Last night I was invited to a special presentation and dinner hosted by Traktor and Car Craig. Held in a secret location in Ibiza, the event was an intimate affair streamed live by BE-AT and featured Luciano, David Squillace and the host himself, Carl Craig, on the decks showcasing Traktor technology.

Before the sunset alfresco dinner set out magically on the lawn of the finca overlooking the rolling hills of San Antonio, Carl sat down and answered a few questions on his professional relationship with Traktor and how his DJing has been shaped by technology from his vinyl days.

The Traktor debate is still ever present and even more so relevant as some of the biggest DJ's either switch entirely or partly - depending on their gig specs - to the revolutionary technology.

I myself am still a CD die hard, but having fiddled with Traktor a few times I can definitely see the advantages from many points. Especially if one's organisation skills aren't the best.

The night was truly special. Apart from (bascially) private sessions from some of the most respected music makers and mingling with the influencers in the world of electronic music, the vibe was chilled yet fun.

Luciano also revealed all the tracks he had played that night were unreleased and new. It was his chance to road test them before a live audience, working them at different speeds and effects.

With bottles of smoky Mezcal Amores floating around - thanks to Maria and Anthony ( one half of Audiofly), who partly sponsored the event - shots could have instantly turned the gathering into a party.

Special thanks to Hagi Craig for the invitation.

As the fiery sun lights the sky with it's amber, saluting another day what better place to see this sight than a beach. And what better inspiration to play a set than facing such a view.

This is one of the many reasons why I love being a DJ in Ibiza. Playing at a beach club, surrounded by such breathtaking acts of nature, you are filled with a sense of gratitude towards life. Watching people as they luxuriously laze about and enjoy the simply things in life as you provide the soundtrack is a lovely place to be in.

I had the pleasure of playing at Experimental Beach Club - part of the Experimental Cocktail Club group that holds posts in London and NYC. It was actually in NYC that this gig came to fruition. After meeting Cameron, a Canadion presenter and entertainer living in NYC at the taping of The Colbert Show, he introduced me to Elisa - the owner of the Experimental Cocktail Clubs and after much planning, a gig in Ibiza came to life. Don't you just love life and its little ways?

My six hour set was made more enjoyable with the familiar faces who came to support me and the wonderful staff at the club. And of course playing with a view like that, how could you get bored. I'd timed the sun setting so that "Sun" by Caribou was the soundtrack as it slowly edged down between the two mountains, leaving with a glowing ray of light and dusky pink remnants.

Track List:
"Sun" by Caribou
"Claustrofobix" by Gabriel Slick
"Mission Venice" by Nightmares on Wax
"Night Drive"  by Lake People
"Hand in Hand" by KlangKuenstler

Ibiza. The tiny island that explodes on a nightly basis. A place where you come with friends, and leave with a few more. Last night, I went to go see a few friends playing at Sunset Ashram - a beautiful hippy restaurant that's one of the last remaining true Ibizencan places to watch the sunset, mingle and not be charged two legs and an arm.

I ran into a dear friend of mine from my Milano days back when I was carrying heels in my bag, a portfolio and spinning in small bars after castings. Emma - half of the DJ duo Hunter/Game  has been enjoying great success after years of hard work and dedication. Also one of the sweetest Italian Stallions around, we had many good times in Milan. He introduced me to the guys from Tale of Us ... way back before they were famous and sitting in his studio fooling around.

Below right is an interview I did with Emma for Pulse Radio to celebrate the  release of their EP "The Island". Click on the picture to read up the news!

Today was the first day of testing the electric cars up at Donington Park Race Circuit, some 2 hours of north of London.

It was also the first day the music team could work out how exactly to incorporate music during the race event.

The cars are significantly quieter so music will play an integral part in keeping the audience entertained.

Sam Cannon, the  technical DJ who I will be working closely with, is a ex-Ministry of Sound resident and has worked on many of the Hed Kandi productions. We both played sets today as if it was the actual race, along with the commentator doing his thing.

The day only raised excitement and anticipation for the event. Everyone on the team in so much fun to work with and to be raising awareness of a great concept. Electric energy is the future !

Keep posted for more test days, rehearsals and news of the Formula E

Champagne flowed and smiles aplenty today at the Roundhouse in Camden, as I, along with the Formula E team and our guests, celebrated the global launch of the Formula E. This first electric car race with FIA support and a ten month ten city schedule is the first of its kind both in sport and innovation.

Using only electric cars of the same model, the race will very much depend on the skill of the drivers and their ability to correctly manage electric cars, pushing them to their limits.

And boy, do they have boundaries to push. Not only can these vehicles for from 0 to 100km/hr in three seconds their innovative tyre desing means less carbo offset and greater speed and control on the track.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm a huge environmental freak ... so this gig is right up my alley. With this race we can show that electric power is the future. It's sexy, friendly and ... don't believe me? Let an all star line up of teams convince you then.

Here (right) I am with the Virgin car ..yup that's right, Sir Richard Branson is in on the word. As is Leo DiCaprio. They both have teams and know what;s the next best thing.

Testing will start at Donnington Park in England on the 3rd and 4th of July. Register your interest here and come and see for yourself what the future holds.

Fondue, fire places and red wine. That about sums up the perfect weekend in the snow. Maybe a slide or two on a sleigh. Well, that was the standard till I stumbled upon - and played, in a private club in one of the most beautiful chalet's in Verbier, Switzerland.

This weekend I was a guest of Chalet L. Raphael. Easily one of the largest and  .. who else has an underground swimming pool AND club underneath their snowy driveways.

The party lasted till every CD in my case was out and strewn across the decks. A little breather to break up the long set was happily welcomed as I got to play B2B with long time Parisian friend Benjamin Kazan, part owner of the infamous Chez Raspoutine club in Paris.


