I had the honor and pleasure to rock Concord Music Hall for a sold-out night where we welcomed our re-release into the wild with a full-capacity indoor event, coming off of a really difficult 15 months for us all.  The room was brimming with excitement as we all got together on a dancefloor once again, with me and ARTBAT at the controls.  This extended opening set checked quite a few boxes for me.  It showcased lots of material released / forthcoming on my label (Vested Recordings), it set the vibe on an upward trajectory that I was super happy to curate, it celebrated us all reuniting, and it made wonderful statement for my amazing home city of Chicago with a sold-out weeknight show.  Big thanks to the team at Auris Presents for having me deal this room a small beating, and huge thanks to all of you who showed up in full force.  Together we made it an epic night to truly remember and took a big step in putting 2020 behind us.

Super happy to finally be getting this one up to share, and I hope you love it as much as I loved playing this out for you all.

Press play, turn it up, and as always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a favorite and/or a repost. If you were there, you'll get to relive a piece of the night. If you weren't, perhaps this will motivate you to catch my next one. *winky face*

Tracklist:
01. Or Sade - Ambivalent (Original Mix)
02. Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked (Joris Voorn Remix)
03. ICoen - Lose Yourself (Original Mix)
04. Armonica, Know Kontrol - Slave (Patrice Baumel Remix)
05. Rez Dorsia - Four Darks In Red (Original Mix)
06. Nathan Fake - The Sky Was Pink (James Holden Remix)
07. NekliFF - Dusty (Original Mix)
08. FJ9 - Deeper Than Us (Original Mix)
09. Guy J - Esperanza (Santi Mossman Rework)
10. James Zabiela - No Other Way But Down (Original Mix)
11. Sasha - Coma (Original Mix)
12. ID - ID 
13. Emod - Once There Was (RJ Pickens Analog Reconstruction)
14. Jeremy Olander - sthlm test (Original Mix)
15. Or Sade - Love Story (Original Mix)
16. Audiofly - Circles (Original Mix)
17. Cirez D - Glow (Original Mix)
18. Jeremy Olander - Let Me Feel (Original Mix)
19. Jeff Ozmits & RJ Pickens - Rules of Engagement (RJ Pickens Flightplan Edit)
20. Art Bastian - Infrared (Instrumental)
21. ID - ID 
22. PQM - You Are Sleeping (Matador Remix)
23. Jeremy Olander - Rubicks (Original Mix)
24. ID - ID 
25. ID - ID 
26. SMYL - The Bird (Sasha Remix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Concord Music Hall Chicago 17JUN2021 [support For ARTBAT]

I did the opening set at Vision for Markus Schulz on Sat, Feb 26th 2011.
What a great night at the club!  Capacity crowd, and the energy was through the roof.
The set I played this night was very well-received and I'm happy to be sharing it with you now.

RJ Pickens
Live at Vision Chicago - 26Feb2011
Opening Set for Markus Schulz
Tracklisting:
01.  Andrew Bayer - Distractions (Movement 4)
02.  Onepush - Details
03.  Jaia - Drifting Planet (Martin Roth Remix)
04.  Dave Shtorn - Ultraviolet
05.  Ad Brown - Marimba (Urban Breathe Remix)
06.  Eric Prydz ft. Jan Burton - Niton (The Reason) (Vocal Club Mix)
07.  Solee - Ice
08.  EDX - Embrace
09.  Adam Sheridan - GMT +11 Melbourne (Ad Brown Remix)
10.  9ball - Broken Voices
11.  Abakus - Wasted Feeling (Tyrrell Remix)
12.  Beat Factory - Downtown Story (Dave Shtorn Remix)
13.  Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Original vs Mark Knight Remix - RJ's Edit)
14.  Roland M. Dill - Taurine on Sunday (Egbert Remix)
15.  Daft Punk - Arena


RJ Pickens - Vision Chicago - 26Feb2011 (Markus Schulz Opener)

Man, I can't say enough good things about this night.  It's taken me a minute to post this set, but I assure you, it's been worth a small wait.  This night was a top notch evening in Chicago, with music to match.  Honored to shared a lineup with camp Pryda.  So much amazing music coming out of there, it's boggling.  Here is the last hour or so of my opener for the Pryda Friends tour stop for CHI.  Had the honor of setting up a couple of the guys who's work I admire on a top level, and this is what came of it.  Amazing reactions from people on the first listen the night of...  Very happy to share this set with you all now.
Please Enjoy!

RJ Pickens
Live @ Palladium - Castle Chicago
16Aug2013 - Pryda Friends Tour

01. The Presets - It's Cool (Andrew Bayer & James Grant Remix)
02. Hobo - Incise
03. Underworld - Dark & Long (Christian Smith Tronic Treatment Remix)
04. Nine Divided - Transdimentional Gate
05. Dana Bergquist & Peder G - Djakarta
06. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (Shiloh Remix - RJ's Edit)
07. Format B & Pleasurekraft - Sexus
08. Foals - Late Night (Solomun Remix)
09. Dusty Kid - Klin
10. Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You (Eat More Cake Remix)
11. James Zabiela - No Other Way But Down

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only.
If you like any of these tracks, support the artists and purchase them!

RJ Pickens - Castle Chicago - Pryda Friends Tour - 16Aug2013

Had a really great time rocking this Chicago dance floor.  Thursday night show + sold out event = recipe for a fantastic crowd and vibe.  Awesome response to this set, from the first song to the last.  One of those special ones that you want to make sure and get up soon after because people have told you they want to hear it again.  So here we go!

Thank you to all of you who were there -- it was a pleasure to share in the journey with you all.  And was great to tee things up for Miss Monique in her Chicago debut.  What a nice performance from her, and also a warm-up with depth from IXTO.

As always, if you're feeling this, give it a like / favorite / repost / share!  Your help in sharing these sounds is much appreciated! 

Much love - RJ -

RJ Pickens - Live at Prysm - Chicago 02Feb2023
Supporting set for Miss Monique
Tracklist:
01. Jeremy Olander - Milano (Original Mix)
02. Colourour - Uyku (John Digweed & Nick Muir Remix)
03. GROJ - SITH (Original Mix)
04. Pavel Petrov, Rafael Cerato - Intelligence (Extended Mix)
05. Sol Echo x FJ9 x Roam x Kaskade - Turn It Down (Original Mix)
06. Space Motion - Epic Resurrection (Original Mix)
07. Last Rhythm - Last Rhythm (Martijn Ten Velden Remake)
08. Dana Bergquist & Peder G - Djarkarta (Original Mix)
09. Donatello, Kastis Torrau - Space Is The Place (Marc De Pulse Remix)
10. Sasha, Sentre - Track 10 (Original Mix)
11. ZEHV - Mockingbird (Original Mix)
12. Jeff Ozmits & RJ Pickens - Rules Of Engagement (RJ Pickens Flightplan Ediit)
13. Eelke Kleijn - Transmission (Joris Voorn Remix)
14. My Boy Elroy, OpenOptics ft. Charlie Otto - Where Do We Start Now (RJ Pickens & Rez Dorsia Redlight Rendition)
15. Ezequiel Arias - Arcoiris (Original Mix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Prysm - Chicago 02Feb2023 [supporting set for Miss Monique]

As a token of thanks for all the support I received in winning the GCLAX 2014 competition, I'd like to share this cheeky little bootleg that I've been holding onto for a while. I originally made this remix for my dear friends Johnny and Laura Concklin to be played on their wedding day, and now I feel that it's good time to share it with all of you. I wanted to go in a different direction with this mix, as everyone become a little accustomed to hearing big room sounds when it comes to the most prominent remixes of this track from a few years ago. This lovely track by The Temper Trap will never really get old, and I hope you feel like this version helps preserve the timelessness of this future classic tune.

Free Download

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (RJ Pickens Electric Remodel) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

What an incredible night this was.  Played a 2 hour peak time supporting slot for my old friend and turntable mastermind: Jody Wisternoff.  If you were there, you already know what happened -- sheer bliss and pandemonium that night from the moment the doors opened to when all the lights came on at the end.  This was one of the best sets I've played in 20+ year DJ career here in Chicago, and it felt incredible to get this one under my belt.  

