Cybersex: A Complete Listening

I have never listened to the entire Cybersex series that I produced from 1993 to 2018 until today. I was organizing my records and cooking and decided to just these play in the background. After all, it is Mixtape Monday. Listening to them was like reconnecting with a old friend. I could recognize this as me but so many years have passed that some of the connections seem foreign. I first came up with the Cybersex concept in summer of 1993. I had been DJing in the LA rave scene for a little over a year. Most of the tapes I had done previous to this one were mainly the standard techno of the day. Most of it being breakbeat techno that would soon morph into Drum N Bass and Jungle. Styles were changing and new genres were being defined. I really got into the Artificial Intelligence series that came out on Warp during that time. Albums by Autechre, Aphex Twin, Mu-Ziq and others were coming out and changing how I was listening to techno. I wouldn’t know what IDM was at the time but I was really falling for this sound. I was buying anything that I felt was different and unique but still danceable. The problem was that I didn’t know how to play these tracks out live most of the time. I would drop a Aphex Twin track here and there (Quoth was a favorite) but a lot of this was maybe to heady for the rave dance floors that I was fortunate to play on. But mixtapes were a perfect vessel for me to try these tracks out and mix them together

The original Cybersex cover art

Around September of 1993 I felt I had a good collection of this style that I could put something together. I took the Cybersex scene artwork from the movie “The Lawnmower Man” and Cybersex was born on October of 1993. I remember placing them on consignment at record stores around LA and was surprised that it was selling well. I was still a relative new DJ on the scene but I think this tape being something a bit different helped it stand out. I got a lot of positive feedback from the tape and then started thinking of number 2. Again I was getting into different music. I had discovered German Trance. Especially from labels like Harthouse/Eye Q. The first side of Cybersex 2 was a dedication to this sound. I loved the melodic take on techno. Side B was bit more like the first Cybersex mix with some Detroit techno influences. The cover was done by a new designer I was using and we trying printing it on using purple inc over some silver paper stock. The tape was purple also and I really liked the way the package came out.I put it out in April of 94. Just 6 months It outsold the first one and I was starting to get know for the trancy music I was playing at gigs.

For Cybersex 3 it was all about the packaging. The mix was more European trance, still melodic but heading more into progressive trance territory. I was always looking at ways to stand out with the production of mixtapes and for 3 I found these little silver anti-static bags that fit the tapes perfectly. I made these silver stickers tat we placed on the bag and also most of the early copies contained a condom. I remember putting these packages together. They were pretty damn cool looking if you ask me. Cybersex 4 was another change in direction in sound. I had recently got into the Goa Trance sound this was one of the first mixes I did in that style. I was actually planning on this tape to be the last Cybersex mixtape. It even says "The Last Mindfuck" right on the cover. This tape came out in the late summer of 1995. I remember this one selling well as it was pushing a different sound..A lot tracks on this came from Flying Rhino, TIP, Matsuri and other Goa/Psy labels at the time. I was pretty proud of this mix. Listening to it again right now it takes me back to that summer.

I thought I was done with the series. I was happy ending it at 4. But around 96 I started working with Ken from Pure Acid on new tapes. This was the first time I wasn’t really producing and selling direct. Ken was buying the masters directly and then handling the production (he was doing a damn good job on the design and packaging) and distribution using his popular Pure Acid Mixtapes booth and direct purchasing through the mail. He was selling tapes all over the damn place now and it was great working relationship we had made. I decided to revive the Cybersex series with tape number 5 in 1999. Again I changed directions and this tape was more focused on melodic breakbeat trance. I really enjoy this tape quite a bit. And with that the series laid dormant for almost 20 years. Then in 2018, I produced a new standalone mixtape with Pure Acid called Alien Arrival. It was the 3rd in a Pay Trance series I started in 1997. I had such a good time doing that project I wanted to do another. The 25th anniversary of the first Cybersex was coming up and I thought a new Cybersex mixtape would be fun to do. I had an idea to focus on Melodic Techno which was a thing and tie it with other elements I also was adding samples and synths into the mix to make it a bit more unique. The idea was stand alone cassette and a 6 pack with all 6 mixes. I had recently located the DAT masters for the older mixes and sent them off to be cleaned up and re-mastered.

Artwork for the single cassette version of Cybersex 25

Listening to Cybersex 25 now, almost 3 years since I recorded really puts me back in that time. In late 2018 I was having a lot of change going on and this tape reminds me of the start of a lot of transition for me personally. I was listening to this mix a lot at the time. It is honestly one of my favorite mixes that I have done. Maybe it is the emotional tie to this period of my life but there is something about this mix that I really love. Listening to them all back to back today was really nice. It really does encapsulate 25 years of musical influences for me. I mean the artist that are on these mixes are just top notch and so influential. Just to name a few we got Aphex Twin, Ken Ishii, Laurent Ganier, Joey Beltram, Orbital, Kenny Larkin, Sabres of Paradise, Juno Reactor, Plaid, Moderat, Stephan Bodzin, Total Eclipse and so many more. To me each tape has its own direction and vibe but they all come together to tell a complete story. We only made a 100 of the 6 packs. We still have a few more and if you are interested in picking one up just click here.

