffice to say there are a lot of feelings in this set.  It would have actually been yet moodier but there was a hiccup on start time at this party that changed my set (2nd in order and rt before Doc Martin)  from early-ish to peak.  But it is still an emotional journey, at least for me :) 

It's my break-up set, and those can be powerful.  I'll never forget DJ Heather's at Tropical 2-Year Anniversary in LA in 2000.  It was raw and full of feels and one of my favorites, but I didn't get approval to release, I think it was too personal.

I like to play with the mix of dark and light generally - being a positive person and eternal optimist I overall lean towards light.  This set of course a unique moment in time for me.  It starts more moody and breaks through into the light, also reflecting a transition from more techy opener Bellhop to housier Doc Martin, and a balance of hosts Subtract and Sublevel.  Yeah, I think about all these things :)

It felt so good to be in LA at the party, seeing friends I hadn’t seen in years, feeling supported and loved!  In a euphoric moment towards the end I actually caught air behind the decks - not too often my feet leave the ground back there the way I mix, but Armando Kroma thankfully caught this on camera.  It was the hopeful part of summer 2021 for events and everyone was feeling it -  soon after Delta variant kinda wiped things out again.  

So why didn’t I release this set earlier?   I actually tried.  I had it mastered by Brian Saitzyk, but tbh for about 10 minutes in the middle my attention to my levels was poor in all the emotion and excitement and I pushed the pioneer mixer a bit so there’s a bit of crunchiness that can’t really be mastered out.  

So then I re-recorded it.  I don’t like to do this, I like the way I mix live better, as well as for the live set really to be the live set.  But sound quality is a factor so I did the re-record.  But then never released it.  I also was planning to push the set so the Delta V perhaps another reason I paused on set release...

Maybe too much time just went by.  Maybe it was too emotional for me as turmoil in my life continued.  Things worsened in my marriage, poly definitely did not work, dating after 15 years and a pandemic neither easy nor the focus I really wanted.  I made a lot of progress getting my groove back and enjoying my life in 2022 until my mom became ill very suddenly June 2022 and passed in September. 

Anyway here we are, I am releasing things, moving on in my life and starting to feel my fire again.  

As such I am releasing this set!   This is the original live version lightly mastered for overall levels by Brian Saitzyk.   If the audio quality is compromised some for emotion that’s an accurate reflection of my state anyway, and it’s really just a little fuzzy in a small part of the set anyway.  So, live and raw it is!  

Big thanks to Anton for bringing me, Brian Saitzyk for mastering, Mikey B for commiserating with me, Doc Martin and Andrew Bellhop for playing great sets before and after me, and all my friends for uplifting me (literally this time!), and Armando for catching that moment I broke through into pure joy <3

Ben Annand Live in LA at Subtract/Sublevel Open Air with Doc Martin - July 31, 2021

PLEASE JOIN US FOR LIB 20 YEAR ON SALE NOW at libestival.com.
Many thanks to @Rithma for the beautiful mastering job! 

Lightning in a Botttle 2022 was my first big festival after the pandemic and it was HUGE - more than 30,000 people.  I played Thursday night and there were only 3 stages going and already 18,000 people there.  This set was played on the Junkyard stage to I don't know maybe 1500-2000 people - a secondary stage became pretty main, and the mains of course were nuts at this fest.

I knew exactly where was going with this set, coming out of the pandemic with pure unbridled euphoric house vibe on the edge of underground and mainstream.  People were freaking out, it was so so so lovely there I can't even tell ya ♡♡♡  

Incredible experience and before I go any further let me thank Jesse and Dede Flemming for throwing the whole shebang, and Patricio for curating the Junkyard stage formerly known as Favela Bar.

DJing is an art, or it should be.  I'm not just transitioning tracks, I am almost always playing with tracks together with very short gaps in between. I spend far more time in the mix of two tracks than out.  

DJing is also a performance, particularly at a festival, and to be honest I'm way more natural musically than as a performer.  I think the most important thing is how a mix sounds listening back - lots of the more 'showy' sets I can't get through live let alone listen to later.

BUT PERFORMANCE IS STILL IMPORTANT!  People want to see the DJ having fun, and that's not always natural for me.  

LIB has been a great confidence builder for me, my sets have steadily improved and my DJ energy even more :)  It's become home for me and I have a really nice following there after 5 years straight.

Much credit to the amazing sounding DJ booth provided by Todd Anisman of ChinoSound - who became Tropical's sound guru right after the first tome I played in 2016 - I felt my groove and put on at least a decent show along with a really nice house set.  