Press play and turn it way up.

Tracklist forthcoming.

RJ Pickens - Live at Spybar Chicago 30SEPT2023 [supporting set for Jody Wisternoff]

Almost 6 years ago, I put this re-edit together to be played during a specific time at a private event, to create tension, excitement, and revisit a special place in space and time.  I then realized that I needed to play this out at an upcoming special event production at Vision.  I probably only played this out 1 or 2 other times after that, and I didn't really share it with many people.  

The original version of this song is "Baba O'Riley" by The Who, and there was a remix of this that Chicago legend Teri Bristol produced -- that went on to become one of the most popular tracks played at the former Windy City nightlife institution -- Crobar -- especially during Teri Bristol and PsychoBitch's residency there over all those years.

Well, I always liked hearing that epic chord sequence and the roar of the crowd when it was played at Crobar, but years later, I found myself wanting to hear more of the original version from The Who shine through in a new version...  So a few years back, I decided to make my own re-edit of this Chicago nightlife classic.  I added some of my own elements, sampled Teri Bristol's version, fused in the original version, and added a bunch of soundscape elements with a side order of studio rack magic.  The outcome was what you hear now.  I then played it that same night that I finished it in 2009 on a night I played with Sander Van Doorn for a special "Dusk Till Doorn" event, and it was memorable.  And it also payed homage to a past dynasty in Chicago nightlife.

On the final night at Castle just this past Saturday (Jan 3rd, 2015), before we opened the doors for the night, I was sitting in the office with my good friends and colleagues Phil Rizzo and Victor Flores (who steered the Castle / Vision ship after I left my position there), and we were watching footage of past events there, reminiscing a bit.  I was flattered when they suggested that we play this track as the final track of the night, ending a really long chapter of Chicago nightlife of our own.  How could I say no to that?

After holding onto this tune for a while now, and after as amazing and bittersweet of a night it was to be part of closing that club down with a huge exclamation mark (!), I feel like it's time to give this one away.  THANK YOU is all I can say.  Thank you to the club that was such a big part in me establishing myself and growing as an artist in Chicago.  Thank you to all of you that have supported me for so long.  And a giant THANK YOU to everyone that stayed till the end on Saturday, and closed this club out with us in such proper form.

The chapter of Castle and Vision may be closed, but for so many of us, it will forever live on within.  Here's to the new year - 2015 - and the new chapter in Chicago nightlife that we will begin writing now.

Cheers!
--RJ--

Teri Bristol Vs The Who - Baba O'Riley (RJ Pickens Teenage Wasteland Re - Edit)

It's that time of year again.  MIAMI.  Sun, fun, and the entire dance music industry descending upon South Florida for one massive week of parties and industry events.

This is my promotional mix for this year's Winter Music Conference / Miami Music Week.  I'm particularly happy with how this mix took shape.  I covered a broad range of tempos, moods, and artists who's sounds have been instrumental in defining my own.  I started this sonic journey at a deep and groovy 118 bpm, and it gains momentum throughout, peaking at 126bpm, taking us into some later-night tempos and energies, while being reflective of my range as an artist. I've also included a new remix of mine, with a forthcoming release on Wulfpack.  Some of these tracks are brand spanking new.  Some are not.  And some are straight-up classics.  All of them have no expiration date, as proper progressive dance music never goes out of style.  Turn this up loud and enjoy.  :)

RJ Pickens
WMC / MMW 2015 Promotional Mix

Tracklisting:
01. Martin Roth - An Analog Guy In A Digital World
02. Chaim - Blue Shadow
03. Caribou - Your Love Will Set You Free (c2's Set U Free Remix)
04. Deep Tribe - Do Your Thing (RJ Pickens Remodel)
05. Gabriel Ananda - Let It In And Let It Out
06. Eli and Fur - You're So High
07. Pryda - Mija
08. Paul Thomas & Max Freegrant - Inner Light (Dezza Remix)
09. Jeremy Olander - Lauderdale
10. Jeremy Olander - Milano
11. Fehrplay - Rattata
12. Depeche Mode - Only When I Lose Myself (Lexicon Avenue Remix)
13. Lifelike & Kris Menace - Discopolis
14. Williams - Love Crisis (Remix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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soundcloud.com/rjpickens
twitter.com/rjpickens1
facebook.com/VestedCHI
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twitter.com/VestedCHI

RJ Pickens - WMC/MMW 2015 Promotional Mix

Oh man, so this is a rocking part 2 to my Chicago Thanksgiving Weekend of really great events... This year, I was presented with the opportunity to play 2 amazing back-to-back shows on a bustling holiday weekend. Here is part 2 of 2 truly stellar nights. (Part 1 is also up, check my page!)

Following a truly top-notch (and late) night playing Spybar with Fehrplay the night before, I had to muster up the energy to play on another equally superb night of music with friends / Spanish juggernauts of house music Chus & Ceballos, and esteemed hometown colleague Gene Farris!  Felt like a tall order, but as soon as the tunes started playing, I was able to forget about how tired I was and just warm up that room.  :)  And warm it def got!  Hahah - amazing energy in that room from start to finish.  Was a pleasure to set the stage for a pair of legendary Spaniards, and then have Gene rock that room to close it out.  So many kind words from this night (and from the night before as well) -- Thank you tons.  I truly appreciate it.

With that being said, whether you were there or not that night, press play, and turn that volume up high. Then, when the ride is over, if you're feeling it (as so many of you were that night), please hit me with a Like / Favorite / Repost / Share / Tweet / Comment / any or all of the above! Cheers and many thanks! 
--RJ--

RJ Pickens
Live at Primary Chicago - 28Nov2015
Supporting set for Chus & Ceballos

Tracklist:
01. Joris Voorn feat. Matthew Dear - Homeland (&ME Remix)
02. Frankey, Sandrino - Lost Feat. Jinadu
03. M.A.N.D.Y. - Superstitious (CHAIM mix)
04. Abity - Anachronistic
05. Sunshine Jones - TheSun
06. Bontan & Sonny Fodera - Always You
07. Whilk & Misky - Clap Your Hands (Solomun Remix)
08. Alexis Raphael - Assault Weapon (German Brigante Remix)
09. Andhim - Hausch (Kolsch Remix)
10. Angel Heredia & David Class - No Times
11. The Juan Maclean - You Are My Destiny (Nic Fanciulli Remix)
12. Joris Voorn - Deep Side Of The Moog
13. UMEK & Mike Vale ft Chris The Voice - Hard Times
14. Phil Fuldner - Needin' Someone (Sascha Braemer Remix)
15. Yvel & Tristan, Mathias Kaden - Throw Your Hands
16. Edu Imbernon & Los Suruba - Fayer
17. Soulwerk - Stuck In My Mind (Jamie Stevens Remix)
18. D-Nox & Beckers - Call Me (MR.Raf & Morttagua Remix)
19. Luzon - The Baguio Track (Victor Ruiz Remix)
20. Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked (Joris Voorn Remix)
21. Fatboy Slim - Song For Shelter (August Five Remix)
22. Moby - Next Is The E (Synthe Mix)
23. Hot Since 82 - Warnings

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

Follow Me:
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RJ Pickens - Live at PrimaryCHI - 28Nov2015 [supporting set for Chus & Ceballos]

This night was part of a really eventful month of February 2016 that I had -- this event was originally supposed to be an event with Eelke Kleijn, and support by me and my colleague Hummingbird, but when a fella named Steve Lawler was then added to the bill, that took this already cool night and put it up and over the top.  Was a pleasure to be part of this lineup.  Here's my musical contribution to the evening...  Some fresh new cuts and a few favorites.  If you were there, you know already.  :)

Just realized that this is my first live set of the year that I'm uploading, too...  Will definitely be more to come.  And if you're feeling this, you know what to do -- hit me with a favorite / repost / share / comment / etc.  Thanks!

