NAPLES' HIDDEN GEM

Friday Nights w/ DJ PAUL & Friends @ Absinthe Lounge (Naples)

It's been a bit over a year since I last hit this upscale lounge, and I was definitely impressed in how this venue has stepped up their game and blossomed into a legitimate hot spot for sexy people and great vibes. They've since upgraded their sound and lighting giving it boost in appeal and quality. The drink specials were rediculous too, $10 all-u-can-drink, and you can still taste the alcohol !!! Staff was friendly, no doorman bullshit.

My good friend DJ PAUL was holding down the patio deck with sexy house and uplifting trance, while DJ FUMO was pumping out Top 40 remixes for the mainstream types. The crowd was proper, no club rats, or thugged out wanna-be's, no cliques or small town politics... just positive vibes all night long.

Although the location of this lounge was tucked deep into a relatively low-key plaza, it's definitely worth treasure hunting for because this gem is worth seeking. It's good to see that EDM still has a heartbeat in Naples, and hope to see that venue continue to flourish.

I know in the past this venue has struggled to draw a decent crowd and some shows have flopped, but after this Friday, I am convinced that Absinthe has got the formula right this time. If you've never been or haven't been in a while, definitely go check it out.... ESPECIALLY if you live in Naples !!!

Support your local EDM scene !!!

For more information on DJ PAUL check out:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/halilo2

or his fabulous "In Search Of Moonrise" compilation series:
http://paul2.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-05T22_40_53-07_00

REALITY AFTER REALITY CHECK

Reality Check Party @ Jack's Ranch, June 4, 2011

Hmmm... where do i start?? Should I start with the fact that this party was professionally executed, with zero interference from the police, and no drama?? Or maybe starting by talking about how all the best DJ's in SWFL came together to bring you (the fans) the best in EDM??? Decisions, decisions.

I suppose I can start by saying thanks to the REALITY CHECK PRODUCTION & THE RABBIT HOLE crew for hosting the event @ JACK'S RANCH. The place is nothing short of magical, with a perfect indoor room with club sound and lighting, and a chill tiki-hut style outdoors to get a breather from all the dancing and fist pumpin action indoors.

DJ's from all over SWFL came together to represent every genre you fans crave. They even booked the super Phabulous Phunk & Blake Fricker from Miami & Adam Steele from Tampa. When it comes to bringing on a bad ass party, the REALITY CHECK crew stops at nothing to import the best talent around without breaking your wallet at the door.

Pre-sales continue to show strong results, and the SWFL scene continues to grow. But on the other hand, the scene was already here... we just needed the right promoters and DJ's to unlock it's true potential. In other words.... SWFL needed a REALITY CHECK.

Not only was the lighting, sound, and DJ's on point... but the FANS really brought their game last night. With that said, the fans are truly what made the night what it was last night. Girls came correct with their dancing shoes and dayglow shirts and glasses. Fellas came correct with their energy and dancing abilities on the dancefloor. No fights, no drama, no bullshit from the cops.

Just P.L.U.R.

There is already discussion about the next RABBIT HOLE event, which is a special edition that will raise the bar another notch. SWFL, get ready... because 2011 is going to be jammed packed with kick-ass summer parties brought to you by the same people bringing you parties like last night.

Special thanks to :

JC Gutierrez & the RABBIT HOLE crew

Brad Duffy & the REALITY CHECK PRODUCTION crew

Chris Black & the ELECTRO FAMILY crew

Dubsonic (for saving my ass last night with an extra USB cord !!!!)

AND all the great DJ's that rocked the party last night !!!

REALITY CHECK PARTY

REALITY CHECK þ PARTY, June 4th, 2011

 

WHEN:

- June 4th, 2011 // Doors open at 8pm till 6am

WHERE:

- TBA

WHO:

- DJ PHUNK (From Granite & Phunk) (Miami)

- DJ TELSO

- Blake Fricker (Miami)

- Mike Zink & Les Bank$

- Triple D’z (Dubsonic, Dirtybitbass, The Definition)

- RedStar (Adam Steele) (Tampa)

- Doug Carnegie (Naples)

WHY:

So it appears that SWFL is making a comeback by introducing a slew of EDM events that is redefining the club culture as we know it. Many club owners, promoters, and DJ's in SWFL have doubted and shunned EDM as some niche music culture that isn't worthy of having a proper home for it's followers.

THEY NEED A REALITY CHECK...

Because you can no longer ignore the fact that OUR local underground warehouse parties are pulling more people in one night than most clubs can in a single month.