MUCH LOVE TO THE ARTISTS FOR THE TRACKS I WOVE TOGETHER - I hope you also listen and enjoy my art ♡♡♡  
Credit where credit's due, and bite my style all you want, it's super flattering and more importantly gives exposure to artists who likely get less than they deserve.  

Special shout out to Kevin McKay who I've been following since 90s Glasgow Underground - always one if my fave vinyl labels - for the peak moment in the middle of this set when the crowd absolutely exploded for 'Move Your Body'.  

And another to Christian Burkhardt for appearing the most in my track list - I guess you know who my favorite producer is lately :).
 
But really, really, all these tracks and artists are super great, please look up and support  

Track List LIB 2022:   Artist - Track (remixer)

1 - Mosta - Paeonia (Lauhaus Remix) 

2 - Milos Pesovic - Don’t Scream

3 - Lauhaus, Maria Franca - Physical

4 - Giorgio Moroder - Our Love (Christian Burkhardt Rmx)

5 - James Dexter, Artslaves - Play On

6 - Chris Wood, Meat, Christian Burkhardt, BMW - Music

7 - Jorjick Croes, Kenny Kelly - Alma & Cuerpo (Shawn Jackson Rmx)

8 - Chris Wood, Meat, Christian Burkhardt, BMW - Super Sync

9 - Christian Burkhardt - In Today’s World

10 - LouLou Players - She Calls (Extended Mix)

11 - Chris Di Perri - For You Homie

12 - Milos Pesovic, Greck B - Head (Saul Antolín Remix)

13 - Alan Fitzpatrick, Reset Robot - Phantom

14 - Adelphi Music Factory -  My People (Love Can Live Forever - (Mark Broom 4am Dub (Extended))

15 - Kevin McKay - Move Your Body (Elevation) (Kevin's Extended ViP)

16 - Christian Burkhardt - Enough

17 - Gerd - 12 Minutes She Danced With an Alien (Jaris Voorn Ruff Mix)

18 - Cristian Merino - Peace, Freedom

19 - Dennis Quin - Are Fundamental

20 - MANT - Subconscious (James Dexter Rmx)

21 - Rob Pearson - Better (Rob Pearson Rmx)

22 - Riggs - Sleight of Hand

Ben Annand Live at LIB 2022 Junkyard Stage

I fell in love with Harvest when it was a raw, new festival with a barn stage, one made out of hay stacks and a tiny pyramid. Mesmerized by its transformation year after year, my journey to the magical stage that is known as Crystal 6 at Midlothian Ridge in Ontario was well worth the wait. 

This was my favourite set at my favourite festival with my favourite people. 

Happy Harvest! 😱❤️YOU

TRACKLIST

Martin Woerner (Barroness' Mr. Rogers Edit) -      Alexander Aurel 
We've Been 1000 - Alec Troniq
Maverick - Raoou
Dance For Me - Dillon Marinez
Work It (re-edit) - AVAA
Minimalistik - Tyler Hill
Hands Up - YRM, Bwotah & Erik Chico
The Entity - Maetrik
Little Secrets - Sorley, Goux
One Love (D-Unity Remix) - Mikee
Nasty Ways - Dillinja
Cemento - Franco BA
Save As - SHDWPLAY
United We Stand - Patrick Galbano
SOTB - Hyperloop
People Rocket - Level Groove
Disco Volante - Ida Engberg
Forward - Who Knows
Strange Feeling - GiddiBangBang
Looking At You - Lewis.
What To Do (&ME Remix) - Guy Gerber
Pause - Nasser Baker
Your Own Place - Alfred Heinrichs
Trapped (Tyler Hill Remix) - Dustin May
Fragments - Lenny Kiser

Barroness In Crystal 6 @ Harvest Festival Sept 2022

NYD @opulent-temple hosted Gods & Monsters with a line up of our residents and friends at Fresh Start to the New Year at The Midway SF

I played B2B with the Boss @syd-gris 🕺 and this was a first for me. Thank you Syd for the opportunity. We rocked it! Let's do it again.

Let us know what you guys think? Like, share and show some love. Peace!

Photo credit to our beloved Gina! ❤️

Syd Gris & Vulcan B2B Fresh Start 2023

Saturday late-night to Sunday sunrise, just after daylight savings kicked in, I had the pleasure of taking the main stage at The Afternoon Umbrella Friends' annual Umbrella Weekend festival in Jacumba, CA. From trippy wee-hours breakbeats to some groovy melodic breaks as the sun came up - playing a sunrise set will continue to be one of my absolute favorite things. you just might catch a bit of b2b with dernis for the last few tracks too 🙃

photo: @ AUUDREY.A on ig

Torie - Live @ Umbrella Weekend 2023 [Late Night >> Sunrise Breakbeats]

#squadgoals! Had a blast playing with @CroatiaSquad at Audio San Francisco - here's my opening set.