New adventures of the stay at home DJ.

So, this is the new norm. In an instant every DJ at every level of fame and popularity has become a bedroom DJ. Almost immediately after the shelter at home orders were given, DJ’s took to Twitch, Facebook and other platforms and started live streaming. Quite a few of my friends were already doing it quite frequently. I even was going to start toying with it back in 2017 but I never really had the chance to set things up properly in my studio.

My new Zoom Q2n 4K. Capturing the magic.

So along comes the pandemic and now everyone is jumping in on the live stream bandwagon. We even have virtual festivals now. It is quite interesting to see how this movement Is growing. People are stepping up the game. Multiple cameras, logos, scrolls and chats are now common. The look of the broadcast is becoming just as important as the music. Maybe a bit more.

At first, I was very hesitant to get in on the craze. Firstly, it was for logistical reasons. I had moved back to California on March 1st and my DJ gear was being shipped and was not scheduled to arrive to our new place until April 10th. So even if I wanted to jump into the live stream fray, I had no means to play music to do so. Secondly, I didn’t know what I could add to the conversation. I mean if I was going to do this, I would want to do something different. Stand out a bit more I suppose. I guess I could just DJ and that would be fine but doesn’t seem engaging.

The new XDJ-XZ (Bottom) with the DJS-1000 Sampler (Top)

Also, I knew little about the whole livestreaming thing but lucky for me I have friends that were all about it and could provide me advise. When my gear arrived two weeks ago I knew I wanted to sell my current DDJ-1000 controller and upgraded to the new XDJ-RX (full review coming soon). I love that it was an all in one and also that I could use my DJS-1000 with it seamlessly. I quickly ordered the new controller and was able to quickly sell the old one. Ok with that solved now I had to get a new camera. I already have the older Zoom Q2n and since I would like to get multiple angles, I ordered a new 4k version. It just arrived 2 days ago and last night I got it up and running with OBS and also checked to make sure that I was getting audio from my soundcard directly into my feed. So far it looks good. I will test it out tonight or tomorrow morning. I have been asked to be a part of some live stream shows and if my testing looks good I will get on those as soon as Sunday.

I know I will want whatever I do I will try to engage a bit. I want to make sure that I it is more of a conversation rather than a monologue. I was thinking of doing more of a Happy Hour. Make cocktails, review craft beer and chat during my mixes. I don’t have a huge space where my DJ equipment / studio is so finding the right camera angles will be a challenge it is something to work on. As long as it is an outlet and fun and people seem to enjoy then why not. Might as well try it out and see how it fits me.

Mixtape Memories (The Ride Home - 2000)

So I am going to start writing a book. It has been something that I have been wanting to do fore a while and since we are all have extra time due to COVID-19, I might as well use this time to get going on it. To start to get me into the the flow of writing again (and to help jog my memory) I decided to blog about some of my old mixtapes that currently available online on various platforms. For my first trip down memory lane I decided to go with “The Ride Home”.

“The Ride Home” was part of a 2 tape series (not a double pack) that was my vision of what one should listen going to (the other tape is “The Ride There”) and coming home from a night of raving. I specifically was doing a lot of desert and outdoor parties at the time and especially a lot of closing sets. I remember doing so many closing sets at The Masterdome in San Bernardino and always needing some good tunes for the hour long drive back home. I know a lot of people would listen to more techno, house or trance on those drives back, but I will be honest, I don’t tend to listen to a lot of that when I am driving. I like a lot different types of music and I am typically pretty amped after I spin so I liked listening to chill out and indie rock when driving home. So my vision for this mix specifically was driving home from the desert during those hours where the sun has just rose and the night is fading into a new day. I love ambient music but I couldn’t just listen to beatless ambient music on a drive home as I would probably fall asleep at the wheel so I treated this mix to have a bit of various different chill out music. Well at least my interpretation of what chill out means. To engage but to remind somewhat background.

It starts off with some ambient but then you get into a Hip Hop beat by the unlikely producer BT, which mixes into some Andrea Parker. There are ambient and vocal interludes throughout including Bjork and some Radiohead (OK Computer was a constant listen when coming back home for raves in 1997 and 1998). My favorite moment on Side A is easily the song “My Sound” by Squarepusher which closes out the first side. It is still one of my favorite songs of his. It is so unlike what he is known for but it also shows off both his sense of melody and also how versatile he is with his bass playing.

Side B to me is even a bit more varied stylistically. Still very relaxed but there is an intensity there. Especially when Plastikman’s “Plasticity” mixes into the Snooze and Morpheus remix “Super Sex” by Morphine. I chose to close the mix off with one of my favorite Bjork tracks. I was listening to Homegenic quite a bit around 97-98. “All Neon Like” was such an instant classic for me. I loved the distorted 909 by Mark Bell over the beautiful lush synths all topped off by Bjork’s otherworldly vocals.