Some tracks dropped:

• "00.5" - Carlo Gambino

• "Finder" - Ninetoes

• "Fall For You ( Sandy River's Classic Mix) " - Kings of Tomorrow
  
  • "Kiss ( Rene Amesz)" - Prince
    
    So as you can see .. quite the eclectic mix
    
    
    
    

24 hours in Hong Kong and I already feel like a local. I’m still pinching myself that I am finally here. With no time to waste, I was out on the streets. I already found an organic store, conveniently two doors down from my apartment, a cute wine bar and I had my first taste of the legendary club Dragon-i.

I meet James, the musical director and booker for both Dragon-i and Tazmania Ballroom (both clubs are owned by the same owner) for dinner. James if flamboyant, fun and straight out there fantastic. We had dinner at Dragon-i’s restaurant that later turns into the main dance floor. It’s filled with models – basically cause they are treated like royalty here. It’s the usual situation where your comp card is the gateway to a surplus of food and alcohol.

The night was heavy. It was a public holiday in Hong Kong the next day so those that stayed in town, were right here on Wyndham Street. By 11pm the club was full and Remy, the resident DJ stepped into the booth. This guy has some technical talent – I haven’t heard such an eclectic mix of house, rnb and a mash up of rock since my youthful discotheque days.

Everyone was just a little too hospitable and nice – I got home at 4:30am. It did seem to cure my jet lag though.

Today I walked around the area and had lunch with a friend overlooking the Hong Kong bay. He then booked me in for a reflexology session in his new spa – this is exactly what a DJ needs ! Those legs to be pampered and zenned out.

Ten Feet Tall is the name of the little piece of heaven I predict I’ll be frequenting as many times as I go clubbing here … It’s so good it scored a blog post on my world guide, right here.

Morning flights are killers. BUT – I prefer them to mid-day flights. Then your day is totally wasted.

I finish my last gig for the month in Downtown Cipriani and dip into The Cuckoo Club to say hi to some friends before hitting the sack.

I jump on the Tube and whizz straight to Terminal 5. My destination today : Copenhagen. I’m going to play for what will be a very special wedding, set in an estate complete with it’s own historic castle just outside of the city. I assume some sort of Royal association ...

Access to the BA Lounges are really a life saver. After NOT queuing and NOT being short that one pence for my coffee, finding a quiet seat without a screaming kid in sight, I get stuck into finding two versions of ‘Hava Nagila’ – the traditional version and a house version that I could mix it with to start my set.

Hava Nagila for the non-Jews: <noun> / celebratory dance where the bride and groom are put on chairs, typical in most Jewish weddings.

Weddings are tough gigs. I think they're harder than clubs ... You have an eclectic group of people – different ages, different experiences, different tastes. And depending on the amount of alcohol consumed – different moods.

Oh and another important thing – requests. If they’re gonna happen anywhere, it’s right here. So put you’re DJ pride and prejudice back in the case and suck it up. You’re here for the people, not to preach.

Of course the general feeling at any wedding is – LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Some tracks I’m keen to re-live :

• “Hungry for the Power (Jamie Jones remix) ” – Azari & III
• “Free” – Ultra Nate
• “By Defection” – Dixie Yurie

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of returning to Turkey for not one, but two gigs. The first was in Bodrum, a holiday resort city in the south of Turkey. A bit like St.Tropez but more wild and rugged, less developed.

I was a guest of Xuma Beach Club – a more bohemian and laid back beach club compared to the other flash and tres chic such as Maca Kizi or Bianca Beach Club.

Flying in a day earlier to enjoy the sunshine and simply hang out was, ever so kindly - my hosts idea. With rain and very un-summer temperatures forecast for London, there was no way I was sticking around.


From the moment I stepped off the plane it was Turkish hospitality to the T.

38*C at 2pm there was only one place I was headed for ... the beach.

I had a quick but fresh lunch with the owner, Kamil by the water. If you ever get to go, Xuma has everything that you would need for a day out in the sun. Plenty of sun beds by the water or under large shady trees, a restaurant serving up great seafood, a cafe, a masseuse and even a gym.

I then met the everyone who worked at the restaurant and sat at the beach bar to enjoy the local drink of the region and enjoy  sunset beats from the resident DJ. The cocktail, called Sandoz was a mixture of freshly squeezed mandarin juice, orange juice and vodka. Let’s just say, I didn’t stop at one.

As a DJ, I like to get the feel of the place before I play so that you can entertain the crowd to the best of your ability. I love to study the people; what are they drinking, what are they wearing, are they young or older?  – all these things tell you the vibe and what music they listen to. Of course, a DJ doesn’t always have this luxury and these details are usually provided to you by the promoter but it’s a bonus if you can do it yourself.

On the 10th of June, 2013, techno legend Sven Vaeth hosted a welcome dinner like no other.

To mark the beginning of the 14th season of  Cocoon at the super club Amnesia in Ibiza, the artist and friends dinner took place right on the dance floor. It was the first time ever such an event took place in Amnesia.

I was lucky enough to be invited, having worked for Cocoon Records and being a friend and supporter of the team before that.

Guests included the artists playing that night – Ricardo Villalobos, Dorian Paic, Julien Bracht. Guy Gerber was in the Main Room doing sound check. It will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to the new Main Room. It received a renovation during winter with the DJ booth moved from high up above, down to the dance floor. This will change the whole dynamic, allowing greater DJ-audience interaction and give the illusion of a bigger space.

Cocoon as you should know, throws their weekly parties every Monday night till the 30th of September this year. Cocoon will also hold a residency in Tipic – a small club in Formentera on Thursday nights till the 12th of September.
I made a little video of the night ... it didn't go till the final hours, I was too busy dancing!