Leyl Master Black - Opening Set for Croatia Squad @ Audio SF

Friends n' Family campout XXIII
What an honor to headline Saturday night 1:45-3am at the biggest baddest campout event on the west coast that's 100% volunteer and community led. 700 people at Saratoga Springs with mind-blowing visuals from Radiant Atmospheres and next level sound from know:audio.

FnF Campout 2019

kem - Live @ FnF Campout 2019

Opening set for Kenny Glasgow in Toronto at Sunday Afternoon Social on January 12, 2020 at Loft 404.

I was able to share my musical story in the right atmosphere, alongside some of my favourite people while playing on the top-notch alienInFlux sound system. It was truly an unforgettable party. <3

Reminiscing of the Vibes on the Dancefloor, the Vibration of the Bass and the Smiles of Friends... Can't wait till we can do it again! 

#KeepDancing 
#BreakDownBarriers #ForThoseWhoKnow 

TRACKLIST

Justin Martin - Rabbit Hole (feat. Charlotte OC) (Lenny Kiser Remix)
Mike Dunn - If I Can't Get Down
Cassy - Back (ItaloJohnson Remix)
Noir & Haze Meets Compact Grey & Ron Costa - Around The Bane (Noir Mashup Treatment)
KANT - Shake Down
Erns - Hidden (Daniels Jack Remix)
German Brigante - Mango 
Little Rick & Dabi - The Way
Major Lazer ft J Balvin & El Alfa - Que Calor (Michael Bibi's 6am Dub)      
Lee Walker & DJ Deeon - Freak Like Me (Sterium Booty)
Viudax - Roll One, Smoke One
Cicada - The Things You Say (Dirty South Remix)
Alan Nieves - Watch Your Mouth 
Jay Tripwire - W4tch1ing 
Pilocka Krach - Dogs Are In This House (Sacha Robotti Remix)
Nicolo Simonelli - Danse 
Stefano Noferini - Vegas (Ron Costa Remix)
Ocean Roulette, VNSSA - Magic (Steve Darko Remix)
M.A.N.D.Y. & Booka Shade - Body Language
RYBO - Phresh
Roy Havens, Chocolate - When The Beat Go (Original Mix)
Eskuche - Passion
David Keno - Faceblind 
The Glitz - Dirty Bride (Barroness' Don't Stop Edit)
Nina Kraviz - Ghetto Kraviz
Dennis Cruz - No Critic

Barroness @ Sunday Afternoon Social / Opening for Kenny Glasgow

This set is inspired by the life of the Beautiful Magical Amanda Panda. 

She inspired me with her Seductive, Sparkling and Silly Soul. She made no apologies for following her wild heart and I love her for that.

May you rest in Paradise, Pornicorn. 🐰❤️🐼🦄 This one’s for you.

For The Love Of Pornicorn

Please don't forget to click the FOLLOW button to stay up to date with fresh uploads.  Thanks in advance

Driven for the last 20+ years by his passion for music, TAKiN is a celebrated Canadian artist, producer, radio host, event organiser, promoter, and entertainer. His passion has been constantly evolving taking him from remixing exciting tracks and genres early in his career to an all-around artist and original music producer. TAKiN's talent has been recognized by leading labels including Wiggle Room Records, 6N7, and Maloos Music. He has played in top venues across Canada in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. As a DJ, his focus is on the mixology of people and music, rhythms and creativity to create a unique energy on the dance floor transcending his audience to a place of thrilling and inspired experience. “Captain Wiggle”, TAKiN, is also the founder and creative mind behind Wiggly Events which is a prominent event organizing group in Toronto, and a flourishing community of artists and the like-minded.  He is also the founder of Wiggle Room, an internationally recognized music venue in Toronto. The love of music has been an unprecedented driving factor in TAKiN's life, creating evolution's in his desire for various sounds and scenes within the industry. He is a supporter of underground music with great appreciation of deep and techhouse, ethnic and old world beat fusion sounds. His focus is more in tune than ever on creating sounds and style that are revolutionary, inspiring a broad audience and new generation of music lovers from around the world.

AQUARIUS FULL MOON - TAKIN @ Sunnyside Beach Toronto

djTAKiN

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