Because DJ/Producers like TIESTO, ARMIN VAN BUUREN, AFROJACK, DEADMAU5 are packing stadiums full of EDM fans from all walks of life, from all ages, AND selling out tickets at record rates.

Because world-class events like ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL, DETROIT ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL, COACHELLA have proven to pull club heads from all around the world year after year pumping millions of dollars into our economy.... and yet people still doubt the influence that this music culture has???

THEY NEED A REALITY CHECK...

The well known definition of insanity is" to keep repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result" .... so why do clubs keep offering "the same old shit every single night," playing the same damn tracks, with the same DJ's, offering the same lame nights and drink specials, creating fake ass hype AND still expect their club to remain solvent???? Does that not meet the full criteria of INSANITY???

THEY NEED A REALITY CHECK...

So let's send another clear message with ONE VOICE to our local clubs, promoters, and DJ's that IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME. Let's show them how a proper club night should really be like, where people come as they are, dance till their legs fall off, and beg/bribe the DJ for one more track when the record stops and the night comes to a close...

I mean... is that not what a BAD ASS TIME is all about??? Is that not why people go out, to have such a BAD ASS TIME that you shit it all over your facebook, twitter, and upload all your favorite moments from your camera phone the first chance you get???

For more information and updates on this event check out: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events&ap=1#!/event.php?eid=194324717270429

THE RABBIT RE-CAP

The Rabbit Hole, May 21, 2011

 

Last Saturday night was definitely one for the books here in SWFL. Top-notch talent blessed the dancefloor with all genres of EDM, and their performances were flawless. Like I said before, this event would be a local promoter's WET DREAM, and boy was I right.

As a guest of JACK, I observed and danced my ass off with the many club heads, candy ravers, and noobs alike united on one dancefloor and drama-free. This phenomenon is what many call "P.L.U.R.," a familiar acronym which stands for...

Peace

Love

Unity

Respect

Contrary to popular belief, EDM and raves are not sponsors for drugs, promiscuous and unsafe sex, and other related illegal activity. Rather, it's a sponsor of PEACE-ful gathering of EDM lovers under one roof, LOVE of music that crosses between genders, race, and socioeconomic status, UNITY between other EDM scenes that co-exist, DJ's, promoters, community officials, and other skeptics alike... and last but definitely not least.... RESPECT to all who join the movement and freedom to express oneself and to worship the dancefloor as one pleases without judgement, harassment, or exploitation.

When you think about it, the philosophy is simple - yet the meaning is so deep and profound and knows no boundaries.

There are many stereotypes that surround the world of EDM and raves, which stem deep from the 80's but it's our scene, a lot has changed since then, and we should set the record straight (pun intended, as many have warped the image of our scene) !!!

The official total number of attendance was 1,786. Up 19% (approximately 286 more guests) since the last sponsored event. It's an amazing accomplishment for JC and his team, and they promised to bring us more soon. Currently this event has taken a quarterly-like schedule so most are anticipating a new event to crop up within another 2-3 months.... so stay tuned !!

THE RABBIT HOLE -- A NEW FRONTIER?

The Rabbit Hole @ ???? (SEE BELOW FOR DIRECTIONS), May 21, 2011

JC Gutierrez, the genius behind "Where?House!" underground warehouse parties has launched a new edition of his warehouse rave legacy here in Naples, FL. The Rabbit Hole series is taking a more galactic theme for a trip of a lifetime. The Where?House! parties pulled just over 1500 clubbers, and lasted deep in the 3-4am mark, which is a promoter's wet dream in the SWFL region.

"The Launch" is scheduled for "Blast-Off" @ 21:00 and expected return @ 05:00 ....or.... in layman's @ 9pm till 5am.

Your Discjockstronauts are:

*Dave Armstrong – Cruise control Chief.

*DJ Rage – Video Communications Specialist.

*Legion of Doom – Space Topography.

*Dew Williams – Instruments Engineer.

*d???b – Time Travel Engineer.

*DirtyBitBass – CyberSpace Specialist.

*The TwinFlamez – Fire Ignition Engineering and HotNess Redefinition x2.
 

$10 cover for the early birds, limited amount of entry at this rate. Otherwise, expect to pay $20 if you like to roll in around midnight or so. Space is limited, and the last event capped out... meaning, people couldn't get in even after waiting hours in line. GET THERE EARLY !!

It's a rave... wear comfortable shoes and clothes, bring your LED toys, and costumes are always welcomed !!!

It's a BYOB, but no soda, juice, etc. (mixers) allowed. Just alcohol contents. They sell mixers inside.
 

DIRECTIONS TO THE RABBITHOLE:
(From All Stellar Points in the Universe...)

