It’s been while since I’ve gotten a new podcast out the door – in fact, this is my first of summer 2013. I suppose it’s a blessing that I’ve been working so much (both DJing and in my full-time job as a journalist), that I haven’t really had time to crank ‘em out like I had been a year ago.

I’ve been in a weird transition period as a DJ recently in terms of defining my sound. From the first time I finally spun an after hours party last fall, I’m learning that deep down I’m a big room guy – I prefer a more driving and dramatic sound to lighter fare. But I’m not a strictly tribal after-hours guy like Paulo or Abel, or a circuit peak king like Joe Gauthreaux or Danny Verde — I’m not an awesome tea dance master like Wayne G or Grind, or an EDM strictest like Nicky Romero or Alesso (all of whom are some of the DJ’s that I admire the most right now and love to hear out live often).

Being the Gemini that I am, I have a really hard time picking one sound and sticking to it. And in that, I’m finding that which truly is my own sound. I love pop music and I love wordless tribal beats, I have gay and straight influences, and I can’t play only male or female vocals (although being gay, I’ve always loved a good screaming diva!). And lord knows, I can’t stick with a decade — you’ll yet again hear at least something in here from each of the past five of ‘em. Through it all, I came of age in New York City, so I’ll always be partial to a classic house 4/4 beat, no matter how it’s dressed up.

What you won’t hear are remixes from any of the DJs whom I’ve historically been most influenced by — in the SoundCloud age, all DJs have access to a panoptic of sounds that range from official commissions to tracks put together by a teenager in their mom’s basement. There’s a new guard rising, but top talent always shines through. With the exception of a few songs, many of these remixes are by folks I’ve never used before.

This podcast reflects my schizophrenia a bit, and yet I was totally conscious about its bi-polar nature when I was laying it out and recording it. It’s almost like a wedding of my influences – what’s the saying? — Something old, something new … something borrowed, something blue.

I decided to start this one out very tribal in the first five tracks to build a foundation, but with a new take on some very classic and recognizable vocals. Then there’s a spurt of some new pop music, before I get into what I think is a very strong section of EDM-light (the type I love). From there I throw in a couple of more pop songs (with EDM-light remixes) before going into a few flashback tracks that you probably haven’t heard out anywhere in quite a while (a trademark of any one of my sets), before ending with five female vocals that have me singing out loud in the shower right now. And as always, my closing track might seem out of left field, but it’s the track I’m most likely to throw on at the end of the night just to make myself smile when I’m in the car driving home alone after a gig that just ended at 4 a.m.

Without further delay, please enjoy a selection of tracks that have truly made the middle part of my summer ... The dog days, if you will.

I think it was worth the wait.

And for those of you in Chicago for Market Days this weekend, see you on the dance floor!

My Upcoming Live Schedule:

August 9th – 5 -6 PM, Minibar, Chicago (Market Days)
August 10th – 6 – 7 PM … Minibar, 8 – 9 PM … DS Tequila, Chicago (Market Days)
August 16th – Stripper Circus, Share Nightclub, Las Vegas
August 17th – private party in the Hollywood Hills
September 1st – Size Sundays, Here lounge, West Hollywood
September 7th – Rasputin, West Hollywood

Tracklist:

“Arriba! feat. Yana & Class Action (DJ Amoroso Weekend Edit),” DJ Chus, DJ Boris, Todd Terry
“Dive '13 (Isaac Escalante & Xavier Santos Mix),” Debby Holiday
“Fired Up (Tommy Love B.D.S.F. Mix),” George M
“I'm A Slave 4 U (Thunderpuss Tribe-A-Pella),” Britney Spears
“Vogue (Manuel De La Mare Remix - Danny Verde Private Mash-Up),” Madonna vs. Leony
“Slow Down (Danny Verde Club Remix),” Selena Gomez
“Mirrors (Joe Gauthreaux Epic Rework),” Justin Timberlake
“Still Into You (Steven Redant Radio Edit),” Paramore
“Things Can Only Get Better (Original Mix),” Cedric Gervais vs. Howard Jones
“Burn (Mat Zo Remix),” Ellie Goulding
“Venus (Richard Beynon Remix),” Paul Oakenfold [feat. Azealia Banks]
“This Is What It Feels Like (David Guetta Remix),” Armin Van Buuren [feat. Trevor Guthrie]
“Dance the Pain Away (Daddy's Groove Remix),” Benny Benassi [feat. John Legend]
“Treasure (Audien Extended Vocal Mix),” Bruno Mars
“We Can't Stop (Gazzo & Kalkutta Remix),” Miley Cyrus
“I Choose You (Fedde Le Grand Club Mix),” Timeflies
“LRAD,” Knife Party
“17 Again (Thunderpuss 2000 Vicious Queen Dub),” Eurythmics
“Dog Days Are Over (Thiago Costa Tribe Remix),” Florence + The Machine
“A Million Swedish Summers (Bryan Adams // Swedish House Mafia // Otto Knows),” The White Panda
“Live It Up (Kassiano Radio Edit),” Jennifer Lopez f./Pitbull
“Heart Is A Warrior (Toy Armada & DJ GRIND Club Mix),” Natascha Bessez
“Standing On The Sun (Country Club Martini Crew Radio Mix),” Beyonce
“American Girl (8barz RMX),” Bonnie McKee
“Thinking About You (Liam Keegan & Michael Andre Radio Edit),” Calvin Harris feat. Ayah Marar
“Diane Young,” Vampire Weekend