--RJ--

RJ Pickens
Live at Spybar CHI - 19Feb2016
Supporting set for Steve Lawler and Eelke Kleijn

Tracklist:
01. Chus & Ceballos - Keep It Dancin' (Fernando Campo Remix)
02. Anthony Attalla - F1
03. Jayme Jay - Feel The Lather
04. Andrea Oliva - Decomposing
05. Theophilus London - Wine and Chocolates (Andhim Edit)
06. Pitto ft. Woodie S - Shadows (Edwin Oosterwal Dub)
07. Fiona Beeson - Drift (Joeski Remix)
08. Jelly For The Babies - Lane One
09. Banda Sonora - Guitarra G (Martijn Ten Velden Remix)
10. Kastis Torrau - People Find

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

Follow Me:
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RJPickens - Live@SpybarCHI - 19Feb2016 [supporting set for Steve Lawler and Eelke Kleijn]

Pretty happy to get this set up.  Was an amazing sunny day out on the ocean waters in Miami, with a musical lineup on this boat's main deck that consisted of me, followed by special guest Anthony Attalla, and then our event headliner Kölsch.  Was a pleasure to share the decks with these two guys, and all our other supporting artists on deck 2.  Those of you who were there can attest to the lovely day we all had, and those of you that weren't -- well, this gives you a little taste of what went down that afternoon.  Chose an assortment of a fresh new couple of tunes to play amidst a tried-and-true assortment of very day-appropriate selections that helped set a nice sunny boat party vibe and get us started off right.

Turn this up and enjoy!  And as always, if you're feeling it, please give it a favorite / repost / share / comment / all of the above!

RJ Pickens
Live at Life Aquatic Yacht Party
Miami Music Week 2016
Supporting Set for Kölsch, Anthony Attalla

Tracklist:
01. Whilk And Misky - Small-town Boy (Re-Work - RJ's Miami Intro Edit)
02. Of Norway ft. Linnea Dale - Spirit Lights (Adriatique Remix)
03. Dosem - Message
04. Oxia - Whole Life
05. Hot Since 82 & Habischman - Leave Me
06. Rodriguez Jr. - Mistral
07. Andrea Oliva - Decomposing
08. Eric Prydz - Pjanoo (Dana Bergquist And Peder G Remix)
09. Andhim - Domplatte
10. Miss Melera - Faith (Einmusik Remix)
11. Whilk And Misky - Clap Your Hands (Solomun Remix)
12. Chaim - Blue Shadow
13. Fiona Beeson - Drift (Joeski Remix)
14. Joris Voorn ft. Matthew Dear - Homeland (&ME Remix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

facebook.com/rjpickens
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twitter.com/rjpickens1
facebook.com/VestedCHI
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RJ Pickens - Live At Life Aquatic Yacht Party MMW 2016

At the end of June, I was featured on my homies' Stark & Sahin's show -- THE WAY -- on Proton Radio.  This episode did really well on Proton, spending a bit of time on their Proton Top 100 episodes list.  I've given it a little time to run its course there, and now I'd like to upload this set for you all to enjoy.  This was something I sent them exclusively, and it's a recording of a set that I was happy and proud to have a hand in presenting here in the Windy City of Chicago.  My homies at Primary teamed up with me and my Vested brand in presenting @dosem at Vertigo Sky Lounge, and this was a live recording of my supporting set for the night.  I played direct support for Dosem, and it was an honor to do so, as I always like featuring his music in sets of my own.  With releases on Toolroom, Suara, Stereo Productions, and a long list of other super credible labels to his name, he's someone who was a pleasure to share the roster with.  Here's what I laid down that night.  As always, if you're feeling this, please give this set a Favorite / Repost / Comment / Share!  Thank you, friends -- and special thanks to @dan-stark and @sertacsahin for giving this set of mine exposure via global broadcast! :)

PROTON RADIO // Stark & Sahin pres: THE WAY 007
w/ special guest: RJ Pickens
Live at Vertigo Sky Lounge - 09JUN2016
Supporting set for Dosem @ Vested & Primary pres. Sky High

Tracklist:
01. Kydus - Lose Control feat. Faye
02. Rodriguez Jr - Hypotango (Vincenzo's Phantom Image remix)
03. Alex Niggemann - Tangram (The Bright End)
04. Maceo Plex - Stimulation
05. D-Nox & Victor Ruiz - Arise
06. Close - My Way feat. Joe Dukie (Dusky Remix)
07. Audio Junkies - Demodulator
08. Klondique - Jaad
09. Veerus & Maxie Devine - Zero
10. Mike Vale - Common Ground
11. Boris Dlugosch - Keep Pushin (Purple Disco Machine Vox mix) 

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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Proton Radio // Stark & Sahin pres: THE WAY 007 Podcast: w/ special guest RJPickens

It's not quite time to head to Miami for me each year -- until I finish this mix.  It's the mix I take most seriously in crafting and curating, as it's reflection of where I was musically at the latter half of last year, what I'm feeling presently, what I feel will a good representation of me for the coming year, and a nod of respect to where I've come from.  I wear many hats these days, but wearing the hat of DJ and curator is probably my favorite to wear.  So much good music pulled, both new and older.  So many ideas.  And so much left on the cutting room floor...  Multiple days of arranging, changing, committing and having to get really creative.  However, I'm always really happy with how this come out, and I think you will be too.

As always, please play this loud, and hit me with a favorite, share, and/or comment if you're feeling it.  Thank you!

Party in the city where the heat is on.  See ya soon, Miami.  :)
(I'm literally getting on a plane to head there in just a few meager hours.)

RJ Pickens
Miami Music Week 2017 Showcase
Tracklist:
01. Welcome To Miami 2017 Intro
02. Situation 2wo - Way2tite (Redanka's Reversion)
03. D33P ft. Justn X - Sorry (Jos & Eli Remix vs Kosmas Your Love Dub)
04. Kiko, Olivier Giacomotto - Black Eyes
05. Oxia - Domino (Matador Remix) 
06. Pryda - Night Breed
07. Fernando Campo - Colour Sound
08. Jeremy Olander - Panorama
09. Valentino - Flying
10. Eelke Kleijn - Home (Extended Mix)
11. D-Nox & Beckers - Serenade
12. Arnas D - Feeling
13. Judah x Driver - Födelse
14. ID - ID
15. Sykoya - Shiver (RJ Pickens Late Night Reconstruction / Edit)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

facebook.com/rjpickens
soundcloud.com/rjpickens
twitter.com/rjpickens1
facebook.com/VestedCHI
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RJ Pickens - Miami Music Week 2017 Showcase - 320kbps FINAL

Live recording from Dave Seaman event at Nightsweat Chicago underground event -- broadcasted today on my monthly radio show: Vested presents: FLOORCONTROL.  Broadcasts monthly every 3rd FRI of the month at 12pm EST, 11am CST, 9am PST.  This night was a great one:  superb music all night, amazing venue, and great vibes from everyone in attendance.  Thanks to Bucky and Marea for making this one happen!

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a Favorite / Like / Share / Repost / Comment -- or all of the above!
Press play and turn up loud for best results.  :)

RJ Pickens
Live at Nightsweat CHI underground event - 31Mar2017
Supporting set for Dave Seaman

Tracklist:
01. Arnas D - Feeling
02. Janika Tenn - Do Nothing (Stark & Sahin Remix)
03. Gardens of God - Ghost
04. Ryan Davis & Microtrauma - Traces (Gabriel Ananda Remix)
05. Fernando Campo - Colour Sound
06. Eugene Becker - Dream
07. Kiko, Olivier Giacomotto - Black Eyes
08. Rise and Fall - Genetic
09. Rise and Fall - Genetic (Stan Kolev Remix)
10. Amber Long, Just Hear - Who Dares Wins (Donatello Vocal Remix)
11. Kastis Torrau - Fighter
12. NekliFF - Magician
13. Jelly For The Babies & Odison - Utopia (Extended Mix)
14. Lexer - Forgive Me
15. John Creamer & Stephane K - Ah Whey (Dosem Remix)
16. D33P ft. Justn X - Sorry
17. D33P ft. Justn X - Sorry (Kosmas 'Your Love' Dub)
18. Jeremy Olander - Pinkerton
19. Matan Caspi - Luxurized
20. Gabriel Ananda - Hey Blop (Sebastien Leger Tropical Dub)
21. Oxia - Domino (Matador Remix)
22. Energy 52 - Cafe Del Mar (Dale Middleton Remix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live at Nightsweat CHI underground event - 31Mar2017 - Supporting Set for Dave Seaman

I made my first trip to Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) this year, and it was quite an amazing trip!  As I have always done with Miami Music Week / Winter Music Conference each year in March, I put together a showcase mix that features works of my own, my peers, and works of artists and labels that I've grown to love and respect.  When I weave all of these factors together, and then tell a story in a seamless DJ mix, you get the final product and that thing I feel that I do best.

