Until I started working in TV I didn’t realize how much noise surrounds us on a daily basis. I now know why production companies get permits to shoot. And deliver those notices to your door, place them on your windshield, drop them off at your work, or to wherever a film or TV crew will be shooting within your vicinity.

A small simple noise we normally would dismiss such as the whirring of a fridge for example can ruin, and slow down a shot. Even a simple two minute take can take a lot longer to shoot than need be.

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In one of my past blogs I questioned whether I should work at Pride or just go for personal enjoyment. I was siding with personal enjoyment when I got the call asking me to host the Central Stage once again. I had to say yes. I love doing it, I love Pride and believe in what it truly stands for no matter how commercial it has gotten. It still has its purpose; freedom to be who you are!

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Deko-ze’s birthday is one of my favourite events to host, as hectic as events such as this may be it’s the urgency which keeps me going. This year his birthday was held at Footwork Bar & Afterhours on March 5^th, 2010 with Adam K, Mark Falco and Deko-ze on deck.

The night started off with me ensuring a film crew was organized who were coming to shoot for an upcoming documentary, but at 8pm it started to get hairy; my phone was ringing off the hook, texts were flying in to the sound of my “knock-knock” tone, emails poured in all wanting guest list. Read the full story

I don’t know about you but I find it fascinating how everyone, well almost everyone you see on the street, on the subway, walking, running all have on a white pair of ear buds hanging from their ears; you know they’re listing to an iPod.

What wonderful branding this is, if only you or I were reaping the financial benefits of this musical invention. Nonetheless it’s bringing music of all genres, cultures, likes and dislikes to the forefront. I have to admit I love to see people plugged in and enjoying their simple pleasure; music.

Mind you getting from conception to execution, hence your ears isn’t an easy musical production feat by any measure, but seeing someone tap their foot, doing the 4 by 4 head nod is awesome to me.

Nothing pleases, uplifts, sets, creates, kills, saddens, and heightens the mood than music to our ears.

When you’re in a club you have no choice to but to listen to what is put forth upon you, but with your own mobile club you control the DJ with no overhead. How awesome is that?

I find when I’m upset, anxious, tired, happy or mad if I put on my iPod shuffle all is OK. Wow! Isn’t that an ad right there, but it’s true. I feel ten times better than I did before I plugged in.

You can subscribe to your Podcasts, buy your tracks (cuz you know you should!) and voila! There you have it; your perfect mobile club created for you, by you.

I’ve seen people inside a club wearing their pearly white buds, to this I question, “Why are you here? But to each his own.

The next time you’re plugged in and feel the need to tap your foot, nod your head go right ahead. Music is a universal language, and it’s something we all understand. No one will think anything of you except that you really like the track tickling your ears…and they’ll wonder just what it is!

Lets face it: Facebook is a great invention. I can only imagine for record labels, night clubs and promoters how this social network has worked greatly for them, and also worked as a royal pain in the neck.

Before Facebook I insisted on DJs/producers to mail me a demo which included a disc with artwork on its face enclosed in a jewel case with proper design illustrating the artist’s sound, personality by way of colour and/or design. If it looked appealing it then made me want to slide into my player to hear what the visual sounded like. Thus creating intrigue for the artist who produced it.

Move now to 2010 I receive (and I’m sure many of you do as well) links in my private Facebook inbox to so many DJ mixes. Before I go any further let me emphasize the astronomical amount of links I receive of what I call “nameless” links to a DJ’s latest mix. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the drive and enthusiasm. I don’t however appreciate the laziness behind it.

By this I mean a link with no description, no story. Just a link.

I’m not a label owner, or work for Sony, nor am I the biggest, baddest booking agent in this country, but then again who is? Yet I do have pull, but I’m not going to push anyone who sends me just a link to my Facebook inbox. Plain and simple, I’m not. Call me a bitch, call me an asshole. Call me a scene destroyer, but than again you should know better.

I love music (obviously) and I love receiving it. Unlike the label heads or some music critics I’m much kinder and don’t receive the pay cheques they receive. Therefore I’m open to new talent and new sounds. All I ask is to be PROFESSIONAL!