It’s funny listening to these tapes 20 years later. It’s like a time capsule of what I was into at the time and really, what I am still into now. Some music is purely timeless but also reminds you of a specific and pointed period of time in your life. This tape does that for me. I hope you enjoy.

Sunday Sessions at Grand Park - A very wonderful homecoming

Wow. What a homecoming. Although I did come back to California for Slinky in May, I wouldn’t call that coming back and playing in my hometown. I received a call from Jia at 6AM Group in late May. He asked how I was doing, and I replied that I was “Doing good, but very homesick”. His reply was, “well, home is calling and wants you back”. I have known JIA a long time and having him call me to come back home for the Grand Park party series “Sunday Sessions” was just the kind of homecoming I wanted. He told me the concept of having DJs that represent the history of the Los Angeles underground scene and I have to say I was honored to be thought to be a part of this event.

I love the old school look of this flyer.

I knew for a while before the info dropped in mid-July about the show. It was hard to keep my mouth shut. I just wanted to get it out there, but I just waited and kept myself busy with other things. Like leaving my job in Hawaii and after taking a job in Oregon. This opportunity would help things for my little tour of LA. Since I can work remote it allowed me the chance to fly into LA and stay a while. So instead of a 5 day drip it is now a 4-week trip that I am currently in the middle of. I have to say it is great to be back home.

When I got to the park on Sunday the vibe was just off the charts. The love was in the air, the weather was perfect and friends I haven’t seen in months were front and present. It was a beautiful day. I loved every moment. Dela Moon was dropping a great Melodic Techno set. I started at 4PM and it was electric. I honestly never wanted it to end. The crowd was just feeling it and so was I. After my set I was overwhelmed. There was so much love in the air. Hugs, Pictures, Videos and Conversations were captured and shared. It made me realize so quickly that I need this back in my life.

While I have been DJing in Hawaii and it is a great scene, it isn’t home for me. I do love Hawaii, but it has been hard to be away from the community that I have been a part of for over half of my life. I really do need to come back to where I belong. Being away hasn’t been all bad. I think sometimes you need to step away from what you must fully realize what you really need. Also, I think some separation is good. As I was told, “How can anyone miss you, if you never leave?”. I know I have missed LA, but I also felt on Sunday that LA has missed me. So, when I return to Hawaii on 09/15, I know the next time I come back to LA in 2020, it won’t be just for a visit. I’m coming home.

The Long Goodbye - Live at Re:Love Aloha (01/06/2019)

I have been in Hawaii exactly one month as I write this. What a crazy adventure this has been. When I announced, in the middle of December, that I was leaving Los Angeles and moving to Hawaii it didn’t quite seem real. As the days went on in December and I started preparing to move by purging, packing and shipping, it became more and more real. My last gigs in LA were so much fun but there was a hint of sadness at each one. It all came to a head at the special going away re:love park party on 01/06/19. I actually got there early to bring my XDJ decks for use at the party. I dropped them off and then grabbed some brunch with my friends Koko and Bernard Thomas in the valley. I went home, downloaded some tracks and thought of how I wanted to end this party. I was hoping I could make it somewhat special and memorable.

When I got to the party DJ Dan was wrecking things. I was so happy that DJ Dan came out and provided his skills and talent for the festivities. Having him there just really set the right tone for me personally. DJ Dan was first DJ that I spun with at my first gig in LA back in 1992. Fitting that he be the one to help me say goodbye to LA. Even for a bit.

When I drove in, I just couldn’t believe how many came out to say goodbye to me. Walking around the party, I kept running into friends everywhere I turned. People I haven’t seen in years came out of the woodworks to give a hug and a hope to see you again. It felt amazing. I was overwhelmed. I wanted to have a group photo taken so that I could display it in Hawaii. The professional photographer wasn’t there yet but we got some good group shots before I went on.

After the group shot, I went on and although I DJed 2 hours, it went by so very quickly. I played new stuff and old stuff and things in between. I was just feeling it. The love in that canopy was real. I never wanted the feeling to end. At one point my wife came up to me and asked, “Is there anything you need?”, my reply was, “For this to never end”. Bret Wallace told me I could play past my allotted 2 hours but I felt I had the right way to close this party and I wanted to get most of the crowd to be a part of it. After the last song of my set, I played “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole and I couldn’t help but to start to cry. It felt like there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It is a moment that will live with me forever. Thank you LA. Thank you for that. I needed it.

It was such a beautiful way to end this long chapter of my DJing in Los Angeles. I have been blessed to be a part of so many LA events over the past 27 years. Being an LA DJ is such a huge part of my identity that it is very hard to let go. But I took this opportunity to live in Hawaii as a challenge to myself. I just thought I would always be in LA. Maybe retire in the central coast one day. I never thought I would be given the opportunity to try something like this out. I just had to do it. It may not be forever, I might be back in a couple of years. Who knows? I just know that I would always regret this if I missed out on this chance to try something new. But LA I miss you. I really do. I am sure I will come out in a couple of months and drop a set or two and I really hope you are there to say hello.