Coming home from this European adventure, I not only felt super-inspired and ready to get back to work, but I feel great about my avenue of sound as an artist, label manager, and event curator, especially after being exposed to such amazing things out there.

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / repost / share / comment / retweet / or all of the above.  The support from all of you is what keeps me moving forward.  Thank you.  :)

RJ Pickens 
ADE 2017 Showcase Mix  
Tracklist:
01.	Fehrplay - Void (Original Mix) [Mood of Mind]
02.	Nepou - Parallelwelten (Original Mix) [Green Martian]
03.	Dorian Craft - Asteria (Original Mix) [Stereo Productions]
04.	Henry Saiz – Piramidal (Original Mix) [Culprit]
05.	Trilucid - Endless Moment (Martin Roth Remix) [Perspectives Digital]
06.	Karsten Sollors ft. Jacob Bjorge - Exposure (RJ Pickens Remodel) [Vested Recordings]
07.	Darin Epsilon & Matan Caspi - Thousand Winds (Wally Lopez Remix) [Perspectives Digital]
08.	ONYVA - Tibetan (Funkagenda Remix) [On It Recordings]
09.	Danique & Distorted Beauty - Scream (Gabriel Ananda Remix) [Precep-tion]
10.	Third Son - Mayenne (Original Mix) [Click Records]
11.	Michael & Levan, Stiven Rivic - Follow Me (Lank Remix) [Quaint Records]
12.	Andre Absolut - Rainmaker (Original Mix) [Perspectives Digital]
13.	Dorian Craft - Sorex (Original Mix) [Stereo Productions]
14.	Martéll - Scaena Duo (Original Mix) [Vested Recordings]
15.	Way Out West - Tuesday Maybe (Guy J Remix) [Anjunadeep]
16.	Jeff Ozmits - Wf9 (Original Mix) [Vested Recordings]
17.	Dezza - Escapist (Original Mix) [ZeroThree]
18.	Askin Dedeoglu - Dark Traces (Original_MIx) [Progrez]
19.	Christian Smith - Flyertalk (Original Mix) [Bedrock]
20.	Betoko & Mason - Amalia (Original Mix) [Bunny Tiger]
21.	Jeremy Olander - Galheera (Original Mix) [Vivrant]
22.	Nine Inch Nails - Ringfinger (RJ Pickens Backroads Remodel) [white label]
23.	Blade Runner Theme - Blade Runner (Dee Montero’s Neo Noir Redux) [white label]

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - ADE 2017 Showcase Mix

Great tunes played by solid DJs in a lush invite-only setting with superb people = vibes that are off the charts.  That's the best way to describe what Vested NYE 2018 was like.  Lots of awesome energy in the room from everyone that night (especially at the stroke of midnite), and despite a technical challenge or two that were endured in this set (which I had to edit for optimal listening), I'm proud to finally share the recording of what I curated that evening...  

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / share / repost / comment, or all of the above.  :)

Here we go!  Let's get it done in 2018, friends.

RJ Pickens Live at Vested NYE 
Foundation Room at House of Blues Chicago 
31Dec2017

Tracklist:
01. Kydus - Eunoia 
02. Joachim Pastor - Eternity 
03. Joeski - Mind Function 
04. Dee Montero - Halcyon 
05. Stefano Richetta - Dos 
06. Pryda - Reeperbahn
07. The Juan Maclean - A Simple Design (Deetron Remix)
08. Tonja Holma - Spanish Delight 
09. Luciano - Rise of Angel (Andrea Oliva Remix)
10. David Herrero - Tierra
11. Oxia - Whole Life

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Vested NYE 2018 - Foundation Room CHI 31Dec2017 - Final

It just doesn't feel like it's time to head down to warmer climates for this industry-wide musical gathering until I've completed this annual showcase mix.  I've been making these mixes as long as I've gone down to participate in Miami Music Week (or WMC, as some of us used to remember it being called years ago), and it's truly a labor of love, each and every time.  It was (and still is) a musical resume of sorts, where I end up cherry-picking my best selections of the moment, that not only blend well together, but also tell a musical story, and give the listener a snapshot of the musical spectrum in which I'm currently residing.  

I start with a mountain of great music (both new and older), and I narrow it down by combing through it all and deciding what kind of story I'm going to tell in the current year.  It's an awesome exercise to do as a DJ, label owner, producer, and curator -- because it forces you to incorporate amazing fresh material you've come across, some of your own work, music that inspires you, and sounds that blend together in a way that make something new that is greater than the sum of all parts, if executed correctly.

I strive to make and curate mixes (such as this one) that really engage my listener -- that allow them to forget about what they're doing or where they are for a moment, and escape on a small journey.  Hoping that this is well-received by you all, as I must confess that there is a few parts in this set where I put my own hands up and had jump and a dance all by myself as I was making it.

Crafted with love, from the Windy City of Chicago, showcasing the works of amazing artists from all over this planet.  Full track list below.

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / repost / share / comment / retweet / or all of the above. The support from all of you is what keeps me moving forward. Thank you. :)

RJ Pickens 
MMW 2017 Showcase Mix  
Tracklist:
01. Welcome to Miami 2018 Intro
02. 8Kays - Traveler (Intro Mix) [8Music]
03. Dmitry Molosh - Feel It (GMJ Remix) [Superordinate Music]
04. Moodtrap - Out Of Time (Audiojack Acid Sunrise Mix) [Tsuba]
05. Butch - Countach (Original Mix) [Cocoon]
06. Supacooks - Aftermath (Original Mix) [Parquet]
07. F-Act - Rectification (Original Mix) [Bonzai Progressive]
08. Pavel Petrov - Rengar (Original Mix) [Trapez Ltd.]
09. Will Easton - 18 Months Free Trial [W&O Street Tracks]
10. Stefano Richetta - Wegtrekker (Original Mix) [Click]
11. Alfred Taylor - Kuza (Original Mix) [Anjunadeep]
12. King Unique - Sugarhigh (Dee Montero's Tribal Rendition) [whitelabel]
13. Martin Roth - Ultraviolet (Original Mix) [Anjunadeep]
14. Guy J - Airborne (Original Mix) [Lost & Found]
15. Scuba - Too Strong (Nicole Moudaber Remix) [Circus]
16. Alan Fitzpatrick - Moon Palace (Original Mix) [Bedrock]
17. Siguiente Tecnologia & Space Motion - Get on the Bus (Original Mix) [Timeless Moment]
18. My Boy Elroy ft. Frankie B - Fallin' (RJ Pickens & My Boy Elroy's Carbon Copy Re-Edit) [Vested Recordings]
19. Yotto - Chemicals (Original Mix) [Green]
20. Nick Muir, Gabriel Ananda, John Digweed - Tachyon Dream (Rework) [Bedrock]
21. Kölsch - Left Eye Left (Original Mix - RJ's MicroEdit) [Kompakt]
22. N'to - Note Blanche (Original Mix) [Hungry Music]

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Miami Music Week 2018 Showcase Mix

This set recorded at Spybar Chicago was aired today on Vested's monthly radio show - FLOORCONTROL - on DI.fm's Progressive Channel!  Sometimes things don't go quite the way they are planned to go, and this was the situation on 04May2018, where a North American debut performance for European powerhouse artist - Gabriel Ananda - was planned for a very special Vested showcase.  Unfortunately, we got the news that Gabriel became quite ill and wasn't able to travel overseas to play for us, despite the 18 months of effort to get visas approved that were put in by all parties to make the event happen.  He was heartbroken to miss the event, and frankly, so were we...  But the show must go on.  I, along with fellow Vested artists Hummingbird and Jordan Bradley took on the evening's musical role in full, and we gave everyone the best performances we could, despite Gabriel's absence.  Here's my portion of the evening.  Turn it up and enjoy.  Those of us who were there certainly did.  :)

This set features a bunch of current favorites, some past favorites, and even a premiere of my newest release, forthcoming on Vested Recordings very soon.

