From penthouse to rooftop, a quick stop at the Town House found the Freak N Chic party in full effect. Lee Foss and Andrei Osyka (2/3 of Droog) were spinning a house set to a loungey crowd. Enjoying the sun and chilling to great music - dance music is really a lifestyle.
A quick run to the hotel to change and it was time for the night time events. We started at the Hotel Victor for the Tommy Boy party. Even though it was early, we knew it was going to be a highlight. Ultra Nate was spinning. Divas Inaya Day and Dawn Tallman were holding court. We met and interviewed Bimbo Jones who were just signed to the US. They were SO nice and SO down to earth. Watch for And I Try to be their debut US single and the interview to be posted next week.
Up next was the Fashion/Sony Rooftop for the King Street 15th Anniversary party. Walking down Collins we ran into a group of people who directed us to Yuca because the party had been moved. King Street moved their party because of the substandard soundsysted among other issues. That Joe B had the balls to do this proves their respect for the integrity of house music. You simply don't ask the legendary Frankie Knuckles to spin on a crap system - no matter how good the view. Mona and Felix of 3 Degrees spun a great set (which had the crowd going wild), followed by the live vocal talents of Monique Bingham and Joi Cardwell. Fierce and diva are words so often overused, especially when you have to describe such soul stirring performers.
The Club World Awards were next. Yes, its chaos - but a controlled chaos. Everyone whos anyone was there. Becky Baeling hosted and was the glue that held it together. The only thing more coveted and watched than the disco ball globes inspired statuettes were the .. erm .. SouthBeach inspired globes of the onstage model. Samantha James rocked a performance of Rise and everyone danced (and sang along.) I got a TON of great pictures which will go on the site next week. I can't even remember how many people were there - even if half the crowd was the animated staff of PaCha-Cha-Cha. The only sore note was an out of place Tommy Lee who almost knocked out ATB with a rude exit. Hey, someone pass the word to Tommy - that kind of behavior doesn't fly in the dance world.
Mynt Ultra Lounge hosted the Global Underground launch party for Sasha's "Invader." I stopped by to grab an interview with Nick Warren who was everything you want a dj/producer to be. Intelligent, animated, honest, friendly and sober - I don't have to mention talented - because as the largest selling GU DJ who is part of Way Out West - it doesn't need to be said. I also met the Ministry of Sound crew who are planning their US conquest. Another of the big stories of the week is the MOS cutting off licensing deals to US labels and doing it themselves as a partnership with Global Underground. This will be very interesting to watch - and I look forward to the Hed Kandi party at Nikki Beach on Saturday to chat with them more about it.
Texts were flooding in telling me to get my butt back to the Tommy Boy party - if only to see the hunky security guards escorting Bob Sinclar. I made it back to catch the end of Danny Tenaglia's festive set. The rooftop of the Hotel Viktor is beautiful in the evening as was Danny's music. A performance by Anane and Louie Vega's latin infused vibe were the perfect sunset. The party is one of those where you want to freeze the moment - everyone having a great time, everyone you want to be with is there, and dancing is like getting a big hug from the one above - wonderful music bringing people together. Thanks Tommy Boy for such an incredible experience.
It was time for BED -- the club that is. Ok, thats a cheesy line.. haha.. yes it was mau5trap with DeadMau5 taking over the club with a night of pounding electro. The crowd was more than amped with the dance floor full and the VIP area being standing room only - there was no one laying down - everyone was up and chanting. Chris Lake and BSOD KNOCKED IT out. And after dancing my ass off - I had to say good bye to the lovely Sydney Blue before I passed out on the bed myself. I would have loved to stay all night to hear the cheesy canadian hit the decks but alas I needed some sleep in my own bed.
Great Songs:
Joe Claussel - Spiritual Life
Bodyrox - Planet (I keep hearing this everywhere)
Great quote:
"Ibiza in the summertime is the silicon valley of the dance music world" - Darryl from Tillate