Sorry, just because you can illegally download a software program, or can mix like no other due to the many post production software programs out there, does not mean you can hold a crowd of 50, let alone 2000! Or that anyone will download and listen to your Facebook link and know who you are. Because many of those who blindly send these links never within their mix announce who the mix is by. Seriously! In this day and age a DJ can’t announce their name during intervals throughout the mix? Guess that’s why they end up forgotten or worse yet deleted from potential’s listener’s playlists, too bad.

Remember Facebook is a ‘social network’, not a ‘find a job’, ‘book me’, ‘add me to you roster’ network.

Please stop sending me links with no presentation. Statistically they’re not downloaded as much as you think.

Here’s an example. You receive a piece of junk mail in your mailbox. Yes another piece of junk (which costs far more than your mix). Yet the image on the envelope is enticing to you. It’s full of the colours you like and has an image you can’t help but stare at wondering what it’s all about. So you open it.

Whether the outcome is successful or not, the point is it was inspiring, opened and read. Thus targeted to you!

Yes the demographics, the market audience all hold true no matter the industry. So, before you decide to send me a private message (or post a link on my Wall) on Facebook to what you think is an awesome mix, think before you click Send.

Give me and others a reason to listen. Do something different.

With all the parties going on and so much to be a part of this year I’ve decided to do things a bit different. I’ve decided to host only a select couple of events of which I’ve been asked to host. For the first time I even had to turn down one due to another club asking me first.

The one party anyone who is a true house-head and Deko-ze fan should attend is his “The DJs Who Stole Christmas…Again?” This marks pt. 2 to this series and it takes place on Friday December 18^th at Toronto’s Footwork.

I host many of Deko-ze’s events and have done so for the past 6 years, and aside from the Mayhem events (God! They were great!) We did, “The DJs Who Stole Christmas” is a true festive event. What other DJ do you know dresses a Santa? I too will once again wear my Santa outfit courtesy of my sponsor Stag Shop.

What makes this year’s event so special is the line-up Deko-ze pulled out of his Santa bag; Kenny Glasgow, Paranoid Jack, Tim Patrick and new up and comer, Chris Ink.

Deko-ze isn’t called “Canada’s hardest working DJ” for nothing! He’s a bright shining star within Canada’s scene and is one of our greatest producers. He had his first residency in ’91 at a gay venue in Saskatoon called Numbers (later Divas) to now maintaining residencies in: Vancouver, BC; Victoria, BC; Calgary, AB; London, ON; Niagara Falls, ON; Montreal, PQ; St. John’s, NF. He’s signed to a multi-year artist/producer development deal with Hi-Bias Records and most notably known for his energetic and charismatic stage presence, engaging personality, strong technical skills, and original approach to programming which has uniquely cultivated a huge following in both the gay and straight scenes.

Mr. Kenny Glasgow is the epitome of classic cool. He’s a Canadian icon. A pioneer. And a major contributor to the culture and movement that is house music.

And yes you read it right Paranoid Jack will hit the decks in front of a massive festive crowd all eagerly awaiting every “Jack” beat that they’ve longed to hear for the past several years.

Tim Patrick is the type of producer who’s guaranteed to immerse you on the dancefloor by his delicate mixing strategies. He was Toronto’s eye weekly #1 House DJs 3-years running. His reputation is as one of Canada’s most skillful DJs.

Chris Ink is a fast riser within Toronto’s electronic music scene who supports, excites and impresses many with his deck presence.

I simply had to plug this mad event not only cuz it’s my favourite of the year, but there’s nothing of its kind which happens at this time of year.

Then on New Year’s Day (NYD), and to think some only feel New Year’s Eve is the time to party! Steve Lawler rocks the decks at CiRCA. Lawler is labeled as a forward thinking, groundbreaking Pioneering DJ/artist. Wow! Talk about a great way to bring in 2010 with a hard bang!

“The DJs Who Stole Christmas…Again?” Guestlist please email [email protected] by 8:30pm Dec. 18, 2009.

Steve Lawler Early Bird tickets ($30) at CiRCA on NYD please email [email protected] by 2pm Dec. 31, 2009.

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Listen to something different, Scenester Radio; pick an episode, download and listen how you want, when you want, where you want. This week is The Miss Raquel & Cam Maxwell Show: Ageless in the Scene.

See you on the dancefloor!