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / repost / share / comment / retweet / or all of the above. The support from all of you is what keeps me moving forward. Thank you!

Vested pres. FLOORCONTROL RADIO
Episode 116 - RJ Pickens
Live at Spybar Chicago / 04 May 2018
Tracklist:
01. Gabriel Ananda - Hey Blop (Christian Smith Motor City Bass Mix)
02. Dorian Craft - Asteria
03. Funkagenda & Paul Thomas - Underground
04. Butch - Countach
05. Cristoph ft. Jem Cooke - Feel
06. Supernova - Avenida 146
07. CiCi Hunter - Bodies (RJ Pickens Early Morning Reconstruction)
08. Morttagua - Osiris
09. Pavel Petrov - Rengar
10. Will Easton - 18 Month Free Trial
11. Chicane - Offshore (Andrew Meller Remake)
12. Jeremy Olander - Lauderdale
13. Valentino - Flying
14. Eelke Kleijn - Home
15. Ryan Davis & Microtrauma - Traces (Gabriel Ananda Remix)
16. Marcelo Castelli - Music Factory (Anton Jay  & Discoplace Remix)
17. Stefano Richetta - Dos
18. Guy J - Airborne
19. Kölsch - Left Eye Left
20. Sebastian Leger - Jaguar (RJ's Edit)
21. My Boy Elroy ft. Frankie B - Fallin (RJ Pickens & My Boy Elroy's Carbon Copy Re-edit)
22. Orbital - Halcyon (Tom Middleton Remodel)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Vested Pres. FloorControl 116 - May2018

This is my supporting set for Joris Voorn on his Spectrum North American tour -- I had the honor and pleasure to kickoff the musical offerings on the very first event of the tour in Chicago.  

Despite an injury, feeling pretty off-center, and no opportunity to musically prepare for this set, I showed up and just did the best I could.  And you know what?  It was totally worth it.  It felt great -- not perfect by any means, but felt great nonetheless.  What I played was well-received by those in attendance, and most importantly by Joris, who had a nice thing or two to say about things when I was done.  This set will always stand out in my memory for many reasons, and I couldn't be happier to share this set with you all.  

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / repost / share / comment / retweet / or all of the above. The support from all of you is what keeps me moving forward. Thank you!

RJ Pickens
Live at Spectrum Tour CHI - 13Sept2018
Supporting set for Joris Voorn

Tracklist:
01. Joachim Pastor - Reykjavik (RJ's "Into The Dark" Edit)
02. Grazze - Waves in the Night
03. 8Kays - Traveler
04. Analog Kitchen - Utopian Tendencies (Extended Mix)
05. Eli & Fur - Night Blooming Jasmine (Rodriguez Jr Remix)
06. Djuma Soundsystem - Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix)
07. Anthony Middleton - Till The End Of (Just Be Remix)
08. CIOZ - Arbol
09. Lio Q - Aedes (Alex Vidal Remix)
10. Jeremy Olander vs Kamaliza - Zanzibar (Sthlm Edit)
11. Chymera - Umbrella (Freedo Mosho's Spooky Edit)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live at Spectrum Tour CHI [supporting set for Joris Voorn] - 13Sept2018

I was asked to asked to warm-up the room for Jeremy Olander's Vivrant showcase at Sound-Bar in Chicago, and I was happy to do so.  Jeremy is an artist who's work I've now been a longtime fan of, and it's been pretty awesome seeing his star rise over all these years.  On this special night, I set the tone for the first 2.5 hours, and it truly felt like one of those few-and-far-between events where everything was fully cohesive from start to finish.  Killer vibes all night, and palpable electric energy in the air.  I wish they all could be like this every time.

Anyway, I'm really happy to share this set with all of you, as I know I'm overdue on posting a fresh mix...  And that being said, this is a pretty damn good one to be putting up.  It's stacked with a mixture of super fresh cuts, some tried and true selections with staying power, and I peppered in some fine selections from the Vested Recordings label catalog, some of which are forthcoming releases and got some great reactions from all of you in attendance.

Press play, turn it up, and as always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a favorite and/or a repost.  If you were there, you'll get to relive a piece of the night.  If you weren't, perhaps this will motivate you to catch my next one.  *winky face*

Cheers,
RJ

RJ Pickens - Live at Sound-Bar CHI - 16Feb2019
Supporting set for Vivrant Music showcase w/ Jeremy Olander
Tracklist:
01. 16 Lolitas - Peninsula (Original Mix)
02. Badin Brothers - Monkey Flute (Original Mix)
03. Eelke Kleijn - The Calling (Extended Mix)
04. Alex Metric, Ten Ven - Plates (Original Mix)
05. Andre Sobota - Missing Line (Golan Zocher Remix)
06. Oliver Schories - Steady State (Dale Middleton Remix)
07. N'to - Note Blanche (Original Mix)
08. Tim Robert - Love Will Mak Us Fly (Robert Mason Remix)
09. Saladin - That Was Yesterday (Original Mix)
10. Marc Romboy & Stephen Bodzin - Atlas (RJ Pickens & Hummingbird's Origins Edit)
11. Morttagua - Amunet (Original Mix)
12. Rez Dorsia- Four Darks In Red (Original Mix)
12. Alexandros Djkevingr, Greg Ignatovich - Year 2086 (Original Mix)
13. Dorian Craft - Asteria (Original Mix)
14. Galexis - Gravity (Monojoke Remix)
15. Emod - I Found My Voice (Original Mix)
16. Zehv - Blanco (Original Mix)
17. Zehv - Blanco (Audioglider Remix)
18. Badin Brothers - Monkey Flute (Ampish Remix)
19. ID - ID 
20. Morttagua - Valhalla (Original Mix)
21. B.B.E. - Seven Days And One Week (Yotto Extended Mix)
22. Alexandros Djkevingr, Greg Ignatovich - Sniffs & Swallows (Original Mix)
23. Valentino - Flying (Original Mix)
24. Eelke Kleijn - Home (Original Mix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Sound-Bar CHI - 16Feb2019 [support For Jeremy Olander Vivrant Showcase]

I've had the pleasure of playing with Jody in CHI quite a bit over the years, but I don't think I've ever seen him play a set quite like this one.  He came to play, and frankly, so did I.  Warming up the main room for Jody's 3 Hour journey in Dolby Atmos was a privilege, and the night was pretty stellar from start to finish.  Dive in and see what you missed, or replay this portion of it to enjoy again.  I even got a "That was lovely, mate" comment from Jody on this set, so it was nice to know he was feeling it too.  :)

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a Like / Favorite / Repost / Share / Comment, or all of the above!
Cheers, and thank you all for dancing with me.

