Progressive/Organic House mix by SS61 as played at Arcadian Dreams 1.1.25

Reflective Reset January 1. 2025

Shann’s music journey started as a young boy fascinated with the way music made him feel. The first Album he was given was ‘Let it be’ by the Beatles and the first album he brought himself was Stevie Wonder’s’ Songs in the Key of life’ which started his love of funk and  melody. 
His mothers love of Louis Armstrong, jazz and the blues paved a basic foundation and understanding of music patterns and riffs that at the time he didn’t fully understand but now is so grateful for. 
Over the years he developed a diverse taste in music from Disco to Reggae and Rock and feels blessed to have experienced this era of  music and it’s influences. 
He also discovered that playing the right music at the right time had the ability to soothe or uplift himself and others. This simple understanding of the energy music has in creating moments that made people feel something  lead him to residences  at local bars and clubs throughout the 80’s and early 90’s which fostered a love of synth driven music and bass lines with beats that are infectiously danceable.
Shann’s decision to focus on his young family with his wife Monique and work in the family business meant that his passion for playing music was put to one side . However in the mid 90’s he discovered EDM when returning locals brought back a new sound from Europe and began putting on legendary rave parties, ‘for me it was such an incredible experience’ he says, noting” that the dance floor transformed into this incredible uplifting fresh organic  underground  experience of individual expression all locked into a 4/4 beat creating a vibe that connected and linked  all together as one”. And that these ‘new’ djs  controlled and brought their energy in such a way that they ignited  his passion and fascination once more.
During this time he witnessed many of his DJ friends go on to play with the best in the country and then produce their own music with great success, some going on to tour internationally, building solid reputations, these connections lead to close friendships with other top NZ producers and DJ’s.  This exposure to these amazingly creative and innovative musicians fulfilled Shann’s need to be closely connected to the music he loved.
He also ventured into playing Drum and Bass ,Techno and House which would become the foundation of the sound he currently plays.
His home studio ‘the Soundroom’ has entertained many people over the years and has been his outlet in fulfilling his need to play and craft his style.
He returns now to ‘playing out’ as SS61  with no expectations other than playing the music he loves and sharing the melodic deep house and techno tunes with others whilst continuing to learn and challenge himself to  be the best he can be.