Get on I-75 and head SOUTH
TURN RIGHT on EXIT 105 (GOLDEN GATE PKWY)
TURN RIGHT at the first light and head WEST on GOLDEN GATE PKWY
TURN LEFT @ AIRPORT RD and head SOUTH. (Note: You will see an overpass/bridge, but you will yield to the rampe on the right where you will come across a light "AIRPORT RD")
TURN LEFT @ MERCHANTILE AVE and head EAST. (Note: You will see SAM GALLOWAY FORD car dealership)
Go all the way to the first STOP SIGN, and KEEP STRAIGHT

The Rabbit Hole will be on your LEFT.


For more info: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=213728848655435

See you all there tonight !!!

ELECTRONIC MUSIC GENRE FOR DUMMIES

So lately I've noticed a very disturbing trend that people really don't know their EDM genres well. To be quite frank, many DJ's in the SWFL scene don't either, and this in turn educates our crowds wrong to the point where dubstep will soon be called drum and bass.
 
It started out when local DJ's were spinning "deep house" records and calling it "tech house." It didn't take long until the very same DJ's just called it plain "house" music. But when I go to these "house" events, I hear everything BUT house music. Sure, deep house is a subgenre of house, and so is tech house, but... shouldn't we call it what it is to begin with?

For example, I am Puerto Rican, and just straight up hate it when people think Mexican or Cuban are one of the same. There not, despite the similarities. Same goes for our language... "Spanish" is not a universal dialect that all hispanics subscribe to. It's annoying and insulting when blanket generalizations.

Same goes for music, call it what it is people. Some argue that so many subgenres are pointless and confusing. But given that EDM is so rich and diverse, it is only logical to create a system to make sense of it all. If you have a trained ear and has listened to many many many records, you can understand why subgenres are important to both consumers and professionals who feed the masses.

Without further ado, below is a link to help remedy this problem. It's intuitive, helpful, and fun. If you are new to EDM, then start slowly as this site has a wealth of information. If you've been in the scene for a while... then before you begin your journey PLEASE remember to...


"Just make sure your head is completely pulled out of your ass before proceeding"
-- Ishkur (originator of the guide below)
 
http://techno.org/electronic-music-guide/


Cheers !!

SWFL'S ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC COLLECTIVE (EDMC)

"A new chapter, with new ideas, and the best talent around... we are... the Electronic Dance Music Collective"

Some of the best minds in the SWFL club culture have put their heads together to help shape the future of the electronic dance music scene here in Southwest Florida. Our first meeting back in April was a success, pulling in the leading DJ's, producers/artists, promoters, and pro-grade event coordinators. Although are team prides itself on a "roundtable philosophy" -- where everyone has an equal voice -- the originator of this "collective" is Chris Black, who is a veteran in the global dance music scene, spanning from Miami to Ibiza, and back. He has brought talent to our area that "amateur promoters" can only dream of, names such as: Bad Boy Bill, Steve Duda, Starkillers, and DJ Icey to name a few...

"But that's just the tip of the iceberg" -- Chris Black

Our mission is simple.... "Let's bring quality shows with top-notch DJs (both local and global) by combining our resources to create a ''Win-Win'' for those who are serious about the music biz."

In other words, we will only get back what we put in. Gathering from the quality talent in the room, it appears that we might be writing SWFL's next chapter in the club music scene. Stay tuned for more updates.


EDMC Official Roster:

CHRIS BLACK -- Sr. Promoter | Talent Management | "Electro Family" Partner

ANGEL ANDERSON -- Event Coordinator | Promoter | "Electro Family" Partner

WENDY WHITE -- Event Coordinator | Promoter | "Electro Family" Partner

DIRTY BIT BASS (Barry Gates) -- DJ | Producer | "Electro Family" Partner

DENIS DOMINGUEZ -- Event Photographer | Graphic Designer

DAVE ARMSTRONG -- DJ | "THE CONTINUUM" Radio Show Founder & Host

TELSO -- DJ | Producer | Pro Audio/Visual Engineer | "ELECTROGAZM Records"

JC GUTIERREZ -- DJ | Pro Audio Engineer | "WHERE?HOUSE!" Event Founder & Coordinator

DJ DEW -- DJ | Producer

SAMSON -- DJ | Producer

BIGG JOHN -- DJ | Producer | "VELVET ELVIS"

SEAN ARCHER -- DJ | Producer

DOUG CARNEGIE -- DJ | "THAT SOUND" Event Founder & Coordinator


There are more talented people on this roster, and update will be coming soon !!!