RJ Pickens - Live at Sound-Bar CHI 15Jun2019
Supporting Set for Jody Wisternoff

Tracklist:
01. ID - ID (forthcoming on Vested Recordings)
02. Pavel Petrov - Rengar (Original Mix)
03. BAAL* - Cashmere (Gabriel Ananda Remix)
04. Rodriguez Jr. - Mistral (Stephan Bodzin Remix)
05. Donatello, Kastis Torrau - Space Is the Place (Marc DePulse Remix)
06. Boss Axis, Patrick Muschiol - Pitau (N'to Remix)
07. Dee Montero - Samsara (Original Mix)
08. Badin Brothers - Monkey Flute (Original Mix)
09. Miss Melera - Faith (Einmusik Remix)
10. Jeremy Olander vs Kamaliza - Zanzibar (Sthlm Edit)
11. Red Carpet - Alright (Kamilo Sanclemente & Golan Zochar Remix)
12. Badin Brothers - Precupscule (Original Mix)
13. BAILE - Amae (Sasha fabric2099 Mix)
14. Joshua Jesse, Midas 104, Ricarda - Changes (Gabriel Ananda Remix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Sound - Bar CHI - 15Jun2019 [supporting set For Jody Wisternoff]

Recorded live at Spybar Chicago - 04Oct2019
[supporting set for Dosem]

It was truly a pleasure to share the lineup with the mighty Dosem.  Most impressively, he has such a dynamic range in his sounds and productions, spanning from deep to house to tech to progressive, this guy can really do it all.  It felt really great for me to be able to cover a bit of ground myself, continue building the room and get some great reactions on so many of these selections I played (including a couple of Vested Recordings tracks).  We mic'd the room that night too, for added bonus, and you can hear some parts where people were really connecting with what was being played.

Thank you all who were part of this start-to-finish stellar night of music.  Those of you where there can press play and relive a bit of this great night again.  If you weren't there, here's what you missed.
Press play and crank it up.  

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a Like / Favorite / Repost / Share / Comment, or all of the above!
Cheers, and thank you all for dancing with me.

Tracklist:
01. Martijn ten Velden - Strings Attached (Original Mix) [About Us Music]
02. Tears For Fears - Shout (Alex Graham Remix) [white label]
03. Donatello & Stefano Richetta - Simplicity (Original Mix) [Click Records]
04. Art Bastian - Blazing Sun (Huxley Remix) [18th Floor Recordings]
05. KARAAL - Imagine (Original Mix) [Fryhide]
06. CIOZ, Sam Shure - Kamala Bani (Original Mix) [Stil vor Talent]
07. Marc DePulse - Pov (Original Mix) [Parquet Recordings]
08. ID - ID [forthcoming on Vested Recordings]
09. Ben Böhmer - Dysphorie (Original Mix) [Freundchen]
10. Cherry (UA) - Come To Me (Original Mix) [Timeless Moment]
11. Martijn ten Velden -  Transition (Original mix) [About Us Music]
12. Nevalu - Hypnotize Me (Original Mix) [Vested Recordings]
13. Anartist - Belossia (Original Mix) [Bonzai]
14. Depeche Mode - Only When I Lose Myself (Freedo Mosho's LA Edit) [white label]
15. Bob Moses - Listen To Me (Cassian Dub) [Domino]
16. Kaz James, Nick Morgan - Twisted (Original Mix) [Saved]

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Spybar CHI - 04Oct2019 [support For Dosem]

On Nov 17th, 2012, we had a visit from a star player from the Pryda|Friends camp.
Rising star - JEREMY OLANDER - came thru and dropped some musical knowledge on our fine citizens of the Windy City republic.  Some really fantastic music was played all night, starting with birthday boy Victor Tormenta, followed by my good buddy and SpyBar pointman - Wahi.  Jeremy O then came on and made some heads explode, and then I was left to clean-up hit.  And I feel pretty confident in saying that things cleaned up nicely.  Haha!
It was an honor to throw it down and close out an amazing night of dance music.
There was a moment or two in there where I thought Vision was implode from people going nuts on the dancefloor.  Seriously...
Massive thanks to all of you who were there and helped make this night a really memorable one.  If you listen closely, you might even hear yourself hootin' and hollerin'!  

Cheers --
--RJ--


RJ Pickens
Live @ Vision - Chicago
Saturday, 17Nov2012
Closing Set (after Jeremy Olander)

Tracklisting
01. Davison, Johnson & Haske vs Underworld - Holding Incite (Jason Lemaitre Crush)
02. Underworld - Holding the Moth (Audiojack Remix)
03. Flash Brothers - Mokka (PROFF Extended Mix)
04. Luke Chable & Shiloh - Thank Ur Mother for the Rabbits (Shiloh Remix)
05. Information Society - What's On Your Mind (RJ Pickens Late Nite Hoohah Re-Edit - Test)
06. Andrea Bertolini - We Love It
07. Eric Prydz - Every Day
08. Dr. Kucho! - Hale Bopp
09. Paul Thomas - Ultraviolet
10. Fehrplay - Incognito
11. Shiloh - Dream On (Luke Chable Remix)
Encore:
12. Harmonix - City Lights

This mix is for promotional purposes only.  All rights to all music belong their respective artists and labels.  If you like any of these tracks, support the artists and purchase them!  :)

RJPickens - Live at Vision Chicago - 17Nov2012 (closer for Jeremy Olander, w/ mic'd crowd)

Man, this was a solid night.  It was a highly-anticipated event, as ARTBAT are red-hot at the moment, and the crowd came out in strong numbers of support.  What a vibe in there -- it was a pleasure to prime that room and see so many of you connecting with what I played, including some new releases on Vested Recordings, plus some super fresh selections along with some timeless favs.  Here's what I captured of my set, I hope you all love hearing it a second time around.  Or, in case you missed the show, here's part of what you missed out on.

Press play, turn it up, and as always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a favorite and/or a repost. If you were there, you'll get to relive a piece of the night. If you weren't, perhaps this will motivate you to catch my next one. *winky face*

Cheers,
RJ

RJ Pickens - Live at The Mine Music Hall CHI - 06Dec2019
Supporting set for ARTBAT
Tracklist:
01. Rez Dorsia - Black on Maroon (Rezorblade Alternate Version)
02. Morttagua & Melody Stranger - Remnants (Dub Mix)
03. Square One - Oblong (Nishan Lee Remix)
04. Joris Voorn ft. Underworld - Too Little Too Late (Club Mix)
05. Kai Castro - Juxtaposed (Original Mix)
06. Rez Dorsia - Four Darks In Red (Original Mix)
07. NekliFF - Dusty (Original Mix)
08. Satoshi Tomiie - Scandal In New York (RJ Pickens' Scandalous Re-Edit)
09. Faithless - We Come One (Jaden Raxel Remix)
10. Jeremy Olander - Lauderdale (Original Mix)
11. Henry Saiz - Spiricom (See You Soon) 
12. Yotto - Hyperlude (Dosem Extended Edit)
13. Ben Böhmer - Purple Line (Original Mix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At The Mine Music Hall CHI - 06Dec2019 - [ARTBAT Supporting Set]

I've really been meaning to put this set up for a few reasons:
1. I was really happy with the way this set flowed and the way these tracks all came together, where I curated a more house-centric spread of songs
2. I haven't put a live recording up in a lil while
3. Given the COVID-19 climate of things right now, folks are hungry for music, and I feel like this one hits the spot!

I was asked by my friends at Only The Beat to play a supporting set for esteemed artist Bontan, and this is the vibe that was painted.  Some superb new nuggets of music sprinkled amongst some house-driven favorites of mine made for a really fun set.  I didn't want to stop playing, and if given the opportunity, could have played all night that night.  :)

If you were there, you get a replay of a portion of this fine evening.  If you weren't, press play and turn this up and thank me later.
As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a favorite and/or a repost.  Enjoy --

RJ Pickens - Live at Departures [w/ Bontan]
FRI - 28Feb2020 - Chicago
Tracklist:
01. Anthony Pl - Obsessions (Original Mix)
02. Pavel Petrov - Rengar (Original Mix)
03. Sasha ft. Poliça  - Out Of Time (Original Mix)
04. Fernando Campo - Colour Sound (Original Mix)
05. Eli & Fur - Parfume (Dosem Remix)
06. The Juan Maclean - You Are My Destiny (Nic Fanciulli Remix)
07. Jason Young - Check It Out (Original Mix)
08. Balcazar & Sordo - Matter of Time (Gabriel Ananda Remix)
09. DJ Dep - Seven Spades (Ruben Mandolini Remix)
10. Tears For Fears - Shout (Alex Graham white label remix)
11. Eli & Fur - Wall To Wall (Extended Mix)
12. Mat.Joe - Nighthawk (Dosem Remix)
13. Stefano Richetta - Dos (Original Mix)
14. Art Bastian - Blazing Sun (Huxley Remix)
15. Jerk Boy ft. Kimono - Feedback (Mark Maxwell Instrumental Remix)
16. Pete Tong & Chris Cox - More Intensity (Original Mix)
17. House Rules - Pump Up The Volume (Original Mix)
18. Jeremy Olander vs Kamaliza - Zanzibar (Sthlm Edit)
19. Nevalu - Roadblocked (Original Mix)
20. Analog People In A Digital World - Rose Rouge (Vocal Edit)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Live At Departure [w: Bontan] 28.Feb.2020 - CHI

Hello, fellow inmates! 🔐 I crafted and live-mixed a really fun 2hr set for this month's episode of Vested pres: FloorControl Radio, and I’m pretty pumped to share it with you all!  While I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to what I post music-wise, this mix is not perfect, but it really embodies a place I’m in musically right now, and reflects feelings of being caged-up that we’re all feeling.  Great new music on here, a few old favorites, a few of my own production handiwork, and a great flow of rowdy tunes will set the pace for you.  Pretty happy with how it turned out!

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / share / repost / or all of the above!

Much love from a safe distance,
RJ

Vested pres. FloorControl Radio ep138
RJ Pickens - Live From Quarantine - 14Apr2020
Tracklist:
01. Eric Sharp - Contemporary Arp (Understated Mix)
02. Satoshi Tomiie - Scandal In New York (RJ Pickens' Scandalous Re-Edit)
03. Stereo Underground - Flashes (Rafael Cerato Remix)
04. Stylo - Got Mine (Jos & Eli Remix)
05. Darin Epsilon, Marc De Pulse - Penrose (Original Mix)
06. Lee Burridge & Andy Page - Do You Smoke Pot (Original Mix)
07. Kaz James, Nick Morgan - Twisted (Original)
08. The W0lf - Night Raid (RJ Pickens' Reckless Endangerment Re-Edit)
09. Samuel L Session - Can You Relate (Joris Voorn Remix)
10. Eli & Fur - Coming Back (Audiofly Remix)
11. Fatih Kosar & Eren Eren - Lock In (Original Mix)
12. Wally Lopez - Sneakerhead (Habischman Remix)
13. Radiohead - Everything In Its Right Place (Nic Fanciulli Edit)
14. Donatello & Kastis Torrau - Space Is The Place (Marc DePulse Remix)
15. ARTBAT - Upperground (Original Mix)
16. Underworld - Born Slippy (Andrew Meller Reincarnation Mix)
17. Hunter - I Don't Forget (Original Mix)
18. Art Bastian - Infrared (Original Mix)
19. Space Motion - Jaguar (Original Mix)
20. Kaiserdisco - Jet Stream (Original Mix)
21. Rydel - Beat the Men (RJ Pickens Just Doesn't Listen Mix)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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Vested pres: FloorControl Radio ep. 138 - RJ Pickens Live From Quarantine 14Apr2020

This was quite a special night for me to play music for you all.  I played at Spybar, my Chicago homeroom, but I played during Covid-19 quarantine to an empty room (with the exception of the very small handful of individuals producing the event, all properly distanced, of course).  It was be broadcasted over twitch.tv/spybartv for Spybar's Stay At Home Sessions livestream series.  (If you want to check out the replay of the entire program from that night, you can visit the Twitch channel at the link above!)  I went into this set with a strange feeling of disconnectedness, as there would be no dancefloor in front of me to build and connect with.  However, this different set of circumstances did give me an opportunity to play pretty much whatever I wanted, and I did just that.  I got to play a bit of my own work, Vested Recordings releases (past and future), some fresh new selections, and some time-honored classics.  However, as usual, there was just not enough time to play everything I picked, but I did my best to fit it all in.  :)  It also provided me with an opportunity to provide everyone viewing with some visual messaging consisting of positive perspectives, encouragement and solidarity.  Even got to send a visual shout out to my dad at the end of the 2hr set also.  :)  Definitely worth checking out the replay if you'd like to see that portion of things.  My set is the second 2 hours of the broadcast (please note that there is 30mins worth of countdown on the replay before the music begins).

Thank you x1000 to all of you who were part of this as it unfolded live.

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / share / repost / or all of the above!

Much love from a safe distance,
RJ

Spybar pres: Stay At Home Session with:  RJ Pickens
Recorded & Broadcasted live at Spybar Chicago - SAT 25April2020
Tracklist:
01. The Offspring - Intermission
02. Michael Cassette - Shadows Movement (Original Mix)
03. Fehrplay - All By Myself (Original Mix)
04. Sykoya - Shiver (RJ Pickens Late Night Reconstruction)[Vested]
05. Emod - I Found My Voice (Original Mix) [Vested]
06. Hippie Sabotage - Angels (Inphinity Remix)
07. Remy & Roland Klinkenberg - Till Ya Drop! (Rene Amesz Remix)
08. CiCi Hunter - Bodies (RJ Pickens Early Morning Reconstruction - Private Mix)[Vested]
09. ID - ID [forthcoming on Vested Recordings]
10. Fatboy Slim - Right Here, Right Now (CamelPhat Remix)
11. Djuma Soundsystem - Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix)
12. Chus & Ceballos feat. Astrid Suryanto - All I Want (Oscar L Remix)
13. Marc DePulse - Arp & Down (Khainz Remix)
14. Fehrplay - Reach (Original Mix)
15. ID - ID [forthcoming on Vested Recordings]
16. Pryda - Mija (Original Mix)
17. Karmon - Eleventh Hour (Original Mix)
18. Art Bastian - Infrared (Original Mix)
19. HOSH, 1979 ft. Jalja - Midnight (Original Mix)
20. Eelke Kleijn - Home (Extended Mix)
21. Bruce Hornsby & The Range - The Way It Is (Remastered)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

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RJ Pickens - Spybar CHI Livestream 2hr Set - 25Apr2020

While it's been relatively quiet on the DJ gig front during this period of COVID quarantine, I have been fortunate in doing a pair of livestreams with my home away from home, Spybar Chicago.  I recently did a 4+ hour set there where I had all night, from start to finish, to weave a musical tapestry and tell a story of my choosing.  I have been wanting to do a historical tribute set that touches on some different times in my life as a fan of this music and different stages of my DJ career and artist evolution.  While impossible to play every song that has made an impact on me in 20+ years of experience as a DJ and even longer as a devoted fan of the music, I compiled a big arsenal of songs that I felt would work well together, and just attempted to play as many of them as I could, while still keeping to an upward trajectory and a cohesive story.  It was a bit of a journey for me to play this one, and I'm really happy with how it came together.  This set includes music dating back to 1992 or even earlier, and includes landmark music for me from then to current day.  This is part one - the first half of this journey (hours 1 and 2), and part two is forthcoming next month, so stay tuned for that!

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit us with a like / favorite / share / repost / or all of the above!

Much love to you all during these times of trial and tribulation.
--RJ--

RJ Pickens - Live on Spybar Livestream 13June2020 Part 1 (hours 1+2)
Tracklist:
01. Fluke - Slid (Pdfmone) [1993]
02. Jay Shepheard - Classic Reality (Original Mix) [2008]
03. Martin Roth - Beautiful Life (Original Mix) [2012]
04. Dee Montero - Halcyon (Original Mix) [2017]
05. Booka Shade, Kaktus Einarsson - Perfect in a Way (Ben Böhmer Remix) [2020]
06. Sous Sol - Dizzy Rhythm (Mihai Popoviciu Remix) [2019]
07. Pan-Pot - Sleepless (Stephan Bodzin Remix) [2015]
08. The Chemical Brothers - Star Guitar (Original Mix - RJ's microedit) [2002]
09. ID - ID
10. ID - ID
11. The Crystal Method - Vapor Trail (Original Mix) [1997]
12. James Zabiela - No Other Way But Down (Original Mix) [2008]
13. Satoshi Tomiie - Scandal In New York (Saworiginalscandal vs Sawdubbedscandal - RJ's Scandalous Edit) [2003]
14. Jeremy Olander - Love Flight (Original Mix) [2010]
15. Gat Decor - Passion (Naked Mix) [1992]
16. Technasia - I Am Somebody (Original Mix - RJ's Edit) [2013]
17. GROJ - SITH (Original Mix) [2019]
18. Nine Inch Nails - Ringfinger (RJ Pickens Backroads Remodel) [2017]
19. RUFUS - Innerbloom (HOSH Remix) [2016]
20. Dirty Vegas - Days Go By (CamelPhat Extended Remix) [2019]
21. SYML - The Bird (Sasha Remix) [2019]

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

Follow Me:
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RJ Pickens -  Spybar CHI Livestream Pt 1 (hrs 1+2) 13June2020

While it's been relatively quiet on the DJ gig front during this period of COVID quarantine, I have been fortunate in doing a pair of livestreams with my home away from home, Spybar Chicago. I recently did a 4+ hour set there where I had all night, from start to finish, to weave a musical tapestry and tell a story of my choosing. I have been wanting to do a historical tribute set that touches on some different times in my life as a fan of this music and different stages of my DJ career and artist evolution. While impossible to play every song that has made an impact on me in 20+ years of experience as a DJ and even longer as a devoted fan of the music, I compiled a big arsenal of songs that I felt would work well together, and just attempted to play as many of them as I could, while still keeping to an upward trajectory and a cohesive story. It was a bit of a journey for me to play this one, and I'm really happy with how it came together. This set includes music dating back to 1992 or even earlier, and includes landmark music for me from then to current day. This is part two - the second half of this journey (hours 3 and 4)-- the conclusion of this musical odyssey!

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit us with a like / favorite / share / repost / or all of the above!

Much love to you all during these times of trial and tribulation.
--RJ--

RJ Pickens - Live on Spybar Livestream 13June2020 Part 2 (hours 3+4)
Tracklist:
01. SYML - The Bird (Sasha Remix) [2019]
02. James Talk, Ridney - West End Girls (Club Mix) [2009]
03. Jeremy Olander ft. Garbage - Rypamont (RJ Pickens' Milk Bootleg) [2012]
04. Paolo Mojo - 1983 (Eric Prydz Remix) [2006]
05. Deep Dish - Say Hello (Rock Mix) [2005]
06. Maurice & Noble - Hoochie Coochie (Original Mix) [2004]
07. Technasia - Obsession (Hombre Lowdown's French-Kissed Edit) [2015]
08. Layton Giordani - Chrome (Original Mix) [2019]
09. iiO - Rapture (Deep Dish Space Remix) [2005]
10. Holden & Thompson - Nothing (93 Returning Remix) [2003]
11. Dr. Kucho! - Hale Bopp (Original Mix) [2011]
12. Luke Chable - Melburn (Shiloh Remix) [2009]
13. Sneaker Pimps - Spin Spin Sugar (Armand Van Helden Dark Garage Mix) [1997]
14. The Chemical Brothers - Out Of Control (Sasha Remix) [1999]
15. Underworld - Two Months Off (Original Mix) [2002]
16. BCML - Mr. Horowitz (Way Out West Remix) [2005]
17. Layo & Bushwacka! - Love Story vs Finally (Bushwacka! Bootleg Version) [2002]
18. Chemical Brothers ft Richard Ashcroft - The Test (Original Mix) [2002]
19. Public Enemy feat. Stephen Stills - He Got Game (Original Mix) [1998]

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

Follow Me:
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RJ Pickens - Spybar Livestream Pt 2 (hrs 3+4) 13June2020

In these strange times we're currently navigating, it's become a luxury to play music for an actual crowd of live people.  I recently had the opportunity to play an outdoor stage under the late summer Chicago evening sky.  My friends at the Lakeshore Drive-In recently asked me to play a set, and it felt great to make my contribution to a beautiful night out.  Here's what went down if you missed it.  And if you were there, here's an opportunity to give it another play.

As always, if you're feeling this, please hit me with a like / favorite / share / repost / or all of the above!

Much love to you all during these times of trial and tribulation.
--RJ--

RJ Pickens - Live at the Lakeshore Drive-In // Chicago // 11Sept2020 
Tracklist:
01. Jerome Isma-Ae - Sea and Sky (Original Mix)
02. Framewerk - Albion (Air) (Intro Reprise)
03. Framewerk - Albion (Air) (Original Mix)
04. Fabrication - Luminous (Original Mix)
05. ID - ID
06. Nick Muir, Gabriel Ananda, John Digweed - Tachyon Dream (Original Mix)
07. ID - ID
08. POB - Darkness (Original Mix)
09. Michael Cassette - Shadows Movement (Original Mix)
10. Eli & Fur - Big Tiger (Extended Mix)
11. ID - ID
12. Pryda - Sol (Extended Vocal Mix)
13. Joshwa - You're Not Alone (Club Mix)
14. Jeff Ozmits & RJ Pickens - Rules Of Engagement (RJ Pickens Flightplan Edit)

All tracks are property of the original artists and labels, and this mix is for promotional use only. If you like any of these tracks, please support the artists and purchase them!

Follow Me:
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RJ Pickens - Live at the Lakeshore Drive-In - 11SEPT2020

I came back to Chicago from an amazing experience over Memorial Day Weekend in Detroit.  The festival was outstanding, and the afterparties were out of hand.  I came back home with my faith restored in dance music as a whole, and felt really inspired to create and push forward.  This was the first opportunity for me to play out live after this trip, and there's a little bit of Detroit that shines through in this mix.  There's one thing for sure:  The underground is alive and well.

Thank you's go out to Snad and WNUR StreetBeat for having me on as a guest.
The following is a live recording of the first hour (of 2), taken directly from the DJ mixer, with no radio commentary.


RJ Pickens
Live on StreetBeat
WNUR 89.3 FM - Chicago 
03Jun2013

Tracklisting:

01. Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka Ft. Abigail Wyles - Battleships (Sasha Involv3r Remix) [Ministry of Sound]
02. Humate - Love Stimulation (Vincenzo Remix) [Grand Casino]
03. Lemon 8 - Spank [Nimbit Music]
04. Adrianos Papadeas & George Mathiellis - Reborn (The Starfuckerz Remix) [Baroque]
05. Shiloh - Stellar [925 Music]
06. George Fitzgerald - Thinking of You [HotFlush]
07. Rise and Fall - The Glow (Richard Knott Remix) [Monster Deep]
08. Faithless ft. Harry Collier - Bombs (Benny Benassi Remix) [Sony BMG]
09. Tee-Ex - Booom! [Molecule]
10. Dusky - What I Never Knew [Toolroom]
11. Batongo - Aguirre (Mano Le Tough Remix) [Degustibus]


Recorded Live on StreetBeat - WNUR 89.3 FM Chicago - w/ Host: Snad

All tracks are property of the original artists and this mix is for promotional use only.
If you like any of these tracks, support the artists and purchase them!

RJ Pickens - Live on StreetBeat WNUR Chicago 89.3 FM - 03Jun2013

For the past 2 decades, RJ Pickens has been a leader in building and growing Chicago’s melodic-driven electronic music scene. With nearly 25 years of DJ experience and tirelessly pursuing the perfect mix of deep, progressive, techno, and house sounds.  He rocks venues ranging from intimate to huge, and can go from being the headliner himself to being the supporting act of choice for countless global headliners on the best club and festival events the Windy City has to offer.  RJ is also a principal collaborator in a recently-launched and acclaimed music act called Portals & Parachutes, taking first flight in post-pandemic 2021.  RJ’s record label and music event banner — VESTED — has become synonymous with top-tier progressive electronic sounds.  Vested Recordings, while a relatively young label still, has seen remarkable support from some of the very best artists in the industry.  The event showcases produced under the Vested brand have been consistently showcasing the finest quality in its music bookings for the last 10 years. 

VESTED:  an adjective that means “to hold something completely, permanently, and inalienably — an unwavering commitment.”  In an electronic music sense, it simply means RJ is really serious about our party music, and his work on all fronts speaks for itself.

If you haven’t yet, tune in and turn it all the way up.

Links
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